The Dreadnoks -- RANKED! 

Who is your favorite Dreadnok?

I'd say the Dreadnoks were more inspired by Mad Max specifically than Road Warrior, since the villains of the first movie were actually a biker gang.

I only had Zartan, I wanted the other Dreadnoks so bad, but we couldn't find them anywhere in my part of Ontario, My Nana went to Vegas and that Christmas under the Tree, Buzzer, Ripper and Torch. It was awesome

Dreadnok American HQ was in Florida Everglades .... hence the names like Billy Bob and Cletus, etc.

You could probably have a real geeky debate about whether or not Zartan is a Dreadnok. But the cartoon introduced them as "Zartan and the Dreadnoks," and I always see them as Zartan's henchman. But for whatever reason the two Z siblings I guess ARE Dreadnoks.

Buzzer is the real world equivalent of Hunter S. Thompson. Someone at the developmental process was obviously a fan of Hunter’s story of documentation of his own experience with the Hells Angels. Just my take on that Dreadknok. 🤔

Nice to see Road Pig so high up on the list! He was my first Dreadnok figure, actually (I got into Joes kinda late in the game, lol) That cinder block on a stick was my favorite "signature" weapon for those figs.

The Dreadnok were always entertaining to watch! I love in the episode Countdown for Zartan where the Dreadnok are training the new cadets. And they're just going to town on a tank but then Storm Shadow had to one up them give it three karate chops and the tank basically disintegrated.

I always assumed Buzzer's gas can was just fuel for the chainsaw.

Did you ever notice how many figures from the Dreadnok Rampage set were named after characters from the Dukes of Hazzard? Roscoe, Cletus, and Vance.

They were interesting. Very much inspired by Road Warrior. I created a Canadian Dreadknock called Slap Shot. Armed with a serrated hockey stick and explosive pucks ,he was repeatedly suspended and eventually kicked out off every team for being too aggressive. But his team always won, usually by forfeit. Yeah ,the weapons are inspired by Sub--Zero from the "Running Man". Known for crashing parties uninvited , attacking student driver cars,seniors gambling jaunt busses, pizza delivery cars and cabs .His father was always pushing his son to become a pro player and pull the family out of poverty,but he pushed too far. Canadian , dressed in jack boots ,blue Jeans ,Grey t--shirt , and a sleeveless Jean jacket ,he doesn't seem to notice really cold temperatures.

Larry Hama made Zarana basically the Dreadnok leader and also made her the most dangerous badass character. Note that in the non-toy profiles he wrote he refers to her as an "Assassin!" Given how Hama basically made the Baroness and Zarana arguably the toughest, smartest, most dangerous villains around, he'd probably be dismissed as "woke" if those two characters got introduced today.

Knowing is half the battle. The other half is red and blue lasers which never kill anyone. Thrasher was certainly the road warrior, even came with the car. He and Road Pig were my favorites as a kid.

I remember when this series of figures came out... i was totally taken by suprise when I saw them in the hobby story. Me and my dad went there to get HO Train stuff for his train display and I saw a whole display of the new GI Joes series! I got Ripper, Torch and Buzzer that day.

Love the list, the original three have my most love but Road Pig and Thrasher and Monkey Wrench came in and man just made it sure I would never stop loving them. I have been a Dreadnok fan from the first time I saw them. Especially reading the comics they had so much more depth. To me the Noks are people who kind of outcast and they do have special interest which makes them have there specialties. I want all these in the Classified figures.

This really takes me back. I had all of the Dreads that were released in the mid through late 80's. Every time you introduce a figure on the "good" side (except Zartan's daughter) I feel nostalgia again and again, I played with these so much as a child. I really enjoyed this video man. I'm a serious MotU collector and customizer; I've really had to restrain myself from going down the 'Joe rabbit hole, but when I see these new 6" versions of so many of my favorite childhood toys, I really want to buy them. Maybe I'll just do a Dreadknok collection. And Tomax & Xamot. And Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow. And... see why I have to restrain myself? 😅

I enjoy your descriptions along with whatever lore thereay be. Hope your channel takes off

For me the original three and Monkeywrench are what I think of when I think Dreadnoks. Those look like four guys who could realistically wander into some dodgy bar in small desert town and give everyone a REALLY bad day. After that they leaned more into the Mad Max look with the armour and crazy neon punks with the bright colours which was cool but less realistic. Zarana was hot though obviously.

