Zarana - Zartan's Sister (do-over)

I've done Zarana before, but it was more like me trying to force a mini to look like her. It wasn't one I handpicked with Zarana in mind.

*This* Zarana on the other hand, I knew would work.

I tried to match her a little more to the cartoon version this time, which is pretty much the same except for the hair.

I used the Misty Knight Heroclix and replaced the hair with green stuff. And then added her shirt and knee pads with green stuff.

Still not fond of the toy line just identifying her as "Zartan's Sister" but it is what it is.

Baroness - Intelligence (Original Uniform)

When you think of Baroness, the first image that comes to mind is probably the black leather outfit. But before that, she had a uniform that was more in line with the rest of Cobra.

In the original Sunbow G.I.Joe mini-series, and in the early issues of the Marvel comic, Baroness wore a blue and yellow uniform similar to other Cobra soldiers. Strangely though, her uniform was devoid of any Cobra logos, unlike most of the other soldiers of the time.

For this version of Baroness, I used the Heroclix Viper and added her glasses with green stuff. This is the second time I've done a version of Baroness using Viper as the base, which kind of makes sense since Cobra was based off Hydra and Baroness was probably influenced by Viper.


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Incinerators - Cobra Flamethrowers

Hey! I colored his flamethrower the wrong color!

Oh well, maybe he's using an older model...

Another figure I never had, and one that I will never remember the name of. In the Ultimate Guide to G.I.Joe by Mark Bellomo, he mentions some of the alternate possible names for this figure, like Salamanders. For some reason, one of those alternate names -- Wicks -- Really stuck in my head and I always think of this figure as "Cobra Wicks", even though it's totally not.

I added a green stuff backpack to the Heroclix Mob Rule mini. Yeah, I didn't try *too* hard to make the backpack look like the fuel tanks, but hey...close enough, right?

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H.E.A.T. Viper - Cobra Bazooka Man

I'm pretty sure H.E.A.T. Viper was one of the last figures I bought, back in the day. I picked up a few figures from the '89 lineup and none from the next year, so he was probably one of the last. I don't remember playing with him much, just kind of posing him with all his gear.

Good times.

You gotta love some of the Sci-Fi designs Cobra had for their troops. This guy looks straight out of a Sci-Fi shooter, so using Halo Actionclix for him really makes sense, even if his color scheme doesn't.

All I remember of the H.E.A.T. Viper as a character is in the comics when Baroness has him shoot a barricaded door in an attempt to kill Snake-Eyes.

It didn't work.

Anyway, it seems like there are a million Halo Actionclix in similar poses but with different weapons. I know the one I listed above isn't the same, but it's pretty close. I removed the alien gun this miniature had and made H.E.A.T. Viper's cannon with a plastic coffee straw and green stuff. The backpack, hoses and ankle missiles are also green stuff.

I didn't try to put fins on his ankle bombs because I got better things to do than go blind trying that.

Darklon - Evader Driver

Darklon came along around the time I was getting out of collecting G.I. Joe, so I'm not sure if I ever had his toy.

I'm not even sure what a "Darklon" is...

Looking back, I get the feeling that Darklon was planned to be a more important character, but something got swapped. His vehicle seems similar to Serpentor's chariot or Zartan's swamp-skier: designed specifically for him, but not the main focus.

That, combined with his "distant cousin of Destro" status, suggests that Darklon was planned to have a more important role, but that never played out. Which is a shame because he's got a very unique look to be a simple vehicle driver.

For Darklon, I used a Guardians of the Galaxy - Sakaaren Commander Heroclix. That guy's pose is perfect for a villain.

I had picked up that miniature as a possible Cobra Commander, but once  saw the weird alien face, I switched it to Darklon.

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Baroness - Cobra Intelligence Expert (Sigma 6)

Another version of the Baroness? Why not?

If there's one character that stays pretty much the same from version to version, it's Baroness. Black outfit, glasses, dark hair, all the same.

The Sigma 6 version looks a little more like a spy, but still pretty similar, so it was easy to convert a Heroclix Black Widow.

I think the strangest thing about the Sigma 6 version of Baroness is that I don't remember her doing much. She was pretty consistently used in the Sunbow cartoon and the Marvel comics, but in Sigma 6, I only remember her playing chess with Destro.

Which sounds like a euphemism, but isn't.

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Swamp Rat - Cobra V-Troops Infiltrators

I'm not sure what a "V-Troop" is actually.

