SCC Figure Spotlight - VIPER (Version 1)

"If you want to get anywhere in Cobra, you have to start out as a Viper." - a random Viper, 1994.

COBRA INFANTRY - VIPER  (Version 1)

   There are many levels to the Cobra Organization, but the beginning, the get-your-foot-in-the-door position, is by serving with the Cobra Infantry known as the Cobra Vipers.  Released by Hasbro as part of Wave 5 of the G.I. Joe Line, the Viper basically replaced the standard Cobra Troopers and Officers from 1982.

    As the bottom tier in Cobra, the Viper's file card explains that you can move up the ladder of the evil organization to reach the "glittering prizes at the top".  Even though the Vipers are on the bottom rung, the file card emphasizes how dangerous these troopers really are and the ruthless kind of people that are interested in serving in a position such as this.

    The Viper's overall uniform perfectly utilizes the Cobra colors of blue, red and black.  The Viper wears a blue helmet with black goggles on top.  There is a silver, mirror-type faceplate covering his face.  This is reminiscent of Cobra Commander's original look. 

    The shirt of the Viper is blue with a black vest.  The black vest has some red highlights like some grenades and a Cobra symbol.  He has blue pants with a red stripe running down the side of the legs.  Lastly, he has black boots.

    The Cobra Viper came with 2 accessories.  The first was a light grey assault rifle with a grenade launcher.  The second was his black backpack with some great details like a sculpted Cobra symbol and some grenades.

    In a few other write-ups on this blog, I've mentioned the story of first seeing the Viper in 1986.  Along with Sci-Fi, they were the first 2 figures I saw from that wave and they were both instant favorites.  But what I liked about the Viper was they upgraded the standard trooper!  He has some armor now and he carries better weaponry.  The colors are still Cobra colors, but they are more vibrant on this figure.  The helmet was great!  I thought it was perfect for them to be masked similar to their leader - Cobra Commander (little did I know when I first saw him, that Serpentor would be taking over that same year).

    Considering the accessories, the original trooper didn't get a backpack, so this is a nice addition.  As for the rifle, it is more user-friendly on a battlefield rather than the original trooper's sniper rifle.  Plus, the rifle LOOKS amazing... I think this is one of the coolest looking weapons Hasbro ever made!!!

    In the following years, the Cobra Viper would see a few upgrades, a few changes, some good, some not-so-much...  This first version, however, is spectacular!!!  It already made my list of Top 10 Army Builders!  At one point I had about 9 of these guys, not including the different versions.  So it should be pretty obvious that I give this figure 5 Out of 5 Silver Faceplates!!!  

    Some final thoughts on this figure... the file card references the "glittering prizes at the top of the Cobra pyramid".  What Viper has actually moved up?  It would have been cool to have had a character whose file card claims he has worked his way up from a Viper to a higher position.  Just a thought...

    So what did you think of the Viper?  Did you like him?  Or did you prefer the original trooper?  Do or did you have multiples?

    UP NEXT......  VIPER, Version 2 - PYTHON PATROL!!