Data Viper (2013)

Data Viper brings back memories of 80s GI Joe play. Back then, I knew next to nothing about the specialties and equipment of the toys. I usually asked my dad what some of the terminology meant, and whether he recognized the weapons and equipment from his time in the Army. He filled in most of the blanks, but some of the stuff was too new for him to recognize, or it was just purely invented material from the science fiction side of the brand (he assured me the Army didn’t have laser rifle troopers). I was happily in the dark about some of the aspects of the toys, and I think that’s a lot of the warm fuzzy mystique about the era that stays with me. It’s also an element that just can’t be recaptured as an adult. Enter the Data Viper. What the heck is he? What is all that funky gear? Is that a drone aircraft on his back? Having an odd looking Cobra trooper like this, whose origins and purpose seem so foreign, it’s like I’m kid again. I almost don’t want to try to look up the origins of the design, for fear that I’ll ruin the fun I’m having.

The cardback isn’t much help in giving us background info, simply stating that they’re technology experts with advanced gear. Wow, thanks for the insight. Have I mentioned that I miss file cards? Regardless, the absence of information helps to keep me guessing about how to use this figure, and that’s just fine.

All this wacky gear also brings to my mind the Sigma 6 era, with its brazenly huge, and sometimes purely fantastical weaponry. An anime influence is also present, especially with those shoulder mounted cluster missiles (Macross, anyone?) I just enjoy all of the clip-on and snap-on with this figure. As an added plus, the gear actually fits like it’s supposed to. The base figure underneath isn’t too shabby, either. It’s certainly gotten a lot of use of late, appearing as the base of quite a few different types of figures. And with all of that stuff piled on, the thing still stands up fairly easily.

I haven’t been having all that much fun with the modern figures lately. While there have been a lot of excellently rendered new versions of old favorites since the Pursuit of Cobra years, I just haven’t been excited all that often after ripping open a GI Joe package. That changed with this figure. It’s a similar feeling to what I had with the modern Jungle Viper and Shadow Tracker figures. There’s just enough mystery, along with the prospect of a brand-new character or troop type, to pique my toy fiend interest, and rekindle old memories of GI Joe toys.

 

 

 

23 comments

  • He is a really neat figure unfortunately I don’t see a kid being able to play with him. It is very clunky and fragile.

  • I’m not starting a GI Joe review, but it’s funny because I just opened and reviewed this figure on my Facebook Page late last night! You know I don’t even collect modern, but this figure was so different I couldn’t resist.

    Check it out:
    https://www.facebook.com/TheGIJoeMuseum/posts/594535947269636:0

  • “Data” viper? He looks nothing like Brent Spinner

  • He definitely does have an anime influence–it’s like he’s a cross between something out of Ghost in the Shell and a Bioroid terminator from Robotech.

  • @Acer
    Thats what i like to hear [Robotech is better than Macross, Southern cross and Mospeda combined].

    He reminds me a bit of one of the villains in Neon genisis [i think thats the anime im thinking of]

  • The Bioroid Terminator from Matchbox was the first figure that came to mind when I saw this guy.

    Man, do I miss the file cards! I would throw out the generic packaging used for Retaliation if they lacked the small blurbs and pics as well. Bad enough that there are no forms of media out there to promote this guy or tell us what he’s supposed to do. I’m guessing that being with Cobra, he’s some sort of Internet hacker/cyber terrorist trooper. At least kids who pick one up will sure be using their imagination!

  • @Clutch
    Do you think that will be enough incentive for Harmonygold to attempt another suit against Hasbro?

  • Will kids even see these guys in stores? These days after the first two waves, everything becomes impossible to find at retail.

  • Nice to get a new character/troop type, and while the colors aren’t crazy, I’m also glad these guys aren’t beige/tan. Looks good with or without his gear. Good job Design Team!

  • I used to think those were cluster missiles until I looked at them closely and saw how tiny they were and that some were red and there was no gap sculpted between the “warhead” and the launcher. Now I’m convinced they’re supposed to be LED’s. Makes sense, because he’s meant to be a walking network router and a bunch of blinking activity lights would help sell that concept more than missiles. I mean, if you want them to be missiles, it’s your toy and your imagination. I just thought that the more likely intended purpose was being overlooked and not being considered at all by most.

    DV was probably in my bottom 3 for this wave in terms of what I was excited for, but once I got him and devised my own fiction for him, I think he’s pretty damn cool.

  • Maybe they are portable servers or wi-fi spots, intended to give Cobra troops internet coverage for watching videos or tv shows in the battlefield on their downtime? “Meet Data Viper: The Server That Walked Like a Man!”. They need their own ’50s B-movie poster.

  • Maybe they are portable servers or wi-fi spots, intended to give Cobra troops internet coverage for watching videos or tv shows in the battlefield on their downtime? “Meet Data Viper: The Server That Walked Like a Man!”. They need their own ’50s B-movie poster.

  • Maybe they are portable servers or wi-fi spots, intended to give Cobra troops internet coverage for watching videos or tv shows in the battlefield on their downtime? “Meet Data Viper: The Server That Walked Like a Man!”. They need their own ’50s B-movie poster.

  • Maybe they are portable servers or wi-fi spots, intended to give Cobra troops internet coverage for watching videos or tv shows in the battlefield on their downtime? “Meet Data Viper: The Server That Walked Like a Man!”. They need their own ’50s B-movie poster.

  • ^
    I encountered major connection issues with trying to post the comment (on 2 different browsers). It took forever on “Submitting Comment…” and then it said connection closed by remote server. Not sure what was going on there.

    • Hahahah, it’s like Little Boa was a broken record as he picked on Data Viper.

      Data Viper gets the last laugh. Robotic “ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-“

    • Yeah, my server has been having serious issues of late. The site has been going offline here and there. I apologize, and I’m working to get it resolved.

  • Seriously loaded figure – he looks like three specialities in one…

  • Connection closed by [Data Viper]

  • Mine came in the mail today. Very odd looking. Love it. The helmet minus the cheast gear is actually very disconcerting….I agree, its a pity no file card gives us a proper bio and MO for these guys, and details about their gear but John Warden from Hasbro explained on GeneralsJoes.Com’s review for this figure the full lowdown, they are literally portable info networks, if one dies, the info is still circulated to other DV’s worldwide, theres no need to a centrally located ‘static’ data centre….However, he does need to have a field active purpose as well, hence the recon drone with armament which is connected to the helmet that has full 360 degree all round vision and those missile launchers for ground to air capability….

    Hopefully they’ll re-release this figure sometime soon with a proper bio….I reckon the chest rig was designed for another torso, if you look inside it, you can tell its supposed to fit more closely ‘down’ onto the figures shoulders and against his chest….I reckon with some pushing you maybe able to fit it more securely on him though as is….I plan on trying later. My one gripe is the looseness of the red hoses and arm guards / sensor units for the drone, they do come off easily….which is a shame. Nevermind. Its a great figure….one that fits in perfectly with the whacky elements of Cobra’s rank and file troopers. Essentially, DV’s are a 21st Century iteration of the classic Tele Viper…..digitised.

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