Flash (G.I. Joe)

Infobox G.I. Joe character
name = Flash


caption =
affiliation = G.I. Joe
function = Laser Rifle Trooper
realname = Gambello, Anthony S.
birthplace = Lodi, CA
serial = RA607432985
rank = E-4
primaryMOS = Infantry
secondaryMOS = Electronics
subgroup =
series =
voiceby =
debut = 1982

Flash is a character from the toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is the G.I. Joe team's original laser rifle trooper and debuted in 1982. His real name is Anthony S. Gambello, and his rank is that of corporal E-4. Flash was born in Lodi, California. He enlists and receives specialized training the Army Electronics School, Chemical School and Covert Electronics. Later, he is assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground's covert electronics division. His new laser range finger leads him to be recruited by General Lawrence Flagg.

Comics

Marvel Comics

In the Marvel comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in issue #1, as part of the first thirteen G.I.Joe soldiers. He went with the attack force to rescue noted pacifist Dr. Adele Burkhart. He and Breaker successfully destroy Cobra's radar station and Burkhart is rescued.

The two would team up again when Cobra attempts to destroy a United States space shuttle. They become part of the of the shuttle's crew. While on a spacewalk, Flash grabs a Cobra missile, manually diverts it and saves the lives of everyone involved.

At the re-dedication of the team's underground headquarters, Flash and most of the original Joes were reassigned to administrative duties. This was not the end of his missions. He participates in the Joe invasion of the town of Springfield in issue #50. A soldier wearing his typical uniform discovers underground transport tunnels but this man refers to himself as Zap, another of Flash's original teammates.

Flash makes a cameo in #57, analyzing captured pieces of the pre-fab Cobra fortress Terrordrome.

Flash was one of the few Joes not involved in the Cobra civil war. He was involved the aftereffects. A group of corrupt Pentagon generals framed the Joes as traitors and arrested the majority of the team. Those Joes who could, including Flash, Grunt and Roadblock, went underground. Dr. Burkhart, though still a pacifist, provides them with backup and support. The fugitive Joes organize and pull off a rescue of General Hawk and longtime Joe ally General Hollingsworth from an enemy controlled hospital. Due to the influence of Destro the Joe team is cleared of all charges.

Flash later trains new Joe recruits until the team was disbanded.

Devil's Due Comics

Flash participates in the mission to stop Tyler Wingfield, a murderous madman. He then gets his turn to attack Cobra Island, which is being held by a revived Serpentor. Again he is sent in to destroy a radar station, this time with Joe computer expert Mainframe. Too many Cobra troops were nearby and the Joes were not able to escape in time. They perish in the destruction of the station. (issue #25)

Flash's name was added to a G.I.Joe memorial at Arlington National Cememtary.

Cartoons

He first appeared in the animated series in the A Real American Hero mini-series.

Resources

* [http://joes.propadeutic.com/1982.html#Figures Guide to Flash action figure]