Cobra Troopers

Other Cobra troopers

The code name "Viper" is given to a large majority of Cobra Troopers, usually preceded by their area of expertise. Introduced in 1986 as a replacement for the Cobra Soldiers, the Cobra Viper infantry soldiers complement the Cobra Soldiers in both the cartoon and comic series. The concept originated in 1985 with the Tele-Vipers (communication experts) and evolved into a catch-all suffix for future troops such as Air-Viper, Ice-Vipers, Desert-Vipers, and Techno-Vipers.

Hasbro has alternated between establishing Vipers as the entry-level position into Cobra's legion or as elite ground troops equal to or above regular soldiers. Vipers can opt for additional training to transfer to specialized units, which are considered elite and constantly examined for effectiveness; some are renamed, reorganized, absorbed, or phased out. The Cobra Eels are underwater demolition specialists who undergo rigorous training in the Caribbean and North Atlantic, covering marine engineering, explosives, underwater fighting, and marine geology.

They man Cobra marine outposts disguised as offshore drilling rigs and augment large Cobra naval vessel crews. The Cobra Lampreys are amphibious assault troopers who operate naval vehicles, patrol bases, and attack; they are culled from Eel units and considered elite among naval troopers, with only the Cobra Morays ranked higher. Candidates must be a Cobra Trooper in top physical condition, have completed Eel training, and have been operational as an Eel for over a year; more than 50% of applicants quit before completing the course.

Toys

The first figure designated "Viper" was the Viper Pilot in 1983, included with the Cobra Viper Attack Glider. In 1985, Hasbro released the Tele-Viper alongside other Cobra troops without the Viper designation, such as the Snow Serpent and the Eel. Since then, most Cobra troops have had the Viper code name attached to their area of expertise. The Cobra Soldier figure was the standard infantry until 1986, when Hasbro released the Cobra Viper figure, featuring a black flak jacket and a mirrored mask resembling Cobra Commander's battle mask.

This figure was later released in alternate colors for the Python Patrol and Sonic Fighters sub-lines in 1989 and 1990. In 1994, a new standard infantry Viper figure appeared with purple armor and a gas mask; in the Marvel Comics series, this version was portrayed in yellow-gold. That uniform did not last, and the more familiar Viper look later returned.

Comics

Alley Vipers first showed up in issue #92 of the G.I. Joe series, battling the Joe team in the fictional city of Rio Lindo. In issue #113, a mix of Cobra Vipers—including Alley Vipers, Frag-Vipers, and one Range-Viper—fought the Joes in the fictional country of Benzheen. During that fight, an Alley-Viper and a Frag-Viper forced a child into fire, luring Sneak Peek, whom the Range-Viper killed. The Joes then raided the Cobra position, and Stalker killed the Alley-Viper.

Alley Vipers also clashed with Mutt and Spirit in Millville, a town Cobra was trying to conquer, and appeared in issue #145 fighting G.I. Joe in Borovia. Vipers worked closely with Dreadnoks during Cobra’s first attempt to revive after seven years, and later with Iron Grenadiers. In a bid to seize power in America, Cobra used microscopic nanites to attack communication systems and ordinary citizens; Vipers and their allies posed as saviors but murdered every member of a US National Guard relief convoy and handed out the supplies themselves.

Devil's Due

Vipers were part of the force that marched on the White House, which was defended by a multi-military effort including several Joe soldiers, and they killed multiple Joe rookies known as Greenshirts. Several Alley-Vipers died while helping Dreadnoks fight an out-of-control Battle Android Trooper. A single Alley-Viper was part of the team searching Cobra Island for infiltrator Barrel Roll. Several Alley-Vipers were among Cobra forces infiltrating New Moon, Colorado, and were used in a Cobra demonstration at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington.

A Range-Viper called Skull Buster lived in the wilds of Namibia; when Shipwreck and Cover-Girl washed ashore, he faked their deaths from exposure to avoid an investigation. Shipwreck stunned him with scorpion venom, and he was taken back to civilization. Another Range-Viper, code-named Body Bags, was recruited from Cobra soldiers to join The Plague in the America's Elite comics.

Cartoons

In the Sunbow G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon, Cobra Troopers were the foot soldiers, voiced by several actors including Michael Bell, Arthur Burghardt, Peter Cullen, Pat Fraley, Buster Jones, Chris Latta, Bill Ratner, and Frank Welker. Cobra Vipers first appeared in "Arise Serpentor Arise!" at the start of the second season, replacing the blue and black masked Cobra soldiers of the first season, though those soldiers still appeared occasionally.

One Viper was voiced by Michael Bell; Strato-Vipers that spoke were voiced by Jack Angel and Bill Ratner; Tele-Vipers that spoke were voiced by Michael Bell, Chris Latta, and Frank Welker. In the DiC G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon, Cobra Troopers were also foot soldiers; some loyal to Cobra Commander became soldiers in his Python Patrol. After G.I. Joe: The Movie, the main silver face-plated Cobra Vipers were replaced by branches such as Range-Vipers and Laser-Vipers; one Laser-Viper was voiced by Rick Poltaruk in "Injustice and the Cobra Way."

DiC

Alley Vipers played heavily into the plot of the first DiC mini-series; G.I. Joe member Scoop, in training as a Crimson Guardsman, had an Alley Viper as his closest friend (voiced by Jim Byrnes), and Scoop helped Cobra Commander take control from Serpentor. Range-Vipers appeared in many episodes; one was voiced by Mark Acheson, and two had a vendetta against Captain Grid-Iron and Ambush. The first Range-Viper appeared in "Pigskin Commandos" voiced by John Novah, playing quarterback for a pro football team and hating Captain Grid-Iron.

The second, a female named Ivy, appeared in "I Found You... Ivy" voiced by Lisa Corps; she was Ambush's former friend who vowed to kill him for leaving without saying goodbye. Techno-Vipers and Hydro-Vipers were featured only in commercials, as the Sunbow cartoon had finished production by their figure releases. Cobra Soldiers appear in G.I. Joe: Sigma 6.