Action Figure Barbecue: Action Figure Review: Vypra (Python Patrol) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

Who is Vypra? Great question! Vypra wasn't part of the original vintage G.I. Joe: A Real American hero toyline but was released as the driver of the Rattler 4WD in the 1998 Toys 'r Us exclusive line. There she was a repaint of Jinx in black and blue named Ann A. Conda who came from New Orleans. In 2004, two more figures named Vypra were released in the same set: The Toys 'r Us exclusive Ninja Cobra Strike Team. These two figures were both named Vypra and both used the Jinx mold, but were identified as the twin daughters of Onihashi, a legendary swordsmith who makes swords for the Arashikage clan. In 2015 the G.I. Joe Collector's Club released another version of Vypra who looked more like the 2004 release but now had a classified name, ninja training, and served as a daring courier. That actually seems to be the figure Hasbro is basing this one off of, though the colors are more like the Vypra twins. The Classified Series Vypra is part of the Python Patrol subset and is a Target exclusive. She's quite a cool looking figure, offering up something rather different for Python Patrol. With a nice mixture of parts, Hasbro has definitely released a neat take on a character that's not as well known as most vintage figures. Let's check out Vypra after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 5 3/4ths inches

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

Accessories: Mask, 2 swords, sheathe & quiver, arrow, and compound bow.

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars

Comparison:

* Vypra is based off of the Blue Ninja (who was based on the movie Akiko figure) though she has the arms from Zarana. It nicely mixes things up a bit and does give her a different feel.

The Positives:

* So we've covered that Vypra is a repaint of the Blue Ninja with Zarana's arms and while all of that stuff still looks nice, it's the new black, red, and yellow color scheme that sets things apart. I love the colors; there's some Python Patrol patterning on the sleeves of her tunic, but not enough that she would look out of place in any other setup. It's a good basic color scheme and if this is the only Classified Series take on Vypra we get, it's a good one.

* Vypra reuses the Blue Ninjas portrait, though she has eyes here which look really cool. She looks very sleek and dangerous. I just love the detail on them. My daughter was pretty impressed with Vypra and usually she doesn't much about G.I. Joe, so that's a plus.

* It's Vypra's skull mask that makes the biggest impression, though. Originally included with the exclusive Master of Disguise Zartan, Vypra's mask looks more mystical due to the eye like rune on the forehead. It reminds me of something from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time.

* Overall the articulation is pretty good. Like the other figures in the G.I. Joe Classified Series, these are some really fun and study action figures with a great range of motion and plenty of joints. Vypra does look really dynamic and just plain cool, though that's always easy to do when you're wielding swords and a skull mask.

* Vypra's weapons are all taken from Storm Shadow, starting with her two snake handled swords. These actually work better with Vypra since snake imagery is clearly part of her design and personality.

* I'm going to get to the bow in a second (it's not good) but the arrow Vypra comes with isn't bad. it even has a paint app on the arrowhead and on the fletching.

* Vypra's backpack is just like Storm Shadow's except that it's grey with goldish highlights. Why does she have the Arashikage symbol here? Maybe this version of Vypra was one of the sisters who guarded the great swordsman, Onihashi. Or maybe Hasbro is just trying to save a buck. It works, though.

* All of Vypra's gear fits on the backpack. Both swords slide into the sheaths, the arrow fits into the quiver (the rest of the arrows are sculpted and non-removable), and the bow plugs onto a peg on the back.

* Using Zarana's arms was a neat touch and does differentiate Vypra's look from the Blue Ninja or Akiko. I also like the Python Patrol logo on her right shoulder.

The Negatives:

* Unfortunately, the logo sits under the sleeve, so it's tough to see. This shoulder also doesn't move as well as some. The swivel is fine but the hinge is a bit sticky.

* When I opened Vypra, her compound bow was basically wadded up into a ball. It was awful! I've had a few items get bent in the plastic free packaging but this was the worst I've seen. Now, don't get me wrong, items in the plastic trays can get warped as well, but this bow was mangled. This is as good as I've managed to get it after multiple heat treatments. It's just kind of gummy and weird.

Vypra isn't up to the standard of most of the other Classified Series figures I've reviewed lately, but she's quite far ahead of most everything else out there at the moment. She's a Great figure and even though she's a mixture of reused parts and accessories with nothing new except her paint scheme, she really works. Especially the cool skull mask. She's a Great figure with her only real weakness being the reuse of Storm Shadow's weapons, which are just a bit dull. The swords are great, but the bow being so gummy and coming warped was a downer. Still, it's nice to see some more characters from different eras in Classified.

This is the first figure of Vypra I've reviewed. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following:

Alley Viper

Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey
Arctic B.A.T.

Arctic Mission Storm Shadow

Baroness with Cobra C.O.I.L.
Baroness (Retro)

Baroness (Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins)

B.A.T.
B.A.T. (Python Patrol)

Blue Ninjas

Cobra Commander

Cobra Commander (Regal Variant)
Cobra Eel

Cobra Infantry
Cobra Officer

Cobra Trooper (Special Missions: Cobra Island)
Cobra Valkyries