Taurus (aka Varujan "Taurus" Ayvazyan) File Name: Varujan Ayvazyan of Istanbul, Turkey Grade: E-5 equivalent (1987-2006) SN: 401-19-8426 Notes: Istanbul, on the Bosporus Strait, is historically Byzantium and Constantinople. It is Europe's largest city and has been the capital of multiple empires. chronological: Mercer << Taurus >> Red Dog alphabetical: T.A.R.G.A.T. << Taurus >> Techno-Viper

Animated Appearances

Sunbow's Taurus wore his 1987 outfit with a grey holster and leg sheath, and carried a large sword. His beard was a reddish brown in the series, in contrast to the figure's dark orange.

Classic Marvel Comic Appearances

As far as I can tell, Taurus was only discernible in 2 panels of 1 issue: Order of Battle 2 in Jan. 1987.

Figure Releases

Version 1: spring 1987 Sgt. Slaughter's Renegades figure three-pack
Renegade	MOS 1: Demolitions [18C]
	head: Taurus (87) - remolded: Taurus (06) arms: Taurus (87) torso: Taurus (87) waist: Taurus (87) legs: Taurus (87)
	Accessories: silver Claridge Hi-Tec C9 pistol (new), red-brown backpack (84 Recondo's).
	The Renegades aren't carried on the rosters of any existing military unit. There is no computer access to their dossiers and they are paid through a special fund earmarked for "Pentagon Pest Control." This gives the Renegades a freedom of operation that the Joes can't match. It also means that the government can deny everything if they're caught. Taurus was a circus acrobat in Europe who did occasional undercover work for INTERPOL. His circus act involved breaking two-by-fours on his own face, a feat which so impressed the G.I. Joe top brass, he was recruited on the spot. Taurus has been cross-trained in explosive and mountaineering and is fluent in a dozen languages. "He's an animal. He stops hockey-pucks with his forehead and opens bottles with his nostrils. Luckily for us, he does everything G.I. Joe HQ tells him!"
Toy Notes: Carded in a three-pack with Mercer and Red Dog. Item #6153.

Version 2: late June 2006 Convention-exclusive Sgt. Slaughter and His Renegades three-pack
Renegade Varujan "Taurus" Ayvazyan	MOS 1: Demolitions [18C] MOS 2: Mountaineering
	head: Taurus (87) - remolded: Taurus (06) arms: Gung-Ho (92, 93/I, 01, 04/IV), Mercer (06), Red Dog (06), Taurus (06), Sgt. Slaughter (06) torso: Clutch (93), Mercer (06), Red Dog (06), Taurus (06) waist: Clutch (93), Mercer (06), Red Dog (06), Taurus (06) legs: Clutch (93), Mercer (06), Red Dog (06), Taurus (06)
	Accessories: dark grey submachine gun (05 Bombstrike's), dark grey sword (92 Nunchuk's), cream backpack (92 Big Bear's), clear figure stand (common).
	VARUJAN "TAURUS" AYVAZYAN was a circus acrobat in Europe who did occasional undercover work for INTERPOL. Unfortunately, his penchant for scimitars and other exotic edged weapons left too many tell-tale injuries. He soon found himself out of work and looking for a sign, wandering the desert and mountains with a circus troupe. Recruited by G.I. JOE and sent to the secret training facility code-named "The Slaughterhouse," he knew he had found his calling with like-minded rebels who honor justice but have a few problems with authority. Only a tough-as-nails drill instructor like SGT. SLAUGHTER can keep him in line, but when he is done, all of his Renegades will be perfect. Hearing of COBRA COMMANDER's threat to the Sarge, TAURUS somehow "acquired" three light-weight multi-threat tactical body armor systems from a secret Future Soldier program being tested in their vicinity. He outfitted the Renegades, and without thought to his personal safety, rushed off to the Sarge's defense—unaware of the strength of the combined forces with which they would have to contend. "I do not like his face. Let us remove it, yes?"
Toy Notes: Carded in a Convention-exclusive three-pack with Mercer and Red Dog. These figures are considered high-demand items.