Addendum: in 2005, this Viper mold was used to create the Iron Grenadier Paratrooper; Iron Anvil. In 2015, the same headsculpt was used to create a modern era Iron Anvil and Iron Anvil Officer. The Iron Anvils used a black/gold/red/grey color scheme. In 2017 the G.I.Joe Collectors Club also introduced a modern era version of this Cobra Viper in their Figure Subscription Service.
My pet theory is that the cobra uniform is a formal / dress uniform. The eyes are uncovered so it's good enough for guard duty and a sea of them looks impressive on one of Cobra Commanders' weekly threatening broadcasts. Basically, the blue uniforms are pretty but not really functional. Vipers are the same troopers in field kit. It's the functional stuff they take on jungle patrols that comes with actual body armor; and it keeps their faces hidden to make them harder to identify if some random civilian takes a photograph. "Viper" makes sense as a GI Joe nickname for the generic Cobra troopers that Cobra eventually adopted because it was thematic.
The blue uniform of the Trooper is carried over to the Viper, with rolled up sleeves. Armor is added including combat gloves and a full helmet resembling Cobra Commander’s helmet. I’d say the Viper’s uniform is just an update or alternate load out of equipment. A half decade would be reasonable to have a change in equipment and uniform.
I always went with the troopers being the first recruits into Cobra. They got the most basic equipment. After Cobra Commander implemented the Fred program and had Tomax and Xamot handling Financials, they had the assets to upgrade their gear. However, as they are still a small independent army, they keep the blue uniforms out of necessity. I bet the newest recruits get blue uniforms, and if they make it out of a few fights they get the "good stuff".
This Cobra Viper was cool still. I used it for Ecowarriors. The standard Cobra Vipers were Cobra Commanders elite infantry legions. Besides in the comics and toons he lost so many regular Cobra Soldiers the Vipers filled the same job by 1986/87, lol.
I also used this figure as a Toxo Viper. It feels like these guys could do double duty. It definitely made sense to have them prepared for hazardous assignments considering Cobra is a terrorist organization willing to do whatever it took to win at all costs. Great figure overall.
The 1986 Viper was one of my favorite figures and I was really nervous about scratching the paint on the face shield. What I like about the original Viper's file card was that it described his weapon as being a realistic projectile one, not a laser gun.
Whoa….your explanation of the general subjectiveness of “reviews” is VERY well stated. And you’re absolutely correct: your review or “opinion” is just as valid as anyone else’s, and fair even if someone disagrees. I really enjoyed that and found it very refreshing rather than a content creator saying “iT’s mY oPiNiOn aNd I jUsT dOn’T cArE, SO THERE!” Love your channel, btw. Been watching you for a few years. 👍❤️🇺🇸💯
The cobra trooper and officer were loyal to cobra commander while the vipers are representative of the change in Cobra command and the introduction of Serpentor. In my mind the old trooper and officer were phased out in favor of the viper to ensure even less personality and remove any insubordination and as a command of the new snake emperor. This lines up with how the animated series only introduced them with the Serpentor arc. How did these troops take sides during the cobra civil war? As someone who only saw the cartoon, I wish you covered the vipers allegiance in the civil war vs the blue shirts (whatever I could find by looking at images - it looks like vipers allied with CoCo). In my shelf vipers are a part of Serpentors "coil" group while blue shirts are loyal to Cobra commander and grenadiers loyal to Destro.
I always used this guy as a poison gas specialist because of the mask. They probably could not have called him Gas-Viper but that might not have worked. This and Stalker were the last figures i got back in '94.
I discovered your channel back in 2016 and I have seen your videos evolve through the years, but the one thing that keeps me coming back since 2016 is your dedication to the subject; the thorough research, the well thought analysis (and in recent times, the artwork too!). I remember you saying that the last review you 'll do is on Rock 'n' Roll v2 because it was the last GI Joe figure you got back in the day and not acquired as an adult collector; I really don't know if I'll get to see that, but one thing for sure is that I still very much enjoy your channel's content. Keep on with the great work 👍
I've been watching you since,2017 and I have seen you hit highs and lows like everybody does. I am very glad to have done so. 👍😎💯 You entertaining, informative and you have your own opinions. Your doing it right. Love ya Brian.
