Clutch

Origin

Lance J. Steinburg was born and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Before entering the military, Clutch worked at Manny’s Mean Machines as a mechanic and was heavily involved in street racing. He graduated military academy in Advanced Infantry Training, Covert Ops School, Executive Bodyguard School, and Ranger School. He is a qualified expert with the M-14, M-16, M-1911A1, M-3A1, M-79 and M60. Clutch was one of the original members of the G.I. Joe team and holds the rank of corporal E-4. He is the team’s V.A.M.P. driver and mechanic.

Creation

Clutch was created for the Hasbro G.I. Joe toy line in 1982. His character and story were adapted by Larry Hama for Marvel’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic series. His first appearance is in issue #1.

Character Evolution

Clutch’s code name came from his position as a transportation specialist. He was a top-notch driver and was mostly behind the wheel of the V.A.M.P. Clutch was known as a bit of a hot head and constant wisecracker. He is often seen hitting on women, a practice that sometimes put him at odds with Scarlett and the other female Joes. At one point during training, he even nominates Cover Girl and Scarlett to practice mud wrestling. Even though he is portrayed as a jerk, he is a good soldier who has saved the lives of many. Clutch’s 5 o’clock shadow is his signature physical chara

In many of his missions, he fights alongside Rock N’ Roll. Even when the two are no longer on the active Joe roster, they still are seen together, sharing a love of muscle cars and hanging out at the beach.

When DDP picked up the G.I. Joe comic series, Clutch does not appear until issue #8. During his time off, he worked as a mechanic for the Indy League Racing Circuit and a Philadelphia Naval Base. He is not reinstated until the teams is reorganized during DDP’s America’s Elite run of the series.

Major Story Arcs

Other Media

Sunbow

Clutch appears in several episodes of Sunbow’s G.I. Joe animated series. He remains the teams V.A.M.P driver and mechanic in the series, but does not retain any of his chauvinistic behaviour in the show. He is also shown with a full beard and not his signature 5 o’clock shadow.

G.I. Joe: The Movie

Clutch has a small cameo in the opening sequence of the animated film.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Clutch has a minor role in the second live-action G.I. Joe movie released in 2013.

Hasbro Toy Line

Clutch is one of the original figures of the Hasbro G.I. Joe toy line released in 1982. He was packaged with the V.A.M.P. battle jeep. He was released in 1983 when Hasbro changed their figures to “swivel-arm battle grip”. In 1984, Clutch was again released but in tan fatigues as opposed to his original army greens. On this release, he was packaged with the V.A.M.P. Mark II vehicle. The character was not released again until 1993 as a member of the Mega Marines G.I. Joe group. He was the driver of the Monster Blaster A.P.C.

In 2003, Clutch was renamed Double Clutch (presumably because Hasbro lost the rights), but returned to being Clutch when the figure was again released in 2007 at JoeCon. The figures file card even referenced his name change.

Video Games

Clutch is also featured in the 1985 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero computer game, and the recently released Toy Soldiers: War Chest Hall of Fame edition.