Cobra Commander is an interesting example of a self-made genius rising in his villainous reach. As a wise man once said, it’s all coming together, especially with Cobra Commander #5. The last issue introduced Destro as the next phase in Cobra Commander’s plan, and the plot thickens nicely once you put this week’s issue down.
Cobra Commander #5 opens with Destro’s facilities being attacked. He’s royally pissed and wants to set up a meeting with Cobra Commander to figure out how to slow it down. It’s probably a misguided idea, but it’s not the first time someone underestimated Cobra Commander. This issue speeds up not only Destro’s inevitable role in Cobra Commander’s plans but also establishes some larger truths connecting to the Transformers side of the Energon universe. Combined, this issue feels essential to the larger universe world-building.
As we’ve seen in previous issues, Cobra Commander has a deft hand regarding dangerous tech. We get to see it on full display in a tense scene and later explained a bit when the story takes us into his lab.
Destro, think this through, man!
Credit: Skybound
Something interesting about this series is how writer Joshua Williamson and artist Andrea Milana maintain a level of danger with Cobra Commander, but he’s also a touch goofy. Not in a way that you’d laugh at him, but more like Joker, in that he’s a bit loose with his words and actions in a chaotic way. It creates a different vibe for the villain you don’t often see.
I might argue that it’s silly how quickly Destro decides what he’ll do with Cobra Commander, but this is also a G.I. Joe comic. Sure, he likely has ulterior motives, but it seems too easy for Cobra Commander to get what he wants. He also puts himself in a way too dangerous position, especially given how dangerous Cobra Commander has shown himself with his attacks on Destro’s facilities.
Milana gets to draw some great environments, like a suburb Cobra Commander built or his insane lab. The crowning achievement is the costumes. Cobra Commander sporting a trench coat is so right, or Destro’s off-work outfit is very spiffy. Milana has a great ability to draw many characters in a less detailed but still dynamic way.
The issue’s crowning achievement is in the last few pages, which connect Cobra-La to Cobra Commander’s actions in the last few issues and their knowledge of Transformers. The creators make it easy to see how they’ve placed the pieces, as this isn’t just G.I. Joe vs. Cobra vs. Transformers.
The pace moves quickly in an exciting fifth issue of Cobra Commander. Fans of these characters will enjoy where the issue ends and be even more excited about the potential of this story after reading the last few pages.
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