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Research and Ideation (or Sketching)
This "Officer" illustration was signed and dated September 3rd, 1981 by Ron Rudat. Ron labeled rank markings on his left upper arm and shoulder, explosives and cartridge pouches on his chest, gloves on his hands, a fancy knife like the Commanders on his left thigh, and a modified AKM. He did not illustrate or call out the rank on his helmet, this must've been a later addition. It is interesting to note the differences between the AKM shown here and the AK-47 we received. The AK-47 (officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova) is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. It was developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1948. The AKM variant of the AK-47 was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov and introduced into service with the Soviet Army in 1959. The AKM features detail improvements and some parts and assemblies were revised to optimize the rifle for mass production using simplified manufacturing methods.
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Creator Commentary:
Kirk Bozigian (G.I. Joe Product Manager) and Ron Rudat (R&D Figure Designer) discuss how the idea for a ruthless terrorist organization known as Cobra came to be, designing the figures, and the wildly successful Cobra Commander promotion.
Designing the Cobra Logo
Ron Rudat designed the Cobra figures and the Cobra logo. He still has the original Cobra logo design hanging in his hallway.
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Refining the "Mickey Mouse" Cobra Logo
The earliest Cobra Commander figures featured a slightly different Cobra sigil on his chest. This variation is often referred to as "Mickey Mouse Cobra Commander" in the G.I.JOE community due to the Cobra's eyes looking like Mickey Mouse ears. This variation is rarer than the more refined logo variation that would quickly replace it.
Until recently, it was believed that only Cobra Commander was produced with this “Mickey Mouse” Cobra sigil – Cobra Commander was rushed into production to fill the December 1982 mail orders, while Cobra and Cobra Officer were released shortly after at retail with the more refined sigil. New evidence has emerged (with the full confidence and backing of 3DJoes and Joe Declassified) that Cobra and Cobra Officer Final Engineering Pilot (FEPs) featuring the “Mickey Mouse” Cobra logo were indeed produced.
Until recently, it was believed that only Cobra Commander was produced with this “Mickey Mouse” Cobra sigil – Cobra Commander was rushed into production to fill the December 1982 mail orders, while Cobra and Cobra Officer were released shortly after at retail with the more refined sigil. New evidence has emerged (with the full confidence and backing of 3DJoes and Joe Declassified) that Cobra and Cobra Officer Final Engineering Pilot (FEPs) featuring the “Mickey Mouse” Cobra logo were indeed produced.
1982 "Mickey Mouse" Cobra Officer (FEP)
Final Engineering Pilots, or FEPs, are samples of near-production quality toys supplied to Hasbro from the factory. These samples were used in review to verify that Hasbro liked the paint detail placement. During the 1982-1994 run, these figures were sometimes sent to Hasbro in a group bag of 50, individually bagged, or sometimes carded. Examples of FEP’s have been found with different paint applications or plastic color compared to what was released for mass production.
Since retail samples of 1982 Cobra and 1982 Cobra Officer have never been found with the “Mickey Mouse” Cobra logo (either bagged or carded), we believe the figure shown above is a FEP. Photos of this figure are courtesy courtesy of Aaron Porter.
Since retail samples of 1982 Cobra and 1982 Cobra Officer have never been found with the “Mickey Mouse” Cobra logo (either bagged or carded), we believe the figure shown above is a FEP. Photos of this figure are courtesy courtesy of Aaron Porter.
Unadorned Package Art
The painting above was created by Coleman, Lipuma, Segal & Morrill, Inc. (CLS&M) with art direction by Ed Morrill and illustration by Hector Garrido. Note the red Cobra logo, which was changed to silver before mass production.
Proof Card
A proof card (or proof) is an early printing of an action figure card back. These were used as a quality control to verify the card back is correct and to create mock ups for bubble placement and advertising pieces. Some proofs are printed on slightly thinner cardstock and others are found on production quality card stock. Proof cards can be found as a front side with a blank back, a back side with a blank front, or printed on both sides. All proofs are printed on a big sheet and individually cut. Examples have been found that are die cut by a machine or hand cut by a person.
This double sided, thick cardstock, die cut proof card features the 1984 "with swivel-arm battle grip!" callout graphic. Cobra Officer was available at retail in the US from 1982-1984.
This double sided, thick cardstock, die cut proof card features the 1984 "with swivel-arm battle grip!" callout graphic. Cobra Officer was available at retail in the US from 1982-1984.
Production: 1982 Cobra Officer: The Enemy v1 (straight-arm)
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Includes: AK-47 assault rifle
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