Hello all! For years, I've been thinking about a cross community contest that is open to all Joe collectors and today I've finally set one in motion. If you don't me, I am Roshan on the hisstank forums and you may have met me at Joe cons in the past. Regardless if you know me or not, you're all invited to join a contest that you can play in the field or keep track of on your computer. I've put together a contest that spans a great deal of Canada and the United States called the Cross Continent Cobra Capture Classic. Here's how it works:

Cobra action figures will be placed in hidden locations throughout the land. These figures will be found in plastic zip lock bags with a code inside. I will be putting clues to all of their whereabouts on my blog and on various websites so that you may find them. If you locate a figure, he's yours to keep, but we need that intel, so please post a picture of the figure with his code either here, the intel hub blog or at any of the various joe websites on the net. This intel is two-fold. First it will unlock greater information for the rest of the contest, and more importantly for you, it will register you in the grand prize drawing.

Each basic trooper found will be worth one entry into the great drawing, while every cobra raid leader (four total) will be worth three entries into the grand drawing. The drawing will be held at the GIJoe Canada Con in August and the winner will receive a Cobra Terrordrome with Avac and Firebat. You will not need to be present to win, I will ship it to you.

Now where will these guys be hidden? That I cannot say, but intel will come in throughout the year when we get it, and I will say that the figures will find their way to at least 30 states and three provinces, with about 60-70 total troopers dropped so your chances of being in on the hunt are pretty good. I will be updating a lot of the contest in this thread, but for the quickest updates for drops and intel, check the central hub for all the info at: http://cobracaptureclassic.blogspot.com/

Additionally, the forum that finds the most figures by the end of the contest I will donate $50 to help fund their server costs. So when you find a figure and you post it on the site of your choice, that will be one tally for that collector group. If you post straight to the blog, you can designate which site you belong to if you wish.

There are further prizes in the contest, but they need to be discovered as figures are found by the clues they give. So go out there and let's hunt some Cobras!

Here's the first intel pic of the Cobra troops on the loose. There whereabouts will be revealed soon!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/THEROOM838Large.jpg

well I will be looking for any clues that lead to my neck o the woods, thats for sure.

Intel has tracked down the first of many operatives. This Cobra trooper is hiding out in the following building:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/INTEL1.jpg

Although we do know that the location is in Iowa, we do not have the city as of yet. We also received a code that could help pinpoint his location. The code is
fGN 2
fGN 772.32
We're not sure what this code means, but we will be on the lookout for further information.

UPDATE: We have a new clue. Apparently this cobra trooper is attempting to gain information from a German authority on Anthropology in Iowa City, IA. We hope this information helps in your search.



UPDATE! We now have the exact location where the trooper is doing research, the code is now clear:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/INTEL2Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/INTEL3Large.jpg

Now I know some of you peeps live in Iowa City. Since I really want to kick this thing out on a positive note with the first figure getting captured, here's a map to guide you :P

university of iowa main library - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=university+of+iowa+main+library&sll=41.841687,-92.57099&sspn=2.938284,4.938354&ie=UTF8&hq=Main+Library&hnear=Main+Library,+Iowa+City,+IA+52240&ll=41.659704,-91.538569&spn=0.002777,0.004823&t=h&z=18)


It's on the fifth floor, beyond that, the clues really should be enough to help. Look behind the last picture.

This contest looks like a whole lot of fun! I'll be keeping an eye out for someone to invade my city.

Hope some make it to my neck o' the woods.

On February 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM Joe operative Knomadd of TheTerrordrome.com successfully reported in that he captured a Cobra Tele-Viper in Iowa City, IA at the University of Iowa Library. Congratulations Knomadd.


After reviewing the data on the Tele Vipers laptop, we have come across some promising information. From the looks of things, the Tele Viper's unit commander was none other than Copperhead. Although we do not know his location we have been informed of two meetings that will take place in the following week in Chicago, IL and Sacramento, CA. It is at these meetings that the Tele Viper was to relay his information. If we can capture any Cobra troops at these meetings, we might just find someone able to give the whereabouts of Copperhead, who is now our primary objective.

On February 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM Joe operative Knomadd of TheTerrordrome.com successfully reported in that he captured a Cobra Tele-Viper in Iowa City, IA at the University of Iowa Library. Congratulations Knomadd.


After reviewing the data on the Tele Vipers laptop, we have come across some promising information. From the looks of things, the Tele Viper's unit commander was none other than Copperhead. Although we do not know his location we have been informed of two meetings that will take place in the following week in Chicago, IL and Sacramento, CA. It is at these meetings that the Tele Viper was to relay his information. If we can capture any Cobra troops at these meetings, we might just find someone able to give the whereabouts of Copperhead, who is now our primary objective.Sweet! Something nearby! Congrats to knomadd!

