History and Origin of GI Joe's Zartan!

[@DarkWizardPrince]

I love Zartan man. He is one of my favorite charaters from G.I. Joe. This was an enjoyable analysis, thank you.

[@josephskiles]

Here's my Zartan story. I was 4 years old when he was first released and it was through mail order only at first , my mom made a deal with me that if I learned how to tie my shoes she would order him for me. I had that skill mastered in a day, and a month or so later I got Zartan in the mailbox, I was extremely happy 😃

[@johnnyfountainS]

Congrats.

[@jnnx]

Except that’s not true. He was first released in the swamp skier, as stated in this video.

[@josephskiles]

@@jnnx he was first released with the swamp skier through mail in with flag points I'm sure of that. I'll look it up to make absolutely sure but I'm positive I'm right on that

[@SPAZZYok]

@@josephskiles You are right. I got mine through the mail too!!

[@antwan1357]

Anytime you see Zartan , you know the storyline is going to be good. The only villain who switches sides more then a light switch. Sometimes he even helps the good guys , because it furthers his own plans , and who would even know.

[@wondahwhy]

Cold Slither!! A band of vipers, playing our tune!! With an iron fist, and a reptile hiss we shall rule!!....I loved that episode as a kid

[@duggywild]

I had all their albums

[@CraigSmithII]

We're tired of words We've heard it before We're not gonna play this game no more

[@bendixonsghost7621]

Lol my too

[@gabebx4038]

Fucking awesome I have the complete dvd collection

[@AnthonySforza]

Wasn't there an episode where like a Cobra cook or something was stuck at the bottom of the ocean in one of their ships, for a fear years? Playing that song over and over again to keep the BATs in line?

[@RaymondKarlVeasey75]

The way Zartan's Action-Figure changed colors in real sunlight was neat.

[@treadstone1138]

One of my top 5 favorite Joe toys/figures as a kid!!! Loved Zartan!!!

[@the80sguy80]

Zartan was always my favorite. Thanx for posting this

[@erronmcgriff4487]

Remember if you put Zartan to the sun he will turn blue

[@voz3704]

and thus inspire an Eiffel 64 song

[@qubahka77]

hell yeah..and the chameleon changed colors too..... I think.

[@erronmcgriff4487]

@@qubahka77 his brother and sister did too

[@therecanbeonlyonechris5019]

You mean Green

[@erronmcgriff4487]

@@therecanbeonlyonechris5019 noooo blue

[@Diles46]

Dude, love your deep dives into these Joe characters. PLEASE keep them coming. Respect and love

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Diles46 - AIRSOFT how else would I learn all these awesome stories!

[@falcon048]

My favorite Zartan line is from the animated movie: "A gem of that size....answers ALL my questions."

[@RomLoneWolf23]

The line "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, formally, that is..." is pretty ambiguous, and does indeed feel like a feint in hindsight.

[@davidlopan123]

Zartan looks like the lead singer of a Norwegian Black metal band...with a debut album named hail cobra the snake of eden...

[@nurgle333]

Abbath

[@jbattle24]

Who is the Master of Disguise? ZARTAN. Changes colors right before your eyes... ZARTAN!!! I can't believe I still remember that jingle from Zartan's commercial toy debut.

[@duggywild]

That brought back memories long forgotten for me.

[@jbattle24]

@@duggywild you ain't lying!

[@jbattle24]

@NotSnarl I just remember the jingle from my childhood days. The 80's will never be forgotten.

[@alken355]

I remember when I got the toy, he had a removable chest plate. It was the coolest toy I had.

[@jbattle24]

@@alken355 and it changed colors in the sunlight.

[@MaxwellGriffin001]

This GI Joe series is awesome. I never knew all this stuff with backstories and the complexity of the characters. Thanks.

[@myst4hire1]

Man, this is awesome! I’m totally a huge, huge fan of the 80’s Joe’s, and have recently been wanting to pick up from where I left off around 89. Subscribed and will definitely be watching more of these videos. Thank you! 🙏🏾

[@robbyritter4245]

One of my first and favorite villains. Got Zartan and the chameleon for my 12th birthday. I still have them and all the accessories on display with the rest of my Joes. Seems like I remember Zanzibar (which I also have) taking over as leader of the Dreadknocks for a while.

[@jthealy2924]

I bought it with my summer money that I earned. Color changes was cool..

[@robbyritter4245]

@Jason Cross Sure does, both Zartan and Zandar. Don't have the sister Zarana.

[@random_gamer_guy82]

I wish they put more of his look into the live action movies. That hood and face paint was so prominent in his character.

[@charlesdavis4887]

Agree. They managed to make FireFly look decent enough but screwed Zartan up completely.

