Hey everyone, welcome back to another Dan's ToyBox two in one review. Today we're looking at two of the three main Dreadnok characters from Hasbro's G.I. Joe Classified Series, #102, Ripper and #106 Buzzer. With Torch to be released this summer, fans will be able to put together the initial team of Dreadnoks we were introduced to back in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero issue # 25
Ripper:
Real Name: Harry Nod
Specialty: Bladed Weapons Expert
Affiliation: Dreadnoks
Ripper, born Harry Nod, grew up in Grim Cape, Tasmania. He started down a life of crime while still in nursery school, where he would steal candy from his fellow schoolmates. As he grew, he would spend most of his time going in and out of correctional facilities. It is believed that he served time in the Australian military. It was here that he found an affinity for motorcycles. After serving time in the military, Harry Nod returned to a life of crime, and became a safe cracker.
He started joining biker gangs and was given the nickname “Ripper.” After being kicked out of numerous gangs, Ripper finally joined the Dreadnoks. His weapons of choice include edged weapons, and cutting tools, with his favorite weapon being a bayonet-like blade that he uses like a fireman’s axe/can opener. Just like the rest of the Dreadnoks, Ripper, loves violence and tearing things apart. He is very simple-minded and superstitious, which is why he fears Zartan, and his ability to change into anyone at any given moment.
(Biography courtesy of Comic Vine)
Buzzer:
Real Name: Richard Blinken-Smythe
Specialty: Ground Assault
Affiliation: Dreadnoks
Not much is known of the Dreadnok known as Buzzer, but it is rumored that Buzzer was once a sociologist from Cambridge, England known as Richard Blinken-Smythe. According to the rumor Richard Blinken-Smythe went to Australia to study biker gangs, and never returned. From there it is believed that he joined gangs, eventually settling with the Dreadnoks. Buzzer’s intelligence and high opinion of himself often got him into trouble. Buzzer was among the three Dreadnoks who followed Zartan to the United States, to aid Cobra. For some time Buzzer was the informal leader of the Dreadnoks. Buzzer was captured by the Joes shortly after stealing Zartan’s motorcycle for a joyride with fellow Dreadnoks Ripper and Torch. After a long stay at the Joes headquarters, Buzzer and a female prisoner named Candy would be taken from the Pit in a military bus. Candy was Rip-Cord’s girlfriend, and she had since been suspected of being a spy for Cobra, when it was revealed that her father had ties to Cobra. Buzzer found Candy attractive, but she wanted nothing to do with him. Buzzer overtook the bus, nearly killing the guard and driver in the process. Buzzer stole a pick-up truck and forced Candy to flee with him. She was terrified and upset. She was afraid the Joes would think she helped Buzzer escape. As they fled, Candy found a shotgun inside the truck, and forced Buzzer out of the truck. Buzzer begged for his life and was surprised that Candy just took off in the truck, leaving him stranded on the side of the road. Buzzer would walk all the way back to Springfield and play a part in the murder of the Soft Master, and the incidental death of Candy. Buzzer would lose the role of the unofficial leader of the Dreadnoks when Zartan’s sister, Zarana, showed up.
(Biography courtesy of Comic Vine)
Accessories:
Ripper: Ripper comes loaded with an impressive arsenal of accessories. His rifle/bayonet, pistol, combat knife, and "jaws of death" tool provide endless possibilities for dynamic posing and imaginative play. The removable sunglasses add an extra layer of customization. Due to my constant fear of losing stuff to the dreaded carpet monster, I decided to glue both Ripper and Buzzer's sunglasses on their heads.
Score: 9/10
Buzzer: Buzzer also doesn't disappoint in the accessories department. His chainsaw, pistol, combat knife, axe flail, and baseball bat with buzzsaw blades offer a diverse range of options for creating action-packed scenes. Like Ripper, the removable sunglasses enhance his appearance. Score: 9/10
Appearance:
Ripper: Ripper's appearance captures the essence of his character perfectly. From his rugged attire to his menacing facial expression, every detail is meticulously crafted. The paint applications are clean and vibrant, adding to the overall appeal of the figure. One of the most impressive features is the hair... his mohawk and tight shave are detailed and sculpted quite well as is his beard. The red/orange tint to his sunglasses is super clean and looks amazing. I continue to be very impressed with the attention to detail that Hasbro pays these characters. I shouldn't be surprised though, given their ownership of the property. Score: 9/10
Buzzer: Buzzer's appearance is equally impressive. His biker aesthetic is portrayed with authenticity, complete with the torn sleeves, skull/crossbones belt buckle with studded belt, and a defiant expression. The attention to detail in sculpting and painting is commendable, making him stand out on display. Both characters sport signature tattoos and features accurately representing their comic book designs. What sometimes does surprise me, is that Hasbro can take relatively simplistic looking designs and turn them into pieces of art. Even though the Dreadnoks are bikers, the added presence of dogtags underscores the pseudo-military nature of their organization, under Zartan and their affiliation with Cobra.
Score: 9/10
Articulation:
Ripper: Ripper features tight knee and elbow joints that needed to be warmed as to allow for a wide range of dynamic poses. His articulation enables fluid movement, enhancing the playability of the figure. His head sits on a somewhat moveable neck joint, allowing for easy up/down looking, side to side turn, and some attitude tilting. The shoulders sit in butterfly joints which increase the forward and backward range of motion, while also allowing for a full T pose and 360-degree rotation. His biceps swivel works fine and the elbows, though initially difficult do bend in almost entirely. His wrists all swivel and hinge without issue. The upper ab joint allows for decent forward and backward bend and the waist is on a ball, which allows increased side tilting, crunch, and rotation. The legs are on drop down hips which allow him to get into a near full split and kick forward very well. The thigh swivels work fine, the double-jointed knees, once loosened, bend in tightly. There is a boot cut/swivel, and the ankles feature terrific hinge and pivot. However, my left foot is somewhat loose, so it tends to hinge upward easily, causing Ripper to fall over.
Score: 8/10
Buzzer: While Buzzer also possesses tight knee and elbow joints, his abdominal crunch is disappointingly loose. This flaw detracts from the figure's overall articulation, limiting the range of motion in certain poses. It will click forward and backward easily enough and remain in place, but when in a neutral position, is very floppy up to the point of the first ratchet. Buzzer features the same body design as Ripper, which eliminates the need to go through all of the motions... (no pun intended.)
Score: 7/10
Affordability:
Ripper: Considering the quality of the figure and the multitude of accessories included, Ripper offers excellent value for the price. Collectors and enthusiasts alike will find the investment worth it. As with Ripper, Buzzer delivers great value for money. Despite the minor issue with the abdominal crunch, the abundance of accessories and attention to detail justify the cost. I scored both figures on Amazon for $24.99 each at the time of purchase. Score: 8/10
Overall:
The Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Series Dreadnoks Ripper and Buzzer action figures are a formidable duo that delivers on all fronts. With a vast array of accessories, impressive appearances, and solid articulation, they are sure to please both collectors and fans of the G.I. Joe franchise. While Buzzer's loose abdominal crunch is a minor setback, it does little to diminish the overall enjoyment of these figures. Thus, the figures earn a combined score of:
8.75 out of 10 ToyBoxes.
As always, I am grateful for your time and look forward to bringing you more fun content. Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!