One & Done: ICE CREAM SOLDIER

"Eating ice cream without hot fudge is like fighting without ammunition!" - Ice Cream Soldier, 1994.

FLAMETHROWER COMMANDO - ICE CREAM SOLDIER

"Ice Cream Soldier???  What exactly is that supposed to mean?"  

    That's what I thought when I first saw this figure...  Ice Cream Soldier was the code name for the G.I. Joe Team's Flamethrower Commando in 1994.  In the 90's, it seemed the Joe line got stranger as the years went by, and this was definitely a strange addition to the team.  First and foremost, the military does not use flamethrowers anymore... and has not since 1978.  Although, both Joe and Cobra utilized flamethrower troopers earlier in the line, it was odd to be getting yet another one.

    Second of all, we got a new flamethrower the year prior with Blast-Off from the Mega-Marines.  Blast-Off made a little bit more sense though.  As a Mega-Marine, the Mega-Monsters were vulnerable to fire, so there was a bit more reason to have a flamethrower specialist on that team.

    Ice Cream Soldier's file-card doesn't tell much about his personality.  Instead, it explains that his name is basically to throw Cobra off-track.  That they underestimate someone opposing them on the battlefield with such an awkward name.  They are expecting something more like a kid with a fudge-pop and chocolate smeared all over his face.  But the joke is soon on them as this "fierce" trooper steps out and ignites his "super-charged flamethrower".  

    Another odd fact on the file-card is the character's Secondary Military Specialty - which is Barbecue Chef.  Can we just pick one food to symbolize this guy?

    The figure for Ice Cream Soldier is completely decked out in his fire-proof uniform.  His body suit is a bright orange while his gloves, boots, bandoliers and a few other highlights are neon yellow.  He has a few black details as well like the grenades on his chest and his belt.  Finally, he has a non-removable helmet on his head that is the same orange color with a black visor.

    For accessories, he has the 90's weapons tree of recycled gear.  He has a flamethrower (that formerly came with Charbroil), a sub-machine gun (Beach Head), a pistol (new???), a machette (Spearhead), 2 missile and a figure stand.  All of these were in a light grey plastic.  He also had his black missile launcher (with flamethrower attachment).

    So... Ice Cream Soldier... what a bizarre character...  First of all, let's just say I think the brightness of the yellow on him could potentially be dangerous to your eyes.  Put him together with Cobra's Mega-Viper on a bright, sunny day and you might damage the vision of yourself and anyone near you.  The colors are a bit much to say the least.

    The weapons?  Okay, I could make my peace with the figure's colors, but this is where this guy really starts to bother me...  First of all, he comes with Charbroil's old flamethrower.  The problem is... it doesn't attach to anything???  Charbroil had a thick hose that connected the weapon to a large backpack.  Where does the fuel for Ice Cream Soldier's weapon come from?  Air???

"I don't get it Charbroil... it's the same style flamethrower you have, but I can't get it to work.  What do you think I'm doing wrong?" 

    So toss that useless weapon aside... (I never put it with the figure) his OTHER flamethrower is supposedly the nozzle underneath his missile launcher.  Okay, same problem...  Where does the fuel comes from?  Is it INSIDE the missile launcher?  Sounds extremely dangerous to have a flamethrower and a missile launcher right next to each other.  Furthermore, I would think this thing would be extremely heavy, not to mention, difficult to use!!!

    Staying with the launcher... so that nozzle is a flamethrower?  Well there are a handful of other Joes that carry the SAME missile launcher.  Am I to assume Backblast, Keel-Haul, Mirage and Countdown are all toting around flamethrowers too?

    Alright, lets address the name - "Ice Cream Soldier".  I didn't get it when I first saw the figure and I still don't think I really understand it.  How is it a perfect cover for this "fierce" fighter?  It's not like the Joes announce they are sending him out.  Duke's in a foxhole yelling out "that's it Cobra, we are sending out the Ice Cream Soldier now!!!"  

    All the while the Vipers are looking at each other like "Hey, that's great!  I could really use a snack.  I hope he has Bomb Pops!  Hey, what's that orange and lemon sherbet-lookin' guy doing with the flamethrower???"

Metal Head isn't worried.  He knows that flamethrower is basically just an air-gun!

    So how do I rate this guy???  Ehhhh.... there is worse, believe it or not!!!  Looking over the Ice Cream Soldier as a whole...  Despite the accessory tree being weak, the light grey color is actually pretty nice.  The figure's colors are a little harsh but the sculpting on the figure isn't bad.  The name is silly... come up with something else, maybe ditch the ice cream theme and go more with the barbecue chef idea.

    I would give him a rating of 2 out of 5 Bomb Pops...  I'll say, I'm a little shocked myself!  As I was describing his weapons, I was thinking he was a 1.  But Ice Cream Soldier does have a few factors that keep him out of the "worst figure category".  When I consider my least favorite figures... he's not as far down the scale as some others are.