1986 Strato Viper

The Night Raven is simply an awe inspiring toy. It is massive, very detailed, and just looks cool. From a pure aesthetic standpoint, I would say it is the best aircraft ever produced for the Joe line. Who, though, would be worthy of flying this magnificent bird? Hasbro's answer was very good. Rather than give us another named Cobra Pilot, like the highly overrated Wild Weasel, they gave us the first Cobra minion pilot, the Strato Viper. This guy followed the Viper standard that was introduced in 1986 and created a very nice looking pilot. Sure, his helmet doesn't come off, but the molded version is very nice looking and has never caused me any problems. This is another Cobra vehicle driver that, while very cool, just doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

Anyone who has ever read G. I. Joe Special Missions #5 can not forget the Strato Viper's first appearance. He was pompous, cocky, and a real ass. The look of terror on his face as his he realized the break out tool was gone and he was doomed to slip, with his craft, forever into the sea is priceless. From that, I was inspired to use my Strato Vipers extensively. Somehow, I ended up with two of them. I don't know how this happened, but I considered myself lucky. As I've said before, the big planes aren't much fun for me to play with. They weren't back then either. I had a great time preparing the Night Raven for flight, but, once it was in air, the fun was over. As such, Strato Vipers quickly found themselves piloting other aircraft. I did use the Night Raven drone rather extensively. It was fun to pit that against Sky Hawks. The Strato Vipers, though, did just find themselves relegated to pilot duties. They often took second chair and the gunner's station aboard my hydrofoil. They are cool figures and just begged to get more use than just sitting in a cockpit.

This guy has a great color scheme and a cool mold. For some reason, though, many in the collecting community deride him. I think he is one of the best Cobra pilots they ever released. The figure is basic and gets the job done. Sure, the Aero Viper is a cooler figure, but this guy came out just when Cobra was starting to expand. He is easily on par with all his contemporary releases. Since he doesn't have a removable helmet, I think collectors tend to overlook him. His mold is very good and the head hints at all sorts of technological gadgets. For me, though, I like having some pilots without removable helmets. I've found the TARGAT figure makes for a very nice pilot. One the Joe side, Airtight also works very well. It is nice, though, to have a figure as cool as this is be forgotten. It allows people who know about him to acquire him without any interference.

The Strato Viper mold was used by Hasbro to make this figure as well as a member of Sky Patrol. After the Night Raven was discontinued at retail, the Strato Viper was released for years as a mail away figure. As such, they are relatively easy to find despite the fact that they were only available at retail in a high price point vehicle. Around 1997, Hasbro sold the Strato Viper mold to Olmec Toys. Olmec used the mold in their infamous Bronze Bombers figure set. That figure features some bright colors and the wrong waist piece. Unfortunately, Olmec Toys went under due to a corrupt CEO. As such, all the molds that were sold to Olmec are now lost and no longer available for use by Hasbro. Frankly, that's too bad as a new Strato Viper would have been a welcome addition to the modern line. But, at least we can take solace in the fact that the original isn't too hard to find or too expensive.

At first appearance, you would think these guys tough to find. They came with a high price point vehicle and shouldn't be all that common. However, Strato Vipers were available for many years as a mail in figure. In fact, the bagged specimen you see below if from the Hasbro Canada Find. For these reasons, Strato Vipers aren't hard to find at all. Sure, they might set you back a little more than figures like the Motor Viper, but that is to be expected. This guy is a great figure and many people like having multiples. Most collectors like to have at least three to man every Night Raven in their collection. (I've got three and I no longer have a Night Raven.) There is contingent out there, though, that doesn't like these figures. As such, it helps keep the popularity lower than would otherwise be expected. These guys won't be hard to find and they aren't terribly expensive. As you build your Cobra air wing, though, you will find the Strato Viper imperative to your operations. As Cobra pilots go, he is the best.

I'm not actively seeking these guys, but if you have some you want to trade, email me.

