One & Done - FRAG-VIPER (Cobra Convergence 7)

"I want the Alley-Vipers and Frag-Viper to go in on the First Wave!  No sense in wasting good Iron Grenadiers and Annihilators!" - Voltar, Marvel Comics, 1989.

COBRA GRENADE THROWER - FRAG-VIPER

    Cobra continued to build upon their battlefield forces in 1989 with the addition of the Frag-Viper.  This particular group of Vipers were tasked with with the job of chucking grenades at enemy forces from a safe distance.  The idea was, that since they are not firing these grenades from grenade launchers, no one would see the muzzle flash and thus the location of the Frag-Viper would remain a mystery!  They could continue to wreck havoc as long as no one knew where they were!

    The Frag-Viper's file card spends a lot of time discussing his equipment - how it works and the value of using it.  To lob his grenades, the Frag-Viper uses a device attached to his wrist is similar to that of a Jai Alai cesta.  This cesta is what makes the Frag-Viper special.  Rather than throwing a ball for a game, he is throwing grenades.  Again, the lack of muzzle flash helps keep the location of the Frag-Viper concealed.  Should his location be discovered or he chooses to enter the battle - he can use his submachine gun or the small gun attached to the cesta.  No matter how you slice it, the Frag-Viper is a dangerous enemy!

    The uniform from the Frag-Viper is quite different from most Cobra troops.  He doesn't utilize loud colors or the traditional red, blue, black scheme.  Rather, his uniform is a brown bodysuit with light blue highlights (a sash, pistol holster, pouches, etc).  He has black gloves and boots.  On his head he wears a large, silver, insectoid-looking helmet but black lenses for the eyes.  It also has a pointed protrusion coming from his chin, like a mosquito.

    The Frag-Viper came with multiple accessories, all cast in black.  He came with a cesta, a submachine gun, 3 grenades, a backpack, a thin standard hose, and a thick, segmented rubber hose.  The thin hose connects from his chin to his backpack, while the thick hose runs from the cesta to his backpack.  The grenades can be stored on the backpack and you can put one in the cesta.

    I didn't immediately pick up the Frag-Viper figure as 1989 was the year I was stepping out.  I was still buying a few figures, but I went after more stand-out Cobras like Alley-Viper and Night-Viper.  I think I acquired one in a trade way back then.  I remember thinking the figure was much cooler than I had expected.

    This figure is a mixed bag though.  I thought the concept of the Frag-Viper and what he is supposed to do was a great idea.  The "insectoid" helmet and dull brown color, however, just didn't attract my attention.  Where this figure truly shines is in his great accessories!  A lot of thought and detail were certainly put into his equipment!  Thus helping to elevate the Frag-Viper.  As a rating, he's going catch 4 out of 5 Cans of OFF! Insect Repellant!  Hey, I'm surprised too!

    What are your thoughts regarding the Frag-Viper?  Did you like him?  Or did you move him over to your Insectoids figures and had him join up with them?  Let me know in the comments below!

Well... what else can you say about the Frag-Viper???

---  I used the Frag-Viper in my diorama "The Bridge" as he went after Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.

---  So what???  Cobra FINALLY has a trooper that they DON'T want to be seen!!!  Is this why his color scheme is so radically dull compared to so many other Cobras?

This has been a part of Cobra Convergence 7!  Check out all the other cool Cobra contributions happening the entire month of July 2023!  For a complete calendar of great, new Cobra content, visit www.hcc788.com.  My "official" contribution will be on July 8!