Shadow Viper (2001)
Shadow Vipers are described on the file card as infiltration and espionage specialists, but come on, we all know this is still the Astro-Viper, of the Cobra astronaut corps.
Also according to the file card, they cover themselves in powder in order to pass undetected during infiltration. Really? So that’s not a space-based EVA pack on his back? I assume then that they fly around in their little backpacks like evil Jetsons characters. Hopefully the jet noise is silenced so they don’t blow their cover. Wait, I forgot about the inviso-powder. Excuse me while I blow my drink out my nose. This is just one of the more non-sensical examples of the 2000-2001 series’ odd renamings, reinventions and character mold changes.
On a positive note, the paint scheme is fantastic. The dark and mutedcolors and paint wash bring out the detail on an already great mold. Including all of the original accessories was wonderful, especially considering that the Star Brigade version did not have any of the first figure’s awesome EVA backpack. As a Shadow Viper, it’s ridiculous; as an Astro-Viper, it’s awesome.
The color scheme on this figure does work better than the 1988 version. There were so many old figures released with new names and/or paint jobs around 2000 that I lost count at one point. Some, like ’83 Snow Job and Torpedo or ’84 Roadblock being passed off as new characters seemed awfully lame to me, but on guys like the Astro-Viper it made a bit more sense.
Figure names aside, the 200-2001 figures are some of my favorites. I was kind of dissapointed when they switched to the new scuplts in 2002.
Nice colors!
I liked these figures, and thought they had a lot of potential…. Too bad Cobra never got a toy space shuttle to battle it out with the Defian and the Crusader!
The Stilleto was ok, but not what I would call a match for the Joe team’s spacecraft…
Don’t forget the Cobra Invader/POGO from ’93!
Odd choice for the limited selection of figures from that series.
The Pogo seems more realistic to me as a space vehicle. I can easily see it as an emergency escape pod for a Cobra base or space ship.
I like the repainted Astro Viper, but the idea of these figures being Shadow Vipers is ludicrous.