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Zartan

The 2001 filecard lists Zartan's birthplace as Nice, France, which is on the Mediterranean coast about 30 miles west of the border with Italy.

chronological:	Firefly	<< Zartan >>	Deep Six
alphabetical:	Zarana	<< Zartan >>	(none)

Animated Appearances

Sunbow Voice	Appearances	Time Identifiable On Screen	Total Lines (In Own Voice)	Total Words
Zack Hoffman	49	3,627 seconds	402	3,710
Reel F/X Voice	Appearances	Time Identifiable On Screen	Total Lines (In Own Voice)	Total Words
Colin Murdock	1	23 seconds	8	42

Notes: Sunbow's Zartan wore a variation on his 1984 outfit, with long brown hair replacing the cowl, and a blue vest that glowed red when he was angry. The vest's straps and his boots were grey, and his gloves extended halfway up the arm. His bearded mask appeared only in commercial animation. In Valor vs. Venom, during the rare moments he was not disguised as Shipwreck, Zartan wore his first 2002 outfit.

(The numbers below do not include instances where the character's appearance and/or voice were disguised.)

The Revenge of Cobra Opening	3 seconds	(silent)	driving Chameleon
The Revenge of Cobra, Part 1	172 seconds	17 lines	driving Chameleon, disguised as Col. Sharp, rescuing Cobra Cmdr.
The Revenge of Cobra, Part 2	67 seconds	7 lines	warning Cobra Cmdr of Snake Eyes' message, supporting DC plans
The Revenge of Cobra, Part 3	16 seconds	1 line	assigned to retrieving ion correlator, in sub monitoring battle
The Revenge of Cobra, Part 4	114 seconds	12 lines	using sub against Firefly, capturing laser core at Roof of the World
The Revenge of Cobra, Part 5	201 seconds	9 lines	at amusement park hideout, forgiven by Cobra Cmdr., escaping with Destro
Season 1 Opening (Sunbow)	1 second	(silent)	flying a Trubble Bubble (0:07)
Countdown for Zartan	155 seconds	32 lines	disguised as Cobra Cmdr and Dr. Mettier, caught by Joes, escaping
Jungle Trap	169 seconds	21 lines	as snake charmer, ambushing Joes, at Cobra temple, driving Chameleon
The Pyramid of Darkness, Part 1	55 seconds	4 lines	on shuttle disguised as Sgt. Popper, taking over Space Station Delta
The Pyramid of Darkness, Part 2	32 seconds	3 lines	in space station control room communicating with Cobra Commander
The Pyramid of Darkness, Part 3	10 seconds	1 line	on space station as cubes activate
The Pyramid of Darkness, Part 4	15 seconds	1 line	activating Pyramid of Darkness, taken captive by Dreadnoks
The Pyramid of Darkness, Part 5	56 seconds	3 lines	held captive by Dreadnoks and then by Joes, fleeing in escape pod
Battle for the Train of Gold	99 seconds	13 lines	disguised as Gen. Stack to steal gold from Fort Knox; driving train; stealing Dragonfly
Lights! Camera! Cobra!	170 seconds	20 lines	aborting bank theft, racing Joes, sabotaging movie set, on Ferret rescuing Torch
Cobra's Candidate	48 seconds	5 lines	letter to Dreadnoks; assisting Firefly in using explosives to disrupt election
Synthoid Conspiracy, Part 1	102 seconds	19 lines	disguised as Erickson to replace staff with synthoids; capturing Duke at Joe HQ
Synthoid Conspiracy, Part 2	52 seconds	3 lines	at island base with Cobra Commander
Twenty Questions	118 seconds	14 lines	disguised as shepherd; with Dreadnoks; on Ferret raiding arsenal and inside base
The Gamesmaster	80 seconds	6 lines	captured in swamp lab raid; with Scarlett during island battle
The Viper Is Coming	14 seconds	2 lines	disguised as security guard at Enterprise Tower
