Phantom Blood
Battle Tendency

Robert E. O. Speedwagon

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“
Right about now, you're probably wondering who I am. Allow me to elucidate ya! The name is Robert E. O. Speedwagon!
”
—Robert E. O. Speedwagon, Chapter 11: The Stone Mask, Part 4

Robert E. O. Speedwagon (ロバート・E・O・スピードワゴン, Robāto Ī Ō Supīdowagon) is a major ally featured in the 1st part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Phantom Blood, and then the 2nd part, Battle Tendency. 

Formerly a Londoner thug residing in Ogre Street, Speedwagon befriends Jonathan Joestar and, despite remaining a powerless human, becomes a loyal ally to the Joestar Family during his whole life and beyond thanks to the company he's founded: the Speedwagon Foundation. His company supports the Joestars in Stardust Crusaders, Diamond is Unbreakable, and Stone Ocean.

Appearance

REO Speedwgon.png

Robert E. O. Speedwagon is a man of medium height and athletic build. In his prime, he is portrayed with a long fair-haired mullet and a large scar across the left cheek, leading from his nose to his jaw. His typical attire consists of a three-piece dark suit with a tie, and a bowler hat (in which are hidden blades). In the later portion of Phantom Blood, he replaces his headpiece with the late Will A. Zeppeli's chessboard patterned top hat.

Color Schemes

The series is known for alternating colors between media, the information presented below may or may not be canon.
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Blond)
Eyes(Brown)
Bowler Hat(Purple with gold and green accessories)
Outfit
(Purple coat and trousers, orange vest over a white dress shirt, green tie, silver arm guards)
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Blond)
Eyes(Brown)
Bowler Hat(Purple with gold and green accessories)
Outfit
(Purple coat and trousers, orange vest over a white dress shirt, green tie, silver arm guards)
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Blond)
Eyes(Brown)
Bowler Hat
(Black with indigo belt and pink accessories)
Outfit
(Black coat and trousers, indigo vest over a white dress shirt, pink tie)


In Battle Tendency, Speedwagon sports a greyed flattop and a much older complexion. He wears an elderly three-piece suit complete with a tie and at times, a fedora decorated with a feather.

Color Schemes

The series is known for alternating colors between media, the information presented below may or may not be canon.
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Grey)
Eyes(Brown)
Outfit
(Purple fedora, suit, and trousers, tan dress shirt, green tie)
Skin(Fair)
Hair(Grey)
Eyes(Brown)
Outfit
(Black fedora with orange and yellow buckle, black suit and trousers, white dress shirt, blue tie)

Personality

“
I'll always be there for you guys. If you need me, I'll come no matter where it is. Though I might just get in the way.
”
—Speedwagon, Chapter 41: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 3

Robert E. O. Speedwagon is a hot-blooded and honorable street thug and later businessman.

Despite his activity as a hoodlum, Speedwagon is a righteous man. Due to his ability to "smell out" the personality of people, he had recognized Jonathan's noble spirit during the events at Ogre Street[4] and accompanies him on his further journey to defeat Dio, whose facade as a cover for his naturally evil behavior was easily denied by Speedwagon.[5] Speedwagon is incredibly loyal to his friends, befriending Jonathan was in part due to the gentleman being kind to his partners in crime. He will try to do anything to help them, and even after Jonathan's death, Speedwagon remained friends with Erina out of respect for Jonathan.

Speedwagon takes care of Erina and Joseph Joestar much like a father figure or close uncle. Equipped with a courteous nature, he is familiar with giving one's privacy; this is apparent when upon trying to enter Jonathan's room, he witnesses the nurse, Jonathan's former love Erina, nurse him back to health and leaves Jonathan to Erina's care. This righteousness would be a characteristic of him throughout his life, as an elderly Speedwagon specifies in his will that his foundation should be used to fund medical and archaeological advancements, and his organization aids the Joestar family time and time again long after his death.

Speedwagon crying when believing Jonathan to be dead

Apart from that, Speedwagon is both anxious and hot-blooded. He is very extroverted and loudly conveys his feelings, from enthusiastically describing Jonathan fighting, to his despair at seeing Kars become the Ultimate Lifeform. Speedwagon constantly seeks to help his companions in various more or less convoluted ways. He notably breaks into a hospital to emotionally support Jonathan,[6] harasses Zeppeli so that he would teach him the Ripple, and has thought of using the warmth of his stomach to unfreeze Zeppeli's arm. Speedwagon also has often tried to confront zombies.