Such a odd looking figure. I had for sure forgotten about this guy. Can’t believe it’s already cc7.liked the walk and talk section. One reason I’ve stuck around for so long is your honesty. Hail cobra!
22:52 well spoken, sir. And as always, a detailed and thoroughly entertaining review, thank you for all the hard work, hope you're doing well. Sup from New Zealand 🥝🇳🇿🙃
I enjoyed you explaining your basis for reviews but I also like your exaggerated outrage for comedic effect. It makes the review fun but I understand if it causes more confusion than delivers humor for some. Thanks for Cobra Convergence. I always enjoy seeing new stuff. Have a great week!
My personal head canon when it comes to Cobra Troopers and Vipers is Troopers are the absolute lowest level baseline grunt, and standard Vipers are one step above that. Like every soldier of Cobra starts out as a lowly Trooper and has to work to become a Viper and eventually choose a specialty from there. Also I don’t know how I missed this review when you first dropped it, I love the Grape Viper and have had mine literally since 1994! Oh and that opening gag was *chef’s kiss* perfect.
I always viewed this Viper figure as a hybird dual assignment Viper/Toxo Viper. Better motivated and trained than previous Toxo Vipers with better gear. Designed to operate efficiently in hazardous gas environments.
This style of the Viper definitely screams 90s. The sculpting overall is not bad yet it lacks some paint applications to add contrast along with detail. I like your insight on how reviews are broken down in a objective matter.
I like to think that the Cobra Trooper and Cobra Officer are the dress/parade uniforms and the Viper and specialist figures are their field uniforms and I always thought the web gear and weapons should have been swapped on the trooper and officer.
John Rawls. Wow. I guess if I were at risk of being the 1994 Viper in the "original position," I'd definitely want to appear in that position in the context of a fairness-oriented GI Joe reviewing community.
Great review, you covered the viper debate well, I did buy that viper in 1994, in fact I still have it, I wasn't to big into the line at that time as my interest was heading into the 12" hall of fame line, but it was a viper so I picked one up, I liked the design but not the color scheme.
Hoodie, you really put so much thought and passion into your reviews. Thank you for all the hard work and for giving me a cheap way to relieve my childhood. We're all very lucky to have such a strong commander for our Fandom. Cobra!
I think of Cobra Trooper in two different ways. They are either the originals before cobra was big time and they could afford specialized equipment so they bought generic blue. or I like to think of them as the general cobra workers the mechanics and cooks and clerks where as the vipers are the actual ground pounders
I did have this Viper. But, just looking at it I would use it as the mercenary branch of COBRA. I can see Major Blood taking this group to 'protect' an oil field or an office complex. With the twins setting aside money for COBRA or Arboc LLC The first troopers, the blue shirts, were the corporal & sergeants NCO. More working on the COBRA base than out in the field. The Viper were the private & PFC, of the group.
Two points. 1. The Cobra Viper (1986) was just a new field kit for the Cobra Soldier (1982). I put the blue shirts in the Terror Drome and in vehicles like the ASP. Vipers are in the field led by the Officer. 2. The 1994 Viper is great. They look great if you have a squad on the Detonator vehicle. I bought a squad of them for $1.50 each in 1995 at KB Toys. I think they are a great design but they needed a Cobra sigil patch on their arms and almost all Battle Corps figures suffered from non-unique weapons on a sprue.
Some of the file cars- especially late in the run- really are lacking. When not penned by Larry Hama it really showed. If the character is a repaint, re-release, or new version Hasbro really would have benefitted from simply republishing the previous file. No need to explain yourself. Sorry if you have received some un-necessary criticism. Figures hold a spot with each person for funny reasons. My first RAH figure was Breaker. He holds a special spot with me for that. I remember UNEXPECTEDLY getting the Dragonfly for Christmas- A favorite. Fact is, a given item might not really measure up, but it has sentimental value, etc. Snake Eyes was clearly a fan fave, but was he everyone's fave? Probably not. They sold a lot of action figures during this run. There's room for every fan. GREAT JOB, and so glad we're in Cobra Convergence '23.
