GI Joe 25th Anniversary Torpedo
![]() However, when I saw the modern version of Torpedo, the temptation was too great. I just had to know how did the new Joes stack up to the vintage ones for the same character. My other choice at the time was the Ace / Wild Weasel 2 pack. I love the idea of Ace, but vintage or new I hate the helmet idea. Appearance: As I mentioned in the vintage review, Torpedo is a little different than what I think of as a Navy SEAL these days. I tend to think of a bad ass soldier in a full complement of combat gear. Torpedo here looks to be going on a very specific underwater demolition mission. Torpedo here is decked out in an updated version of the original’s grey and black wet suit. Overall, I have to say I’m impressed that the 25th Anniversary figures stayed close to the classic looks for the characters. Again, I don’t really understand how a bright grey stripe will help a SEAL infiltrate a Cobra base, but, it’s true to the vintage version. The biggest difference with this version of Torpedo is the removable mask. Instead of him riding around in vehicles and hanging out in Command Base with his regulator hanging out of his mouth, Torpedo can walk around with his wet suit headpiece on. Now that he has a face, I have to say he looks less intimidating. His head reminds me more of Dirk the Daring from Dragon’s Lair that a hardened kick butt soldier. The wet suit has all of the little doodads you’d expect. The pouches on his upper torso have been updated to look more like explosives and, well, pouches. The belt was updated from the original, but keeps the same styling and some extra paint to boot.
Torpedo looks pretty good. I don’t know what it is though, I’m just not a big fan of the chest joint. I have to say it looks better on Torpedo than the Cobra Trooper though. With the more form fitting outfit, it looks more like sculpted pecs than anything else. Fun:The added articulation in the new figures allows Torpedo here to do something that always was frustrating with the vintage one. He can swim. The ankle articulation allows him to kick like he’s underwater. The flippers work the same as the vintage ones plugging into the foot peg holes.
The new pistol is small handgun with a silencer. It fits well enough in his hand, and make perfect sense for a stealthy SEAL to carry. It’s certainly a better piece of personal protection for when he’s out of the water than a speargun. Speaking of the speargun, it appears to be the same as the vintage one. Like maybe the mold was refurbished slightly to make the new one. (The new one is on the top.) I never understood what the stock was for on this weapon. It’s not nearly long enough. The flippers appear to have been reworked from the vintage versions as well. The back pack also is very close to original. The mask is a one piece affair that has the mouthpiece and goggles. It looks more like a fireman’s mask if you ask me. Or the vintage Rip Cord’s mask. A word of CAUTION. The hose is a separate piece. I didn’t realize it until I dropped it and had to save it from a swooping dog prodigy. While the mask setup isn’t horrible, it does look slightly bulky on the figure. A separate head would have been just as fine with me, but I concede the play factor is cooler with the removable one.
One last note. While overall I’m pleased with Overall:
Out of the four or five of new Joes I’ve picked up, he’s my favorite so far. He’s got all the gear he needs and is ready to go on those demolition missions. All that said, I have to give the Joe team a thumbs up on their update of one of my favorite vintage figures. They kept the classic look, gave him useful articulation and more gear. At the same time, there is no mistaking the spirit of the original. Yo Joe! Engineernerd Score: 90/100 |
Category: GI Joe, Toy Reviews
I love this version of Torpedo for all the things it gives us that the vintage one missed: Removable oxygen mask, air tanks, knife, no droopy eyes, and a more proper head sculpt. One of the best figures from the 25th Anniversary line for sure.