G.I. Joe Collectors Club "Mission Brazil" 2011 Convention Exclusive
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As usual, along with the standard boxed set, we also get a bunch of exclusive figures that are offered at the Convention itself on a first come, first serve basis. Generally these figures have appealed to a certain core of fandom, but to my personal surprise, didn't often sell out at the show. That was definitely not the case this year, and as such, I haven't yet been able to acquire a Stinger w/ Motor-Viper, so that piece will be absent from the review, at least for the moment. Hopefully I can get one eventually and fill that hole.
But for now, you'll have to be satisfied with the Trigger and Lightning 2-Pack as well as the Water Moccasin, which has a review kindly submitted by GeneralsJoes contributor and fellow co-host of What's on Joe Mind, Beachhead "Mike".
Enjoy!
Lightning (Brazilian Relampago)
When the Collectors' Club announced that they were doing a Special Missions: Brazil vs. Python Patrol convention themed set, it only seemed to make sense that we would get these two guys. After all, they're Brazilian exclusives and they're part of the Python Patrol, so this is pretty much a no brainer. We knew they had the parts due to their release in the 25th Anniversary Line, I think the only question that really remained is how well would they integrate the characters into the universe?
The answer, as we should expect by now, is pretty damn well.
Lightning is really a great figure. I remember when Ripcord (AKA Sgt. Altitude) appeared in the 25th Anniversary line, and many fans didn't seem all that happy about it. Personally, I loved the figure. The way they integrated the Airborne parts and the Wild Bill/Ace parts left us with a figure that had a great flight suit, yet was still very poseable and very much a "ground pounder" if so desired. Since Ripcord was so heavily featured as a special ops ground trooper as well as a HALO jumper in the comic, I loved this. It also helped that I really didn't love the original Ripcord figure, and felt like this one was a huge improvement.
As Lightning, we get the same base parts from head to toe, but done up in a very cool and unique gray Python Patrol deco to match his vintage exclusive version. This integrates him well into the Python Patrol subteam, while avoiding the overly garrish yellow colors that permeate so many of the other figures from this group.
Described as a Python Patrol sniper, Trigger comes with the fantastic sniper rifle that initially was released with the Resolute Zartan, and he comes with a great curved blade knife as well. Both weapons are awesome, though he does have some issues holding the rifle in a sniper pose. One of these days I keep hoping Hasbro will somehow perfect this concept, but it would appear they still have a ways to go.
Lightning is a character that has been somewhat lost in the shuffle amongst many more high profile Brazilian exclusives. I think the Club worked him into this story perfectly, and updated the figure with quality parts and paint apps. A great convention figure and awesome addition to the Python Patrol.
GRADE: 
Trigger (Brazilian Gathilo)
I've said it time and time again... Airborne is one of my all time favorite 25th Anniversary figures. The sculpting was great, his articulation is great, and I really love the mobility of his elbows and the firing position of his hands. It would certainly appear that the Club feels the same way, since they seem to try and work those arms in at every possible chance.
Well in this case it only makes sense, since the original "Gathilo" was an Airborne repaint. Using the old school paint scheme as a template, the Collectors' Club builds on the Airborne tooling with the familiar green, yellow, and black Python Patrol paint scheme. While I'm no huge fan of the bright colors, I can't argue with the idea of making it a vintage homage, and part of me does really like how well it ties in with the Python Troopers.
Trigger comes with a submachine gun, his helmet, a pistol and knife, and is well equipped for jungle combat. The guns are pretty well chosen, and he holds them fairly well in firing positions, which is always a bonus.
I love that his vest is done in the black and red colors, and though that simply mirrors what the original had, I do like how it ties in (at least somewhat) to the Python Patrol vehicle paint scheme. I've always been one who really loved the way the vehicles were painted, but not so much the figures. I loved it when Hasbro went with that black and red paint scheme with their exclusive 6-Pack in 2003, but unfortunately that set has proven to be the exception, not the rule.
Still, even in the gaudy green and yellow, Trigger still looks like a great figure and fits in well with the rest of the Python Patrol motif.
The Club ties both Trigger and Lightning into the Python Patrol Water Moccasin, which is a cool touch, making all of these Brazilian exclusives tie together. Even though the colors don't particularly match, I love the idea and the execution is well done.
