Heavy Metal (deceased)

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Helmet (s): a must in Sherman's line of work, this protective head gear helps to save him from exploding shells and the occasional 'lucky shot' from the enemy. It provides him +2 protection from physical attacks that strike him in the head (though not in his face).

Mauler M.B.T. (i): Sherman has had a love for tanks ever since the first time he saw a convoy of them rumbling by. You can imagine his elation upon being assigned to drive the Mauler into battle with the Gi Joe team. This vehicle is detailed fully in its own entry.

Semi-automatic Pistols (a): Sherman always carries two of these pistols with him, one on a chest holster and one on a hip holster. He may fire either to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, or his Agility +5 damage in a semi-auto spread of ammunition.

Submachine Gun (a): his main piece should he have to fight outside his Mauler, Sherman likes this hand cannon a lot. He can fire it to inflict his Agility +5 damage in a short, semi-automatic spread, or he can 'open it up' to inflict his Agility +6 damage full-auto.

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Artillery (a): after his Moment of Clarity, Sherman transferred from Finance School into Armor, and hasn't looked back. Thanks to this, he has the ability to wield all line of sight weapons, whether they be mortars or tank cannons, at a reduced difficulty level.

Boxing (s): one talent he picked up during his basic training, this skill describes Sherman's ability to defend himself without weapons. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which occurs as a contingent action.

Finance (w): his original military specialty, Sherman enlisted in order to attend the Army's Finance School, with the ultimate goal of becoming a CPA. As such, he makes financial actions (both involving his own and other people's money) at a reduced difficulty.

Marksmanship (a): another skill he picked up during his basic training despite his accountant leanings, Sherman has learned how to wield most firearms in battle with ease. Whether he's toting a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol, Sherman may do so at a reduced difficulty.

Military / United States (w): the source of all his other talents, this skill serves as both an origin and an occupation rolled into one. Sherman has spent enough time in the military to know the S.O.P. like the back of his hand, functioning seamlessly in a martial unit.

Calling:

Soldier: Sherman has always sought order in life, which is why he originally wanted to become an accountant. Of course, he's found that a tank can be an immutable statement in iron, and likes nothing more than driving one and blowing stuff up - all in the service of his country!

Costume:

While active with the Gi Joe team, Sherman wears a simple uniform. It includes a green collared T-shirt beneath a black leather jacket, a loose-fitting pair of Army green trousers, brown leather boots, green leather gloves, brown belts and holsters for his gear, and a green helmet.

Personality:

Sherman is a generally quiet fellow, hailing from a generally quiet part of Brooklyn. Of course, something happens when you put him behind the wheel of his Mauler, and it's almost like he becomes a different person... and you find yourself thankful he's working for the good guys!

Real Name: Sherman R. Guderian, Grade E-4
Occupation: tank driver
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: Rampage
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe

Height: 5' 11"
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Weight: 170 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none.

Story:

Sherman came from a rather tight-knit neighborhood in Brooklyn that some people might call 'inaccessible' to outsiders. Folks from that neighborhood rarely stepped out and when they did it was something of an Event for them. You can imagine their surprise when Sherman left - and to join the Army!

He did this with a relatively simple dream in mind: he wanted to attend the Army's Finance School and eventually settle in to a simple life as a CPA. He made good progress in this regard, at least until while walking around in Fort Belvoir he bore witness to an entire tank convoy on the move.

Something deep down inside Sherman clicked when this happened, and he was forever changed. Suddenly needing to be behind the wheel of a several ton engine of destruction, Sherman put in for a transfer to the Armored division that day - and the man never looked back!

While before he had learned the use of firearms and such as a means to an end, Sherman embraced his hardware like never before, and slowly mastered all manner of offensive gear in his newfound quest, his zeal eventually getting him nominated for a position on the Gi Joe team.

He managed to pass most of the team's exams easily enough, and only had to face down a final, live operation led by Lady Jaye to prove if he was suitable for membership in the group. This operation, also attended by Airtight, Bazooka and Crankcase, was supposed to be relatively simple.

However, Cobra operatives testing their new cohort, Dr. Mindbender, happened upon them and used the evil doctor's B.A.T. robots and plant spores on our heroes, momentarily getting the drop on them. Of course, as resourceful as Sherman and his new fellows are, they ultimately won out in the end.

Sherman went on to participate in all manner of Gi Joe operations, including their invasion of Springfield and of course the first Cobra Island Civil War. His final mission with the team occurred in the early 1990s, where he was in Trucial Abysmia taking down Terror Dromes.

Though this mission was supposed to be easy, Sherman and company were captured by a large Cobra force who happened to be on their way elsewhere. Thrown into a pit along with his fellows, Sherman was killed in action when a Cobra S.A.W. Viper gunned him and several of his fellows down.

Though slain in the line of duty, Sherman was at least given a hero's burial in the Arlington national cemetery.

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Heavy Metal: