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General Joseph Colton
General Joseph Colton
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G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe character
General Colton from G.I. Joe: America's Elite
First appearance1964 (as G.I. Joe), 1989 (as Gen. Joe Colton)
In-universe information
AffiliationG.I. Joe
SpecialtyStrategic and Tactical Operations
File nameColton, Joseph B.
Birth placeCentral Falls, Rhode Island
SN1033-1027-HAS93 (1994)
103-31-HA27 (2006)
RankO-2 (1st Lieutenant) (1964)
O-10 (General) (1994)
Primary MOSG.I. Joe XO (Executive Officer)
Secondary MOSCombat Infantry (Training and Intelligence)

Joseph Colton, the original G.I. Joe,[1] is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. He also appeared as a character later in the comic book series, but did not appear in any of the animated series. He is portrayed by Bruce Willis in the film G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Profile

[edit]

Joseph B. Colton graduated with the highest honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1960. An expert marksman, he was recruited by Special Forces, and later became a Green Beret. During service overseas, he participated in numerous combat operations, but saw minimal acknowledgment, as his missions were "ultra" classified. In 1963, he was appointed by then-President John F. Kennedy to create and command an "ULTIMATE freedom fighting force." It was at this time that he received the code name G.I. Joe.[2]

He later "retired" from active military duty, and was placed as the head of a secret Strategic Defense Initiative installation in New York City. There he served with the lead scientist, G.I. Jane, who originally maintained cover as a combat nurse.[3]

Toys

[edit]

"G.I. Joe" was first released in 1994, as a mail-in exclusive for the 30th Anniversary of G.I. Joe.[4] Based on the version of G.I. Joe from 1964, the figure was available in limited stock. Due to unanticipated orders, Hasbro sold out all of the figures and no more were produced, eventually leading Hasbro to mail an apology.[5]

He was not released again until 2006, this time as part of a multi-figure pack, the Viper Lockdown. This version of the G.I. Joe was made up of parts from different figures, and is not a separate mold. Overall, he has had 2 releases using a total of 2 different molds.

He was also released in the 12 inch line in 1994, as an homage to his original figure released in 1964.[6]

Comics

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Comic book advertisement (1975-1976)

[edit]

Between 1975 and 1976, Hasbro published comic book advertisements starring the Adventure Team, featuring Joseph Colton, Atomic Man and Bulletman as members.[7]

Marvel Comics

[edit]
Cover of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #152.

General Joseph Colton made very few appearances during the original G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series. In issue #86, he is working with his old colleague Jane on a secure level in the Chrysler Building (renamed as the Studebaker Building due to licensing issues). The laboratories are attacked by Cobra forces, which desire the orbital pulsed weapon system hidden inside. Joe, Jane, and a small squad of official G.I. Joe forces (including Repeater and Lightfoot) defeat the Cobra soldiers.[8]

In issue #127, General Colton explains the Rapid Pulse Electron Beam (RPEB) to Duke and Stalker. He discovers a tap into the control system, leading to a telephone switching station in New Jersey, where Cobra Commander has taken charge. Realizing that their systems are breached, General Colton has Jane shut down all systems. General Colton, Duke, Stalker and Wild Bill then head to the phone switching station, but Cobra shoots down the Joes Tomahawk, and Cobra Commander escapes, rushing to New York City and the RPEB. General Colton, Stalker and Duke use Battle Copters to fly back to the Chrysler Building, but Cobra Commander has already taken control of the RPEB, and uses it to eliminate a drug shipment by Headman. Cobra Commander and his crew then use civilian disguises to walk undetected past the Joes.[9]

General Colton also appears in issue #152, where he is called back to active duty for a secret mission. Ace is assigned to deliver Colton to D.C., and asks Colton when the last time he was in the back seat of a combat jet. This prompts Colton to reminisce about his earlier years in battle, leading to a flashback story about the original plan to form a G.I. Joe team.[10]

Devil's Due Publishing

[edit]

G.I. Joe: Frontline

[edit]

