I have unfortunately been sitting on this figure and this review for quite a while as other things just continued to come up in the world of G.I. Joe. But with Sideshow Collectibles letting out rumors that they would be revealing a potential new G.I. Joe item this week, I thought it was a good time to get this review posted!
I was already working on a Cobra Viper review myself when Mysterious Stranger sent his in to me, so I figured we’d do the best of both worlds and just team up on the thing. We each provided images, we each provided text, and the end result can be found in my Sideshow Collectibles review category and also at the link below. Enjoy!
Technically, the proper term is PALS, or (P)ouch (A)ttachment (L)adder (S)ystem, rather than MOLLE, which is a specific range of kit utilising the PALS if I understand correctly.
As for the vest itself, being a collector who’s divided his attention fairly evenly between the 1/18th Joes and the more realistic 1/6th military figures over the last few years, I have to say that assembling the vest is nowhere near as frustrating as SSC’s quality control, as the PALS loops tend to tear straight through the stitches with minimum effort.
One more note of interest: The vest that SSC provided the Viper figure with is a real-life design, specifically the S.O. Tech *VIPER* plate carrier:
http://specopstech.com/osc/popup_printing.php?pID=1963&from=product_info&page=
The “modern rifle” is a Remington ACR which grew out of Magpul’s Masada rifle.
http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Carbines/ACR.aspx
I love the Sideshow Joes, but I have an understanding with my better half that faceless army builder releases are never part of the equation.
I think this one exemplifies the difference in tastes I have with the fans who are loving the sideshow stuff. I understand the project they are trying to accomplish includes infusing realistic details. But this is another fine example, imo, of the designer not really knowing what to do. The changes like the “Viper” vest Jester pointed out (definitely a cool detail, thanks!) are positively good ways to make something updated. But I can’t wrap my head around the reasoning behind making the sides of the helmet extend more toward the front nor the decision to pad the fronts of the legs. Both of those details look awful to me and detract giant points where they could have just gone with the vintage look. Now, I understand that this is not meant to be the vintage look. But since they also did not accomplish a look that is new, modern, nor aesthetically “cool” with either of those details, it just tends to scream “as long as it doesn’t look like the vintage design, it is good.” It feels like a slap in the face to anyone who liked the vintage design. And the boots are worse. There have been much cheaper options for 12″ Joes at retail made directly by Hasbro. The difference with the Sideshow stuff is that they incorporate a lot more detail which is reflected in the cost. If this is not the time for the spare-no-expense approach, then when? How much would new boots have added to the final price? Are Sideshow figures so low cost that another $20 would really turn their customers away? How much for better elbows? I think they should just charge another $50-100 if needed and make it more worth buying. As it is, it feels like a half-hearted attempt when I am looking for premium format figures to go the extra mile.
Thanks for the reviews, guys. I was happy to give it another chance based on your recommendations. But it looks like Sideshow just isn’t for me.
I think the shin-plates on the boots can be pulled off if you’ve a mind to (I’ve seen several collectors do this), and I can’t see what’s wrong with the elbows. They can bend enough that the the forearms can lie flat against the upper arms, something beyond the capability of the bench-mark True-Type body by Hot Toys. No, if there’s a problem with the Prometheus body-type it’s the wonky knees, or the articulation-nullifying hard plastic boot-feet SSC seems to favour, but the elbows seem perfectly functional.
As for the helmet, what exactly constitutes the “correct” shape, if there is such a thing, seems open to interpretation. The card artwork for the original 1985 figure shows a very wide, rounded design, while the head of the figure itself is much more boxy-looking, with more recent designs, particularly the reworked head for the 25th Anniversary Viper, later re-used for the “modernised” PoC/30th Anniversary Viper, being much more angular, with the cheek-guards and face-plate extending much further and coming to pronounced points, and it’s this iteration that SSC’s Viper seems to take its cues from.
I never did understand the padding on the pants. It would have made more sense to put the pads on the outside, so at least they could serve as protection should the Vipers ever ride motorcycles.
Also, that rappel harness looks a little off. The buckle is too flimsy to hold weight, while the leg straps seem, hmm, well, let’s just say that if ever used then the Viper won’t be having any kids any time soon.
Finally, those red sticks aren’t flares. They’re glow sticks. Handy things to have to mark cleared rooms in urban combat.
The Nalgene bottles confuse me. They’re great for hiking, but awkward when carrying a combat load.
All in all, an interesting figure (especially with the Russian tanker helmet), but not one I’d be rushing out to buy.
All in all, an interesting figure, but