Monkeywrench (G.I. Joe)
Encyclopedia
Monkeywrench is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as one of the Dreadnoks and debuted in 1986.
, North Wales
.
Monkeywrench was born on Guy Fawkes Day
, which in Britain commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot
. As a youth, he built explosive devices for terrorists, and had made himself a pariah in his hometown by age sixteen. He drifted to London's East End
to take part in a "new wave" movement, developing rudeness and crude anti-social behavior. His wandering eventually brought him to Australia, where he joined the Dreadnoks.
. This version is a Wal-Mart exclusive.
to steal already stolen gasoline from the Dreadnoks stations. Despite initial beatings, the two join with the other Dreadnoks in defending Cobra Island
from a missile pointed at it. Despite a running battle with Hawk
and several unofficial Joes, the weapon is safely nuetralized. In issue 69, Thrasher
, Monkeywrench and Zarana
had been part of a team overseeing a Cobra Terrordrome base in the fictional country of Sierra Gordo.
When the country erupts in civil war, the three take Thrasher's Thunder Machine
to a local airstrip. They take several civilians hostage. This gets them transport from Wild Bill
, Crazylegs
and Maverick
of the G.I. Joe team. Eventually the Dreadnoks, Joes and the civilians willingly work together in an ultimately successful attempt to escape to safety.
Monkeywrench appears in issue #89, teaming up with a Tele-Viper as part of a large effort to capture Clutch
and Rock'N'Roll
. The two Joes had learned Broca Beach, a New Jersey town, was being run by Cobra and the Dreadnoks.
He appears as a supporting character in a two parter flashback story running detailing how Zartan's daughter Zanya joins the group. He is seen working closely with Zanzibar
and Gnawgahyde
in training and intimidation efforts.
Monkeywrench is listed as one of the fatalities in the gun battle that takes place in the prison known as The Coffin. This is G.I. Joe's maximum security prison, located in Greenland
. Another such fatality is Dr. Biggles-Jones. Cobra operatives, led by Tomax and Xamot
had raided the place, liberating many and intentionally killing others. As Storm Shadow explains, "Tomax...was able to eliminate those Cobra considered loose ends."
.
.
episode "Dreadnoks Rising." This version has a green mohawk. He is seen as a member of the Dreadnoks.
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...
toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as one of the Dreadnoks and debuted in 1986.
Profile
His real name is Bill Winkie. Monkeywrench was born in RhylRhyl
Rhyl is a seaside resort town and community situated on the north east coast of Wales, in the county of Denbighshire , at the mouth of the River Clwyd . To the west is the suburb of Kinmel Bay, with the resort of Towyn further west, Prestatyn to the east and Rhuddlan to the south...
, North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
.
Monkeywrench was born on Guy Fawkes Day
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in England. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding...
, which in Britain commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was a failed assassination attempt against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby.The plan was to blow up the House of...
. As a youth, he built explosive devices for terrorists, and had made himself a pariah in his hometown by age sixteen. He drifted to London's East End
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
to take part in a "new wave" movement, developing rudeness and crude anti-social behavior. His wandering eventually brought him to Australia, where he joined the Dreadnoks.
Toys
Monkeywrench was first released as an action figure in 1986. He was re-released in 2006; at first he was a 'direct to consumer' toy only, but later released in Toys R Us stores. He is again released in 2009 as part of a two-pack with Tunnel RatTunnel Rat (G.I. Joe)
Tunnel Rat is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline. He has appeared in all cartoon and comic incarnations of the series.-Profile:...
. This version is a Wal-Mart exclusive.
Marvel Comics
In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in issue 60. There, he allies with ZanzibarZanzibar (G.I. Joe)
Zanzibar is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as the Dreadnoks' pirate and debuted in 1987.-Profile:...
to steal already stolen gasoline from the Dreadnoks stations. Despite initial beatings, the two join with the other Dreadnoks in defending Cobra Island
Cobra Island
Cobra Island is a fictional country located in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the main base of operations for the fictional Cobra Organization featured in the G.I. Joe toyline from the 1980s. It is featured in the G.I. Joe cartoon and the comic book series created by Marvel Comics and Devil's Due...
from a missile pointed at it. Despite a running battle with Hawk
Hawk (G.I. Joe)
Hawk is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys. He appears in the animated series, comic books, toyline, and movie.-Profile:...
and several unofficial Joes, the weapon is safely nuetralized. In issue 69, Thrasher
Thrasher (G.I. Joe)
Thrasher is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as the Dreadnoks' Thunder Machine driver and debuted in 1986.-Profile:...
