The reason behind why I think Cobra Commander ranks as one of pop culture’s greatest villains is because of the performance by the incomparable Chris Latta. Not only has he provided the voice to Starscream in Transformers, but also voiced Mr. Burns when The Simpsons first premiered! Although the personalities are somewhat similar for the first two, the latter is vastly different. And while reading Skybound and IDW Comics’ updated origin story about this character, I can only hear his warcry resonating in the back of my head!
This take written by Joshua Williamson takes what’s from the animated movie–for better or worse–seriously! He’s a renegade and a scientist from Cobra-la, a lost civilization cut off from “the world,” and it leads me to think it’s located somewhere on Earth rather than be another planet. After getting chided by Golobulus, he’s given a chance at redemption. He must build a secret militia, and so begins the first issue.
What’s presented is far darker than I remember after rewatching the G.I. Joe the Movie. It’s bloodier, and perhaps even more alien. Unless one was watching the five-part specials, the Sunbow/DIC animated series were not all that compelling. It wasn’t until much later when the writers decided to take a stab at making the next iterations, like G.I. Joe Resolute and Renegades, feel more realistic. Sadly, these versions didn’t perform well as both were short-lived. And I suspect what Williamson offers combines the best of what I recall from these latest takes.
The artwork from Andrea Milana and Annalisa Leoni is fantastic. Together, the world that’s presented feels less like a cartoon and more like a realm that I believe John Carpenter’s The Thing can exist alongside. That’s mostly because the debut issue concerns Cobra Commander visiting some frosty hole in the wall diner, seeking a ride. While everybody in the operation is laughing at him because of his attire, he’s quite serious! I’m reminded of X-men the Movie, when we meet Wolverine for the first time!
Ultimately, the flashback firmly establishes just how vile this character is. And we learn something about the world he’s from. It’s a strange organic world where these characters rely on their symbiotic relationship with nature, whereas this scientist who would become Cobra Commander wants to embrace technology. I don’t need to say more, and even though not everyone will read what Robert Kirkman has planned for a shared universe, I may well be wanting to see what’ll be happening, anyway.
This Energon Universe includes another series titled Void Rivals, and I don’t think this comic is essential. Williamson’s focus is in the right place in the dossier presented at this chapter’s end, and I can’t wait to see what the next issue will entail! I’m sure more blood will be spilt, and that’s excitement enough for me!
5 Joes out of 5