My dude! Been watching for weeks now! Love your channel. Keep it going.

First video I have seen from your channel, love it!

Zartan is the most dangerous man affiliated with Cobra, and the Drednoks are his crew, I always figured he insisted on them being hired as well.

Informative and fun! My favorite is Ripper. Everyone loved Buzzer when I was a kid, Ripper had the cool bayonet on a GI Joe laser rifle. Come on man! Great video!

Wow this is so awesome! Had no idea there were so many Dreadnoks! Subscribed!

this was an awesome video!!! thank you!

Love the list and jus subed...I think that Storm Rider would be higher on my list. He looks so cool and that bike rocks. Will be looking for that fig, thank you.

I had a bunch of this Joe stuff. When Zarana and Zandar came out it introduced those fluorescent colors

It's hard to rate the Dreadnoks cos they're all so cool and unique from one another but Thrasher Zanzibar and Road Pig are tops for me...

I always thought Torch should’ve came with the Gas Can, not Buzzer !

I was blessed enough to get Zartan from my uncle Eric and my Dad's sister, my aunt Bonnie bought me Torch Ripper and Buzzer 💯 1985 was a cool Christmas time!

I just watched some dude I just found talk about the Dreadnoks for 30+ minutes and Ii enjoyed every bit of it. Well done sir! My favorites will always be the original 3 plus Zandar and Zarana. I remember going to Toys R Us with Christmas money and looking at the GIANT wall of Joes they had, I got Gung-Ho V1 and Torch. In my head canon they were always mortal enemies because I bought them together.

Hi there how's it going.I still have my 1989 GNAWGAHYDE action figure.Thx for this review it brings memories.

"Never really heard of any of these guys since ZANZIBAR & ROAD PIG, Gnawgahyde!"

If you make the scene when the Dredknox fed Serpentor frozen pizza and grape soda and chocolate covered donuts and Serpentor loved it. That would be a cool diorama. Set in a garage.

I hope we get a full line of Dreadnoks for the Classified line

Love your channel, you're a dude I'd definitely chill witn and have a drink with.

Just subscribed cause I really want to see more of this style of videos!

0 seconds ago I love Zarana. She's the type of person that when a paper instructs her to not write on this side, she'd write"F**k you, luv!".

Very cool video I just subbed

Great list. Buzzer is probably my number 1 as well. Hopefully we get Torch soon in classified and a lot more dreadnoks in 2024.

Interesting video but i was waiting for the "cold slither" dreadnought theme 👍

I loved how the cartoon showed that Zarana had some humanity to her with her soft spot for Mainframe. I grow more curious about Zandar.

It always seemed like they were going for a Mad Max aesthetic with the Drednoks. Zartan was always amazing in the comics and cartoons. His figure was real goofy though. I'd rank them: Torch, Zanzibar, Monkeywrench, Road Pig, Ripper, Buzzer, Gnawgahyde, Thrasher, Zarana, Zandar. The twins just were not fleshed out well, too goofy looking, and took away from the mystique of Zartan. The original trio made me think of the Three Stooges! Also, Zanzibar was the Dreadnok that had a penchant for chocolate donuts and brushing his teeth with grape soda.

This was fun to watch. I'm a He-Man guy, not a GI Joe guy, so I'm not sure what made me click. People talking about fun topics they're passionate about is just interesting, I guess.

