Flash

Origin

Flash’s real name is Anthony S. Gambello and he was born in Lodi, California. He serves as G.I. Joe’s Laser Rifle Trooper but his primary military specialty is infantry. He holds the rank of corporal E-4. Flash is an expert in all forms of electronic technology and field repair. His specialized education includes Electronics School, Chemical School, Covert Electronics, and Electronic Engineering. After receiving his specialized training, he was assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground’s covert electronics division where he was recruited for the G.I. Joe team by General Flagg. Flash is a qualified expert with the with the M-16, M-1911A1, and XMLR-1A (shoulder-fired laser rifle).

Creation

Flash was first introduced in 1982 as a part of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe toy line. He was then written in the Marvel comic series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero by Larry Hama and was one of the original thirteen members of the G.I. Joe team making his first appearance in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1.

Character Evolution

Flash was one of the original thirteen members of the G.I. Joe team. He went on countless missions serving as the teams Laser Rifle Trooper. Eventually, many of the original members including Flash, were assigned to administrative duties when the team reconstructed their underground headquarters The Pit. He would remain an active member of training new recruits until the team was disbanded.

In the DDP series, Flash is killed in the line of duty on an attack of Cobra Island where his team is sent in to destroy an EMP generator station. He was then listed on the G.I. Joe memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Major Story Arcs

Cobra Civil War

During Marvel’s Cobra Civil War, Flash is one of the few Joes who is not involved. However, when the Joes are under scrutiny and General Hawk and Hollingsworth are captured, he is on a small team of including Grunt and Roadblock that frees Hawk. The Joes, with the help of Destro, are later cleared of all charges.

Other Media

Television

Flash appeared in only a few episodes of Sunbow’s G.I. Joe TV Show. He was voiced by Frank Welker.

Movies

Flash also appeared in the background of a battle scene with Cobra-La in the G.I. Joe animated movie title G.I. Joe: The Movie.

Video Games

Flash is a playable character in the G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra video game.

Toys

Flash was first introduced as a part of the Hasbro G.I. Joe toy line in 1982. Being one of the original members, Flash was first released with straight arms, but in 1983, Hasbro re-released all of the original 13 members with their “swivel arm grip”. Flash was reissued in Hasbro’s 25th anniversary G.I. Joe toy line as well.