CLASSIFIED SNOW SERPENT

LET IT SNOW...

THE CHARACTERS OF G.I. JOE

    "Snow Serpents are specifically trained and equipped to fight under Arctic conditions that would give a polar bear frostbite." - from the file card, 1991.

COBRA COMMAND

Cobra Polar Assault - SNOW SERPENT

File Name - Various

Birthplace - Various

Specialties - Arctic Operations, Airborne Operations, Demolitions, Anti-Tank weapons. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION...

    Cobra Troopers that have gone through special underwater training to become Eels (Frogmen), can take additional training to become members of Cobra's Polar Assault division known as the Snow Serpents!  

    Candidates for the Snow Serpents spend up to 6 months training in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Circle.  There they learn various cold weather survival tactics, Arctic airborne operations, as well as use of equipment like skis, snow shoes, and kayaks.  They can also train for driving Cobra's various snow vehicles such as the Cobra Wolf, the Ice Saber, and/or the Ice Snake.

Original VS. Classified...

    When the original Snow Serpent was released in 1985, he definitely stood out from the pack.  Cobra's first snow trooper was a coveted figure with his superb sculpting and impressive gear load-out.  The 1985 Snow Serpent was decked out with a AK-47 rifle, a 2-piece anti-tank weapon, a backpack, a parachute pack, and a pair of snow shoes.  All brand new and unique to the figure at the time!    

    Decades later, as the G.I. Joe Classified line continues on, Hasbro finally added the Snow Serpent to Cobra's troop roster.  For the most part, and certainly not every time - the Classified line looks to take the original figure and crank it up a notch.  So how did they do with the Snow Serpent?

    Well, first of all, the one I have is the Retro Carded version.  There was another version released prior that was a Deluxe figure that came with more bells and whistles (which I'm not covering cuz I don't have it)!  So let's focus about the Retro one...

    The figure itself is awesome!  A great rendition of the original Snow Serpent now in 6 inch Classified form.  I really appreciate how the parachute pack is a non-removable piece that is a little more compact and doesn't get in the way.  The mask is a little different, but still looks good, not a deal-breaker.  No complaints about the figure.

    My problem is the accessories!  He comes with goggles, a FAMAS rifle, 2 pistols, 2 snow shoes, and a backpack.  I'm not a fan of how the rifle and backpack come from Dusty.  I guess I can make my peace with the backpack, it's now colored white, so it looks fine.  But the standard weapon for a Snow Serpent was an AK-47.  That's the way I would prefer him.  So I took the one from Classified Sgt. Slaughter and gave it to the character it is more associated with.  Lastly I would have preferred the "old school" tennis racket-lookin' snow shoes rather than those fancy, strange "blocky" ones.  Oh well, I guess you don't SEE them when he is tromping in the snow.

    In the end, I think this is a great figure!  What are your thoughts?

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