1987 Blaster

By late 1987, I was getting too old for Joes. I was in eighth grade and really couldn't be seen playing with them anymore. (Stupid peer pressure!) I had kept up my buying binge throughout 1986 and into 1987, but, by the end of the year, my purchases were falling off. I would get the Mamba helicopter for my birthday in December of that year, but that would be about it. I wouldn't get any more Joe vehicles until the mid 1990's. I had managed, though, to pick up a complete set of the 1987 figures. I figured I could still buy a couple of figures in 1988, but really hoped to get some before my birthday. Imagine my surprise when I went to Toys R Us around Christmastime and found 6 new Joes on the shelves. The 1987's had been released a bit early and I kind of expected it to happen again. Sure enough, Battleforce 2000 (It doesn't sound all that impressive now that we've actually reached the milestone, now, does it?) were the early bird figures for late 1987. The first figure I grabbed was Blaster.

Green has always been my favorite color and I think that was why I instinctively grabbed for Blaster first. In the meantime, my brothers grabbed Dodger and Maverick. They were the next best two, so I was stuck with Knockdown as my second figure. (I don't know if they had Blocker or Avalanche. I like to think I would have chosen Blocker had they had him, but it has been a few years and I'm not sure what my mindset of the day was, exactly.) Blaster, though, more than made up for that disappointment. He is an awesome figure in a great color scheme. His little mask is a frustrating accessory to find, but is great fun to have. He quickly rose to the top of my play list. (It seems that whatever was new was always my favorite figure. It still continues to this day as I tend to use my latest acquisitions more than some of the guys I've had around for a while.) At this time in my life, I loved science. For that reason, I tended to use science themed figures more than others. I made the nerds heroes. (There's no psychological reason here. Really.) As such, figures like Blaster became science officers who were capable of creating fabulous devices that transformed the face of battle. The normal, military themed figures also got a lot of use, but the science officers were the ones who came up with new machines and weapons. Since Battleforce 2000 sort of fit this genre, it only made Blaster that much more an attractive figure to use.

Blaster was originally a Transformer. I loved the name and his specialty of gunner. As such, I made a custom figure that I named Blaster. Much like the situation with Falcon, though, I managed to explain it away by having this guy be an older mentor and the younger character, portrayed by my custom, was paying homage to his elder. How Hasbro was able to use the same name on toy lines that had similar buying demographics but now can't seem to keep a trademark for more than 6 weeks is another mystery I will leave to minds greater than mine. Part of the mystique of this character was that I made him older, but also the victim of a serious injury. I made up a back story where one of the Cobra bigwigs had almost burned Blaster to death.

He escaped, but with severe lung damage. I let my Star Wars influence take over here and made Blaster's mask imperative to his survival. If he lost the mask, he would become very weak and die within a matter of hours. It was a nice way to give this guy some characterization outside of the regular Joe realm. Since he had such an intricate background, Blaster remained a favorite figure of mine until my youngest brother lost his mask. Blaster sat for in excess of 5 years without being used. One day, in either 1995 or 1996, I finally dug out my old Hovercraft shell. When I did, I checked out the main cockpit and was amazed to find Blaster's mask lying in the bottom. How I had missed this accessory in this open and easy to check place I will never know. The result, though, is that my Blaster regained his mask and once again found use in my collection.

Blasters aren't terribly tough to find. His mask, though, does sometimes pose a problem. He is not a figure, though, that will set you back a great deal. Not too many collectors have overly fond memories of Battleforce 2000. They did get killed off in the comic and I think that was indicative of their popularity. As such, I don't ever foresee any of the Battleforce 2000 figures ever being overly desired by the collecting community. Still, these figures are actually very good. I still use Maverick and Blocker a great deal. Dodger was a favorite of mine, but his popularity waned after a year or so. Blaster has found new use in my collection, but he is no longer a major player like he used to be. He is still, though, a nice figure to own and have as part of any collection.

Got anything interesting to add? Email me.

1993 Star Brigade Payload

When I was a kid, I decided that G.I. Joe needed army builders. While we have already explored figures like Recoil and Salvo, they were later additions to my collection. In the mid '80's my army builders for the Joe side were relegated to a custom I frankensteined out of Airborne, Ripcord, and Duke. I decided, though, that I needed an elite unit. The guys I used were cannon fodder. I needed some guys that were the creme de la creme of the enlisted units and were only a solid mission or two away from becoming full fledged Joes. As G.I. Joe Special Missions had just started up, I named them Special Missions Commandos. The figure I used to represent these guys was the 1983 Ace figure. I loved that figure, but didn't like only using him as a pilot. I always thought his uniform made him look like a deep sea diver, so I had taken to using him as such. Since I wanted my Special Missions guys to be able to handle any environment, I naturally turned to Ace. I outfitted him with Torpedo's backpack and Sci Fi's gun. He became the elite unit trooper of which I was so desperately in search. As time progressed, though, I loved the idea of the Special Missions, but Ace was dying a slow death. His joints were all too loose, his crotch broke, and, the final straw, I broke his thumb and he could no longer hold a gun. I kept the concept of the Special Missions alive for many years, but lacked a figure who could fill the role. In 1995, I walked into a discount toy store and found several 1993 Star Brigade figures on clearance for $2.00 each. When I saw Payload, my search for a new Special Missions Commando was over.