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

Zartan along with most or all the other 84 Enemy characters was awesome very cool character.....

[@SkotNealey]

i had Cold Slither stuck in my head the other day for no reason. Zartan is my fave Cobra agent.

[@ManScoutsofAmerica]

My favorite action figure when I was younger. Som many features.

[@cruzinUSA_]

5.46 mins in & I must say, best marval / cartoon crossover review ever...

[@19zach75]

The "cold slither" episode was one of the best ever!!! #you'll be joining us soon

[@jamesgallegos2803]

Keep these GIJoe vids coming please

[@JLSComics]

I have at least 10 more on the way

[@markm4033]

Zartan is one of the most interesting characters. He has technology that wasn't given to him by Cobra, and no doubt must have gone through some experiment with some quack doctor. His chest armor plate glows red when he gets real angry, sunlight affects him, and he has skills that could make you think he had some training in ninjitsu. He is a dangerous individual.

[@mikewillis9537]

He was trained to some extent by the same clan that snake eyes storm shadow scarlet and jinx

[@satan3959]

I had that Zartan figure with the Swamp Skier

[@flameduelist81]

Really in-depth, and researched. Good job.

[@JLSComics]

Thanks!

[@sebastianrook5478]

The original was One of my favorite toys!

[@FlexLuger87]

My favorite g.i joe villain 💪✔ Great video bro

[@JLSComics]

Thanks!

[@videosurfah]

@@JLSComics storm shadow and firefly would kick his ass

[@ThisIsTrent]

Great video! Great job detailing the origin from the beginning! Thanks for your hard work!

[@JLSComics]

Thank you very much - I have fun making these

[@MultiGG2]

Zartan. How do your powers work in the real action movies? Zartan: "Nano machines, son!"

[@J_Dubb79]

Crimson Twins please for your next video

[@uncledirtnap1]

I remember getting Zartan and Hooded Cobra Commander before anyone else through the mail. I think you had to collect points or something from the boxes and packaging from other figures and vehicles etc. I remember waiting all summer for them to show up. Boy I was the coolest kid on tbe block when i got them. Other kids eventually were able to buy Zartan at the toy store (remember those?) but I never saw another Hooded Cobra Commander.

[@jawansiler1388]

U gotts b n yo late 30's early 40'a lol me too

[@uncledirtnap1]

@@jawansiler1388 fo sho. GI Joe was my jam. i think like 4th grade maybe. yeah boy the 80s had the best cartoons and toys. Salute.

[@wyldshot666]

In the animated film, when he was talking about that Ruby.... Hilarious. I would like to see an adult based GI Joe live action series

[@AnthonySforza]

Ruby? What was he saying? Haha, I haven't seen the movie in... 17 years, I think. Had it on DVD.

[@peterblain6631]

Great work! Keep them coming!

[@peterdanior4538]

I remember getting confused when Raptor came out as a new Cobra figure. I thought he was supposed to be a new version of Zartan. I have always thought they looked so similar.

[@karlepaul6632]

🎶

[@thousandwolves952]

He is half african and half irish red head so he gets a bizarre Tan when sun hits him ... Thats most realistic story for him

[@marcelljackson2868]

So zartan kills serpentor wooow thats awesome

[@easygrin1127]

Yes its because Tomax had Monkeywrench killed i think.... he actually cared for his dreadnoks he also abandoned the civil war because they had put up Zandar against him and he ended up alnost killing his brother

[@jimmyju76]

Was cool how the comic fleshed out many characters, wasn't just good or bad

[@19zach75]

Zartan was one of my favorite Cobras. You could see him displaying paranoid schizophrenia in certain episodes.

[@randyvalentine3042]

Facts! He would flip out and almost break character it would seem and just wig on people and start laughing, he was different..

[@zacharymcmillan2788]

So mentally and psychologically he's kind of like John Travolta's character in the movie 'Swordfish',he's impersonated so many people his original personality has been forgotten.

[@AnthonySforza]

Oddly enough, when I saw that in the theater and he dropped that line there at the stream, Zartan immediately came to mind.

[@TheStriderSyd]

I wonder if Zartan got his holo-powers/holo-gear from the late Emmett Beton, or his A.I. creation: "Synergy". Wouldn't it be fun to have seen Cold Slither would have a Battle-Of-The-Bands against JEM And The Holograms.

[@radionowhere2870]

His introduction would be a collaboration single done with the Misfits.

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

I always liked Zartan for some odd reason.

[@d.k.prince5694]

Slight correction: The 1st issue of the Zartan toy had the Paranoid Schizophrenia comments at the end of his file. However, this was quickly edited out within a year due to backlash from the Psychiatry community. Further issues of the Zartan toy would have the same file minus the Psychiatric profile until his pink mohawk update in the early 90's, when he seemingly joined G.I.Joe.