Abilities

Speedwagon couldn't master the Ripple because he wasn't pressured enough. This is different from Jonathan and Zeppeli, who both carried the mission to stop Dio and the Stone Mask on their shoulders. Zeppeli tried to help him create small Ripples by stimulating the muscles of his diaphragm, but accidentally missed the right point and just managed to hurt Speedwagon. However, due to his life on the street, he is fairly resourceful and has mastered several useful techniques, including the ability to determine someone's moral alignment purely based on their smell. Speedwagon is a seasoned mugger, thus he knows the basics of combat such as keeping a good guard.[4]

Showing off his saw-hat
  • Saw-Hat: Speedwagon wore a bowler hat with a hidden buzz-saw built into it that was sharp enough to cut through bone. Speedwagon used it during his days as a thief, throwing the hat at his opponent as a projectile for a deadly attack. He was extremely proficient with it, being able to juggle with the hat easily, and throwing it with deadly accuracy.[4]
Speedwagon's sledgehammer
  • Hammer: Not being able to master the Ripple didn't stop Speedwagon from helping in the fight. He used a sledgehammer powerful enough to kill zombies in just one strike by smashing their heads. In the anime, Speedwagon tried to smash one of Dio's severed hands with it.

Following the events of Part 1, Speedwagon traveled to America and got rich in the oil industry. With his fortune, he created the Speedwagon Foundation, an organization featuring studies in medical research, wild animal and plant protection, and secretly, a Supernatural Research Department with the sole purpose of aiding the Joestar Family. As head of this company, Speedwagon has full power over all employees, including several leading scientists and workers. Speedwagon often employs resources in the organization, including transportation by helicopters, submarines, cars, and planes, as well as development in weapons technology.

History

Background

Robert E. O. Speedwagon is a man who lived in darkness ever since he was born. Growing up on the dangerous Ogre Street, he stole things to live and met all kinds of horrible people in his life. It reached the point of him being able to tell a good person apart from a bad person just by their smell. He eventually became the leader of the thieves in Ogre Street, and befriended a Kempo Master and Tattoo.

During his youth, Speedwagon had traveled the world, experimenting with various exotic animals in Africa, strange Asian plants and Caribbean tornadoes.[7]

Phantom Blood (1888-1889)

“
Rich folks are rubbish. Watching 'em flounce around, I wanna throw the whole lot of them into the Thames! But not the Joestars. They're heroic and merciful and, just...the whole damn lot of them are giants among men!
”
—Speedwagon, Episode 3
Speedwagon appears to help Jonathan
Speedwagon first appears as an Ogre Street thug boss expecting easy pickings from Jonathan Joestar when he entered the street in search of the antidote to the poison that Dio Brando gave to his father. But finding himself outmatched, Speedwagon realized Jonathan spared his men and ordered the others to stand down, offering his services in leading Jonathan to Wang Chan. Fearing for Jonathan's safety, Speedwagon then accompanied him to the Joestar Mansion where he saw through Dio's attempt to lull Jonathan's guard with feigned remorse. When George died protecting his son from being stabbed by Dio, Speedwagon voiced his utmost respect to the Joestar family. Following Jonathan's battle against a newly vampirized Dio, Speedwagon takes Jonathan to the hospital where the youth was cared for by his childhood friend Erina Pendleton.

Speedwagon accompanies Jonathan and Ripple master Will Anthonio Zeppeli to Windknight's Lot in their mission to finish Dio off, though Zeppeli mentions that Speedwagon could never master the art of the Ripple, a fact that greatly distressed Speedwagon. Upon arriving at Windknight's, Zeppeli attempts to push a pressure point in Speedwagon's midsection anyway, in order to give him the ability to harness "small ripples," but missed the right location and ended up hurting Speedwagon instead. The group encounters Dio soon after and is forced to fight off an army of zombies; Speedwagon aids by attacking a few with a sledgehammer. When Zeppeli's arm is frozen by Dio, Speedwagon thaws it by placing it on his own flesh. After Zeppeli's death at the hands of Tarkus, he takes on wearing his hat as a remembrance of their fallen ally.

In the climactic battle against Dio, Speedwagon assists the group by fending off zombies and making an attempt to hinder Dio by destroying his arm. Following the battle, Speedwagon smashes the Stone Mask with his sledgehammer. The morning after Jonathan and Erina marry, Speedwagon is seen reading about their story in the newspaper, only to rush to the docks after realizing their honeymoon cruise was about to set sail. He successfully sees them off, though did not know of the immediate tragedy that would befall them until later.