This guy is just about perfect. The mold is very basic, but the colors are great. Unlike many of the other Star Brigade figures that utilize light colors or neon, this guy is just green, black, and silver. He can easily be used in combat situations. The minute I got him, he became a crew member on my Sharc 9000. I use him primarily as a deep sea combat diver. While Deep Six is a rescue trooper, this guy is purely combat. I've given him Psyche Out's backpack and the blue pistol that comes with the 1993 Muskrat. It gives him a slight sci fi look without being too over the top. I've also found that the pack from Deep Six or the Hydro Viper also works very well with him. Just about any dark air tank pack and dark weapon look good with this guy. His color scheme is very inviting for most of the Joe accessories that came out in the earlier days of the line. Since dark weapons look so good with him, Hasbro, of course, included a neon pink weapon tree for him. This awesome figure carrying a neon pink gun doesn't do much for his macho image. Muskrat comes with darker versions of Payload's weapon tree so the guns work perfectly. Once properly outfitted, this guy just screams for use. I've spent a good amount of time tracking down multiples just to build my armies. When I can finally get a Defiant, my crew of Payloads will certainly be on the maiden voyage. They work great as divers, pilots, astronauts or combat troops. He is another versatile figure of whom every collection needs many.

Payload is the only 1993 Star Brigade whose color scheme was worse in 1994. All the other re-releases were improvements. Payload, though, has a slight twist to his existence. There are actually 3 Star Brigade versions of him. He came in the black and green trim you see below. He was then re-released in white, red, and blue in 1994. However, sometime in between these two figures, there was a third version made. It is cast in black, but the green trim you see on the figure below is in a dark blue color. Some say this guy was released in 1993 and in 1994. I have found him on 1994 packaging, but have never, ever seen one on 1993 packaging. This is one of the hardest figures to find in the entire run of G.I. Joe figures. He saw a very limited run in a sub series that wasn't all that popular to begin with. I've only seen two of these guys offered loose, but they do appear about once a month or so if you want them carded. The blue trim Payload is one of the most obscure figure variations in the whole line, and is one of the figures many collectors need to complete their collections. In my opinion, though, the black and green version is the best color scheme this mold ever saw. (The same mold was originally cast in red and used for the series 2 Eco Warriors Barbecue in 1992.) The other are good, but the the dark green and black just make a visually pleasing figure to own.

Payload, like all of the 1993 Star Brigade figures, is incredibly easy to find. They came in terrible pink packaging where the G.I. Joe logo was downplayed. As such, most of them found their way to clearance outlets. You can now find them both on the card and loose with great ease and with little expense. (Carded figures, though, tend to have the discount store's price tag still affixed. It is an affliction that affects most of the existing carded samples.) These guys were never popular. The normally articulated '93 Star Brigade figures were readily available at retail well into 1996. The Armor Tech assortment was still available at retail when the Arizona Mills Mall opened around Christmas of 1997. Needless to say, these guys are the figures that doomed the awesome '94 Star Brigade figures. They wouldn't sell even at discounted prices. That is really a shame, as many of the figures are good. At least, though, it allows you to acquire Payoads cheaply and easily. Beware, though, as Payload's face shield tends to yellow. I have 5 of them out of the package and they all have yellowed visors. Finding one with a clear shield is a challenge, but the figure works well regardless. The obscured shield only enhances this guy's position as a faceless minion in my collection, though. Once you have a Payload, though, you realize the army building potential and will welcome any additional specimens into your collection.

