Iron Grenadiers
Encyclopedia
The Iron Grenadiers are a faction from the military-themed line of action figures and toys known as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
.
. The Grenadiers are composed of Destro's castle guards, personal bodyguards, and mercenaries. Unlike Cobra’s troops, the Grenadiers tend to be well-motivated financially since each have a share in Destro’s weapons sales.
The group first appeared as part of the Battle Force 2000 sub-line in the 1988 series of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
toy line and also made appearances in the animated series and comics.
.
To lead his army, Destro enlisted Voltar
first and later General Mayhem to act as field commander. The Grenadiers are organized according to their specialties.
sergeant major
into the first of the Grenadiers.
The Grenadiers appeared as an army in issue #73–76 where they participated in the Cobra Civil War as a wild card. Destro's personal ride, a D.E.M.O.N. tank, battled a group of Dreadnoks
riding the Thunder Machine
. The result was a stalemate of sorts. Their objective in the civil war was to retrieve the Baroness
and they managed to achieve their goal without any losses. Some of the storyline featured Grenadiers in their downtime.
Later on, when Destro’s schemes started to affect Cobra, the then Cobra Commander
(Fred VII
in disguise) retaliated by assaulting Castle Destro. (issue #87) The attack backfired. Although outnumbered, the Grenadiers were able to prove their mettle. A clever plan by Destro allowed him to hold hostage Fred VII and Doctor Mindbender
and essentially take over Cobra. For a time, Darklon leads the Iron Grenadiers.
Grenadiers, out of uniform, are the adversaries of several Joes in issue #23 of the Special Missions spin-off series. Three issues later, the group kills three members of the Oktober Guard. Darklon also works with Cobra Commander
to destroy a G.I. Joe stealth fighter base.
A division of Cobra troops once pretended to be Grenadiers as a way to publicly frame them for the crimes the troops were committing. The Grenadiers also come into conflict with other Cobra forces, the Dreadnoks, partly because they found the bikers laughable.
The ties between Cobra and Destro were severed once more when the original Cobra Commander returns. One of the Commander's first acts is to throw Voltar into Cobar Island's land-locked freighter, along with several others the Commanders considers disloyal. The freighter is then buried under a volcano, Voltar was one of several characters to die from food poisoning whle attempting to dig out. Rather than confront the Commander, Destro kept his distance. The Grenadiers are featured in issue 105, along with the reformed Guard and several members of the Joe team.
Once again, the Grenadiers defend Destro's castle from Cobra Commander's forces. The Iron Grenadiers are not seen again for the remainder of the Marvel series. In issue #146, Cobra Commander
, as a way to test Destro's recent brainwashing, insinuates that Darklon could be a threat to Cobra. Destro casually launches a missile that destroys Castle Darklon, and kills Darklon in the process.
, where they continued to be in service of Destro. The Grenadiers have gained a new second in command, Mistress Armada. This is partly due to that the Destro (at that time) they know is actually an impersonator and needs a talented person to lead the troops.
Iron Grenadiers assist the Dreadnoks
when their Florida Everglades fortress is overrun. They take Snake-Eyes and Scarlett
, who kill many Grenadiers when they escape soon after.
Grenadier forces later assist Destro in rescuing the kidnapped Baroness, who had been taken by a consoritum of criminal interests who oppose Cobra Commander. One of the Grenadiers had betrayed the group. Destro tortures the man for all relevant information, then kills him with two bullets. The other Grenadiers work with the Joes as Flint
had also been taken prisoner. Most of the rescue team is captured, including two Iron Grenadier officers in civilian clothes. All prisoners are soon safely rescued.
Iron Grenadier forces are featured as Destro attempts to establish a Cobra stronghold on an island in the English Channel
.
The Iron Grenadiers team with Cobra Forces to battle the Coil. Destro and the Iron Grenadiers also try to create tension in the Sierra Gordo region using a fake team of mercenaries. Duke and another squad of Joes uncover the plot and Destro is arrested.
During the World War 3 storyline, Iron Grenadier forces again fall under the control of Destro's son Alexander, and as such, under Cobra Commander. Destro himself works with American allies to sabotage Grenadier forces.
