Rebooting a licensed franchise is tricky, especially for franchises where it rarely happens, as is the case with G.I. Joe and Cobra Commander. A new universe connecting the Transformers and G.I. Joe launched last year with Duke starting things off, but now it’s the villain’s time to shine. Written by Duke writer Joshua Williamson, who has said Cobra Commander mirrors that series, I think fans will be surprised just how cool this bad-guy series is.
Two things permeate this opening issue. One is science; the other is a strong Wolverine vibe. Let me explain. The latter element is evident when Cobra Commander enters a bar in a snowy area. He keeps to himself but draws attention. He’s dangerous from the look of him, but he is a man on a mission and cares not for what others think or say. When things get dicey, though, he quickly springs to violence to achieve a goal. The opening of Cobra Commander #1 is the same pages printed in the back of Duke #1 and shows that this isn’t a villain to trifle with.
Without getting into spoilers, the rest of the issue is a fascinating read. Speaking as someone who doesn’t know the previous iterations of lore, I can safely say I was pleasantly surprised by how deep this universe appears to be. Williamson and artist Andrea Milana are doing some intriguing world-building here. There’s an alien look at compelling elements that make Cobra Commander who he is, which adds a mythological nature to the book. While Transformers and Duke have set up characters on Earth, here we see where Cobra Commander came from. He’s a man of science and principles and does what he wants when he knows he’s right. He’s dangerous and also a scientist.
So what’s your deal, bub?
Credit: Skybound
He’s also a victim, and a stubborn one at that. After reading this, you can see the humanity underneath the mask, but he’s also not so humanized that you conceive of him as a good guy. He’s also not stupid, and I highly doubt Williamson will have him fail as easily as he did in the cartoon. There’s respect from the creators and an obvious complexity to him that’s worth investing in.
My only gripe with the story is the very last page. It doesn’t do enough to give us a sense of what it means or where it’s going. There’s something there, especially for readers who know the lore, but it doesn’t do much to amp up your interest regarding cliffhangers.
Art by Milana and colorist Annalisa Leoni is also good, with a grittier and grounded look that jives well with the sci-fi elements of the series. As you can see in the preview pages already revealed, Milana has a good sense of pacing and framing in the opening scene, capturing the bar’s patrons well as they look on at the mysterious Cobra Commander. The use of sound effects and blood hammer home the violent nature of this villain. The humanity of Cobra Commander is a tricky thing to capture, given he’s mostly covered up, but Milana captures it in body language for the most part. The solid metal mask almost creates a sense of insecurity that is compelling.
Speaking as someone who never loved G.I. Joe, I can safely say I’m compelled to read much more in this new Skybound-driven Energon Universe. The creative team has made Cobra Commander seem far more dangerous as a villain who can go it alone but, with the right tools, could rule the world. Cobra Commander builds up sci-fi mythology with genuine intensity and a fascinating central villain.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.