BAT (G.I. Joe)

Infobox G.I. Joe character
name = B.A.T.


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affiliation = Cobra
function = Battle Android Trooper
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primaryMOS = Independently targeted battle robot
secondaryMOS =
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debut = 1986The Battle Android Trooper (BAT for short) is a robot from the G.I. Joe universe. Created by the evil Cobra Organization, the BATs provide disposable brute strength to the Cobra army.

Toyline

The BATs first appeared in the 1986 edition of the toyline. A second version was released in 1991. A battle armored version came out in 1993 that was part of the Armor-Tech series of the Star Brigade subset. The BAT is brought back again in 2002 and is part of the full relaunch of the G.I. Joe toyline. It has since played a big part in the toyline especially in the series.

A Real American Hero

From the description in their first two file cards, BATs are often described as “machine guns on legs”. BATs are used to augment the Cobra forces and as means of diversion in order for the Cobra army to run away from the Joes. Being simple automatons, their only function is in the battlefield is to shoot the enemy. Even then, this simple instruction is not perfect as they would sometimes inadvertently shoot at their own forces.

Comics appearance

BATs first appeared in issue #44 of the G.I. Joe comics published by Marvel Comics. They were robotic creations of Dr. Mindbender who used them to gain entry into the Cobra Organization. Use of the BATs was sporadic. Their limited artificial intelligence prevented them from performing more complicated strategies and maneuvers. Still, that did not stop Cobra from using them altogether. They can still push farther than regular troops and take more damage. Nothing short of rendering them absolutely inoperative (i.e., destroy all vital core components) would stop them. Twice they were used in attacking the Joe Team's headquarters, the Pit (issues #53 and 130 to 131).

Ironically, the attack in #53 would be beneficial to the G.I.Joe team. The Pit was currently empty of all but General Hawk and three high(er)-ranking military officers. During the battle, two of the inspecting generals sacrifice themselves — and eventually the Pit — to save the others. The third general uses his influence to reinstate the team right then and there.

Serpentor utilizes them to augment his forces — both as messengers and expendable troops — when Cobra Commander's army outnumbers his (issues 73 to 76). (Unbeknownst to Serpentor, the Cobra Commander he was fighting was an imposter wearing the real Commander's booby-trapped armor.) One is seen as a spying device until battle damage reveals it's camera and it is destroyed.

In issue #119, a new type of androids are developed by Cobra that mimics human appearance and movement. Since the purpose of these androids were infiltration and espionage rather than warfare (similar to the synthoids of the animated seres), they were never really called BATs. These androids were destroyed by Scarlett, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow. Another Cobra scientist, Dr. Knox, developed a more highly-advanced version of the BAT which was sent to go after Scarlett. It had a more Terminator-esque appearance. Cobra is unable to produce more of it as the only prototype was destroyed.

After those events, BATs were hardly ever used again by Cobra. However, one resurfaced as an advanced model type with the appearance of the original model. It was far more adaptable and capable of self-repair. It was stolen by Firefly after injuring or killing several Cobra agents. It was destroyed by the Joe Team. (Devil's Due series issues #10 to 13)

G.I. Joe vs Transformers

In Devil's Due miniseries, G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, Cobra brainwashed the , both Autobots and Decepticons, and used them as their main attack force. The brainwashed Transformers were referred as "Battle Android Troopers", seemingly as an homage to the BATs, since they were androids, too. The B.A.Ts themselves would make an appearance in the third series in both ground and flying form with an added ability - they could combine into Cobratron, a giant robot seemingly based on Combiners like Devastator. Despite this, they were swiftly defeated by the Joes' Cybertronian battlesuits and the visiting party of Autobots.

Animated appearances

The BATs were part of the new cast of characters in the second season of the from Sunbow Productions. They did not play any major role and very much served as cannon fodder.

The second model BATs appeared in the . In that series, they are led by advanced BAT Overkill. Unlike the first generation BATs, this series is able to pick themselves up when damaged.

igma 6

In the series, the BATs come back with a more upgraded role, serving as the bulk and primary soldiers of Cobra’s army. Their disposable nature, again, gives the Joe Team an excuse to be indiscriminate in battle. The BATs have a much more robotic appearance and there is now more variants with different functions:

**Ninja BAT - A ninja type BAT
**Aero-BAT - BAT with wings and machine gun on back
**Cobra Mantis - A BAT unit driven by Destro in episode 17.
**Overlord Vector - A snake torso BAT.
**Overlord Virus - A ninja type BAT that was sent to Japan as backup for Storm Shadow. Under the influence of power stone, it is almost invincible. It later returns as a guard for an abandoned and seemingly haunted castle in Romania that Destro modified as a Cobra base.
**Overlord Vortex - A BAT with a single red eye, two laser-firing arm cannons, and tank-like wheels for feet. Its metal hide is very hard to penetrate.
**Zeus - A megaBAT created by Destro to destroy Megalo City. Zeus's AI is run by the captured Spud.