G.I. Joe
mini-series "Operation: Dragonfire." Unlike the comics and the toyline, the Grenadiers were not treated as a separate faction from Cobra, but as part of Cobra’s organization. The name Iron Grenadiers is not even used. One character from the Grenadiers to achieve a level of popularity and attention was Metal-Head, who acted as comic relief
in the series.
as soldiers for James McCullen
's company M.A.R.S. Industries. All were wearing a perfected model of an exo-armor made for sale to Cobra Industries. They are beaten by the Joes and Doctor Mindbender
's new Mecha-Vipers (which are ironically a fusion of Doctor Mindbender's Bio-Vipers and the Mecha suits used by the Grenadiers). The Iron Grenadiers also appeared in "Castle Destro" as one of the line of defenses in Destro's castle.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
.
History
They are a private army owned and maintained by the arms dealer DestroDestro
Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV, usually referred to simply as Destro, is a fictional villain from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys from Hasbro. He is portrayed by Christopher Eccleston in the 2009 live-action film, G.I...
. The Grenadiers are composed of Destro's castle guards, personal bodyguards, and mercenaries. Unlike Cobra’s troops, the Grenadiers tend to be well-motivated financially since each have a share in Destro’s weapons sales.
The group first appeared as part of the Battle Force 2000 sub-line in the 1988 series of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
toy line and also made appearances in the animated series and comics.
Organization
The Iron Grenadiers are led by Destro. Following the storyline in the comic book series at the time, the file cards indicate that Destro had, at some point, left Cobra and formed his own army. He begins having dreams of world domination, as did Cobra CommanderCobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
.
To lead his army, Destro enlisted Voltar
Voltar (G.I. Joe)
Voltar is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with the Iron Grenadiers as Destro's general and debuted in 1988.-Profile:...
first and later General Mayhem to act as field commander. The Grenadiers are organized according to their specialties.
Troopers
- Iron Grenadiers – The basic infantrymen sent into hot spots to cause conflict and sell weapons. They have been described as "used car salesmen with machine guns."
- Ferrets – Operators of the D.E.M.O.N. tanks.
- Nullifiers – Pilots of the A.G.P. (Anti-Gravity Pod) flight vehicle. Nullifiers are trained and conditioned to be big and bulky.
- Annihilators – Elite troopers. These troops use special helicopter backpacks and serve as Destro's personal guard.
- T.A.R.G.A.T.s (Trans-Atmospheric Rapid Global Assault Troopers) – Soldiers in this unit are sent into near sub-orbit and then deployed to battlefields.
- Wild Boars – Operators of the Razorback assault vehicle.
- Undertows – Underwater combat specialists, trained and equipped to function in polluted waters near industrial and military sites. They appear in the cartoon without the barracudas (the barracudas were only ever included with the figures).
- Iron Anvils – Paratroops who wear heavy armor and are dropped from low-flying planes.
Officers
- Alexander McCullen – Destro's long-lost son. He posed as Destro when the real one was bed-ridden with an illness.
- Darklon – A distant cousin of the Destro clan and ruler of Darklonia. He briefly led the Iron Grenadiers, when Destro retired from frontline conflict. Killed when Cobra Commander expanded operations into Eastern Europe, and launched a missile that destroyed Darklon's castle.
- Metal-HeadMetal-HeadMetal-Head is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series where he is a member of the Iron Grenadiers. He 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...
– Anti-tank specialist. - General Mayhem – A former SpetsnazSpetsnazSpetsnaz, Specnaz tr: Voyska specialnogo naznacheniya; ) is an umbrella term for any special forces in Russian, literally "force of special purpose"...
general who went AWOL. Returned as General Mayhem and Destro's new general. His plans may seem chaotic and unorganized, but they usually come together to ensure victory. - Mistress Armada – A former member of the British Army who sided with the Iron Grenadiers upon befriending Alexander McCullen.
- Roddy Piper – A fellow Destro Clan member who serves as a trainer for the Iron Grenadiers. He is modeled after the wrestler Roddy PiperRoddy PiperRoderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
. - Sergent Major – Destro's right-hand man.
- VoltarVoltar (G.I. Joe)Voltar is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with the Iron Grenadiers as Destro's general and debuted in 1988.-Profile:...
– A former mercenary general capable of turning defeat into victory. Destro recruited him after rescuing him from prison.
Toys
The Iron Grenadier was first released as an action figure in 1988, as the handpicked bodyguards of Destro's new elite troopers. Destro was also re-released this year, this time clad in a gold battle mask with cape and ceremonial sword. Other figures released in 1988 as part of the Iron Grenadiers, were Voltar, and the Ferret and Nullifier vehicle drivers.Vehicles
- A.G.P. - The A.G.P. (Anti-Gravity Pod) was first released in 1988, packaged with the Nullifier figure. It featured 106mm recoilless cannons, pivoting VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) capability, and six "STUNG" (Silent Titanium Under-Radar Negative Gravity) missiles.