Post-Phantom Blood

In the years following the death of Jonathan Joestar, Speedwagon had traveled to America, where he discovered oil and formed the powerful Speedwagon Foundation. It is also during this time that he became an uncle figure to Joseph Joestar, noting him as a deadringer of Jonathan despite their opposing personalities. At some point, Speedwagon was kidnapped on a hijacked plane and was going to be sold for ransom, if not for the efforts of Joseph.

Immediately before the events of Battle Tendency, Speedwagon learns of the discovery of a human-like figure embedded in a pillar holding numerous Stone Masks.

Battle Tendency (1938-1939)

Speedwagon, now an old man, and his team meets with Straizo in order to show him the inactive Pillar Man so that he may use the Ripple to destroy him. Unexpectedly, Straizo betrays Speedwagon and mortally wounds him while killing off the others to use their blood to become a vampire. Speedwagon is then dumped into the river by Straizo to prevent the pillar man from absorbing his blood and is eventually 'rescued' by the Nazi major Rudol von Stroheim, who took the pillar man for research. Speedwagon seems helpless in the presence of Stroheim while pleading for him to not revive the being that the Nazi named Santana. But when Santana breaks out of his containment and kills most of the German unit, Speedwagon was saved by Joseph. After Santana's defeat and containment, Speedwagon travels with Joseph to Italy in order to meet Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli, where he disappointingly watches as the two squabble in stark contrast to the cooperation of Jonathan and Will.

He goes with them to where the three other Pillar Men are, and bears witness to the awakening of Wamuu, Esidisi, and Kars, becoming a bystander in the ensuing fight. Afterwards, Speedwagon spends most of the story accompanying Erina and Smokey, while withholding information about the Pillar Men and Joseph's life-threatening predicament from Erina at his request.

Speedwagon, along with Smokey, appears to help Joseph

Speedwagon and Smokey reappear once again during Joseph's battle with Kars, having come with assistance from the Nazis against the army of vampires. Once again, Speedwagon becomes a spectator to unfortunate events while explaining to a concerned Smokey that they must respect the wishes of Erina and Lisa Lisa to not reveal the latter's identity to Joseph. When Kars successfully turns into the Ultimate Lifeform and proceeds to hunt down Joseph, Speedwagon desperately begs for Joseph to go into hiding rather than attempt to face the Pillar Man head-on as he didn't "want to lose him too", but is ignored as the young man goes off on his own.

Later, Speedwagon is one of the group of people who attends Joseph's funeral, comforting Erina as he is the only other living person to grasp the scope of her agony and the tragedy of the Joestar family. However, Joseph himself immediately shows up and reveals his surviving the final confrontation with Kars, much to everyone's joy and relief.

SPOILER WARNING: Part 3-7 spoiler details may follow.

Legacy

Speedwagon dies in 1952 of a heart attack at the age of 89. As a lifelong bachelor, he leaves no family behind. After his death, the Speedwagon Foundation is dedicated to biochemical science and technology, and assists the Joestar Family throughout Parts 3-6. His men go on to create a new prosthetic hand for Joseph, help Jotaro destroy the remains of DIO as well as study the Stand-creating Arrow, analyze Giorno Giovanna's Joestar bloodline, and maintain Jotaro's health after his Stand and memory discs are stolen by Whitesnake.

Relationships

Allies

  • Jonathan Joestar: Jonathan's most loyal friend. An enemy at first, he later joined Jonathan on his quest after seeing the protagonist's dedication and courteous nature. In his later years, he founded the Speedwagon Foundation, which has become the Joestar Family's most useful asset in battling Stand users and supernatural research.
  • Will Zeppeli: Originally, Zeppeli thought Speedwagon would run away at the first sign of danger, as he couldn't use Ripple, but he eventually respects his courage when Speedwagon stays despite his shortcomings. After Zeppeli was killed, Speedwagon donned his hat out of respect.
  • Tattoo and Kempo Fighter: Old acquaintances of Speedwagon's from his time on Ogre Street. While Speedwagon temporarily abandons them to help Jonathan destroy Dio, they remain friends all the same.
  • Joseph Joestar: Despite his cheeky attitude, Joseph cared for Speedwagon, and viewed him as an uncle. When Joseph received news of Speedwagon's supposed death, he becomes enraged and attacks Straizo without a second thought. Similarly, when he receives news that Speedwagon was still alive, he is seen happily tearing up before rushing to the Nazi base in order to break him out.
  • Caesar A. Zeppeli: After beginning his training of the Ripple, Caesar devoted his life to revenge against the ones who killed his father. Having been friends with his grandfather, Speedwagon informed Caesar of the events that led to Will Zeppeli's death. Other than this, their relationship is unknown aside from being acquaintances in the fight against the Pillar Men. However, it is possible that the hat Caesar is seen wearing during his first appearance was the same hat Speedwagon inherited from Will after he died.

