A decade after the debut of the 1987 Cobra Commander, Hasbro released a repaint. Originally, the figure in the 1997 Cobra Command set was supposed to be the 1983 Cobra Commander mold. It was supposed to be a helmeted version of the classic character but in the color scheme of the 1984 Hooded mail away. It would have finally gotten collectors a Cobra blue version of the faction's titular leader. (A gap that still exists today!) But, mold shenanigans reared their head and Hasbro could not locate the original Cobra Commander mold. (It had been used as recently as 1994, even!) So, they went with the less popular 1987 mold. Instead of the metallic silver of the original, though, Hasbro kept the Cobra blue with gold highlight motif. And, collectors were gifted the 1997 Cobra Commander.
I looked at this figure almost 8 years ago. But, at the time, I really didn't have much to say about him. The profile was a rush job as, I still hadn't really found a great use for the figure. Since then, I've found value in the 1997 Cobra Commander. The color scheme is classic. And, between factory customs and the Pulse era releases, there are now more options for classically blue Cobras who can match up with a properly colored Cobra Commander. So, I've had more occasion to use the 1997 figure in my photos.
The real story of this figure is the intricacy of the paint masks. Against the dark blue, the figure features gold, red and black details. The layering of gold and red on the chest is especially impressive. Hasbro really worked hard to deliver high quality paint jobs on the 1997 and 1998 figures. After that, the retail masks got more sparse while the finely detailed molds became the domain of premium priced convention figures. The main reason the 1997 and 1998 series have held up so well is due to the complex paint masks that give even bland character designs and base colors tremendous additional depth.
It's amazing how much of a difference the air hose on the figure's head makes. Sans this accessory, the head is bland and strikingly plain. The hose adds a tremendous amount of detail. But, the hose was not included with the 1997 figure. So, you have to take one from a 1987 or 2001 figure to make the 1997 figure whole. The mouth hole, though, is shortened on this version. So, the hose is a precarious fit at best. And, it isn't practical to actually use the figure with the hose attached as it will just fall off and get lost in the weeds, forever.
I miss the days when Hasbro would take weird chances with figures. They missed way more than they hit. But, when they did hit, like with this Cobra Commander, the results were spectacular. The first couple of waves of the Super7 ReAction+ line were too staid and predictable for me. I'm glad that they deviated a bit with some weird repaints as SDCC exclusives. I assume the lack of previews of future waves was just due to the uncertainty of...everything. I'm holding out hope that they start to get a little more daring and can come up with some weird combos of mold and parts that creates an unexpected classic like this 1997 release.
I admit that I quickly wrote this figure off back in 1997 (primary because I was disappointed in the mold choice at the time). In retrospect, though, he's actually a pretty neat and unique version of CC.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how the uninspired repaint from 2001 prompted me to look at the 1997 version in a whole new light. Compared to the 2001 version, this one seems so much more inventive.
It's a shame about the hose not being included, though. I agree with you...it's totally worth grabbing an extra to equip this guy with.
I'll partially give props to the 2001 armored CC. Its head was at least molded metallic, not flesh colored like the 1987 one. It has the softer hands. The shade of blue is better. Of course, the helmet is missing the tab on the side and neck was screwed up due to the 1997 mods, and his proper gun was missing.
DeleteI'd almost like the 1997 one, but the plastic quality and the 1997 oversized rivets that lead to cracked shoulders can't be ignored.
Should've used 1991 CC mold. The CC with the Buzz Bomb.
ReplyDeleteThe 1997 line was a mish mash of ok, bad, and terrible. The Stars and Stripes Forever set could have been great, but they used the 1986 Roadblock body and Hawk head for Breaker and Rock N Roll. Ace, Hawk, Alley Viper, and Cobra Viper were great colorways of their respective molds.
ReplyDeleteHey Robot Sonic I know this is a completely random thing to ask... but a antique mall near me is selling the Special Forces knock-off figures of the ARAHC Cobra Cammander/Chameleon and Dusty/Law and Order two-packs. The head of the mall wants $30 for them (I forget if he said $30 each or not). I know those knock-offs are cataloged on YoJoe but I imagine you've seen them before. That knock-off gas mask Cobra Commander is cool! And I would probably open both two-packs. Should I get them? -Chev
ReplyDeleteIf it's $30 for both, I'd do it. You're not going to get them shipped for much less.
Delete$30 each? I'd ask yourself if you're OK with owning the figure for that, knowing that it might be hard to recoup a good portion of the cost. IIRC, the figures aren't actually Joe articulation. So, the parts may not be useful with real Joes. (There's so many of the '00's bootlegs, it's tough to keep track of all the combos!) It seems like it's a bit too much. But, you don't see these guys much these days. So, having access to it, now, may be worth a premium to you.
My rule with bootlegs and factory customs is if the figure gives me, personally, the value that it costs, then I buy it. In those cases, I don't care if the figure becomes worthless to resell because all the money I spent on it was for my personal enjoyment. So, if you'll get $30 of satisfaction from it, buy it. If you're looking at it as a speculative investment, there's probably better ways to spend your money.
How are you getting that hose to stay put?? I bought 97 CC earlier this year and tried to add the hose but the mouth hole is virtually nonexistent. I couldn't get the hose to stay put. Did you drill out the mouth to deepen the hole? (I might)
ReplyDeleteIt was just a little push and then a steady hand to not knock the figure. It fell out a couple of times. It, definitely, doesn't fit.
DeleteVery cool repaint of the 1987 CC (A figure I have come to really appreciate in it's own right over the past few years). Love the Cobra blue paint job. Great photos as well, nice Little Bird in the last one!
ReplyDelete