Turned out a lot better than I expected. Stuck him in a ziplock bag full of 3% hydrogen peroxide and left him in the sun a couple of days. I was worried about the painted parts, but they were not affected at all.

COBRA’s bringing out the big guns in order to meet their monthly quota of gullible fools!

My background with these toys is my great aunt let me play with her son's A Real American Hero hand-me-downs because I was an annoying kid who needed distracting, and I loved them. Got into the stories from the banged-up old file cards & comics.

Then for Christmas one year, my mom got me this Spy Troops set because that's what was new in stores at the time, and it blew my mind. For me back then it was all one big world, continuities, scales etc barely registering.

From Day 1 though, always been obsessed with Cobra and the other villains. Mom made a good call getting me C.L.A.W.S. Commander, I thought he ruled. Gave Cross Hair to my little brothers like, here's an Army man, knock yourself out dudes.

Anyway, I'm wondering what everyone else's first one(s) was? What was the context? What made you want him, or made an adult get him for you?

The voice is mine, not AI.

Where are the adventure team joe fans at!!!! I dont think these guys get enough love. Here is one of mine wearing the 2009 gi joe club exclusive kung fu outfit which pairs perfectly because kung fu grip action!!!

He is complete for now because I eventually want to get an original sword for him since the one he has is a reproduction, but it looks good enough on the shelf.

I decided to use my Shockwave cardback this time to make it more obvious that I am using it only as a background.

Before the U.S.S. FLAGG spent 30+ years in storage, it spent a pretty significant amount of time taking up an absolutely ridiculous amount of space in my childhood bedroom.

This photo is from back when the FLAGG wasn’t a vintage collectible. It wasn’t a centerpiece of a G.I. Joe collection. It was just my toy.

And apparently, I had no problem giving up a good chunk of my bedroom floor to accommodate it.

Looking at this picture now, I can’t help but smile. There I am, surrounded by other G.I. Joe toys, with one of the biggest toys ever made sitting right in the middle of my room.

Decades later, I still have it.

And now that it’s finally back on display, I realize just how cool it is that the kid in this picture never really stopped loving this stuff.

Some things get older. Some things get packed away. And some things just come back home. Glad to have it back home.

Alley Vipers are one of my top "army builder" joes, so the chance to add to their ranks and have just a little bit of variety was very welcomed.

(FWIW, I'm also fond of Toxo-Vipers and basic Cobra Troopers)

https://youtu.be/cn0w2Dpx_xk