Thanks for the great work you do and the community-building your content supports. Stay well, and keep the great videos & thoughts coming. Incidentally, I think the subject of this week’s review is a dreadful letdown after the iconic figures & characters that preceded it. I find it hard to imagine this purple & orange clown in a foxhole or trench after surviving a battle with some Joes. The rolled-up sleeves were a nice humanizing touch on the original Viper, and such humanizing details are notably a absent on the ‘94 version.
This Viper looks like they planned them to be a scuba diver then they realized it might be the last year of toys and went fudge it we need a Viper to go out on.
Personally I like to imagine the cobra troopers as more like a militia every member of cobra could be a blue shirt even if there day job is being an accountant or fry cook. The vipers are professional military of cobra.
I don't remember this Viper at all! GI Joe really had a good niche going and they started moving away from it with all the scifi and weird stuff chasing TMNT. Nothing about this figure screams GI Joe it looks like it could be any generic toy. Don't get me wrong the details are good but just doesn't look like a GI Joe toy... let alone Cobra's main army builder. The Cobra Trooper/Cobra Viper thing I just took as Cobra changing their uniforms. They started out with the troopers not having or not wanting to devote the resources to equip their cannon fodder with state-of-the-art gear. They issued out a basic uniform, some straps to hold your year, a very basic helmet, and a mask to somewhat hide your face. As time went on they started upgrading to the Viper standard. Light body armor, a fully enclosed helmet, a better rifle. They kept the older stuff around because it was cheaper and there were not enough Viper sets to go around. The Python Patrol was to see if the new Python tech was enough to keep the old basic gear relevant. Since we don't see them again after Python Patrol I guess that experiment was a failure. As time went on not even the Viper standard was enough. These guys had to operate in space against giant robots, aliens, and mutants. So I guess this guy is the answer. A sad end for a brand that ruled the toy isles for most of my childhood. Hasbro had a good thing going but wanted to out Star Wars Star Wars, and chase after TMNT. If they had kept to the semi-realistic military stuff the line may have never ended. Thanks HoodieCoCo! and.... a link to my CC7 video is in your inbox. :)
Fun Fact: As far as the 1986 Viper goes, every re-issue of him after the vintage era (1982-1994) has B.A.T. legs. Apparently, the original leg mold for the Viper was either lost or destroyed. Great review as always.
Haven’t even watched this yet and I know he’s gonna say some shit. Well guess what, I had this guy and he was one of my favorites. I guess homeboy just likes his children’s toys jingoistic and without whimsy or imagination.
Addendum: in 2005, this Viper mold was used to create the Iron Grenadier Paratrooper; Iron Anvil. In 2015, the same headsculpt was used to create a modern era Iron Anvil and Iron Anvil Officer. The Iron Anvils used a black/gold/red/grey color scheme. In 2017 the G.I.Joe Collectors Club also introduced a modern era version of this Cobra Viper in their Figure Subscription Service.
those Iron Avil repaints are my all time fav use of this sculpt. the ME Con versions are still my fav Con set too
My pet theory is that the cobra uniform is a formal / dress uniform. The eyes are uncovered so it's good enough for guard duty and a sea of them looks impressive on one of Cobra Commanders' weekly threatening broadcasts. Basically, the blue uniforms are pretty but not really functional.
Vipers are the same troopers in field kit. It's the functional stuff they take on jungle patrols that comes with actual body armor; and it keeps their faces hidden to make them harder to identify if some random civilian takes a photograph.
"Viper" makes sense as a GI Joe nickname for the generic Cobra troopers that Cobra eventually adopted because it was thematic.
I say there's not enough new uniforms for everyone. XD
The blue uniform of the Trooper is carried over to the Viper, with rolled up sleeves. Armor is added including combat gloves and a full helmet resembling Cobra Commander’s helmet. I’d say the Viper’s uniform is just an update or alternate load out of equipment. A half decade would be reasonable to have a change in equipment and uniform.
I kinda view the cobra vipers as the special forces of the cobra military
I always went with the troopers being the first recruits into Cobra. They got the most basic equipment. After Cobra Commander implemented the Fred program and had Tomax and Xamot handling Financials, they had the assets to upgrade their gear. However, as they are still a small independent army, they keep the blue uniforms out of necessity. I bet the newest recruits get blue uniforms, and if they make it out of a few fights they get the "good stuff".
