Shipwreck is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon and comics.
Profile[]
Hector grew up in the shadow of the San Diego Navy Yards and dreamed of a life at sea. At the young age, he joined the Navy with his parents' permission. He graduated the Great Lakes Naval Gunnery School and later served with distinction in the Mekong Delta, fighting smugglers and river pirates. He also spent time at bases in Japan and Cuba, and participated in carrier-based operations in the Middle East. His experience eventually earned him a spot on the G.I.Joe team. He first worked with the team in the Gulf of Mexico, directing the Joes in readying the tactical battle platform. He wasn't impressed with the soldiers' potential as sailors, and didn't make many friends as he ordered them around as the platform was made operational. The quintessential sailor, Shipwreck at times seemed like he belonged more on a pirate ship than an aircraft carrier. But, despite all of his brash demeanor, he still proved to be courageous, tough and loyal.
Sunbow[]
Shipwreck also appearedin G.I. Joe animated series from Sunbow and Marvel Productions voiced by Neil Ross while Polly's vocal effects are provided by Frank Welker. He grew up in Chula Vista, California, in the shadow of the San Diego navy yards. For as long as he could remember Shipwreck wanted to be a sailor, so he joined the navy early at 16, lying about his age. He saw the world—from the river pirates of southeast Asia to smugglers off the Florida coast and the desert where he first joined G.I. Joe.
He is one of the major recurring characters of the animated series.
Shipwreck first appeared in the 1984 mini-series, "The Revenge of Cobra", where he offered Flint and Mutt a way back to Joe headquarters on his land sail. The Joe Team offered Shipwreck a spot on the membership roster in return which he gladly accepted. Shipwreck played a major role in a subplot in the "Pyramid of Darkness" mini-series. He and Snake Eyes have to combat their way out of a Cobra stronghold, and are later rescued through the efforts of a popular lounge singer named Satin.
Shipwreck was among the number of Joes whose relatives were captured and brainwashed by Cobra in "Captives of Cobra". In the same episode, Shipwreck explains to his adopted nephew that he himself was also adopted and they are both fortunate to have such loving families. "Memories of Mara" found Shipwreck in love with an escaped Cobra agent named Mara, who was part of an experimental procedure to create amphibious soldiers who could breathe on land and in water. However, the experiment was only partially successful with Mara, who could no longer breathe out of water for more than a few minutes.
In the two-part season finale "There’s No Place Like Springfield", his emotions and mental state would be toyed with when he is trapped in a town filled with synthoid copies of his friends and loved ones, including Mara and another synthoid called Althea, who was posing as his daughter from his false marriage to Mara. During the two-parter, Shipwreck is haunted by visions of many of his long-term Joe friends. He would perceive them as normal, then they would melt away in front of him. Also in part 2 of the episode, Shipwreck's origins are revealed when a female Cobra Crimson Guard named Cadet Deming interrogates him, by using a hazardous psychedelic mind control program.
The second season finds Shipwreck appearing less but still managing to participate in major roles in episodes he does appear in. Shipwreck is featured in the episode "Once Upon A Joe", as he entertains orphans while their home is being rebuilt.
Shipwreck also appears in two of the series' Public Service Announcements. In the first, he talks a couple of kids out of stealing a bike by showing them how wrong it is. In the second, he talks a boy out of running away from home following an argument with his parents, suggesting that he solve his problems by talking to his parents.
G.I. Joe: The Movie[]
Shipwreck also appeared briefly in the 1987 animated film G.I. Joe the Movie, albeit in a more diminished capacity, as a captive of Cobra-La.
