Many collectors are nostalgic for the old blue Cobra troopers and officers. Those guys mean Cobra. While they are kind of cool to have around, they weren't much in the way of opposition to the newly equipped Joes. In fact, those '82 and '83 issue figures look rather paltry to the Joe fare that had been introduced by 1986. In 1985, the Cobra ranks swelled with specialty troopers. It was finally time for a new basic infantry trooper for Cobra. We were given the Viper. He had an ultra modern design with an awesome assault rifle and an infantry pack. At long last, Cobra troopers were fully equipped to handle the new generation of Joes.

The Viper was the beginning of a long line of cool Cobras. At the time he came out, I desperately wanted one. When I finally got one, I used him all the time. As the years went by, though, his red and blue color scheme didn't do it for me anymore. The Viper was relegated to backup roles as newer, better colored Cobras started taking his place in infantry battles. Of all his variations, the 1998 Cobra Infantry team (Sure the filecards have them lower than Vipers, but I use them as the basic Cobra infantry troops and they look much, much better in dioramas and such. I never put much stock in other people's characterizations anyways. That's why Joe was so enduring to me.) is the best. The Python Viper is a much better painted figure than this and has much more action time in my collection. I also use the Range Viper as the basic Cobra troop. For whatever reason, I just don't like the '86 Viper. The mold is awesome, but the colors just don't look good. (Of course, I'm known for liking many of the later neon figures. Why this guy seems so ugly to me is really a mystery.) I think after seeing what they could have done with him, I've become disillusioned about this figure. The other Viper incarnations are so good that this guy seems pale by comparison.

Still, this guy holds an important distinction in Joe history. He kept Cobra from becoming too specialized an enemy. While the good old blues faded away after his introduction, the Viper was a good solid soldier that was a formidable opponent to the new Joes. After disappointing years in both 1987 and 1988, Cobra was really in need of this guy. Of course, the awesome '89's ended the Viper's run. I think part of the collector sentiment about this guy is that he is really the only link between the immortal '85 line and the '89 Cobras. In between, there was this guy and maybe a case could be made for the Iron Grenadier, though he wasn't really Cobra. Since he came out in a time full of so few good Cobra figures, I think the sentimentality for the Viper is high. That would also explain his high degree of popularity.

Vipers are expensive. I don't think they are worth the price they fetch, but many people do like this figure and want to build massive armies. Personally, I think $15.00 is overkill, especially when you can get a 1998 Cobra Infantry team 3 pack for less than that. Like all Cobra soldiers, though, the Viper is destined to always have built in popularity. Unlike Joe figures that most people are content with one or two of, people always build Viper armies. Hell, I have five of these guys. I, though, don't use them. There are so many other Viper incarnations that work so much better for so many things that this figure sees very little time out of the '86 Cobra drawer. Still, many people really like this figure and will pay for the privelege of owning more than one. As such, be prepared for an easy search, but high price tag for this guy. Again, the Collector's Paradox comes into play. This guy is easy to find, but high in price. It makes no sense, especially with the sheer volume of Vipers that are always readily available.

I don't like this guy. He was fun, but nothing like the later vipers that were introduced into the Cobra ranks. If you don't agree, email me.