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| The vehicle stayed with the Dreadnoks over the intervening seven years that COBRA was thought to be inoperative. It is used early on by ], daughter of ], as her personal conveyance. She drives it away from Dreadnok headquarters a short time before it comes under siege by Joe forces. | The vehicle stayed with the Dreadnoks over the intervening seven years that COBRA was thought to be inoperative. It is used early on by ], daughter of ], as her personal conveyance. She drives it away from Dreadnok headquarters a short time before it comes under siege by Joe forces. The Machine ends up involved in the fight anyway, it was knocked into the swamp by Wild Bill. <ref>''G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero'' #3 (2001)</ref> | ||
| Later, it is seen being loaded on a supply plane. The Dreadnoks were helping to rescue Cobra Commander from a new army led by ], who had established themselves on ].<ref>''G.I.Joe A Real American Hero'' #24 (Nov 2003)</ref> | Later, it is seen being loaded on a supply plane. The Dreadnoks were helping to rescue Cobra Commander from a new army led by ], who had established themselves on ].<ref>''G.I.Joe A Real American Hero'' #24 (Nov 2003)</ref> | ||
Revision as of 07:09, 3 April 2011
For the musical instrument, see Thunder machine (instrument). | This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. Please help improve the article by providing more context for the reader. (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The Thunder Machine is a fictional, four wheeled, armored, weaponized vehicle used by the Dreadnoks, a biker gang/mercenary group in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic books and cartoon series. The Dreadnoks work for Cobra, the primary enemy for G.I. Joe.
Toy
As a toy, it was available for purchase in 1986, complete with the action figure of the Thrasher. It had spaces for a driver, passenger and eight people standing on the running boards.
In 1993, it was released, slightly retooled, as part of the 'Street Fighter' toy line, also produced by Hasbro at the time. It was called the 'Beast Blaster'. In slightly different colors it was released in Venezuela.
Description
The vehicle was created and driven by Thrasher, one of the newer members of the Dreadnoks. The fiction describes it as cobbled together from parts salvaged from several different vehicles, including a 1980s model Chevrolet Camaro, a dune buggy, a pickup truck and various others. The Thunder Machine is propelled by a jet engine similar to jet-propelled dragsters. This made it fast but hard to maneuver. The vehicle was built on a military truck chassis, similar to a Humvee. It had armor plating riveted over most of the exterior surface. The front tires were racing tires, adding some maneuverability. Since an engine wasn't required, the front of the truck was replaced with the nose of a 1970's era Pontiac Trans Am on top of which was mounted a roll cage and two huge armor-piercing Gatling guns.
Comic Books
Marvel
The vehicle first appears in G.I.Joe #51. A Dreadnok-led escape by Zartan from Joe Headquarters leads to a multi-vehicle chase through the swamps. The Thunder Machine's weapons severely damages Heavy Metal's MAULER tank and easily knocks aside Crankcase's AWE Striker. It comes down to Cross Country and Sgt. Slaughter on the HAVOC vehicle chasing the Thunder Machine. Thrasher's driving skills, weaponry and willingness to take suicidal risks allow the Dreadnoks to temporarily escape the HAVOC. Sgt. Slaughter actually finds them later but the team's disguise skills are sufficient to fool him.
In issue #69, Thrasher, Monkeywrench and Zarana were in it as it was driven out a besieged COBRA base called a Terrordrome situated in the fictional war-torn country of Sierra-Gordo. It was driven to a large airfield and abandoned when the Dreadnoks took over a G.I.Joe transport plane.
Another version was featured in issues #74-76. Acting Cobra Commander uses it as his personal transport vehicle during a civil war on Cobra Island. The vehicle's firepower destroys one of the Joe team's C-130 transport planes. It then crashes to an Iron Grenadier D.E.M.O.N. tank ridden by Destro himself. It survives, albeit flipped over, a blast from this powerful, well-built vehicle which had been built by Destro's weapons manufacturing division. Thrasher's ill-thought decision to use grenades to turn it back over leaves it structurally sound but with engine problems. It still manages to get the Dreadnoks and Cobra Commander back to their own troops, thus playing a vital part in the COBRA civil war.
In issue #76, Thrasher, his vehicle and other Dreadnoks are captured after a brief firefight with the G.I.Joe team. During the shooting, Thrasher says "I got a brand new Thunder Machine and it ain't even warmed up yet!".
Devil's Due
The vehicle stayed with the Dreadnoks over the intervening seven years that COBRA was thought to be inoperative. It is used early on by Zanya, daughter of Zartan, as her personal conveyance. She drives it away from Dreadnok headquarters a short time before it comes under siege by Joe forces. The Machine ends up involved in the fight anyway, it was knocked into the swamp by Wild Bill.
Later, it is seen being loaded on a supply plane. The Dreadnoks were helping to rescue Cobra Commander from a new army led by Serpentor, who had established themselves on Cobra Island.
Cartoon
The Thunder Machine debuted in the five part mini-series "Arise, Serpentor, Arise". Thrasher uses it to pursue Joe forces in an ultimately successful attempt audition for membership in the Dreadnoks.
Other media
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2010) |
Puzzle
The Thunder Machine is also featured in a puzzle image from Milton Bradley, with art by Dave Dorman.
Other works
The Thunder Machine toy is briefly featured in the fiction novel 6 Sick Hipsters. In the story, the character Paul Achting spent four years collecting G.I. Joe figures to set up a battle scene between the Joes and Cobra. As he imagined the characters in his head, he described the Thunder Machine as "a red and black behemoth that was as postapocalyptic as Mad Max himself".
Notes
- Beast Blaster
- Venezuela Thunder Machine
- Marvel UK Action Force Monthly #11 Thunder Machine information
- "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #51 (Sept. 1, 1986)
- "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #69 (March 1, 1988)
- "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #74-75 (1988)
- "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #76 (Sept. 1988)
- G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #3 (2001)
- G.I.Joe A Real American Hero #24 (Nov 2003)
- Thunder Machine puzzle
- Casablanca, Rayo (2008). 6 Sick Hipsters. Kensington Publishing Corp. p. 61. ISBN 9780758222831.
External links
References
- Hidalgo, Pablo (2009). G.I. Joe vs. Cobra: The Essential Guide 1982-2008. Random House. ISBN 9780345516428.
- Bellomo, Mark (2009). The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994. Krause Publications. ISBN 9780896899223.
- Mother Jones Magazine September 1986, page 42
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