Cobra Commander always seemed a little too crazy to me. Im not saying I didnt like Cobra Commander as a kid but I never understood how that nut bag could be in control of Cobra. I get it now with 30 years of stories to pull from how he could do it but just following the Sunbow cartoon you would have to wonder. He was so incompetent that by the second season of the show Cobra engineered his replacement Serpentor. In reality Hasbro probably just wanted to make a new big bad to sell in the stores for the new season. In the cartoon C.C. was a failure and a punching bag. Every Joe that confronted him would tee off on him every chance they got. Even Destro wouldnt take any lip from his employer most of the time. Slapping him around when he got out of hand. When C.C. would do something crazy his cohorts would make the best of a crazy plan. Even when he was replaced in the cartoon I still rooted for him. To me it just didnt seem right even though I did like Serpentor.
Now if you read any of the Marvel comics it totally clicks as to why he is number one. From the first issue the Commander has a backup plan for his backup plans. He always seems in control even when he is losing your never too sure if its part of his plan or he is just working it out as he goes. One thing is for sure he is a ruthless megalomaniac. The G.I. Joe team takes him serious in the issues that I have read and thats a respect I never got from the cartoons.
Back when I was a kid I really liked the Helmeted Cobra Commander maybe its because that was the one that I had. You never know whats goes through the mind of kids and why I liked him but I did. Regardless my Cobra Commander would come up with endless schemes and sometimes would pull them off. When I think of it now Cobra Commander was a pretty good villain. He wasnt the strongest or smartest but he always had a plan and sometimes thats all you need.
Art and Filecard
Why do I like the Hooded version of Cobra Commander? It comes down to one reason and its the eyes. The man looks like a psychopath and I dig that so much. For someone who is in control of the worlds largest and most dangerous terrorist group he looks as unstable as they come. How can you follow someone like that? He is super intense and you get that just from his eyes! I also like the sci-fi tech that he is holding. I dont know if its a laser pistol, a mind melting device, a gas gun, or some other batshit crazy tech. I do like that you can believe that it is any of the above. Between the eyes, the hood, and the sci-fi gun you pretty much get the gist of what Cobra Commander brings to the table.
Reading his file card you learn that his identity and birthplace are a mystery. His only goal is absolute world domination. He has already brought several troubled countries to their knees. I like also that he doesnt have any scruples(a big deal in Joe). Probably the most dangerous man in the world. That right there is the hard sell. The last line of text letting you know the gravity of the situation. He just might be the most dangerous man in the entire world...wow.
Sculpt
When I look at the head and mask of Cobra Commander im supposed to see pure evil. When it comes to 3 &3/4 in. megalomaniacs I think the sculpter nailed it. You get really small crazy eyes and a wind swept hood. I personally like the swept look but I can understand the want for a little less dramatic feature. The eyes could be a little more bugged out but ive painted eyes before and let me say it isnt easy. As long as there not crossed im happy.
The rest of the sculpt brings the figure together quite nicely. Cobra Commander is decked out in his signature official outfit. A dark blue paint job from head to toe with a red Cobra symbol on his chest. Throw in black gloves, boots and pouches with a gold trim to finish off a rather nice representation of C.C.
My favourite part of the figure is the molded circuits and pipes on back. It raises a couple of questions for sure. Is it not just a holster for his weird gun? Is it some sort of suit enhancer or maybe life support? All I know is its pretty cool looking.
Cobra Commander doesnt really come loaded with anything other than his hand gun. The gun he comes with is pretty detailed with a pulp sci-fi feel. The flat barrel makes it look a laser or gas would come out of the gun. Works for me. Other than his stand he doesnt come with much else. Regardless I love his sole accessory.
Is he fun?
Now could a kid build a campaign around taking this figure down? If they knew enough about the G.I. Joe universe they could! I really like this figure alot. He is THE bad guy. If your a kid and take him out you win. Now as an adult I find this figure really fun to look at and pose. As long as he can put his fist in the air and complain he services what I want him to do. I think the Commander could have came with another gadget or two but he doesnt need them. He has all of Cobra at his disposal what else does he need?
Cobra Coins
8 out of 10 Cobra Coins
I really like this Cobra Commander figure. I think from head to toe he is the megalomaniac that you need in your collection. If you dont have a Cobra Commander already and havent got the Ultimate Version I would recommend this one as much as any other. COBRA!!!!!!!
Roberto
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