[@sithlord1906]

I'm loving your vids!

[@BigManila]

Nice thanks for the Info on Zartan

[@ayo-joe3665]

love the info man

[@BobHansenJokes]

These are terrific, thank you!

[@joebarrett2746]

Awesome videos bud. PLEASE keep them coming.

[@JLSComics]

Tons more on the way!

[@Mr_Welch]

And Zartan sits alone and wonders, who? Who is the real me? And in the end, do I really have any friends? Who love me for being Zartan? Who love me for being me?

[@TheKobolos]

DESTRO! Destro and the Baroness! Destro and the Baroness practicing their clarinets!

[@frannyfranfrancis]

Loving this channel! Notifications on!

[@vassa1972]

Cool video zartan was a cool character and I had the figure as a kid LoL

[@retrogalaxyunlimited1999]

Excellent video

[@terrancechilds3049]

Think you so very much from all of your friends in cobra

[@chubbyteddymonsterproducti1320]

These videos are great!

[@LastBastian]

Good job, these are cool! Would be even cooler if you through in some more toy and collectible iterations of the characters....

[@thelonegamer2843]

Keep up the great work. 👍 Love Gi joe.

[@rollin-kimblecroskey9110]

Now that I know a little bit more about him; I like Zartan.

[@georgesulea]

Just subscribed; cool channel!

[@JLSComics]

Thank you!

[@kungfew1396]

I definitely had his action figure as a kid and he changed colors, I don't remember a hood and a mask that was detachable though. (Thats awesome)

[@anthonyp7051]

More GI Joe please

[@kushviper]

Great video! I do feel you missed the opportunity to gush over the v1 figure a little more tho

[@dominikheiderer9161]

Nice post! 🤟🏻

[@paxhumana2015]

Who were Zartan's parents, though, let alone the parents of his "siblings"?

[@ChapMeifan]

There was a rumor that Zartan's father was the Big Jim villain Zorak. Zorak also wore a hood and had the ability to change his appearance. Since Zorak was a Mattel toy and Zartan was Hasbro the creative guys didn't follow through with the idea.

[@richardgonzalesgonzales3529]

ZARTAN ... SKUNK with SWAMP BEAST set ; twin Gatlin’ guns blazing ... Buzzer with tactical shot gun stocked assault chainsaw ... God, The 80s toys and cartoons rocked!!!

[@falconone7230]

Changing colors right before your eyeeez ZATRAN!

[@buckroger6456]

I always thought he was one of the guys from Kiss.

[@marvelboi3416]

I thought in a comic book that Cobra Commander brother killed Snake Eyes family in a drunk driving car accident. Then Cobra kept an eye on him for a while to study. Then later hire Firefly or Zartan to kill him🤔 lol.

[@Kristain1977]

My favorite merc

[@Jay-ef2ii]

The best character from GIJoe cartoons. Cool look.

[@ricosuave6898]

I always thought that Destro and Zartan were very interesting characters because both were basically mercenaries, in it for the money, unlike all the real members of Cobra who were ideological believers...in an ideology that was never explained at all.

[@blkbrdmntrvimes6438]

Only the core named characters were believers, but destro, zartan and his crew, and all the rest were all mercenaries. Cobra had money💲💲

[@stainshield]

Zartan is leader of The Dreadnoks which has his brother and sister Zandar and Zarana as well as his daughter Zanya along with Buzzer, Ripper, Torch, Monkeywrench, Thrasher, Road Pig, Zanzibar, Gnawgahyde, Heart Wrencher, Demolishor, Burn Out, Chop Shop, Rugrat, Crusher, Death Metal, Billy-Bob, Cletus, Joe-Bob, Otis, Roscoe, Vance, and Machete. In The G.I. Joe and Street Fighter crossover from IDW in 2016, he beat Chun-Li who is The World's Strongest Woman disguised as Dan and then when he fought Guile, he lost when Guile hit him with a Sonic Boom.

[@RC51Legend]

Why did you leave out Storm Rider, huh? HUH??

[@captassassin5680]

Good job,!

[@qubahka77]

man you are breaking out the memories. had zartan and the dredknots. cant remember the spelling.

[@xFallN1x]

I was super excited to get him and his bike thing

[@1971thedoctor]

Zartan and Storm Shadow are my favorite baddies, I have other favorites but I use to dream these two would have a knockdown drag out fight. If anybody knows if this happened in the comics please let me know.