The Funhouse	151 seconds	12 lines	kidnapping & impersonating Dr. Hibbentrope; with Cobra Commander; flying a Firebat
Where the Reptiles Roam	64 seconds	10 lines	disguised as ranch hand at hideout
Worlds Without End Part I	62 seconds	9 lines	stealing transmuter; flying Viper Glider; disguised as Gen. Wagstaff
Worlds Without End Part II	22 seconds	2 lines	berating Dreadnoks; driving a motorbike to pursue Joes
Cobra CLAWs Are Coming to Town	30 seconds	4 lines	miniaturized to attack Joe HQ in ATV, disguised as Duke, stealing a Silver Mirage
Flint's Vacation	77 seconds	9 lines	disguised as sheriff; capturing Flint; commanding Moray; in undersea base
The Wrong Stuff	87 seconds	15 lines	manning defenses of space station
The Pit of Vipers	49 seconds	9 lines	disguised as Dr. Hamler, selling Watchdog, awakening Shipwreck
The Invaders	82 seconds	9 lines	posing as Arab in desert; disguised as alien on flying saucer; captured by Snake Eyes and Wong
Cold Slither	143 seconds	7 lines	at Zartan's lair, playing guitar/lead vocal for Cold Slither plot
There's No Place Like Springfield, Part 2	22 seconds	3 lines	briefing Cobras on synthoids; cornering Shipwreck in lab
Arise Serpentor Arise Part 1	76 seconds	7 lines	picture shown at briefing on Dreadnoks; leading Dreadnok audition
Arise Serpentor Arise Part 2	103 seconds	19 lines	at Dreadnok audition; stealing DNA from Montezuma's tomb
Arise Serpentor Arise Part 5	27 seconds	2 lines	inside Terror Drome; driving motorcycle in Washington DC
Computer Complications	119 seconds	14 lines	at Dreadnok camp; driving Ferret to assault diner and Joe HQ
Cobrathon	17 seconds	1 line	making presentation during telethon; evacuating
The Million Dollar Medic	7 seconds	(silent)	in Snow Cat during attack on Van Mark cabin
Once Upon a Joe	83 seconds	12 lines	impersonating Shipwreck to steal MacGuffin Device; trying to escape in Raven drone
Glamour Girls	142 seconds	16 lines	posing as photographer Franco for photo shoots; disguised as Viper to free Flint's team
The Spy Who Rooked Me	34 seconds	4 lines	on motorcycle and Swampfire attacking Joes; searching Burke's car
Raise the Flagg!	276 seconds	30 lines	on oil rig; in manta sub to recover antimatter pod; captured by B.A. LaCarre
Nightmare Assault	5 seconds	(silent)	helping Dreadnoks evacuate from oil rig
Second-Hand Emotions	84 seconds	12 lines	posing as caterer; capturing Roadblock; attacking Joes at weapons depot
G.I. Joe: The Movie, Part 1	21 seconds	(silent)	in Serpentor's war room; in Ferret during attack on B.E.T.
G.I. Joe: The Movie, Part 2	69 seconds	3 lines	commissioned by Pythona; freeing Serpentor; escaping in Ferret
G.I. Joe: The Movie, Part 3	24 seconds	(silent)	witnessing Cobra Commander's trial and punishment
G.I. Joe: The Movie, Part 5	2 seconds	(silent)	in Swampfire to guard tunnel entrance (5:06-07)
Spy Troops: The Movie	23 seconds	8 lines	disguised as Shipwreck, stealing M.I.R.C., at Cobra Mountain

Classic Marvel Comic Appearances

By my count, Zartan was discernible (as himself) in 445 panels in 56 issues from Jun. 1984 to Aug. 1994: #24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, Yearbook 1, 35, 38, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, GIJTF 1, GIJTF 4, Order of Battle 3, 64, Yearbook 4, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 83, 84, 85, 90, 91, 97, 98, 99, 114, 116, 117, 118, 126, 139, 140, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, and 151.

