The Black Major
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The Black Major (real name John Shepherd[1]) is a fictional character from the Action Force series depicted in the Battle Action Force comic books and Palitoy action figures as a European version of G. I. Joe.
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[edit] Characterisation
The Black Major was depicted in the Battle Action Force comic book series as a member of the Red Shadows and second-in-command to Baron Ironblood.
Limited information is given in to his background on the file cards that accompanied the action figure although it is variously believed that he was either a traitor from Action Force (as a former British Special Boat Service marine commando) or was otherwise a captive of Baron Ironblood, subsequently brainwashed into:
a dedicated and ruthless follower. Brilliant military commander and tactician. Totally emotionless. The Black Major carries out Baron Ironblood's orders without question
His primary military speciality is stated as Combat Control though all other information is classed as Classified. However, his real name is referred to a number of times in his extensive back story.
Court martialled in absentia by his former unit and disowned by his family following his treachery,[2] his name is derived from the Spanish phrase el comandante negro, which was shouted at him by Andean soldiers in his first engagement for the Red Shadows.
[edit] Graphic representation
The figure is a repaint of the Action Force commander (a figure only available via a mail-in offer), giving some weight to his characterisation as a former Action Force member.
The figure was provided with an AK-47 assault rifle and a red paper codebook. Using the codebook one was able to decipher the characters used on Red Shadow vehicles (such as Shadowtrak), decals and armour as well as occasional Red Shadow wording used in the comic books.
[edit] Transition to Cobra
The Black Major was one of the key characters retained in the storylines surrounding the transition from the Red Shadows to Cobra. The evolution of both the action figures and the comic strip to conform to G. I. Joe in the mid 1980s saw a storyline[3] where Ironblood betrays the Red Shadows, leaking information about their bases and intentions to the UN. As the Shadows are wiped out, Ironblood goes into hiding and constructs a new identity for himself, becoming Cobra Commander, and creating Cobra as a new enemy force.
Subsequently, the Black Major together with Red Laser, Red Vulture (in a seprate storyline Red Jackal seeks his own revenge) goes in search of Ironblood to seek revenge for the betrayal of the Red Shadows. However he is wounded by his former leader (in his new form) by a squirt of cobra venom from a ring on his finger. After being rescued by Red Laser and Red Vulture, he escapes. The Black Major's final appearance in Battle Action Force is in Showdown for the Shadows,[4] a storyline where he seeks one final counter-attack against the combined AF (Action Force). As the Red Shadows are wiped out, the Black Major escapes and never features again in Action Force storylines.
[edit] References
- ^ Red Shadows Revenge!storyline courtesy of Blood for the Baron!
- ^ The Black Major storyline courtesy of Blood for the Baron!
- ^ World Enemy No. 1 storyline courtesy of Blood for the Baron!
- ^ Showdown for the Shadows! storyline courtesy of Blood for the Baron!
[edit] External links
| Action Force | |
|---|---|
| Toy Line | Action Force | AF | G.I. Joe | Action Man |
| Comics | Battle Action Force |
| Action Force Characters | Gaucho | Steeler | Jammer | Quarrel | Tracker | Wheels | Shark | Dolphin | Stakeout | Blades | Stalker | Sparrowhawk | Beaver | Hunter | Quickfire | Sky Raider | AF Characters |
| Action Force Units | Z Force | Q Force | Space Force | SAS |
| Action Force Villains | Baron Ironblood | The Black Major | Red Laser | Red Jackal | Red Shadow | Red Wolf | Muton | Kraken | Skeletron | Cobra Commander | Destro | Baroness | Zartan | Storm Shadow | Firefly |
| Factions | Red Shadows | Cobra | G.I. Joe Team |
| Video Games | Action Force |
