Zartan
(G.I. Joe)
Context
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero was a comic book and cartoon series based off of Hasbro’s 1980’s military action figure toyline. While both series covered the same characters and concepts, they had vastly different continuities. The cartoon’s stories were far more fantastical (and often silly) while the comic was far more realistic and gritty.
G.I. Joe’s story focused on the ongoing struggle between the G.I. Joe Team (a group made up of soldiers hand-picked from the four main branches of the U.S. Armed Forces) and the sinister Cobra organization (who were dedicated to world conquest).
Outside of Snake Eyes, Zartan was the most mysterious of all of the characters found in the G.I. Joe series. His powers make him a master of disguise, and his training makes him one of the deadliest foes of the G.I. Joe strikeforce.
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Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Zandar (Brother), Zarana (Sister).
- Group Affiliation: Cobra, The Dreadnocks.
- Base of Operations: Mobile.
- Height: 5’10” Weight: 175 lbs.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black.
Powers & Abilities
Through unknown means, Zartan can project realistic holographic images about his body. He uses this ability to mimic the appearance of other people. He can also use this ability to become “invisible” while remaining still.
Zartan is a skilled mercenary and assassin. He learned the art of war at St. Cyr , and the Arashikage style of ninjutsu from Storm Shadow’s family. While Zartan is competent with most weapons (from firearms to swords), he is a world class archer. Only Storm Shadow’s skill exceeds his own.
Outside of his physical prowess, Zartan has several “mundane” skills. He is fluent in over 20 languages, is a skilled ventriloquist and can throw his voice.
Zartan normally arms himself with a semi-automatic pistol. When expecting real trouble, he breaks out his long bow with its night enhancement sight.
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History
Zartan was a experienced mercenary when Cobra Commander first hired him. The job was one that required Zartan’s unique skill set. Cobra Commander needed someone to infiltrate a clan of ninja assassins and kill one of them. The target was Snake Eyes.
Assassin of ninja
Zartan used his gift of disguise to masquerade as a member of the clan. He spent months among them, learning their skills and gaining their trust.
Over time, Zartan watched a crack form Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow’s friendship. Storm Shadow had grown jealous of his friend’s prowess. Worse, it was clear that Snake Eyes had earned the Hard Master’s favour. It was clear that he would inherit the leadership of the clan upon the Hard Master’s death.
Recognizing the opportunity, Zartan decided to frame Storm Shadow for Snake Eyes’ murder. He stole one of Storm Shadow’s arrows and acquired a sound amplifier from Cobra Commander. After that, he waited for the right opportunity to assassinate his target.
The time came while Snake Eyes and the Hard Master were practicing one night. Zartan used the sound amplifier to lock onto Snake Eyes heartbeat and shot him with the stolen arrow. With the kill shot taken, Zartan fled the ninja compound, leaving Storm Shadow to take the blame.
What Zartan didn’t realize was that due to a trick, he murdered the Hard Master instead of Snake Eyes. In that one second, he earned the hatred of Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes.
Meeting the Joes
Following the failed assassination, Zartan assumed a colourful alter-ego and founded the Dreadnoks. The Dreadnoks were a mercenary group that worked out of the Florida Everglades. They worked on and off for Cobra Commander as thieves and saboteurs.
When Cobra Commander was being pursued by a team of Joes, he sought sanctuary in Zartan’s swamp lair. The Joes attacked him there, forcing Zartan to abandon his home. In retaliation, he decided to take the same thing away from the Joes. He started to search for the Joes’ secret base.
At one point, he came to believe that the base was under McGuire Air Force Base . He and his Dreadnoks laid waste to the base and all the equipment they found there.
Cobra Island
Over time, Zartan’s relationship with Cobra Commander grew stronger. Eventually, he was tasked with providing security on Cobra Island. While there, he discovered that a single man had infiltrated the island. He grew anxious and set out immediately to confront the intruder. He feared that Storm Shadow had deduced that he murdered the Hard Master and had come seeking revenge.
To his relief it was the Joe, Ripcord (who infiltrated the island for his own reasons). The two had a confrontation in the dark where Zartan subdued him. An idea struck Zartan after the fight had ended. He took Ripcord’s uniform and used his powers to disguise himself as the unconscious Joe.
When the Joes arrived to retrieve Ripcord, they took Zartan instead. Zartan feigned unconsciousness until he entered the G.I. Joe base. Once he found out where he was, Zartan attempted to escape. He almost escaped but a run-in with Sgt. Slaughter’s fist stopped him cold.
Zartan remained in the PIT for less than two days. His siblings (after getting the location of the PIT from Buzzer) infiltrated the PIT. Once there, they disguised themselves as two of the senior Joes and helped Zartan to escape.
Description
Zartan is a non-descript Caucasian male. He is of middling height and has a lean muscular build. His natural hair colour is black, but his true eye colour has yet to be revealed.
Zartan’s costume is made up of a silver midriff bearing chestplate, brown pants and black boots and gloves. He covers his face with a black domino like mask and his hair with a brown cowl.
Personality
Zartan is a mercenary who’s loyalty is guaranteed, once he has been bought. He is ruthless and will often plot out his actions months in advance. His failed attempt on Snake Eyes life presumably took months to prepare.
That being said, he can be an impetuous and opportunistic man. He is fully capable of changing directions in mid-stride if a better opportunity presents itself.
Marvel Universe History
GI Joe could be an extension of SHIELD or even the Super-Soldier program. It could be a mind shift or competing program in that if they can’t make a “Super-Soldier” through engineering the soldier himself. They could take the best of the best and give them the best training and equipment and create a sort of “Super Unit.”
If used in this way, the Russian counterpart, the Oktober Guard could easily be inserted as well.
Quotes
“I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me unless I wish it.”
“Take the swamp cruiser and neutralize the intruders… and don’t bother to come back if you fail.”
“Mount up Dreadnoks !”
“Nothing is more important than the safety of Cobra Commander !”
“Still some life in you, eh ? Nothing a few swift kicks won’t remedy !”
“My strength is quite… inhuman.”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Zartan
| Dex: 04 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 07 | Min: 05 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 04 | Wealth: 002 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Chameleon: 06, Invisibility: 03, Super Ventriloquist: 02, Ultravision: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Invisibility is Partial Invisibility Only (-2FC).
- Ultra-vision is Night Vision Only (-1) and a Skilled Power.
- Super Ventriloquist is a Skilled Power.
Skills:
Acrobatics: 05, Artist (Actor): 08, Martial Artist (+techniques): 04, Military science (Camouflage, Field Command, Tracking): 05, Thief: 05, Vehicles (Sea, Land): 05, Weaponry (Exotic, Handguns): 05, Weaponry (Archery): 07
Advantages:
Conditional Soaking (Fists and blunt weapons), Expertise (Martial Arts Lore), Omni-Language, Scholar (Makeup, Disguise), Survival (Jungle, Swamp).
Connections:
Cobra Commander (High), The Dreadnoks (High).
Drawbacks:
Guilt.
Genre:
Mock-Real.
Equipment:
- Medium-powered compound bow [BODY 03, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 04), Enhance (Range): 03 (cap is 06), Ammo: 01, Recommended STR: 02, R#02, Limitation: Low Penetration, Descriptor: Piercing].
- Medium Calibre Semi-Auto Pistol [BODY 03, Projectile weapon: 04, Ammo: 15, R#03].
Source of Character: Marvel Comics Series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Issues #1-56, Written by Larry Hama.
Helper(s): Maficklin, Interrobang75.
Writeup completed on the 8th of November, 2016.