Thursday, November 13, 2025

Action Figure Review: Cobra Commander with Combat Armor from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   This new version of Cobra Commander with Combat Armor is definitely sold as Cobra Commander, but is it? Is it really? In 1987 Hasbro pumped put a new version of Cobra Commander, this time clad in some pretty serious battle armor with a built in-life support system. The original file card certainly proclaims that this is Cobra Commander and for a kid like me who didn't start collecting G.I. Joe figures until sometime in 1986 or very early 1987, this was my Cobra Commander growing up. In the DIC animated series this was also Cobra Commander. In the Marvel Comics, however? This was actually one of the identical Crimson Guardsmen, Fred Broca, AKA Fred VII, the man who stole Cobra Commander's identity for quite some time. Whether you take this as an armored upgrade to the classic Commander or an usurper using the Commander's name, Hasbro has released a pretty solid update that should probably please most collectors. Ready for an upgraded Cobra Commander? Then join me after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 6 and a 1/2 inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: Submachine gun, 2 portraits, 5 swappable hands, backpack, iguana version of Serpentor. 

Non-Scalper Price: $25- $28 dollars.





Comparison:

* Just for fun, here's a look at the modern Classified Series Cobra Commander with Combat Armor (left) with my vintage A Real American Hero Cobra Commander with Battle Armor (right). The Classified Series figure does call is Combat Armor rather than Battle Armor, oddly enough. It's a solid update, though, with armored plating that feels like it covers more of the figure and seems more functional. I'm missing the tube from the helmet on my childhood Cobra Commander but I never lost the backpack or pistol. 



The Positives:

* This is a great looking figure. Most of the silver armor on the figure looks fairly shiny with less of that weird pearlescent effect that some of Hasbro's metallic colored plastics have. There might be one or two places, but they're minor. The armor looks like something you could actually wear with a more visible ribbed appearance and visible places for holding the armor in place. The colors flow well together, adding in some classic cobra blue, black, and red with the silver for the armor. It looks less decorative and strange than the vintage figure and more functional. The hose running from the side of the suit isn't a separate piece or anything, but it does look like it could be. The belt isn't removable but it is a separate piece with a cool decorative belt buckle that resembles a stylized Cobra logo. 





* Cobra Commander comes with two portraits, both of which are wearing the helmet. During the comic 3-pack years in the early 2000s and during the 25th Anniversary line, Hasbro released versions of armored Cobra Commander with removable helmets. Some showed Fred VII while others showed Cobra Commander in a balaclava under his helmet. This one doesn't have a removable helmet but his eyes are visible and he has the tube connected to helmet (not removable). The Cobra logo on his helmet is also very nicely detailed! 





* The second portrait is still a helmeted Cobra Commander, but this time you can see his snake eyes through the mask. Imagine if the "Once A Man" Cobra Commander donned this combat armor; that's what you've got here. It's kind of a cool extra that I believe is a nod to the DIC animated series (which I'm not that familiar with). 









* Here's a shot of Cobra Commander from the back so you can see the way the black tube on his side connects near where his backpack should go and the various textures on his outfit. You can also see how his shoulder pads are flexible at the base, allowing them to go up with his articulation and inhibiting his arm movement much. 








* And here's a shot of the armored legs. There are lots of details like individual panels and rivets as well as some interesting vents on the shins. What do you think these could be? Is it possible they're boosters of some sort? Ventilation ports? I'm quite curious what the designers intended. 







* The articulation is excellent. For a guy wearing a lot of armor, Cobra Commander moves extremely well, especially with a balljointed waist and balljointed mid-torso. The only part of the figure that has any inhibited movement seems like the head, and that's due to the armored helmet. Otherwise, this guy is just a fantastic figure to pose and mess around with. He's durable, well articulated with a great range of motion in most places, and just a ton of fun. 



* Cobra Commander's backpack has always been a bit of an oddity to me. It matches his armor, but what is it? Apparently the original intent was that it held his life support gear, so that could be the case here, too. It makes sense as there are various vents on it and even some paint applications to keep it from being all silver. Interestingly, there are two small holes on the bottom. These could fit firing effects which makes me wonder if it's intended to be a jetpack of sorts. Some of the Doctor Doom figures have jet thrusters hidden on them and this guy has always had a bit of a Doctor Doom like quality, so maybe he can blast off in a emergency?




* Cobra  Commander usually spends more time gesturing and screaming than he actually does fighting so Hasbro has been giving him plenty of extra hands. He has a pointing left hand for issuing commands or getting his point across, a pair of pistol grips, and a pair of fists for slamming his fist down and yelling. Everything swaps easily and the pointing finger is just a lot of fun.






* Cobra Commander comes with a rather interesting firearm. With the magazine on it, it really reminds me of some sort of a submachine gun or perhaps a very customized semi-automatic pistol. It's definitely firing something larger than a handgun round. It's a cool design, though, and it has an interesting scope on top and a hollow barrel for holding a firing effect.







* It looks a bit odd but the holster on Cobra Commander's belt does hold his weapon in place. You'd think it would slap around a lot when he's moving but, then again, he's wearing armor so it might not be a huge issue.


* Last up is... an iguana?  Yup. An iguana. I honestly didn't know what this was a reference to when I first saw images of this but it's actually from the DIC animated series. It's actually Serpentor joined together with Gnawgahyde's pet iguana. Yes, really. Cobra Commander uses a Pythonizing Ray to bring the two together... somehow. It's very strange. That being said, this is a really cool iguana figure/ unusual take on Serpentor. He's quite large (almost 4 3/4ths inches long including his tail) and has an excellent paintjob. Seriously, Hasbro's even doing a really good job with the smaller lizard animal companions. 





* He's even articulated! All four legs have swivel joints at the hips, which is pretty impressive. I mean, you're a bit limited on crazy poses but it's still way cooler than any other toy iguanas I know of. The Schleich brand iguanas are around $9 bucks each and they're not articulated. 






   Cobra Commander with Combat Armor really exceeded my expectations. I was excited for the figure, though he wasn't one of my most wanted figures for the year or anything. In hand, though? He's excellent. Yes, I'd like to see more references to the Marvel comic than to the animated shows in the line, but Hasbro is still managing to produce incredible figures and throw in some odd and obscure references to the various Joe medias. This is definitely an Epic figure and I'm glad to have him. Currently the prices on these figures are shifting and I'm seeing them fluctuating at retail quite a bit. I preordered him when he was still $25 but Hasbro has increased their own prices since them. BBTS still has him at their original MSRP as of my publishing this, so pick him up from there if you missed him. They are really doing a good job of honoring the prices these were presold at where as Hasbro Pulse, Amazon and places like GameStop have raised their prices to the new MSRPs (or higher). BBTS is holding the line while they can, so good for them!

Can't get enough of Cobra Commander? I've also reviewed the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander, Cobra Commander (Once a Man), and Cobra Commander (Regal Variant).

If you're feeling compelled to check out more Serpentor reviews I've reviewed the Classified Series Serpentor & Air Chariot and the G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Serpentor year ago at MWCtoys.com.

For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:


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