REVIEW: 'Cobra Commander' #1 by Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, and Annalisa Leoni

 COBRA COMMANDER #1

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Andrea Milana, Annalisa Leoni

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: January 17, 2024

Cover Price: $4.99

Mini-Series Premiere. The Rise of Cobra begins here. In a world where the Cobra organization hasn't formed, one man's sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon sends shockwaves across the globe.  Who is Cobra Commander? Where does he come from? And what horrors is he planning to unleash that will rock the world, maybe the universe, to its core? Red-hot writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Duke) and artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) kick off the second of four action-packed miniseries that will introduce the best and worst humanity has to offer in the Energon Universe.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Skybound's Energon Universe has been one of the most exciting universe-building events in a long time. The re-introduction of 'Transformers' and 'GI Joe' through a shared world has been shocking, exciting, compelling, and irresistible for new and old fans. It's quite the accomplishment and the newest mini, 'Cobra Commander,' reveals a ruthless and lethal threat in the origin of the future Cobra leader. After establishing the viciousness of the Commander in the opening pages, his alien-origin backstory sees him as an ambitious despotic scientist using a mysterious new-found energy source to acquire power in the name of Cobra-la. It's an intriguing study of evil from the viewpoint of someone who sees the ends justify the means. So, if humans have to die in the process it's a small sacrifice to get what he wants, prove himself worthy, and confirm his self-described genius. Joshua Williamson's story also has some surprises. Andrea Milana and Annalisa Leoni create a cinematic sci-fi experience with plenty of action and the framing of certain scenes allows for some grandeur and a sense of scale. 'Cobra Commander' is the villain origin story the Commander deserved. An enticing tale of power, malevolence, and unrelenting ambition in the latest hit from the Energon Universe.