As usual, I’m late in the game in grabbing one of these guys. I never picked up the Cobra Island set so this is my introduction to the new Alley Viper figure.
I remember buying the original as a kid and he saw lots of playtime. I loved the visor on the helmet and I have always been a sucker for a toy with a shield.
For me, this is one of the rare figures that Hasbro really knocked out of the park. The sculpt (partly comprised of Payne Bros. Snake Eyes) is great and even loaded down with gear and a removable vest, he still retains a good range of articulation and poseability. Many people already have the first deco of this figure and probably this one too so I won’t bore you with the same things you have probably read about and experienced with this guy. I will, however, point out the things I really enjoy.
The removable knives are well done as they are functional without being obtrusive and getting two means double the violent fun. Three forms of headgear are a great bonus and they all look great although I prefer the classic visor helmet. The shield is a perfect update to the original and this time it features a place to hold his baton for added G.I. Joe skull crushing pleasure. (It reminds me of the Thunder Punch He-Man figure I had that had shield storage for his sword.) The grappling hook launcher is detachable from the backpack unlike the o-ring figure’s backpack. Yet, the grappling hook itself remains sculpted in place.
I love the red, black, and gray deco for this version and the white chevrons make for a great finishing detail!
I really enjoy this figure and wouldn’t mind having a half dozen or so for urban operations.
