Cobra Commander has been a pleasant surprise. Not only has it strengthened the Energon Universe but its been a great standalone comic book as well. Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana have been able to capture how to tell a story with an evil character as the protagonist without losing sight they are a villain. All of the Energon Universe elements have been he cherry on top of the strong story that’s been presented thus far. We got the chance to check out an early copy of the final issue of the Cobra Commander mini-series. Find out how it turned out with our advance review of Cobra Commander #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Andrea Milana
Colorist: Annalisa Leoni
Letterer: Rus Wooton
COBRA COMMANDER #5 SOLICITATION
“THE RISE OF COBRA COMMANDER! To build an army, Cobra Commander makes a deal with a powerful ally that can’t be trusted. Now that’s its started, can the Cobra Threat ever be stopped?” – Image Comics & Skybound
REVIEW
Cobra Commander #5 does exactly what it needed to firm the foundation of the G.I. Joe side of the Energon Universe. Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana aren’t reinventing who Cobra Commander and his villainous organization are. What they do accomplish is setting things up so the G.I. Joe side of the universe all works with the shared Energon Universe they now exist in.
This final issue of really does everything it needs to establish Cobra Commander as a big of a threat as the Decepticons, Zertonians, and other villains in the Energon Universe. Everything Williamson and Milana have Cobra Commander do here is with a purpose. That purpose is unknown to all but Cobra himself until the moment that all is revealed happens.
Having all the G.I. Joe characters that appeared throughout this series puts over what Cobra accomplishes. Whether Destro, the Dreadnoks, or anyone else that shows up throughout this issue know it or not they all play into Cobra’s plans. The way it is all handled really leaves you wondering how far out Cobra planned everything. Everything just works to make Cobra’s final moment really be the only possible result of everything that has happened in these five issues.
In the process, Cobra Commander end result mirrors Duke from the opposite side of things. Both these G.I. Joe mini-series provided us insight on the human side of the building conflict in the Energon Universe. But where it could be argued Cobra Commander accomplishes more is that the ending convinces you enough the Cobra’s forces match that of the Decepticons and other Energon Universe threats. With the Energon Universe still in its infancy establishing the threat of Cobra right away makes room for the non-Transformers threats to grow in power.
All of this is done while also making sure Cobra Commander isn’t the only character this mini-series establishes. There is a lot of solid character work to build investment in Destro, the Dreadnoks, and other Cobra related villains. Williamson knows exactly how to accentuate these characters strengths so they are placed in the right position for them within what Cobra is building.
The way Cobra Commander #5 ends also acts as yet another teaser for what will be the first big Energon Universe event. The characters involved in the ending and what they do create a lot of questions as to the direction the Energon Universe will go from here. It will certainly excite fans who are reading this and the other comics in this universe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana deliver an incredible conclusion to Cobra Commader. Seeing the rise of Cobra throughout these five issues perfectly complimented what went on over in the Duke series. Cobra Commander #5 ending will make you even more excited to experience what will happen next in the Energon Universe.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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