Metal-Head is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and animated series. He is a member of the Iron Grenadiers, and first appeared in the 1990 edition of the toyline. He is not to be mistaken for another character with a similar name ''Metalhead'' from G.I. Joe Extreme.

Toys

Metal-Head was first released as an action figure in 1990. A new version of Metal-Head was released in 1994 as part of the Battle Corps line and again in 2005 as part of a Convention Exclusive.

Comics

Marvel Comics

In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in #114. Metal-Head joined

Destro Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV, usually referred to simply as Destro, is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books, and cartoon series. He is the leader of the Iron Grenadiers, and founder of M.A.R.S. ...

's Iron Grenadier army as his anti-tank specialist. When he began working for Cobra, he was there as a double-agent, spying on

Cobra Commander Cobra Commander is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the '' G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' franchise. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra and the archenemy of the G.I. Joe Team. He was portrayed by Joseph ...

for Destro. The Joes first encountered Metal-Head during the Battle of Benzheen when he personally went up against a group of

G.I. Joe ''G.I. Joe'' is an American media franchise and a line of action figures owned and produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier ( U.S. Army), Ac ...

armored vehicles on foot, armed with his advanced missile system. Before the battle could be won, it was announced that Benzheen's Emir made a deal with Cobra, putting an end to hostilities. Metal-Head soon reported back to Destro in

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

, warning that Cobra was planning to attack Castle Destro. Cobra Commander proved him right by launching an attack that led to the destruction of the castle. Metal-Head was not seen working for Destro or Cobra for years after the battle.

Devil's Due

In the Devil's Due produced series, Cobra was re-formed in 2001. Later, Metal-Head was seen on

Cobra Island Cobra (sometimes referred to as Cobra Command) is a fictional terrorist organization and the nemesis of the G.I. Joe Team in the Hasbro action figure toyline '' G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' and '' G.I. Joe: Sigma 6'', as well as in related m ...

working alongside Cobra troops led by Destro, fighting the forces of a revived

Serpentor Serpentor is a fictional character and a recurring antagonist from the '' G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' toyline, comic books, and animated series. Introduced in 1986, the character rules as Emperor over Cobra. Serpentor serves as the primary a ...

. He is wounded in battle but survives."G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #25 (October 1993)

Animated series

DiC

Metal-Head had many appearances in the second ''

'' animated series produced by

DiC Entertainment DIC Entertainment Corporation (; also known as DIC Audiovisuel, DIC Enterprises, DIC Animation City, DIC Entertainment, L.P., and DIC Productions), branded as The Incredible World of DIC, was an international film and television production com ...

, voiced by

Garry Chalk Garry Chalk is a British-born Canadian actor. He has provided the voices for Optimus Primal of '' Beast Wars: Transformers'' and ''Beast Machines'', as well as Optimus Prime in the anime English dubs of '' Transformers: Armada'', ''Transformer ...

. Here, he is a childish madman who liked to blast everything and everyone usually screaming "BANG!" while firing weapons (although this makes him a lot more faithful to his filecard). He very much served as a

comic relief Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. Definition Comic relief usually means a releasing of emotional or other tension resulting from a comic epis ...

and a source of frustration for

(thereby not making him as formidable as he might seem and easier for G.I. Joe to take on). In the first season, he was frequently partnered with the Dreadnok, Gnawgahyde and appearing in numerous episodes. His main weakness appears to be his grandmother, who is clearly disappointed with his lot in life. She appeared in two episodes ("Granny Dearest" and "Metal Head's Reunion"). In "Granny Dearest", in Chicago while Captain Grid-Iron and Pathfinder inside the Battle Bunker arguing that they are lost, Metal-Head's efforts to steal "G.I. Joe's new levitation turbine" are interrupted by a visit from his Granny which led to failure of the mission. While Grid-Iron explaining to Freefall and Pathfinder why they need to transport the "G.I. Joe's new levitation turbine" by train and after a visit to Cobra's base in Lake Michigan, Metal-Head leads another attack on a train being used to test the device with Granny's help, he hijacks the train and brings the turbine to Cobra, where it is installed to power a new Floating Fortress. However, Metal-Head has admitted to his cohorts that he has been lying to his grandmother through letters that GI Joe is an oppressive organization and he is Cobra Commander. Freefall infiltrates the Fortress and uses his knowledge of Metal-Head's fibs to his Granny to maintain cover. He is soon joined by Pathfinder as the Fortress attacks Chicago. Joe forces are unable to dent the Fortress from outside, but when Metal-Head's Granny learns the truth and that Cobra Commander is trying to take control of Chicago (and realizes that "honorable men" like him do not put their feet on the furniture) so she defects by helping Freefall and Pathfinder overload the Fortress's engines while Grid-Iron with others Joes are fighting the Cobra troops and pushing back their attacks. She later admits to Pathfinder that her grandson is a good boy, but fell in with Cobra out of an "I want to rule the world" phase in his life. In the second season he had numerous appearances but in the DiC final episode, "Metal-Head's Reunion", it was revealed that he and Captain Grid-Iron both attended the same school and both have interest in Susan Winters, who is the high school sweetheart of Grid-Iron, although Metal-Head wants to impress her but at the same time steal the secret formula for Cobra Commander and Destro to use it against the Joes.

Video games

Metal-Head appeared as a

boss Boss may refer to: Occupations * Supervisor, often referred to as boss * Air boss, more formally, air officer, the person in charge of aircraft operations on an aircraft carrier * Crime boss, the head of a criminal organization * Fire boss, ...

in the 1991 ''G.I. Joe'' video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and in the 1992 ''G.I. Joe'' arcade game.

References

External links

Metal-Head
at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page
Metal-Head
at YOJOE.com {{G.I. Joe Villains in animated television series Cobra (G.I. Joe) agents Fictional characters from Maryland Fictional soldiers Television characters introduced in 1990