Cobra (G.I. Joe)

Cobra
Logo of COBRA
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
Devil's Due Publishing
IDW Publishing
First appearanceG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
Created byLarry Hama
In-story information
Type of organizationTerrorist military group
Base(s)See Bases
Leader(s)Commander: Cobra Commander
Emperor: Serpentor
Agent(s)Weapons supplier: Destro
Director of intelligence: Baroness
Chief of science: Doctor Mindbender
Crimson Guard co-leaders: Tomax and Xamot
Ninja bodyguard: Storm Shadow
Primary field commander: Major Bludd
Anti-armor specialist: Scrap-Iron
Dreadnoks leader: Zartan
Roster
See: List of Cobra characters

COBRA (sometimes referred to as Cobra Command) 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.[1]

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."[2] Cobra's iconic logo was later created by Hasbro designer Ron Rudat.[3]

  1. ^ Fletcher, Dan (August 7, 2009). "A Brief History of G.I. Joe". Time. Archived from the original on August 10, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  2. ^ Jim Shooter (July 6, 2011). "The Secret Parts of the Origin of G.I. Joe". Jim Shooter. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  3. ^ Maude Campbell (April 9, 2019). "Yo, Joe: How a 12-Inch Soldier Doll Became a Toy Legend". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved July 24, 2023.