Spirit (G.I. Joe)

Spirit (sometimes called Spirit Iron-Knife), 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 tracker and debuted in 1984.

Profile
His real name is Charlie Iron-Knife, and he was born to a poor Native American family in the Taos Pueblo Reservation in Taos, New Mexico.

His primary military specialty is infantry and his secondary military specialty is social services. He was a hunting guide through high school and then served in Southeast Asia after joining the military. Spirit returned to civilian life to complete his education and then inexplicably returned to the service. His primary specialty is as a tracker, and he is a qualified expert with the M-16, M1911A1 Auto Pistol, and the Remington sniper rifle.

Spirit's costume and specialty highlight his identity as a Native American medicine man and shaman. He sports long braided hair, a headband, a knife being a prominent weapon, and pants with designs typical of some Native American tribes. A new version of his costume designed by the Devil's Due comic book company ditched most of the obvious aspects of his heritage, and emphasized a more military aspect.

Toys
Spirit was introduced as an action figure in 1984. In the Slaughter's Marauders toy line released in 1989, his birthplace is written as Grand Canyon, Arizona. It is corrected back to Taos, New Mexico in the new toy released in 2005. He has a companion pet Bald Eagle named Freedom.

A new version of Spirit was released as part of the Air Commandos line in 1992.

Marvel Comics
Spirit's first comic book appearance is in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #31 (January 1985) from Marvel Comics. His first mission was guarding Snake-Eyes, who is staying at his cabin at the time. That issue showed some of his capabilities as a hunter and tracker. He was the only one who spotted a Cobra tracking device inside the C-130 plane they were flying on. He and Airborne, a fellow Joe (and coincidentally a fellow Southwest Native American) during that mission kept moving around and trying to deceive Snake-Eyes from their presence. After injuries from that mission, he was seen in a shopping mall in G.I. Joe #33 looking for medicinal herbs. In the same issue, he is recognized by a Crimson Guardsman, which results in several others Joes battling Cobra forces. Spirit later participates in the invasion of Springfield, and Cobra Island.

In issue #100, Spirit has accompanied Mutt to Millville. While there, the two visit Mutt's Uncle Jeff. Mutt's dog Junkyard naturally comes with. During their stay, Cobra invades and takes over the town. Most of the citizenry are brainwashed one by one. Spirit and Mutt form a resistance movement. Assisted by Junkyard, they ambush a Cobra patrol, taking out two soldiers and a HISS Tank. They stop to check on Jeff, who seemingly betrays them. The two are joined by a local veterinarian and a small group of teenagers. The whole thing falls apart when it is seemingly discovered there was no Cobra presence at all, though it turns out the town is simply brainwashed back when the authorities are gone. Mutt and Spirit are arrested on the orders of Hawk.

This entire incident casts G.I. Joe in a bad light public relations wise, but eventually the truth comes out. The two are cleared of all wrongdoing after a court trial.

In his last few appearances, he can be seen guarding the entrance to the Joe's headquarters, a new version of the Pit. Spirit refuses to let anyone enter until they give the proper codewords. Spirit's pet eagle, Freedom, does not appear until #130.

Devil's Due
In the first issue of Devil's Due G.I. Joe series, Spirit is one of the many soldiers called back into active duty.

Spirit is featured in the one-shot G.I. Joe: The Hunt for Cobra Commander, set in the year between the Devil's Due A Real American Hero series and G.I. Joe: America's Elite series. The story is largely told via e-mails Spirit sends Hawk, while conducting a solo investigation of Cobra Commander's whereabouts. Spirit is later found by the Joes imprisoned at an old Cobra base, and rejoins the team.

Sunbow
In the G.I. Joe animated series, Spirit first appeared in the mini-series The Revenge of Cobra voiced by Gregg Berger while Freedom's vocal effects are provided by Frank Welker. In that mini-series, he was used as a foil to Storm Shadow, fighting one another to a stalemate. Afterwards, in the regular series, he was usually a background character or foil to Storm Shadow. In the episode 'Excalibur', Spirit heals Quick-Kick's broken leg in moments.

Spirit can be seen several times during the Battle of the Statue of Liberty in the opening of G.I.Joe the Movie

DiC
Spirit appeared in DiC's G.I. Joe cartoon.

Sigma 6
In the G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 series, Spirit, or Spirit Iron-Knife, is the team's resident tracker. He has a hi-tech suit. His pet is a falcon named "Billy".

Resolute
Spirit did make a brief silent cameo appearance in G.I. Joe: Resolute, during the briefing in the first episode.

Video games
Spirit is one of the featured characters in the 1985 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero computer game. He is a non-playable supporting character in the 1992 game G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor.

Books
Spirit is a supporting character in the Find Your Fate novel, "Operation: Star Raider".

Other media

 * Spirit appears in the Robot Chicken episode "More Blood, More Chocolate". He is voiced by Seth Green. In the "Inside the Battlefield" segment, Spirit comments that the G.I. Joe team should've been court marshalled for using the Hydro-Master fragment of the Weather Dominator for a puck in a hockey game against Cobra at the North Pole. In "PS: Yes In That Way," Spirit is among the G.I. Joe members who make fun of Calvin (when he is nicknamed "Fumbles"). Spirit and his eagle Freedom are later sniped by Calvin. In "The Ramblings of Maurice," Spirit was present at Junkyard's funeral.