Figure Releases

Versions:

1. 1984 (Chameleon)
2. 1993 (Ninja Force)
3. 2001 (RAHC)
4. 2002/I (JvC Wave 2)

5. 2002/II (JvC Wave 3)
6. 2003/I (GIJCC)
7. 2003/II (Spy Troops)
8. 2004/I (Valor vs. Venom)

9. 2004/II (Convention)
10. 2004/III (Morphing)
11. 2004/IV (as Hawk)
12. 2005 (Comic #76)

13. 2007 (25th Wave 3)
14. 2008 (post-25th Wave 11)
15. 2009/I (Cobra Collector)
16. 2009/II (Hall of Heroes)

Version 1: spring 1984 boxed Swamp Skier (Chameleon) vehicle
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (84, 01, 04/II) upper arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05), Zandar (86), Zarana (86, 04) lower arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) torso: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) waist: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) legs: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05)
	Accessories: black pistol with trigger guard and angled grip (new), face disguise with brown eyebrows and beard (new), clear chest plate with black frame (new), clear pair of thigh pads with black frame (new), black hexagonal backpack, opens to store mask (new).
	Zartan can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is also a master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (over 20 languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist, and a practitioner of several mystic martial arts. Very little is known of his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academy training (probably St. Cyr). Psychological Profile: Extreme paranoid schizophrenic. Grows into various multiple personalities to such an extent that the original personality becomes buried and forgotten.
Variations: Late-release filecards omit the reference to schizophrenia (perhaps due to the popular confusion between schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder).
Toy Notes: Features a sunlight-based color change. Item #6064. Zartan's thigh pads are considered moderately high-demand accessories. Unlike other figures included with vehicles, Zartan's character art appeared on 1984 figure cardbacks.

Version 2: spring 1993 Ninja Force carded figure assortment, #2
Master of Disguise	MOS 1: Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (93) arms: Zartan (93) torso: Zartan (93) waist: Zartan (93) legs: Zartan (93)
	Accessories: orange pair of short blunt knives with ribbed grip (new), orange machete (88 Spearhead's), orange sword with round pommel grip and straight cross-guard (new), orange bow (88 Storm Shadow's), orange sickle (92 Dojo's), orange figure stand (common).
	Zartan can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is a master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (he speaks over twenty languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist, and a practitioner of numerous mystical martial arts. Little is known about his background, but captured Cobra documents revealed reports listing him to be "as lethal as a two-headed rattler disguised as a garter snake." He changes appearances and personalities so often that even he can't keep track of them! Motto: "My personality changes as often as my looks...and they're both BAD!"
Toy Notes: This version of Zartan has spring-loaded pivoting action in his waist. Item #6872.

Version 3: fall 2001 Real American Hero Collection Wave 4 figure two-pack assortment
Master of Disguise	MOS 1: Infiltration MOS 2: Espionage
	head: Zartan (84, 01, 04/II) arms: S.A.W.-Viper (90, 03), Zartan (01), Dragonsky (06) torso: S.A.W.-Viper (90, 03), Zartan (01), Dragonsky (06) waist: S.A.W.-Viper (90, 03), Zartan (01) legs: S.A.W.-Viper (90, 03), Zartan (01)
	Accessories: silver machine gun and bipod (90 S.A.W.-Viper's), pale mask with dark brown beard (84 Zartan's), black backpack (90 S.A.W.-Viper's), gold ammo belt (90 S.A.W.-Viper's), black figure stand (common).
	Zartan's early military career has been traced back to the Saint-Cyr Academy, where the misguided youth quickly proved himself to be a traitor, turning his regiment into a band of mercenaries and selling secrets to opposing forces. Although he was charged with treason and sent to prison, his talent for impersonation got him out the door, along with the dirty laundry. After escaping incarceration, he traveled to the Orient and became an apprentice to a Ninja master. Skilled in archery and the use of edged weaponry, his reputation led him to an encounter with an organization known as COBRA Command. His unequaled prowess as a quick-change artist made it easy for him to infiltrate and spy on G.I. Joe Headquarters. A master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (he speaks over 20 languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist and practitioner of several martial arts forms, he's been known to use holographic implants to alter his appearance instantaneously. He can look like a punk rocker one minute and an elderly gentlemen [sic] the next. Many have been fooled by how seemingly easy it is to capture him...the trick is keeping him, because Zartan does the most damage from the inside! Psychological Profile: Extremely paranoid. Experiences multiple personality disorder to such an extent that his original personality has been buried and forgotten.
Toy Notes: Carded in a two-pack with Shadow Viper. Item #53058.

