Venom vs. Valor Appreciation Thread

[Snow Wolf]

Remember the Venom Vs. Valor Joe toyline form 2004-2005?

Yeah, I sort of forgot about them too, what with the vintage ARAH line, and the ME stuff. However, I was going through my Joe stuff yesterday, and dug up my rather sizeable VvsV collection.

Apart from bring back some cool memories, I realized there were some pretty cool figures offered from this line. I love the 2-pack format, and the price was right: $7-8 per pack.

Anybody else out there in the Joeverse enjoy this line?
Let's here from you........

[Konigstiger]

Can't say I care for them. They were better than no Joe at all. There were designs that might shine in the ME format, but there were plenty of duds, too.

Retail price on them was awesome, though.

[Steevy Maximus]

The early VvV stuff was iffy, with wacky colors and odd proportions, but when they got to wave 4 and on?

They hit this golden spot in design, sculpting and themes, and I got horrendously excited for Robot Rebellion (especially as the comic packs were planned to segue into DDP issues with modern figures).
Even heard that Joe, as a line, did better than anticipated during 2004, enough to see some expansion in the its final months at retail (Target and TRU both EXPANDED the line during the spring of 2005, even as the line was wrapping up as a 3.75 line)

Damn Walmart and their poor Joe support...

*moved this from Modern Toy Discussion to our Vintage section, which covers everything prior to 2007

[Snow Wolf]

Some of my favourites include: Gen Abernathy, Venomous Maximus, Viper, Snake Eyes (w/Timber), Razorclaw v.2, Torch, Sgt. Bazooka, Overkill (both versions), and Swamp Rat.

Some stinkers include: Alley Viper (possibly the worst figure in the line), and early Duke, Slice, and SS (any figure without ball joint legs).

[Raw Dog]

I love the VvV line! It was wicked awesome! The final Snake Eyes from the line was one of the best versions of the character ever released. Destro and Mindbender from the line need ME updates as they both looked pretty sick. Can't forget unmasked Storm Shadow mail away: sweet! I agree with your picks too Snow Wolf.

[KushViper]

I just liked the arah repaints from that line. Some of my favorites are the crimson guard and cobra night watch 6packs but I also liked the comic packs too.

[spiderpumpkin]

I like everything except the VVV AV.

[Snow Wolf]

I almost forgot about the SS unmasked......I also got the Ninja Battles 5 pack, and that fat Thunderwing jet.

I love the VvV line! It was wicked awesome! The final Snake Eyes from the line was one of the best versions of the character ever released. Destro and Mindbender from the line need ME updates as they both looked pretty sick. Can't forget unmasked Storm Shadow mail away: sweet! I agree with your picks too Snow Wolf.

[Snow Wolf]

Never saw those 6 packs up here.....

I just liked the arah repaints from that line. Some of my favorites are the crimson guard and cobra night watch 6packs but I also liked the comic packs too.

[Steevy Maximus]

I love the VvV line! It was wicked awesome! The final Snake Eyes from the line was one of the best versions of the character ever released. Destro and Mindbender from the line need ME updates as they both looked pretty sick. Can't forget unmasked Storm Shadow mail away: sweet! I agree with your picks too Snow Wolf.

I'm still disappointed Hasbro never did a Snake Eyes with that spiffy mask his art had on him.
I think it would have made for a nice change from the endless goggles/visor takes on the guy.

[Dem_Yoe'z!]

A lot of figures from this line and the Spytroops line really rocked conceptually but were flawed in one way or another when released. A good example was Claws Commander. Brilliant figure designed ruined by absolutely horrid arms. I would love to see some of these made in ME combat. In addition to Snow Wolfs picks I want to see that Bazooka redone and the VVV Viper.

[Snow Wolf]

Yes....Cobra CLAWS Commander had goofy arms, but was an otherwise sweet figure. I think there were 3 versions of the VvsV Viper; red, blue, and Pythonized. All were cool, but I think I like the blue version best.

The crummy thing was I never saw any Spytroops 2 packs up here in Canada, so I had to order them all from the US.


A lot of figures from this line and the Spytroops line really rocked conceptually but were flawed in one way or another when released. A good example was Claws Commander. Brilliant figure designed ruined by absolutely horrid arms. I would love to see some of these made in ME combat. In addition to Snow Wolfs picks I want to see that Bazooka redone and the VVV Viper.

[Dawg99]

i still want to get one of these sets pretty bad anybody got one?
YOJOE.COM | Venomization Chamber (http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/05/venomizationchamber/)

[Snow Wolf]

I have a bunch, but none for trade. Sorry brother. Try the "Pay It Forward" thread, or ebay maybe?

i still want to get one of these sets pretty bad anybody got one?
YOJOE.COM | Venomization Chamber (http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/05/venomizationchamber/)

[Raw Dog]

I'm still disappointed Hasbro never did a Snake Eyes with that spiffy mask his art had on him.
I think it would have made for a nice change from the endless goggles/visor takes on the guy.