The first four issues of Devil's Due Publishing's G.I. Joe: Frontline featured Larry Hama's story of one last mission, "The Mission That Never Was." After the official disbandment of the G.I. Joe team they hold one last mission. They had to transport the Rapid Pulse Particle Beam from Florida to Colton's location in New York City. During this series, Colton is stationed in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).[11]

Reinstatement

[edit]

General Colton appears later in the series. He comes out of retirement to lead the G.I. Joe Team, after Hawk is paralyzed by Cobra Commander.[12] His leadership is temporary, as he is quickly sidelined by the cabal of Generals known as the Jugglers who instead want General Philip Rey to lead the team.[13]

Colton becomes a target when the Red Shadows began going after G.I. Joe and Cobra agents. He is shot and apparently killed by the Red Shadow's leader, Wilder Vaughn, a man Colton once knew.[14] The injuries are critical, but Colton survives.

America's Elite

[edit]

After a year of disbandment, General Colton is asked by the president to head a much smaller G.I. Joe team in the absence of Hawk. He is reluctant, but accepts the position, and leads the Joes from their new headquarters, a secret facility known as The Rock.[15]

When Cobra takes control of M.A.R.S., and begins to sell weaponry to insurgents, terrorists, and rebel groups, General Colton goes on the offensive, mobilizing the entire G.I. Joe roster, and launching missions to capture Cobra agents still at large. During "World War III", General Colton leads a small unit in retaking Fort Meade.[16] When the Joes attack Cobra's Appalachian base, General Colton is shot in the back by Cobra Commander, but again survives. At the end of the series, he is able to convince the president that G.I. Joe is still needed. With Hawk at his side, he leads a fully restored and recognized G.I. Joe team into battle.[17]

Alternate realities and continuities

[edit]

General Colton has made one appearance as a major character outside of the main G.I. Joe continuity.

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon (Vol. 4)

[edit]

During this fourth miniseries, Hawk discovered G.I. Joe was being held captive by the forces of Cobra-La in the Himalayas. Along with his team, Joe was captured by the Decepticons in 1978.[18] He later escaped to help Hawk and Optimus Prime defeat Cobra-La.[19]

Hasbro Comic Book Universe (IDW Publishing)

[edit]

In the Hasbro Comic Book Universe, Colton was a member of the Adventure Team, alongside Miles "Mayhem" Manheim, Mike "Atomic Man" Power, Richard "Bulletman" Ruby, and Lonzo "Stalker" Wilkinson. On their mission to the Tomb of Amtoltec, they battled an army of robotic mummies, before having an encounter with the Decepticon named Soundwave. By the end of the search, the Adventure Team retrieved an ancient artifact they codenamed the "Talisman".[20]

After Megatron led the 2007 Decepticon invasion on Earth, Colton began fearing what the Transformers could do to humanity.[21] In the meantime, he joined his fellow Joes in their final victory against Cobra.[22] By the end, Colton's worldview is drastically changed after the treachery of Galvatron with the Earth Defense Command.[23]

Prior to the Revolution event, Colton was replaced by a Dire Wraith who attempted to control the Earth Defense Command by excluding Marissa Faireborn and Spike Witwicky.[24] He also made horrific experiments on Aaron Grundy (Axiom), a skilled computer programmer who would be transformed into a monster loyal to the Wraiths.[25] But the impostor was later killed by Rom, whose death made G.I. Joe declare war against the Autobots, until they realized the truth about the Wraith infiltration.[26]

Meanwhile, the real Colton is revealed to be alive, having cut off his right hand in order to escape from the Dire Wraith who replaced him.[27] Convinced that the Transformers are in league with the Dire Wraiths and must be destroyed, Colton went on hiding and became the international criminal known as "Baron Ironblood", which made him cross paths with the Action Man Program.[28] He has been secretly recruiting villains to form the Iron Ring and launch a first strike against Cybertron, setting the events of First Strike in motion.[29]

