Yesss, for all you fansss of all things Cobra and G.I. Joe, a villainous reinvention has arrived, as writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana, and colorist Annalisa Leoni deliver a fresh, new five-issue miniseries (published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro): Cobra Commander!
Williamson himself has already warned “Joe” fans this will be a horror series. For seasoned fans, as a first impression, the cover promises the books will echo the familiar mythos of Cobra, “a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world,” with the commander adorned in his familiar uniform and iconic red Cobra emblem emerging from a backdrop of billowing smoke.
However, Milana’s imagery is reminiscent of horror movie posters such as John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), with its singular, dark, looming humanoid silhouette dominating the viewer’s attention, or even the ominous and terrifying vampire face emerging from a cloud on the movie poster from Fright Night (1985). Cobra Commander stepping from wreckage like a malevolent phoenix, flanked by a mass of writhing green cobras, clutching what looks to be a Luger pistol, caught my attention immediately–clearly, this is not the same Cobra Commander from my childhood.
For newer fans, the cover may remind them of a darker take on “the man with no name” archetype leveraged by Jon Favreau through his Din Djarin character from The Mandalorian. Cobra Commander’s face remains a mystery behind his mirrored visor. What sort of face is breaking the fourth wall, staring directly into the face of the reader? And what is that mysterious starship doing over Cobra Commander’s shoulder?
Jumping into the book–no spoilers–fans of both The Mandalorian and Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly will want to cheer when they see Cobra Commander enter his first scene. Trust me, you will agree with me once your eyes shift to the fourth panel of the book. Brilliant move.
As a fan of comic artists and colorists, Milana’s art, with its edgy, sharp, and dark line structures, reminds me of Jae Lee’s style from his X-Factor run. The edge deepens the horror aesthetic, especially when combined with Leoni’s talent with colors and shadows. The cinematic quality of the book is enhanced from panel to panel by a sort of greenish-blue gel set over the camera’s eye. This filtered view of the world compounds the effect with a reptilian darkness as one follows the transition from panel to panel and page to page while initial hints of Cobra Commander’s intentions are revealed. And, in contrast and with intention, the light warms in other panels, giving a clear sense of transition from scene to scene and from setting to setting. If you can’t tell, I am a fan of this creative team.
The first book brings fans of the toys, comics, animated series and–what I would call a classic–G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) a fresh take, as our once beloved (and often cowardly) heel of a villain from the world of Cobra-La who is transformed in the Energon Universe, a place where all things have been made anew. Don’t expect this commander to cower away from danger anytime soon.
Since knowing is half the battle, and I have not revealed all the details about the return of Cobra Commander, fans must read the book for themselves to see if any of their favorite Cobra characters appear in the first issue. In the Energon Universe, expect more than meets the eye.
You need to dive in. The series is sure to engage a new generation of fans and re-energize generations of faithful followers.
Cobra Commander #1 (of 5) will be available at comic book shops and on digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
Several variant covers will be available, but feast your eyes upon Cover A by Milani & Leoni below and stay tuned to Conskipper for more Energon Universe news and reviews.
