COBRA COMMANDER #1, by Image Comics on 1/17/24, expands Image’s Energon Universe with a series that catches up to G.I. Joe’s greatest enemy and his new mission to conquer the world… with a little help.
The Details
- Written by: Joshua Williamson
- Art by: Andrea Milana
- Colors by: Annalisa Leoni
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Andrea Milana, Annalisa Leoni (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: January 17, 2024
Is COBRA COMMANDER #1 Good?
Oh, Snap! That’s right. COBRA COMMANDER #1 has at least one “Oh, Snap!” moment that gets you excited about where this title is headed and gives further weight to Image’s interconnected Energon Universe. At this rate, the Skybound imprint will put the Big 2 to shame before the year’s out.
Joshua Williamson tells the tale of G.I. Joe’s oldest foe as we find Cobra Commander embarking on a secret mission on behalf of Golobulus and Cobra-La after the hissing one was given refuge from the Joes and the world above. Refuge, however, comes with the price of service, but Cobra Commander is never one to play by the rules. When Cobra Commander stirs trouble in Cobra-La by bringing a “special discovery” within the city’s walls, he embarks on a mission to save Cobra-La to save the city from itself and civil war.
If that description sounds overly vague or cryptic, it’s with good reason. There’s a twist revealed after the midway point that steers the story in surprising and exciting ways. We won’t spoil it here because the reveal is too good, but there’s a clue if you know where to look.
What’s great about COBRA COMMANDER #1? Cobra Commander is a rule-breaking, diabolical, determined villain, and Williamson gives you all that character work and more. Similar to the other Energon Universe titles released so far, you get all the aspects you remember fondly from the original Hasbro stories with a modern, mature edge that remains faithful to the source material while feeling fresh.
What’s not so great about COBRA COMMANDER #1? There’s not much to criticize with this issue beyond an odd nitpick or two. If you want a new series that elevates Cobra Commander into an A-Tier G.I. Joe villain, COBRA COMMANDER #1 is off to a great start.
How’s the art? If there’s a weak point in COBRA COMMANDER #1, it’s the art. Milana and Leoni do a perfectly fine job with the visuals, but the figure work and inks aren’t as crisp or clean as they could be. We could be holding the art team to too high a standard, but there’s too much goodness coming out of the Hasbro license acquisition for Skybound to fall short on the art.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s COBRA COMMANDER #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Cobra Commander entering a watering hole in the middle of nowhere, looking for transportation. When the masked one doesn’t get any volunteers, he takes what he needs by bloody force.
In a flashback, we see how Cobra Commander (CC) has been enjoying refuge in Cobra-La as a research scientist under the watchful protection of Golobulus. CC, however, breaks the rules of Cobra-La by secretly bringing a technological artifact into the city from the world above, stirring upheaval among Cobra-La’s citizens. A riot leads to a revolt, and CC is almost killed.
Later, CC is brought before Golobulus to answer for his blasphemy, but CC answers with truth, a warning, a demonstration, and a proposed quest to turn Cobra-La into a world-dominating power.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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COBRA COMMANDER #1 leans into the science fiction elements of G.I. Joe, expands on the Energon Universe, and elevates Cobra Commander to an A-Tier villain, all in the first issue. For all of Williamson’s troubles at DC, he may have found his truer, better calling with this series.
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