This Cobra Viper was cool still. I used it for Ecowarriors. The standard Cobra Vipers were Cobra Commanders elite infantry legions. Besides in the comics and toons he lost so many regular Cobra Soldiers the Vipers filled the same job by 1986/87, lol.
I also used this figure as a Toxo Viper. It feels like these guys could do double duty. It definitely made sense to have them prepared for hazardous assignments considering Cobra is a terrorist organization willing to do whatever it took to win at all costs.
Great figure overall.
They also doubled as Mindbenders personal lab guards too for my toy playing days.
To me, the Cobra Troopers are the army and the Cobra Vipers are the Marines. 😁
That was pretty much how my friends and I treated them when we would have battles.
The 1986 Viper was one of my favorite figures and I was really nervous about scratching the paint on the face shield.
What I like about the original Viper's file card was that it described his weapon as being a realistic projectile one, not a laser gun.
That was the best Dr. Mindbender takedown ever!
Whoa….your explanation of the general subjectiveness of “reviews” is VERY well stated. And you’re absolutely correct: your review or “opinion” is just as valid as anyone else’s, and fair even if someone disagrees. I really enjoyed that and found it very refreshing rather than a content creator saying “iT’s mY oPiNiOn aNd I jUsT dOn’T cArE, SO THERE!” Love your channel, btw. Been watching you for a few years. 👍❤️🇺🇸💯
The cobra trooper and officer were loyal to cobra commander while the vipers are representative of the change in Cobra command and the introduction of Serpentor. In my mind the old trooper and officer were phased out in favor of the viper to ensure even less personality and remove any insubordination and as a command of the new snake emperor. This lines up with how the animated series only introduced them with the Serpentor arc. How did these troops take sides during the cobra civil war? As someone who only saw the cartoon, I wish you covered the vipers allegiance in the civil war vs the blue shirts (whatever I could find by looking at images - it looks like vipers allied with CoCo).
In my shelf vipers are a part of Serpentors "coil" group while blue shirts are loyal to Cobra commander and grenadiers loyal to Destro.
Thanks for another great review, HCC! The original 1986 Viper and 1990 Sonic fighter Viper are my favorites and very well chosen color schemes.
Dr Mindbender deserves an Oscar for that dramatic slide after taking a missile to the chest.
I always used this guy as a poison gas specialist because of the mask. They probably could not have called him Gas-Viper but that might not have worked. This and Stalker were the last figures i got back in '94.
I also see him as a gas trooper, but like the name Puff Adder for him.
1986 viper was a favorite of mine. And the night viper
I discovered your channel back in 2016 and I have seen your videos evolve through the years, but the one thing that keeps me coming back since 2016 is your dedication to the subject; the thorough research, the well thought analysis (and in recent times, the artwork too!). I remember you saying that the last review you 'll do is on Rock 'n' Roll v2 because it was the last GI Joe figure you got back in the day and not acquired as an adult collector; I really don't know if I'll get to see that, but one thing for sure is that I still very much enjoy your channel's content. Keep on with the great work 👍
Woo-hoo! Doctor Mindbender in the house for CC7!
I've been watching you since,2017 and I have seen you hit highs and lows like everybody does. I am very glad to have done so. 👍😎💯 You entertaining, informative and you have your own opinions. Your doing it right. Love ya Brian.
OMG I love him. Purple Viper will be mine.
Such a odd looking figure. I had for sure forgotten about this guy. Can’t believe it’s already cc7.liked the walk and talk section. One reason I’ve stuck around for so long is your honesty. Hail cobra!
22:52 well spoken, sir.
And as always, a detailed and thoroughly entertaining review, thank you for all the hard work, hope you're doing well.
Sup from New Zealand 🥝🇳🇿🙃
I enjoyed you explaining your basis for reviews but I also like your exaggerated outrage for comedic effect. It makes the review fun but I understand if it causes more confusion than delivers humor for some.
Thanks for Cobra Convergence. I always enjoy seeing new stuff. Have a great week!
Goofy grape viper lol. Always an awesome and informative video HCC! Coooobraaaaa!!
