One & Done - TOMAX and XAMOT

    

CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDERS - TOMAX AND XAMOT

    Every year in the G.I. Joe toy-line, there was a new threat or "featured villain".  For 1985, Hasbro released the Crimson Guard Commanders, the twin brothers - Tomax and Xamot.  Often referred to as the "Crimson Twins", the brothers were in charge of the Cobra's Elite Troopers - the feared Crimson Guard, also released that year.

    The Crimson Guards, or "CGs", served in many roles for the Cobra Organization.  They acted as saboteurs, undercover agents and spies.  They also acted as "royal guards" to Cobra Commander, himself.  Tomax and Xamot maintained control over the operations of the CGs and also managed much of the business and financial affairs of Cobra as well.

    Tomax and Xamot, whose names were reversed from one another, were released in special, unique packaging that focused on the twins and their similarities.  The art at the top featured both characters together in a standard G.I. Joe packaging style, with the explosion behind them.  The 2 figures were in the middle of the package with the sides angled out with plastic mirrors on either side.  In addition to the file card, the back of the package had art that had Tomax (with no scar) looking into a mirror and his reflection being Xamot (with the scar).

    The file card explains their military history and paints them as very well-trained soldiers.  It also gives an idea to how smart they are with their finance and banking skills.  This all comes together much like the Crimson Guard figures they command.  All are excellent soldiers - capable of fighting hand-to-hand or with weapons.  Yet, at the same time, they are very intelligent and thus are more likely to be placed behind the scenes where they can cause damage or manipulate things from within.

    The twins came with three accessories.  They each carried a black laser pistol and then there was a silver skyhook with string for them to share.  You were to tie the string to 2 different points with the skyhook on it.  The brothers could hold on to either end and then slide into the battle.  

    The figures for Tomax and Xamot are to be mirror images of each other.  So since one has their hair parted to the left, then the other's is on the right.  The only real way to distinguish between the two is the scar on Xamot's face.  So they basically wear the same uniform, yet obviously opposite from one another.  The base color is a Cobra blue with some red (more like a burgundy) highlights as well as some various silver armor pieces.  Although it is a little strange that they don't sport more red to resemble the troopers that they lead, I suppose it makes sense to consider the Crimson Guard's uniform isn't always seen.  When they are in the field, they wear plain clothes to blend in.  So I don't feel it is important for the twins to match them.

    Looking at the figures overall...  I do wish they had the wavy hair, like they did in the comics or cartoons.  The pistols were cool but I never used the skyhook.  You were expected to tie the string between two points.  I think it would have been a better idea to have some anchors for the string like the Star Brigade Sci-Fi would eventually have in 1994.  It would have been an easier set-up.

    Despite those minor issues, I really liked Tomax and Xamot!  I thought the concepts - twin brothers, leaders for the Crimson Guards, Cobra's financial advisors, etc. - all came together into a great addition to the G.I. Joe toy-line!  The Crimson Twins even made my Top 10 Cobra Characters list!  So obviously I am going to give Tomax and Xamot a sweet rating of 5 out of 5 packs of Double-Mint Gum!  A round of applause for these two, please!

    Tomax and Xamot only got the one set of figures.  This is unfortunate as I feel they were popular enough characters to warrant some updates.  Apparently, at one time there was plans to have them be the leaders of the Cobra sub-group - Python Patrol.  This likely would have meant the figures would be repaints.  That wouldn't have been bad, but I feel to switch the Crimson Guard Commanders to Python Patrol Commanders would have been a mistake.  

    Those plans were derailed though.  Still, I would have liked to see new versions of these two.  The Crimson Guard Trooper got 3 more updates - Python Patrol (1989), Crimson Guard Immortal (1991) and Crimson Guard Commander (1993).  Strange the troopers saw multiple updates whereas their leaders, did not.

    It's been mentioned on this blog before... way back in 1985, my friend Aaron and I used to say we were Tomax and Xamot.  Some of my memories of those days include us joking with his younger brothers (who also liked G.I. Joe) about how we owned Extensive Enterprises and such.  One of his brothers might claim to be Destro, so then we would have a jerky reply like "Well, we control Cobra's money, and we are cutting you off, now you can't make weapons anymore".  His dad didn't get the names and instead jokingly called us Takhomasak (take home a sack) and Transaxle.

    I haven't seen "Takhomasak" since probably 1991...?  He relocated several times as we were growing up.  Both of us made new friends in our different locations.  It was only a matter of time before we lost contact.  We were pen-pals for awhile, but that faded away too.  Last I knew, he gave up Joes about the same time I did.  Wonder if he ever came back to it?    Hope he is doing well!

Closing remarks and other goofy thoughts:

--- There is no mention of Tomax and Xamot on ANY of the file cards of the different versions of Crimson Guards...?  Strange...

--- In the comics, I like how they were loyal to Cobra Commander.  In Issue #46, when Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow were wreaking havoc on Cobra Island... Tomax and Xamot formed a human shield around CC to protect him.  When CC sold out the wounded Zartan... the twins raced to protect HIM.  Kinda cool!

---  If they are "mirror opposites"... are they opposite in personality as well???  I mean, if one is easy-going, is the other one a jerk?  If one likes spicy food, the other doesn't?  Does one prefer their coffee hot while the other prefers it cold?  I'm curious about these things...

--- For extra reading on Tomax and Xamot on this blog, check my Top 10 Favorite Cobras list!!