As the Iron Ring attacked Cybertron, Colton sent Doctor Mindbender (disguised as Ironblood) as a decoy while he searched the planet's core in order to power the Talisman and destroy the Transformers. Inside the core, Colton and the Iron Ring are confronted by Scarlett and her comrades. At the battle's climax, Colton's closest ally, Garrison Kreiger, reveals his true identity as Merklynn (a wizard from the planet Prysmos) and explains that he has been using the Iron Ring's needs so he could use the Talisman to transform Cybertron and Earth into new versions of Prysmos. He then magically teleports everyone back to Cybertron's surface, where Colton sadly surrenders, having realised that he helped an even worst enemy to ensure Earth's incoming destruction, rather than saving it.[30]

Colton was last seen in the Transformers: Unicron miniseries, where he reluctantly helps the Autobots to battle Unicron, who was awakened as side-effect by the same invasion he had caused on Cybertron.[31]

Live action film

[edit]
General Joseph Colton
G.I. Joe character
First appearance2013
Portrayed byBruce Willis
In-universe information
AffiliationG.I. Joe
File nameColton, Joseph B.
Birth placeCentral Falls, RI
RankMajor General (O-8)
SeriesG.I. Joe: Retaliation

General Colton is portrayed by Bruce Willis in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. The movie was released on March 28, 2013, through collaboration of Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In the film, General Colton has one of George S. Patton's M-1911 pistols. He is the reason why the G.I. Joes are called "Joes".

Colton was mentioned by Scarlett in Snake Eyes as the G. I. Joe's general and leader after she handed Snake Eyes a file on his father.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

General Joseph Colton

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
General Joseph Colton is a fictional character in the franchise, embodying the original "" and serving as the founder and inaugural leader of the elite unit known as , dedicated to combating global threats like the terrorist organization . With the codename "," he was created by as the archetype of the American soldier, drawing inspiration from II-era G.I.s and first released in 1964 as the world's inaugural mass-market , featuring 19 points of articulation and interchangeable uniforms representing the U.S. , , , and . This toy line revolutionized the market, selling over 16 million units in its debut year and establishing as a of military adventure. In the expanded lore of the franchise, particularly within the Marvel Comics series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Colton was formally named and developed as General Joseph B. Colton, a highly decorated veteran from , who was personally selected by President in the early 1960s to assemble America's premier counter-terrorism force. His comic debut occurred in issue #86 (May 1989), scripted by , where he emerges from retirement to support the team during critical operations, showcasing his strategic expertise and unwavering patriotism. Throughout various comic runs, including those by Devil's Due and , Colton appears sporadically as a mentor figure, often bridging the franchise's toy origins with narrative depth. Colton's prominence extended to live-action media in the 2013 film G.I. Joe: Retaliation, directed by , where he is portrayed by as a grizzled, retired general living on a fortified mountain ranch, who re-enlists to train and lead the surviving Joes against Cobra's impersonation of the U.S. President. In this portrayal, Colton wields custom weaponry, including a laser rifle and M-32 , emphasizing his role as the "original Joe" with unparalleled combat experience. The character has also inspired multiple toy iterations, such as the 1994 mail-in exclusive figure commemorating the 30th anniversary, reinforcing his enduring legacy within Hasbro's toy ecosystem.

Character Background

Profile

General Joseph B. Colton, known as the original , graduated from the at West Point in 1960 with top honors, marking the beginning of his distinguished military career. He subsequently joined the , serving as a and gaining expertise in covert operations through rigorous training and battlefield experience. By 1963, his leadership and marksmanship had earned him recognition, leading to his appointment by President to form and command an elite unit designated , tasked with high-stakes missions directly under presidential oversight. As the founding leader of the original G.I. Joe team in the 1960s, Colton assembled a select group of operatives, including soldiers like "Top" Wenzel and Angel Vasquez, for specialized assignments. The unit focused on covert operations against emerging global threats, such as disrupting enemy supply lines during the Vietnam War, where Colton demonstrated tactical prowess in high-risk scenarios like bunker demolitions to support extractions. His strategic acumen and hands-on command style solidified the team's reputation for precision and bravery, establishing G.I. Joe as a symbol of American elite military capability. A highly decorated officer renowned for his expertise in both strategic planning and tactical execution, Colton retired from in 1964 but continued contributing to national defense. In retirement, he oversaw a classified (SDI) installation—often referred to as the "Star Wars" program—in , collaborating with , a former nurse from his original team who had become a key astrophysicist on the project. This role underscored his enduring commitment to safeguarding against advanced threats, blending his military background with oversight of cutting-edge defense technologies. Colton's post-retirement life cemented his symbolic status as the "original ," embodying the franchise's ideals of heroism and resilience; he occasionally returned to advisory roles in later team operations as a nod to his foundational legacy.

