G.I. Joe: Dreadnoks & the influence of Mad Max

[@gotifan]

My brother and I had a lot of GI Joe stuff when we were kids, him with Joe, me with Cobra. One of my favorite subsets were the Dreadnoks and I had them all. The Thundermachine was one of, if not very, favorite vehicles in the entire toy line. The sled was kinda weak but I had it too. Man, I wish I still had those.

[@tomsenior7405]

I swear, had I been 6 years old when these toys came out, I would have gone Mental for them. As it currently stands these little figures are entirely unknown to me. Learning about them is fascinating stuff. And this is why I really appreciate all that hard work that goes into this channel. I admire the commitment and passion on display, alongside the toys. Lovely stuff.

[@jaycee_baron]

I was nine in '82 when they debuted. I definitely went mental for them.

[@tomsenior7405]

@@jaycee_baron You lucky sod. I am a little bit envious. Sod it, I am a lot envious. Cheers.

[@sethdownn575]

Let me tell you growing up in the late 1980s was absolutely fantastic.

[@tomsenior7405]

@@sethdownn575 That is excellent. Thank you for sharing. It wasn't half bad in the late 1960s either. Although we had no idea what wonders would lie ahead for our children.. We only knew the world around us. If you showed me these toys in 1969, I would have exploded.

[@sethdownn575]

@@tomsenior7405 thank god smart phones and PS5 did not exist when I was a child, I think Fortnite would have ruined me as a human 😂

[@IG78MP]

I love the Dreadnoks! On the file cards is where there was a lot of fun and puns. The first three Dreadnoks real names are Tom, Dick, and Harry and their last names are Winken, Blinken, and Nod. I was excited to see that Road Pigs birthplace was Goblu, Michigan as I lived in Michigan. I didn’t learn until years later that Goblu was a paper town or a copyright trap for map copiers. Such good stuff!!

[@G7M9W]

Wow. I did not know that about "Goblu," MI. I always thought it was just an anti- UofM dig (so I subsequently headcanonned ol' Donald as being from Ann Arbor). Go Blue!

[@bagofshhh]

The fun doesn’t stop there. Monkeywrench’s name, “Bill Winkie” is a reference to Wee Willie Winkie. A character from a nursery rhyme.

[@epicproportionsmediaproduc6697]

"Go Blue!" is the motto for the University of Michigan.

[@meshuggah434]

😮

[@justinthomas7222]

I'm only 2 minutes in but I know this'll be fun & informative. Thanks, Tony! Those old commercials were so awesome...

[@nelsonculligan1491]

This was a great episode, thanks!

[@dariusq8894]

The Dreadnoks truly are some of the best characters & toys which came out of A Real American Hero. Flash forward to the present and they are still killing it in Classified. I especially like the GIJoe x Transformers Soundwave Thunder Machine.

[@gotifan]

I just looked that up. Coolest toy I've seen in a long time. There was one left so I ordered it immediately!

[@CollaborativeDataAccounts]

Thrasher looks molded after Sid Vicious. What an amazing vid, fantastic!

[@jasonking3182]

I remember the Dreadnoks using Evel Knievel toy bikes pretty regularly in my play time!

[@MrGrandure]

This was a nice trip down memory lane....to the days before arthritis pain and bills. Thank you.

[@stevenboyd3756]

I had all of the Dreadnocks when I was a kid. Now I'm collecting them as an adult with the GI Joe Classified line.

[@mwc1707]

Though Hasbro only gave us those Official Dreadnoks, I added to their number with several of the odd Cobras like Raptor, Crystal Ball, and Croc Master. Them with several in scale figures from other lines made the Dreadnoks in my play time a massive gang to deal with. Also, after seeing Mad Max: The Road Warrior, you have no idea how many convoy chase battles happened in my room, or if possible around our old kitchen floor.

[@jessiemartinez3056]

I thought the same also .big boa and croc master as well as Cooper head n crystal ball ! LMFAO.

[@D3rpp00l]

Monkeywrench was my very first GI Joe toy as a kid. He often clashed with my old Luke Skywalker during playtime, eventually besting his Star Wars rival, when a young me lost grip of Luke near an active firepit my family had going one summer evening. Sadly, I don't still have Monkeywrench, as he was lost somewhere along the way, my memory of where and when are lost to time.

