SCC Figure Spotlight - LEGACY OF THE CRIMSON GUARD (Cobra Convergence 7)

Legacy of the Crimson Guard

"Being the best in Cobra, means being the worst in the world!" - Crimson Guard Commander, 1993.

COBRA ELITE TROOPER - CRIMSON GUARD (1985)

    Cobra's schemes got even more devious when they created the Crimson Guard in 1985.  As the Cobra Elite Trooper, this division of soldier was specifically tasked with infiltrating American society.  They would assume normal lives having normal appearances, families and jobs.  They would take high-level job positions such as lawyers, business managers or politicians with the idea to undermine society from within.  The file card says the Crimson Guards could be anyone, anywhere... even your neighbor!

    Each Crimson Guard Trooper operating in their specific "field" would dress appropriately for that role.  Yet, their red outfit, represented in the 1985 figure, is more of a ceremonial uniform.  This would be worn when they move into active duty such as acting as personal bodyguards to Cobra Commander, himself.  The file card says they swear strict obedience to him and that they have to go through a initiation ceremony to hideous to describe.  Crimson Guards are often referred to as "Siegies" (pronounced: Cee-Gees).

    The structure of how the Crimson Guard operate is in question.  Though they are "strictly obedient" to Cobra Commander, they also answer to the Crimson Guard Commanders, twin brothers - Tomax and Xamot.  My thought is that the twins oversee and monitor the day-to-day undercover operations of these troopers, but Cobra Commander's order would always override any other authority, especially when it comes to his safety.

    The Crimson Guard's uniform is all red with silver and highlights, including the silver Cobra symbol on the chest.  His face is concealed by the black facemask under his helmet.  His accessories include a red backpack and a black rifle with bayonet.  

        The 1985 line-up of Cobra figures was an impressive set of army builder figures - the Crimson Guard was no exception!  Oh the dilemma when you had just enough allowance to buy one action figure and there was SO MANY awesome choices!!!  This was definitely one of the figures I was after!  For me though, you couldn't really "pretend" the Crimson Guard was undercover.  So in my Cobra Army, he served in his other role - an elite guard for Cobra Commander.  

    This figure was great!  I love the idea of a Cobra division that was elevated above the standard Cobra Trooper.  He had a great look and appropriate accessories.  I have no complaints about this figure!  So he is looking at a tasty rating of 5 out of 5 Code Red Mountain Dews!!!  That's pretty great!

    The Crimson Guard saw some new releases in G.I. Joe's future, but with slightly different "titles".  

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Photo credit goes to Wayne Bartley!  See more of his awesome Joe pics on Instagram at Relinquished

1979.  Thanks Wayne!!!

PYTHON PATROL ELITE TROOPER - PYTHON CRIMSON GUARD (1989)

    In 1989, Cobra developed the Python Patrol.  This sub-group used vehicles, equipment, and uniforms that have undergone the "pythonizing" process to make them invisible to radar.  Cobra selected members of some of their specific divisions to be a part of this team, the Crimson Guards were included.

    While much of the file card text is repeated from the original, there is one interesting addition that stands out.  It says that the purpose of the Python Crimson Guard is to actually "spy" on other Cobra members.  Should they discover any deviations from Cobra policy, it is to be reported to the Python Patrol Commander, whoever that is...?

    Python Patrol was easily distinguished by the snake skin "grid-pattern" on the uniforms and vehicles.  While the vehicles all shared the same red, black, and silver color scheme; the troops used a variety of colors including yellow, green, grey, and black.  A straight repaint of the original figure, the Python Patrol CG gives up his "crimson" color for a uniform that is predominately yellow and gray.

    The Python Crimson Guard isn't really a bad figure, there is something I certainly find interesting about it.  It's just that the idea of needing these guys in Python Patrol never made sense to me.  They are already under deep cover and "too precious to be wasted on the battlefield"... so why would they don radar-resistant uniforms and walk out into a firefight?  Or, why would they even need a radar-resistant uniform to spy on other Cobras?  Then there is the fact that the Python Crimson Guard isn't even crimson.  It just doesn't add up...

    The idea of bad guys spying on other bad guys is interesting and should be explored further!  I never felt the Crimson Guards belong in Python Patrol though!  Therefore I did not pick this figure up back in the day.  If you were to give this troop an outfit in the vehicle color scheme, I might sing another tune.  Sorry Python Crimson Guard... I'm going to have to give you a rating of 2 out of 5 Chiquita Bananas! 

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COBRA ELITE TROOPER - CRIMSON GUARD IMMORTAL (1991)

    In 1991, the Crimson Guard got an upgrade, but it's not completely clear on how it plays out with the Crimson Guard lineage!  Now called Crimson Guard Immortals - it is unknown if this is a simple update on the uniform or a new, advanced level of Crimson Guard.

    The file card mentions previously stated information about operating under deep cover or acting as Cobra Commander's bodyguards, but does not reveal much new information.  It does acknowledge the use of body armor and heavy weaponry.  It also says that the CGI's "swear a fearsome oath of absolute obedience to Cobra Commander".  That's a pretty heavy-duty statement and this is the first time this is mentioned in any of the CG's file cards.

    The Crimson Guard Immortal is properly adorned in a red uniform, but now with silver body armor.  The new helmet, to me, looks more like a battle helmet then the original did.  This is possible as the file card does state they can operate nearly all vehicles in Cobra's arsenal.  Additionally, Immortals carry hand-held, double rocket launchers, one having a small machine gun.  Definitely NOT a ceremonial weapon.

