Zartan / Shadow Viper

G.I. Joe - A Real American Hero

Series 2

Hasbro

2001

Zartan

Zartan's early military career has been traced back to the Saint-Cyr Academy, where the misguided youth quickly proved himself to be a traitor, turning his regiment into a band of mercenaries and selling secrets to opposing forces. Although he was charged with treason and sent to prison, his talent for impersonation got him out the door, along with the dirty laundry. After escaping incarceration, he traveled to the Orient and became an apprentice to a Ninja master. Skilled in archery and the use of edged weaponry, his reputation led him to an encounter with an organization known as COBRA Command. His unequaled prowess as a quick-change artist made it easy for him to infiltrate and spy on G. I. Joe Headquarters. A master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (he speaks over 20 languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist and practitioner of several martial arts forms, he's been known to use holographic implants to alter his appearance instantaneously. He can look like a punk rocker one minute and an elderly gentlemen the next. Many have been fooled by how seemingly easy it is to capture him. . . . the trick is keeping him, because Zartan does the most damage from the inside!

Psychological Profile: Extremely paranoid. Experiences multiple personality disorder to such an extent that his original personality has been buried and forgotten.

Shadow Viper

No one knows exactly how Shadow Vipers get in and out of places undetected, just that when they do, they leave their mark of damage and destruction behind. They are expert computer hackers with a major grudge against worldwide government agencies. Shadow Vipers know every means of camouflage, disguise, and concealment there is to blend into any environment. Before a mission, they cover themselves in a dark, powder-like substance that makes them virtually invisible to ground radar and infra-red sensors for up to 24 hours. Ample time to infiltrate and ravage any facility, not to mention grab a few top secret "souvenirs" to impress Cobra Commander. Only problem is that these guys are loyal to no one, and will steal from each other to get in good with the big guy. They are like a nasty computer virus that keeps spreading. COBRA forces are bad enough to deal with when you can see them, let alone when you can't.