In DC comics there was a mid-level team of villains called the Demolition Team and they all had weapons that were construction equipment based. Their leader is named Rosie and brandished a rapid-fire hot rivet gun. Scoopshovel a former professional jai-alai player from San Diego. His hydraulic power-arm allowed him to dig up almost anything. Steamroller former motorcycle stunt rider from Chicago. He rode a compact version of a steamroller that could flatten buildings. Jackhammer carried a larger, more powerful version of a jackhammer capable of untold destruction. Hardhat - A former heavyweight boxing palooka from New York City. His powered helmet and harness made him into a human juggernaut. My point is I think with some of these characters weapons that with some of these newer Dreadnoks it could have worked like with that girl heart wrencher I agree completely that some of these weapons and characters really stunk. But they were given some of this stuff from the DT I can see it working for some of these characters. But those relatives those brothers those two sets of triplets I'm sorry but that was just lazy. Hell, they look like a clan of brothers or cousins or somebody's family whose parents or brother and sister and they bombed out of Cobra. it was almost like Cobra Commander looks at these guys and says 'Nope these guys are too stupid for even us.'

I never got into the Dredknocks, but would love to get into Zaranna 😂😂😂

Don’t discount their intelligence levels, I remember learning basic science/survival skills from them when they were training new guys and the trainee with the flame thrower was torching the roof of the demo structure and he was told, “Aim at the bottom fire burns Up!” 😮🤔😎

I always felt the Dreadnoks were Cajun. With the whole Bayou type vehicle themes and all…

I always put croc master in with my dreadnoks he just seems to fit in with them

Dreadnoks are my favourite characters of gi joe. I wish the creators could make them more badass in the cartoon.

Couple of thoughts 1) Zandar is trash, he sucks, no way should he be ranked above Thrasher. NO WAY. 2) Zartan IS the best Cobra, hands down, he's the deadliest, and the most bad-ass, second most bad ass in the Joe-verse. 3) I agree Zarana was a good character, but her action figure was one of the worst looking figures, easily the weirdest looking female character in ARAH. top ten, fine, but her figure was so bad, I have to dock points. 4) I used to deploy Crystal Ball is a Dreadnok, I felt like he fit in with them. He was like a ruthless, sadistic, twisted, mind-f'n sociopath.

"If TORCH isn't number one, WE RIOT!"

maybe the sets of brothers are just simply the alabama chapter dreadnoks! Awesome video, buzzer is my favorite.

That's a pretty good tier list. Zandar will always be my favourite but your argument is 100% valid. I think KAOS, Burnout and Storm Rider are the best of the rest. Edit: I would argue Thrasher to be a spot or two higher also. His aesthetic and story are both congruent in their fit and uniqueness.

Buzzer was my favorite as a kid when they came out. Mirrored sunglasses, blonde ponytail all things I thought were cool in the early to mid 80's. Still do! 🤣

You’re from RI? I grew up in South Kingstown. When you grow up in the 80s with The Road Warrior on TBS or WPIX every weekend you’re going to love the Dreadnoks!

Subscribed!

Great video! The other quintessential element to being a Dreadnok I always felt when I was growing up--aside from being a biker and being destructive--was blue jeans. So my favorites (aside from Zartan), were the original three and then Monkeywrench. If I had to rank them: 1. Zartan * 2. Buzzer 3. Torch 4. Ripper 5. Monkeywrench 6. Zarana 7. Thrasher 8. Roadpig 9. Zanzibar 10. Gnawgahyde 11. Zandar I can only rank the 'Noks from the original '82-93 line. I barely know any of the later characters, although I have read some good comics with Zanya so she might be close to my Top 10.

Buzzer is kinda like Johnny Utah from point break! (or Brian Conner-Fast and furious..kinda the same show!) loved the video, I didn't know much about the dreadnoks!

You gotta carry a gas can if your weapon is a chainsaw

Cool toys collection ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

Basically, Dreadnoks are MadMax trash post apocalyptic aesthetic. I always thought Zartan reminded me of Ozzy Osborne.😄

Remember seeing those box sets , I now regret not buying them back then .

I don't mind that Zanzibar is a pirate, I see the Dreadnoks as being mercenary marauder types, so anything from bikers to pirates to post-apocalyptic raiders, it all fits in the Dreadnok framework, for me.

