Star Viper (1988)
Star Vipers hold the distinction of being surgically altered to be more effective at piloting their spacecraft. I just can’t see the draw in joining Cobra, unless you’re really hard up for a job. Between these guys and the Toxo-Vipers, I can only imagine the EEOC and OSHA issues that are going on in the organization. Maybe that’s why Cobra Commander has a cadre of accountants and lawyers at his beck and call in the Crimson Guard.
The Star Vipers piloted the Stellar Stiletto, a small but fearsome looking fighter. I’m trying hard to avoid a shoe joke here, by the way. I’ve always been disappointed that Cobra didn’t have a powerful spacecraft to go up against the Defiant. Maybe the Crusader should have been repainted as a Cobra vehicle instead of a Joe rehash.
This mold has a great sinister and almost robotic look to it, especially the helmet. I like Cobra troops whose helmets evoke Cobra Commander’s. It gives the bad guys a sense of continuity. Seeing the black and gold together sometimes makes me forget that this isn’t a trooper from the Iron Grenadier faction, particularly since it came from the same year that produced the original Iron Grenadier, gold helmeted Destro and Ferret.
He’s not the only surgically-altered trooper–also from 1988, the Hydro-Vipers are surgically altered to withstand great amounts of underwater pressure.
And of course, the chest and arms were used later for 1991’s Major Altitude.
And he never got a new figure until the one that came with the Sand Serpent jet.
And his waist and legs got used for the 2003 Black Dragon troopers from the convention.
I just can’t get behind this figure. He just does nothing for me.
Nice summary, Acer.
I’ve never looked at this figure up close but he does look more like one of Destro’s troops. Red, black and gold? It’s too much of a coincidence. I agree about continuity among mirror mug’s armies, that’s probably why the original ’86 Viper became so popular. I do wish that Star-Viper’s helmet had been removable since Ron Wagner gave the character an equally spooky, almost inhuman look in the comic.
Cool colors.
It’s like Star Viper and Nullifier got their colors switched. Though, I cannot picture this figure in khaki with pink details.
I’ve always had an appreciation for this figure. I really like the design and the red/black/gold combination. Looks more Iron Grenadiers than Cobra and I’ve always thought this was a great figure. Not long after I got the Star Viper with the Stellar Stiletto, I forgot his name. I still used him a great deal and really enjoyed it, but it bothered me not being able to remember his official name. I think this one is an underrated and underappreciated figure.