Enemies

  • Dio Brando: After hearing from Jonathan what Dio was doing to George Joestar I, Speedwagon decided to help with finding the man that sold Dio the poison. Dio openly declares that after killing Jonathan, he would dispose of Speedwagon as well for being involved. After everything that had happened at the Joestar Mansion, Speedwagon went along with Jonathan and Zeppeli to defeat Dio, knowing that he was too dangerous now as a vampire to be left running around.

Chapters / Episodes

Book Icon.png Manga Appearances
Chapters in order of appearance

TV Icon.png Anime Appearances
Episodes in order of appearance

Quotes

Quote.png Quotes
  • “
    Stop everyone! If you touch this gentleman, I, Speedwagon won't forgive you!
    ”
    — Speedwagon about Jonathan, Chapter 9: The Stone Mask, Part 2
  • “
    I've lived in darkness ever since my birth, and have met all kinds of villains. So I can tell a bad person from a good person just by his smell... And this guy stinks! He stinks worse than shit!
    ”
    — Speedwagon about Dio, Chapter 11: The Stone Mask, Part 4
  • “
    The father's soul has been inherited by his son, Jonathan Joestar! It will become his strong will, his pride, his future
    ”
    — Speedwagon about the Joestars, Chapter 12: Youth with Dio, Part 1
  • “
    Gaah! Even Speedwagon is afraid!
    ”
    — Speedwagon, Chapter 13: Youth with Dio, Part 2
  • “
    I have travelled the world and seen many things! Exotic African animals, strange Asian plants and the Carribean tornadoes that can uproot large tree! But I've never seen a monster like this!
    ”
    — Speedwagon witnessing the vampirized Dio, Chapter 13: Youth with Dio, Part 2
  • “
    Speedwagon withdraws cooly.
    ”
    —Robert E. O. Speedwagon, Chapter 17: The Birth of DIO
  • “
    This is so great, I hope you two will be happy. I'll always be there for you guys. If you need me, I'll come no matter where it is. Though I might just get in the way.
    ”
    —Robert E. O. Speedwagon, Chapter 41: Fire and Ice, Jonathan and Dio, Part 3
  • “
    [Kars]'s... he's become invincible! He has no more weaknesses!! Not even the Ripple will work anymore!! Immortal! Unkillable! No one will ever defeat him! This is the birth of Kars, the ultimate being!!!
    ”
    —Robert E. O. Speedwagon, Chapter 109: Kars the Superbeing Is Born, Part 1

