Python Patrol
Encyclopedia
The Python Patrol is an elite unit within the fictional Cobra Organization. They have special uniforms that masks their presence to electronic detection systems. They were first introduced in 1989 and in 2003 new figures were released as part of Python Patrol.
Two international figures were released in Brazil called "Gathilo" and "Relampago", as well as a vehicle, the Nija-Hidro Helicoptero.
As part of the 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe line starting in 2007, a number of Python Patrol characters made their debut in the new figure style. This included Python Copperhead, who came with a vehicle called the "Sting Raider", which was based on the original Copperhead's original vehicle, the Water Moccasin; a Python Viper, who was sold as the pilot of a reissued "Python Conquest" plane as a Target exclusive, and the Python Officer and Python Crimson Guard, who were sold as individually-carded figures.
In 2011, The Official G.I. Joe Collectors' Club held its annual "International Collectors' Convention", and the exclusive figure set at that Convention featured Python Patrol vs. Mission Brazil (a special group of G.I. Joe Team members who had originally been released as a Toys "R" Us exclusive in 1986). The set included "Steel Cobra", a non-Python Patrol character based on a Brazilian Cobra figure. It also included two Python Tele-Vipers and six Python Troopers, these two troopers being the only ones from the original Python Patrol that had yet to be produced in the modern figure style.
The Convention also offered modern-style figures of "Gathilo" and "Relampago", who were Python Patrol versions of Rip Cord
and Airborne
, as well as a Tele-Viper Officer, a new character who was offered as the annual "Parachute Drop" figure, a regular event at the Convention.
run. They also appeared in issues #99 and #100. A Python Patrol squad tries to recon the new desert Joe base. Their secondary mission is to activate the brainwashing of two Joes, Clutch
and Rock 'n Roll
, with the intention of causing them to create chaos and destruction inside their headquarters, the The Pit
. The activation signal is sent, but the two Joes were with young civilians. A rampage would harm the adolescents; as such the Joes' inherent morals broke through the brainwashing, destroying it. During the battle, the Patrol members severely damage the Mobile Command Center. One Python pilot is captured off-screen by Steam Roller. Another adversary, a Tele-Viper, is also captured. The rest escape.
Python Patrol aircraft are featured in Special Missions #28. They go up against G.I. Joe pilots which include Ace
and Ghostrider. The Cobra members lose the conflict.
cartoon, the same year that Python Patrol was released. The "Operation: Dragonfire" mini-series followed the Sunbow continuity. Unhappy with Serpentor's leadership, the Baroness and Gnawgahyde free Cobra Commander
(who is still a snake from being exposed to mutating spores in Cobra-La
as seen in G.I. Joe: The Movie
, and being used as Serpentor's pet). They use the Dragon Fire mask to return Cobra Commander to human form. He uses the masks to create the Python Patrol by enhancing Copperhead, some of the soldiers on Cobra Commander's side, and some of the vehicles that were in possession of Cobra Commander, enhancing each one with the power of the snakes rounded up by Alley Viper
. Afterwards, they help Cobra Commander regain control of Cobra from Serpentor
.
1989
Python Patrol was first released in 1989, and consisted of six repainted Cobra figures in a green, yellow, light gray, dark gray, black, and red color scheme.- Python CopperheadCopperhead (G.I. Joe)Copperhead is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is Cobra's Water Moccasin pilot and debuted in 1984.-Profile:...
- Copperhead is the only named individual in the group, and is originally considered their de facto team leader. - Python Crimson GuardCrimson GuardThe Crimson Guard is an elite organization within the fictional G.I. Joe universe. They are members of Cobra Command, the nemesis of the G.I. Joe team. They are often referred to by a phonetic spelling of their organization's initials, "Siegies". Tomax and Xamot are the commanders of the Crimson...
- Python Patrol Elite Troopers - Python Officers - Python Patrol Officers. A repaint of the Cobra Soldier figure.
- Python Tele-Vipers - Python Patrol Communications
- Python Troopers - Python Patrol Infantry. A repaint of the Cobra Officer figure.
- Python VipersViper (G.I. Joe)A Viper is the code-name given to a large majority of the soldiers/troops in the Cobra Organization, which are found in the G.I. Joe A Real American Hero universe. For the most part the code name Viper is followed or preceded by their area of expertise....
- Python Patrol Assault Troopers
Two international figures were released in Brazil called "Gathilo" and "Relampago", as well as a vehicle, the Nija-Hidro Helicoptero.
Vehicles
A set of three vehicles were also released, in a red and black cross "Snake Skin" camouflage, for sophisticated counter-strikes against G.I. Joe, and surprise attacks behind enemy lines.- A.S.P. - The Python A.S.P. was first released in 1989. It was a repaint of the Cobra A.S.P. from 1984.
- Conquest - The Python Conquest was first released in 1989. It was a repaint of the G.I. Joe Conquest X-30 from 1986. The G.I. Joe jet fighters were either captured or acquired through trades with rogue nations. Ironically, all of the original Python Patrol were infantry units, not pilots.
- STUN - The Python STUN was first released in 1989. It was a repaint of the Cobra STUN from 1986.
2001
With the revival of G.I. Joe in early 2001, a Toys "R" Us exclusive set was released. This time, the color scheme was based on the 1989 vehicle color scheme, rather than green and yellow or light and dark gray camouflages.- Major BluddMajor BluddMajor Bludd , is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series of the 1980s. Appearing in both the comic books and the cartoons, Major Bludd is one of the series villains, a mercenary working for the Cobra Organization.-Toy:Major Bludd first appeared in 1983, he has had 6...
