The Characters Of G.I. Joe - HISS DRIVER

THE CHARACTERS OF G.I. JOE

    "Cobra HISS Drivers are committed to the destruction of G.I. Joe!  This newly developed battle vehicle is a real match for the G.I. Joe Team.  Beware!" - from the file card, 1983.

COBRA COMMAND

COBRA HISS TANK DRIVER

File Name - Various.

Birthplace - Various.

Specialties - HISS Driver, FANG pilot, Mechanical & Electrical Systems.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION...

    As the evil Cobra Army first began to expand in 1983, several new vehicles and weapons were under development.  One of the standouts was the Cobra HISS!  The HISS (High Speed Sentry) was an armored tank built for speed and armed with two powerful 90mm cannons. Obviously, Cobra needed drivers that were trained to utilize the HISS to it's fullest potential!

    Enter the HISS Tank Driver...

    Pulled from the mass of recruits that join Cobra every year, HISS Drivers are specifically chosen for their physical strength.  This is key in if the HISS becomes damaged, it is the HISS Driver that will have to go out and perform repairs as needed, possibly retreading the tank to get it operational again.  It is also said that the drivers are chosen for their "dedication to evil".  Meaning, they are expected to follow whatever nasty orders Cobra Commander may send their way - without question!

    HISS Drivers attend a special Cobra Battle School and they are capable at commanding multiple vehicles in Cobra's arsenal, including the FANG gyrocopter.

    In Cobra's early years, Cobra Commander did not bother with assigning the HISS Drivers with an actual code name.  Many years later, however, as the tank itself was upgraded - the drivers became known as Track-Vipers.

MY THOUGHTS...

    Man... I STILL remember getting the original HISS tank back in 1983!  I found it at a nearby store called K's Merchandise.  I must of had some mowing money on me because I bought it without question.  I put that thing together in the car and was driving it up the driveway when I got home.  Such a cool vehicle!

    After that, it obviously was the main vehicle for my Cobra forces for many years.  It was heavily used in the comics and cartoons, which always helped fuel my imagination on what it could do.  I practically wore my first HISS out, so eventually I ordered a second one through Hasbro mail-order.  You know what's cool?  The catalog said "Figure not included" but Hasbro DID send the figure...  Fine by me!

    As for the driver, what a cool-looking figure!  I like that his red uniform stood out against the blackness of the HISS tank - with both colors representing Cobra.  He also stood apart from the other Cobras with them all being in blue.  He had a sleek, mysterious look with his helmet and mask covering his face.  This is the Walmart "retro" version of the figure which was released a few years back.  While there is some slight differences, I feel this was a great representation of the HISS Driver!

    Seriously though, a figure this cool needs a proper name!  I can give a pass to the Viper Glider Pilots and Stinger Drivers not getting names as they were simple repaints.  This guy deserved a name, and something a little better than "Track-Viper" or "HISS-Viper"!  Ha!

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow and DIC cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original File Card.)