Origin
Conrad Hauser was born in St Louis, Missouri. At some point he joined the Army, and was posted to Fort Benning, where he was top of his class. He went on to attend US Army Special Languages School, underwent Special Forces training, and spent some time in South Vietnam working with tribesmen.
Upon his return to the United States he acted as an instructor in four Special Forces schools. He achieved the rank of First Sergeant, and repeatedly refused offers to be advanced beyond that rank, due to personal convictions about the duties of leadership. Eventually he joined the elite G.I. Joe unit, and was made second-in-command.
Creation
Duke was created by the G.I. Joe Sunbow cartoon series.
Character Evolution
Marvel
Duke’s original Marvel appearances established his current characterization and back story.
Devil’s Due
In his Devil’s Due appearances, Duke was characterized as much more willing to take risks with his own life and with those of his soldiers.
IDW Publishing
For much of the IDW Publishing, Duke starts of as second-in-command of G.I. Joe under General Hawk. However, after the Cobra Civil War, many G.I. Joe’s were killed. Feeling government pressure and responsibility for the deaths of many Joes, Hawk relieves himself and appoints Duke to take over G.I. Joe. In the G.I. Joe: Origin series, which is a retelling of the origin of the G.I. Joe team, Duke is one of the first members recruited to join, unlike the Marvel series where Duke joins after the team has become established.
Major Story Arcs
A Real American Hero (Marvel)
Duke is made the new field commander of the GI Joes after helping to protect General Flagg‘s funeral from an attack. He is amongst those who guard Cobra Commander when he has been captured by the Joes. Later, he goes on a number of missions with the Joes, taking part in an assault on Zartan‘s secret lair, conducting an invasion of Cobra-controlled Springfield, and fighting in the Cobra Civil War.
During an assault on Trucial Abysmia, bad intelligence leads to the deaths of most of his soldiers. After recovering from the traumatic experience, he protects the Pit against a Cobra assault, and leads various attacks. He remains fighting alongside the team until it is disbanded.
Black Ops
After the Joes are disbanded, Duke becomes involved in black ops work. During this time he becomes aware of the reemergence of Cobra, and mounts a campaign to reestablish the GI Joes to fight this threat. After Hawk is injured, Duke takes control of the team and avenges his mentor.
America’s Elite
Duke leaves the team to go on a solo mission to find Cobra Commander. He is captured and tortured by a member of the Crimson Guardsmen who is also seeking the Commander. He manages to escape and kill his tormentor before rescuing Washington, DC from a nuclear attack. He also aids in the defence of Yellowstone. Later, he is captured by agents of Cobra while visiting with his father.
A Real American Hero (IDW)
Duke is commander-in-chief of the G.I. Joe’s in the current G.I. Joe title by IDW. He is also found in the Larry Hama’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, which is a continuation of the Marvel series.
Skills and Abilities
Duke has no superhuman powers or abilities. He is in exceptional physical condition, and capable in both armed and unarmed combat. He is very intelligent, and a gifted leader. He is also a skilled linguist, and is known to speak English, French, German, and an unspecified number of Southeast Asian languages.
He has undergone Special Forces training, and so possesses a great deal of specialized skills and knowledge pertaining to combat and espionage.
Personal Information
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- Grade: First Sergeant
- Ethnic Background: German American
Alternate Versions
G.I. Joe: Reloaded
Duke is a double agent working for Cobra. He is killed by Scarlett when the pair fight in a sewer system.
Fun Publications
Conrad Hauser is the Secretary of Defence for President Joe Colton in this mirror universe.
Danger Girl/G.I. Joe
After the acquisition of the Danger Girl characters by IDW it was decided to first launch the characters under the IDW banner with a crossover with one of the major properties at IDW, G.I. Joe (as they are owned by the same company it seems possible that these characters exist in the same continuity, though this is never confirmed.) The series starts off with a dog chase involving Scarlett and Flint and they are soon shot down. It is revealed that they were providing escort for a shipment of rediscovered missiles with great destructive power.
