Commando - SNAKE EYES, Version 4

    "He's generally regarded as the primo-baddest dudes of all the G.I. Joes.  When we need somebody to sneak up on a Class A major bad guy and pop a can of butt-kick on him, Snake Eyes is the man for the job."  -- from the file card, 1991.

COMMANDO - SNAKE EYES

    Snake Eyes, the G.I. Joe's Commando, has been with the Team since it's beginnings in 1982.  He is a master of stealth - cloaked by the night in his jet-black uniform!!!  Well, that is up until 1991 when he got a little more colorful!   Snake Eyes frequently upgrades his uniforms and in 1991, his outfit actually had more color in it than in the past.  Now he was actually adding in shades of blue and gray.  Still a master of stealth, Snake Eyes could be wearing neon green and he would still be difficult, if not impossible, to track and find.

    Snake Eyes started taking some new equipment on his missions.  One of his latest additions was his grappling hook launcher.  Slightly cumbersome, but highly effective, this new piece of equipment would help Snake Eyes to sneak into highly elevated areas where Cobra or other criminals might be holed up. 

    Before this point, all the Snake Eyes figures had been predominately black.  Now, this fourth version sported blue, silver, light grey, and red alongside his typical black uniform.  On top of all that, the chosen colors for his accessories was quite odd as well.  Is that neon orange???

    This was quite a different approach to the character.  Things were changing in the 90's, however.  Bright, loud colors were in.  These bold selections on the Joes certainly stood out from the toy shelves.  To me, this is when Joe figures started to look more "cartoon-ish".  I'm not saying that is necessarily a BAD thing...  It was just very different!

    As said, this Snake Eyes certainly stands out amongst the 3 versions before it.  He probably sports as much light blue as he does black.  He also has a fair share of light grey on the web-gear on his torso.  But what you really notice first is his head.

    Snake Eyes' now wears a silver mouth-plate thing with breathing holes in it and has large red goggles.  I always felt this was an odd choice.  What is the look we are going for here?  The silver part kinda gives vibes from the hockey mask Jason Voorhees would wear...  and the big goggles gives the impression Snake Eyes is all "wide-eyed" at that moment!  Maybe he is surprised (probably about Hasbro's decisions here)?  

    The weapons are cool, though the color is harsh.  He comes with 2 swords and a submachine gun... all in neon orange.  He has grappling hook launcher that actually fires.  I think this is a perfect accessory for him.  The launcher is blue and he wears it like a backpack, the hook is orange, and it also has a black rope.

    Snake Eyes (v4) was a step in an odd direction, and I certainly have never really been a fan of it.  When I was taking pictures of it though, I came to appreciate it.  It IS different, but it is unique and fits in well with the time it was released.  It's not my favorite Snake Eyes, but I'm still going to give him a rating of 3 out of 5 Spike-Knuckled Trench Knives!!  Right down the middle - not bad!!

    What are your thoughts on Snake Eyes '91?  Which of the 6 figures is your favorite?

More whisperings about SNAKE EYES 4...

--- In the comic, it is said Snake Eyes has an impressive collection of spike-knuckled trench knives.

--- Of all the 6 versions of Snake Eyes - 3 is my all-time favorite!

--- Snake Eyes 4, was definitely odd, but the new Classified version of this outfit looks pretty darn cool!!

--- The phrase from the file card stating that Snake Eyes is one of the "primo-baddest dudes" sounds lame and forced.  Are there ANY Joes or Cobras that would actually word it like that???

Snake Eyes on the box of my Joe HQ II box!