G.I. Joe Classified Series Python Patrol Cobra Officer review

Ah the young and naive times when I thought I wasn’t collecting any of the Classified Series Python Patrol. Now with the addition of the Python Patrol Cobra Officer, I’m six deep into the faction. And quietly? I’m kinda digging it.

Quick note. Hasbro labeled the initial Cobra Trooper in the Python Patrol subline the Cobra Officer. That color scheme was really the Python Trooper per the Real American Hero line. So now we have two Classified Series Python Patrol Cobra Officer figures. But this one is the legit one.

That’s more confusing than necessary, but with that out of the way let’s check out this latest recruit for my ever-expanding Python Patrol army.

Package: The Python Patrol Cobra Officer has the closed box with the fun render on the front, a portrait and white accessories strip along the top right side.

There’s nothing particularly noteworthy in the rendered image so no Easter Eggs this time. The right side features the large portrait while the left has the QR code to nowhere and skill stats.

Python Patrol Cobra Officer’s specialties remain at a 1-star rating in Leader, Light Weapons, Hand to Hand Combat and Sabotage.

Likeness: In true G.I. Joe fashion, Python Patrol Cobra Officer is a hybrid of body parts primarily using the Python Patrol Trooper mold. Yep, not confusing at all. There are just a few changes.

The helmet lacks the V crest to signify the Cobra Officer. He does have the goggles to either wrap around the helmet or place over his eyes. And he’s got the flared gloves of the standard Cobra Officer.

To designate the rank, he’s got the armband for his left arm that now has the Python Patrol logo.

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Paint: The Python Patrol Cobra Officer’s distinct paint job definitely helps to make him look like a very different character from the Trooper.

Hasbro has set up Python Patrol as a unique special squad with various army building options. The default head sculpt is a black man with a classic Cobra red nose/mouth covering. His base color is black with a grey chest cover and arm panels. For the boots and gloves, Hasbro went with a light grey.

It’s taken awhile, but we’ve got a Python Patrol member really repping the pythonization. His harness, armband, belt, sheath and kneepads all have a light green hue with some yellow accents. The harness and kneepads sport the pythonization crisscross.

All of these details are very clean right down to the Python Patrol logo.

Scale: The Cobra Officer lines up just fine height wise as the other basic Cobra grunts.

Articulation: You won’t have much trouble getting fun poses out of this guy. The articulation changes from the original remains intact though the knee joints seem overly stiff.

The better to hold poses once you lock him into it. My figure has kind of a see-saw issue with the hip barbell making it trickier than I’d like to have them at the same level.

Python Patrol Cobra Officer has:

• head
• neck
• shoulders (butterfly)
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• mid-torso
• torso
• waist
• hips (ball-jointed)
• drop down hips
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Python Patrol Cobra Officer keeps the same accessory as the Python Patrol Trooper with two exceptions.

The goggles from the original Cobra Island Cobra Trooper are back in rotation. Those certainly add to the creep factor so I’m a fan.

Next up is an alternate head reusing the CI CT head. This time the mask plate area is painted red. And that head sculpt is white. I’m digging having different display options.

His main weapon is an AK-47 style machine gun with a removable clip. The handle is painted lime green to break it up from the Trooper.

This time the laser pointer is already attached to the top. He also has a lime green backpack with the Cobra logo on the back to fit the AK-47. You can store the laser pointer and clip onto the loops of his belt.

The knife has a new red hilt. Next up is the submachine gun, which also has a removable clip. And for smaller firefights, he’s got a modernized broomhandle Mauser.

Worth It? The Python Patrol Cobra Officer, like most Target exclusives, dropped from the original $24.99 price to hitting a low $6.49 on clearance. It’s hard to knock anything on this figure at that price.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

The Python Patrol Officer is another fun addition to the squad with a color scheme that fully plays up on the gimmick. Beyond the hip issue this is a strong figure that I definitely am happy I grabbed.

Where to Get It?  He’s currently listed as out of stock on Target.com, but he might pop back up again.

As a Target affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.