You know, I just got my G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club newsletter in the mail and was going to sit down and lavish some praise upon the upcoming Pursuit of Cobra HISS Tank, while at the same time lamenting the fact that I can’t show images for copyright purposes…and then the already immortal Gyre-Viper over at HissTank.com goes and not only blasts a ton of HISS pics, but also got his mitts on something nobody has laid eyes on before! It looks to be a Bravo sized miltary type Jeep for the G.I. Joe side, quite possibly to go up against the HISS in the initial wave of Bravo vehicles for the Pursuit of Cobra line.
When I saw these images, two words came immediately to mind, but I try and keep my site somewhat family friendly, so I won’t repeat them here. Needless to say, I’m impressed. Back when this new blog format site fired up, I opined that there could be some really great stuff coming on the vehicle front for G.I. Joe…and while my math was a little bit off, I’m pleased to see that what I hypothosized is finally coming to pass. From first glance, you can immediately see the strong influence of the Sigma 6 2.5″ vehicle “style” only finally done up in the crowd-pleasing 3 3/4″ scale. The modular weapons, the sleek, aerodynamic armor plating, the intricate pseudo-futuristic detailing. These are vehicles worthy of the G.I. Joe name, and for a guy who’s not really into vehicles all that much, I am giddy looking at these images. Good Lord these look cool. Many images are mirrored below.
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Also, a few notes about the HISS, courtesy of the always informative G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club newsletter:
- There are three modes, high-speed, stealth, and moving turret attack mode
- Pressing a button will cause the HISS to “spring up” like a cobra
- Moving treads and the top cannon rotates 360 degrees
- Handgrips under the chassis for Joes to grab onto (inspired by the Pyramid of Darkness cartoon)
- Two opening cockpits, one in front and one that flips down in the back
- Cockpit is opaque, not clear, HISS driver uses cameras to see
- Both cannons rotate independently, but also have a feature that spins them both simultaneously
- Customizable sticker sheets to create a fleet of HISS Tanks with unique identifiers
There is also some terrific concept art and design images, but you’ll have to get your hands on the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club newsletter for that. To join the club, click here!
They look like something from Halo.
I like the jeep, and I’m warming up to the HISS. My problem with the HISS is that it looks like it just lacks play value. No more so than the original, it somewhat improves over it with the gimmicks, but it just doesn’t look as good as the DTC one or the HISS II.
I’m still on the fence with the HISS. It looks kinda cool, but what I love about the DTC HISS and the HISS II is the troop carrying ability. Then again, they are supposed to be fast, and I do consider the HISS II’s to be HISS I support units (now that I have HISS Is). So I suppose this serves the same purpose as the original, but as Nekoman says above, I’m just not looking forward to this because it just doesn’t look like a lot of fun. I have yet to see a joe vehicle that has some sort of pop-up mechanism that is actually any kind of cool beyond hilarious. This one looks alright, and it’s certainly MUCH better than the crazy head pop-up thing that the HISS IV does. Nonetheless, I’m just not sure what the point is. I’ll wait until I see it in person, I think.
The new vamp type vehicle, though is awesome! Lots of places to put people and lots of little accessories ‘n such. Looks great!
I’m digging these, and very surprisingly, liking the look of the Joe vehicle more. Aside from the neon axels, of course.
The HISS looks neat, but I can’t see myself ever using the pop-up. However, I think with the vehicle lowered, it looks pretty menacing. I’m very curious to see final paint apps, of course.
The HISS driver is an amazing amalgam. Again, paint will decide. It shows promise, for sure.
As an aside, I just found (finally) a Night Adder, Arctic Storm Shadow (shirtless) and a black-coat Doctor (Hasbro Toy Shop sent me a white coat) and with this news, I’m a pretty stoked joe fan tonight.
Ho-lee crap.
To say these vehicles are awesome would be a huge understatement.
I was also wondering if Rise of Cobra would ever give their Joes a rapid attack vehicle. That “new VAMP” or whatever it will be called fits the bill perfectly! The driver’s a pretty cool frankenjoe too (whose head is that, fellas?), although I’m a bit sick of those Snow Job arms by now, especially those malformed hands.
Nonetheless, holy crap that new VAMP is the total package. Great vehicle, near-perfect driver, tons of accessories…
Will the driver be Clutch or Crankcase, I wonder.
I also love the new HISS driver. I always thought the CP Destro had a bit of HISS driver in his design, looks like Hasbro noticed too. Are those Battle Armor Cobra Commander arms and legs he’s got?
And the new HISS continues to amaze me. It’s definitely fitting its monicker of “High Speed Sentry” now, rather than looking like a bulky main battle tank!
Seriously loving the new VAMP. It’s like hybridizing all the best parts of the VAMP, the Desert Fox and the Night Ops Humvee into one ass-kicking machine of awesome!
These are looking good but they don’t exactly bowl me over. I’d rather they came up with some new vehicles than redo-ing the HISS and VAMP, I’m happy with my originals. Fresh ideas please!
They are pretty cool vehicles, my only concern are the drivers, why not making completely new figures rather than using 25th anniversary parts? i know making new molds is expensive, but if they are driving gijoe to a new “universe” so to speak, the pursuit of cobra should have completely different figures than the 25th anniversary ones.
I was just worried that my pics would be confusing.
Great pics Gyre-Viper! These are some great, great vehicles….I was planning on picking up a 25th VAMP, but now I might just hold off.
Hey look… more Snow Job arms and legs!
aww well… the new look Vamp looks very cool, but I’m not sure about the HISS. I’ll have to wait to see a finished piece first.
I am liking that VAMP from these pics, as for the HISS for me that is a near must buy. Guess I have a bit of a weird outlook on this but it looks like cobra may finally have a legit ISV(infantry support vehicle).
I can not wait for these to hit the shelves. The HISS is just menacing fast attack tank Cobra needs. The “Vamp” just looks great.
Wow. Especially the Joe-truck. Say hello to the love child of the Hammer and the Sigma 6 Vamp. I wants me one of those.
Very cool pics, thank you! I’m excited about these!
Is the HISS Attack Scout and/or mail-away Cobra Commander’s HISS Drone and battle standard still supposed to connect to this HISS?
I tried everything to get the CC hiss to attach to this big hiss. unfortunately I gave my hiss scout away to someone as a gift…
not realizing I’d get my hands on the big hiss any time soon.
for this i apologize. heheheheh.