The original Brazilian Python Patrol exclusives always made me scratch my head just a bit, as they didn't really fit well together even if they did match the concept of Python Patrol in general. By taking some great queues from the originals, the GIJCC brings them into the modern day and builds some fantastic characters, as they usually do. If you can get these guys at a reasonable price, do it. I don't think you will regret it.
GRADE:
Water Moccasin (a guest review by "Beachhead" Mike)
In 2011, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club re-released the Water Moccasin (this time aptly-named) as a part of its Convention-exclusive “Special Missions: Brazil II” set. This was actually the second re-release of the Water Release; in 2010, Toys R Us was the exclusive retailer for a two-toned-green-with-red-camouflage version that was packaged as the “Sting Raider” and in the Rise of COBRA motif. It included a Copperhead repaint (actually a Python Copperhead repaint; like all the subsequent Copperheads, it’s got the knife sheath and not the holster on its leg) and an AVAC repaint rechristened the “Jungle-Viper.”
Consumers were less than enthusiastic about this version (perhaps because of the odd color scheme of the vehicle, the unremarkableness of its Copperhead and the split-pea greenness of its Jungle-Viper gunner), and it sat on TRU shelves through the 2010 Holiday season until it was clearanced out in the winter of 2011.
A moment of silence and introspection for the repaints left unpurchased by the author.
The GIJCC managed to inject some life into the Water Moccasin Of course, the most obvious difference in this Water Moccasin and the others is its bright red color. The GIJCC Python Water Moccasin also has a black undercarriage like that of the 2010 release. It’s got some black highlights painted on that the original lacks (most notably by the guns and on the weapons storage panels), misses the silver footpads of its green brothers, and has a different set of adhesive labels. Construction-wise, though, it’s exactly the same as its older brothers.
Not quite as noticeable is its lack of “Python” pattern. Since the introduction of the concept in 1989, any vehicle labeled as part of Python Patrol has had the familiar grid pattern in some regard. In fact, there’s no gray, green or yellow on this boat anywhere. The lack of detail is even noted on the filecard of its driver, Relampago.
Relampago implores you to enjoy the Python Patrol Water Moccasin's rich, Corinthian leather interior.
This isn’t a criticism of the design, so much as an oddity; it’s made stranger by the fact that Relampago’s uniform is entirely gray, yellow and white with the exception of his red belt and black boots. Still, the GIJCC Water Moccasin boats the same benefits as its 25th Anniversary brother. It’s just as big and imposing, and not too likely to be outgunned by a Tiger Fish on patrol.
The GIJCC Water Moccasin also comes with a selection of gray firearms. Whether they were intended for a cancelled pilot (as rumored) or just to call attention to the Water Moccasin’s weapon storage capabilities, it’s a nice addition to what’s already a quality piece.
For all the purists in the house, Python Copperhead looks right at home in this Water Moccasin.
Rise of COBRA’s Copperhead (from the Wal-Mart exclusive two-pack with Gung-Ho) doesn’t quite match the Python Patrol green, but he looks all right, too.
As with all the GIJCC offerings, I wouldn’t consider it essential to a well-rounded collection, but I would consider their Water Moccasin to be one of their stronger vehicle offerings in recent years. Be ready to spend a few dollars if you want one, though. Its production run was limited to 400 pieces and it sold out before the end of the Convention, which ran from March 31 to April 2, 2011. The only place you’re going to find it is the secondary market, and it’s been consistently selling in the $100 range.
GRADE:
Python Patrol Stinger and Motor-Viper (a guest review by "Beachhead" Mike)
2011 seems like ages ago. (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT) "What's On Joe Mind?" the internet's premier podcast dedicated to G.I. Joe, where over 3,000 listeners listen to Justin, Gary, Chuck and I prattle at one another within the context of G.I. Joe news, was nothing but a gleam in show founder Greg's eye. Neither Justin nor I was able to make the 2011 show, but as Gary knows who the really important people in the fandom are, he was kind enough to pick up a set of Convention exclusives for me. Of course, I managed to pound out a review of the Python Water Moccasin (as well as one for the first 25th Anniversary Sting Raider, for those of you who may remember GeneralsJoes' Water Moc-A-Go-Go event last year) shortly after last year's convention, but then, as is the standard, I had some sort of crisis or another to deal with and the Stinger review was shelved... until now! The Python Stinger and its Python Motor-Viper driver sold for $65 at the convention that year, and now, just one year later, regularly sells for $150-$200 on the secondary market... provided you can find one for sale. (Good luck on that one, Bell. For the record, I'm laughing maniacally now.)