Valor vs. Venom is one part of the Joeverse I haven't delved into yet. The only reason I even know about Swamp Rats is because one comes bundled with Snake Eyes (v23).

I picked up the Snake Eyes \ Swamp Rat set because I liked that version of Snake Eyes, but the Swamp Rat has kind of grown on me. He has a kind of alien look that is pretty intimidating.

I still had an extra Heroclix Man of Steel Soldier, so I used green stuff to mod his helmet and give him the cape thing.

I wasn't expecting it, but I think the outcome is one of the cooler looking Cobra troops I've done.

Way to go, Swamp Rat!

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Cobra PR Trooper - Public Relations

In general, I stick with "official" G.I.Joe figures. The source might vary and the character might be a minor, one-shot character, but they need to be official.

But, in the case of the Cobra PR Trooper, I'm willing to make an exception.

To me, this is an example of a good original character. Instead of being a super cool ninja or gunkata expert, the Cobra PR Trooper is just an underling who is pretty low on the totem pole.

And yet, she fills a necessary role in the Cobra Organization.

For the Cobra PR Trooper, I started with a Lois Lane Heroclix and added the bag, helmet, boots, and mask with green stuff.

I'll admit her helmet is a bit clunky. Perhaps Cobra Commander just took out his frustrations on her...

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Croc Master - Cobra Reptile Trainer

Croc Master or Bane?
Bane or Croc Master?

Which came first?

I knew when I stared this project who I would use for Croc Master. It was just a matter of finding the Bane Heroclix at a reasonable price.

Croc Master is another one of the divisive figures from the '87 line, like Raptor and Crystal Ball. Some didn't like the idea behind him, but I thought he made a great partner for Raptor. Plus, I figured a guy with a crocodile was kind of the equivalent of Mutt & Junkyard.

Although, there has been some question on whether his pet is a croc or an alligator...

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Snow Serpent (V2) - Cobra Snow Trooper

The G.I. Joe cold weather troops have always come with an assortment of cool gear: skis, snow shoes, ice cleats, etc. So it was only a matter of time before we got one with a snowboard.

The big surprise to me is instead of getting a Joe with a snowboard and a back story about Xtreme sports or something, we got a Cobra troop builder.Which means Cobra has not just one, but whole legions of troopers armed with weapons and snowboards.

That's how committed they are to their cause.

For the new Snow Serpent, I used Rocket Racer and trimmed the wheels off his skateboard.

I'm not sure what he's snowboarding on...maybe the snow is melting but he's making the most of what's left.

Radical.

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Old Snake - Former Terrorist Leader

When they first showed the "Only Human" episode of the Transformers cartoon, guest starring Cobra Commander as "Old Snake", my young mind nearly melted. A cross-over?

Nowadays, G.I.Joe and Transformers crossing over is old hat, but then? It was awesome.

For Old Snake, I used a Maggia Goon Heroclix and added the mask with green stuff. I opted not to make his big swashbuckler boots though. I kind of like how it looks a bit like the pants and shoes from his version one figure.

His hat could have been floppier too, I guess...

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Wild Boar - Razorback Driver

Destro's Razorback was kind of a weird looking tank, so it's kind of funny that the driver is kind of plain.

Wild Boar probably won't win any awards for his outfit. There's a lot of black, a lot of red, and a little gold but it's over all pretty simple. There's not much painted detail either.

When I got the Agent X Heroclix, I wasn't sure who it was going to be. He kind of looks like Wild Boar with a jacket, so I went with that design. I didn't even need to add an green stuff.

I wonder if people in the Joe universe ever get Wild Bill and Wild Boar mixed up...

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Crimson Asp - Cobra Saboteur

The G.I.Joe universe has a lot of characters. Between Real American Hero, Sigma 6, IDW, Renegades, Valor vs Venom, and more, there are tons of characters (and versions of characters). Maybe even more than Star Wars.

So, I'm always impressed when a new character comes along that really stands out, like Crimson Asp.

As far as I know, Crimson Asp was created by the G.I.Joe Collectors' Club and is not featured in an comic or cartoon. I hope she does work her way into the universe though because she has a great design and seems like a formidable foe.

To make Crimson Asp, I started with the Silver Sable Heroclix and added the eye patch and skirt with green stuff.

Now that I think of it, this makes at least three Joe or Cobra figures with eye patches.

Somebody needs to invest in safety goggles.

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Decimator - Hammerhead Driver

Another driver I never had for a vehicle I never owned.

