Viper (G.I. Joe): Difference between revisions
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==Toys== |
==Toys== |
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The first figure to receive the designation Viper was the Viper Pilot (included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider) in 1983. Beginning in 1986, most Cobra troops began adding the code name Viper. However in 1985 Hasbro released the Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications) alongside other Cobra troops without the Viper designation such as the Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault) and the Eel (Cobra Frogman). For the most part since then, Cobra Troops, including drivers/pilots, have had the Viper code name attached to their area of expertise. The Cobra Soldier figure was the standard infantry trooper for Cobra, until 1986 when Hasbro released the Cobra Viper figure. The Viper's uniform featured a black flak jacket and a mirrored mask that resembled the battle mask worn by [[Cobra Commander]]. This figure was later released both as part of the Python Patrol and Sonic Fighters sub-lines of G.I. Joe in alternate colors, in 1989 and 1990 respectively. |
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The first figure to receive the designation Viper was the Viper Pilot (included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider) in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/83/viperpilot.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Viper Pilot|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> |
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In 1994 a new standard infantry Viper figure was released with an all-new look (purple armor with gas mask). In the G.I. Joe comic book series published by Marvel this version of the Viper was portrayed as being a yellow/gold color. This new uniform did not last long however and Cobra has since returned to the more familiar Viper look for its standard Vipers. |
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Beginning in 1986, most Cobra troops began adding the code name Viper. However in 1985 Hasbro released the Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/85/televiper.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Tele Viper|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> alongside other Cobra troops without the Viper designation such as the Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/85/snowserpent.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Snow Serpent|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> and the Eel (Cobra Frogman).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/85/eels.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Eels|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> But for the most part since then, Cobra Troops, including drivers/pilots, have had the Viper code name attached to their area of expertise. |
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The Cobra Soldier figure was the standard infantry trooper for Cobra,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/82/cobra.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Cobra|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> until 1986 when Hasbro released the Cobra Viper figure.<ref name="viper86">{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/86/viper.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Filecard Gallery - Viper (1986)|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> The Viper's uniform featured a black flak jacket and a mirrored mask that resembled the battle mask worn by [[Cobra Commander]].<ref name="viper86"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/82/cobracommander.shtml|title= YOJOE.COM Cobra Commander|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> This figure was later released both as part of the Python Patrol and Sonic Fighters sub-lines of G.I. Joe in alternate colors, in 1989 and 1990 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/89/pythonviper.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Python Viper|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/90/viper3.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Viper (1990)|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> In 1994 a new standard infantry Viper figure was released with an all-new look (purple armor with gas mask).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/94/viper4.shtml|title=YOJOE.COM Viper (1994)|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> In the G.I. Joe comic book series published by Marvel this version of the Viper was portrayed as being a yellow/gold color.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/comics/joe/joe145.shtml|title=G.I. Joe Comic Book Archive - G.I. Joe (vol. 1) #145|accessdate=2009-03-11}}</ref> This new uniform did not last long however and Cobra has since returned to the more familiar Viper look for its standard Vipers. |
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===List of Viper Variations=== |
===List of Viper Variations=== |
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* '''Viper Pilot''' - Attack Glider Pilot |
* '''Viper Pilot''' - Attack Glider Pilot |
