Last week I received a box in the mail from Hasbro Pulse with three more figures from the newest series of G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures: Shipwreck, Torpedo, and Copperhead with Bazooka arriving a few days later. I received
Rock 'n Roll from BBTS in early June, so there was a solid gap in time between getting the first and last figure in this series. This is an excellent series of figures, however, and I'm going to kick things off with a look at Copperhead. I never had Copperhead as a kid; being a 1984 figure, he was probably long out of stores by the time I was old enough to collect G.I. Joes in 1986, but I did have the Python Patrol Copperhead. The vintage Copperhead was originally included as the driver of the Cobra Water Moccasin but this Classified Series version comes on his own. I'd gladly take a Water Moccasin in this scale, though, but vehicles are going to be understandably less common in this line. Let's take a look at Copperhead after the break and see how he turned out...
The Facts:
Height: 6 1/2th inches
Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, mid-torso hinge, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: 2 holsters, pistol, revolver, 2 bicep cuffs, and a knife.
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars
The Positives:
* Copperhead doesn't very much from his vintage incarnation, but that's not really a negative with the Cobra figures. Most of the Cobra figures are strange enough that their vintage looks still translate really well into the modern line. They don't feel as outdated as their G.I. Joe rivals. Since Copperhead spends his time in a boat, he's wearing a pretty simple outfit that can handle getting wet. The tank top is simple with a silver Cobra logo, the pants have a unique texture with lots of padding on inner legs and the thighs, and he's sporting some thick, armored trunks with a skull and snake logo. What are those armored trunks for? Who knows! They're definitely bizarre, but they work with the figure and break up the brighter green color scheme. The bands on his biceps are separate pieces that are removable and his chest harness is also a separate, though non-removable, piece.
* Copperhead's helmet is part of the headsculpt and not a removable piece. It looks great, though, especially Copperhead wild eyes peering out through the visor. I'm not sure of the specific inspiration for Copperhead's helmet but it definitely seems to have a unique shape, like a snake's head, and it takes some features from boat racing helmets. Those tubes on the front probably provide Copperhead an oxygen supply if needed in the event of a crash or if the boat flips over.
* A gambling man, Copperhead has a tattoo of some playing cards on his inner right forearm. It's a ace of spaces with a skull on the spade and the words "Can't Miss" written on the banner above and below the card. That's a pretty neat detail. Maybe Copperhead is a bit of a sharpshooter, too?
* I rarely have any complaints with the articulation on the Classified Series; it's usually excellent. Copperhead is no exception, either. He moves freely, holds his weapons well, and just looks great in a variety of poses. He sits nicely, too, so if you have a 1/12th scale boat or a custom you want to place him in, you shouldn't have any issues.
* Copperhead isn't heavily armed but he still has some goodies that might help him out when out on patrol. First up is what I believe is called a golok machete, a short machete with a distinctive curved handle and curved blade end used for cutting heavier brush and such at close range. It's a sleek but durable accessory and it looks really nice with some detail on the blade and a sharp, silver blade.
* The golok slides into a partial sheathe on Copperhead's left hip. I can imagine him using this to cut limbs and brush if he needs dock somewhere to work on his boat or to cut brush and limbs to serve as camouflage for disguising Cobra assets. .
* Copperhead carries a pistol that looks like a Ruger Standard MK III (a pistol inspired by the Japanese Nambu), a .22 pistol. It's not a standard combat handgun, but is built for accuracy. It's a really nice sculpt and seems like something Copperhead could certainly use in a pinch (it's still lethal, after all) but could also serve him in hunting and target practice. He seems like a marksman with his choice of pistols and his "Can't Miss" tattoo.
* The pistol fits securely in the holster on his right thigh, which is a removable piece. The clasp over the top of the holster opens easily and stays closed rather securely.
* Copperhead also comes with a pretty major handgun for some serious shots. It looks like a Ruger .44 Magnum with a longer barrel and an impressive scope. He's definitely not going to miss with this gorgeous accessory.
* Copperhead comes with a cool holster for the hunting revolver that serves as a backpack. It has a nice texture to the case and a belt with six extra rounds ticked inside.
The Negatives:
* Unfortunately, while the revolver stays in the holster fine, the strap on top will not stay closed. The peg seems to short and a bit mis-molded.
Copperhead isn't as loaded down with weapons as some figures but, for someone who is mainly spending his time driving attack boats, he has a nice bit of gear should he find himself in a tight spot. The helmet and Copperhead's eyes visible through it are excellent, his accessories are all well done, he can tote them all around with his hands free, and his color scheme is definitely eye-catching without being over the top. Other little flourishes like his cool boots and the tattoo on his forearm just add more personality and uniqueness to the figure. Copperhead is a Great and a 1/2 figure. Thus far for this series he's not ahead of Rock'n Roll for me, but he's still an excellent addition to Cobra.
This is the first figure of Copperhead I've reviewed. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews, check out the following:
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