But this one has a cool leather jacket!

I'm a little sad that I missed out on getting Decimator when he came out. When I first saw him (years later) the yellow mask and green pants seemed odd, but the more I look at his design, the more I like it. I don't care for the helmet much, but the rest of the uniform is pretty cool.

This is also one of those intended-to-be faceless Cobras that I probably would have played as a single soldier. Having a whole legion of Decimators sounds weird to me for some reason.

For Decimator, I used the Agent Zero Heroclix from the Deadpool set.

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Baroness - Future Noir

Back in 2010, IDW created a 2 issue G.I.Joe special called Future Noir that was a different take on the normal Joes. To me, it felt like G.I.Joe crossed with Nextwave or maybe even Buffy. Since nothing else came from that special, I assume it was not that successful, but I found it interesting.

At least enough to paint some minis for it...

Future Noir Baroness is similar to regular Baroness, but with a whip. Luckily for me, the Heroclix Viper mini has a while and a very similar look, which made it easy to create this version of the Baroness. All I really had to change was the red collar.

I decided not to try to add her glasses as the Future Noir Baroness glasses are weird little angled things that would be a pain to make.

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S.A.W.-Viper - Cobra Heavy Machine Gunner

The infamous S.A.W.-Viper. Responsible for killing more Joes in the comic than any other character ever, I think. That was a pretty terrible story arc.

I don't remember where I saw it, but someone referred to the S.A.W.-Viper's resemblance to Marvel's Paladin. By coincidence, I was already planning to paint the Heroclix Paladin up as S.A.W.-Viper, so I consider that fortuitous.

Pretty much the only mods I did were to make his helmet using green stuff.

He better not kill any of my Joe minis though...

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Toxo-Viper - Cobra Hostile Environment Trooper

The Toxo-Viper was not a figure I was fond of when it came out. His design looked to me like some kind of Totem pole or Hawaiian mask.

But over time, I've grown to like the look.

For Toxo-Viper, I started with the Heroclix Zod from the Man of Steel set and added his pack and a few mods to his helmet with green stuff.

After painting, I think it came out pretty darn good.

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Star-Viper - Stellar Stiletto Pilot

The Cobra Star-Vipers didn't see much action in the comics or the cartoon, which is a shame because they have a really nice uniform. A very "Space Navy" kind of look.

I think 1988 was the year I started losing interesting in the Joe toys. I know I had some of the figures from that year, but not all of them. And I don't think I had many of the vehicles. So, I'm not really sure if I ever even had this guy. I don't remember having the Stellar Stiletto, but I might have gotten the Star-Viper in a trade. Who knows?

I originally based the Star-Viper mini off the minor character in the comic who infiltrates the Joe base and is mostly shown without his helmet but instead with a small bandage on his forehead (from the implant.) After painting that version though (again using the Heroclix Red Robin), I decided I wanted the helmeted version more, so I slapped on a helmet of green stuff.

I suppose I could have done a second one with the helmet, like I've been doing with the M.A.S.K. miniatures, but...eh...

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Mongolian Warrior - Phantom Brigade

Cobra raising the spirits of the dead to use as an army might sound outlandish, but for the Sunbow cartoon, it was pretty routine.

The Mongolian Warrior was one of three spirits brought back by a gypsy to serve Cobra Commander. She rode a spectral horse and fired icy arrows. She could even make it snow! So, she would fit right into a D&D game as is.

For the Mongolian Warrior, I used a Heroclix Mirage and added her skirt with green stuff. I see I forgot to give her those arm guard things. I used a different picture for reference when painting though, so it's possible I picked a scene where the animators for got to add them.

Stranger things have happened.

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Mara - Mermaid

Technically, Mara isn't a mermaid. She's a former Cobra Eel that was experimented on by Cobra scientists (probably an early attempt at what would later be perfected with the Hydro-Vipers.)

But Shipwreck calls her a mermaid, so why not?

The Sunbow cartoon introduced tons of non-figure characters. Some great, some not-so-great.

Mara was a good one though. She had a good enough back story that they brought her back later (sort of) for "There's No Place Like Springfield." She was also smarter than most Cobra soldiers.

For Mara, I used Heroclix Colleen Wing. Her skintight costume works well as a Cobra wetsuit and her long hair fits Mara. I trimmed her katana down to be more like a knife. Mara with a katana seemed a little too much.

Also, I tried to make he skin a little purplish like the cartoon.

She kind of looks like an X-men character now.

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