Summary
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Cobra Commander #5
G.I. Joeis in trouble, as the Cobra terrorist organization has officially formed in the Energon Universe continuity.This monumental event came to pass inCobra Commander#5,as the title character building an army thanks to an alliance with arms dealer Destro.Now, Cobra Commander has a standing army and weapons to arm them with, setting the Cobra organization up to cause some serious trouble across Skybound’s mega-hit imprint.
Cobra Commander#5 – written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Andrea Milana – opens withDestro looking over a seriesof attacks on M.A.R.S. Industries facilities around the world.

Destro receives a message from Cobra Commander, asking to meet in a remote suburban location. As soon as they touch down, Destro’s armed guard is annihilated by hidden laser encampments. Despite the hostility, Cobra Commmander wants to make a truce with Destro: he has an army at his command, but they need weapons.
The Autobots Have A New Enemy In the Energon Universe — Even Worse Than the Decepticons
The Transformers have a brand new enemy in the Energon Universe, as a controversial G.I. Joe faction of villains has declared war on Cybertron.
G.I. Joe’s Classic Villain Faction Finally Forms In The Series' New Continuity
Cobra Commander#5 – Written By Joshua Williamson; Art By Andrea Milana, Annalisa Leoni & Rus Wooton
[Cobra Commander] has an uncanny ability to find what motivates and scares those around him, and uses that to his own advantage.
Destro is understandably reluctant to join forces with a man who has caused him so much grief, butCobra Commander has something Destro is looking for: a fresh supply of Energon, and the tech to upgrade Destro’s already formidable arsenal.Cobra Commander seized control of the Energon in Louisianapreviously held by the Dreadnoks, and he displays how the valuable power source can upgrade M.A.R.S. tech like the Battle Android Trooper. Destro knows an opportunity when he sees it, and ultimately takes the Commander up on his offer.
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In the original Marvel ComicsG.I. Joeseries, Cobra Commander was a used car salesman who built up the Cobra army through a vast pyramid scheme. He was later retconned to be from the ancient society of Cobra-La. So far, Skybound Entertainment’s Energon Universe has amalgamated the best aspects of the character’s history to present an intimidating new version of the classic villain.
While the series doesn’t offer any hints as to how Cobra Commander was able to put together an army between issues, it still speaks to the Commander’s zealous abilities as a leader. As was previously displayed when he was takenprisoner by the Dreadnoks inCobra Commander#3, the Commander is a master manipulator. The tyrant has an uncanny ability to find what motivates and scares those around him, and uses that to his own advantage. That nefarious quality is on display as Cobra Commander sizes up Destro and gets what he wants out of the weapons manufacturer.

Even though theCobra Commanderminiseries has come to a close, the story of G.I. Joe’s enemy faction will continue in this summer’sDestrominiseries.
The Formation of COBRA Makes The Energon Universe Vastly More Dangerous
And More Exciting
Now that the Cobra organization has officially formed,it will be exciting to see what Cobra Commander and Destro’s next actions will be in the Energon Universe.While the G.I. Joe Initiative was officially formed in the Energon Universe to deal with the Transformers, fans will have to assume the team will have to shift focus whenever Cobra announces itself to the world. Even though theCobra Commanderminiseries has come to a close, the story ofG.I. Joe’senemy faction will continue inthis summer’sDestrominiseries, as the Energon Universe looks to continue the string of successes well into its second year.
Cobra Commander#5is on sale now from Skybound Entertainment