Yeah, lol, they should have made a figure with that mask, lol! Heck, they should still make a figure with that mask! They should also make a sunglassed, blond-haired, rubber masked version, and a scarred up face version of SE!

Also, whomever mentioned the ARAH reprints and multi packs, good call. Did the Cobra Trooper 6 pack come out during VvV? That thing rocked, I got a buch of those. Also the Crimson Guard multi pack and Shadow Guard multi pack. Those sets rocked!

Also, the vehicles from that line were wicked pissah! Especially the Thunderwing as Snow Wolf mentioned.

I'd also like to add that I liked Cobra Claws Commander, even his arms, lol!

[spiderpumpkin]

Lately, I've been appreciating the 2002-2008 new sculpt figures, playsets and figures that I collected when they were released. I bought a good share of toys from those years and I've been buying missing items since last year.

Welcome to the Home of the R.A.H.C. Guide! (http://www.rahcguide.com/) is a good source for people that want to collect this era, check off what they have or use to organize collections. It has really helped me appreciate these toys a lot more.

I have a lot of new sculpt era toys that are my favorites. Here's a short list of my favorites. I can probably list over a hundred but here are some of the best.

1. Neo-Viper (all versions w/ o-ring)
2. Pit-Viper (both versions)
3. Tele-Viper (both versions)
4. BAT V3 (all versions)
5. Razorclaw (both versions)
6. Razor Trooper
7. Sand Scorpion/Neurotoxin
8. BAT V4 (all versions)
9. VVV Viper (all versions)
10. Interrogator
11. 2008 Joecon Sky Bat
12. 2008 Club Cobra Commander

1. Frostbite (V8,9'11)
2. Sgt Airborne (v1-2)
3. Depth Charge (both versions)
4. Cross Hair (all versions)
5. Double Clutch V1/Recondo V3
6. Chief Torpedo V1/DTC Low-Light
7. Kamakura (all 4 versions)
8. Wild Bill (V6-8)
9. Tunnel Rat (V4,7,8)
10. Leatherneck V5/Long Range
11. Rollbar V1-2
12. Sgt Bazooka V1-2

1. Ice Sabre (all 3 versions)
2. Humvee (all 3 versions)
3. Conquest Cobra Mountain
4. Venomization Chamber
5. Grizzly Tank (both versions)
6. Thunderwing
7. Night Adder
8. Defense Mech
9. Ringneck
10. Quickstrike
11. Neutralizer

[General Hawk]

I loved Valor Vs. Venom. As others have said, it was fantastic conceptually, but did have some troubles with execution, but from the story to the figure designs and the way the figures evolved over the run of the line, VvV was trend-setting in many ways.

Definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves.

[zweiman]

ive been digginh through all my totes of stuff and i love a lot of VvsV stuff. the 6 packs were pure win...

[firefox91]

I loved Valor Vs. Venom.

Oh you love everything! If a snake bit you on the leg, you would pick it up, hug it, and tell it that you love it. Then it would bite your face. :)

The VvV era had a not of regrettable purchases for me. I got caught up with buying the GIJoe name and didn't think about the fact that a ton of these figures were crap to me.

But VvV did have a lot of nice re-uses and updates of vintage tooling. One of my favorites was the Cobra Infantry 6-pack. I remember running around to TRU stores scooping up all the packs I could find. I must have ended up with 10-12 of them. :)

[jogunwarrior]

I loved Valor Vs. Venom. As others have said, it was fantastic conceptually, but did have some troubles with execution, but from the story to the figure designs and the way the figures evolved over the run of the line, VvV was trend-setting in many ways.

Definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves.

I agree! Both Valor vs Venom and the Spy Troops line are totally underrated. The designs were pretty solid but the odd proportions were a large detraction.

[Shipshape1983]

I didnt care for the figures...but the ACCESSORIES were great! I still use them in my customs.

[Shin Densetsu]

VvV o-ring Storm Shadow is toy crack and f#$%&*ing fun to pose. The wave 7 swappable mask Cobra Commander is my favorite Cobra Commander figure. Hood AND battle mask!

[Dawg99]

damn love that cobra commander anybody got an extra one of him complete ?
YOJOE.COM | Cobra Commander (http://www.yojoe.com/action/05/cobracommander20.shtml)
also could use this dr mindbender
http://www.yojoe.com/action/04/drmindbender5.shtml

[Snow Wolf]

Yep I agree. That CC is awesome. The two masks was genius! I remember how excited i was to get him, and wondered what he was gonna look like underneath. Hasbro always makes him wear that friggin facemask though. The only way to possibly improve him is to change the white painted areas to black, otherwise, perfect.

