Zartan

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Zartan (center) and the Dreadnoks

Zartan was a mercenary who often worked directly for Cobra Commander and was one of the main villains in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic and television series. He was first introduced in the comics in issue# 25 and was created by Larry Hama. His origin is still somewhat sketchy at best, but he is believed to have been responsible for the assassinations of many characters including Storm Shadow's uncle (the reason for which Storm Shadow would join COBRA several years later would be to discover the assassin). Zartan is also a master of disguise and leads his own Mad Max style of bikers called the Dreadnoks.

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Zartan from America's Elite #5

Also of note is the fact that when Zartan was originally released in the toy line, it stated on his file card that he suffered from bouts of schizophrenia. After the initial public outcry, Hasbro removed this information from future figures. In the present Devil's Due storyline (AE#6), Zartan has once again revealed a schizophrenic nature by forgetting who he really is/was and confusing it with the identities he has assumed. His current fragile state of mind is only known by his siblings and daughter.

In 1986, Zartan's brother Zandar and sister Zarana were introduced. A daughter, Zanya, was introduced in the comic several years later.

Hasbro Toy

The 1984 and 1985 Zartan action figure featured a removable mask that changed Zartan's usual face that featured large black triangular eye make-up, to a more normal looking caucasian male face. More interesting was that the plastic representing Zartan's skin on his face and arms was thermal reactive. When in its natural state, Zartan appeared caucasian, but when exposed to a small amount of heat, say from direct sunlight, Zartan's skin changed to a dark blue. The Zartan figure also came with thermal sensitve stickers that were applied to Zartan's chest and thigh. These stickers changed from maroon when cold, aqua at room temperature, and blue when hot.

In 1984, Zartan was sold with an accompanying "swamp skier" called the Chameleon. This vehicle also was made of thermal reactive plastic.

Zartan's brother Zandar and sister Zarana action figures were also molded from thermal reactive plastic.