Cobra Commander #1 | Rise of Cobra

The word “Game Changer” is getting thrown around too much it has become a common term for what’s been something new and different. Some may not agree with the way things have been brewing the past months with Skybound Entertainment acquiring the rights to produce comic books for G.I. Joe and Transformers, but the overall reception is a welcome thought for the first-timers who have started reading the series that began with Void Rivals. With Cobra Commander, this mini-series has been teased several times as a four-page backup to the titles that are part of the Energon Universe. For those wondering if this and the Duke Mini-series have any connection to the main G.I. Joe ARAH series, the answer is a big NO as that series is still within the confines of its original universe that was first published by Marvel back in 1983 when IDW rebooted with G.I. Joe issue no. 155 ½ published as an FCBD title in May 2010 is already running with the current issue continuation that began with issue no. 301 which is still written by the legendary Larry Hama. This take on Cobra Commander existing in the "Energon Universe" is unique from its original universe and it is something to look forward to.

Published: 17 January 2024
Age Rating: Mature Audience
Language: English

This mini-series featuring Cobra Commander #1 is connected to the other series with Void Rivals, Transformers, and Duke Mini-Series seeing the after-effects of the Autobots and Decepticons crashing to Earth aboard the Ark. For those who have not followed, Duke makes a cameo after his appearance in Transformers issue no. 2, while the Cobra Commander mini-series touted as a sci-fi horror genre begins with the introduction of the Rise of Cobra.

At the forefront of this newly established series is the mysterious Cobra Commander, and Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, and Annalisa Leoni carved their take on the leader of a terrorist organization that would become Cobra. From the four-page teaser, this is not your typical G.I. Joe spinoff from the Duke mini-series. It gives you the perspective that this Cobra Commander is not the bumbling leader from the Sunbow cartoon, but a character who “Never Retreats.”

The aspect of his original did not shy away from addressing that he came from Cobra-La, a civilization of society that had been around for a thousand years before the evolution of man and its human society.

Cobra-La as a longtime Joe fan was divisive because of its origins appearing in the G.I. Joe Movie those who grew up owning the toys and watching the cartoons on television only knew Cobra to be a terrorist organization, which was rarely or even acknowledged in the original comic books as Larry Hama have avoided that part of mythology and kept the comic book retain its perspective how Cobra started.

Although the comic packs that celebrated the first 25 years of the G.I. Joe ARAH brand were written by Larry Hama featuring Falcon and Nemesis Enforcer that is another story for discussion.



A Different Kind of Commander

The Cobra Commander the readers will meet in this series is different from the one they have known for a long time. This version is human, not from Cobra-La as retconned and there’s even an Easter egg addressing the “other Cobra Commander” version that was revealed in the animated movie, which was immediately shot in the head only to be revealed this version’s Cobra Commander wearing his fourth version uniform that was based on the action figure released in 1991 was the real deal.

Williamson’s writing and Milana’s crisp artwork certainly bring out the best in the debut issue showing that the creative team of this book addressed the Cobra-La connection shaping up that this is a science fiction horror series giving readers their first glimpse into who Cobra Commander and his ascension to power in putting together the terrorist organization that G.I. Joe will face in the future.

Underlying Theme

The barebones origin of Cobra Commander this side of the Energon Universe certainly will be a force to reckon with aside from facing G.I. Joe, the good commander is putting together his gallery of familiar faces that have appeared in the original cartoons as well as the previous published comic books. It is worth noting how the future looks grim for the heroes out there either bot or human.

It’s only the debut issue and there’s already a movement for the narrative to go forward, and expand the stories these writers and artists will tell about this character, namely Cobra Commander who is in the spotlight and how he will recruit and deal with the other familiar characters that you may have seen or have known in the past medium that adapted G.I. Joe beyond the animated series and live-action films.

The creative team behind this mini-series is pulling out some of their best take on the franchise at the same time addressing those concerns and making them something spectacular, which is a good read for this mini-series. This is certainly not for the young kids, but a comic book for the fans who have an open mind for change and the way things have to move forward and never stuck from the original status quo.

This is certainly, some of the best titles Skybound Entertainment has crafted and Joshua Williamson and his creative team behind this series are just beginning. With that said there are also connections too with Transformers.

The Big Bad Reveal: SPOILER!!!

Enough ramble, and in case you haven’t picked up the fourth issue of Transformers, this is where the last page of that book follows. Yes, Cobra Commander has Megatron and this appears to have the same vibes of the time Cobra Commander had a deal with Galvatron II to give him an upgraded body turning him into G2 Megatron that the story played out on G.I. Joe issue no. 139, which would turn out to be a crossover with Transformers Generation 2 #1 was published by Marvel back in the early 1990s before both series were canceled the following year.

With Megatron nothing his right arm along with his fusion canon, and the other arm removed in his appearance in this issue here it mirrors what happened in the old comics that is causing everyone’s speculation of Megatron’s future. Could he be recreated into a “New Megatron” based on his G2 version that turns into a green tan with purple camouflage?

It is too early to say, but this scene certainly was the surprising splash page toward the final act for this issue before delving into the next one that will arrive sometime at your local comic shops in February 2024. This is going to be an interesting read and fans have time to discuss it as their water cooler moment while the next issue gets published.



Overall, Skybound Entertainment is chugging along as the Energon Universe slowly moves to the next stage of its expanding stories connecting with the aforementioned series and gives fans a jumping point to read a different kind of take from these beloved characters and the G.I. Joe franchise with Cobra Commander did not disappoint as highly recommended.

NEXT: Cobra Commander #2: Dreadnoks!

Cobra Commander #1 is a mini-series published by Image Comics under Skybound Entertainment, and this is sold internationally for $4.99 USD ($ 7.56 AUD | ₱ 281.37 Pesos), but this was acquired at a local comic shop in the Philippines for ₱ 325.00 Pesos ($ 8.74 AUD | $ 5.76 USD). Please contact or visit your local Comic Shop for availability.

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