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{{note|a|a}}The Lampreys, Ice-Vipers, and Hydro-Vipers are actually part of the Cobra Eels/Snow Serpents. |
{{note|a|a}}The Lampreys, Ice-Vipers, and Hydro-Vipers are actually part of the Cobra Eels/Snow Serpents. How it is that these troops are "Vipers" and yet part of a non-Viper unit has never been explained by Hasbro. |
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===Python Patrol=== |
===Python Patrol=== |
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Python Patrol is a codename given to a subgroup of Vipers and other Cobra troops whose uniforms have undergone the "pythonization" process. |
Python Patrol is a codename given to a subgroup of Vipers and other Cobra troops whose uniforms have undergone the "pythonization" process. This renders their uniforms immune to radar and other forms of electronic detection. The unit has been led by both [[Copperhead (G.I. Joe)|Copperhead]] and Major Bludd. In one instance, [[Zarana]] leads a unit on an attack on G.I. Joe's headquarters, the Pit. |
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====Vipers in Python Patrol==== |
====Vipers in Python Patrol==== |
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===Others=== |
===Others=== |
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====Night Stalkers==== |
====Night Stalkers==== |
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The Night Stalkers are a cadre of female Cobra Vipers recruited to serve as a commando force to strike at various installations. Since their body frames are lighter, they don't need to carry a lot of military gear or body armor. |
The Night Stalkers are a cadre of female Cobra Vipers recruited to serve as a commando force to strike at various installations. Since their body frames are lighter, they don't need to carry a lot of military gear or body armor. |
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===Confusion=== |
===Confusion=== |
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Ever since Hasbro released the standard Viper in 1986 there has been some confusion as to what the Vipers' 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. |
Ever since Hasbro released the standard Viper in 1986 there has been some confusion as to what the Vipers' 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. |
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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. |
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. While this may suggest to some that Vipers and Troopers are indeed the same thing, the filecard suggests otherwise: |
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"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". |
"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". |
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This text would be repeated on further filecards included with Cobra Trooper figures. |
This text would be repeated on further filecards included with Cobra Trooper figures. |
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==Comics== |
==Comics== |
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Revision as of 19:19, 5 April 2011
| Viper | |
|---|---|
| G.I. Joe character | |
 Cobra Viper figure released in 2008. He is armed with an assault rifle and equipped with a Cobra-made assault vest and domed helmet. | |
| First appearance | 1983 |
| Voiced by | Various actors |
| In-universe information | |
| Affiliation | Cobra |
| Specialty | Mainly as infantry, but depends on the specific Viper class |
| File name | Depends on Viper variation |
| Birth place | Depends on Viper variation |
| SN | Depends on Viper variation |
| Rank | Depends on Viper variation |
| Primary MOS | Depends on Viper variation |
| Secondary MOS | Depends on Viper variation |
| Series | All series, including cartoons and comics |
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.
Toys
The first figure to receive the designation Viper was the Viper Pilot (included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider) in 1983. Beginning in 1986, most Cobra troops began adding the code name Viper. However in 1985 Hasbro released the Tele-Viper (Cobra Communications) alongside other Cobra troops without the Viper designation such as the Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault) and the Eel (Cobra Frogman). For the most part since then, Cobra Troops, including drivers/pilots, have had the Viper code name attached to their area of expertise. The Cobra Soldier figure was the standard infantry trooper for Cobra, until 1986 when Hasbro released the Cobra Viper figure. The Viper's uniform featured a black flak jacket and a mirrored mask that resembled the battle mask worn by Cobra Commander. This figure was later released both as part of the Python Patrol and Sonic Fighters sub-lines of G.I. Joe in alternate colors, in 1989 and 1990 respectively.
In 1994 a new standard infantry Viper figure was released with an all-new look (purple armor with gas mask). In the G.I. Joe comic book series published by Marvel this version of the Viper was portrayed as being a yellow/gold color. This new uniform did not last long however and Cobra has since returned to the more familiar Viper look for its standard Vipers.
