G.I. Joe Classified - News & Updates

[Ashtalon]

Repaints are obviously baked into the brand (and any mass retail line), so I'm not opposed to the occurrence. And like getting more environmental-themed figures. But these aren't exactly great. Repaints are certainly more cost effective than brand new characters. Hopefully we do get at least another named arctic Joe next year as well (beyond Iceberg).

I'd just rather have an arctic Viper (painted longsleeves, obviously). Or ideally, a basic Cobra Trooper but using a coat (like the Steel Brigade one or arctic Flint...is it the same coat) which would essentially look like Cobra Troopers from the Sunbow episodes in the snow. Would be so much more appealing to me than a white Night Viper.

 

[AceofKnaves]

I'd just rather have an arctic Viper (painted longsleeves, obviously). Or ideally, a basic Cobra Trooper but using a coat (like the Steel Brigade one or arctic Flint...is it the same coat) which would essentially look like Cobra Troopers from the Sunbow episodes in the snow. Would be so much more appealing to me than a white Night Viper.

No argument here.

I do think the Steel Corps guy will be cooler with the gas mask head. Kinda ominous looking, like the keys-jangling scientists in ET.

 

[Ru1977]

They could just do a Retro Viper with sleeved arms like they did with the Ghost Viper, but just use heavy sleeves, then painted white and blue or something.

 

[Ru1977]

I always come back to this, maybe something like the left Viper.

 

[Damien]

I appreciate these for what they - as I already said I dig them. But I don't want a lot MORE of this, if I'm being honest. I don't generally love the 'it's arctic because we painted it white.' I do want more effort than that, like the arctic Flint and Jaye. Actually, put that winter Steel Brigade upper body on some blue lower legs with black boots, throw on a Cobra Trooper head... and I dig it a lot more.

 

[AceofKnaves]

I always come back to this, maybe something like the left Viper.

This, and the similar Desert set, are master classes on how to do “this”. I particularly like how the Tele-Viper and especially the Vipers are more “bundled up” than their standard versions, but also could work in more contexts than just “blending in with snow”. I always thought of them as “cold weather urban”. Also cool to get different body types, the “big boy” Viper slaps and a beefy standard Viper even would be cool.

 

[Damien]

The Televiper in that set is more of what I actually want to see; a dedicated variant look to the character clearly outfitted for cold weather rather than just 'we painted it blue and grey so you know it's for the cold.' Like.. no, that's just his regular shirt. He's going to be freezing in that. And they have/will have actually jacket/coat sculpts, so it's not like they NEED to go with a straight palette swap.

 

[Ru1977]

This, and the similar Desert set, are master classes on how to do “this”. I particularly like how the Tele-Viper and especially the Vipers are more “bundled up” than their standard versions, but also could work in more contexts than just “blending in with snow”. I always thought of them as “cold weather urban”. Also cool to get different body types, the “big boy” Viper slaps and a beefy standard Viper even would be cool.

Agree entirely, and with Damien. I don't expect all new, dedicated molds, but something unique for a 'snow viper', which uses bits from Snowjob or Frostbite or something. And yeah, getting different body types, once again, is such a must to me. The arctic version of the Retro Viper vest, with proper sleeves, would go a long way for me.

 

[AceofKnaves]

And that’s the thing: the Viper helmet is iconic and instantly recognizable. The Cobra Trooper balaclava/helmet is likewise iconic and instantly recognizable. Put one of *those* on the Big Ben body: BOOM, perfect. Same for Snow Job body. Literally nothing else needs to be done beyond an appropriate paint job and Cobra logo. You look at that Tele-Viper from that set, you know exactly what it is, and if I remember correctly that body is 100% Arctic Snake-Eyes with zero Frankensteining behind the head and colors.

 

[Ru1977]

And that’s the thing: the Viper helmet is iconic and instantly recognizable. The Cobra Trooper balaclava/helmet is likewise iconic and instantly recognizable. Put one of *those* on the Big Ben body: BOOM, perfect.

Yeah, definitely.

And like I'm trying to do with my Vipers, I would have liked if they'd done "Night Viper" and "SAW Viper" with the regular Viper as the starting base. I know this isn't what RAH-purists would want, but having, say, a regular Viper head with a flip down night vision visor, with green highlights instead of the red on his thighs and vest, and unique weapon/backpack etc. Viper specialists that are just Vipers with unique gear.

And I say that while at the same time wanting a classic Night Viper, intended to be a unique single character.

Same for Snow Job body. Literally nothing else needs to be done beyond an appropriate paint job and Cobra logo. You look at that Tele-Viper from that set, you know exactly what it is, and if I remember correctly that body is 100% Arctic Snake-Eyes with zero Frankensteining behind the head and colors.

Yeah, agreed. They need to get more creative with the kitbashing for sure!

 

[Damien]

and if I remember correctly that body is 100% Arctic Snake-Eyes with zero Frankensteining behind the head and colors.

Correct. They just slapped the Teley head on it and said 'it's a viper now.' I believe you, Hasbro. Mission accomplished.
Well, except for the colors part. He's a different color than the arctic Snake Eyes was.

Viper specialists that are just Vipers with unique gear.

They are, though. That's the unique gear; the entire suit. Just like how a marine diver doesn't just wear the air tank with his fatigues.



Anyway, just give me some goddamn regular Cobra Troopers wearing coats. Pretty please.

 

[AceofKnaves]

And like I'm trying to do with my Vipers, I would have liked if they'd done "Night Viper" and "SAW Viper" with the regular Viper as the starting base. I know this isn't what RAH-purists would want, but having, say, a regular Viper head with a flip down night vision visor, with green highlights instead of the red on his thighs and vest, and unique weapon/backpack etc. Viper specialists that are just Vipers with unique gear.

Actually yeah I do want this. That’s what I dug about the larger-bodied Viper in that set: he used Roadblock/Copperhead parts and felt, at least to me, like a “heavy gunner Viper”, basically a SAW-Viper-type specialist Viper, but still a Viper. Like if one had to justify it in-universe: Vipers start to specialize if they survive long enough to gain experience, and there are stepping-stones to the actual hyphenate-Viper special corps.

 

[Ru1977]

Correct. They just slapped the Teley head on it and said 'it's a viper now.' I believe you, Hasbro. Mission accomplished.
Well, except for the colors part. He's a different color than the arctic Snake Eyes was.

And that's the thing... you aren't tricking us, Hasbro. We get it. We know what's happening, but that's what we want!

They are, though. That's the unique gear; the entire suit. Just like how a marine diver doesn't just wear the air tank with his fatigues.

I get that, but I want more consistency within the Viper Corps I guess.

Actually yeah I do want this. That’s what I dug about the larger-bodied Viper in that set: he used Roadblock/Copperhead parts and felt, at least to me, like a “heavy gunner Viper”, basically a SAW-Viper-type specialist Viper, but still a Viper.

Exactly, and he may even be what gave me the initial idea.

 

[Damien]

I get that, but I want more consistency within the Viper Corps I guess.

No, I know. I was just giving you a hard time.
But also, I really don't want that. I like that the Vipers get wildly different looks depending on what they end up specializing in. Although it's not like it's consistent.
Why are they Desert Scorpions and not Desert Vipers? Why do Ice Vipers -and- Snow Serpents both exist? There's no consistency at all in what specialization is a viper and what isn't, and that's frustrating purely from a lore-fanatic perspective.

 

[Revox]

I don't need any Cobra winter troop randos but I'll keep an eye on the Steel Brigade one if it goes on clearance - quite fancy giving Big Ben a winter option.