Gallery

  • Speedwagon's first appearance in Ogre Street

    Speedwagon's first appearance in Ogre Street

  • Speedwagon's buzzsaw bowler hat

    Speedwagon's buzzsaw bowler hat

  • Speedwagon befriends Jonathan

    Speedwagon befriends Jonathan

  • The interfering Speedwagon

    The interfering Speedwagon

  • An old Speedwagon

    An old Speedwagon

  • Cover, Chapter 46

    Cover, Chapter 46

  • Speedwagon prisoner of the Germans

    Speedwagon prisoner of the Germans

  • One of Speedwagon's suits

    One of Speedwagon's suits

  • Speedwagon's last appearance in the manga

    Speedwagon's last appearance in the manga

  • First appearance in the anime

    First appearance in the anime

  • Speedwagon facing off against Jonathan

    Speedwagon facing off against Jonathan

  • Speedwagon's Buzzsaw hat

    Speedwagon's Buzzsaw hat

  • Speedwagon properly introduces himself

    Speedwagon properly introduces himself

  • Speedwagon cries as he holds an unconscious Jonathan

    Speedwagon cries as he holds an unconscious Jonathan

  • Speedwagon with Jonathan and Zeppeli

    Speedwagon with Jonathan and Zeppeli

  • Speedwagon using his hammer to destroy the Stone Mask

    Speedwagon using his hammer to destroy the Stone Mask

  • Young Speedwagon concept art for the anime

    Young Speedwagon concept art for the anime

  • Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 1

    Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 1

  • Reference sheet: Head

    Reference sheet: Head

  • Reference sheet: Head 2

    Reference sheet: Head 2

  • Reference sheet: Body

    Reference sheet: Body

  • Speedwagon's first appearance in Part 2 as an old man

    Speedwagon's first appearance in Part 2 as an old man

  • Betrayed by Straizo

    Betrayed by Straizo

  • Speedwagon 'saved' by the Nazis

    Speedwagon 'saved' by the Nazis

  • Remembering Joseph's threat not to tell Erina about his predicament

    Remembering Joseph's threat not to tell Erina about his predicament

  • Part1LegacyPhoto.PNG

    Photo of Speedwagon with Erina, Straizo, and a baby Lisa Lisa

  • Speedwagon with Erina and Smokey Brown at Joseph's funeral

    Speedwagon with Erina and Smokey Brown at Joseph's funeral

  • Speedwagon with the others surprised to see Joseph alive

    Speedwagon with the others surprised to see Joseph alive

  • A younger Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 2

    A younger Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 2

  • Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 2

    Speedwagon in the ending credits for Part 2

  • Speedwagon's first appearance in the Phantom Blood PS2 game

    Speedwagon's first appearance in the Phantom Blood PS2 game

  • Razor Hat attack, Phantom Blood

    Razor Hat attack, Phantom Blood

  • Interfering to help Jonathan investigate Dio

    Interfering to help Jonathan investigate Dio

  • Walking a trail, being teased by Will Zeppeli

    Walking a trail, being teased by Will Zeppeli

  • Cursing Dio

    Cursing Dio

  • Holding an injured Poco

    Holding an injured Poco

  • Ecstatic about the 'chest', on the day Jonathan and Erina set sail

    Ecstatic about the 'chest', on the day Jonathan and Erina set sail

  • Speedwagon cameo in All Star Battle

    Speedwagon cameo in All Star Battle

  • Speedwagon's render, Eyes of Heaven

    Speedwagon's render, Eyes of Heaven

  • Speedwagon's intro, EoH

    Speedwagon's intro, EoH

  • Speedwagon throwing his razor hat, EoH

    Speedwagon throwing his razor hat, EoH

  • Speedwagon with Tattoo and the Kempo Master, EoH

    Speedwagon with Tattoo and the Kempo Master, EoH

  • Speedwagon and his comrades in combat, EoH

    Speedwagon and his comrades in combat, EoH

  • Speedwagon fighting alongside Jonathan, EoH

    Speedwagon fighting alongside Jonathan, EoH

  • Hatless Speedwagon during a Soul Succession

    Hatless Speedwagon during a Soul Succession

  • DR speedwagon with hat.jpg

    Speedwagon as he appears in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Records

  • DR Speedwagon, saw hat.jpg

    Speedwagon with saw hat

  • Speedwagon in the 2004 Phantom Blood Test Pilot

    Speedwagon in the 2004 Phantom Blood Test Pilot

  • Speedwagon As He Appears In The Part 3 OVA's Timeline Videos

    Speedwagon As He Appears In The Part 3 OVA's Timeline Videos

  • An Older Speedwagon Waiting To Meet With Straizo (Part 3 OVA)

    An Older Speedwagon Waiting To Meet With Straizo (Part 3 OVA)

  • An Older Speedwagon Meeting With Straizo (Part 3 OVA)

    An Older Speedwagon Meeting With Straizo (Part 3 OVA)

  • SpeedwagonOVA.png

    SpeedWagon At Josephs Funeral Surprised To Find He's Alive (Part 3 OVA)

  • GIMikeHarper.png

    Mike Harper, a character from Poker Under Arms, is a likely basis for Speedwagon

  • Happy Speedwagon.png

    Speedwagon making an appearance in the JORGE JOESTAR Light Novel

  • Top.jpg

    Chara Heroes; Part 1 Vol.1

  • Chara Heroes; Part 2 Vol.1

    Chara Heroes; Part 2 Vol.1

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 113: The Man Who Came Across the Atlantic Ocean
  2. ↑ JoJo 6251, p.148
  3. ↑ midchapter page Volume 33
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chapter 9, The Stone Mask Part 2
  5. ↑ Chapter 11, The Stone Mask Part 4
  6. ↑ Chapter 17, The Birth of DIO
  7. ↑ Chapter 14: Youth with Dio (3)
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