My personal head canon when it comes to Cobra Troopers and Vipers is Troopers are the absolute lowest level baseline grunt, and standard Vipers are one step above that. Like every soldier of Cobra starts out as a lowly Trooper and has to work to become a Viper and eventually choose a specialty from there.
Also I don’t know how I missed this review when you first dropped it, I love the Grape Viper and have had mine literally since 1994! Oh and that opening gag was *chef’s kiss* perfect.
I always viewed this Viper figure as a hybird dual assignment Viper/Toxo Viper. Better motivated and trained than previous Toxo Vipers with better gear. Designed to operate efficiently in hazardous gas environments.
This style of the Viper definitely screams 90s. The sculpting overall is not bad yet it lacks some paint applications to add contrast along with detail. I like your insight on how reviews are broken down in a objective matter.
Grape-Soda Viper, where the Drednocks start.
Big Purple Helmet Hahahaha 🤣 Sorry in the UK that means something different Great walk and talk by the way 👍
I believe I used the figure as a driver for the Cobra Parasite. Because he was purple. And the Parasite needed a purple driver...
Thank you for your service Mindbender
I guess we're only hoping that Sludge Viper is lemon flavor. 😝 I like this video a lot. I appreciate your perspective it mirrors my own.
In 1994 I wasn't all that interested in g.i.joy
I like the figure, but I can't see them as vipers. I use them as Mindbender's assistants in hazmat suits.
I like to think that the Cobra Trooper and Cobra Officer are the dress/parade uniforms and the Viper and specialist figures are their field uniforms and I always thought the web gear and weapons should have been swapped on the trooper and officer.
John Rawls. Wow. I guess if I were at risk of being the 1994 Viper in the "original position," I'd definitely want to appear in that position in the context of a fairness-oriented GI Joe reviewing community.
Great review, you covered the viper debate well, I did buy that viper in 1994, in fact I still have it, I wasn't to big into the line at that time as my interest was heading into the 12" hall of fame line, but it was a viper so I picked one up, I liked the design but not the color scheme.
Even though it wasn’t intended, I associate this particular Viper with the Star Brigade series.
Me encantó este Viper
Hoodie, you really put so much thought and passion into your reviews. Thank you for all the hard work and for giving me a cheap way to relieve my childhood. We're all very lucky to have such a strong commander for our Fandom. Cobra!
That purple viper would taste better with Chocolate donuts. COBRAAAAAA!!!
I think of Cobra Trooper in two different ways. They are either the originals before cobra was big time and they could afford specialized equipment so they bought generic blue. or I like to think of them as the general cobra workers the mechanics and cooks and clerks where as the vipers are the actual ground pounders
I must have stopped collecting before 94. I don't recall seeing this, ever, before today.
Good review Commander. Thanks for the walk and chat. CC7 has been awesome so far. COBRAAAAAA!!!
Getting a peek behind the curtain, here. Well done.
No idea how long I’ve been subscribed to your channel, but I look forward to every video.
I did have this Viper. But, just looking at it I would use it as the mercenary branch of COBRA.
I can see Major Blood taking this group to 'protect' an oil field or an office complex. With the twins setting aside money for COBRA or Arboc LLC
The first troopers, the blue shirts, were the corporal & sergeants NCO. More working on the COBRA base than out in the field.
The Viper were the private & PFC, of the group.
From some of the comics and a few lore books i read, I think the original viper was a a platoon Sargent or at least squad leader.
Informative and entertaining as always. Thanks
Two points.
1. The Cobra Viper (1986) was just a new field kit for the Cobra Soldier (1982). I put the blue shirts in the Terror Drome and in vehicles like the ASP. Vipers are in the field led by the Officer.
2. The 1994 Viper is great. They look great if you have a squad on the Detonator vehicle. I bought a squad of them for $1.50 each in 1995 at KB Toys. I think they are a great design but they needed a Cobra sigil patch on their arms and almost all Battle Corps figures suffered from non-unique weapons on a sprue.
I remember seeing him in the store and just shaking my head. I had pretty well had it with the neon.
To me the cobra infantry are regular infantry. The vipers are elite infantry who are a bit more indoctrinated .
Some of the file cars- especially late in the run- really are lacking. When not penned by Larry Hama it really showed. If the character is a repaint, re-release, or new version Hasbro really would have benefitted from simply republishing the previous file.
