Welcome to another Dan's ToyBox Action Figure Review. I'm starting to add more Joes to my G.I. Joe collection and today we're talking about the Joe team's resident Navy SEAL, Torpedo. I always felt that he was a very underutilized character in the comic books and the cartoon series, though I had to admit it was rather funny to see him drawn in the books, running into combat with his swim fins strapped to his feet. I guess when you are selling toys, the artwork has to reflect it. Either way, I happened to stumble upon this figure at my local GameStop and snatched him up very quickly.
I'm realizing that using the G.I. Joe profiles is the best way to give a character background, so here is Torpedo:
His real name is Edward W. Leialoha, and his rank is that of navy warrant officer WO-4. Torpedo was born in Aiea, Hawaii. His primary military specialty is Navy SEAL (Sea, Air & Land) and his secondary military specialty is demolitions.
Torpedo was originally a scuba instructor prior to enlistment. He attained black belts in the martial arts Wu-Shu, Kenpo and Go-Ju-Ryu by age 19, and he is proficient with the Balisong. His training records after SEAL school are classified, but he is a qualified expert in most NATO small arms and NATO & Warsaw Pact explosive devices. Torpedo is a strict vegetarian and spends his off-duty hours perfecting his fighting skills and marksmanship. He is regarded by his teammates as a highly competent professional but is said to have the personality of a cold fish.
In the Hasbro Classified Series, Torpedo has the following qualifications: His role is a level 4: Environmental Specialist: Water. His Skill is level 3: Underwater Combat and his gear is: level 2: Arrow weapons and level 1: explosives.
Now that we've covered that, let's get onto the review. As always, we will discuss: Accessories, Appearance, Articulation, and Affordability, with each category receiving a score. At the end, we'll give our final overall rating and thoughts on the figure.
Accessories: 9/10 The Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Torpedo action figure is a treasure trove of accessories that will leave any collector thrilled. Torpedo comes with an impressive arsenal of gear, including an array of weapons perfectly designed for underwater and land combat scenarios. The package includes his signature spear gun, a combat knife, an oxygen mask, flippers, a semi-automatic weapon with removable magazine, and his scuba tank. The attention to detail in each accessory is exceptional, enhancing the figure's playability and display options. It still eludes me how the G.I. Joe line can come with such a variety of accessories for each figure and be the same price as the minimally packed Marvel Legends. Hasbro... what are you doing?
Appearance: 9/10 In terms of appearance, Torpedo is a standout figure. The sculpting and paint application are top-notch, bringing out every intricate detail on the character. His color scheme accurately reflects the classic G.I. Joe look while adding a modern twist. The figure's facial expression captures the essence of the character, exuding determination and readiness for any mission. Whether in or out of the water, Torpedo is an eye-catching addition to any collection. The fact that there is great attention to detail on such things as his wrist device, which appears to be a mini sonar unit or underwater digital compass, makes this a solid looking figure. I was very pleased to see the excellent sculpting on his face. The paint applications throughout, minimal though they are, are still clean and appropriate to the character and his equipment. The black and gray wetsuit with the hints of red throughout is modernized for this iteration of the character and the removable mask is a nice touch. I particularly enjoy the fact that you can just rotate the mask behind him and leave it plugged into his air tank. Overall, the details on this figure and the paint scheme are subtle yet striking. I'm very happy to have Torpedo in my collection.
Articulation: 8/10 When it comes to articulation, Hasbro actually nailed it with the G.I. Joe Classified Torpedo figure. With over 20 points of articulation, this figure can strike an impressive range of dynamic poses. The joints are sturdy and well-engineered, allowing for fluid movements and providing a seamless play experience for kids and poseability for collectors alike. His head can look up very well and down almost as good. It will turn side to side with ease, both with and without the oxygen mask in place. His shoulders, unfortunately, are limited at the butterfly because of the straps for his oxygen tank. Otherwise, though, they can rotate a full 360 degrees and his arms will raise out to a decent T pose. The bicep swivel works just fine, and the double-jointed elbows will bend fully in. His wrists are on a vertical hinge, designed for firing his gun or speargun and will rotate easily. He has an upper diaphragm hinge which allows him to get a decent upper ab crunch and a relatively good back bend, without the oxygen tank on his back. The waist is on a ball joint, which allows for further crunch and both swivel and side to side tilt, helping to create some dynamic swimming poses. The legs feature drop-down hips, which let Torpedo do decent splits. His legs will kick forward reasonably well, and the upper thigh cut isn't hindered by the items strapped to his legs. His knees are double-jointed and bend exceptionally well. Best of all though, his legs look to be correctly proportioned, giving him an even, proper look. There is a cut just above the ankle for foot rotation. The ankles themselves hinge up and down nicely and there is decent ankle pivot. It would be nice to see this level of engineering applied to Marvel Legends as well.
Affordability: 8/10 While the G.I. Joe Classified series is considered a premium line of action figures, the value provided by the Torpedo figure justifies its price point. As I mentioned earlier, I purchased mine at GameStop for the retail price of $24.99. Considering the high-quality sculpting, paintwork, and an abundance of accessories, the figure delivers excellent bang for the buck. I know that not all of the Classifed line has or will be as sound as this figure, but I feel for the price, we're getting more for our money with this line than we do with Marvel Legends.
Overall, the Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Torpedo action figure is an excellent figure. With its outstanding accessories, impressive appearance, and remarkable articulation, it excels on all fronts. While the affordability may be a slight drawback for some, the overall value and attention to detail make it a must-have for G.I. Joe enthusiasts and action figure collectors. Whether you're a fan of the original G.I. Joe series or new to the franchise, this Torpedo figure is a shining example of Hasbro's commitment to quality and nostalgia. So, with that in mind, Torpedo earns himself a solid:
8.5 out of 10 ToyBoxes
Thanks for stopping by Dan's ToyBox today. I hope you enjoyed the review as much as I did writing it. Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!