Many of my VvsV arent even opened, so I have never posed most of them, but I did get that Ninja Battles 5 pack (that I opened), which included a SS plus other ninja-y goodness.

VvV o-ring Storm Shadow is toy crack and f#$%&*ing fun to pose. The wave 7 swappable mask Cobra Commander is my favorite Cobra Commander figure. Hood AND battle mask!

[Snow Wolf]

Grr...don't remind me. We didn't get them up in Canada. I suppose I can always try to find one on ebay, but I will likely have to pay scalper style prices.

ive been digginh through all my totes of stuff and i love a lot of VvsV stuff. the 6 packs were pure win...

[Kwobubba]

I love this line. I briefly started collecting them when they came out for2 bucks a piece at DG. Unfortunately the star wars bug got me and I traded everything to a friend of mine for some power of the force 2 figures. Worst trade I've ever made. I just bought 4 of the 2 packs on eBay about an hour ago, and one of the spy troops two packs. I'm amped up to get em. Not trading them this time.

[Shin Densetsu]

Wave 4 was when VvV started to kick ass. Good times.

[Kwobubba]

The best thing about this line, is that it's the last time I remember seeing joe toys everywhere and in plentiful amounts.

[bassistcarlos]

One of my favorite vehicles came from this line. I still proudly display my crimson command copter. I'd like to see those versions of tomax and xamot remade.

[spiderpumpkin]

One of my favorite vehicles came from this line. I still proudly display my crimson command copter. I'd like to see those versions of tomax and xamot remade.

Yes, and the Humvee, Grizzly and HTC HISS too.

[spiderpumpkin]

Wave 4 was when VvV started to kick ass. Good times.

Wave 1 in January 2004 really got me going on collecting GI Joe once again.

[bassistcarlos]

The lady characters were pretty good from this line too. Bombstrike, G. I. Jane, and jinx all had decent designs. My daughter still plays with those figures; plus they really look petite, next to ME figures. Spy troops zarana, lady jaye, and DTC Munitia were also good female figures from this time period.

[bassistcarlos]

I'd like to see Dr. Mindbender and turtleneck Destro from this line made into ME figures. I wonder if they could use a DG Duke torso to make a turtleneck Destro.

[Wizgillar]

I really like the figures made with the vintage molds that were released in this line. That is how I built up the majority of my viper army.

[Ixz72]

I think the VvsV line produced two of the best GI Joe vehicles. The Night Attack Chopper and the Patriot Grizzly Tank (<-best GI Joe tank ever!!!).

The figures got better. And there were some notables. The single pack Snake-Eyes v14 I thought was one of the best versions of Snake-Eyes ever made. The Wild Bill from the line was also awesome and who could forget...Bombstrike. Cobra Commander v13 I thought was done well and so was Duke v11.

[bassistcarlos]

So much new life and creativity was put into that line. The new figures introduced were top notch. Red spot was one of the coolest looking joes to be introduced in a long time. Hi tech, hard drive, and Sgt. Hacker have shown that the Joe team has evolved and changed with the times. Former navy seal, Dr. Linc Talbot is definitely a character I'd like to see reimagined in the ME line.

[bassistcarlos]

Cobra pushed the sci fi envelope, once again with venomous Maximus and venomized troops. Snow wolves, electric eels, swamp rats, coil crushers, razor troopers, sand scorpions. Cobra had the means to create an obedient army whenever and wherever.

[Firebert]

I liked 'em even though some of their proportions were odd.
Hard Drive was the first real wrestler. He seemed kind of short, which made it cool, so I imagine him as a lighter weight.
(I know Back Stop did some wrestling, but not at college level.)

[sithlordsmart]

Great line better than sigma six

[bassistcarlos]

Special recognition to dress uniform, Gen. Abernathy. That was a cool figure. That's definitely one I'd like to see get the ME treatment.

[MightyMegs]

So... how many of you VvsV collectors have THIS Destro?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/MightyMegs/001-34.jpg

[spiderpumpkin]

So... how many of you VvsV collectors have THIS Destro?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/MightyMegs/001-34.jpg

I do.

[dominic.18]

Me too. I have them all and every variation

[bassistcarlos]

Yep, got it!!!

[spiderpumpkin]

Me too. I have them all and every variation

Is the plastic front torso piece of your Coil Crushers showing any cracks around the shoulder? I think the rubber arm material is expanding over time and creating stress cracks in the torso on mine.

