Cobra (G.I. Joe)
Cobra is a fictional terrorist organization and the nemesis of the G.I. Joe Team in the Hasbro action figure toyline G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, as well as in related media.
Cobra was first introduced during the launch of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline in mid-1982. The toyline was accompanied by a Marvel Comics series, written by Larry Hama, and an animated television series by Sunbow and Marvel Productions. However, the origin and portrayal of Cobra has differed in each of them.
Marvel Comics invented the Cobra concept, with the name having been proposed by Archie Goodwin. When Marvel first proposed the concept, Hasbro was reluctant to make toys of the villains for fear that they would not sell. According to Jim Shooter, "later ... villains became 40% of their volume." Cobra's iconic logo was later created by Hasbro designer Ron Rudat.
Organization
High command
All members of the Cobra organization are portrayed as fighting against G.I. Joe, however, there are several internal power struggles within the group.- Cobra Commander – The leader and founder of the Cobra organization. His face is mostly hidden, either with a hood, with only his eyes visible, or with a featureless, high-tech battle helmet. In the Sunbow cartoon, this concealment was said to be used in order to hide his inhuman disfigurement, but it was discovered later that it was actually done to maintain the secret of his civilian identity – he was revealed to be an agent from a race of reptilian serpent people known as "Cobra-La". In the comic, he is regarded as the most dangerous man on Earth because of the extent of his ability to attract followers. Only the Baroness and Destro have seen his face.
- Serpentor – The Cobra Emperor, created through cloning research done by Doctor Mindbender. The process used DNA extracted from the remains of ruthless military leaders, including Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, Attila the Hun, Vlad Tepes, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Genghis Khan. In the Sunbow TV series, G.I. Joe member Sgt. Slaughter's DNA was used as a live source. In the comics, Storm Shadow is the tenth and only live source of DNA instead of Sgt. Slaughter. In addition to his genetic disposition, an early experiment also gave him access to the brain patterns of G.I. Joe HALO jumper Ripcord, allowing him to use G.I. Joe's strategies against them. In the comics Serpentor was killed by Zartan, only to be revived by a Cobra splinter group known as the Coil, and then killed again by Cobra Commander. In the Sunbow cartoon, Serpentor was created to supplant Cobra Commander as the supreme leader of Cobra, using Cobra Commander as his willing scapegoat for his failed attempts to rule the world. It was later revealed that Serpentor was created at the behest of Cobra-La.
- Destro, or James McCullen Destro XXIV – A Scotsman who is depicted as wearing a metal mask, which was enabled by a form of nano-tech or liquid metal. In the cartoon, the mouth of his mask moves. Destro, an arms dealer, often attempts to usurp leadership of Cobra. Destro is the hereditary leader of M.A.R.S. and uses his personal army, the Iron Grenadiers, to start conflicts in order to sell weapons to both sides. Destro has a warped sense of honor and a grudging respect for G.I. Joe.
- Baroness or Baroness Anastasia Cisarovna – The Baroness is a daughter of European aristocrats who became terrorists after their son was murdered. Her brother had been in a political hot spot aiding refugees when he was taken hostage alongside the group of relief workers he had volunteered for. US Army Rangers had attempted to free the hostages, but the mission was botched and resulted in the brother's death. In the original Marvel comics, she blamed Snake Eyes for his death. The Baroness serves as Cobra's director of intelligence, and is romantically involved with Destro.
- Doctor Mindbender – A mad scientist and former dentist, he created several mind-control devices, and was also an expert on genetic manipulation. He is responsible for the creation of Serpentor and the B.A.T.s, as well as perfecting the Brainwave Scanner. Though usually depicted as being quite muscular, Mindbender is portrayed as being cowardly and preferring to avoid physical confrontations.
- Tomax and Xamot – Twin brothers who lead the Crimson Guard and are the respectable corporate face of Cobra. When not engaged in field missions, Tomax and Xamot are found wearing suits and ties, managing Cobra's business affairs. The brothers share an empathic connection. While this is often useful, as it allows them to communicate wordlessly and finish each other's sentences, it is also a liability, as they feel each other's pain during fights. Tomax and Xamot are mirror images of each other, except for Xamot having a scar on the right side of his face, portrayed on the left side in the 1985 action figure. The twins run a corporation named Extensive Enterprises and are known more for their skills in the boardroom rather than on the battlefield.
- Storm Shadow, or Thomas "Tommy" Arashikage – A ninja trained in martial arts who serves as both an assassin and bodyguard for Cobra. His origin varies depending on the source – in various cartoons, he is a cold-blooded villain and unrepentant killer. In Marvel Comics, he joined Cobra in order to gather evidence and clear his name after having been framed for the murder of the Hard Master by Cobra operative Zartan. Storm Shadow eventually leaves Cobra and becomes a member of G.I. Joe, though captured and brainwashed by Cobra Commander to once again serve Cobra. He then breaks free and rejoins G.I. Joe. In the Sunbow/Marvel cartoon, Storm Shadow was depicted as a rival to Spirit and later Quick Kick instead of Snake Eyes. In the DIC cartoon, Storm Shadow only joined Cobra to find out who dishonored his clan before defecting to G.I. Joe.
- Zartan – The leader of the Dreadnoks, a master spy and assassin. He is a master of disguise, often literally morphing into the exact physical form of the person he seeks to impersonate. In most storylines, Zartan is also capable of changing his skin color to blend in with his background. His special ability is disrupted by sunlight.
Minor command
- Major Bludd – Major Sebastian Bludd is an Australian mercenary with extensive combat experience, who sometimes works for Cobra. He is a master tactician and is an expert in all known weapons. Usually portrayed as Cobra's infantry commander, Major Bludd is best known for the assassination of General Flagg, the original leader of the G.I. Joe team, as well as for the running gag that Bludd wrote very bad poetry.
- Firefly – The world's greatest saboteur, Firefly's background is a mystery. A mercenary and assassin, Firefly offers no guarantees or refunds. He is portrayed as an expert in all types of explosive ordnance and demolition materials. He is also the faceless master of the Koga ninja clan.
- Doctor Venom – A Cobra scientist who played an important role in the first two years of the comic book story. He was then portrayed as having been killed in action, eventually to be replaced by Doctor Mindbender.
- Scrap-Iron – The anti-armor specialist of Cobra. Along with Dr. Mindbender, he also invented the B.A.T.s.
- Kwinn – An Inuk mercenary, only appearing in the first two years of the comic book series. A mercenary with a strong code of honor, he was described as having previously worked for the CIA, Mossad, MI6 and the KGB, leading to him working with Cobra in Sierra Gordo. He later renounced his life as a mercenary, but was betrayed and killed by Doctor Venom in the series.
- Black Out – Sniper Thomas Stall, who was rejected by G.I. Joe for failing his psychological exam, and was suspected of being involved with the disappearance of his sister. After being imprisoned, Thomas broke out of the brig at Fort Huachuca during an attack by Cobra, whom he surrendered to and subsequently joined.
Factions