Short-Fuze (also released as ''Short-Fuse'') is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and animated series. He is the

G.I. Joe Team G.I. Joe is the code name of a fictional elite covert special operations unit operating under the control of the United States Military in the G.I. Joe universe. In the 1960s and 1970s, a toy military adventure character based on General Jos ...

's original mortar soldier and debuted in 1982.

Profile

His real name is Eric W. Friestadt, and his rank is that of corporal E-4. Short-Fuze was born in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. His primary military specialty is artillery and his secondary military specialty is infantry engineer. Short-Fuze is logical and sensitive. He also has a noticeable temper, hence his code-name. Short-Fuze comes from a military family (his father and grandfather were both career Top Sergeants). He enjoys abstract mathematics and can plot artillery azimuths and triangulations in his head. Short-Fuze received advanced infantry training, and specialized education in artillery school and engineer school. He is a qualified expert with the

M-14 M14, M-14, or M.14 most often refers to: * M14 rifle, an American military rifle ** Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle, an American designated marksman rifle based on the M14 M14, M-14, or M.14 may also refer to: Roads * Highway M14 (Ukraine) * M-14 (Mic ...

M-16 The M16 rifle (officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is a family of military rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle for the United States military. The original M16 rifle was a 5.56×45mm automatic rifle with a 20-roun ...

M79 grenade launcher The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40×46mm grenade, which uses what the US Army calls the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the V ...

, M-2 60mm light mortar, M-1 81mm medium mortar, and the M1911A1 Auto Pistol.

Toys

Short-Fuze was first released as an action figure in 1982.

Comics

Marvel Comics

Short-Fuze is one of the original members of the team, appearing in the premiere, double-sized issue of '' G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero''. All the Joes take part in an effort to rescue a peace activist that Cobra forces had kidnapped and taken to one of their many bases, this one an island separate from the more well-known Cobra Island. The activist is safely freed. Short-Fuze plays a support role in a mission to investigate a Cobra stronghold in the middle of mid-town Manhattan. The Joes soon storm the building with things bad and despite their best efforts, Scarlett, Zap and Snake Eyes are kidnapped. They later free themselves. In this issue, the code-name is spelled with an s, 'Short-Fuse'. Short-Fuze participates in the unsuccessful pursuit of Cobra Commander through the outskirts of Washington D.C. A Joe team escorts the Cobra ninja Storm Shadow to the island prison of Alcatraz. Short-Fuze pilots the boat. During a party celebrating the repair of Joe HQ, General Austin transfers Short-Fuze and all of the original G.I. Joe members to administrative duties; the newer men and women are to be field officers. Like all Joes, Short-Fuze participates in the invasion of Springfield, a Cobra controlled town. He later takes part in another invasion, this time of Cobra Island, a separate land mass, to help neutralize the Cobra civil war.

Devil's Due

Short-Fuze and the Joes invade the island for a second time as Serpentor had used it to establish an army that answered only to him. Short-Fuze is a support character in the flashback series ''G.I.Joe: Declassified'' that examines the early days of the Joe team. He is known for his poor inter-personal skills.

Animated series

Sunbow

He first appeared in the ''

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 ...

'' animated series in the A Real American Hero mini-series. He was voiced by

Frank Welker Franklin Wendell Welker (born March 12, 1946) is an American voice actor. He began his career in the 1960s, and holds over 860 film, television, and video game credits as of 2022, making him one of the most prolific voice actors of all time. With ...

. In the mini-series, he was generally featured alongside another Joe, Steeler; for example, the two teamed with

Clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

to create a killer satellite that was used unsuccessfully to destroy the Relay Star Satellite. He later paired up with Steeler again to man a copter during "Operation Big Lift". In the "Revenge of Cobra" mini-series, Short-Fuze is one of the Joes who deliver Cobra Commander to Blackwater Prison and then try to recapture him when Zartan breaks him out. He also is part of the defense of Washington DC. In the episode "Battle for the Train of Gold", Short-Fuze is part of a group of Joes who battle Cobra in the terrorist group's attempt to steal all the gold in Fort Knox. When the Joes have to chase Cobra on horseback, Short-Fuze is one of those who have trouble getting on their horse.

G.I. Joe: The Movie

Short-Fuze is seen briefly taking part in the battle at the Statue of Liberty in the opening to '' G.I. Joe: The Movie''.

References

External links

Short-Fuze
at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page {{G.I. Joe Comics characters introduced in 1982 Fictional characters from Chicago Fictional corporals Fictional staff sergeants Fictional United States Army personnel G.I. Joe soldiers Male characters in animated series Male characters in comics