Repaints and re-use have been a part of the G.I. Joe line for the reason that starting, however I feel one in all my favourite forms of re-use is once they kitbash elements and repaint them into a brand new character in a manner the place you don’t see the unique determine clearly. Python Patrol Vypra is a enjoyable instance of such a apply, so let’s have a look!
The field has one of many cooler character insert work on the facet and again that emphasizes the creepy cranium masks in an effective way. My determine got here with an enormous barcode that obscured the little rendered scene which was momentarily annoying till I threw the factor within the recycling bin. Each as soon as and some time these retailers prefer to remind you they actually don’t give a crap about collectors.
The determine comes with a bow, an arrow, two swords, a backpack, and a masks. It’s a pleasant quantity of stuff the determine can carry all on her individual. The pack, which is re-used from Storm Shadow, has scabbards for the swords, a peg for the bow to connect, and a slot for the arrow. It truly stays on fairly properly for one in all these packs.
The bow is solid in some exceptionally comfortable maroon plastic and has plastic strings. These strings got here extraordinarily bent out of the field and don’t actually wish to keep straight even after a few straightenings with warmth. I actually like that they included somewhat slot that holds the unfastened arrow on there, however sadly it doesn’t work properly in drawn again poses, for the reason that string doesn’t transfer or appears to be like goofy when you bend it.
The swords are additionally re-used from Storm Shadow and have a snake motif that I feel works a bit higher in my thoughts for Vypra than Storm Shadow. They’ve silver paint on the blades and appeared principally straight out of the field, becoming properly within the scabbards and fingers.
By far, one of the best re-used accent for my style is Zartan’s cranium masks from the deluxe Zartan from a few years again. It suits tightly on the top and whereas it does appear a bit over-large for the face, it lends the character a spooky menace I dig. There’s a little bit of mould flashing on the enamel of my determine’s masks that form of obscures and dulls the sharpness of the enamel, but it surely’s in any other case actually sharply detailed.
The principle physique re-uses the Snake Eyes Akiko with arms from Dreadnok Zarana and toes and head from the Blue Ninja. The elements work surprisingly properly collectively as I by no means actually considered Zarana’s arms as having a samurai really feel to them.
Since she shares Akiko elements, it’s a easy matter to pop her head on the determine and I feel it appears to be like very nice. She will be able to even put on the masks.
The articulation strikes pretty properly, the one level that I didn’t get any motion from was the butterfly hinges on the pecs and I can’t inform if they’re simply caught or maybe marrying the completely different determine elements has rendered them ineffective. The Zarana shoulder pads do work together with the shirt to restrict upward shoulder motion a bit. Vypra has:
- Swivel/hinge shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles
- Double hinged knees and elbows
- Swivel thighs, biceps, and boots
- Ball and socket decrease neck, mid-torso, and waist
- Hinged neck and drop-down hips
The paint is sweet right here with principally clear separation on the costume particulars and a pleasant face print on the eyes that differentiates her from the Blue Ninja a bit. My determine does have a little bit of a chip on the masks, which is a bummer, however I can hand wave that as battle injury. I feel the masks may need benefited from a wash.
The colour scheme strikes me because the least Python Patrol-ish of all of the Python Patrol figures, which is ok by me, however I’m wondering if the inexperienced may have been integrated within the masks or possibly grey within the pants. However, the extra black you put on as a ninja, the higher. It does make me curious if they could do a non-Python Patrol Vypra sooner or later.
The unique Vypra was a Jinx determine repainted a mottled black and blue and packed as a automobile driver. This Vypra can be all re-used elements, however for my greenback it’s carried out in a way more enjoyable and inventive manner that I’m blissful so as to add this character to my Cobra ranks.
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