Dreadnok Cycle (2004)

Remember when convention exclusive vehicles’ secondary market prices didn’t reach instananeous and stratospheric heights? Up until a few years ago, one could initially pick up many JoeCon items for a 20 to 30 percent mark-up. Some items from those days, like this Dreadnok Cycle, weren’t all that popular at their time of release. Today, many of the attendee exclusives seem to double in price overnight; a shame for those of us who can’t make it out to the show. I’ve steered clear of attempting to pick up con sets since 2010 for that very reason. While I can understand the limited nature of the convention offerings, I just can’t justify sinking up to two bills on a single mid-sized vehicle mold.

Complaining aside, from 2002 to 2010, I had a pretty good run with picking up the convention sets and their associated vehicles. The 2004 set was a favorite, with its Dreadnok and Tiger Force theme. Within the set, the ‘Noks received two sweet rides, done up in a sort-of variation on the old Sears exclusive ground and air assault set colors.

This was the third release of the Dreadnok trike mold. The previous version was part of the Street Fighter movie line, hilariously dubbed the Karate Chopper. Here, the spring loaded missile launcher from the 90s remains in place of the standard gun of the original. From the beginning in the 80s, the scale of the cycle has seemed to me a bit too big, like it should accommodate a five inch figure. Sure, the thing is goofy as all get out, especially the rear gunner station (which still reminds me of Granny’s back seat rocker in the Beverly Hillbillies’ truck). In the end, the cycle is more than crazy enough for the Dreadnoks to ride, and fits their style to a T.