After a lengthy search, we have a new operative spotted in Sacramento, California. Our spies have submitted this picture, and one clue: ZOOM! Prepare your search NoCal troopers.




http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/SSPX0172Large.jpg

CHICAGO UNDER ATTACK

Our intelligence has intercepted a communique between what we believe to be a cobra defector and another cobra agent. It revealed an imminent attack in the city of Chicago. Thankfully, we have men on the ground already breaking up the plot. Here is that letter:

My love, my life,
I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore. I'm staring into a flotsam and I can see clearly now for the first time. This is not who I am, I'm leaving the operation. Don't worry, I haven't given away our positions. Although I may be considered a coward by some, I will not be labeled a traitor. I told the black horned beast that I was leaving...in my own way. Despite my retreat from this madness, my love for you still remains. Everything to this point, every sacrifice, I have done for you. But as the dawn rose over the shores of the lake yesterday, the sun blazed the monolithic skyline golden, and the beauty of it left me with a feeling of guilt at what we were preparing to do. It was too much, not even love should force one to commit such crimes. So now I ask of you, if you truly care for me, renounce this cause, and come to me and we can live out our lives together, without fear. If your answer is yes, I am here, where we first met, waiting, at Lover's Leap. Look out from the leap, turn around and look up, I will be waiting beneath the top.
Waiting anxiously, H


We believed the attack to be in Chicago and our hunch was correct. Counter terrorist operation led by GIJoe operative Shockwave broke the main thrust of the attack forcing their operatives to splinter and hide themselves throughout the city. Interrogations of Cobra agents captured revealed clues to four Cobra operatives.

Two Cobra agents have hidden themselves in this location:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC001Large.jpg
The only other information revealed on their location was the following. Within the walls surrounding the horned black beast, and The edge of the cave of the whiskered ones.

The third cobra operative is a Crimson Guardsmen who is attempting to blend into his surroundings by taking a new identity as a pizza chef. Fortunately the management at the establishment deduced his identity and have held him, and are waiting for you to retrieve him at this location (the greatest pizza place in town so we hear):
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC023Large.jpg
You only need ask for the Cobra trooper that is captured and they will turn him over along with all the pizza the Guardsman made before being found out. Anthony is the point man at the pizza place.


Finally a Cobra BAT seems to be malfunctioning and running rampant in the outer suburbs of the Chicagoland area. This was the last known location of the BAT. Interrogation revealed that if the BAT is malfunctioning, he was to reboot and rendezvous where the edges of the estates meet. CAPTURED!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC028Large.jpg



Additionally, we have the defector to deal with. Given his qualms about working for Cobra, he could be a valuable asset to locating the officer in command of this operation. Find him at his "lovers rendezvous" before his love interest can either join up with him, or get rid of him for deserting. His letter was postmarked from the city of Utica, IL and included this picture:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC034Large.jpg



Woodridge BAT has been captured by Tolan of theterrordrome.com

Anyone hungry? We hear that a place in Oak Park, IL makes some good pizza.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC020Large.jpg
When you go, ask for a Crimson Guardsman to go :)
He's hiding out here:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC024Large.jpg


That rapscallion Tolan has figured out both the Woodridge clues and pizza clues so I am forced to try and thwart him enroute to the pizza. Your destination is Nick's Pizza on Madison St. in Oak Park, IL Get there in the next 20 minutes and you can beat him. If he's there before you are, tell him Roshan told you to buy you a slice of pizza with the gift certificate he won :P


Bah, Tolan got there :D Two more Cobras left in Chicago! One more in Utica!

Time for more clues!

In Sacramento, we have zeroed in on the location.
Here is the storefront it is near:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/SSPX0167Large.jpg
The Cobra agent is hiding somewhere in this photo:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/SSPX0166Large.jpg


As to Chicago, the Cobra agents in the zoo have hidden themselves well, but we now have pinpointed which habitats they are hiding around.
The cave of the whiskered ones seems to be the Sea Lion exhibit:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC010Large.jpg
and the black horned beast would be the Black Rhinoceros exhibit.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/CCCCC013Large.jpg

For Utica we have narrowed the location of Lover's Leap to Starved Rock State Park just south of the city.


There's your latest set of clues. Go get em troopers!

Target: Tampa Bay!

Intelligence has reported two new cobra troops in the Tampa Bay area.

