Action Figure Barbecue: 🔥 Hot Toy Summer!🔥 Dreadnok Torch from G.I. Classified Series by Hasbro

It's back to being incredibly hot and humid in southeastern US and that means it's time for another installment of 🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 This month I'm looking at some characters with fire based powers, fire based gimmicks, or characters who are literally on fire! Today I'm checking Torch, another member of the Dreadnoks and the guy most known for using fire as a weapon. In 1985 Zartan got three Dreadnoks to help him out, Buzzer, Ripper, and Torch, so these guys get a lot of love for being the first Dreadnok gang members. I've had this guy for well over a month now and I'm still not sure which of the Classified Series Dreadnoks from 1985 that I prefer; it's either Torch or Ripper. Ready to check out an Aussie with a penchant for fire? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 6 1/2 inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, mid-torso hinge, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 2 pistols, necklace, 2 wrist chains, spiked bicep collar, flamethrower, cord, backpack, and 3 flame effects.

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars

The Positives:

* Torch's look is really very similar to his vintage toy. It's almost a 1:1 translation though there are some great new flourishes that make the Classified Series figure superior. While I often bemoan some members of the Joe team wearing gear and carrying weapons that are now 40 years old, it doesn't bother me with the Dreadnoks. I imagine that if you're living the kind of life they do you'll probably still find with wearing something like this. Torch's leather jacket now has painted zippers and chains on it along with chains on his wrists, too. He's also sporting some very heavy duty knee-high motorcycle boots.

* The headsculpts on all of the Dreadnoks have been really good but I might even like Torch's portrait more than Ripper's portrait. The glasses aren't removable here but I think that's for the best as Buzzer's glasses were a real pain. Some folks have speculated that Torch was inspired by the late Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead and I can kind of see it. The facial hair is similar though the hair itself is pretty different. It's excellent, though, and goes well with the shades and the red headband.

* Here's a shot of Torch from the back so you can see the studs on the back of his vest and the flames embroidered on the back of his jean pockets.

* Besides having cool flame tattoos on both of his forearms Torch also has chains wrapped around his forearms, a skull necklace of some sort (maybe a bird skull?), and a spiked bicep band. The chains, bicep band, and necklace are all separate parts and can easily be removed by popping off his head and arms, so you can easily swap parts or customize him to you're liking if you wish.

* The articulation on the Classified Series figures is always excellent and I have no issues with Torch. He moves well, can take a great variety of poses, and interacts nicely with all of his accessories. These are really sturdy, durable figures that have some of the best articulation out there. His flamethrower is a two handed weapon and he really can hold it pretty well. He's a ton of fun.

* Torch comes with two pistols, both of which are the same model. They look like fairly modern pistols and have a compensator on the end. The barrel is hollow so you can add a firing effect to them if you have some extras in your parts box.

* He also has a holster for each one on his hops. They fit in there well and give him an option for when he needs something with more range than a flamethrower.

* Torch's flamethrower is clearly a custom job with a black and yellow color scheme. Model-wise, it looks more like a classic M2-2 flamethrower, though there are surely some custom parts here. The pressure tank is painted bright yellow with a little skull on it and the phrase "Nocks Rule" on it. Some folks have pointed out that Dreadnok is spelled without a C, but maybe that's just how they've decided to spell the shortened form or it's because Torch is illiterate (per his vintage file card). The flamethrower gun can clip on beneath the tanks for storage.

* The flamethrower gun is quite nice with an old school look to it. The vintage Torch carried an Acetylene torch but this is a full on flamethrower. There's also a horned skull added over the ignition head with flames shooting out of its eyes. I'm guessing that's some sort of modification he's put on his weapon, kind of like a pilot light on a gas stove, right? Maybe they're not real flames, though, but some kind of effect piece he's added on?

* There are three flame attachments for Torch's flamethrower that can be swapped out at will. The first is a small flame that fits in the barrel, maybe right before or right after he's using it. I imagine this is the pilot light, correct?

* Next up is a huge burst of flame. This is really, really cool looking and definitely pretty intimidating. The 2005 Valor Vs. Venom version of Torch came with a flame effect similar to this and it was always a very cool standout from the line. It's nice to see Hasbro go even further here.

* Last up is a stream of flame that is jetting out of the barrel. I love it! How darn cool are these? Hasbro did really, really solid work here. The Joe team is creative and almost always puts a ton of thought into including cool accessories and extras with the Classified Series figures.

The Negatives:

* My only negative is that the backpack can falloff when you're handling the figures. The peg doesn't seem quite long enough as it not only has to plug into the hole on Torch's back but it also has to go through the hole on his vest.

Torch is absolutely Epic. He's a cool figure with a lot of character and his accessories always shine. I've actually never been the biggest fan of the Dreadnoks, even as a kid, but the Classified Series has made them some of my favorite figures in the line. Torch's extra flame attachments are amazing. I'm kind of wondering if Hasbro went all out here because they plan to use these again down the road with figures like Blowtorch, Charbroil, and maybe even Ice Cream Soldier. Do we dare hope? Torch is a solid figure, finishes the three classic Dreadnoks strong, and makes me more excited to see who else Hasbro adds to their ranks.

Torch definitely fit the bill for 🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 This is the first version of Torch I've reviewed on here. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:

G.I. Joe Classified Series by Hasbro (2020)
Action Sailor (Recon Diver)
Action Soldier (Infantry)
Agent Helix

Alley Viper

Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey
Arctic B.A.T.

Arctic Mission Storm Shadow

Baroness with Cobra C.O.I.L.
Baroness (Retro)

Baroness (Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins)

B.A.T.
B.A.T. (Python Patrol)
Big Boa

Blue Ninjas
Buzzer
Chuckles
Clutch with VAMP (Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle)

Cobra Commander

Cobra Commander (Regal Variant)
Cobra Eel

Cobra Infantry
Cobra Officer

Cobra Trooper (Special Missions: Cobra Island)
Cobra Valkyries