Clutch - Vamp Mark II Driver

Clutch was the very first G.I.Joe figure I had and the start of a collection. When the Vamp Mark II came out with this tan version of Clutch, I really dug it because now he stood out compared to the original team line up. I liked to think he got a promotion...

For Clutch, the Heroclix Dark Knight Rises Mercenary has the qualities I was looking for: a beard, short sleeves and an AK-47 that he probably took from a Cobra Officer. That seems about right for Clutch.

-c

Cobra Officer - The Enemy

I think the difference between Cobra Officers and the standard Cobras is the number of hit points they have. Based on the cartoon though, I'd guess both have less than 4 hit points.

The Heroclix HDC Trooper was a pretty easy choice for converting to a Cobra Officer. All he really needed was a little mask and some paint.

I'm still rubbish at painting the Cobra logo though. If you squint, you can maybe trick yourself into thinking it's a Cobra logo.

If only there was a little tiny Cobra stamp I could use instead...

(Only one of the original 16 figures left.)

-c

Breaker - Communications Officer

Almost done with the original 16 figures that started off the G.I. Joe line. Next up: Breaker.

I never understood why Breaker in the comic was clean-shaven and bubble gum chewing, where the figure and the cartoon versions were bearded. Somewhere, I'm sure Larry Hama has an explanation for this.

As one of the original 13 Joes, Breaker is a pretty easy mini to convert. The Star Wars Mini Veteran Rebel Commando is a pretty good fit. I came close to adding a headphone using green stuff but I like the look of the helmet as is.

I considered doing a mini based on the movie version of Breaker, since he's one of the only interesting characters in the movie, but I don't want to even give the film *that* much.

-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

Cover Girl - Wolverine Driver (Again?)

They say the third time's the charm...I certainly hope so, because I'm not planning to do Cover Girl again.

I should have waited to do Cover Girl later. When I did the first one, this Heroclix Brandt from Iron Man 3 wasn't out yet I think. Then, because I wasn't happy with the first one, I did used an extra mini for take two.

Finally though, I found a good looking mini to use for her and this will be the last Cover Girl I do.

(Probably.)

-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

Psyche-Out - Deceptive Warfare

According to some, Psyche-Out was a sign of the science fiction direction the Joe team was heading (which a lot of people didn't like.)

I didn't care...he was a new Joe with new gear, that was enough for me.

When I saw the Horrorclix Ghostfinder, I knew exactly who it would be. All it took was a little paint.

I opted not to paint on Psyche-Out's weird space chest piece though...or his weird antenna backpack.

I guess I do have some limits.

-c

Update:

Changed my mind about his chest piece and added it with green stuff: