Review – G.I. Joe (25th Anniversary) Python Patrol Officer

If the 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe Python Patrol Officer* looks a little familiar to you it may be because this is a repaint of the Cobra (The Enemy) action figure that I reviewed yesterday. That’s right, it’s time for another peek at how Hasbro was getting some major mileage out of one of their basic buck G.I. Joe action figures when the 25th anniversary line was active and hot.

Inspired by 1989

Back in the eighties, during their A Real American Hero series, Hasbro took their basic 1982 Cobra action figure and spruced it up with some new colors, introducing the Python Patrol Officer as a new action figure design (see yojoe.com). In an attempt to both offer a toy to fill nostalgic holes AND to save some cash and reuse existing tools, Hasbro used the same trick in 2007 to create this toy for wave eight of their 25th Anniversary series. Smart.

Seriously, It’s Just a Repaint

The Python Patrol Officer* is physically identical to the Cobra (The Enemy) action figure (review here), from the action figure design down to each and every accessory packed with the toy. The only thing different is the colors and the packaging, making this likely one of the cheapest (to produce) G.I. Joe action figures Hasbro made for their 25th anniversary line.

Why Repaints Exist

Creating a new action figure (or a new vehicle) can be pricey, with steel tooling costing tens of thousands of dollars (more for something massive and complicated), and toy makers need to get as much use out of their molds as possible. This is exactly why Hasbro’s Transformers toys have so many designs that are simple recolors of existing designs, and even back in 1982 Hasbro’s G.I. Joe action figures were created by mixing and matching parts to “create” new characters.

Repaints are at their best when there’s a story behind the repainted toy. Referencing Hasbro’s Transformers once again, I point at the original three Decepticon seeker jets — Skywarp, Starscream, and Thundercracker — as an example of story making repaints work. And the Python Patrol in Hasbro’s G.I. Joe universe (see Wikipedia) works because Hasbro did more than just release toys in new colors; the company structured a storyline around the toys.

You’ll want to see the Python Patrol page at yojoe.com for even more on this Cobra subteam.

Wasn’t there going to be a review?

Reviewing the Python Patrol Officer* can be a bit challenging since the toy is a simple repaint, so instead it appears that I’ve wandered off into a discussion about toy economics and the reason for repaints. Well, rather than try to recover I think I’ll simply suggest that you see my Cobra (The Enemy) review and my Cobra Air Trooper review.

In addition to my own toy reviews you will also want to see the Cool Toy Review page for the Python Patrol Officer. That page has fourteen pics of the toy and packaging, which should be enough for any of you.

BUT if you still do want more of the Python Patrol Officer* then I can also recommend the joebattlelines.com review where you’ll read things like:

“This is just one Joe fan’s opinion but the original Python Patrol looked ridiculous in 1989 and the design, unlike a fine wine, hasn’t improved with age.”

Ouch. Well, I’ll just disagree. I like the color design of the figure.

Closing Thoughts

Basically just “more of the same,” the Python Patrol Officer* is one of those Cobra troop builders you either want or you don’t want to even think about. I think it’s an excellent repaint and a perfect update to the 1989 figure of the same name, but unlike some of the other Cobra soldiers I’m perfectly happy with only one of these on the shelf.

Not having the 2011 Python Patrol Stinger (see yojoe.com), on the other hand, has me far from happy. That paint scheme looks awesome!