Spirit (G.I. Joe)

File:240px-SpiritOOB.jpg

Spirit (sometimes called Spirit Iron-Knife), is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's original tracker and debuted in 1984.

Profile

His real name is Charlie Iron-Knife, and he was born to a poor Native American family in the Taos Pueblo Reservation in Taos, New Mexico. He was a hunting guide through high school, and then served in Southeast Asia after joining the military. Spirit returned to civilian life to complete his education, and then inexplicably returned to the service. His primary specialty is as a tracker, and he is a qualified expert with the M-16, M1911A1 Auto Pistol, and the Remington sniper rifle.

Spirit's costume and specialty highlight his identity as a Native American medicine man and shaman. He sports long braided hair, a headband, a knife being a prominent weapon, and pants with designs typical of some Native American tribes. A new version of his costume designed by the Devil's Due comic book company ditched most of the obvious aspects of his heritage, and emphasized a more military aspect.

Cartoons

Sunbow

In the G.I. Joe animated series, Spirit first appeared in the mini-series The Revenge of Cobra voiced by Gregg Berger while Freedom's vocal effects are provided by Frank Welker. In that mini-series, he was used as a foil to Storm Shadow, fighting one another to a stalemate. Afterwards, in the regular series, he was usually a background character or foil to Storm Shadow. In the episode 'Excalibur', Spirit heals Quick-Kick's broken leg in moments.

Spirit can be seen several times during the Battle of the Statue of Liberty in the opening of G.I. Joe the Movie.