[dominic.18]

Jim, I just checked all my coil crushers and one looks like it could crack soon but the others seem fine. I have been trying to send you a message. I have a couple figures you might want.

[Snow Wolf]

I do. "Pimpin' Ain't Easy" Destro.

So... how many of you VvsV collectors have THIS Destro?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/MightyMegs/001-34.jpg

[Snow Wolf]

I recently found out the VvsV line made a Snow Wolf figure. I have about 75% of the 2 packs, but oddly enough, not the one containing my namesake. I will be taking steps to change this oversight......

[Firebert]

I got a bunch of these and customized most of them.
Then I had to go back a few years later and get them again because they were actually pretty cool.

[Lightbringer719]

I agree! Both Valor vs Venom and the Spy Troops line are totally underrated. The designs were pretty solid but the odd proportions were a large detraction.

I did like the latter line for having different "bucks" for several characters, instead of having them all at 3.75" standing height. It's something that added uniqueness to each figure.

[neapolitan joe]

My version of this Destro has "G.I.JOE" written on his leg.

[Pit Viper]

I liked them for the most part when they were new but by the time the modern era figures came out I looked back and realized many were just junk. I sold or gave away most of the ones I had but kept about a dozen of the best ones. I think the betters ones were as good if not better than the current stuff actually. I'll take Bombstrike over and of the mannequin ladies they make now.

[ponygt]

I just got back into these. Especially RazorClaw (who I have renamed WarBlade) has been in and out of trouble w/POC & 25th. Plus trying to turn his back on Cobra and move on.

[Dem_Yoe'z!]

This Destro design was actually pretty good, and I'd love to see it redone in ME style next time Hasbro feels they just "HAVE TO" make a new Destro.

I hated that Kamakura when he came out because of the lack of articulation, but the overall design is pretty good and would make another good cannidate for a ME version. Certainly it would be closer to Kamakura than the 2 ME version we have now.

[Shin Densetsu]

The early VvV stuff was iffy, with wacky colors and odd proportions, but when they got to wave 4 and on?

They hit this golden spot in design, sculpting and themes, and I got horrendously excited for Robot Rebellion (especially as the comic packs were planned to segue into DDP issues with modern figures).
Even heard that Joe, as a line, did better than anticipated during 2004, enough to see some expansion in the its final months at retail (Target and TRU both EXPANDED the line during the spring of 2005, even as the line was wrapping up as a 3.75 line)

Damn Walmart and their poor Joe support...

*moved this from Modern Toy Discussion to our Vintage section, which covers everything prior to 2007

AGREED!

Wave 4 was the starting point of what VVV could truly deliver. From the long awaited new sculpt o-ring Storm Shadow to pairings of figures that made more sense, and less ridiculous paint schemes. It was at that point that I started buying more and more Joes.

This Destro design was actually pretty good, and I'd love to see it redone in ME style next time Hasbro feels they just "HAVE TO" make a new Destro.

I hated that Kamakura when he came out because of the lack of articulation, but the overall design is pretty good and would make another good cannidate for a ME version. Certainly it would be closer to Kamakura than the 2 ME version we have now.


I did like the costume design for Kamakura but did not like that figure. Thankfully this was rectified with the o-ring version in wave 4(and with the Ninja Cycle).

[ShockVal]

One of my all time favorite figures and "vehicles" came from VvV. Venomus Maximus and the Chamber are marvelous!

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/ShockVal/IMG_7198.jpg

[gi jeff]

Hey if anyone has the two shipwrecks from the VvV line complete or incomplete it doesn't matter I am putting together a shipwreck focus and need these two.
I will trade or buy.

[Steevy Maximus]

I recently found out the VvsV line made a Snow Wolf figure. I have about 75% of the 2 packs, but oddly enough, not the one containing my namesake. I will be taking steps to change this oversight......

Technically, there were TWO Snow Wolf figures: the initial was a repaint of the Spy Troops Snow Serpent (packed with a BAT for troop builders), but the one you want is the "wave 6" version that came with Frostbite.

The only element lacking in that figure was the riveted shoulders (during the transition to the injection, "rivetless" shoulders), but the deco and design were both top notch. I actually like it better than his "Classic Snow Serpent" repaint for DTC, despite the DTC version getting some nifty accessories of his own.
Frostbite was even a solid repaint of a figure that I was initially unenthused with (the vehicle version was pretty darn plain)

Wave 6 got some wacky distribution, the popular rumor was Walmart bought a bunch, but never distributed them, only to sell them to a discount chain called Ollies in mid-2005.

[Lightbringer719]

One of my all time favorite figures and "vehicles" came from VvV. Venomus Maximus and the Chamber are marvelous!

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/ShockVal/IMG_7198.jpg

That snake-headed Captain America in the background is fascinating.