POC Jungle Assault Blowtorch Review

[Iok]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqMZ05xrUA/TfYVSjmuplI/AAAAAAAAEBs/BAnrcRFmwzg/s1600/Jungle+Assault+Blowtorch.JPG

I'm disappointed to see Hasbro just shunting-out the 25th Anniversary figure and feel they could really have done something special with this toy. Even a camo-recolour would have been something...

That Figures: REVIEW: GI Joe Jungle Assault Blowtorch (http://that-figures.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-gi-joe-jungle-assault-blowtorch.html)

[drunknmunky]

I like your reviews but I don't really understand this one. You hate the figure through the whole review but then give it a B-. Not sure I get that.

[krooklyn]

I like your reviews but I don't really understand this one. You hate the figure through the whole review but then give it a B-. Not sure I get that.

Agreed. He slams the figure, yet gives it an above average rating. Also, he isn't "Jungle Assault".

[revsears]

also, there is a running change coming so that should fix the rehash problem.

[Laser Viper]

Well since i missed out on the 25th Blowtorch, i got this one and man, your not alone on the loose torso bit, i've went through 2 of them and my 3rd is still not that good, but it will do. Overall, BT is nice, but still restricted with his gear, but for being a flamethrower what do you expect, just not sure i agree with him fitting in with the Jungle theme, but what the hell i like him.

[Iok]

I like your reviews but I don't really understand this one. You hate the figure through the whole review but then give it a B-. Not sure I get that.

I should probably have made it a little clearer - the score reflects the fact that there are no major malfunctions, overly tight/loose joints or casting issues. It's a baseline kind of ''everything works'' score awarded for production merit and not based on my actual opinion of the figure's design.

As a functional toy, it just about works. It's the design I really dislike.

[Iok]

Agreed. He slams the figure, yet gives it an above average rating. Also, he isn't "Jungle Assault".

See my above comment. I try to judge stuff both technically and design-wise and it's much more the design-side of it I find lacking. Technically/production wise it's not bad. Just not inspiring.

[Iok]

also, there is a running change coming so that should fix the rehash problem.

I saw that seconds after the Review went live, so I added an update with the image of the new one. I'm happy and annoyed simultaneously to see that, as I do think it looks much better but now it means I have to buy the same figure again! GAH!

[Iok]

Well since i missed out on the 25th Blowtorch, i got this one and man, your not alone on the loose torso bit, i've went through 2 of them and my 3rd is still not that good, but it will do. Overall, BT is nice, but still restricted with his gear, but for being a flamethrower what do you expect, just not sure i agree with him fitting in with the Jungle theme, but what the hell i like him.

I personally preferred Charbroil from the ROC line. His colouring was a little more muted and he holds the flamethrower much better.

As for the Jungle Assault thing, there is - as mentioned - a green/olive/brown revision coming out, which looks more like it. I still wish they'd really gone to town and done some kind of modernisation of the character though...

[Rexplode]

I like your reviews but I don't really understand this one. You hate the figure through the whole review but then give it a B-. Not sure I get that.

I know, for me, Blowtorch feels like an essential character. It'd be hard to knock this one down too far because the 25th version was fairly tough to find and desired by a lot of people.

I think those factors bring him up above the many annoyances present on the PoC (and the 25th) Blowtorch.

[Iok]

I've revisited the Review to clarify some points.

[Iok]

I know, for me, Blowtorch feels like an essential character. It'd be hard to knock this one down too far because the 25th version was fairly tough to find and desired by a lot of people.

I think those factors bring him up above the many annoyances present on the PoC (and the 25th) Blowtorch.

As I said, technically he's reasonably sound. I personally just find the concept lacking and I don't get why he's equipped as an incendiary weapons expert and a firefighter. He just doesn't work for me.

[fireflyguy]

Blowtorch isn't essential to my collection. I still think this looks like an overall good figure.

[Iok]

Blowtorch isn't essential to my collection. I still think this looks like an overall good figure.

If you can get a decent pose out of him - and can look past the dayglo colouring - he does look OK. It's just it'll take a lot to do that.

[Dod Ear]

Thanks for the review.

I don't think I would have purchased this figure on it's own knowing there was going to be a running change, but had to anyway ordering form HTS.

Can I get a little help with the 2nd cannister and it's purpose? Does it replace the one at his waist and then plug into the backpack? If so, does he just not use his flamethrower at that point or is there a 2nd outlet I'm missing?

[Iok]

Can I get a little help with the 2nd cannister and it's purpose? Does it replace the one at his waist and then plug into the backpack? Fi so, doe he just nor use his flamethrower at that point or is there a 2nd outlet I'm missing?

I think it's supposed to be a fire extinguisher, based upon what the clip and collect card says.

[Dod Ear]

Can I get a little help with the 2nd cannister and it's purpose? Does it replace the one at his waist and then plug into the backpack? If so, does he just not use his flamethrower at that point or is there a 2nd outlet I'm missing?

I think it's supposed to be a fire extinguisher, based upon what the clip and collect card says.

Gotcha - makes sense now.

[BEAM]

Anyone change out the stiff plastic hose on Blowtorch or Charbroil for the black rubbery hose that came with some ARAH figures? Does it work without any modifications? I'd like to ditch the hose he comes with.

Blowtorch was one of my top 5 Joes growing up, partly because of the removable helmet and his accessories (Same reason Ripcord was in the top 5). When most figures were packaged with one weapon, this guy had tons of stuff by conparison. I'm pretty excited to have this figure and will be more excited to get the running change - a much better color scheme for jungle operations.

Too bad about the limited articulation.

[Saboteur]

Didn't they make this guy in 2008?

[Steelgrave]

I as I do think it looks much better but now it means I have to buy the same figure again! GAH!


