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

[@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 😂

[@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!😁😁😁

[@minimumriffage7520]

Great video. The Dreadnoks were my favourite group of Joe toys, I had all the figures and the Thunder Machine. Probably stopped buying toys around 1989, but kept buying the comic until it ended.

[@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.

[@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]

😮

[@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!

[@justinthomas7222]

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

[@jrchapman8515]

This is the most informative breakdown of the Noks I have seen online yet… I’m almost 50 and remember all of this but when put into context it all makes sense… and as a fellow Classified collector may I say… why did we we get Gnawgenhide before Monkeywrench? Hasbro were waiting…. And you better make it good!

[@CollaborativeDataAccounts]

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

[@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.

[@2020Bub]

He was my first Dreadnought...the machine gun with a Pitch fork on front

[@lisaroberts8556]

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

[@MrGrandure]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@breachfirearms5753]

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

[@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.

[@mlseries2553]

The BEST videos in the business! Thank you Tony!

[@angelbangtana9885]

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

[@Cwibacca]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@jonniehotdog]

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

[@paulfisher9990]

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

[@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.

[@ivorjawa]

Torch is Lemmy.

[@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!

[@HANUMAN7454]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@blazr1976]

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

[@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.

[@johnlatella674]

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

[@johnvader4584]

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

[@jasonking3182]

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

[@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

[@nelsonculligan1491]

This was a great episode, thanks!

[@epicproportionsmediaproduc6697]

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

[@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

[@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!😅

[@nickgruber2593]

Great video. Loved the road warrior references

[@wakuseimoe]

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

[@foamformers]

Love these history of episodes

[@markmorales4599]

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

[@scubapete9500]

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

[@davidscottlane7771]

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

[@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…

[@NomahsSportsCards]

Great video! Love your channel! So many great memories

[@davidkanengieter]

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

[@Salsaandoval82]

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

[@elroberto4051]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@Mrhandfriends]

Wow this brought back some memories ! Thank you 🙏

[@shockwave75]

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

[@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.)

[@aaronj235]

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

[@Nesguy92]

Had a ton of gi joe figures as a kid, we also had a bunch of the 12 inch figures. Plus all those sick vehicles. The sand box was our dessert. The mulch beds our jungles. The moss our grasslands. Miss those days but now I have a son, so I i get to watch him and his friends play with my childhood toys. Everyonce in a while ill get down in the grass and play with them. My son inherited a lot of my old toys.

[@Sturmvapor]

Masterful work Tony!

[@DsG_1982]

Exceptional chronicle of the Deradnocks Tony!!!

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

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

[@TheRamrod3001]

I absolutely enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@pantsarmstrong863]

If any toys define my childhood, it's the Dreadnok sets. Between my friends and I, we had the entire collection. What a blast. Thanks for the video.

[@skabcat242]

The Thunder Machine was such a badass vehicle.

[@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.

[@TK804]

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

[@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

[@calvinhobbes6118]

IMO, the Classified series has done a disservice to the Dreadnoks.

[@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.

[@landrecce]

Such a great presentation! Thanks so much for making it!

[@Hammern28]

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

[@williamwright9079]

I was so excited to see Road pig return in the fluro colours as I missed out on the original figure. I used to cover half is face with blu tak to make him look like the terminator with battle damage. Great video and Long live the Dreadnoks!!

[@DarmokAtTinegra]

Loved that ending. That alone was worth the Like. Cheers.

[@KensToys74]

Great video Tony!

[@esa5952]

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

[@Joybuzzard]

I loved the 'Dreadnoks On The Loose' issue in the comic books where the Dreadnoks steal Zartan's illusion generator and go on a rampage through an air-force base.

[@nike80nl]

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

[@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.

[@derektorres6260]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@cliffoliveira1402]

Another great video Tony. Kudos!

[@allnamestakenlol]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@warrenduncan1528]

Great video I loved it! keep up the good work.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@chrisarctor]

LOVED the color changing ones

[@jeffmorris508]

Awesome video as always.

[@andrewflashchannelgibbs5384]

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

[@walterheinen5298]

“PETER, ITS JESUS”. Hilarious.

[@a_world_made_of_cardboard]

As always, Excellent video! Very well written and researched. I always enjoy watching your channel. As a kid, the Dreadnoks never appealed to me. I enjoyed the "uniformity" of Cobra over the chaotic nature of the Dreadnoks. But that doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the imaginative toys. They were, and still are, beautiful.

[@destinycaptain247]

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

[@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

[@grizzlehorn7387]

Another fantastic video, thank you

[@josephm8294]

This guy is huge and possibly Australian. Don't mess with his hobbies. Good job!

[@AnalogToys]

I am English, but I live in Australia now.