First appearance 1987 Specialty Reptile Trainer | Affiliation Cobra File name Unknown | |
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Similar Blowtorch, Gung‑Ho, Chuckles, Cobra Troopers, Bazooka | ||
Croc Master is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline and comic book series. He is Cobra's reptile trainer and debuted in 1987.
Contents
Profile
Croc Master is a former alligator wrestler and burglar alarm salesman, who founded Guard-Gators Inc., in an effort to commercialize the use of alligators for home security. He later began to abundantly stock Cobra Island's maze-like system of shallow canals and interconnecting waterways, with ravenously hungry man-eating crocodiles, deliberately conditioning them to be hostile, psychotic and fast.
Toys
Croc Master was first released as an action figure in 1987. A second Croc-Master was released as part of the "Valor vs. Venom" toyline in 2004. His filecard references the death of the first one. Croc Master was also released in the 25th Anniversary line packaged with his classic whip, crocodile and a new 44 Magnum.
Marvel Comics
In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in #72. In G.I. Joe Yearbook #4, it is revealed Croc Master was hired after placing advertising in the newspaper. Croc-Master comes into conflict with the Oktober Guard, who have invaded Cobra Island. They kill many of his alligators. He also goes after the Joe team duo Torpedo and Wet Suit. They kill his alligator 'Lolita' and subdue him with a gun butt.
In issue #76, he ends up supporting Serpentor in the Cobra Island civil war. As such, he makes a trail through the island's swamps for the Joes, who also supported Serpentor. In issue #98, Cobra Commander buries Croc-Master and several other of his enemies in a landlocked freighter on the island. Croc-Master does not survive this incident, with he and most of the others having died from botulism due to eating tainted food.
Devil's Due
The second Croc Master appeared very briefly in the pages of G.I. Joe: America's Elite. In a flashback, he and several Jungle-Vipers track down Baroness and Wraith after their Night Raven is destroyed by Cobra Commander. The pair ambush Croc-Master and his crew and kill everyone present.
IDW
A new Croc Master appears in the 2009 IDW reboot of G.I. Joe. This one is shown living in the water with his crocs and, it is inferred, has cannibalized at least one adjunct assigned to him. Dedicated to his animals, he shows reluctance to leave them to appear at a high-level Cobra party until he is assured they will be well taken care of. Nonetheless he skips the event, leading to him being shot by Crimson Twins adjunct Erika La Tene when she attempts to flee the base through his area on the night of the party.
Novel
Croc-Master plays a supporting role in the G.I. Joe novel Divide and Conquer. He comes to blows with Raptor.
Sunbow
Because the Sunbow G.I. Joe cartoon had come to its conclusion before his figure was released, Croc Master's only appearance in the 80s Sunbow/Marvel cartoon were the commercials.
Video games
Croc Master appears in G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor as a miniboss.