Version 4: August 2002 Joe vs. Cobra Wave 2 figure two-pack assortment (02/I)
Master of Disguise	MOS 1: Disguise
	head: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III) arms: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) torso: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) waist: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) legs: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II)
	Accessories: black machine gun (92 Destro's), black chainsaw sized up from 85 Buzzer's (new, with Sound Attack tab), black cowl covering head and back of neck (new).
	ZARTAN can become anyone by changing his looks, personality, and voice. He's a genius with make-up and disguises and speaks over 20 languages and dialects. He can get in and out of places the size of a shoebox. He was forced to abandon a deadly mission when AGENT SCARLETT saw through his disguise. This was the first time someone had uncovered any of his deceptions, so now he lives to put her away so that she will never unmask him again. A mysterious member of COBRA, he proved his value to the organization by impersonating COBRA COMMANDER then revealing his brilliant deception to the stunned - and impressed - commander. "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Carded in a two-pack with Agent Scarlett. Item #57389.
Reissues: Carded in March 2003 with Mission Disc #3 and the same accessories.

Version 5: late September 2002 Joe vs. Cobra Wave 3 figure two-pack assortment (02/II)
Master of Disguise	MOS 1: Disguise
	head: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III) arms: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) torso: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) waist: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) legs: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II)
	Accessories: black machine gun (92 Destro's), black chainsaw (02 Zartan's, with Sound Attack tab), dark red cowl (02 Zartan's).
	ZARTAN can become anyone by changing his looks, personality, and voice. He's a genius with make-up and disguises and speaks over 20 languages and dialects. He can get in and out of places the size of a shoebox. He was forced to abandon a deadly mission when SGT. STALKER saw through his disguise. This was the first time someone had uncovered any of his deceptions. He was angry and amazed that a mere G.I. JOE grunt could outwit the master of disguise. He won't let it happen again. A mysterious member of COBRA, he proved his value to the organization by impersonating COBRA COMMANDER then revealing his brilliant deception to the stunned - and impressed - commander. "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Carded in a two-pack with Sgt. Stalker. Item #53220. The rewriting of the filecard text leads to a direct contradiction: in the previous version, Agent Scarlett was the first to uncover one of Zartan's deceptions.

Version 6: March 2003 G.I. Joe Collector's Club annual exclusive (03/I)
	head: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III) arms: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) torso: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) waist: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) legs: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II)
	Accessories: clear machine gun (92 Destro's), clear submachine gun (84 Firefly's), clear machine gun and bipod (91 Big Ben's), clear knife (91 Low-Light's), clear cowl (02 Zartan's), clear backpack (91 Low-Light's), clear walkie-talkie (84 Firefly's), clear figure stand (common).
	Zartan is a notorious mercenary working for COBRA COMMANDER. He is a master of disguise and leader of the Dreadnoks gang. Highly skilled in both infiltration and espionage, he uses an almost chameleon-like ability to blend into the surrounding environment. This is accomplished with the help of "microchip-sized hologram projectors implanted into his uniform, weapons, and equipment." He uses this stealth "invisibility" to enter top secret locations unnoticed and wreak havoc on the G.I. Joe Team. "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that I am there unless I wish it!"
Toy Notes: Free to paid club members who joined before spring 2003. Nearly all GIJCC and Convention exclusives from this point through early 2009 would include a clear figure stand.

Version 7: November 2003 Spy Troops Wave 8 figure two-pack assortment (03/II)
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III) arms: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) torso: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) waist: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II) legs: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II)
	Accessories: black pistol (88 Shockwave's), black shotgun (03 Burn Out's), black cowl (02 Zartan's), full-head "Duke" mask with yellow hair (new), full-head "Flint" mask with black hair and green beret (new), black satchel with silver buckles (03 Agent Faces').
	ZARTAN is a mysterious human chameleon whose secrets of transformation have never been fully revealed. Is he simply a master of disguise, a manipulator of masks and makeup, or does he employ holograms to aid in his deceptions? Captured DREADNOK forces have given sworn statements that ZARTAN can actually change his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. As dubious as some of these claims are, there is no doubt that he is a gifted impersonator, ventriloquist, linguist (over twenty languages), acrobatic contortionist, and a master of several mystic martial arts. Recently uncovered secret documents reveal that ZARTAN was once apprenticed to a swordsmith who had dealings with the Arashikage ninja clan. It was at this same time that he acquired his skill with the bow and arrow as well as other more arcane weapons. ZARTAN is the unofficial leader of the DREADNOK forces and is believed to have a secret hideout deep in the Florida Everglades. "There's nothing more amusing than becoming somebody else, and then asking your friends what they think about you."
Toy Notes: Carded in a two-pack with Agent Faces. Item #55455.

