Carl Johnson (Character) - Giant Bomb (original) (raw)

Overview

Carl "CJ" Johnson is the main protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He was one of the founding members of the Grove Street Families, along with his brothers Brian and Sweet. The game follows Carl's struggle with local police enforcement, rival gangs, and his attempt to save his family, and take control of the streets.

Background

Carl was born in 1968 and was raised in Ganton, a hood located in east Los Santos. While growing up, he and his brothers, Brian and Sean "Sweet" Johnson, fell into the gang life, along with numerous others who lived in Ganton. In 1987, after a tragic accident that resulted in the death of Brian, Carl left the pressures of gang violence to Liberty City, where he worked with Salvatore Leone's son, Joey, taking part in muggings and car theft.

GTA San Andreas

In 1992, Carl gets a call from his brother Sweet, who he has not spoken to since his departure from Los Santos. Sweet informs him of the death of their mother, and Carl returns to San Andreas to attend the funeral. As he is returning to his home in Ganton, the taxi he has hired is stopped by Frank Tenpenny and Eddie Pulaski, two corrupt police officers, who are also members of Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums, or C.R.A.S.H. They apprehend Carl, and blame him for the murder of a police officer. They release Carl, but in a rival gang "Ballas" territory.

Carl makes his way back to Ganton, where he meets up with old friend and Grove Street Families member, Big Smoke, who greets CJ with open arms. They head to the graveyard where CJ's mother is being held, and meet up with Carl's brother, Sweet, along with Ryder, where CJ's return is less than well received. They are both convinced that CJ is a coward, and that he plans on leaving again.

While leaving the graveyard, they are ambushed by a rival gang, and escape back to Ganton. At this point, it seems that CJ is more eager to stay in Los Santos, and to help his family and friends out.

Trivia