Thunder (G.I. Joe)
Encyclopedia
Thunder is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is the G.I. Joe team's self-propelled gun artillery
man and debuted in 1984.
.
Thunder was originally the driver for the "Slugger", a self-propelled gun, and his primary military specialty is artillery. His secondary military specialty is bandsman (drummer). Thunder has a fondness for loud noises; he grew up next to a foundry, and has a passion for heavy metal music, peanut brittle, and even cars with bad mufflers.
G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #51 (September 1986). In that issue, he is first seen guarding the Dreadnok disguise expert Zartan
, deep in the Joe HQ. After the man makes his escape, several Joes leave to pursue him. Sgt. Slaughter
leaves Thunder in charge.
Later, Thunder is sent with several Joes on a multi-week weapons testing mission. He works with Tunnel Rat
, Grand Slam
and Clutch
. While being escorted home in a G.I. Joe convoy, they are attacked by Cobra Commander
in a 'P.O.G.O.' craft. The battle ends in a draw.
In issue #109, Doc
, Thunder, Heavy Metal
, Falcon, Crazy Legs
, Crankcase
, Cross Country
, Quick Kick
, Duke
and Breaker
are captured by Cobra forces during a mission in the fictional country of Trucial Abysmia. They are kept in a sandy pit. A misunderstanding between the Crimson Twins
and Cobra Commander convinces the Twins the Joes are to be killed instead of let go. A S.A.W. Viper steps up to take over where the Twins' courage fails. He kills Doc, then fires into the crowd of prisoners. Thunder and Heavy Metal die instantly. Only Duke, Falcon and Cross Country survive the resulting running battle.
Thunder, like all deceased Joes, is buried in Arlington Cemetery.
.
In the episode "Battle for the Train of Gold", Thunder's friendship with a Kentucky horse farmer is essential to the plot.
In the episode "Captives Of Cobra Part 1" Thunder has to deal with his brainwashed parents and sister trying to kill him. This is part of a plot that involves the relatives of Joe Team members being brainwashed.
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 the G.I. Joe team's self-propelled gun artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
man and debuted in 1984.
Profile
His real name is Matthew Harris Breckinridge, and his rank is that of sergeant E-5. Thunder was born in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
.
Thunder was originally the driver for the "Slugger", a self-propelled gun, and his primary military specialty is artillery. His secondary military specialty is bandsman (drummer). Thunder has a fondness for loud noises; he grew up next to a foundry, and has a passion for heavy metal music, peanut brittle, and even cars with bad mufflers.
Toys
Thunder was first released as an action figure in 1984, packaged with the Slugger artillery vehicle.Marvel Comics
In the Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #51 (September 1986). In that issue, he is first seen guarding the Dreadnok disguise expert Zartan
Zartan
Zartan is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, by Hasbro. He is a mercenary who often worked directly for Cobra Commander, and is one of the main villains in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic and animated series. His character was voiced by Zack Hoffman in the 1985 TV...
, deep in the Joe HQ. After the man makes his escape, several Joes leave to pursue him. Sgt. Slaughter
Sgt. Slaughter (G.I. Joe)
Sgt. Slaughter is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline series based on the professional wrestler of the same name. Though the original G.I. Joe was based on the real life Sgt. Alvin York, Sgt. Slaughter was the first G.I. Joe figure accurately based on a real person...
leaves Thunder in charge.
Later, Thunder is sent with several Joes on a multi-week weapons testing mission. He works with Tunnel Rat
Tunnel 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:...
, Grand Slam
Grand Slam (G.I. Joe)
Grand Slam is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. Grand Slam is the G.I. Joe Team's original laser artillery soldier.-Profile:...
and 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:...
. While being escorted home in a G.I. Joe convoy, they are attacked by 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...
in a 'P.O.G.O.' craft. The battle ends in a draw.
In issue #109, Doc
Doc (G.I. Joe)
Doc is the code name of two fictional characters from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic book and cartoon series....
, Thunder, Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal (G.I. Joe)
Heavy Metal 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 Mauler M.B.T. tank driver and debuted in 1985.-Profile:...
, Falcon, Crazy Legs
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...
, Crankcase
Crankcase (G.I. Joe)
Crankcase 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 A.W.E. Striker driver and debuted in 1985.-Profile:...
, Cross Country
Cross-Country (G.I. Joe)
Cross-Country 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 H.A.V.O.C. driver and debuted in 1986.-Profile:...
, Quick Kick
Quick Kick (G.I. Joe)
Quick Kick 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 martial arts expert, and debuted in 1985.-Profile:...
, Duke
Duke (G.I. Joe)
Duke is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 lines of military-themed toys. The character is featured in both the animated series and comic books. Duke is portrayed by actor Channing Tatum in the 2009 live-action film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of...
and Breaker
Breaker (G.I. Joe)
Breaker 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 original communications officer and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
are captured by Cobra forces during a mission in the fictional country of Trucial Abysmia. They are kept in a sandy pit. A misunderstanding between the Crimson Twins
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...
and Cobra Commander convinces the Twins the Joes are to be killed instead of let go. A S.A.W. Viper steps up to take over where the Twins' courage fails. He kills Doc, then fires into the crowd of prisoners. Thunder and Heavy Metal die instantly. Only Duke, Falcon and Cross Country survive the resulting running battle.
Thunder, like all deceased Joes, is buried in Arlington Cemetery.
Sunbow
He first appeared in the Sunbow G.I. Joe cartoon in the 'Revenge of Cobra' mini-series. According to the cartoon writer's guide, Thunder was intended to develop a romantic relationship with Cover GirlCover Girl (G.I. Joe)
Cover Girl is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline comic books and cartoon series. She is a tank jockey, specializing in the Wolverine missile tank, and debuted in 1983.-Profile:...
.
In the episode "Battle for the Train of Gold", Thunder's friendship with a Kentucky horse farmer is essential to the plot.
In the episode "Captives Of Cobra Part 1" Thunder has to deal with his brainwashed parents and sister trying to kill him. This is part of a plot that involves the relatives of Joe Team members being brainwashed.
External links
- Thunder at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page