    My personal thought is that this figure is a new level of Crimson Guard.  As in the fact that the first one still exists, yet this uniform declares a higher level of devotion to the Cobra cause and their leader.  Between the more armored gear and advanced weaponry, these troops will be better equipped to protect Cobra Commander and serve his needs.

    I really like this figure!  In fact, I liked it enough to buy it when I was already out of G.I. Joe collecting.  Once I saw it, my mind was made up!  The uniform is cool, more battle-ready then the original.  The weapons were a bit strange, but if we are bringing more to the table, we probably better pack a weapon that will really do some damage.  Besides, the "double-gun"-type weapons remind me of the guns on the old 80's movie The Black Hole!  On that note, I present the Crimson Guard Immortal with a rating of 4 out of 5 Sammy Hagar (the Red Rocker) CDs!!!

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COBRA ELITE OFFICER - CRIMSON GUARD COMMANDER  (1993)

    A final version of the Crimson Guard appeared in 1993.  This one was called the Crimson Guard Commander.  Again, it is not completely clear how he fits in to the lineage.  It is odd with the title "commander" in the name as they already had Tomax and Xamot.  The Crimson Twins never got an update in the 82-94 toyline, so it's possible they were "forgotten".  However, you also had Cobra Commander, himself, in charge.

    The file card is all about worthless.  It states very little information on what their function within Cobra is.  Instead it reads something like this - "The Crimson Guard Commanders are tough!  I mean really tough.  I mean really, really tough.  Even Duke thinks they are tough."  It's pretty sad actually.  It basically says they are dangerous opponents, but never really tells you why.  There is a tiny bit that can be gleamed from it, however.  He is listed as the Cobra Elite Officer.  So I would assume this is a third step in the ranking system.  Standard Crimson Guards, then the Immortals, then the Commanders.  It also mentions again that they are licensed to operate all cobra vehicles.

    The Crimson Guard Commanders utilize a color palette of black, red and yellow.  Like the Immortals, the uniform looks more "battle ready".  He has some armor, like on the chest plate he wears with a molded in Cobra symbol.  Also, his yellow faceplate makes him look a like more like he stems from the Viper lineage. 

    The accessories were a let down though.  First, he didn't come with a backpack.  Next, the figure came with a yellow spring-loaded missile launcher and several re-hashed weapons on a tree.  The saving grace here is that at least the weapons were cast in black plastic instead of some zany color like other figures had (I'm looking at your neon yellow weapons Law).  He didn't even come with the weapon on the packaging?

    After a few years hiatus from buying G.I. Joe, it was time to come back!  Wandering down the toy aisle in Hills Department Store to see what the toyline had going on, I happen upon this figure!  I thought the card-art was spectacular and this is probably the first figure I picked up!  I really liked the figure itself - the sculpt is really nice and I like how he had kind of a Viper-look going with the faceplate.  I thought the color scheme was great as well and the molded Cobra symbol on the chest was above and beyond.  I have to admit though, as much as I liked the figure when I opened it up, I could not understand WHY they gave him a Toxo-Viper weapon or Voltar's rifle?

    All things considered, I thought this figure was a winner!  Crimson Guard Commander is going to snag himself a nice rating of 4 out of 5 Red Robin Banzai Burgers!!!  How tasty!!  He was docked a point for the uninspired gear and waste-of-time file card.  Hey Hasbro... if you would have given my boy, CGC, some cool and unique weapons, he would have gotten a 5!

    So it's my theory that the 4 Crimson Guards are separate divisions.  The 3 red ones being different stages or ranks.  The Python Patrol one being an offshoot and reporting to the mysterious "Python Patrol Commander".  There clearly is more going on in the shadowy depths of the Cobra organization than we can know, but we can gain a little insight through each of these figures.  

    So what are your thoughts on the 4 Crimson Guards?  Do you agree with me?  Or do you have another idea?  Which is your favorite?  Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments below!

What else can we say about the Crimson Guards???

---  I'm curious of what happened in 1986 - the year after the CGs were released and Serpentor came on the scene.  Did the CGs stay under Cobra Commander's authority?  Or did they switch their loyalty to their new Emperor?

---  A few Crimson Guard vehicles were released as store exclusives back in the day.  This included a recolored G.I. Joe MOBAT, renamed the Crimson Attack Tank.

---  It is said the Crimson Guardsmen are strictly obedient to Cobra Commander.  I don't buy it...  In the comics, Fred 7 shot Cobra Commander and impersonated him.  The CGs sided with Serpentor in the Cobra Civil War.  CG - Wade Collins walked away from Cobra.  In the cartoons, Scoop was a CG and defected to the Joes.

---  Why doesn't the file card say the Python CGs report to Cobra Commander or Tomax and Xamot???  Who is the "Python Patrol Commander"?

---  The Crimson Guard Commander shares the same colors as the Headhunter agent - Gristle?  What's up with that?

---  Hasbro has recently made new, Classified versions of both the Crimson Guard and Python Patrol Crimson Guard.  I have the standard version, and I have to admit, I want the Python Patrol one too!

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This has been my main contribution to Cobra Convergence 7!!!  The Convergence goes on all of the month of July!  Check out the other great presenters for more awesome COBRA content!  You can see the CC7 calendar at www.HCC788.com.