Cobra Ninja Viper (2012)
When I saw the Amazon exclusive Renegades four pack, I was intrigued by three of the figures, with their incredibly different design styles. I didn’t pull the trigger on picking up the set until it recently dropped in price. I’m glad I did, as the style of the two ninja figures is a cool departure that reminds me a little of one of my favorite recent eras of GI Joe.
I’ve been big on Ninja Vipers since the original mail-in version. I don’t know what it is that draws me to them as a troop type. Maybe it’s their similarity to the Cobra Red Ninjas back in Marvel Comics issue 21. Adding Cobra rank and file who were ninjas just seemed a good fit, with all the other ninjas running about in the GI Joe mythos.
As a modern ninja trooper, this version forgoes the traditional blue that the Cobra Ninja Vipers have worn in the past. Instead, he’s outfitted in a subdued sort of red, with yellow detailing. It’s the kind of color palette that could match the Renegades cartoon, had the Ninja Vipers actually appeared in it. Which brings me to another thought: this mold (which is identical to Storm Shadow from the same pack) doesn’t truly follow the Renegades line art. It’s definitely sculpted in a hard ]-edged cartoon influenced style, but the overall look doesn’t have that exact Renegades proportion to it. I would venture to call it something more akin to the Sigma 6 style. Now I can get behind that. In fact, it looks like we came close to getting a Sigma suit figure in small scale. I’m hoping that mold eventually shows up somewhere.
The redesigned ball-joint hip is not much of an improvement. It’s unwieldy in terms of poseability, getting in the way of simply posing the leg at the angle you want. Based on the concept Renegades figures seen at JoeCon this year, it looks like a direction the series was going. I hope this isn’t something that gets worked into the line in the future, as the simple hook style leg joint works just fine. The ball joint brings back bad memories of my brief forays into the Toy Biz Marvel Legends and Hasbro Marvel Universe lines.
Interesting to note the new hip articulation. I agree with you, Rob…I hope it doesn’t become the norm since I’ve never been big on the Marvel Universe figures I have because I have the same problem getting good poses out of that hip construction.
That being said, I love the stylized look of these guys and it’s a very cool departure from the standard ninja look.
I agree. Keep the metal t-bars, that’s the only element of the modern era Joe figures that is shared with their forbears.
I just got my set today I’m pretty happy with even though I had a renegades duke this set is pretty good with the animation style ninjas.
I agree this type of hip articulation is not optimal. Otherwise this is a great looking figure and i like the stylized, angular sculpt. It does have a nice Sigma Six feel to it, and I’d also like to see that Sigma Suited diver sculpt see release someday.
I’m not sure I knew this figure existed before now.
Hey, Rob, quick question…I’m sure the Duke doesn’t have the different hip articulation, but what about Storm Shadow (I’m assuming yes since the photos I’ve seen make it look like they share the same mold) and Snake Eyes?
Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow do have the same ball joint hips. Duke does not.
Excellent figure!
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All future 4″ Joes should have these hips, and rocker ankles.