- D.E.M.O.N. - The D.E.M.O.N. (Dual Elevating Multi-Ordinance Neutralizer) was first released in 1988, packaged with the Ferret figure. The main body of the tank elevated in attack mode, in order to better view the battlefield. It was armed with several triple-barrel lasers, and six anti-aircraft missiles.
- Despoiler - Destro's Despoiler was released in 1988, packaged with the Iron Grenadier version of Destro. It served as Destro's personal aircraft, used to survey the progress of his Iron Grenadiers on the battleground.
- Dominator - Destro's Dominator was first released in 1990. It transformed from a helicopter to a tank, with its movable chopper blades and retractable tank treads, and featured a multi-shot rapid fire 3.5mm missile pod, and heavy armor plating.
- Evader - Darklon's Evader was released in 1989, and came packaged with the Darklon figure. It featured a canopy-mounted 9mm machine gun, two "Pursurer" roof-mounter stinger-type missiles, and lo-ride tires.
- Razorback - Destro's Razorback was first released in 1989, packaged with the Wild Boar figure. It featured an adjustable battle attack mode, eight "Short-Blast" surface-to-surface missiles, a 205mm dual-pulsating anti-armor cannon, and a radar antenna.
Marvel Comics
An Iron Grenadier appeared in G.I. Joe #69 of the comics series published by Marvel Comics. During that time, Destro had broken his ties with Cobra. After months out of the spotlight, Destro resurfaced in Sierra Gordo, where he supplied weapons to the local government and the rebels. To mark a new beginning in his life, he adopted a new uniform and fashioned his own aide-de-campAide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
sergeant major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
into the first of the Grenadiers.
The Grenadiers appeared as an army in issue #73–76 where they participated in the Cobra Civil War as a wild card. Destro's personal ride, a D.E.M.O.N. tank, battled a group of Dreadnoks
Dreadnoks
The Dreadnoks are a fictional biker gang who act as villains in the G.I. Joe saga, which have been represented in several types of media, including toylines , comic books series , and television cartoons .All Dreadnoks are uncouth and violent, and usually engage their enemies with...
riding the Thunder Machine
Thunder Machine
The Thunder Machine is a fictional, four wheeled, armored, weaponized vehicle used by the Dreadnoks, a biker gang/mercenary group in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic books and cartoon series. The Dreadnoks work for Cobra, the primary enemy for G.I. Joe.-Toy:As a toy, it was available for...
. The result was a stalemate of sorts. Their objective in the civil war was to retrieve the Baroness
Baroness (G.I. Joe)
The Baroness is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline by Hasbro, originally appearing in the first issue of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic series by Marvel Comics in June, 1982. The Baroness is a villain, usually associated with G.I. Joe's enemy, Cobra.Baroness...
and they managed to achieve their goal without any losses. Some of the storyline featured Grenadiers in their downtime.
Later on, when Destro’s schemes started to affect Cobra, the then Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
(Fred VII
Fred VII
Fred VII is a fictional character in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book, a member of the Crimson Guard, the elite Cobra combat and covert operations/infiltration force...
in disguise) retaliated by assaulting Castle Destro. (issue #87) The attack backfired. Although outnumbered, the Grenadiers were able to prove their mettle. A clever plan by Destro allowed him to hold hostage Fred VII and Doctor Mindbender
Doctor Mindbender
Dr. Mindbender is a fictional character from the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comics, and animated series. He is a scientist who works for the fictional terrorist organization Cobra.-Profile:...
and essentially take over Cobra. For a time, Darklon leads the Iron Grenadiers.
Grenadiers, out of uniform, are the adversaries of several Joes in issue #23 of the Special Missions spin-off series. Three issues later, the group kills three members of the Oktober Guard. Darklon also works with Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
to destroy a G.I. Joe stealth fighter base.
A division of Cobra troops once pretended to be Grenadiers as a way to publicly frame them for the crimes the troops were committing. The Grenadiers also come into conflict with other Cobra forces, the Dreadnoks, partly because they found the bikers laughable.
The ties between Cobra and Destro were severed once more when the original Cobra Commander returns. One of the Commander's first acts is to throw Voltar into Cobar Island's land-locked freighter, along with several others the Commanders considers disloyal. The freighter is then buried under a volcano, Voltar was one of several characters to die from food poisoning whle attempting to dig out. Rather than confront the Commander, Destro kept his distance. The Grenadiers are featured in issue 105, along with the reformed Guard and several members of the Joe team.
