I'll admit it. I really liked the G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra movie. But, then again, I also liked the original animated G.I. Joe movie with Cobra La - So, perhaps when it comes to G.I. Joe, either I simply have no taste, or I just feel like the series can do no wrong.
Despite general public outcry over the film, it didn't stop Hasbro from producing a toy series, and furthermore didn't stop collectors from depleting the toy isles of them within days of release.
SNEAK PREVIEW MULTIPACK
The series launched with the widely released multipack known as the M.A.R.S. Troopers. While at the time few knew just what exactly a M.A.R.S. was, it helped to fuel the online rumor mill, and build up more anticipation for the film - Something that was vastly needed as the film was already suffering major backlash from fans chiming in on various movie related websites voicing their concerns over set pictures and casting decisions.
BASIC FIGURES AND EXCLUSIVES
The basic figures launched in full assault just days before the film hit theaters. Rather than focus strictly on the film, Hasbro took the opportunity to appease Joe fans by releasing updated, modernized figures of characters who didn't appear in the film, while at the same time also producing ones that did. In the long run, it was probably what kept the series alive for the short time period it lasted.
Toys R' Us must have seen some form of potential in the series as they took the opportunity to offer exclusive figures right off the bat.
Baroness (Attack on G.I. Joe PIT), Destro (Weapon Supplier), Storm Shadow (Ninja Mercenary), Firefly (Saboteur) (Toys R' Us Exclusive)
A known variant exists for the Snake Eyes (Paris Pursuit) and Cobra Commander figures. Snake Eyes has been found with both a black and a grey wolf, while Cobra Commander has been found with and without holes in the chest.
Cobra Commander (Holes in Chest), Cobra Commander (No Holes), Ice Viper (Arctic Assault), Storm Shadow (Paris Pursuit), Snow Serpent (Polor Combat Specialist) (Toys R' Us Exclusive)
Both Rex "The Doctor" Lewis and Storm Shadow (Arctic Assault) were released with variant versions. Rex has both a black and a white coat - While Storm Shadow comes with and without his mask.
Rex "The Doctor" Lewis (Black Coat), Rex "The Doctor" Lewis (White Coat), Storm Shadow (Arctic Assault) (No Mask), Storm Shadow (Arctic Assault) (with Mask)
Shipwreck (Naval Commando), Cobra Viper Commando (Desert Ambush), Zartan (Master of Disguise)
Heavy Duty (Reactive Impact Armor), Sgt. Stone (Special Forces Commando)
The G.I. Joe PIT Commando (Covert Military Force) was released with a variant version which was only different by way that the accessories were displayed in the package.
Cobra Eel (Underwater Trooper), Crimson Neo-Viper (Combat Royal Guard), Elite-Viper (Elite Regiment Officer)
Nano-Viper (Cobra Commando), Night Adder (Cobra Security Officer), Red Fang Ninja (Cobra Ninja)
Desert Viper (Desert Battle), Storm Shadow (Arctic Threat)
EXCLUSIVE MULTIPACKS
Target, Toys R' Us, and K Mart all offered exclusive multipacks.
Cobra Senior OFficers, G.I. Joe Senior Officers
Four Pack
TARGET EXCLUSIVE DELUXE FIGURES
Target offered deluxe figures, most of which were repainted prior figures.
Air Viper Commando with Cobra C.L.A.W., Cobra Eel with Wave Crusher
Cobra Viper Commando with Serpent Armor, Storm Shadow with Arashikage Cycle
WALMART EXCLUSIVE 2-PACKS
Walmart released exclusive two packs in their store known as the "Vs." line. Each pack included a G.I. Joe team figure, and a Cobra team figure. The packaging was the same for the first three figures, than changed for the last.
Tunnel Rat Vs. Monkey Wrench, Snake Eyes Vs. Storm Shadow
WALMART EXCLUSIVE MINI PLAYSETS
Walmart also released a set of mini playsets. Each set contained two figures and a stationary diorama playset.
Laser Artillery Weapon, Surveillance Port
VEHICLES
What was great about the line of vehicles that were released was that all of them included a figure packed in, most of which were never released on single cards.
The Cobra Gunship was released with two versions of Firefly - One with a black helmet, and another with a red helmet.
Mole Pod with Terra-Viper, Snake Trax A.T.V. with Scrap-Iron, Cobra Gunship with Firefly (Red Helmet)
Night Raven with Air-Viper, Cobra Gunship with Firefly (Black Helmet), Steel Crusher A.P.V. with Nitro-Viper
PIT Mobile Headquarters with General Clayton "Hawk" Abernathy
The Snarler Cycle with Wayne "Beachhead" Sneeden and Rollbar was released in two different versions, but with nothing different other than the figure location in relation to each other in the package. The first has Rollbar sitting in the side car while the second has him standing behind the bike.
The Mantis Attack Craft with Aqua-Viper also has two variations, which are also only changes to the actual packaging. The first has the figure with no helmet on. The second has the helmet on.
Dragonhawk XH1 with Wild Bill, Mantis Attack Craft with Aqua-Viper Officer (Helmet Off)
Mantis Attack Craft with Aqua-Viper Officer (Helmet On), Crimson Hydra with Aero-Viper
Tiger Claw A.T.V. with Leatherneck, Lava Pod with Volcano Viper
RIP ATTACK VEHICLES
Rip Attack vehicles were vehicles packed in with hand held launchers. Load the cycle on, hit the button, and launch it forward.
EXCLUSIVE VEHICLES
Target and Toys R' Us both offered exclusive vehicles.
Rockslide A.T.A.V. with Snow Job Past and Present Two Pack, Sting Raider with Copperhead and Swamp Viper
Several more figures and vehicles were planned for The Rise of Cobra series that were never released. However, rather than dumping the designs completely, Hasbro rolled over the majority of these concepts into the next G.I. Joe line, "The Pursuit of Cobra which launched shortly after this series ended. We'll take a look at that series another time, so stay tuned for that.
Join us next Monday for our look at Adult Swim!
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