List of Viper Variations
- Aero-Viper - Condor Z25 Pilot
- Air Devil - Acrobatic Aerial Assault Trooper
- Air-Viper - Cobra Air Force Trainee
- A.V.A.C. - Air-Viper, Advanced Class; Firebat Pilot
- Alley-Viper - Cobra Urban Assault Trooper
- Astro-Viper - Cobranaut
- Bio-Viper - Mega-Monster
- Cobra C.L.A.W.S. - Combat Light Armored Weapons Specialist; Heavy Weapons Trooper
- Cobra Coils - High Speed Pursuit Vehicle Drivers; Cobra Tread Fire Driver
- Cobra Officer - Cobra Squad Leader
- Cobra Trooper - Cobra Basic Infantry
- Cyber-Viper - Cybernetic Officer
- Desert Scorpion - Cobra Desert Trooper
- Desert-Viper - Cobra Desert Trooper
- 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-Vipera - Cobra Underwater Elite Trooper. Also known as the "Demons of the Deep"
- Ice-Vipera - Cobra WOLF Driver
- Jungle-Viper - Jungle Assault Trooper
- Kitchen Viper - They are mentioned in the comics only. The are never actually seen. Judging by their name, it is assumed that they work in Cobra's mess hall.
- Lampreya - Cobra Moray Hydrofoil Pilot
- Laser-Viper - Cobra Laser Trooper
- Medi-Viper - Medical Trooper.[1]
- 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
- Raptor-Viper[2] -
- 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 [3]
- Swamp-Viper - Amphibious Assault Trooper
- Sub-Viper - Underwater Demolitions
- Techno-Viper - Cobra Battlefield Technician
- Tele-Viper - Cobra Communications
- Toxo-Viper - Cobra Hostile Environment Trooper
- Track-Viper - H.I.S.S. II Driver
- Viper - Cobra Infantry
- Viper Guard - Cobra Infantry
- Viper Pilot - Attack Glider Pilot
^a The Lampreys, Ice-Vipers, and Hydro-Vipers are actually part of the Cobra Eels/Snow Serpents. How it is that these troops are "Vipers" and yet part of a non-Viper unit has never been explained by Hasbro.
Python Patrol
Python Patrol is a codename given to a subgroup of Vipers and other Cobra troops whose uniforms have undergone the "pythonization" process. 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 G.I. Joe's headquarters, the Pit.
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 -
Others
Night Stalkers
The Night Stalkers are a cadre of female Cobra Vipers recruited to serve as a commando force to strike at various installations. Since their body frames are lighter, they don't need to carry a lot of military gear or body armor.
Confusion
Ever since Hasbro released the standard Viper in 1986 there has been some confusion as to what the Vipers' 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.
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. While this may suggest to some that Vipers and 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".
This text would be repeated on further filecards included with Cobra Trooper figures.
Comics
Marvel Comics
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2010) |
Devil's Due
Vipers are seen working closely with Dreadnoks in Cobra first push to revive in seven years.[4] They then work closely with Iron Grenadiers. In a push to claim power in America, Cobra forces have used microscopic nanites to attack everything from communication systems to random citizenry. Vipers and Cobra allies are presented as 'saviours', but they are simply outright killers, for example they murder every member of a Nation Guard relief convoy and distribute the supplies themselves.[5] Vipers are part of the forces that march on the White House; it is defended by a multi-military effort, which include several Joe soldiers. The Vipers kill many, including multiple Joe rookies (collectively called 'Greenshirts'). With behind-the-scenes efforts, Cobra is soon routed.[6]
A Viper becomes swept up in the events of the alternate universe series, G.I.Joe Vs. Transformers 2. As with other prominent Joe and Cobra characters, he agres to help rescue time-stranded Transformers. Failure means non-existence for all humans. [7]
Cartoons
Sunbow
The various Cobra soldiers of the 80's were featured in G.I. Joe. The Cobra Vipers made their first animated appearance in Arise Serpentor Arise!, which began the second season of the Sunbow-produced series. They were used as the common infantry for the remainder of the season, primarily replacing the blue and black masked Cobra soldiers of the first season (although those soldiers would still appear from time to time).
Different voice actors did the voices for the Cobra Soldiers, Cobra Troopers, Strato-Vipers, and Tele-Vipers: Jack Angel, Michael Bell, Arthur Burghardt, Peter Cullen, Pat Fraley, Buster Jones, Chris Latta, Bill Ratner, and Frank Welker.