Creation and Concept

The toy line was introduced by in 1964 as the first line of mass-market action figures targeted at boys, developed by vice president Don Levine from an idea licensed from inventor Stan Weston for a posable doll. Inspired by the success of Mattel's and the post-World War II fascination with themes, the original 12-inch figures represented archetypal American soldiers across branches like , , and , featuring articulated joints modeled after wooden mannequins and interchangeable uniforms to encourage imaginative play. The line's generic embodied the ideal of the heroic, patriotic serviceman, drawing from real-world valor without a specific at launch. Initially unnamed and simply branded as "" to evoke the colloquial term for American infantrymen, the character evolved with Hasbro's 1982 relaunch of the toy line as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, which shifted focus to a team combating global threats. To bridge the original toy's legacy with this reboot, ' ongoing series named the figure Joseph Colton in issue #86 (May 1989), portraying him as the "original " and founder of an early elite unit, influenced by real forces like the Berets to emphasize themes of leadership, covert missions, and unyielding heroism. This conceptualization retroactively personalized the generic soldier, aligning with the franchise's patriotic ethos. Colton's character was further formalized in 1994 through a mail-away commemorating the line's 30th anniversary, complete with the first official file card detailing his backstory as Joseph B. Colton from , specializing in combat infantry and executive operations. This release solidified his role as the archetypal figurehead, transitioning from a nameless to a decorated veteran with ties to Vietnam-era , reinforcing the line's enduring narrative of American military excellence.

Toy Line History

1960s Original Figure

The original , later retroactively identified as representing , debuted on February 1, 1964, as Hasbro's pioneering 12-inch articulated toy, marking the birth of the action figure category targeted at boys. This initial release featured 21 points of articulation for realistic posing and was offered in four military branch variants—U.S. Army Action Soldier, Navy Action Sailor, Action Pilot, and Marine Corps Action Marine—each with interchangeable cloth uniforms, dog tags, and branch-specific gear available in accessory sets, such as the rifle for the Army version. The figure had no specific personal name at launch, embodying a generic "everyman" until later franchise retrofits assigned it the identity of Joseph Colton. Marketed as "America's Movable Fighting Man," the toy launched at the New York Toy Fair and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 16 million units in its first year and comprising nearly two-thirds of Hasbro's profits by 1966. Amid the , the figure's militaristic theme initially boosted its appeal as a symbol of American heroism, but sales declined in the late as anti-war sentiment grew and consumers rejected war-related toys. Accessories expanded play options, including adventure sets with field gear and weapons, while a 1967 Talking Commander variant introduced a voice box that issued eight military commands, enhancing . Throughout the decade, issued reissues with minor updates, such as improved articulation, and licensed international variants like the U.K.'s by Palitoy starting in 1966, which adapted the figure for European markets with localized uniforms. By 1970, in response to shifting public tastes, the line evolved into the non-military Adventure Team theme, featuring exploration outfits and vehicles to sustain popularity.

