Viper (G.I. Joe)
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A Viper is the code-name given to a large majority of the soldiers/troops in the Cobra Organization, which are found in the G.I. Joe A Real American Hero universe. For the most part the code name Viper is followed or preceded by their area of expertise. The first figure to receive the designation Viper was the Viper Pilot (included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider) in 1983.[1]
Beginning in 1986, most Cobra troops began adding the code name Viper. However in 1985 Hasbro released the Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications)[2] alongside other Cobra troops without the Viper designation such as the Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault)[3] and the Eel (Cobra Frogman).[4] But for the most part since then, Cobra Troops, including drivers/pilots, have had the Viper code name attached to their area of expertise.
Until 1986 the Cobra Soldier was the infantry trooper for Cobra[5], then Hasbro released the Cobra Infantry trooper, code name: Vipers.[6] The Viper's uniform featured a black flak jacket and a mirrored mask that resembled the battle mask worn by the Cobra Commander.[7][8] This figure was later released both as part of the Python Patrol and Sonic Fighters sub-lines of G.I. Joe in alternate colors. [9][10] In 1994 a new standard infantry Viper figure was released with an all-new look (purple armor with gas mask).[11] In the G.I. Joe comic book series published by Marvel this version of the Viper was portrayed as being a yellow/gold color.[12] This new uniform did not last long however and Cobra has since returned to the more familiar Viper look for it's standard Vipers.
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[edit] List of Viper Variations
- Aero-Viper (Condor Z25 Pilot)
- A.V.A.C. (Air-Viper: Air Corps; Firebat Pilot)
- Alley-Viper (Cobra Urban Assault Trooper)
- Astro-Viper (Cobranaut)
- Bio-Viper (Mega-Monster)
- Cobra Officer (Cobra Squad Leader)
- Cobra Trooper (Cobra Basic Infantry)
- Cyber-Viper (Cybernetic Officer)
- Fast Blast-Viper (Field Combat)
- Flak-Viper (Cobra Anti-Aircraft Trooper)
- Frag-Viper (Cobra Grenade Thrower)
- Gyro-Viper (Mamba Pilot)
- Heat-Viper (Cobra Bazooka Trooper)
- Heli-Viper (Cobra Battle Copter Trooper)
- Hydro-Viper aka "Demons of the Deep"* (Cobra Underwater Elite Trooper)
- Ice-Viper* (Cobra WOLF Driver)
- Jungle-Viper(Jungle Assault Trooper)
- Kitchen Viper (mentioned in comic only. Never actually seen)
- Laser-Viper (Cobra Laser Trooper)
- Medi-Viper (Medical Trooper)
- Mega-Viper (Mega-Monster Trainer)
- Monstro-Viper (Mega-Monster)
- Motor-Viper (Cobra Stun Pilot)
- Neo-Viper (Officer/Infantryman)
- Neo-Viper Commander (Neo-Viper Leader)
- Night-Viper (Cobra Night Fighter)
- Ninja-Viper (Martial Arts)
- Nitro-Viper (Detonator Driver
- Pit-Viper (Infiltration Trooper)
- Range-Viper (Cobra Wilderness Trooper)
- Red Ninja-Viper (Ninja Warrior)
- Rock-Viper (Cobra Mountain Trooper)
- Sand-Viper (Desert Infiltrator)
- S.A.W.-Viper (Cobra Heavy Machine Gunner)
- Secto-Viper (Cobra Bugg Driver)
- Shadow-Viper (Counter Intelligence)
- Shock-Viper (Fire Assault Trooper)
- Sludge-Viper (Cobra Hazardous Waste Viper)
- Star-Viper (Cobra Stellar Stiletto Pilot)
- Strato-Viper (Cobra Night Raven S³P Pilot)
- Sub-Viper (Underwater Demolitions)
- Techno-Viper (Cobra Battlefield Technician)
- Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications)
- Toxo-Viper (Cobra Hostile Environment Trooper)
- Track-Viper (HiSS II Driver)
- Viper (Cobra Infantry)
- Viper Guard (Cobra Infantry)
- Viper Pilot (Attack Glider Pilot)
It should be noted that the Ice and Hydro-Viper types are actually part of the Cobra Eels/Snow Serpents.[13][14] How it is that these troops are "Vipers" and yet part of a non-Viper unit has never been explained by Hasbro.
[edit] Python Patrol
Python Patrol is a codename given to a subgroup of Vipers and other Cobra troops whose uniforms have undergone the "pythonization" process.[15] This renders their uniforms immune to radar and other forms of electronic detection. The unit has been led by both Copperhead and Major Bludd. In one instance, Zarana leads a unit on an attack on Joe H.Q.
[edit] Vipers in Python Patrol:
- Python H.E.A.T.-Viper
- Python Laser-Viper
- Python Rock-Viper
- Python S.A.W.-Viper
- Python Tele-Viper
- Python Viper
[edit] Others
[edit] Night Stalkers
The Night Stalker are a cadre of female Cobra Vipers recruited to serve as a commando force to strike at various installations since their body frame are lighter, they wouldn't need to carry a lot of military gear or body armor.[16]
[edit] Confusion
Ever since Hasbro released the standard Viper in 1986 there has been some confusion as to what the Viper's purpose is within the Cobra Command as opposed to that of the basic Cobra Troopers. Both characters are listed as being "Infantry" and as being at the "bottom" of the Cobra hierarchy.
Some fans have assumed that the Vipers were meant to replace the more generic Cobra Troopers from before however the Cobra Troopers would continue to appear in both the G.I. Joe comic books, cartoon series and eventually the action figure line alongside Vipers. Other fans speculate that the Vipers and Troopers are actually one and the same and their difference in appearance is chalked up to there being different divisions of Cobra Infantry. This position seems to be further backed up by a G.I. Joe collector card featuring the artwork for the basic Cobra Trooper but the name and file info of the standard Viper.[17]
In 1998 Hasbro released a "Cobra Infantry Team" 3-pack in in which both the Cobra Troopers and Officer were simply repaints of the 1986 Cobra Viper.[18] While this may suggest to some that Vipers are Troopers are indeed the same thing the filecard suggests otherwise:
"The Cobra Troopers are the most basic, bottom-of-the-barrel soldiers in the Cobra regime. They have to work their way up to even become Vipers".[19]
This text would be repeated on further filecards included with Cobra Trooper figures.[20] With this being the official word from Hasbro, some fans rationalize that the Vipers are maybe more like Cobra's version of the Marines. That being that they are still basic troops but more elite than the regular Cobra Troopers.
Other fans believe the Vipers are more along the lines of Cobra's version of the Army Rangers, while the Blueshirts are more like standard Army.
[edit] References
- ^ Viper Pilot Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications) Retrieved on January 6, 2008.
- ^ Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Eel (Cobra Frogman) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Cobra Soldier Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper (Cobra Infantry) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Cobra Commander Figure (Battle Mask) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper Figure (Original) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper Figure (Python Patrol) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper Figure (Sonic Fighters) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper Figure (Battle Corps) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ G.I. Joe Vol. 1 #145 Cover Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Ice-Viper (Cobra Wold Driver) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Hydro-Viper (Cobra Underwater Elite Trooper) Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ G.I. Joe Vol. 1 #88 Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Cobra Trooper (Version Seven). Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ Viper Collector Card Retrieved on January 6, 2008.
- ^ Cobra Infantry Team Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ 1998 Cobra Trooper Filecard Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
- ^ 2004 Cobra Trooper Filecard Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
[edit] See also
- Cobra Organization
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
- List of G.I. Joe ARAH characters
- List of Cobra characters
[edit] External links
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