1986 Beach Head

Never had I so anticipated a new Joe year than in 1986. 1985 had been awesome and there was no reason in my mind why 1986 wouldn't follow suit. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. 1986, while not as powerful as 1985, was a great Joe year. At this time, I subscribed to the comic, had my own money to buy up all the figures I wanted, and was getting the grades to justify my parents taking me to toy stores on a routine basis. Needless to say, Joe was one of the primary things in my life. In late 1985, the comic was beginning one of it's greatest runs of storytelling. Cobra Island had just formed and new Joes and Cobras were getting introduced all over the place. One of my favorite covers in the entire run of the comic was issue number 47. It came out in either January or February of 1986 and featured the Devilfish (a great toy that's lots of fun to own!) with a crew of the new General Hawk, Wetsuit, and Beach Head.

For me, Beach Head ushered in the new crop of Joes. When a kid at school showed me a Dialtone he had found at a local Target, I bugged my parents for days until they finally took me. Of course, all the new Joes were gone. As we were walking out, though, my brother found a Dialtone on some random linen shelf. Needless to say, he got the new figure I was after. (I think this is the reason that I have 9 Dialtones today.) I ironed out that inequity, though, rather quickly. By the summer of '86, I was a Joe buying fool. (I seem to remember that 1986 was a particularly wet summer that allowed a kid who mowed lawns for a living, like me, to really clean up.) Beach Head was one of the figures of whom I had more than one. I loved his accessories and his parts made for excellent customs. I still have three or four custom figures that count Beach Head parts as an integral part of their makeup. He is a figure whose form is just awesome. He is a radical departure from figures I normally like. This guy is very busy. He has C-4 on his chest, a bomb, knife and pistol on his legs, and a pack full of good stuff. Unlike the other, bland figures I tend to find so enjoyable, Beach Head's molded gear hinted at him being much cooler than he really was. Had the grappling hook on his pack actually worked, this guy would have never been allowed out of my primary rotation.

I consider Beach Head forgotten only because I had stopped using him. I don't know what it was about him, but both he and Leatherneck disappeared from my play rotation rather quickly. In 1986 and 1987, I couldn't get enough of these two guys. They were a team. They both had great paint schemes and awesome accessories that were perfect for fighting the new Cobras. For some reason, though, I put these two away and have yet to really take them out. I recently purchased a new Beach Head as part of a lot. When I got him, I was reminded of why this figure was once so popular with me. He is a perfect commando, but also works in forest of jungle environments. His appearance in G.I. Joe #50 in the Special Missions introduction was enough to get me hooked. I think his lack of later appearances, though, are partially to blame for his fall from grace in my collection. Another reason I put this figure away, though, is that he is brittle. I know I had at least three Beach Heads. His accessories and parts kept breaking on me, though, so I think I tucked him away to prevent my final specimen from suffering a similar fate.

This Beach Head mold only saw 1 release in the US. He then appeared in India in the mid-90's. There, the figure was released in several color schemes: some more bizarre than others. The mold was constantly in and out of production in India for several years and saw one last production run in early 2003 right before Hasbro re-acquired the mold. Since then, this mold has been used for a convention exclusive figure as well as a retail release 6 pack figure.

Beach Head's aren't all that tough to find. He readily appears in all sorts of lots. However, he is usually found with great paint wear, a broken crotch, and missing or broken accessories. Finding a mint, complete specimen can take up more of your time than you wanted. For that reason, pristine Beach Heads will command a premium while figures with normal, run of the mill wear and tear will sell for nothing. He is a figure, though, well worth adding to your collection. He is one of the great unique figures from the mid '80's whose mold and form were never reused. As such, he really stands out in any collection. Be sure to check that his gun is a light grey. There is a dark grey version that came with an accessory pack that is very easy to mistake for his original gun. You also have to watch his ammo pack. Many of them have broken straps that are easy to place together in a scan or picture. (See what I mean about his accessories being brittle?) After you've got this guy, though, you will find all sorts of uses for him. He's a great figure you really don't hear enough about but should be an integral part of any collection.

1992 Headhunter

In late 1992, I went to a Toys R Us for the first time in years. I was looking over the Joes and decided that I was old and mature enough to buy a couple. I immediately grabbed Destro and General Flagg. I then looked at the card back and saw the picture of the Headhunter figure. He intrigued me to no end. I decided that he was the coolest looking figure available, plus, he had a great name. Of course, they had none for sale. I would not be able to finally get a loose Headhunter until early 2000. When I did, I was not disappointed. These figures are awesome! I managed to get two of the 1992 version and 3 of the 1993 version. They instantly went to the top of my playlist. They were just awesome figures that come with awesome accessories. Sure, they were supposed to be drug dealers, but I have made them Cobra elite street troops who go in and do the dirty work after the Alley Vipers have lead the initial assault. Once you have a couple, you have to find uses for them.