, Monkeywrench and Zarana
Zarana
Zarana is the sister of Zartan and Zandar in the fiction setting of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. She has short naturally auburn hair that has been dyed pink and is usually depicted with a tattered hot pink T-shirt and blue pants. Zarana is a master of disguise who can fool even the best...
had been part of a team overseeing a Cobra Terrordrome base in the fictional country of Sierra Gordo.
When the country erupts in civil war, the three take Thrasher's 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...
to a local airstrip. They take several civilians hostage. This gets them transport from Wild Bill
Wild Bill (G.I. Joe)
Wild Bill is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s.-Profile:According to Wild Bill's original file card, his real name is William S. Hardy, and his rank is that of army chief warrant officer CW-4...
, Crazylegs
Crazylegs (G.I. Joe)
Crazylegs is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's assault trooper and debuted in 1987.-Profile:His real name is David O. Thomas, and his rank is that of corporal E-4...
and Maverick
Battleforce 2000
Battleforce 2000 is a fictional sub-team from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline and comic books. First released in late 1987 , they represent a hi-tech unit of the Joes using experimental weaponry under battlefield conditions.-Toys:The toy line was made up of 7 action figures, with the 6...
of the G.I. Joe team. Eventually the Dreadnoks, Joes and the civilians willingly work together in an ultimately successful attempt to escape to safety.
Monkeywrench appears in issue #89, teaming up with a Tele-Viper as part of a large effort to capture Clutch
Clutch (G.I. Joe)
Clutch is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is one of the G.I. Joe Team's motor vehicle drivers and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
and Rock'N'Roll
Rock 'n Roll (G.I. Joe)
Rock 'n Roll is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is the G.I. Joe team's original machine gunner and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
. The two Joes had learned Broca Beach, a New Jersey town, was being run by Cobra and the Dreadnoks.
Devil's Due comics
Monkeywrench appears in the series published by Devil's Due. He stays with the Dreadnoks as they expand into a nationwide network. When G.I. Joe attacks Zartan's sprawling Florida Everglades complex, Monkeywrench is assigned, via radio, to man a turret.He appears as a supporting character in a two parter flashback story running detailing how Zartan's daughter Zanya joins the group. He is seen working closely with Zanzibar
Zanzibar (G.I. Joe)
Zanzibar is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as the Dreadnoks' pirate and debuted in 1987.-Profile:...
and Gnawgahyde
Gnawgahyde
Gnawgahyde is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is affiliated with Cobra as the Dreadnoks' poacher and debuted in 1989.-Profile:...
in training and intimidation efforts.
Monkeywrench is listed as one of the fatalities in the gun battle that takes place in the prison known as The Coffin. This is G.I. Joe's maximum security prison, located in Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
. Another such fatality is Dr. Biggles-Jones. Cobra operatives, led by Tomax and Xamot
Tomax and Xamot
Tomax and Xamot, also called the Crimson Twins or Crimson Guard Commanders, are the code names of identical mirror twin brothers in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero universe...
had raided the place, liberating many and intentionally killing others. As Storm Shadow explains, "Tomax...was able to eliminate those Cobra considered loose ends."
Sunbow
He first appeared in the G.I. Joe cartoon in the second season episode "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" Part I. In that episode, he is the winner of a Dreadnok membership audition. Monkeywrench was voiced by Neil RossNeil Ross
Theodoric Neilson "Neil" Ross is an English voice actor and announcer, born in London, England and now resident and working in Los Angeles, in the United States. He has provided voices for in many American cartoons, particularly those based on Hasbro products and Marvel Comics, and numerous...
.
G.I. Joe: The Movie
Monkeywrench also appeared briefly in the 1987 animated film G.I. Joe: The MovieG.I. Joe: The Movie
G.I. Joe: The Movie is a 1987 animated film spun off from the animated series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, based on the original Hasbro toyline. It was produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions and was animated in Japan by Toei Animation.Created at the height of the G.I. Joe craze in...
.
Renegades
Monkeywrench first appears in the 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....
episode "Dreadnoks Rising." This version has a green mohawk. He is seen as a member of the Dreadnoks.
Other works
Monkeywrench's figure is briefly featured in the fiction novel 6 Sick Hipsters. In the story, the character Paul Achting spent four years collecting G.I. Joe figures to set up a battle scene between the Joes and Cobra. As he imagined the characters in his head, he described the Dreadnoks as "an elite team of maniacal mercenaries allied with Cobra for this battle", with the figures lying in the thick of the shag carpet, and Monkeywrench, "The Welshman... lying on his belly. His orange beard blending in perfectly with the orangey-rust of the rug. He had only recently come to Australia. His time in East End, London, being a cavalcade of debauchery and psychadelic music."External links
- Monkeywrench at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page