Once again, the Grenadiers defend Destro's castle from Cobra Commander's forces. The Iron Grenadiers are not seen again for the remainder of the Marvel series. In issue #146, Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
, as a way to test Destro's recent brainwashing, insinuates that Darklon could be a threat to Cobra. Destro casually launches a missile that destroys Castle Darklon, and kills Darklon in the process.
Devil's Due
The Grenadiers resurfaced in the G.I. Joe series published by Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
, where they continued to be in service of Destro. The Grenadiers have gained a new second in command, Mistress Armada. This is partly due to that the Destro (at that time) they know is actually an impersonator and needs a talented person to lead the troops.
Iron Grenadiers assist the Dreadnoks
Dreadnoks
The Dreadnoks are a fictional biker gang who act as villains in the G.I. Joe saga, which have been represented in several types of media, including toylines , comic books series , and television cartoons .All Dreadnoks are uncouth and violent, and usually engage their enemies with...
when their Florida Everglades fortress is overrun. They take Snake-Eyes and Scarlett
Scarlett (G.I. Joe)
Scarlett is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character is one of the original members of the fictional team and toy line. She is a major character of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and the...
, who kill many Grenadiers when they escape soon after.
Grenadier forces later assist Destro in rescuing the kidnapped Baroness, who had been taken by a consoritum of criminal interests who oppose Cobra Commander. One of the Grenadiers had betrayed the group. Destro tortures the man for all relevant information, then kills him with two bullets. The other Grenadiers work with the Joes as Flint
Flint (G.I. Joe)
Flint is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series. He was originally created as a character for the Sunbow cartoon series in 1984, and later introduced into the comic book and produced as an action figure in 1985.-Profile:...
had also been taken prisoner. Most of the rescue team is captured, including two Iron Grenadier officers in civilian clothes. All prisoners are soon safely rescued.
Iron Grenadier forces are featured as Destro attempts to establish a Cobra stronghold on an island in the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
.
The Iron Grenadiers team with Cobra Forces to battle the Coil. Destro and the Iron Grenadiers also try to create tension in the Sierra Gordo region using a fake team of mercenaries. Duke and another squad of Joes uncover the plot and Destro is arrested.
During the World War 3 storyline, Iron Grenadier forces again fall under the control of Destro's son Alexander, and as such, under Cobra Commander. Destro himself works with American allies to sabotage Grenadier forces.
DiC
The Iron Grenadiers first appeared in the DiC EntertainmentDiC Entertainment
DIC Entertainment was an international film and television production company. In addition to animated television shows such as Ulysses 31 , Inspector Gadget , The Littles , The Real Ghostbusters , Captain Planet and the Planeteers , and the first two seasons of the English adaptation of...
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1989 TV series)
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a half-hour American animated television series based on the successful toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics. The series was produced by DIC Entertainment and ran from 1989 to 1991....
mini-series "Operation: Dragonfire." Unlike the comics and the toyline, the Grenadiers were not treated as a separate faction from Cobra, but as part of Cobra’s organization. The name Iron Grenadiers is not even used. One character from the Grenadiers to achieve a level of popularity and attention was Metal-Head, who acted as comic relief
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:...
in the series.
Renegades
The Iron Grenadiers appear in G.I. Joe: RenegadesG.I. Joe: Renegades
G.I. Joe: Renegades is an American animated television series based on the G.I. Joe toy franchise. The series premiered on November 26, 2010 on The Hub. The series aired on Teletoon in Canada....
as soldiers for James McCullen
Destro
Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV, usually referred to simply as Destro, is a fictional villain from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys from Hasbro. He is portrayed by Christopher Eccleston in the 2009 live-action film, G.I...
's company M.A.R.S. Industries. All were wearing a perfected model of an exo-armor made for sale to Cobra Industries. They are beaten by the Joes and Doctor Mindbender
Doctor Mindbender
Dr. Mindbender is a fictional character from the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comics, and animated series. He is a scientist who works for the fictional terrorist organization Cobra.-Profile:...
's new Mecha-Vipers (which are ironically a fusion of Doctor Mindbender's Bio-Vipers and the Mecha suits used by the Grenadiers). The Iron Grenadiers also appeared in "Castle Destro" as one of the line of defenses in Destro's castle.
External links
- Iron Grenadiers at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page
- Iron Grenadiers at The Inner Sanctum fansite
- Iron Grenadiers at YOJOE.com