Version 8: May 2004 Valor vs. Venom Wave 3 figure two-pack assortment (04/I)
COBRA Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (04/I) arms: Zartan (04/I) torso: Heavy Duty (03, 04/I, 04/II), Zartan (04/I), Nullifier (06/I, 06/II) waist: Zartan (04/I) legs: Zartan (04/I)
	Accessories: black silencer pistol (02 Shipwreck's), black shotgun (03 Destro's), black rifle (02 Neo-Viper's).
	ZARTAN is a master of disguise, the leader of the DREADNOKS, and a master of several martial arts. Like DESTRO, he considers himself a man of honor, even if his value system has been twisted. He is motivated by a sense of warped righteousness unlike most others in the ranks of COBRA, who are only in it for personal gain. Tight-lipped and evasive, ZARTAN has always maintained that the secret of his amazing chameleon-like powers lies in his manipulation of advanced holographic technology. Some have suspected that his ability to change his skin color to blend in with his environment is due to an actual genetic mutation. These suspicions have been reinforced recently by his direct involvement in the COBRA venom program. "I am never what I appear to be, and I am always something other than what I am expected to be. Those who think they know me are deluded."
Toy Notes: Carded in a two-pack with Dusty. Item #55945.

Version 9: July 2004 Convention-exclusive Zartan/Hawk Morphing Set three-pack (04/II)
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (84, 01, 04/II) upper arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05), Zandar (86), Zarana (86, 04) lower arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) torso: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) waist: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) legs: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05)
	Accessories: black pistol (92 Mutt's), clear chest plate (84 Zartan's), clear pair of thigh pads (84 Zartan's), clear figure stand (common).
	ZARTAN is one of the most notorious mercenaries working for the COBRA organization. He is a gifted impersonator, ventriloquist, linguist (over twenty languages), acrobatic contortionist, and a master of several mystic martial arts. Highly skilled in both infiltration and espionage, he uses an almost chameleon-like ability to blend into his surrounding environment. This is accomplished with specially designed microchip-sized hologram projectors implanted into his uniform, weapons, and equipment. He uses a stealth "invisibility" to enter top secret locations unnoticed and often impersonates members of the G.I. Joe team. His current scheme is the theft of a top secret Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, to accomplish this task, he must assume the identity of GENERAL HAWK ABERNATHY and assign unsuspecting troops to the Tiger Force unit. These soldiers will carry out an ill-fated mission to a secret base that doesn't exist - a mission destined for failure at the hands of his sister ZARANA and the Dreadnoks. "Like the king of a chess game, I've appointed my queen to a position of power, allowing her to maneuver my pawns around the board and set a trap for my enemies."
Toy Notes: Bagged together with morphing Zartan and Zartan as Hawk at the Dreadnok Rampage-themed 2004 Convention.

