Blowtorch (1984)
Blowtorch was one of the first figures of 1984 that I was excited–and I mean really excited–to get. I was also excited to find out what the figure’s code name was. At the time, I hadn’t yet bought any vehicles or accessories for the year and thus didn’t know any code names for the new figures. After all, it was also a time when the cardbacks’ sneak-peeks still featured specialties rather than code names.
What was it that made me so anxious to pick up this guy? I suppose the color was part of the appeal, but the accessories were the biggest draw. Here was a Joe who looked to be loaded with interesting parts. Having not seen the actual figure, I also was left to wonder what elements of his uniform would be removable. Would his mask be molded on or removable, and would his armor come off as well? Such were the mysteries of new toys before the information age. I kind of miss it, actually.
Back to the accessories, and they’re some of the greatest up to that point. The flamethrower is great, with a more flexible hose than previous plug-in accessories (I’m lookin at you, Flash). The two-piece facemask and helmet was a new concept for the year, and though it didn’t feature the expected open eyeholes, was still a nice piece of equipment. The sculpt impressed as well, with a very solid an bulky look befitting the character’s MOS. I still find the sculpted folds in the uniform to be very impressive.
Though Blowtorch has a very outdated specialty, he’s a character that still resonates in the Joe line, even making it into the most recent 25th and 30th anniversary series. As much as I would like to have seen the more realistic and still MIA green design variant, Blowtorch remains red and yellow to this day. The kid in me wouldn’t want it any other way.
I like the figure, and still need to get the 25th Anniversary/POC version. How is his specialty outdated?
The U.S. stopped using flamethrowers after the Vietnam War (and before the Joes would’ve been organized). So by 1984, Blowtorch was either behind the times or completely black-ops!
I’ve never been a huge fan of the figure, save a repaint, but I recently rediscovered his secondary M.O. of “small arms armorer”. So when he’s not burning up the battlefield, he can service the Joes’ weapons.
I was excited about Blowtorch soon as I watched the Hasbro commercial which also introduced Recondo, Rip Cord, Mutt & Junkyard along with the Battle Stations. I was even more jazzed up when I got the ’84 catalog which showed him alongside Cutter and the other new guys on the WHALE. Wow! Such awesome, colorful, realistic figures! I think 1984 hits THE sweet spot for me regarding the Joe line. I love Blowtorch for the same reasons I do Flash: The contrast between their suits and the textured padding, their removable helmets, cool weapons and file card bios. Blowtorch is also one of the taller Joes and has an imposing, confident look on his face. The yellow and red are the proverbial icing on the cake. Simply a classic! I was ecstatic to find him along with Recondo and Rip Cord at a TRUs in Miami and the memory lingers to this day.
I’ve been on a Blowtorch kick lately…trying to track down his versions from all over the world. It is a neat figure and one that collectors shouldn’t like. But, we all do.
He is one of my all time favorites and I still have him from my childhood collection. He was and still is a perfect figure.
Great figure!
I have the vintage version, but I’m missing the mask. I also have the 25th and 30th versions, but I was disappointed the ROC Charbroil (his younger brother) used Blowtorch parts instead of an all new mold. I recevied this figure in December of 1984 at school in one of those “secret Santa” parties at school. This would have been 8th grade and the look on fat Laura C.’s face when she gave it to me was pure derision, even though a Joe was what I requested. This was the end of my Joe collecting as I was going to high school, and toys weren’t “cool” anymore. I also quit the Joe comic @ about #54 or so. Oh well, the past is the past and I sure made up for those missing years! For these convoluted reasons, Blowtorch is a favorite of mine. Anybody have an extra mask to complete my vintage one 🙂 ?
Even though you can’t see his eyes, I can sort of imagine him being able to see through it unlike, say, Nullifier and the pink visor.
Outdated specialty…so what?
If anyone thinks of GI JOE as a realistic unit representing real life military personnel than they weren’t paying attention from day 1.
Think of the Joes as being larger, poseable army men…the classic Timmee Toys army men included a flamethrower.
Way I see it, I think they keep flamethrowers on as a means of diversion and ensuring of necessary retreats–even use them to take out enemy supplies.
When I saw the pic of the vintage version the face/skin looked yellow so I passed on him. I got him years later in a yard sale, but once I had him I really liked him. I WISH the ME version would have fixed those hands, oh well.