[@angelbangtana9885]

Not going to lie, that cobra t shirt looks BANG TIDY.

[@murraymccheyne5576]

From one Aussie 🇦🇺 to another Pommy-Aussie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ,well done mate connecting the design of the dreadnaughts with the iconic Aussie films mad max these guys should be an absolute must have for any Gi Joe collector , thx for sharing Tony ….awesome

[@skabcat242]

The Thunder Machine was such a badass vehicle.

[@PontFlair]

1:04 had them all along with Zanzibar. I used Buzzer & Ripper, Road Pig & Gnawgehide and Road Pig & Thrasher as a Tag-Team in my G.I.Joe Pro-Wrestling company LOL

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

I used GI joes as wrestlers too. Great times lol

[@thaddeusmcgrath]

Dreadnoks was and still are my favorite characters today. The vehicles and figures are what I am working on completing with the figures I had in the 80's. Thanks for covering this, learned more about my favorite mates.

[@mlseries2553]

The BEST videos in the business! Thank you Tony!

[@patrickreeves4650]

xmas 1986 i got zartan, and the dreadnocks car. i loved that figure. everytime someone came over to play we would go outside and put zartan in the sun to watch him change color.

[@Satyrgreen]

Great episode Tony🔥🤘🏻🔥 Zartan and the Dreadnoks were always one of my favorites too. Zartan was probably my all time favorite G.I. Joe figure. Buzzer was my personal fave of the original bunch of 3 carded Dreadnoks.

[@sherwoodcrump3716]

Tony, this video was incredible! I started buying the Classified Dreadnoks because I think that they fit well with Kerak and the Bone Collector from Action Force. I didn’t know much about their backgrounds but you taught me a lot. It’s really kind of ironic that as I watched this the movie “ Furiosa; A Mad Max Saga” was playing on my tv…

[@shoked99]

Dreadnoks were very fun in the cartoon. I didn't know about the file card issues. That was very interesting to learn. Thanks so much for your video. Glad you have the complete Dreadnok collection.

[@TK804]

Great video! I totally forgot Zanzibar’s weapons attached to his skiff. I just updated my shelf! 💪

[@scubapete9500]

This is “nok” to be missed! Thank you Tony!

[@davidscottlane7771]

Great video. I absolutely love the 80’s GIJOE figures.

[@nickgruber2593]

Great video. Loved the road warrior references

[@elroberto4051]

Thrasher and the Thunder Machine often stood in for Max and his V8 Interceptor when I played as a kid. Great video!

[@LeonardoTDragon]

Solid recap of a great Joe faction! Also, your ending Mad Max homage was pretty hilarious. (We all know that the Road Warrior is THE best Mad Max film.)

[@AllBreaksLoose]

I had zartan and that mask feature was the coolest thing to me as a kid. I forgot about the cart you could haul the vehicle taken apart in. I also had that pirate guy and his vehicle too! The memories you bring back with videos like this....damn I wish I was a kid again.

[@TRASPOTER48]

😂 you really outdid yourself what a great video truly brings back the joy of yesteryears between you and Michael you guys are killing it thanks for the awesome content truly remarkable!😅

[@HANUMAN7454]

Man i had this Zartan figure as a kid. I loved it so much.

[@hgc7000]

I've always enjoyed Buzzer's back story from his file card, and the very first Dreadnok I got was Thrasher and his Thunder Machine. Jesus C. Zartan was known to turn many a Grape Soda to Wine. What a great lad!

[@Sturmvapor]

Masterful work Tony!

[@Rodimusprimerib]

I did not know this is what i needed this morning! Thank you for this awesome retrospective to one of the coolest enemy factions ever created

[@jonniehotdog]

I'd never heard of the Dreadnoks before, but now I want a Thunder Machine! Great work, Tony ! Loved the epilogue too!

[@mixmix1487]

Great video Tony! I was 10 when the dreadknoks appeared. My favorite was Thrasher for some reason and I loved Zanzibars vehicle. I had them all, still do. With the exception of that last zartan and road pig. Man, this video took me back. Thank you.