Version 10: July 2004 Convention-exclusive Zartan/Hawk Morphing Set three-pack (04/III)
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (02/I, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III) arms: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02, 05), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) torso: Gen. Hawk (92) - screw holes removed: Gen. Hawk (00, 02), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) waist: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) legs: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02, 04/I, 05), Big Ben (03), Sgt. Stalker (04/II, 05/I, 06), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV), Zap (04), Rock 'n Roll (05), Breaker (05)
	Accessories: dark grey cowl (02 Zartan's), clear figure stand (common).
	ZARTAN is one of the most notorious mercenaries working for the COBRA organization. He is a gifted impersonator, ventriloquist, linguist (over twenty languages), acrobatic contortionist, and a master of several mystic martial arts. Highly skilled in both infiltration and espionage, he uses an almost chameleon-like ability to blend into his surrounding environment. This is accomplished with specially designed microchip-sized hologram projectors implanted into his uniform, weapons, and equipment. He uses a stealth "invisibility" to enter top secret locations unnoticed and often impersonates members of the G.I. Joe team. His current scheme is the theft of a top secret Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, to accomplish this task, he must assume the identity of GENERAL HAWK ABERNATHY and assign unsuspecting troops to the Tiger Force unit. These soldiers will carry out an ill-fated mission to a secret base that doesn't exist - a mission destined for failure at the hands of his sister ZARANA and the Dreadnoks. "Like the king of a chess game, I've appointed my queen to a position of power, allowing her to maneuver my pawns around the board and set a trap for my enemies."
Toy Notes: Bagged together with Tiger Force Zartan and Zartan as Hawk at the Dreadnok Rampage-themed 2004 Convention.

Version 11: July 2004 Convention-exclusive Zartan/Hawk Morphing Set three-pack (04/IV)
Master of Disguise
	head: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02), Zartan (04/IV) arms: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02, 05), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) torso: Gen. Hawk (92) - screw holes removed: Gen. Hawk (00, 02), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) waist: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02), Big Ben (03), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV) legs: Gen. Hawk (92, 00, 02, 04/I, 05), Big Ben (03), Sgt. Stalker (04/II, 05/I, 06), Zartan (04/III, 04/IV), Zap (04), Rock 'n Roll (05), Breaker (05)
	Accessories: clear figure stand (common).
	ZARTAN is one of the most notorious mercenaries working for the COBRA organization. He is a gifted impersonator, ventriloquist, linguist (over twenty languages), acrobatic contortionist, and a master of several mystic martial arts. Highly skilled in both infiltration and espionage, he uses an almost chameleon-like ability to blend into his surrounding environment. This is accomplished with specially designed microchip-sized hologram projectors implanted into his uniform, weapons, and equipment. He uses a stealth "invisibility" to enter top secret locations unnoticed and often impersonates members of the G.I. Joe team. His current scheme is the theft of a top secret Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, to accomplish this task, he must assume the identity of GENERAL HAWK ABERNATHY and assign unsuspecting troops to the Tiger Force unit. These soldiers will carry out an ill-fated mission to a secret base that doesn't exist - a mission destined for failure at the hands of his sister ZARANA and the Dreadnoks. "Like the king of a chess game, I've appointed my queen to a position of power, allowing her to maneuver my pawns around the board and set a trap for my enemies."
Toy Notes: Bagged together with Tiger Force Zartan and morphing Zartan at the Dreadnok Rampage-themed 2004 Convention.

Version 12: June 2005 Wave 5 comic three-pack assortment
COBRA Master of Disguise	MOS 1: Infiltration MOS 2: Sabotage
	head: Zartan (05) upper arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05), Zandar (86), Zarana (86, 04) lower arms: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) torso: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) waist: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05) legs: Zartan (84, 04/II, 05)
	Accessories: large black bow with sight and two strings on back (new), two large black arrows with triangular fletching (new), silver chest plate (84 Zartan's), silver pair of thigh pads (84 Zartan's), black cylindrical quiver with curved strap (new).
	ZARTAN is a master of disguise, the leader of the DREADNOKS, and a master of several martial arts. He is a gifted ventriloquist, linguist (over twenty languages) and acrobatic contortionist, and a highly skilled archer. Tight-lipped and evasive, ZARTAN has always maintained that the secret of his amazing chameleon-like powers lies in his manipulation of advanced holographic technology. Some have suspected that his ability to change his skin color to blend in with his environment is due to an actual genetic mutation. Either way, COBRA COMMANDER keeps him on the payroll with a standing order to remove anyone, "friend or foe," who may threaten his supreme leadership. "I am never what I appear to be, and I am always something other than what I am expected to be. Those who think they know me are deluded."
Toy Notes: Carded in a three-pack with Cobra Commander, Zarana, and a reprint of Marvel #76. Item #61209.