DiC
Following G.I. Joe: The Movie, in the DIC run of cartoons, the main silver-faceplated Cobra Vipers were replaced by various branches of Vipers (such as Range-Vipers and Laser-Vipers).
Techno-Vipers and Hydro-Vipers were only featured (cartoon-wise) in the commercials since the 80s Sunbow cartoon had finished its production by the time their figures were released.
G.I. Joe: Resolute
The Cobra Soldiers appear in G.I. Joe: Resolute.
G.I. Joe: Renegades
In G.I. Joe: Renegades, the Bio-Vipers are featured. The Bio Vipers are liquidated monsters created by Doctor Mindbender from experimented plants. After Doctor Mindbender's lab was blown up, one Bio Viper managed to survive and make its way to a farm town. The Bio-Vipers show weaknesses to explosions and weed killer. The Bio-Vipers have been upgraded by Doctor Mindbender to include Bio-Dampening chips which made them smarter, but left them vulnerable to head shots.
In "The Enemy of My Enemy," the Mecha-Vipers are introduced. They are a type of Bio-Viper that wears the exo-armors developed by M.A.R.S. Industries lacking both the reckless aggression that plagued earlier exo-armors and the vulnerabilities of the Bio-Vipers.
In "Whiteout", the Shadow Vipers are introduced. The Shadow Vipers are a black-colored version of the Bio Vipers. Using the siphoning of Tomax and Xamot's abilities, Doctor Mindbender creates the Shadow Vipers to obey Storm Shadow's command. The Shadow Vipers can materialize any part of them into ninja weapons.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Neo-Vipers were nano-enhanced Cobra troopers. They were soldiers who were enhanced with Nanomites by The Doctor. These enhancements removed their self-preservation insticnts and their sense of pain, and made them completely obedient to Cobra.
The ranks of Cobra Vipers originally consisted mostly of mercenaries and criminals, however after the completion of all of Cobra's nano experimentation Neo-Vipers may have mostly consisted of kidnapped soldiers from around the world. 20 mercenaries were selected for the painful series of injections and the ones who didn't die from their pain were turned into the ultimate super soldiers.
Each subject was injected with 1,000 CCs of Nanomite solution which left a small scar in the shape of a small cobra's head (all nano injected members of Cobra bear this mark, this also includes Baroness, Zartan, and much later Destro). After injection specially designed nanomites both attack and rewire the subject's central nervous system, making the subject completely under the absolute control of their controller (the only exception to this was Zartan who had destroyed the neural controlling nanomites before he was injected).
Video games
Some Vipers (like Hydro-Vipers and Toxo-Vipers) appeared as regular enemies in the 1991 G.I. Joe video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (they also appeared in G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor).
Novels
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2010) |
Cobra Vipers are an important plot element in the G.I.Joe novel 'Divide and Conquer'.[8]
Other works
A Viper figure is briefly featured in the fiction novel 6 Sick Hipsters. In the story, the character Paul Achting spent four years collecting G.I. Joe figures to set up a battle scene between the Joes and Cobra. As he imagined the characters in his head, he observed the "core of Cobra Command" atop an oak toy chest, high above the thick shag carpet, while a nearby Viper, "one of many similarly dressed infantrymen, stood at the ready alongside a ragged copy of The Haunted Spy".[9]
See also
References
- ^ "G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero" #24 (2003)
- ^ "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #28 (2004)
- ^ Fleming, Dan (1996). Powerplay: toys as popular culture. Manchester University Press ND. p. 108. ISBN 071904717X.
- ^ "G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #1 (2001)
- ^ "G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #3 (2002)
- ^ "G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #4 (2002)
- ^ Amazon.com link
- ^ Becker, Margot (1988). Divide And Conquer. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-35095-2.
- ^ Casablanca, Rayo (2008). 6 Sick Hipsters. Kensington Publishing Corp. p. 61. ISBN 9780758222831.