Pit Viper (2003)
If you were collecting the relaunched Joe line in its second year and were bummed about the initial figures’ proportions, you may have been impressed with the Pit Viper. The figure isn’t too bad in terms of the length of its arms and legs, although it still seems short in the torso. His pack was also impressive to me thanks to the inclusion of a cool Night Force Duke, complete with articulated wrists and ankles. But this isn’t a Duke review.
I enjoyed the new troop type aspect of the figure as well. The era may not be meant Joe fans’ cup of tea, but I give it points for trying new things in terms of designs and features. Infiltration specialists are a unique addition to Cobra’s forces, and the uniforms have a stealth functionality according to the file card. The look may resemble something out of a modern Marvel comic book, but I believe that was intentional. Just look at the comic style art featured on the packaging to see what I mean.
Not a terrible figure from that style. But, man, did I hate those guns. And, Hasbro used them ALL the time.
I always thought they preferred these guns because the guns have no stock to interfere with how the gun aligns with the forearm. A lot of times a rifle in o-ring Joe’s hand will look off because the stock won’t nuzzle perfectly between elbow and ribs while looking right in the hand. I usually defer to the 2 handed grip for rifle or two rifles, one in each hand, pointed in the air like a crazy person.
He’s one of the few spytroops figures which can wear all the costume peices. this was the first Joe toy i had bought since the 90’s. Hasbro AU tried a relauch with Spytroops and later with R.O.C but both ultimatly failed.
If he were Marvel, he’d be Hydra!
I like that type of AK. I did a good custom with it (on the left in the picture): http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/showimage.php?i=46232&catid=member&imageuser=444
”Could pass off for one of Magneto’s evil X-MEN hechman.”
One of my favourites from the new sculpt era…Like others say, he sure reminds me of a HYDRA soldier…A pity about the crap accessories they gave him.