NET-VIPER
Cobra
Computer Interface Expert
When I first came up with the idea for a Net-Viper I drew a
color sketch of how he was going to look, with the intention of making a custom
figure of it. I tried to make him in a way that I could modify existing Joe parts
to make a new figure that wasn't just a Frankenstein, but rather totally
unique. For years the sketch saw use as my internet avatar on a variety of
message boards, before finally finding the time to complete the figure.
I wanted this figure to represent a continuation of the Joe
line from the 80's and early 90's so he needed to be sculpted in a similar
style to fit in with the existing figures. Since this guy was the computer
expert and hacker of Cobra I decided the most fitting color scheme for his was
that of the Tele-Viper, who is also associated with computers and electronics.
Net-Viper is made using existing Joe parts, but each one has been modified in
some way from its original form to become an all new part. Most of the
accessories are from existing Joe figures but some have been modified slightly.
Below is a list of each part and its modifications, and the accessories.
Figure
· Head: 1990 Night Creeper (The hood was completely filed off and re-sculpted into a helmet. A headset was added with straps connecting to the goggles, with a hole on the left side for attachment of the microphone/antenna and a peg to connect the backpack hose.)
· Torso: 1991 Cobra Commander (Shoulder straps and chest plaque completely removed, and folds in fabric filled in and smoothed out. Mid torso area and ribbing re-sculpted were chest plaque was removed. New web straps added with quilted padding on the shoulders, a ribbed area around the neck, and trim added around the ribbed area at waist and neck.)
· Arms: 1991 Sci-Fi (Bicep pockets removed and a band was sculpted around the upper bicep with padding beneath it. Ribbed detail was carved into the elbow areas, and the cloth wrinkles inside the wrist bands was filled in and smoothed. Quilted padding was added to the back of the hands.)
· Waist: 1991 Tracker (Web harness was added with front buckle and quilted padding on front and back.)
· Thighs: 1987 Techo-Viper (Pistol holster and strap completely removed from left leg. Web strap added to both legs with keypad on the right leg and pistol holster on the left.
· Boots: 1988 Secto-Viper (Quilted padding was added around both ankles.)
Accessories
·
Backpack: 1988 Tiger Force Lifeline (Upper
portion of antenna was removed and the lower half was re-sculpted with a hole
drilled in the top, and a new larger antenna was created that plugs into the
hole. A peg was added next on top of the backpack next to the antenna to
connect the hose to the helmet. To attach the data access cable, a hole was
drilled onto the rounded socket on the lower center of the pack and another
hole was drilled in the center of the round protrusion on the right side.)
·
Data Cable: 1984 Scrap Iron (A peg was
added to the bottom of the control box so it could be attached to the side of
the backpack.)
·
Antenna/Microphone: Custom (The
microphone/antenna is a custom made accessory sculpted around a wire armature.)
·
Laptop: 1990 Salvo (The part is not
modified.)
·
Pistol: 1990 Sonic Dialtone (The part is
not modified.)
Details about the figure:
Like a lot of Cobra figures, the Net-Viper has a bizarre
high tech outfit that could use a bigger description than what can be fit on a
filecard, so this section will tell about what's and whys of his uniform.
The helmet is designed for functionality within the job requirements
of the Net-Viper and is made from ballistic composite. Since he might find
himself in an enemy HQ with his head stuck up inside a mainframe his helmet
needs to be trim and compact. To further reduce bulk, the entire headset is
removable from the helmet and the assembly is held together by the large upper
strap. His mouthpiece serves two purposes, communicating with fellow Cobras,
and operating his computer through voice commands. The goggles when activated
have VR capability and act as his backpack computers monitor, projecting the
visual display in front of him in 3-D while still being translucent enough to
see his surrounding through it. The 3-D display is fully interactive, laser
lenses on the right side of the headset interpret the movements of the users
hands as he manipulates the VR projected interface. The goggles themselves can
be raised or lowered with the side straps and adjusted for comfort.
The entire upper body is encased in a black anti-static
body glove to prevent electrostatic damage to sensitive electronic components.
The chest and shoulders are protected by a blue ballistic composite carapace
with additional purple padded ballistic fabric on the shoulders and lower
biceps. For additional electrostatic protection a large anti-static coil is
connected to the breastplate on both sides that extends down the shoulder
plates to wrap around the bicep. The forearm gauntlets are made of armored
composite with purple ballistic padding on the backhand. An anti-static coil
wraps around the wrist and forearm to discharge the hands.
The waist harness has ballistic padding on the groin to
protect the "jewels" and additional padding on the rear to keep the
bottom edge of the backpack from smashing onto his lower spine. The straps for
the leg gear are designed knowing the guy will be sitting down most of the
time. Traditional holsters and pouches that wrap around the thigh and attach to
the belt at the hips don't work well when you sit, they tend to bind up or ride
up your thigh and pull your pants legs up. Net-Viper's straps hang off either
side when kneeling or sitting so they don't bind up your legs. The downside is
they will flop more when running, but he does tons of sitting and very little
running. On his legs he has a Cobra standard issue sidearm and an electronics
scanner. The pants are standard Cobra blue battle dress fabric on the thighs
and shins with a section of anti-static ribbing made into the knee section to
prevent static from traveling up the legs. Padded gaiters provide ankle support
and protect the shins, as well as securing the book laces to prevent snags. The
ankle padding also keep their legs from getting sore when they have their feet
propped up on their desk for hours goofing off, but that's a feature that the
Commander did not intend when designing the uniform
.
Here is the
filecard for Net-Viper. I went back to the old style for this one with the
military specialty and ranks at the top, and added a list of the accessories
along the right side.
Here is a set of pictures with all the gear removed. The
ones on the right show the headset antenna removed also.
These
pictures show the Net-Viper with all his equipment.
All of his loose gear, the upper shots show the completely
assembled backpack, the lower shot showing everything unassembled.
This last
group is some posed shots. The first picture shows Net-Viper with his pistol,
the rest with the data access cable.