[@archangel5627]

My biggest problem with the live action GIJoe Movies is that the characters in the movies look nothing like their comic book and animated counterparts. Except for Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and The Baroness. I wish they went towards a more comic book route and made all of the Joe’s and Cobra look like how we know them. I will say that I am very excited to see what Hasbro Studios is going to do with their Cinematic Universe. From what I understand The HCU for a lack of better words is going to include; The GIJoes, The Freaking Micronauts, Romm The Space Knight, and I do believe The Transformers. What I really want to see out of all of those movies is The rebooted GIJoes and The Micronauts. I think Hasbro is going to go all out and finally give us The GIJoes that we all know and love. The Micronauts on the other hand will definitely be a movie with characters that we have never really seen on the big screen. The Micronaut toy line is easily one of the coolest and innovative toy lines of the 1970’s and 80’s. In fact when the toys were popular, Marvel put out a killer comic book series based on the toys and if the Micronauts movie is anything like the comic books we will be in for a treat.

[@craven1927]

The second live action movie ended up looking MUCH better than the first one. A lot of the characters were more on point, with the exception of Flint who was a waste of a character in that movie

[@paxhumana2015]

I think that Marvel should permanently buy back comic book rights to G.I. Joe/ Action Force, The Transformers, Ron the Spaceknight, and Godzilla, as well as all other comic variants of each. IDW will eventually own Devil's Due and Image as well.

[@archangel5627]

Pax Humana I totally agree with you. I’m sure Marvel/ Disney probably had an opportunity to buy a bunch of comic book and movie rights from companies that did not have ties to Marvel or Disney. Like you I also think that IDW will eventually play a much larger role in comics, film and tv. It really is only a matter of time until they get their hands on Image and their properties. The one company that I really want to see break into the live action film landscape is Valiant Comics. Ever since their relaunch they have consistently come out with awesome characters and storylines in their comic universe. I’m actually very surprised that they haven’t started their own live action Cinematic Universe. They have some of the coolest comic characters and I think they really could give Marvel a run for their money. Valiant needs to be smart unlike DC/Warner Brothers and follow the Marvel formula by hiring people who are extremely passionate about the source material.

[@kingkakig]

There three place in the Bible where the name Zartan is mentioned: Joshua 3:16 (KJV) That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 1 Kings 4:12 (KJV) Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam: 1 Kings 7:46 (KJV) In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

[@a45456565]

Thank you😺

[@steve-ec5wp]

VERY COOL!😁!

[@garythreat5]

This made me subscribe

[@SiLVeRSuRFiNN]

One of the best villains. Methodical, patient, physchotic, masterful and ruthless. What more could you ask for!

[@drubradley8821]

I know this is old, but, his sled upper plastic is what turned color, not the stickers... The additive into the plastic is photochromic, kinda the same process that your "auto-tinting" eye glasses do in out doors to indoors lighting, (UV)....

[@charmingd77]

Was hoping to hear more about the Zartan from GI Joe Renegade. It's an interesting origin story but this version of Zartan had no history/ relationship with the Stormshadow or Snakeeyes or the Arashikage clan.

[@mwamba85dt]

please do a video on the gi joe ninja force team

[@erronmcgriff4487]

Ohhhhh u have the action figure I remember the files in the back when you cut them out how's the simpler days

[@datniggagonz4953]

Yoooo Joe!!!

[@MrBurlybiker]

Zartan was always a favorite

[@LandofMert76]

Have you done one for the Dreadnoks? Was thinking it would be covered here

[@voz3704]

8:46 Why's he hunting down Dan Marino? Not a Dolphins fan, I guess

[@jowlorenz9555]

Which was the dreadnought with the blond ponytail ?

[@ryannorth9377]

Can you do one for Destro and Serpentor

[@onionsavoya7543]

Everyone knows the real Zartan has an orange mohawk ...

[@SaikoGorak]

A GEM THAT SIZE ANSWER ALL MY QUESTION...love you hat line from the movie

[@nightmaretrooper5064]

Speaking of Steve Blum I met Steve Blum twice one back in 2016 at Momocon. The second Time in 2019 and the best part is he still remembers me.

[@mpm1125]

Listen to Welcome to Cobra Island Wordburgler

[@Mark-tb1zq]

Why can't they make a proper GI Joe movie?

[@Blackblax]

Interesting. As a kid I always thought he was named Zartan because of his light-sensitivity. Too bad the 80s cartoon had him use the same "fake faces" that every other "master of disguise" did, instead of the holographs that Chameleon used in the 90s Spider-man cartoon. But I think Mystique's still my all-time favorite, "super-spy, master of disguise" in fiction.

[@SNOwyte]

Zartan is my ninja

[@RobertWilkinsonJKekMaloy]

The holographic motorcycle made it to tv!

[@WarKing77]

COLD SLITHER!