The first troop has been spotted in Clearwater Beach.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture439Large.jpg
He is currently hiding out amongst the branches in a palm tree on the beach. Follow these pictures to find him.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture437Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture458Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture459Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture457Large.jpg

The second cobra trooper has been spotted near the entrance of Lowry Park Zoo!
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture443Large.jpg
Follow the pictures to track him down
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture444Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture446Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture447Large.jpg


All four Chicago locations have been captured but the Starved Rock target is still at large. Intelligence gathered on Chicago will be posted this weekend. (since the junkie laptop I've got on vacation at the moment really sucks)

EDIT: Lowry Park Zoo Crimson Guard has been found by 03mach1 of the Hisstank
EDIT: Clearwater Beach Incinerator has been found by X-factorz of the hisstank

this sounds completly absurde....and fun.i'll keep my peeps open here in toronto,canada;)

OK its been way too long since an update. Sorry Canada, a busted up tire completely screwed up my canada trip and I was stuck in Northern Ontario sitting at a Canadian Tire for way too long and I had to drive straight through the night to get to New York.

Speaking of New York, anyone want an unproduced figure?
Well here's one:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture481Large.jpg
He's currently hiding at the top of Mt Marcy in a cairn on the summit.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture482Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture483Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture484Large.jpg
Basically, you get that guy, you earned it and then some. The mountain is not a technical climb but its about an 18 miles roundtrip hike


But Canada I did get to you at least once before getting out of town. A Heat Viper is currently hanging out at a place that serves the best French Fried in the World (or at least northern ontario) Go to this restaurant/motor home to ask for the gijoe figure and you'll get the HEAT Viper, and a large fries on me. the restaurant is just outside of Bonfield, on and Highway 17
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture478Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture479Large.jpg

Wisconsin, you get your first drop too, also kinda outta the way a bit. Also near a highpoint. This cobra is hidden in a coffee can at the Highpoint Village restaurant, just below Timms Hill near Ogema, WI
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture474Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/CCCCC/Picture473Large.jpg


Now some of you might be thinking 'this sucks, they are in really out of the way places'. Well part of this is my car broke down so I have less time, but secondly, there have already been two instances where people looking for figures have either had the cops called on them or have the cops question what they were doing. I don't want that to happen. So from now on I'm either leaving the figures in a public park outside of cities, or in a restaurant or venue where the owner knows what's going on. I do not want anyone to get in trouble looking for toys so thats why there is this change in drop spots.

tell the cops you are Geocaching (pronounced cashing, it is a treasure hunt around the world for bobbles really but my wife loves it, we now have an exact coordinate finder), most officers have been told about those of us who do this. This is an awesome contest not expecting any near here but still cool




ttfndude

Any intel on a Dallas area sighting?

Also, you might include other members of the forums that want to help but don't care about participating. I'd like to play along, but if it helps better, I'll go undercover too.

Weekend warriors I have a blast of a capture spot for you this weekend. Last weekend I dropped a Cobra Capture figure off at Kokomo Toys in Kokomo, IN. Don't worry that he's already gone though because Kokomo Toys is only open on Saturdays so he'll be there tomorrow when the doors open.

Here's the details:
The Cobra you need to find is a loose 25th Anniversary Snow Serpents figure. There is no other 25th Snow Serpents sitting around in the store. The only clue you'll receive is the Snow Serpents is hanging out somewhere in this picture:

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/143/l_31650be1ec4f45d59a50ddd5178e520c.jpg

As a bonus, find the Snow Serpents and you also get a $20 gift certificate to spend at the store on me. So really all you need is gas money to get there and you got a 25th Serpents, an entry for the Terrodrome drawing and 20 bucks for joes. Can't go wrong there.

Kokomo Toys is open Saturdays 9-5
they are located at:

Kokomo Toys & Collectibles
1244 E. Morgan Street
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/108/m_a91d6d23dce04bf4a9fccf62fe8235e2.jpg

Great game.
Too bad I joined late. The Chicago-burbs one found is very near to my home.

Great game.
Too bad I joined late. The Chicago-burbs one found is very near to my home.

LOL ...it was close to me too... ;)

This game sounds fun!

Any chance Youngstown, OH will see the Joe's? I know our crime around here could use A Real American Hero presence or Cobra reenforcements.

Was the Kokomo Toys figure found yet? I am curious about the next drop.

Thanks! Is KOP now your cohort in crime? Or is he a individual subsidy?

Quick update! I can't get my camera to upload to my laptop right now, but I'm putting this out there so if anyone wants to get out there before I put pictures up they can.
I have hidden a cobra figure in one of the west bound rest areas in between Sioux Falls and Pierre. The figure is hidden in a small tree east of any of the buildings at the rest area. More drops to come this week in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska!

