G.I. Joe Collectors Club "Mission Brazil" 2011 Convention Exclusive
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As usual, along with the standard boxed set, we also get a bunch of exclusive figures that are offered at the Convention itself on a first come, first serve basis. Generally these figures have appealed to a certain core of fandom, but to my personal surprise, didn't often sell out at the show. That was definitely not the case this year, and as such, I haven't yet been able to acquire a Stinger w/ Motor-Viper, so that piece will be absent from the review, at least for the moment. Hopefully I can get one eventually and fill that hole.
But for now, you'll have to be satisfied with the Trigger and Lightning 2-Pack as well as the Water Moccasin, which has a review kindly submitted by GeneralsJoes contributor and fellow co-host of What's on Joe Mind, Beachhead "Mike".
Enjoy!
Lightning (Brazilian Relampago)
When the Collectors' Club announced that they were doing a Special Missions: Brazil vs. Python Patrol convention themed set, it only seemed to make sense that we would get these two guys. After all, they're Brazilian exclusives and they're part of the Python Patrol, so this is pretty much a no brainer. We knew they had the parts due to their release in the 25th Anniversary Line, I think the only question that really remained is how well would they integrate the characters into the universe?
The answer, as we should expect by now, is pretty damn well.
Lightning is really a great figure. I remember when Ripcord (AKA Sgt. Altitude) appeared in the 25th Anniversary line, and many fans didn't seem all that happy about it. Personally, I loved the figure. The way they integrated the Airborne parts and the Wild Bill/Ace parts left us with a figure that had a great flight suit, yet was still very poseable and very much a "ground pounder" if so desired. Since Ripcord was so heavily featured as a special ops ground trooper as well as a HALO jumper in the comic, I loved this. It also helped that I really didn't love the original Ripcord figure, and felt like this one was a huge improvement.
As Lightning, we get the same base parts from head to toe, but done up in a very cool and unique gray Python Patrol deco to match his vintage exclusive version. This integrates him well into the Python Patrol subteam, while avoiding the overly garrish yellow colors that permeate so many of the other figures from this group.
Described as a Python Patrol sniper, Trigger comes with the fantastic sniper rifle that initially was released with the Resolute Zartan, and he comes with a great curved blade knife as well. Both weapons are awesome, though he does have some issues holding the rifle in a sniper pose. One of these days I keep hoping Hasbro will somehow perfect this concept, but it would appear they still have a ways to go.
Lightning is a character that has been somewhat lost in the shuffle amongst many more high profile Brazilian exclusives. I think the Club worked him into this story perfectly, and updated the figure with quality parts and paint apps. A great convention figure and awesome addition to the Python Patrol.
GRADE: 
Trigger (Brazilian Gathilo)
I've said it time and time again... Airborne is one of my all time favorite 25th Anniversary figures. The sculpting was great, his articulation is great, and I really love the mobility of his elbows and the firing position of his hands. It would certainly appear that the Club feels the same way, since they seem to try and work those arms in at every possible chance.
Well in this case it only makes sense, since the original "Gathilo" was an Airborne repaint. Using the old school paint scheme as a template, the Collectors' Club builds on the Airborne tooling with the familiar green, yellow, and black Python Patrol paint scheme. While I'm no huge fan of the bright colors, I can't argue with the idea of making it a vintage homage, and part of me does really like how well it ties in with the Python Troopers.
Trigger comes with a submachine gun, his helmet, a pistol and knife, and is well equipped for jungle combat. The guns are pretty well chosen, and he holds them fairly well in firing positions, which is always a bonus.
I love that his vest is done in the black and red colors, and though that simply mirrors what the original had, I do like how it ties in (at least somewhat) to the Python Patrol vehicle paint scheme. I've always been one who really loved the way the vehicles were painted, but not so much the figures. I loved it when Hasbro went with that black and red paint scheme with their exclusive 6-Pack in 2003, but unfortunately that set has proven to be the exception, not the rule.
Still, even in the gaudy green and yellow, Trigger still looks like a great figure and fits in well with the rest of the Python Patrol motif.
