For those unfamiliar: I used to take random pictures here and there, but by the time the Rise of Cobra toys came out, I was getting annoying with how much people had been bashing the figures which were clearly better than the previous 25th Anniversary offerings. I set out to show people how awesome they were, and things went from there, forming into "Alexx Shorts", named so because I thought I was going to keep to a short format with a few pictures. I did not do that.
One of those figures that wouldn't have survived childhood:
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Why the heck do I love this guy? He looks fantastic, but he's kinda restricted! He's not gona be doing much else but falling with all that sweet looking gear, though, he's got some flippers so he can deftly handle the water (should he fall into some). Beyond that, though, if you strip him of all his gear, he looks totally unprepared! Granted, I've got extra webgear to throw on 'em, but I kinda wish there were other ways to put on that gear he comes with.
But MAN, who cares!? Look at him! He's awesome! Here's the question though: You bought him already, possibly a few of them. Should you get another?
UH, yeah. Much, much better colors this time around. Granted, if you already bought a few of the others, you might not find as much reason to get this one. However, why not just get one to lead the others? Here's the deal:
You get all the cool stuff that the original came with; no problems there. Nothing to miss out on! BUT WAIT....there's something else in the package! What...what is that? OMG IT'S A HELE-PACK!
That's right folks, it's a helecopter pack! Man, I love these things! They are so crazy, and this one takes the cake! There's barely any believeable way to ride this thing, given...ya know...physics, but I still love it!
You'll notice that's why this version has a hole in the back of the pack (messing up that cool cobra symbol). That's not the only way to ride this pony, though!
Yeah, that's what those handles are for! I think. Anyway, it's like a quick-drop drone! Of course, it's still got that giant backside back there (that also...fires a missile?) so the physics got the drop on this guy, but like I said earlier: who cares!? I love this thing!
Anyway, lets get back to the figure. There's one drawback to this version over the first, and it may just be a screw-up on my figure (haven't checked others, yet).
You'll notice that the extra clips on the leg have switched legs! The clips on the RoC version are over on the side with the knife, which gets in the way slightly when the knife is in the sheath, Kinda annoying, but a very small thing.
Other than that, just like with the first one, you've got a great figure underneath all that gear!
As you can see, once he's landed, he's got a few options! Shoot, snipe, or cut some suckas! He can even block with those wicked arm-guard-air-wing-things he's got going on. Or, if he lands in water:
He can, um, swim! He's got flippers, you know. I don't know how this works, but I'd assume he'd have to strip some of that gear off before going for a dip. Heck if I know, though! Someone will probably come in and tell me what's what (take that, research! I didn't get a D in that class for nothin')!
So, in the end, I don't see a reason to skip this fine figure. He's still awesome, but more-so with his new heli-pack and kickass colorscheme. On top of that, if you already stocked up on the first one, this guy still offers something in the way of a command-type color scheme, or whatever different colors would indicate. Get 'em when you see 'em!
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I agree with Past Alexx's opening statement: Why do I love this guy? I usually like posablity, and this guy is very restricted. If he's gona be locked up like this, I'd at least like a jetpack!
...oh wait, there's a heli-pack/drone thing.
Okay, forget that: There's no questions here! This is a badass figure. The gear is cool, the figure underneath is cool, and like I had said, he works as a command-type if you had bought a lot of the 25th Para-Vipers. If I had to disagree with Past Alexx, it's that the black and red feels a little generic to me nowadays, and the 25th Para-Viper's weird purple and yellow feels much more interesting. More...Cobra-ish, I suppose. Then again, I grew up with 90's Joes, so the bright colors are gona draw my eye. At least...now they do. Now sure what has changed between 2009 and now.
Hopefully this one is still on people's radar, 'cause he's unique! I don't think there have been any more Cobras like him, so snap 'em up if you run across one. They're still pretty cool!
He's a nice idea, but I prefer the Retaliation Paratroopers in their various forms (The Trooper and 3-pack Invasion Trooper) due to them having better gear for once they hit the ground (and that Parachute).
ReplyDeleteI think the Para Viper turned up in the IDW-verse comics.
Can't argue there! They really hit the sweet spot between good paratrooper gear and posablility.
DeleteI remember wanting this one based on this very review but I don't think I *EVER* saw one in person.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think I ever saw more than the one!
DeleteCOBRAESQUE 3
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU.
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