This guy is just too cool for words. He has a nice, basic mold. His flak jacket is very realistic, though the shoulder armor is a bit out there. His head is just amazing. The sleek helmet and the stylish beret make for a figure that looks mysterious. (He also looks like these guys who worked for Silver Sable in old Spider Man comics. I remember how I wished there was a G.I. Joe guy who looked like them. 7 or so years later, this guy came about.) It completely adds to the mystique of this figure as an elite Cobra unit. The fact that he is cast in subtle, dark colors helps make him usable in just about any environment. His shotgun, and the fact that it can be held in the sheath on his pack, are amazing. They are some of the best accessories offered on any figure in the line. I usually give these guys Alley Viper guns and have their shotguns in their packs. They use the heavy rifles while in the streets, but switch to shotguns once they get indoors. You can be assured that Headhunters will play a vital role in any upcoming works of fan fiction that might appear here. They photograph well and look good in any diorama.

As with most figures that I really like, I can't find the words to adequately describe the Headhunter. The thing about him, though, is that he is not too cool to use. I have found that many figures, most notably the 1985 Snake Eyes, are so visually appealing that they are just not fun to use. The figure looks so good that you can't come up with any uses for him that wouldn't be a letdown to the mold. As such, I have many figures on display that I never use. They look great, but play poorly. The Headhunter, though, is not one of those figures. From the moment I got him, he joined the Alley Vipers and Range VipersRange Vipers as the most prominent Cobra troops in my army. He works perfectly with the urban assault story that I currently find so appealing. Needless to say, this is a figure that I now consider essential. I was on a Joe blitzkrieg when I finally got the Headhunter. As soon as I got him, my purchasing dropped off considerably. There are few figures that have had that effect on my. The Ceremonial Luke Skywalker is the only other one that comes to mind. One I had the Headhunter, my collection was just fine. Sure, I'll add many more figures before the year is over, but this guy made 2000 a collecting success.

After his two releases in the US, the Headhunter mold was sent down to Brazil. There, he was released in colors similar to the 1993 American figure and was named Brutus. (These figures aren't too hard to find and are relatively cheap to acquire.) Usually, this means that the mold is in exile and that Hasbro will not be able to release a new Headhunter in the near future. However, something has recently happened that may offer some hope for fans of the Headhunter and the Headhunter Stormtrooper. Hasbro is going to release a new Clutch figure in 2004. What's notable, though, is that this figure uses the chest from Mace. Mace was also last seen in Brazil and was released contemporarily to the Headhunter! So, if Hasbro has Mace back in their stead, then it is possible that they may also have reacquired the Headhunter. Time will tell, but this does offer some hope for fans of this mold!

***Update 10/20/08***

Sure enough, the Headhunter did return. In 2008, Master Collector found the mold and produced it in two different colors for their annual convention set. The first figure that was included in the box set is cast in arsenic and is different from the normal look of the Headhunter. The other, and more desirable figure, is the Headhunter Driver. This figure uses the same paint masks as the original Headhunter figures and has the same base, black body. This was only available as an attendee exclusive and has become one of the more expensive Joe figures in recent years. Unfortunately, the original Headhunter accessories did not reappear with the figure mold. As such, there is still a void in the collecting world regarding Headhunters. But, we at least know the mold is available once again.

***End 10/20/08 Update***

Headhunters are a pain in the wazoo to find. Loose, that is. They are all over the place if you want a carded specimen. As these are very cool figures and don't appear all that often, prices on loose, complete Headhunters get a little high. You can usually buy a carded sample for only a dollar or so more than for what you could purchase a loose, complete specimen. Building an army of these guys is proving to be a challenge, but they are worth the search. Like most of the DEF figures, this guy wasn't produced in similar numbers to the other '92's. He is, though, far and away, the most popular DEF figure released. Many people who disdain the line love Headhunters. For that reason, finding him is all that much more difficult. I, though, was not disappointed in this figure like I have been many of the others over whom I have obsessed. The Headhunter is an excellent figure to add to your collection for just about any price.

I dig Headhunters and am always trading for or purchasing more. If you have some available, email me.