They are soon shot down though and the missiles are taken by Cobra , who also take the two prisoners. Once in Cobra custody they come across Abbey Chase who is acting undercover, though the two members of G.I. Joe do not know this. Elsewhere the American president arrives to the USS Flagg and informs the Joe team to stand down and to not seek to free their teammates. General Flag orders them to stand down. The remaining female members (Cover Girl , Lady Jaye and Jinx ) come up with a plan where they will contact the Danger Girl team (Cover Girl had previously met Johnny Barracuda).
The team shows up and exposes the U.S. president as Zarana in disguise. Soon enough it is revealed that the Danger Girl team already has an operative in place and she informs them of the plan. Firefly is to head to Moscow and detonate one of the missiles while Major Bludd is to go to Beijing to detonate another. Three teams head out, one to each of the two cities and the third to the Cobra base. By now Abbey is under suspicion of Baroness, Destro and Cobra Commander and is captured by Zartan when she attempts to free Scarlett and Flint. While they are trying to escape a team of Low Light, Snake Eyes and Stalker arrive to free them.
Meanwhile in Beijing a team of Jinx, Johnny Barracuda and Sonya Savage stop Major Bludd while a team of Sydney Savage, Cover Girl and Roadblock stop Firefly. It is soon revealed that there is another missile which is headed for the homing beacon which Zarana has placed on the USS Flagg. Silicon Valerie , Duke and Lady Jaye quickly deal with it. Meanwhile at the Cobra base Storm Shadow has arrived to stop the Joes and he engages Snake-Eyes in combat. Eventually this group is also able to escape, while blowing up the base and they are all reunited on the USS Flagg.
Other Media
Animation
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Sunbow series)
Duke appears as one of the main characters in this animated miniseries, acting as commander or second-in-command for the Joes. He is voiced by Michael Bell.
G.I. Joe: The Revenge of Cobra
Duke appears as a main hero in this miniseries. Michael Bell reprises his role.
G.I. Joe: Arise, Serpentor, Arise!
Duke is one of the major Joes in this made-for-television movie. He is voiced by Michael Bell.
G.I. Joe
Duke appears as a major character in this animated show. He is voiced again by Michael Bell.
G.I. Joe: Sigma 6
Duke features as the leader of the Joes in this television series. He is voiced by Gregory Abbey.
G.I. Joe: Resolute
Duke is a major character in this series. He is voiced by Steve Blum.
G.I. Joe: Renegades
A younger version of Duke appears as a major character. He is a natural leader who is driven to do what is right, no matter what it may cost him. He is committed to uncovering the evil truth about Cobra Industries, so that he and the other Renegades can clear their names. A born soldier, he earns the respect and loyalty of the others through his heroic actions. He is voiced by Jason Marsden.
Film
G.I. Joe: The Movie
Duke appears in this movie, which is an adaptation of the 1985 show. Michael Bell reprises his role.
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
Duke appears as a major heroic character in this animated movie. He is voiced by John Payne.
G.I. Joe: Valor vs Venom
John Payne reprises his role in this animated film.
G.I .Joe: Battle for the Serpent Stone
Duke features as a major character in this animated short. He is voiced by Scott Roberts.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Duke is the protagonist in this live-action film, which establishes a more detailed background which contradicts much of his established history. He is portrayed by Channing Tatum.
The Ballad of G.I. Joe
Duke appears in this short comedy film. He is voiced by Henry Rollins.
G.I. Joe: Retaliaion
Duke will appear in this sequel to Rise of Cobra. Channing Tatum reprises his role.
Video Games
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
Duke is a featured hero in this computer game.
G.I. Joe
Duke appears as a playable character in this video game.
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
Duke features as a playable character in this video game.
G.I. Joe
Duke is a playable character in this arcade game.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Duke appears as a playable character in this adaptation of the movie of the same name.