GI Joe: Valor vs. Venom - Cobra Swamp Rat (Single Pack)

Hasbro released budget versions of many of their Valor vs. Venom figures at retailers such as Dollar General and Family Dollar. I believe these particular packs retailed for $3 each and sold pretty well if memory serves me correct. I know I originally tracked down and bought many of these single packs when they were on store shelves. 

The blister cards are small, but still contain some good artwork though the bubble that stores the included accessories does hinder the view of the artwork. The back of the card does feature a smaller file card done in the same style as the 2 packs.

The Swamp Rat is one of the new V-Troops created by Cobra's Dr. Mindbender. His latest experiments fused Cobra troopers with various animal DNA. The Swamp Rat is one of Cobra's newest amphibious troopers. While I like this figure, this particular version doesn't come packaged with additional armor bits that make this figure look like a swamp rat. Without the original helmet, this figure looks a little creepy with the bald head and the mask that is attached over the nose and mouth of the trooper. I do like the combination of the olive green and gray used for his outfit. He has two holsters molded onto the sides of his legs, however doesn't have any weapons that will fit these.

Speaking of accessories, this Swamp Rat is packaged with a black back pack, a black Uzi and a black assault rifle. I believe all three of these accessories are unique to this release.

I love the whole V-Troops gimmick, yet this figure suffers from the missing gear that the 2 pack version comes with. At the time of it's release it was well worth it's $3 price tag, but now many online sellers on the secondary market want $10+ for many of these single packaged figures. At that price I simply can't recommend these unless you are a hardcore Joe fan.

GI Joe: Valor vs. Venom - Cobra C.L.A.W.S. (Single Pack)

Hasbro produced these single pack Valor vs. Venom figures for budget stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar. While many of the figures in this series were alternate versions of existing Valor vs. Venom figures, a few of them were older figures, such as this Cobra C.L.A.W.S.

Originally released in the GI Joe vs. Cobra series, this mold featured a square crotch. I believe this release is the first version that features o-ring construction. The small blister card is a little different than the majority of the other releases as the weapons are in their own plastic tray and packaged behind the figure. This allows a better, unobstructed view of the character artwork. The back of the card retains the new style file card, which is first time this character has a file card in this format.

I've always liked the look of this Cobra trooper. I guess it's the head sculpt that makes this figure look so menacing. The face mask looks like a gas mask of sort, the gold matches the other accents of the uniform while the lime green eyes give the figure an eerie look. I have to admit the figure itself looks much nicer with the o-ring construction. There is a gun holster molded onto his right leg, but like with other figures in this single packaged series, the included accessories don't always match up very well.

The large black cannon is a carry over from the original GI Joe vs. Cobra release. He also comes with two identical rifles and a black knife...which is bigger than it should be. Overall these aren't bad weapons and frankly are better than most of the accessories some of these single packaged figures came with.

The Cobra C.L.A.W.S. trooper is a great modern addition to any Cobra army. The upgraded figure construction takes an already good figure and makes it great. I'm not that into troop building, but if I were this is one figure or one version of this figure that I'd track down multiple copies of. Like other single packaged figures, this one also goes for more than it probably should on the secondary market so do your homework and don't overpay.

GI Joe: Valor vs. Venom - Cobra Alley Viper II & Cobra Viper

 

I liken the Valor vs. Venom line of GI Joe to Cybertron of Transformers as it was the 3rd line in a connected series. Starting with GI Joe vs. Cobra and then Spy Troops, Valor vs. Venom continues the story of Joe versus Cobra, however this time Dr. Mindbender and his experimental V-Troops take center stage. That's not the say that mainstays from the Cobra ranks don't also make an appearance, such as this pair of Vipers.

By the time Valor vs. Venom rolled onto store pegs/shelves, figure two packs weren't necessarily new. However troop builder packs weren't something Hasbro did very often, much to the chagrin of the fans. Blazoned in bold black/yellow letters on the package, you knew this set was meant for those who like to build their armies of faceless characters. The blister bubble showcases both figures white some partial artwork for each character inserted in the middle. The back side of the package showcases larger artwork for one of the characters, this time the Alley Viper II, along with a story blurb. Below that is a cross sell of other characters offered in the line.

The bottom of the package contains Battle Points, which were meant to be clipped and saved for future mail order redemptions. Long time Joe fans will remember Flag Points from the original A Real American Hero series and these Battle Points are basically the same thing. I can only remember two mail away figures offered by Hasbro during this time, these points would help you be able to add these exclusive figures to your collection.

You may have noticed the back of the packaging lacked file cards, that's because they were printed on the cardboard insert inside. This was a nice move by Hasbro, but I would have preferred the cards already be clipped as I don't always have the steadiest of hands with it comes to cutting things out. I like the layout of these file cards as it gives them plenty of room to dive into the character. The included barcode and faux magnetic strip across the bottom of the cards give it a nice finishing touch.

Also included in each figure package was a small mini comic. It's been a very long time since I've read one of these, but I found the comic to contain quite a bit of story than I remember. The artwork is also well done, though I didn't recognize the artist...probably a Hasbro in house artist.

I never was the biggest fan of Cobra's urban trooper, the Alley Viper. For whatever reason this trooper just didn't click with me. This is the 2nd version and features a toned down color/deco from the original first found in the ARAH series. His accessories include two silver SMG guns and a black knife. The figure stand you see is not included, but used as the figure was hard to stand without some sort of support. This version of the Alley Viper sports a blue suit with gray armor bits on the shoulders, forearms and legs. The yellow parts on his shoulders and mid-section help add some extra color, but was it really needed? I like the head sculpt, but I feel as if a removable visor would've really help this figure that much more. The SMG guns work well with this figure, but sadly the included knife does not fit in the gray sheath on the chest of the figure.

Down the side of his right leg is a silver snake emblem. If this looks familiar to you it should as it's been used in the past, most notably on the ARAH Moray Hydrofoil. I find this a little out of place as the Alley Viper is more of a urban or city trooper.

The figure that favored in this two pack, and I'm sure others as well is a new take on the classic Cobra Viper. Now sporting a maroon look with purple highlights and black gauntlets and boots, this was one of the best looking army builders in the whole series. His accessories include an odd weapons storage pod, machine gun and a small knife.

This is a great two pack to kick off anyone's troop building with, though I believe the Viper to be the superior of the two for many reasons. Thankfully this set is fairly easy to find today on the secondary market and isn't too pricey.