Torch (G.I. Joe)

His real name is Tom Winken. Torch was born in Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia.

Torch was sent to live in Borstal reform school at age fourteen, but he escaped and joined the Merchant Marine, where he went to sea and learned how to use the cutting torch. He later joined the Melbourne Maulers motorcycle club. Torch is illiterate, unintelligent, and enjoys violence and mayhem especially when using his oxy-acetylene torch to alter stolen cars and for safe-cracking. He is also known to scavenge in swamps for enjoyment and to make money.{{cite book |title= G.I. Joe Order Of Battle|last= Hama|first= Larry|editor= Howard Mackie|year= 1987|publisher= Marvel Entertainment Group|isbn= 0-87135-288-5|page= 113}}

Torch was first released as an action figure in 1985 and was discontinued in 1987. It was brought back for the GI Joe 25th anniversary.

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In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in #25 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #25 (July 1984) The Dreadnoks' love for destruction causes an early warning for the staff at McGuire Air Force Base, after they spotted a Dragonfly landing there. Their vandalism sets off an explosion; the soldiers and G.I. Joe manage to set up a defense that drives off the Cobra troops. The Dreadnoks flee the attention of both sides.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #30 (December 1984)

Torch and Ripper get in trouble, after disobeying orders and losing Buzzer to a trio of Joes they had haphazardly attacked.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #35 (1985) Torch is seen in a running battle of Dreadnoks versus Joes in issue #51. This is after the others rescue Zartan from Joe HQ. Torch is a passenger on the outside of the Thunder Machine.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #51 He then participates in an attempt to kill Serpentor.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #52 He makes a cameo during an essential Cobra power struggle.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #64 (October 1987)

Torch has made several cameos in the Devil's Due original G.I. Joe series. He participates when the Joes assault the Dreadnoks Florida Everglades headquarters.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol. 2 #2 (2001) He assists when the Dreadnoks are involved in the purchase of a nuclear weapon.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol. 2 #6 (2002) He is part of a grouping of Dreadnoks and Cobra officers who get into a running gun-fight with an out of control Battle Android Trooper. He almost gets his side killed when, misunderstanding Doctor Mindbender, he calls to nearby Joes, advising them to aim for the head. This would have resulted in a gigantic explosion.G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol. 2 #12-13 (December 2002)

In the alternate continuity of 'G.I.Joe Vs. The Transformers' Torch and his allies are upgraded with Cybertronian technology. In a dystopian future, an older Torch works for a crippled Duke, one of the few Joes left. They are past of a resistance against the murderous Decepticons. Seeing a chance to negate his terrible 'present', Torch violates orders and leads a time-lost Joe-Cobra team in their mission.{{Cite book|isbn=1932796320 |title=link |date=2005 |publisher=Amazon.com }}

In this alternate universe, Torch is part of a collective of survivors in Indianapolis, a city Cobra had slaughtered as part of a plan to take over most of the world. The Dreadnoks, as the group is known, value being able to contribute as their first and only priority. This does not save them when a second group of Cobra robot troopers slaughter most of the Dreadnoks.G.I.Joe #5 (2019)

===G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers 2===

Twenty years in the future, Torch is a trusted soldier under Duke, who leads the human resistance against a Transformers army. All of the Dreadnoks, except Ripper and Buzzer, have perished. Torch decides to go against orders to help time travelers, who have a faint chance of ensuring this horrible time never existed.G.I.Joe Vs. Transformers 2 #2-4 (2004)

Torch first appeared in the G.I. Joe animated series in "The Revenge of Cobra" mini-series.{{Cite journal | author = Thomas Wheeler| title = Retrospective Review: A History of Dreadnok Ripper | journal = G.I. Joe Collectors Club Magazine| page= 11 |date = February 2010 }} He is voiced by Frank Welker.{{cite web | url = http://www.joeheadquarters.com/rollcall_cobra.shtml | title = Roll Call | work = G.I. Joe Roll Call | publisher = Joe Headquarters | access-date = 2008-06-13}}

In the episode "Lights! Camera! Cobra!", when the Dreadnoks are in a Hollywood area to steal a Cobra Firebat, Torch follows Shipwreck and Cover Girl, finding them fighting others in a pool hall. He calls the police, but is arrested. Later, the Joes send a message of them torturing and interrogating Torch (actually Recondo in disguise) to Cobra, prompting Cobra Commander to go rescue Torch, while the other Dreadnoks break the real Torch out of jail.{{Cite episode|series=G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero|series-link=G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983 TV series)|title=Lights! Camera! Cobra!}}

Torch also appeared briefly in the 1987 animated film G.I. Joe: The Movie.{{cite video |date=April 20, 1987 |title=G.I. Joe: The Movie |medium=Motion picture |publisher=De Laurentiis Entertainment Group}}

Torch appears in G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. He is seen as a member of the Dreadnoks.

Torch first appeared in the G.I. Joe: Renegades episode "Dreadnoks Rising." This version is an African-American. He is seen as a member of the Dreadnoks.

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• [http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=289&Itemid=53 Torch] at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page

{{G.I. Joe}}

Category:Comics characters introduced in 1984

Category:Dreadnoks

Category:Fictional henchmen

Category:Fictional people from New South Wales

Category:Male characters in animated television series

Category:Male characters in comics

Category:Villains in animated television series