| G.I. Joe character | |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | G.I. Joe |
| Specialty | Laser Rifle Trooper |
| File name | Gambello, Anthony S. |
| Birthplace | Lodi, CA |
| SN | RA607432985 |
| Rank | E-4 (Corporal) |
| Primary MOS | Infantry |
| Secondary MOS | Electronics |
| Voiced by | Frank Welker |
| Year introduced | 1982 |
Flash 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 laser rifle trooper and debuted in 1982.
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His real name is Anthony S. Gambello, and his rank is that of corporal E-4. Flash was born in Lodi, California.
He is highly skilled in many aspects of electronic technology and equipment repair, and has a Master's degree in electronic engineering. Flash enlisted and received specialized training in the Army Electronics School, Chemical School and Covert Electronics. Later, he was assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground's covert electronics division, where his new laser range finder lead him to be recruited by General Flagg. He is a qualified expert with the M-16, M-1911A1 auto pistol, and XMLR-1A shoulder-fired laser rifle.[1]
Flash was first released as an action figure in 1982.[2]
In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in issue #1, as part of the first thirteen G.I. Joe soldiers. He went with the attack force to rescue noted pacifist Dr. Adele Burkhart. He and Breaker successfully destroy Cobra's radar station and Burkhart is rescued.[3]
The two would team up again when Cobra attempts to destroy a United States space shuttle. They become part of the shuttle's crew. While on a spacewalk, Flash grabs a Cobra missile, manually diverts it and saves the lives of everyone involved.
At the re-dedication of the team's underground headquarters, Flash and most of the original Joes were reassigned to administrative duties. This was not the end of his missions. He participates in the Joe invasion of the town of Springfield in issue #50. A soldier wearing his typical uniform discovers underground transport tunnels but this man refers to himself as Zap, another of Flash's original teammates.[4]
Flash makes a cameo in #57, analyzing captured pieces of the pre-fab Cobra fortress Terrordrome.[5]
Flash was one of the few Joes not involved in the Cobra civil war. He was involved in the aftereffects. A group of corrupt Pentagon generals framed the Joes as traitors and arrested the majority of the team. Those Joes who could, including Flash, Grunt and Roadblock, went underground. Dr. Burkhart, though still a pacifist, provides them with backup and support. The fugitive Joes organize and pull off a rescue of General Hawk and longtime Joe ally General Hollingsworth from an enemy controlled hospital. Due to the influence of Destro the Joe team is cleared of all charges.
Flash later trains new Joe recruits until the team was disbanded.
Flash participates in the mission to stop Tyler Wingfield, a murderous madman. Joining him are Tripwire, Beachhead and Airtight. All are concerned with fellow Joe Chuckles, who has infiltrated Wingfield's group. They discuss the possibility of having to shoot him. The foursome are captured and Wingfield tells Chuckles, as a test of loyalty, to choose a Joe to shoot. Despite this, Flash and the others all survive.[6]
He then gets his turn to attack Cobra Island, which is being held by a revived Serpentor and his 'Coil' army. Flash is part of a team sent in to destroy an EMP generator station. He splits off from the group with the Joe computer expert Mainframe. 'Coil' troops capture the two. All perish moments later when the bomb destroys the station.[7] Flash's last words were "Mission Accomplished".
Flash's name was added to a G.I. Joe memorial at Arlington National Cememtary.
In the Devil's Due crossover, Flash assists Sci-Fi in battling Autobots. The Joes swiftly realize the robots' peaceful intentions and establish friendly relations.[8]
He first appeared in the G.I. Joe animated series in the A Real American Hero mini-series. His only major role came in the episode "Operation: Mind Menace". He joined Airborne in tracking down Cobra to a base on Easter Island after they kidnapped a Hawaiian girl who possessed psychic abilities. Unfortunately, Airborne's brother Tommy was being kidnapped at the same time and the trauma of the event affected the psychic link Tommy and Airborne shared. The Joes were captured by Cobra and Cobra Commander used Tommy's abilities to animate two Easter Island heads into transforming into giant stone warriors and attacking the Joes. Flash and Airborne fought off their attackers until they were rescued by Duke and Lady Jaye. Flash then took part in the attack on Cobra's base atop K-12. He and Stalker teamed up to free the Hawaiian girl from Cobra's clutches.[9]
In G.I. Joe: The Movie, Flash can seen in the background during the Battle of Cobra-La.
Flash appears as a playable character in the video game G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
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