1990s and 2000s Releases

In 1994, released a mail-in exclusive figure representing General Joseph Colton to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the toy line, marking the first 3¾-inch scale depiction of the character as the original team leader. This figure, labeled "G.I. Joe" but identified on its file card as Joseph B. Colton, an O-2 from , featured a primary specialty as G.I. Joe Executive Officer and secondary role in infantry training and intelligence; the backstory portrayed him as a West Point graduate and who assembled the elite unit in response to emerging threats. Accompanied by a black machine gun and red-backed file card, the figure utilized molds shared with other 1994 basic figures like Action Marine and Action Soldier, while its head and waist were original components. Complementing the smaller scale release, a 12-inch Hall of Fame version of Joseph Colton was also offered via mail-away, emphasizing realistic detailing with cloth uniform elements, a fabric , and articulated posing for display. This larger figure included accessories such as a , grenades, and a removable , packaged in a bagged format within a tan box featuring a distinctive design; it employed a unique 1:6 scale mold distinct from the 3¾-inch counterpart, resulting in two unique molds across the releases. The mail-in exclusivity and anniversary commemorative theme boosted collector interest, with variants appearing in convention sets like the 1994 USS Intrepid exclusive packaging that enhanced thematic appeal through historical nods to military heritage. The character's revival continued in 2006 with an updated 3¾-inch figure in the Viper Lockdown multipack, part of the "New Sculpt" era that introduced more dynamic proportions and paint applications. This version depicted Colton in a green-and- camouflage pattern with silver accents and a integrated into the head sculpt, armed with two pistols in functional holsters, a rifle, and a figure stand; the body reused components from figures like Wild Bill and Sgt. Stalker for compatibility within the line. The accompanying file card elevated his rank to O-10 General, detailing his retirement from official duties while leading a covert alongside , directly aligning with narrative elements in the G.I. Joe: America's Elite comic series published by Devil's Due. Initially available through online and convention channels as a six-figure set—including , Interrogator, and three Viper Guards—the Viper packaging emphasized tactical scenarios inspired by comic events, fostering collector appeal through its limited distribution and overstock retail releases at outlets like Toys "R" Us. These and iterations built upon the foundational toy by reinterpreting Colton as a bridge between vintage origins and modern A Real American Hero continuity, prioritizing updated aesthetics and storyline integration over exhaustive reissues. In 2013, a 3¾-inch figure of Joe Colton was released as part of the : Retaliation toy line, depicting the character as portrayed by in the film, with accessories including a rifle, grenade launcher, and tactical gear to reflect his on-screen role as the grizzled original Joe. This release tied directly to the movie's narrative, emphasizing Colton's leadership in training the team against . Additionally, in 2014, an exclusive Joseph Colton figure was offered at the GIJCC convention, featuring updated sculpting and anniversary-themed packaging for collectors.

Comic Book Appearances

Early Advertisements and Marvel Continuity

Between 1975 and 1976, Hasbro produced a series of one-page comic book advertisements to promote the G.I. Joe Adventure Team toy line, featuring the original G.I. Joe—later identified as General Joseph Colton—alongside new figures like Atomic Man (Mike Power) and Bulletman in dynamic action scenarios. These ads depicted Colton testing recruits, such as welcoming Atomic Man to the team during a spy island mission, and utilizing Eagle Eyes technology with Bulletman to detect intruders from afar, emphasizing themes of teamwork and adventure to appeal to young readers. Colton's integration into Marvel Comics' G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series began with his debut in issue #86 (May 1989), where he appeared as the chief of security for a covert installation housed in New York City's Studebaker Building. In this story, Colton collaborated with the team and his longtime colleague to repel an assault by Iron Grenadiers under Firefly's command, ultimately activating the facility's experimental laser to destroy a drone carrying stolen control disks and thwarting the terrorist plot. He returned in issue #127 (August 1992), providing critical strategic advice on the Rapid Pulse Electron Beam (RPEB) weapon system during a briefing with and , and leading a transport operation via Battle Copters to a phone switching station to prevent from hacking the RPEB controls. Colton ordered the shutdown of all systems when the site was breached, ensuring the Joes could counter the incursion effectively. Colton's most significant Marvel appearance came in the 30th anniversary special issue #152 (September 1994), where he was recalled to active duty amid escalating threats in Trans-Carpathia. The narrative explored his backstory, including a mission where he led soldiers "Top" Wenzel and Angel to destroy an enemy ammo bunker, and a subsequent meeting with President , who directed him to form an elite counter-terrorism unit named that reported directly to the Oval Office. This issue highlighted Colton's role in firing the RPEB from New York to aid the team's escape by destroying a pursuing bridge, solidifying his position as a bridge between the 1960s toy legacy and the contemporary comic storyline. Throughout these early Marvel entries, Colton served as a retired high-ranking advisor, drawing on his decades of experience to offer tactical guidance and operational support against operations, thereby connecting the foundational mythos from the original toy line to the expansive Real American Hero narrative. His limited but pivotal roles underscored themes of legacy and continuity, portraying him as a symbol of enduring military valor.

