The Characters Of G.I. Joe - STALKER

THE CHARACTERS OF G.I. JOE

    "Functions well under high-stress situations.  Intelligent.  Perceptive.  Moves like some sort of jungle cat - silent - fast... strong." - From the File card, 1982.  

G.I. JOE

Ranger - STALKER

File Name - Lonzo R. Wilkinson

Birthplace - Detroit, Michigan

Specialties - Infantry, Medic, Communications, Interpreter, Intelligence.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION...

    Before he joined the army, Stalker was the warlord of a gang in Detroit City.  Seeking a new path, he joined the army and excelled in almost everything!  He graduated at the top of his class in both Basic Combat Training and Advanced Infantry Training.  In addition, he has graduated the U.S. Army Language School (he is fluent in multiple languages), Intelligence School, Ranger School, and he is a qualified jump instructor.

    While serving in Southeast Asia, Stalker found himself in the same Long Range Recon Patrol unit with future G.I. Joe members - Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow!  In 1982, he was one of the first Joes to become a part of the Team when the group was first assembled.  

    Stalker has led the Joe Team on countless missions!  He has had to deal with being outnumbered by enemy forces, adverse weather, and unexpected situations.  He has served alongside every type of soldier - the veterans, the inexperienced, the difficult, and so on.  Through it all, Stalker remains a diligent soldier that refuses to give up.  He pushes forward with his Team, no matter what they face and he is ready for anything that an be thrown at him! 

MY THOUGHTS...

    Stalker is a great character!  Larry Hama did a really good job with developing him as a soldier, a leader, and a friend in the Marvel comic series, despite their being a large gap in the availability of his figures (1982 to 1989).  He had some awesome moments in the comic!  For example, Issues #6 and 7 where Stalker leads a mission where he has to deal with Cobra AND the October Guard!  I mean, it's such a wrong moment, but it's still funny when Diana from the Guard is running to the VAMP to escape with the Joes and Stalker pushes her and says "Shove off sister!"  Also, Issue #39, where he led a mission to rescue Dr. Burkhart is one of my favorites!

    Strangely though, I never had the original Stalker when I was younger.  I missed most of Series 1, and though he was still available the next couple years, I tended to focus on the newer assortments.  When the 1989 version came out, I was wrapping up my collecting and didn't buy that figure either (though I was I had, that figure is awesome).

    Stalker here is represented by the Walmart Retro Stalker released in 2021.  This is a great version of the figure and it's nice to finally have him in my collection.  The only problem is that his eyes seem a bit off, like they were painted so that he is looking to one side...?  Weird...  Anyways, still a good figure.  I guess you just have to pose him so he's looking the right direction!

    What did you think of this version of Stalker?  Which version is your favorite?

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow and DIC cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original File Card.)