My theory about Cobra is that it was an ancient cult like the Sith that subcontracted any evil group or psychopath with the promise of wealth and unpunished mayhem. Bikers, terrorists, serial killers, disgraced military, excons, etc. They used all these sociopaths and malcontents to achieve their goals

Love Zarana and would love to see more lore expanded with Heartwrencher.

Zandar Zarana and monkeywrench were my 3 favorites

Love your list man, I completely agree with your choices. 😮

Rhea Ripley should play Zaranna!

I love that you said 'Welsh'! I live in Swansea (Wales) and used to be a Harley Davidson mechanic for years, we certainly have a lot of Hells Angels here who are constantly fighting the Outlaws here. TBH I can't be bothered to keep up with who's ruling which area ATM lol. We have special police task forces that follow them around and raid pubs for no particular reason other than as a show of strength, hmm.. seems almost as if they're the antisocial trouble makers... ;-)

I’d love to see a comparison of these along with the other mad max style toys- I know Tonka had a series , I also had some generic wal mart gi Joe figure that had a Mohawk

Great episode brother

Machete 😂 what a missed opportunity to make a Danny Trejo character. Looking forward to talking Renegades though!

So zartans daughters origins is basically the song A Boy Named Sue

I was expecting a honorary mention to Tonka’s Steel Monsters line. 🫣

Was always a fan as The Drednoks. Thanks for the video

"Should have figured you'd pick Buzzer!"

This was great...I thought I knew about the Dreadnoks but was wrong after this video. Go Joe...😊

Awesome!!! 😎 👍

Biker club from G.I. Joe. I loved to hate these guys as a kid. They redid them really cool for the 25th anniversary re-release

Fully agree with this ranking. I seem to remember a Masher from the original comics. Edit: I just remembered that Masher was the name of a Dreadnok vehicle.

Hahaha. Grape soda and donuts. I remember that. As a kid, my bus stop was at a mom & pop convenience store. I would get grape soda and mini donuts all the time. Yes, I was young enough that I wanted to be a Dreadnok when I grew up 🤣🤣

The gas was for Buzzer's chainsaw

Trying to get past the idea of the grape soda/chocolate donuts flavor profile!

Saying that you used to like women with issues is the same if I said I liked to eat food that is poisoned. You don’t have to LEARN that both could be lethal to you.

I may be thr only person to have ever seen this.... there was a British dude back in the 90's who had a TV show on American television named Gordon Elliott. He had 2 shows back then... the first was a day time talk show like Salley Jessie Raphael or Montel Williams, Phil Donahue etc. The other was a show where he went around America knocking on doors and interviewing everyday people. One episode he knocked on a door and started talking to this dude... and he asked him what he did for a living and the dude said "I make toys and work for a toy company". Turns out the dude works for Hadbro... he then told Gordon that his face was the basis for a figure and he said it was Road Pig and they showed his face next to the face of a drawing of Road Pig and IT WAS HIM 😳. I was like 😲

Who is your favorite G.I. Joe character?

they should give Torch a flamethrower type weapon

There are a few characters I put in with the Dreadnoks because I felt the characters fit in better there… - Crystal Ball - most people think this character just sucked, and was a peg warmer… and they aren’t necessarily wrong… but make him a Dreadnok. Why not? They already had a Poacher and Pirate, why not a Gypsy. Definitely fits in better with them than they tried to make his roll in Cobra. - Raptor - kinda in the lines of Buzzer and Thrasher not beginning in white trash, Raptor was a yuppy tax guy that got bored and decided to F*ck Sh*t Up it w weird gimmicky way. So like Crystal Ball, I think he’d fit better in the ‘Noks… - Croc Master - While I never thought of him AS a Dreadnok, I always figured he’d be working with them fairly frequently and jump at the opportunity throw down with Road Pig and Gnawghyde.

