Cobra BAT v5 (2005)
The BAT has a long history in the GI Joe mythos. First appearing in 1986, they were new grist for the mill in Cobra Commander’s attempts to Rule the World. The robotic troopers also made the perfect enemy force for the Sunbow cartoon, as there were probably no mandates from Standards and Practices against shooting dozens of androids vs. humans in a children’s show. I also don’t recall seeing any BATs piloting Fangs or Rattlers however, so the old last-minute parachuting Cobras still made regular appearances when aircraft were shot down.
The BAT continued its evolution during the relaunched 2000s GI Joe line. Less overtly human in appearance, the new BATs first bore some resemblance to previous versions. That changed with the V5. This is a BAT that finally looks fully robotic, as if Cobra stopped being concerned with the looks of the unit, and simply concentrated on deadly effectiveness.
This BAT owes more than a little of its inhuman look to both the Terminator exoskeleton as well as anime influences. I get a sort of Ghost in the Shell vibe off this guy. The gunmetal grey again gives the impression that these are purely disposable troops, not meant for any sort of blending or covert activities. There’d be no mistaking a column of them marching into battle.
Articulation is interesting, as there’s no o-ring and j-hook, rather a rotating chest, and four way ball-jointed shoulders and hips. There’s no swivel arm, but that’s due to the swappable limb weapons, which function on both arms. In the end, this is a BAT that looks more deadly than ever.
The design later showed up in the Sigma 6 series, which has always made me wonder what the design timeline was on these. I’m assuming since toys are often in production at least a year prior to release, that these were intended for the next series of small scale Joes, a storyline supposedly dubbed Robot Rebellion. When things were scrapped in favor of Sigma 6, these BAT designs seemed to fit the bill, considering that series’ stylized designs.
I always kinda wished I could get my hands on this version. I’m kind of overly paranoid so I don’t shop online much and when this thing came out I was living on campus and really didn’t trust the security of the online network I was hooked up to. I realize the 1987 version is classic, but I’ve always loved the wackier off-model types of B.A.T.S. like the ones that came out during the SpyTroops and Valor Vs. Venom time period.
Obvious statement: Looks like HK-47
The swappable parts were great on paper. In actuality, you wind up with loose shoulder and waist joints, the plastic is too rigid in the waist and shoulder joints. In my experience all it took was removing them once!
I’m okay with the radical design departure, but those non-removable cannisters just get in the way. I’d have dumped them and given the figure swivel arms.
The things that happened to the BATs in the Sunbow cartoon shouldn’t happen to a human, …but it made up for all those wacky parachutes and laser guns because in warfare, you tend to lose limbs and get shot to pieces. The BATs made things more realistic and palatable for older viewers such as my 14-year-old self.
I’m thinking that the premise behind Robot Rebellion might have turned out to be very reminiscent of Captain Power and the Soldiers and the Future, the late 80’s live-action TV series and toy line. In fact, this version of the BAT could blend right in with Blastaar and Soaron, two of Lord Dread’s robotic minions. Everything in that entire Mattel line is very compatible with the Joes, so check ’em out.
I always get Captain power and Spiral zone mixed up. I dont know why
Best version of B.A.T., i.m.o.!
😉
He really could fit in with the Bio Dreads. (I was even tying some of Captain Powers story into my own collection for while. “Rex” and Taggart being good scientist friends, “Rex” saving Taggarts life with Borg-like robotics and what-not, and then both of them saving another friend from beyond the grave (yes, like RoboCop) who turned into what was Overkill).
Keep an eye on Captain Power: Phoenix rising, by the way. *crosses fingers*
@Skymate: You’ve got got reason! Although both toy lines physically looked worlds apart, their premises centered around futuristic soldiers rebelling against a rogue scientist in order to free the world. Both teams wore special battle suits to combat the bad guys. Both villains caused untold damage to mankind. In either show, cities are destroyed. People got “digitized” in Captain Power’s world whereas in Spiral Zone, humans became “Zoners” who were then used as a slave army. The bad guy in Captain Power takes over Detroit, the one in Spiral Zone operates from New York City.
Both series debuted in 1987 and featured dystopian futures, likely inspired by the Terminator and Robocop movies of the era.
@scott: That’s some cool angle you’ve got there involving Rex and Taggart, not to mention Overkill who would fit in perfectly. Fingers crossed on Phoenix Rising materializing as well. 🙂
I never got if these guys were supposed to run on “Venom” or “Compound Z” or whatever. I like them all right save the green tanks.
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