Devil's Due Publishing Continuity

In the Devil's Due Publishing continuity, General Joseph Colton emerges as a pivotal leader during the early comic series, building on his foundational advisory roles from earlier Marvel appearances. His expanded involvement begins prominently in G.I. Joe: Frontline (2002–2003), where he oversees a high-stakes mission to transport the experimental Rapid , a powerful , to counter forces led by . In this four-issue arc titled "The Mission That Never Was," Colton authorizes the weapon's deployment to neutralize Destro's pursuing aircraft during an aerial chase over New York, demonstrating his strategic oversight in protecting the Joe team from Cobra interception. Later in the arc, he coordinates a precise strike from the weapon to destroy a Cobra-held targeting module at the Silent Castle in Trans-Carpathia, despite internal opposition from the Jugglers, underscoring his resolve in classified operations. Colton's leadership intensifies in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series (2001–2005) during the reinstatement arc, where he temporarily assumes command of the team following General Hawk's severe injury from an assassination attempt by the Red Shadows terrorist organization. The Red Shadows, a shadowy group seeking to destabilize global governments, target key U.S. military figures, including an attempt on Hawk that leaves him paralyzed and reliant on technological support. Initially reported as deceased after investigating Red Shadows connections through informant Hector Ramirez, Colton survives the ordeal and reveals himself alive while recovering in a hospital, positioning him to step in as interim commander amid the chaos of the Joes' near-disbandment. This arc highlights Colton's resilience, as he navigates the fallout from the Red Shadows' attacks, including the capture of Serpentor's body and assaults on allies like Flint and Lady Jaye, while coordinating undercover efforts to dismantle the group's Umbra Secure System Portals. Devil's Due further elevates Colton's role in : America's Elite (2005–2008), where he is appointed by the President to command a streamlined, covert elite unit operating from the fortified base known as The Rock in , following the official disbandment of the larger organization. In this series, Colton directs operations during the escalating global conflict dubbed , coordinating strikes against cells worldwide, such as assaults in and alliances with the October Guard to counter Cobra's influence in . He manages critical defenses at The Rock against Cobra incursions, including repelling attacks that injure team members like , and oversees intelligence efforts revealing 's schemes with U.S. officials. Colton's command proves instrumental in capturing Cobra Commander, as detailed in the series' climax, where he debriefs the President on the Joes' worldwide victories that restore U.S. security. Throughout these narratives, Colton's character development emphasizes his seasoned expertise in operations, reflecting post-9/11 themes of , internal betrayals, and rapid-response elite units. His decisions often balance military protocol with ethical dilemmas, such as concealing intelligence on captured Cobra operatives like the Baroness to maintain operational secrecy, while fostering team unity under intense global threats. This portrayal cements Colton as a steadfast, battle-hardened leader capable of adapting to the evolving landscape of modern conflicts against .