Version 13: October 2007 25th Anniversary Wave 3 carded figure assortment
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II) left arm: Zartan (07), Maj. Bludd (08/I, 08/II) right arm: Zartan (07) body: Zartan (07), Maj. Bludd (08/I) legs: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II), Maj. Bludd (08/I), A.V.A.C. (08)
	Accessories: black VSS Vintorez sniper rifle with large scope (new), short black knife with ribbed grip and fillet on rounded silver blade (new), face disguise with blue eyes and brown eyebrows and beard (new), black hexagonal backpack, opens to store mask (new), black Cobra figure stand.
	ZARTAN can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is also a master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (over 20 languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist, and a practitioner of several mystic martial arts. Very little is known of his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academy training (probably St. Cyr). "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Item #27464.

Version 14: November 2008 post-25th Anniversary Wave 11 carded figure assortment
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II) arms: Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) body: Gung Ho (07, 08), Dreadnok Torch (08, 09), Storm Shadow (08/III), Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) legs: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II), Maj. Bludd (08/I), A.V.A.C. (08)
	Accessories: black pistol (84 Zartan's), black knife with silver blade (07 Zartan's), "Duke" face mask with yellow hair (new), white "Storm Shadow" face mask (new), black armored vest with grey straps (new), black backpack (07 Zartan's), light green swamp skier with green skis and grey seat and handle, resembles super-deformed Chameleon (new), black Cobra figure stand.
	ZARTAN can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is also a master of make-up and disguise, ventriloquist, linguist (over 20 languages and dialects), acrobatic-contortionist, and practitioner of several mystic martial arts. Very little is known of his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academy training (probably St. Cyr). His training and skills make him difficult to find and almost impossible to capture. He has established a criminal compound in a remote swamp region, which he navigates on his customized Chameleon swamp skier. "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Item #36409.

Version 15: February 2009 Cobra Collector boxed set (09/I)
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II) arms: Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) body: Gung Ho (07, 08), Dreadnok Torch (08, 09), Storm Shadow (08/III), Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) legs: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II), Maj. Bludd (08/I), A.V.A.C. (08)
	Accessories: black pistol (84 Zartan's), black knife with silver blade (07 Zartan's), "Duke" face mask (08 Zartan's), "Storm Shadow" face mask (08 Zartan's), clear red glowy chest plate (08 Zartan's), black backpack with grey stripes (07 Zartan's), black Cobra figure stand.
	ZARTAN can change his identity with such skill that he can fool anyone. He uses a variety of techniques including hypnotism, holography, and mimicry; combined with his ability to speak over 20 languages and expertise with make-up and disguise, ZARTAN is able to become anyone he chooses. He has infiltrated the most secure facilities in the world and even gotten inside G.I. JOE headquarters. He's also a deadly foe; he's a practitioner of several mystic martial arts and a lethal archer. Very little is known of his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academy training (probably St. Cyr). He's the leader of the DREADNOK gang and has a compound hidden deep in an impenetrable swamp. "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Boxed with Storm Shadow, Baroness, Cobra Commander, and Cobra Viper. Item #36448.

Version 16: April 2009 Hall of Heroes carded figure assortment, #9 (09/II)
Master of Disguise
	head: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II) arms: Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) body: Gung Ho (07, 08), Dreadnok Torch (08, 09), Storm Shadow (08/III), Zartan (08, 09/I, 09/II) legs: Zartan (07, 08, 09/I, 09/II), Maj. Bludd (08/I), A.V.A.C. (08)
	Accessories: black pistol (84 Zartan's), black rifle (07 Zartan's), black knife with silver blade (07 Zartan's), face mask with brown beard (07 Zartan's), "Duke" face mask (08 Zartan's), "Storm Shadow" face mask (08 Zartan's), black and silver chest plate (08 Zartan's), black backpack with silver stripes (07 Zartan's), flat-gold Joe figure stand.
	ZARTAN can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is also a master of make-up and disguise, a ventriloquist, a linguist (over 20 languages and dialects), an acrobatic-contortionist, and a practitioner of several mystic martial arts. Very little is known of his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academic training (probably St. Cyr). "I can be anyone, anywhere. You will never know that you are talking to me, unless I wish it."
Toy Notes: Item #39524. Yes, this figure came with a Joe Team figure stand, presumably in keeping with his Duke disguise.