Viper (G.I. Joe)

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.
Viper
Affiliation Cobra
Specialty Mainly as infantry, but depends on the specific Viper class
File name Depends on Viper variation
Birthplace 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
Voiced by Various actors
Year introduced 1983

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.

Contents

Toys

The first figure to receive the designation Viper was the Viper Pilot (included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider) in 1983. 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).[1] For the most part since then, most Cobra troops including drivers and 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.[2] 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

^a The Hydro-Vipers are actually part of the Cobra Eels, and the Ice-Vipers are part of the Snow Serpents. How it is that these troops are "Vipers" and yet part of a non-Viper unit has never been explained by Hasbro.

Other Cobra troopers

Python Patrol

Main article: 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

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.

Comics

Marvel Comics

Devil's Due

Vipers are seen working closely with Dreadnoks in Cobra first push to revive in seven years.[6] 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 National Guard relief convoy and distribute the supplies themselves.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

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, there are different types of Vipers:

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 (such as Hydro-Vipers and Toxo-Vipers) appeared as regular enemies in the 1991 G.I. Joe video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unusually for a non-individual, a Range-Viper appeared as a boss in the game.

Vipers also appeared in the game G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor.

Konami released an arcade-only G.I.Joe video game in 1992. Vipers were prominent enemies. [10]

Novels

Cobra Vipers are an important plot element in the G.I. Joe novel 'Divide and Conquer'.[11]

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".[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Santelmo, Vincent (1994). The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994. Krause Publications. p. 105. ISBN 0-87341-301-6. 
  2. ^ Santelmo, Vincent (1994). The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994. Krause Publications. p. 108. ISBN 0-87341-301-6. 
  3. ^ "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" #24 (2003)
  4. ^ G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero vol. 2 #28 (2004)
  5. ^ Fleming, Dan (1996). Powerplay: toys as popular culture. Manchester University Press ND. p. 108. ISBN 071904717X. 
  6. ^ "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #1 (2001)
  7. ^ "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #3 (2002)
  8. ^ "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" Vol 2. #4 (2002)
  9. ^ Amazon.com link
  10. ^ http://www.yojoe.com/archive/games/arcade.shtml
  11. ^ Becker, Margot (1988). Divide And Conquer. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-35095-2. 
  12. ^ Casablanca, Rayo (2008). 6 Sick Hipsters. Kensington Publishing Corp.. p. 61. ISBN 9780758222831. 

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