[@aaronj235]

Zanzibar had rooted hair and his vehicle had a fan I take right behind his head😂

[@johnvader4584]

wow, another highly detailed terrific video to watch. Thank you.

[@derekholgate6345]

In Ireland as a kid I collected action force toys and never knew they were GI Joe, then one day I was in forbidden planet and I saw duke on the cover of a GI Joe comic, like you, I had a revelation and put the connection together, it was a pivotal moment in my life also. I remember feeling like it had been hidden from me, and then learning about all the extra toys that America had in comparison to what was released in Ireland, crazy!

[@breachfirearms5753]

You have a great dad, those that experienced toy stores in the 80’s, it was truly magical

[@DsG_1982]

Exceptional chronicle of the Deradnocks Tony!!!

[@shockwave7513]

I've always loved the Dreadnoks! I'm not really a Joe collector, but every now and then, I think about getting them.

[@jjdubecky]

I've always been stubborn and never desired any Dreadnoks past the original 4. I've had an eye on expanding my limited vision since coming back to collecting. This video was exactly the dive I was looking for and it looks like I've got a few items to add to the shelf. Nice job Mr.T ***And the thought of buying 3rd party bikes for the crew. Never even came to mind. Excellent sir.

[@yaboym3247]

Every fan of Action Force/G.I Joe should own Zarana, Zandar and Road Pig figures IMHO.

[@DavidWalraven-kx1ly]

I grew up in Texas, but Torch somehow eluded me in childhood as well. He was the only Dreadnok I missed out on. When I saw him in a vintage store in my early 20’s, Torch single-handedly made me an adult toy collector from that day to this one.

[@paulfisher9990]

I always learn something when I watch your videos! Standing ovation!!!

[@NomahsSportsCards]

Great video! Love your channel! So many great memories

[@markmorales4599]

Wonderful video,Tony. What an awesome ending!!!

[@wakuseimoe]

Another magnificent video, Tony. I especially loved the homage ending sequence.

[@johnlatella674]

Thank you Tony I was looking forward to your take on this. Did not disappoint. As always

[@jermebs]

Zartan blew my mind when I got him as a kid! The color change and all of the accessories, what a great toy! Torch always reminded me of Lemmy from Motorhead!!!

[@TheKingOfCollectors]

I 200% agree with you the Dreadnocks are my favorites too ... I could not even imagine GI Joe without those guys, hopefully Classified will give us the last 3 pretty soon and I really hope Ultimates at least gives us the original 3 next year

[@Salsaandoval82]

Great video as always Tony! I really enjoyed it! Keep them coming!

[@THEOFFICIALHOUSEOFKARLOFF1985]

Another great video mate, I remember the Zartan controversy being the lead story on the NBC nightly news. The figures still hold up amazingly well 40 plus years later and I had the gold earring version of Zarana and the Thunder machine back in the day.

[@Hammern28]

Ahhh, them young days when playing with these figures! Awesome memories!

[@Mrhandfriends]

Wow this brought back some memories ! Thank you 🙏

[@foamformers]

Love these history of episodes

[@TheRamrod3001]

I absolutely enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Excellent video! Brought back great memories. Loved the Dreadnoks and also loved Mad Max

[@davidkanengieter]

Can't say I liked their comic relief role in the cartoons. But they really shined in the comics.

[@myronaustin]

I went to that orchard Street Toys R Us every time we made a deployment to the Gulf and stopped in Singapore for a Liberty Port visit. Tony hit me right in the liberty nostalgia memories!😁😁😁

[@blazr1976]

C'mon Tony who doesn't remember the epic 1985 Cold Slither tour? Red and blue lasers everywhere!

[@brandonlordbaltimore5182]

Excellent video brother. Really takes me back to being a little boy in the late 80's and the Christmas's of those days. Good time's. Again, well done. Cheer's from your brother in arm's from across the pond.

[@KensN2History]

Wow this takes me back. I remember I had the white flat topped one. These smaller G I Joes were my favorite toy. They were only about $3 maybe and I'd beg my parents for one every time we went to Kmart or Walmart but of course I'd hear those favorite words " Next Time ". An older kid broke my favorite guy the white haired Flat topped guy. I always remember l thought the main bad guy was the character Toadie from Road Warrior. Thanks for the nostalgia candy.