- Python Patrol Mercenary - H.E.A.T. Vipers - Python Patrol High Explosive Anti-Tank Trooper
- Lampreys - Python Patrol Amphibious Assault Trooper
- Laser Vipers - Python Patrol Laser Trooper
- Rock Vipers - Python Patrol Mountain Trooper
- S.A.W. Vipers - Python Patrol Heavy Machine Gunner
Later releases
In 2004, a two pack featuring a Viper and a Tele-Viper was also released as part of the Valor Vs. Venom line in Python Patrol uniforms, but the packaging and the file cards makes no reference of these figures being in the Python Patrol.As part of the 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe line starting in 2007, a number of Python Patrol characters made their debut in the new figure style. This included Python Copperhead, who came with a vehicle called the "Sting Raider", which was based on the original Copperhead's original vehicle, the Water Moccasin; a Python Viper, who was sold as the pilot of a reissued "Python Conquest" plane as a Target exclusive, and the Python Officer and Python Crimson Guard, who were sold as individually-carded figures.
In 2011, The Official G.I. Joe Collectors' Club held its annual "International Collectors' Convention", and the exclusive figure set at that Convention featured Python Patrol vs. Mission Brazil (a special group of G.I. Joe Team members who had originally been released as a Toys "R" Us exclusive in 1986). The set included "Steel Cobra", a non-Python Patrol character based on a Brazilian Cobra figure. It also included two Python Tele-Vipers and six Python Troopers, these two troopers being the only ones from the original Python Patrol that had yet to be produced in the modern figure style.
The Convention also offered modern-style figures of "Gathilo" and "Relampago", who were Python Patrol versions of Rip Cord
Rip Cord (G.I. Joe)
Rip Cord, also called Ripcord, is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. The character is first featured in the series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. He is the G.I...
and Airborne
Airborne (G.I. Joe)
Airborne is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's helicopter assault trooper and debuted in 1983.-Profile:...
, as well as a Tele-Viper Officer, a new character who was offered as the annual "Parachute Drop" figure, a regular event at the Convention.
Comics
Python Patrol was introduced in issue #88 of the original Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
run. They also appeared in issues #99 and #100. A Python Patrol squad tries to recon the new desert Joe base. Their secondary mission is to activate the brainwashing of two Joes, Clutch
Clutch (G.I. Joe)
Clutch is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is one of the G.I. Joe Team's motor vehicle drivers and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
and Rock 'n Roll
Rock 'n Roll (G.I. Joe)
Rock 'n Roll is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line, comic books and cartoon series of the 1980s. He is the G.I. Joe team's original machine gunner and debuted in 1982.-Profile:...
, with the intention of causing them to create chaos and destruction inside their headquarters, the The Pit
The Pit (G.I. Joe)
The Pit is the fictional headquarters of the specialist G.I. Joe team from the 1980s Marvel comic book created by Larry Hama. It is a multi-level underground base complete with training facilities, living quarters, a briefing room, and heavy equipment storage....
. The activation signal is sent, but the two Joes were with young civilians. A rampage would harm the adolescents; as such the Joes' inherent morals broke through the brainwashing, destroying it. During the battle, the Patrol members severely damage the Mobile Command Center. One Python pilot is captured off-screen by Steam Roller. Another adversary, a Tele-Viper, is also captured. The rest escape.
Python Patrol aircraft are featured in Special Missions #28. They go up against G.I. Joe pilots which include Ace
Ace (G.I. Joe)
Ace is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's original fighter pilot and debuted in 1983.-Profile:...
and Ghostrider. The Cobra members lose the conflict.
DiC
After a two year hiatus, Hasbro contracted DiC to produce a new G.I. JoeG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1989 TV series)
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a half-hour American animated television series based on the successful toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics. The series was produced by DIC Entertainment and ran from 1989 to 1991....
cartoon, the same year that Python Patrol was released. The "Operation: Dragonfire" mini-series followed the Sunbow continuity. Unhappy with Serpentor's leadership, the Baroness and Gnawgahyde free Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
(who is still a snake from being exposed to mutating spores in Cobra-La
Cobra-La
Cobra-La is a fictional civilization created by Hasbro for the military-themed toyline and TV series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Introduced to the public in G.I. Joe: The Movie and the 1987 series of action figures, Cobra-La was created as a reference to James Hilton's Lost Horizon, and the...
as seen in G.I. Joe: The Movie
G.I. Joe: The Movie
G.I. Joe: The Movie is a 1987 animated film spun off from the animated series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, based on the original Hasbro toyline. It was produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions and was animated in Japan by Toei Animation.Created at the height of the G.I. Joe craze in...
, and being used as Serpentor's pet). They use the Dragon Fire mask to return Cobra Commander to human form. He uses the masks to create the Python Patrol by enhancing Copperhead, some of the soldiers on Cobra Commander's side, and some of the vehicles that were in possession of Cobra Commander, enhancing each one with the power of the snakes rounded up by Alley Viper
Alley Viper
Alley Vipers are part of the G.I. Joe action figure line produced by Hasbro. They have appeared in the related comic books produced by Marvel Comics and Devil's Due. Alley Vipers are fictional soldiers in the Cobra Organization. They specialize in urban combat and SWAT tactics.- Action Figure :The...
. Afterwards, they help Cobra Commander regain control of Cobra from Serpentor
Serpentor
Serpentor is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character was introduced in 1986 as a toy with an air chariot and included in the animated series that same year.-Toys:...
.
External links
- Python Patrol at JMM's G.I. Joe Comics Home Page
- Python Patrol at YOJOE.com
- Python Patrol at The Inner Sanctum fansite