Roaming through the streets of Liberty City, Niko Bellic’s portrayal of a war veteran turned gangster has been massively applauded. From battling internal conflicts to going to any extent for his friends, he is one of the greatest protagonists in the GTA series.
But everyone is aware of Niko’s prominence, right? What baffles me is that there is one character in the same GTA IV universe who is least talked about. He’s none other than Johnny Klebitz from GTA IV’s DLC, The Lost and Damned.
It’s funny many people don’t know about his authentic leadership and the tragic fate he suffered.
Key Takeaways
- After Niko Bellic, Johnny Klebitz was my favorite character from the world of GTA IV.
- Taking the mantle of The Lost MC’s leader, Johnny dominated the rival biker gangs, making his gang’s name prominent in Liberty City.
The Rise of Johnny Klebitz
While he had a small role in Bellic’s story, his true breakthrough came with the Lost and Damned DLC as a member of the biker gang, The Lost MC.
When I saw Johnny welcoming back Billy Grey after his release, I thought Billy and Johnny would be a great duo to run The Lost MC. However, my thoughts were instantly dismantled by Billy’s attempt to wage a war between Lost MC and Angels of Death. Here, I questioned Billy’s morality and tried to anticipate the future of this biker gang.
My concern for the gang’s future grew after Billy’s arrest and Johnny taking over as the club’s official president. Johnny’s hot-headed nature didn’t suit the role of leader. However, he proved me wrong and tried to lead the gang correctly.
Nevertheless, with great going came a big hazard that endangered the entire gang and got Jim killed. Jim was one of Johnny’s greatest friends, and it was evident how his death affected him personally. Yet, the Lost MC asserted dominance over other gangs and pushed against rival gangs.
The tables turned when Billy turned the state’s evidence against the Lost. Johnny’s bold decision to attack the prison facility and kill Billy bought them some time to brush off the danger. Johnny and the Lost MC started a new chapter with new hideouts while caring for Jim’s widow and his child.
Johnny’s Kind-Heartedness Overshadowed His Aggression
I perceived Johnny as soft and morally obligated, hiding behind his bold personality. Though he didn’t think twice when danger came upon his allies, he always wanted to do justified killing. His philosophy of ensuring that no innocent dies at his hands is what makes Johnny Klebitz a standout character.
Even when he goes on to kill one of the gang members, Brian, and the club’s ex-president, Billy, over their betrayal, he hesitates to do so as he once considered them brothers. Despite this, this was a hard yet necessary call to make.
Moreover, Johnny always looked after his junky ex-girlfriend, Ashley, whom he later reconciled with. He often tried to protect her from dangerous situations and helped her repay her debt to the Russian mobster. He did make an effort to help her go clean and get rid of her crippling drug addiction.
Miserable Downfall
In the later part of the story, we learn that he, along with the remaining gang members and Ashley, relocated to Blaine County. The gang steps into drugs and arms trading and gets involved with GTA V’s one of the protagonists, Trevor Phillips. The worst part is Johnny, under the influence of Ashley, becomes addicted to meth, adapting to the habit he once used to despise.
In the ensuing trading business, Johnny confronts Trevor for sleeping with Ashley. Already angered over Michael’s heist, Trevor exudes his anger on Johnny by stomping his head.
Sadly, none of us could have imagined that Johnny’s end would come through Trevor’s shoes. This sudden demise of Johnny’s story came to me as a shock for a guy who rose from nothing and got murdered in a mere few seconds.
Conclusion
As I reflect upon his life, I am struck between Johnny’s two trajectories. One was Johnny being the respected leader, and the other was him being consumed by the same darkness he sought to control.
I wish we could see more of him in the later games. He had every acumen a gangster should possess: being badass and having your friend’s back. Nonetheless, his life and death served as a reminder of the true nature of power and the cost of it that Johnny eventually paid with his life.
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Meet Ayesha, a business student and a Game Guides writer whose passion for gaming knows no bounds. With a keen interest in simulation and RPG genres like Disney Dreamlight Valley, Starfield, and Final Fantasy Series, she’s been sharing her expertise at VeryAli Gaming for a year now, enhancing the gaming experience for players worldwide. Check out what Ayesha likes to play on her Steam.