Justin reviewed the 25th Anniversary Stinger back in the days of its original release in 2009, and it still holds up as the standard-bearing version of the popular COBRA jeep. How does its Pythonized cousin stack up? Let's see...
1. Visual design - The Python Stinger is outfitted in black and red with gold headlights and missiles as opposed to the standard black and gray with red headlights and missiles. Again, no surprises there. However, the Python Stinger's got extra detailing on its cabin roof and doors, and they're not stickers. They look like rub-on decals of some kind, but they take don't scratch off easily and add nicely to the overall look of the vehicle. Furthermore, there aren't any traditional decals applied to the Python Stinger, and while they extra door and roof detailing is a nice touch, the original Stinger had a simple but functional decal set that did add to the overall visual appeal of the vehicle. This point is a push. Both Python lovers and Python haters are sure to disagree.
2. Structural design - All of the great play features of the 25th Anniversary Stinger made the transition: the removable AK-47 that clips to the hood, the extended rear step for additional riders, and the turning steering wheel in the cabin are all still there. Of course, the real differences can be found by viewing the results of my extensive drop-testing... yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Go find some other rube to bust up his $200 toys for your pleasure. Another push.
3. Driver - Finally, the first real difference in these two vehicles. Many will remember that the 25th Anniversary Stinger came with a Stinger Commander, since the original Stinger Driver was included in an earlier 5-pack. As mentioned earlier, the Python Stinger included a Python Motor-Viper. The Python Motor-Viper is a repaint of the Rise of COBRA Nitro-Viper, which was in itself a kitbash of the HISS Driver's torso and arms, the 25th Anniversary Viper's upper legs, new lower legs, a new head with a movable (and removable) clear visor, and a new vest. While it was named for a COBRA character that was released in the early '90s, the RoC Nitro-Viper was made to conjure memories of the old 1986 Motor-Viper which was included with the original COBRA STUN. Considering that Hasbro slipped Heavy Metal and Thunder ("Sgt. Thunderblast") as drivers into the initial wave of RoC vehicles, it was a noble attempt to sneak another old favorite into the line... it just didn't work as well. Nitro-Viper's not a bad figure, he's just practically monochrome and looks awfully bland next to his ancestor, which used not only dark blue but light blue and silver on its color palette. Python Motor-Viper blows it out of the water, as well. The bright red and yellow details are kept to a relative minimum, while allowing the white "Python" grid on the uniform to really pop.
If one stops to think, the Python Motor-Viper is in a bit of a strange place; it's technically an "Anniversary" repaint of a figure that it doesn't share its name with, based on a figure that never existed in the ARAH line. Weird. Also, there's a neat line on the PMV's filecard that notes that most PMVs prefer the Python Stinger to the Python STUN because of the extra protection provided by its enclosed canopy... a nice touch to acknowledge the old ARAH vehicular counterpart.
That said, the Python Motor-Viper blows the Stinger Commander away. The Stinger Commander, to summarize here as Justin reviewed it a couple of years ago, was basically a repaint of the 25th Anniversary COBRA Bazooka Trooper, which in itself was a permutation of the COBRA Trooper, but that body mold hasn't held up well despite its relatively short life. The 30th Anniversary blueshirt put that figure and all its cousins to bed pretty quickly, so by comparison, the Stinger Commander already looks dated. Major advantage, Python Stinger.
There you have it, folks! In this drag race, it's Python Stinger by a nose! Of course, you can probably buy six or seven regular Stingers for what one Pythonized version might set you back, and that's its own kind of charm, but if you want to save up a bit and grab a nice piece for the center of your collection, the Python Stinger is a great one to shoot for!
"And knowing is half the battle!"
And there you have it. A HUGE thanks to Mike for filling in with the awesome Water Moccasinand Python Patrol Stinger review. He came through in a big way and has resolved much of my "incomplete GIJCC Review section" OCD.
Page One The Cobras |
Page Two The Joes |
And because I didn't want to bog down the previous page with too many images, here are the remaining photos of the G.I. Joe portion of the Mission: Brazil boxed set.