[@jdmusprime]

Tony this video was amazing! Love the Dreadnoks, I’m still trying to finish the ARAH team. Just reminds me how great Hasbro USED to be, and how creatively powerful the ARAH line’s designers had.

[@Cwibacca]

Road Pig was my absolute favourite Dreadnock figure. I used to accessorize him with the claws, which came with Storm Shadow. Massive fun.

[@epicproportionsmediaproduc6697]

🎼We're cold slither you'll be joining us soon 🎵 🎼A band of vipers playin' a tune 🎶

[@CoffeePhilosophy]

So I know very little about the dreadknots and never really liked them. One of my first Joe’s was actually Zartan and I did like that figure. I have to say this video was amazing. It needs an award. I went from knowing nothing about the dreads to thoroughly appreciating their place in the G.I. Joe history, and now wanting to collect them. Great job Tony! This is probably my favorite video that you’ve done in a long time.

[@esa5952]

Great video as always, Tony. I love your Childhood perspective on this line

[@derektorres6260]

Awesome video Tony, it’s cool how you craft in your story into these toys history.

[@destinycaptain247]

Road Pig was the last figure from the Hasbro line that I ever bought. Loved it.

[@allnamestakenlol]

I was 7 when these figures first released and, man, what a great time to be a kid.

[@Belovedpeartreedweller]

I always thought Zandar wouldn't have looked out of place as one of Khan's people in the movie Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan.

[@KensToys74]

Great video Tony!

[@themightyflip]

In 1988 (I was 8) my family also emigrated to Australia (Perth), we likewise stopped off in Singapore and I picked up Buzzer and Major Bludd. Things didnt work out and we returned to the UK. I then made friends with a kid who had family in the US and who had a small collection of G.I. Joe figures and playsets that werent released in the Action Force line.

[@rowluxillusion5235]

Great video, I only ever had a the Action Force Zartan, I was never taken with the Dreadnoks, but they have grown on me over the years. Definitely they are very much of their era, and I appreciate that look.

[@TheDuke013]

I cannot believe someone is willing to pay $7700 for a toy. Great video, I remember having a bunch of them, I don't remember some of the older vehicles, brings back some great times.

[@welling1]

I was peak into GI Joe when this stuff came out and managed to grab most of these guys and the thunder machine. This color changing aspect was also very popular at the time with 'hypercolor' clothing -- t shirts that changed color dependent upon temperature. I spent so many hours with Torch, Xandar, Road Pig and the rest of the crew. Nora (spelling?) was one of my favs, loved the hat/bow. I'd never made the connection between these guys and the bounty hunters from Empire -- which is spot on -- and likely part of the similar appeal.

[@penmanovicxxxxxx2694]

Excellent video. Thorough, informative and entertaining. I love the pseudo-Mad Max toy lines like Steel Monsters. This is my first time hearing about this lot of misfits, though!

[@yaboym3247]

I discovered this channel in 2021 and I've always hoped you'd do a Dreadnoks video. Brilliant job here. I'll never understand those G.I Joe fans who dislike the Dreadnoks because they were the brand's best figures of the late 80s. Truth be told, I was slightly too old for toys by the time Zarana & Zandar came out in the U.K in 1988 but I secretly bought them from Poundstretcher because they were so cool. I wonder why we didn't get Torch in the U.K? Seen it suggested that Hasbro U.K were scared he'd inspire kids to become firebugs, but there were a whole bunch of late 80s/early 90s Joe figures which never got a U.K release.

[@LoganWood121]

Great video, Tone. Zartan is hands down my favorite Joe figure, and I had no idea they did that garish redesign of him for the Ninja Force series. I'm a touch embarrassed to admit that was the era outside of the second-hand figures from here and there that got me into Joes. Good call on the Maisto Harleys, they're perfect for Joes. I tracked down a Shovelhead to go with my custom 89 Punisher Joe figure I commissioned from LeCroy.

[@cliffoliveira1402]

Another great video Tony. Kudos!