IDW Publishing and Alternate Universes

In the 2007 miniseries G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon (Volume 4), published by Devil's Due Publishing, General Joseph Colton is depicted in an alternate continuity set in 1978, where he leads the Adventure Team—including Hawk and Flint—through the Himalayan mountains on a mission. They are ambushed by forces from Cobra-La, and subsequently captured by Decepticons who intervene in the conflict, transporting the prisoners to a base in the region. Colton later escapes the captivity alongside Autobots like Optimus Prime, assisting Hawk in navigating the caves of Cobra-La toward an exit over a canyon bridge, contributing to the alliance against the combined threats of Cobra-La and Decepticons. Within IDW Publishing's during the 2010s, Colton is reimagined as a former member of the Adventure Team who, after being presumed dead following a invasion, goes into hiding and assumes the villainous identity of Baron Ironblood, leader of the Red Shadows terrorist group and the alliance. In this continuity, the Adventure Team consisted of Colton, Miles "Mayhem" Manheim, Mike "Atomic Man" Power, Richard "Bulletman" Ruby, and Lonzo "Stalker" Wilkinson. During a mission to the Tomb of Amtoltec, they battled an army of robotic mummies, encountered the Decepticon Soundwave, and ultimately retrieved an ancient artifact codenamed the "Talisman". This transformation is revealed in the 2017 crossover series Revolutionaries, where Colton's backstory unfolds through flashbacks detailing his military career and encounter with extraterrestrial threats, culminating in issue #8 as he confronts the Revolutionaries team—comprising characters from , , and other Hasbro lines—while wielding the powerful artifact against . In First Strike (2017), Colton, as Baron Ironblood, escalates his antagonism by forging an alliance with villains like Miles Mayhem and to invade Cybertron, aiming to eradicate all Transformers using the Talisman; though defeated and betrayed by his immortal partner Kreiger, his actions unleash a larger cosmic threat. The storyline carries into Transformers: (2018), where Colton reemerges post-invasion as a of a tasked with securing Unicron's lifeless body to aid enslaved beings and restore order amid the chaos. Colton's portrayals in IDW's alternate universes often emphasize multiverse variations, such as his villainous turn as Baron Ironblood, which draws from earlier non-canon inspirations like the 1980s Battle Action Force comics where the character evolves into Cobra Commander. These non-continuity stories highlight his adaptability across realities, from heroic leader to masked antagonist orchestrating global conspiracies. Following IDW's conclusion of the Hasbro Universe in 2018, Colton has no confirmed appearances in Skybound Entertainment's G.I. Joe series relaunched in 2022 and continuing through 2025, creating a narrative gap that leaves room for potential future integrations into the ongoing canon.

Film Adaptations

Live-Action Portrayals

In the 2013 live-action film G.I. Joe: Retaliation, directed by , portrayed General Joseph Colton as a retired leader and the original founder of the . Following a devastating ambush that frames and nearly wipes out the Joes, the survivors—led by Roadblock—seek refuge at Colton's secluded ranch, where he provides them with an arsenal of advanced weaponry from his personal stockpile and strategic guidance to expose 's infiltration of the U.S. government. Colton rejoins the fight, participating in key action sequences such as the assault on a presidential summit and the defense of a -controlled base, embodying a grizzled with his no-nonsense demeanor and hands-on combat expertise. The character received a brief but significant reference in the 2021 prequel Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, directed by , where Scarlett () mentions Colton as her superior officer and the G.I. Joe's leader while handing Snake Eyes a classified file revealing his father's past ties to the team. This nod ties into Colton's comic-based founding role, establishing continuity for the franchise's backstory without a physical appearance. Willis's performance as Colton was praised for adding and serving as a homage to the character's legacy in lore, with critics noting his cool, authoritative presence that grounded the film's high-octane narrative amid otherwise mixed acting. The portrayal emphasized Colton's adaptation as a battle-hardened mentor figure, influencing the team's resolve in their retaliation against . Colton has not appeared in any subsequent live-action films following Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.

References

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  28. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/elite/elite00.shtml
  29. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/elite/elite28.shtml
  30. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/elite/elite17.shtml
  31. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/elite/elite36.shtml
  32. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/elite/elite15.shtml
  33. https://www.yojoe.com/comics/joetran4/joetran42a.shtml
  34. https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Tomb_of_Amtoltec
  35. https://tformers.com/revolutionaries-no-8-full-comic-book-preview-optimus-prime-vs-baron-ironblood/32533/news.html
  36. https://comicbook.com/comics/news/gi-joe-plots-to-destroy-all-transformers-first-strike/
  37. https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/31/idws-first-strike-introduces-massive-new-threat-to-gi-joe-and-transformers-universe
  38. https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Joe_Colton
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583421/characters/nm0000246
  40. https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/25/gi-joe-retaliation-review
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8404256/
  42. https://screenrant.com/snake-eyes-gi-joe-setup-original-joe-colton-sequel/
  43. https://moviecomicswhoswho.wordpress.com/2022/04/09/g-i-joe-joseph-b-colton/
  44. https://movieweb.com/g-i-joe-retaliation-review/
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