Stalker (G.I. Joe)
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Stalker is the code name of Army Sergeant Lonzo R. Wilkinson. He is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series. He is one of very few characters from the first line of the toys to have a distinct appearance from the other action figures with him being an African-American Ranger and wearing a beret.
He grew up in Detroit, Michigan where he was a leader of a large street gang. At some point, he turned his life around and joined the US Army and became a member of the Ranger forces. His fluency in Spanish, French, Arabic and Swahili coupled with his experience in commanding other people made him a valuable asset. When he joined the G.I. Joe Team, he often served as leader in their many missions.
Prior to joining G.I. Joe, he served on the same LRRP team as Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow did during their tour in the Vietnam War. Their experience there made them the best of friends. After their tour, only Stalker stayed in the military while Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow went on a long sabbatical training in the art of the ninja. Years later, Stalker, along with Hawk, would be responsible for selecting the members that would comprise the original Joe team. He was, in effect, serving as second in command to Hawk until Duke came on board.
Stalker's most trying moment was when he was captured by Borovian authorities after a mission gone awry. The United States disavowed all knowledge of him and his team's activities there and they became prisoners. There, they spent several months in a Borovian prison camp. They were eventually liberated by Scarlett, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow in an illegal mission. Stalker stayed on serving with the G.I. Joe Team until its disbandment and came back on its reinstatement.
Stalker was a major character in the G.I. Joe comic book series published by Marvel Comics. He has also been featured in the series from Devil's Due publishing. In the cartoon series -- from its second mini-series onward, he was virtually ignored. (During the original mini-series, where fewer characters are used, Stalker receives more screen time.) Fans of the comic series have often complained how such an important character could be treated as such in the cartoon. However, these fans will not be placated soon as Stalker is absent from the new series, G.I. Joe: Sigma 6.