No need to explain yourself. Sorry if you have received some un-necessary criticism. Figures hold a spot with each person for funny reasons. My first RAH figure was Breaker. He holds a special spot with me for that. I remember UNEXPECTEDLY getting the Dragonfly for Christmas- A favorite. Fact is, a given item might not really measure up, but it has sentimental value, etc. Snake Eyes was clearly a fan fave, but was he everyone's fave? Probably not. They sold a lot of action figures during this run. There's room for every fan. GREAT JOB, and so glad we're in Cobra Convergence '23.
Well said at the end Brian!
After watching you take that long walk at the end, I need a rest.
They just got cheesier over time
Well done sir
Thanks for the great work you do and the community-building your content supports. Stay well, and keep the great videos & thoughts coming.
Incidentally, I think the subject of this week’s review is a dreadful letdown after the iconic figures & characters that preceded it. I find it hard to imagine this purple & orange clown in a foxhole or trench after surviving a battle with some Joes. The rolled-up sleeves were a nice humanizing touch on the original Viper, and such humanizing details are notably a absent on the ‘94 version.
As you describe the figures accessories and sculpt features it started to feel like it was meant to be a Space trooper not a Battle Corps. 🤔
Love it! Want more like it!
Look like the steel brigade
Dude, you need adult supervision.
This Viper looks like they planned them to be a scuba diver then they realized it might be the last year of toys and went fudge it we need a Viper to go out on.
The helmet reminds me of Darklon
Personally I like to imagine the cobra troopers as more like a militia every member of cobra could be a blue shirt even if there day job is being an accountant or fry cook. The vipers are professional military of cobra.
I'll bee looking for one My favorite is 1986 forsure
Remember Techno Viper 87 oh gee Purple Night Creeper Leader please.
The colors of the 90s would be more tolerable if the paint apps weren't so lazy.
Cobraaa
I don't remember this Viper at all! GI Joe really had a good niche going and they started moving away from it with all the scifi and weird stuff chasing TMNT. Nothing about this figure screams GI Joe it looks like it could be any generic toy. Don't get me wrong the details are good but just doesn't look like a GI Joe toy... let alone Cobra's main army builder. The Cobra Trooper/Cobra Viper thing I just took as Cobra changing their uniforms. They started out with the troopers not having or not wanting to devote the resources to equip their cannon fodder with state-of-the-art gear. They issued out a basic uniform, some straps to hold your year, a very basic helmet, and a mask to somewhat hide your face. As time went on they started upgrading to the Viper standard. Light body armor, a fully enclosed helmet, a better rifle. They kept the older stuff around because it was cheaper and there were not enough Viper sets to go around. The Python Patrol was to see if the new Python tech was enough to keep the old basic gear relevant. Since we don't see them again after Python Patrol I guess that experiment was a failure. As time went on not even the Viper standard was enough. These guys had to operate in space against giant robots, aliens, and mutants. So I guess this guy is the answer. A sad end for a brand that ruled the toy isles for most of my childhood. Hasbro had a good thing going but wanted to out Star Wars Star Wars, and chase after TMNT. If they had kept to the semi-realistic military stuff the line may have never ended. Thanks HoodieCoCo! and.... a link to my CC7 video is in your inbox. :)
Awesomeness!!! 😀 😎 👍 🐍
He looks like steal brigade
Why is it always Dr. Mind bender your target practice?😅✌
😎👍
Fun Fact: As far as the 1986 Viper goes, every re-issue of him after the vintage era (1982-1994) has B.A.T. legs. Apparently, the original leg mold for the Viper was either lost or destroyed.
Great review as always.
3:00 Can someone tell me where those pages are from?
Does anybody know what happend with Kevin aka Formbx257?
I think this disorganization explains Cobra’s many losses
Haven’t even watched this yet and I know he’s gonna say some shit. Well guess what, I had this guy and he was one of my favorites. I guess homeboy just likes his children’s toys jingoistic and without whimsy or imagination.
No interest in figures this late in the series. I disagree with you a lot. You've never interacted with me.
I just can't stand the colors on this figure and don't like the helmet. Not for me but good video anyway!
I admire all the hard work u put in each and everyone of your videos. 🤌