Shooter - G.I. Joe Sniper

I started reading the Marvel G.I.Joe comics around issue #36, but through back issues and reprints, managed to read many of the earlier stories, including the original first issue. And I was very aware of the mysterious 14th Joe shown on computer in that issue:

I was also comic book saavy enough to know that the character listed as "Shooter" was probably a reference to then Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.

But leave it to comics fans to give that in-joke a backstory.

The new story for Shooter is that she was the secret 14th member of the team, a sniper who supported the team from a distance. And was sadly killed in action during that first mission.

It's a interesting twist on the story and I like the idea that there was a secret member than no one else knew about. Although, since that was in the Devil's Due line, that's probably alternate continuity now...

For Shooter, I used the SHIELD Agent Heroclix.

-c

Scar-Face - Cobra Courier

 Scar-Face was never featured in the cartoon and only years later did he get a figure, but he was pretty instrumental to a lot of the early Marvel Comics G.I.Joe story lines.

Technically, Scar-Face was a Cobra Officer, but he was often used to transport intel, packages, and, in one case, a virulent toxin. So, not a great job...

The lasting image of Scar-Face for me is him returning to his Coney Island secret hideout, trench coat covering his Cobra uniform and sans helmet.

The Grifter Heroclix was a good choice to convert because all I really needed to modify was the lower part of Grifter's mask thing.

I tried a two tone approach to Scar-Face's trench coat. Not sure how well that worked though...

-c

Arashikage Ninja - Cobra Red Ninja

Another figure I wished I had as a kid but was not made until the 2000's...

It's hard to know how to categorize these guys. The Arashikage Clan was separate from Cobra, but affiliated through Storm Shadow and later through Zartan. So, they are definitely bad guys on Cobra's payroll. I guess that's good enough to call them Cobras.

Just a simple repaint of a Heroclix Hand Ninja. I could have just got the already Red Hand Ninja, but that wouldn't be any fun, would it?

-c

Billy - Cobra Commander's Son

Ah, New Years. The time for reflection and for fresh starts. Just like Cobra Commander had for about thirty seconds before being shot in the back and then turning evil again. And it's all Billy's fault.

Actually, while Cobra Commander in the comic *did* blame Billy for his being shot, he really brought it on himself.

While he started as kind of an annoying kid, Billy grew to be an interesting character in the Marvel comic. His training with Storm Shadow and then loss of his eye and leg in the car crash\rocket attack (spoilers) were pretty gripping to me.

Since he dresses similar to Storm Shadow a few times in the comics, I thought this Master Bruce Wayne Heroclix would make a good conversion choice and I think it did.

Plus, doing it this way meant not having to figure out how to make his artificial leg.

-c

Pythona - Cobra-La Emissary \ Assassin

In 1987, G.I.Joe the Movie introduced a new concept to the line: Cobra-La, an ancient civilization secretly backing Cobra. Fans at the time hated this new development. Little did we know how good we had it then compared to what the live action movies did to the franchise.

Pythona is one of few characters from the cartoon or the comic that never got an official figure. Which is a shame because she's one of the more interesting Cobra-La characters. I would have rather had her than the Royal Guard.

For Pythona, I veered away from the spotted-leotard-under-a-cloak look and instead went for something a little more befitting the emissary of a hidden civilization. The Horrorclix Angelique mini was just the thing I needed, once I removed the extra appendages.

My Pythona has traded her purple leotard for a kind of armored looking chest piece and traded her cloak for a skirt. I considered removing the knife, since she mostly uses her claws in the movie, but decide that she seems like the type to use a knife.

After reading up on what she did in the G.I. Joe vs. Transformers comics, I see my instinct was correct.

-c

Dr. Mindbender - Cobra Scientist

I missed G.I.Joe Renegades when it was on the air, and have only caught about the first dozen shows or so, but I thought it wasn't too bad. Depending on your previous opinion of Dr. Mindbender, it could be considered an improvement.

I guess not everyone likes Mustaches and Monocles ("New from Wizards of the Coast"), so the re-imagined version of Mindbender is more of a snotty genius...named Brian Bender.

Anyway, I wasn't sure I would do a Renegades version of Mindbender, but well...that Brainiac 5 Heroclix is almost perfect. Even the pose is almost a match!

How could I refuse?

And, if I'm not mistaken, this might be my first mini based on a character that didn't have a figure...

A hint of things to come?

-c

Tomax & Xamot - Brothers of Light

When you think of Tomax & Xamot (aka The Crimson Twins) you probably think of them as they were usually depicted in the comic and cartoon: dressed like circus acrobats.

Or maybe you remember them more in their business suits as the heads of Extensive Enterprises.

I'll admit, I was originally planning to do them as acrobats or businessmen...until I saw the G.I. Joe: Renegades episode "Brothers of Light".

While I still like the original incarnation of the Crimson Twins, I *really* like the Renegades take on them as crazy cult leaders. In someway, that's even *more* insane than the original and fits just right in with a toy line that featured guys in bird suits and ninjas.

For the Brothers of Light, I picked up two Jason Blood Heroclix and added a little green stuff to raise the collars (and secure one of their heads after I repositioned it) as well as adding the little maroon sash thing.

While I did try to go for the mirror opposites look, it wasn't worth the effort of reversing their hands, so I guess they're both right handed.

Also, as a nod to the original figures, I kept Xamot's scar red instead of the dull pinkish-brown it is on Renegades.

I think this might be the first minis I've done where there are no action figures for the characters.

-c