[@grizzlehorn7387]

Another fantastic video, thank you

[@breachfirearms5753]

Xmas 87, I got the Hydrafoil as well. It’s the only Xmas I remember, best one ever. Damn I loved that boat!

[@Nicopelli-77]

Fantastic video!

[@lisaroberts8556]

I always loved how Zartan brought his Little Brother & Sister into the Gang.

[@customsforthekid]

Was so excited to get my first Dreadnok as a kid that I physically started to shake as we entered the line to make payment. After I got my Buzzer action figure I went on to collect any and all Dreadnok merchandise. As I got older Most of my G.I. Joe's were sold by my mom at garage sales but I still have all my Dreadnok toys to this day. At age 50 I still don't see me ever getting rid of these action figures. Still some of my favorite toys ever made.

[@elcowabungahe-man6156]

Great Video Zartan the best of the Dreadnonoks I had him and his brother and sister

[@gerainthorton8980]

The Dreadnoks used to make a large portion of my bad guys when I was young. Wish I'd played with them more as their own faction now. That is something I like in a toy line when there are multiple factions. Like MOTU has the Evil Warriors, The Horde, The Snakemen. Gives it some variety. I had the Swampfire. I never knew it changed colour.

[@user-zs1km5wu1r]

Thanks for this video - Its suddenly filled in a lot of blanks I had from the US comic run I read a few years ago. Such as why they painted the fangs in weird coulors and stuck them in fair ground to hide them. Also why they had them on a trike rather than normal bikes in the new jersey missle crisis . I loved comics Road Pig/Donald, and now I see why he got a weird comic recolour along with zartans new look during the g2 transfomers crossover. Yeah I know its to sell toys ect. but it was such a good run, shame that the relaunch has less Dreadnoks and more Blue ninja bs.

[@ZombieFBody]

I loved the Dreadnoks as a kid. Only managed to get Monkey Wrench, Zanzibar, Zarana, the Swampfire and Road Pig as a kid in the 80s but I've made sure to get every one made from the 25th line onwards. I even tracked down parts for a Thunder Machine and slowly restored one a few years back. As a Trans Am fan and owner, I needed that one!

[@TheLilith1978]

At first I was super keen on tho dreadnocks as I was more of a military junkie. However something just click in 86 when I was gifted Monkeywrench. Anyway thanks for the going through this great subgroup to Joe and like always it’s was incredible insightful. Anyway thank you for it. I hope you have a wonderful day

[@somarriba333]

This was great! I haven't watched the show i years so I didn't remember which other Dreadnoks appeared in the show. I had Zartan and his vehicle and the Water Mocasin that I would take to school and play at recess. There was a nice patch of dirt in the playground that was perfect to play in. I don't know how complete I will be with the Classifieds series but if I can have al least the main 3 guys, I'll be happy.

[@andrewflashchannelgibbs5384]

I didn’t know there were so many Dreadnoks. Another great video.

[@xavierdraco33]

Luckily as a kid I would frequently travel to the States, so learned about Torch. I loved watching GIJOE on American daytime TV. I couldn’t believe they had it on TV. And the toys were everywhere! Also suspected that Max Max was and influence due to looks and them being from Australia, never looked it up, nice to have it confirmed.

[@Sladeonslade]

I loved this video. Great job. This made me dig out my Thunder machine. My only surviving Dreadnought vehicle. But a wealth of memories and one of the main reasons I became a soldier in the army. LRS ATL. The days gone by. Time moves too fast and memories, well they linger as fondness and thankfulness of nights under the stars with your best mates. Tony, you know what I mean. Thank you for your service, Brother. You fought under a different flag, but we're Brothers just the same.

[@AnalogToys]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@autoneurotic]

Zarana is the only Dreadnok I had in childhood, though my cousins had some others. Always thought they were great figures. Thanks for another slam dunk, Tony.

[@jeffmorris508]

Awesome video as always.

[@cosmeticmechanic]

that ending... well done

[@nike80nl]

Thank you again, i always look forward to seeing your videos 👌!!

[@stepchildofsoul]

Zanzibar's ponytail fits nicely between the fan blades of his skiff.