Rafael J. Melendez

Rafael J. Melendez, code-named Zap, is a U.S. Army Corporal who joined the G.I. Joe special-mission team as a founding member. A trained bazooka and anti-armor specialist, he brings demolitions expertise and anti-tank firepower to the team's battles against Cobra.

Rafael J. Melendez is a Bronze Age original, debuting in the landmark first issue of Marvel's G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero in 1982 — a series that Larry Hama and Don Perlin helped launch into one of the most beloved military comics franchises in history. Over more than four decades of publication, Melendez has kept company with some of the title's most iconic figures, sharing adventures with Hawk, Stalker, Rock 'n Roll, and others who defined the G.I. Joe roster. With five key-issue appearances to his name and a presence stretching from the Reagan-era Bronze Age all the way through 2024, he's a thread woven deep into the fabric of this enduring universe. For collectors tracing the full sweep of G.I. Joe history back to its thrilling ground floor, Melendez is a name worth knowing.