Say what? You think the mustard & pickles Blowtorch looks better than the original colors? Not just better but MUCH better? Blowtorch has been kicking ass in his bright yellow & orange outfit since 1984 & now they throw this dumbed down ugly ass green version out there & everybody says it looks better? Ok, seriously guys, just because it's a new color doesn't automatically make it better. And just because it's in the POC packaging doesn't automatically mean it's better. Different YES, better NO! The 84 Blowtorch is one of the highlights of the ARAH line. It's gonna take a lot more than some crappy green paint to top the original colors. The original Blowtorch is a classic! There's no reason to mess with him.

[Iok]

Anyone change out the stiff plastic hose on Blowtorch or Charbroil for the black rubbery hose that came with some ARAH figures? Does it work without any modifications? I'd like to ditch the hose he comes with.

Blowtorch was one of my top 5 Joes growing up, partly because of the removable helmet and his accessories (Same reason Ripcord was in the top 5). When most figures were packaged with one weapon, this guy had tons of stuff by conparison. I'm pretty excited to have this figure and will be more excited to get the running change - a much better color scheme for jungle operations.

Too bad about the limited articulation.

Fans of the original will probably dig him. I'm just not one of them...!

[Iok]

Didn't they make this guy in 2008?

He was released in the 25th Anniversary Wave - 2009 according to Yojoe.com - YOJOE.COM | Blowtorch (http://www.yojoe.com/action/09/blowtorch3.shtml)

[BEAM]

Better colors on the POC version than the 25th. I like the touches of green on the gloves, boots, and facemask. The red seems darker too.

[Darkseid83]

Its odd, but I want to troop build the jungle version, just nameless flamethrowers squads.

[Iok]

Better colors on the POC version than the 25th. I like the touches of green on the gloves, boots, and facemask. The red seems darker too.

I don't have both to compare but yeah, from what I can see they've made a few colour tweaks.

I actually want to see the new muted/jungle colours Blowtorch now. I think with that new colouring he'd be a lot better.

[Iok]

Its odd, but I want to troop build the jungle version, just nameless flamethrowers squads.

That could work. I was thinking of getting one and removing the helmet, maybe trying to get Desert Fox's olive cap on him or something...

[BEAM]

I don't have both to compare but yeah, from what I can see they've made a few colour tweaks.

I don't either. I just went by the Yo Joe photos.



I actually want to see the new muted/jungle colours Blowtorch now. I think with that new colouring he'd be a lot better.

Agreed. Given all the great figures that have been released in Waves 5 & 6, this may be my most anticipated.

[Iok]

Yeah, I think he'll be a pretty cool addition in the muted tones. I could see that working.

[OG13]

I wish they would have made the Blowtorch from Hearts & Minds, they made him look so cool in it, it would have been a great up-date

[Iok]

I wish they would have made the Blowtorch from Hearts & Minds, they made him look so cool in it, it would have been a great up-date

He looks pretty cool (from what I can see of that version...)

[Saboteur]

He was released in the 25th Anniversary Wave - 2009 according to Yojoe.com - YOJOE.COM | Blowtorch (http://www.yojoe.com/action/09/blowtorch3.shtml)

But actually produced in 2008.

And selling again in 2011...

[isilaran]

Anyone change out the stiff plastic hose on Blowtorch or Charbroil for the black rubbery hose that came with some ARAH figures? Does it work without any modifications? I'd like to ditch the hose he comes with.

This one has a new hose, flexible but still detailed.

[Iok]

But actually produced in 2008.

And selling again in 2011...

Sounds about right...

[drunknmunky]

To me the figure should receive a pretty low grade. As a stand alone figure it is a good one. But the fact that we have already seen a mass produced carded version that was nearly identical really kills it. The attempt by Hasbro was very poor. Is the figure pretty good? Yeah. But most who want him already have him in their collection. Throwing in a fire extinguisher and an axe doesn't make this figure better than the 25th so most will just pass him up.

[BEAM]

I'm in the minority. I never got him in 2008. I was out of Joes during the 25th line and came back during ROC (yes ROC did something good). I'm happy to get this guy and like the paint colors better than the 25th version.

[Cdt Weasel]

I do like the paint detail they added to the extinguisher on his back. Still the Khaki and green one will be bought in mass by me.

[Iok]

To me the figure should receive a pretty low grade. As a stand alone figure it is a good one. But the fact that we have already seen a mass produced carded version that was nearly identical really kills it. The attempt by Hasbro was very poor. Is the figure pretty good? Yeah. But most who want him already have him in their collection. Throwing in a fire extinguisher and an axe doesn't make this figure better than the 25th so most will just pass him up.

That's what I was trying to touch on in the summary - if you've got the 25th Anniversary figure, don't bother. But the Review is based on it as a stand-alone figure. I can't base Reviews on what people may or may not have in their collections already. You'd be surprised how many people only started collecting Joes with the RoC and PoC lines (myself included) so whilst, yes, he is a re-issue of a 25th Anniversary figure, it's not fair or right to base the Review solely on that and for many people this WILL be a figure they don't already own.

[Iok]

I'm in the minority. I never got him in 2008. I was out of Joes during the 25th line and came back during ROC (yes ROC did something good). I'm happy to get this guy and like the paint colors better than the 25th version.

I never collected Joes before the PoC line and I've been playing catch-up so to me, Blowtorch is a ''new'' figure and I did the Review based upon his merits as such, just adding the note at the end that long-term collectors could pass on this and not miss much.

[Iok]

I do like the paint detail they added to the extinguisher on his back. Still the Khaki and green one will be bought in mass by me.

I think it's fair to say I'll be picking that version up, too, if it looks good in-hand.