Book Review: Cobra Commander, Volume 1

Joshua Williamson (author), et.al., Cobra Commander, Volume 1: Determined to rule the world. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2024.  ISBN: 9781534398153.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: G.I. Joe, villains

Format: trade paperback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College 

This volume is part of a new, at the time of publication, Energon Universe series crossing together G.I. Joe and The Transformers. The volume is part of four miniseries in the Energon Universe where each part focuses on a specific character. This one focuses on Cobra Commander. 

The story goes back to a time where Cobra the organization did not exist yet. The man who would become Cobra Commander is a rogue member of an alien underground civilization: Cobra-La. He plans to use the energon energy source to take over the world. This is pretty much how the man gets started. 

The story is mostly OK. Along the way, he meets the Dreadknoks and eventually meets Destro. This is where their alliance starts to form. The plot is OK, though it is a bit all over the place. The art is good and colorful, though it has a bit of that modern cartoon aesthetic. If you want something closer to the classic comics, this is not it. It was an OK read, and it is easy and quick. It presents an interesting idea or two; we'll have to see if they develop those ideas later in the series. For now, not a terribly memorable volume. Pretty much read it and done. 

Fans of the franchises may like it better; for casual readers this may be optional. Libraries collecting either franchise may want to consider it, but it feels like an optional selection. We ordered it here, but if it had been up to me, and I had read it ahead of time I likely would not have added it. Still, I am curious to see some of the other volumes, though not urgently. 

2 out of 5 stars.