A Deep Cut Done Right
I’m probably in the minority here, but I actually liked the 1987 G.I. Joe: The Movie when I was a kid—and as an adult, I can appreciate it for what it was. Sure, Cobra-La isn’t everyone’s favorite addition to G.I. Joe lore, but I’ve never had the same level of disdain that some fans do. In fact, I’ve really been digging their updated presence in the Energon Universe G.I. Joe comics, (do yourself a favor and checkout Joshua Williamson’s Cobra Commander mini series if you haven’t already). So when Pythona was first revealed for the Classified Series, I knew instantly she was going to be a good addition to the line —and she mostly delivered.
Packaging & Presentation
Hasbro gave this figure the royal treatment. The holographic Cobra-La packaging pops with rich purple hues, action shots, and a QR code for digital file access. The figure ships in a protective outer box, keeping that premium convention-exclusive feel intact.
Collectors will appreciate that this one really looks like a special release—the shimmering Cobra-La aesthetic perfectly matches the bizarre organic world Pythona hails from.
Design & Sculpt
Pythona is an absolute showpiece. From the moment you remove her from the tray, the figure radiates a sinister elegance. Her serpent-textured cloak, flowing hairpiece, and snake-like pupils give her a haunting, alien beauty that instantly sets her apart from standard Cobra ranks.
The body sculpt is completely new, covered in organic, armor-like detailing that captures her movie appearance down to the smallest crustacean-style ridges. The paintwork transitions between purples, greens, and flesh tones that shimmer under light. She even features fully sculpted toes—a first for the G.I. Joe Classified line—adding to her eerie, otherworldly presence.
Accessories Galore
If you love display options, this release delivers in spades. Pythona comes loaded with movie-accurate organic weapons and tools, each looking like it crawled straight out of Cobra-La:
- Electric-fence eel slashing fingers
- Acid-dripping “smoke” claws
- Two translucent pink snake-bladed weapons
- A pink diamond (reference to the scene from the movie she used it to hire Zartan and the Dredknocks)
- Face-hugger creature with articulated tentacles
- Clam-shell creatures with tongues and teeth
- Parasitic turtle/bug
- Four electric eels that can wrap around her arms
- Alternate hair piece and two unique head sculpts—one stoic and calm, one snarling with fangs
- Multiple interchangeable hands, including smoke effects and slashing poses
It’s a bizarre, visually striking arsenal—equal parts horror and sci-fi.
Articulation & Build Quality
Articulation is solid, though not flawless. Pythona features:
- Ball-joint neck with good tilt
- Butterfly shoulders and bicep swivel
- Pinless double-jointed elbows and knees
- Drop-down hips and thigh swivel
- Diaphragm and waist cuts for torso movement
- Wrist hinges (vertical on fists)
- Rocker ankles (no boot swivel)
While movement is mostly excellent, the torso and neck feel a bit stiff, and the lack of a boot or shin swivel slightly limits posing. Still, for a sculpt this intricate, it’s impressive how much range they achieved. However, she does seem to have slight problems standing.
Comparisons & Display
Standing beside Nemesis Enforcer and Once-A-Man Cobra Commander, Pythona rounds out a striking Cobra-La trio. She’s a little shorter than her monstrous allies but fits the group perfectly.
Personally, I think she also pairs beautifully with horror-themed lines like Operation Monster Force —her design fits right in with anything eerie, supernatural, or symbiote-like.
Final Thoughts
While not the most dynamically poseable figure in the Classified line, Pythona’s sculpt, paint, and accessory loadout make her an absolute must-own for fans of the G.I. Joe movie or anyone building a Cobra-La display. She’s bizarre, creepy, and uniquely detailed—a welcome curveball in the line’s growing roster.
Verdict: A visually stunning figure with a few articulation nitpicks, but an essential addition for collectors who appreciate deep-cut characters and creature-feature aesthetics.⭐ Rating: 8.5/10 — Pythona brings a dose of organic menace to the Classified shelf.