OK, one more from my recent trip. The combination of children on my trip and a deer smashing up my van limited my opportunities to hide figures but there was one more figure hidden in the Black Hills! Like the New York drop, this figure is going to take some effort, but not nearly as much. I have left a vintage Rock Viper at the top of Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota. In the following picture I am standing over the hiding place of the figure. He is on the stairs leading to the man made damn just west of the summit tower. as you are walking up the stairs he is hidden on the left side (north side two steps below the yellow flowers in the picture) of the steps.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/DSC01704Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/DSC01703Large.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/DSC01700Large.jpg

Man I wish I was going to SDCC. Well, not really. I wish I was in Cali so I could go climbing and SDCC on the side. So since I can't make the show, I had to send a cobra figure along. But this isn't just any figure. This is a boss figure. Three entries into the Terrordrome drawing. You'll be on the look out for this figure:
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/6-15-10/DSC01322Large.jpg

Good ol' Star Brigade Destro. Now here is the clue to where to find this figure. You need to go to the booth of the artist who drew this picture:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/sbdestro.jpg

Walky right up to him and ask if he has captured a Destro figure and that you are there to pick him up. There is an additional reward that the artist will give you upon finding the Destro.

Dang it!! :mad: I know just where to find him but I'm stuck in NY :( Gaah!!!

EDIT August 4: Well folks it's 8 months into the contest now, and my original private prediction of having 25% of the figures found was pretty close to correct (sadly I might add, just got hide them better, or easier next time round). 48 figures were hidden over the course of the contest (a couple more will be hid in the next two days for the last minute).
Figures were found in the following states:
Iowa (1)
South Dakota (2)
California (1)
Florida (2)
Rhode Island (2)
Illinois (3)
Indiana (1)
Ontario (1)

States with figures hidden that did not catch them were: Michigan, Wisconsin, New York,



The following people are in the drawing for the Terrordrome this Saturday with possibly more to come. These people either found a trooper, an officer, or were winners of a sub contest entry:
Tolan – theterrordrome

Tolan – theterrordrome

Knomadd - theterrordrome

Blade - hisstank

Gunzlinger - hisstank

Mongoose – non board?

03mach1 – hisstank

x-factorz – hisstank

JLPython – hisstank

Kingofpain – cross board

Poptart – hisstank

Poptart – hisstank

Poptart – hisstank

Django – joebattlelines

pdaat – joecanuck

dodge82 – joecanuck

editor – joecanuck

harkiri - theterrordrome

If I forgot to add you, please let me know, I might have missed one and want to make sure everyone who earned a spot, gets in. Thanks again everyone for participating :)

Here is the grand prize for this weekend (the other three are prizes for the Canada Con trivia contest)
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/phillinley/6-15-10/DSC02041Large.jpg

Oh no no, this thing's not over yet! You on your way to the con? Looking for some last minute Cobras so you can get in the contest? Well I got ya covered. Just placed two figures on the way. My camera USB isw mia so you'll have to find it by description.

First figure: It's at the I-90 rest area north bound in between the Ohio border and Erie, PA. As you park your car and approach the rest area building, on the right entrance, there's a three foot brick wall with a small sign on the right end of the wall. The figure is sitting behind the wall on the opposite side of the sign.

Second figure: It's at the 1-90 rest area north bound in between the Pennsylvania border and Buffalo, NY. (technically a service center with a Denny's, mcdonalds, etc) As you are entering the rest area, there's a group of boulders on the left hand side just before the parking lot. The figure is behind the first boulder.


But wait! There's more. I will be hiding more figures in the Con hotel tomorrow. Additionally. The first person to find me at the con or in line and calls out "Roshan Sucks!" will get a figure and an entry as well.

I will be having additional mini contests in line saturday morning as we all wait for the con set. Bring it on people!

The drawing will be 4:30 pm EST at the Canada Con.


Also, since no one picked up the Cobra Capture figure at David Willis' booth at SDCC, the Destro and Shortpacked book will be available again at Canada Con. You just gotta go up to Willis' booth and ask for it, and you have three entries into the drawing for the terrordrome. However, you cant go up an ask until the show starts, no dealers or con staff getting the jump, everyone gets a fair crack at the Shortpacked drop :)

Congrats Gunzlinger! There were nine additional entrants into the drawing added after I left for the con
Canada Con head Canuck The_Mike drew the winning name and gunzlinger who hunted cobras in South Dakota was the winning draw.

Thanks again everyone for playing, I had a lot of fun running it. This year was kind of a trial and error for bigger things next year. If things go well this will be expanded next year with a full story to back it and another big prize playset.

Man, I just heard about this. What a kick.

Great contest, Roshan.