I always thought Monkeywrench's rifle was a regular rifle and he had a trident attatched as a bayonet. I also agree with not including Zartan. He was released in the toyline a year before the original Dreadnoks were introduced, so it's hard to say if it was their intention to make him one. Like how Snake-eyes's v1 file card just says he is a black belt in several forms of martial arts. It wasn't until Storm Shadow was released that Snake-eyes became a ninja.

I pre ordered the classified Torch, it looks so insane. Dual pistols and a skull flamethrower with action flames.

Is it just me or does anyone else think we could use a "Batman Animated Series " psychological approach to our beloved childhood franchise? There are so many interesting stories that could be told with the characters. Vs. the campy and silly versions we get in the movies that don't really take the content seriously. If only the guys at G I Joburg ( shout out to the great story tellers at Joburg) would be hired to write a movie! Well I guess I can dream? To be fair, I haven't followed the comic books, so they maybe amazing? But some live action movies, set in the 80s with this cast of complex characters and there different motivations would be awesome! At least a more serious complex approach for a cartoon would be great! A little less bright colors and fewer inaccurate lasers, a little less rhyming when speaking and yes less grape soda and chocolate donuts, but I think there is a serious rebirth that could happen. The Dirty Dozen/Expendables, meets Chris Nolans Batman/"Lie To Me"/The UNIT serious. Not needing to sell toys, but telling great stories that sell toys. Joe Classified but on the screen.

Neither Zarana nor Zandar can change color. Only Zartan. He was involved with some chameleon experiment that developed troubles and the result was him turning blue in sunlight. (Devils Due continuity) Sometime after he began working as an assassin and mercenary, using his disguise abilities. Zartan also worked for a government agency under the name Sanderson. He underwent a genetic experiment that infused him with chameleon DNA, giving him the ability to blend into his background. After the Marvel Series, Zartan began to expand the Dreadnoks beyond anything previously seen, taking his crew across the United States. He started learning many fighting forms, such as Northern Praying Mantis, and close combat. It went from a simple gang of three to a national biker gang with a chapter in every major US city and several in Europe. It was also around this time his daughter Zanya found him. Zartan took her in. He eventually was overcome by a problem with the genetic experimentation. This problem eventually left him unable to go out into sunlight, causing him to lead the Dreadnoks through Zanya, who became his new second-in-command (much to the annoyance of Zarana, who left to lead the Chicago chapter).

Yeah you really went deep. I really can’t disagree with your list. 👍

Zarana is my number 1 but I loved the video. Good list!❤

Kaos reminds me of Jason Voorhees. My favorite Dreadnoks are Road Pig and Ripper.

Alright. Let's see. First off the Dreadheads were 3 sets of twin cousins. They also were initiates who were out to earn their skins and names. Hence the idiotic temp code names. Chop Shop was a one off 'Nok who was killed in his introduction. No figure and a forgettable appearance. Machete initially came out in the Sigma 6 series. Death Metal is a fan made convention character, not an official convention one. Burn Out is a Mechanic, not an engineer. He was the guy that the 'Noks would bring their bikes to be rebuilt. The wrench is a perfect weapon for Heart Wrencher. Not every 'Nok needs a power tool weapon, look at Monkey Wrench (trident speargun) & Road Pig (a cinder block sledgehammer). Really only the original 3 'Noks have a power tool (well two since Torch has a flame thrower). Zanya was introduced in the Devil's Due (which are considered non-canon) run not IDW. She has since been introduced in the RAH Hama-verse.

My favorite faction. My favorite Dreadnok is Monkey Wrench

How could I forget about Zanzibar?!? *16:30* He's a Dreadnok action figure I remember and owned.

Growing up. Think everyone had a Thrasher on first release.

I say the same thing about Gnawgahide and Zanzabar on my show, but Zandar more than fits in this group, Dreadnocks DONT to stealth lol Theyre demolistionists! I customized my Classified Buzzer's chainsaw into the proper rifle with chainsaw tip he originally came with, the gas can was to fuel the buzzer/chainsaw-gun)