The Club ties both Trigger and Lightning into the Python Patrol Water Moccasin, which is a cool touch, making all of these Brazilian exclusives tie together. Even though the colors don't particularly match, I love the idea and the execution is well done.
The original Brazilian Python Patrol exclusives always made me scratch my head just a bit, as they didn't really fit well together even if they did match the concept of Python Patrol in general. By taking some great queues from the originals, the GIJCC brings them into the modern day and builds some fantastic characters, as they usually do. If you can get these guys at a reasonable price, do it. I don't think you will regret it.
GRADE:
In 2011, the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club re-released the Water Moccasin (this time aptly-named) as a part of its Convention-exclusive “Special Missions: Brazil II” set. This was actually the second re-release of the Water Release; in 2010, Toys R Us was the exclusive retailer for a two-toned-green-with-red-camouflage version that was packaged as the “Sting Raider” and in the Rise of COBRA motif. It included a Copperhead repaint (actually a Python Copperhead repaint; like all the subsequent Copperheads, it’s got the knife sheath and not the holster on its leg) and an AVAC repaint rechristened the “Jungle-Viper.”
Consumers were less than enthusiastic about this version (perhaps because of the odd color scheme of the vehicle, the unremarkableness of its Copperhead and the split-pea greenness of its Jungle-Viper gunner), and it sat on TRU shelves through the 2010 Holiday season until it was clearanced out in the winter of 2011.
A moment of silence and introspection for the repaints left unpurchased by the author.
The GIJCC managed to inject some life into the Water Moccasin Of course, the most obvious difference in this Water Moccasin and the others is its bright red color. The GIJCC Python Water Moccasin also has a black undercarriage like that of the 2010 release. It’s got some black highlights painted on that the original lacks (most notably by the guns and on the weapons storage panels), misses the silver footpads of its green brothers, and has a different set of adhesive labels. Construction-wise, though, it’s exactly the same as its older brothers.
Not quite as noticeable is its lack of “Python” pattern. Since the introduction of the concept in 1989, any vehicle labeled as part of Python Patrol has had the familiar grid pattern in some regard. In fact, there’s no gray, green or yellow on this boat anywhere. The lack of detail is even noted on the filecard of its driver, Relampago.
Relampago implores you to enjoy the Python Patrol Water Moccasin's rich, Corinthian leather interior.
This isn’t a criticism of the design, so much as an oddity; it’s made stranger by the fact that Relampago’s uniform is entirely gray, yellow and white with the exception of his red belt and black boots. Still, the GIJCC Water Moccasin boats the same benefits as its 25th Anniversary brother. It’s just as big and imposing, and not too likely to be outgunned by a Tiger Fish on patrol.
The GIJCC Water Moccasin also comes with a selection of gray firearms. Whether they were intended for a cancelled pilot (as rumored) or just to call attention to the Water Moccasin’s weapon storage capabilities, it’s a nice addition to what’s already a quality piece.
For all the purists in the house, Python Copperhead looks right at home in this Water Moccasin.
Rise of COBRA’s Copperhead (from the Wal-Mart exclusive two-pack with Gung-Ho) doesn’t quite match the Python Patrol green, but he looks all right, too.
As with all the GIJCC offerings, I wouldn’t consider it essential to a well-rounded collection, but I would consider their Water Moccasin to be one of their stronger vehicle offerings in recent years. Be ready to spend a few dollars if you want one, though. Its production run was limited to 400 pieces and it sold out before the end of the Convention, which ran from March 31 to April 2, 2011. The only place you’re going to find it is the secondary market, and it’s been consistently selling in the $100 range.
GRADE:
And there you have it, at least for now. A HUGE thanks to Mike for filling in with the awesome Water Moccasin review, and I hope to eventually own one myself. As for the Stinger, Motor-Viper, and Tele-Viper Officer, those are just going to have to remain in limbo, at least for the time being. Unless anyone wants to float me $200 so I can grab 'em off eBay. I will get them eventually, but other expenses take priority, at least for the short term.
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And because I didn't want to bog down the previous page with too many images, here are the remaining photos of the G.I. Joe portion of the Mission: Brazil boxed set.
