IDW Cobra Command discussion.

[GI Guppy the third]

Since we're well on our way to book 4, I felt it should be appropriate to start a discussion on this storyline separate from Civil War.

So far, I like the direction it's going and can't wait to see our first showdown between two important characters.

[Troynos]

I like it. It's nice to see Cobra flexing some muscles.

I was disappointed in the end of the MASS device storyline. Loved that the Joes were mobilizing in numbers but then it's just SE and Helix at the end. Very disappointing.

After Cobra Civil War, which was really just the Joes being pushed around and looking foolish, it'll be nice to see them kick some butt for a change.

I do question the scheduling with releasing the Cobra Annual which told Krake/Cobra Commander's origin. It ties into the Cobra Command storyline, so it should have been released during the event, but I think later would have worked better.

Knowing that Krake is from the Golden Triangle, which Nanzhao is near/part of, it ruins the surprise of why he chose that place to invade. It ends up being a revenge motive.

[Hat Trick]

Can't wait to see what kind of part Savane plays?????

[Toecutter]

I am really getting into what IDW is doing with these comics. At first it was all kind of slow, but with the Civil War storyline and now Cobra Command things are really firing on all cylinders. Its a cool feeling to be excited about GI Joe comics again after all these years.

[Jinx723]

Yeah, it's about time. I really disliked the first couple of years of the main G.I. Joe title. Ever since Civil War started the comic is coming along nicely. Hope IDW keeps it up, wonder what they have in store after Cobra Command?

[GI Guppy the third]

I like it. It's nice to see Cobra flexing some muscles.

I was disappointed in the end of the MASS device storyline. Loved that the Joes were mobilizing in numbers but then it's just SE and Helix at the end. Very disappointing.

After Cobra Civil War, which was really just the Joes being pushed around and looking foolish, it'll be nice to see them kick some butt for a change.

I do question the scheduling with releasing the Cobra Annual which told Krake/Cobra Commander's origin. It ties into the Cobra Command storyline, so it should have been released during the event, but I think later would have worked better.

Knowing that Krake is from the Golden Triangle, which Nanzhao is near/part of, it ruins the surprise of why he chose that place to invade. It ends up being a revenge motive.

You and me both on the Annual scheduling. At the same time it sort of makes some of the characters that he's had a past with a little bit more bumbling. They should understand what he's doing but they seem like they just jumped in yesterday.


I am kind of tickled waiting for a SE/SS showdown but here too, it seemed strange that they introduced the notion that SS thought he was dead. I know Cobra is a large organization, but you would think by now they would at the very least have video of SE going super saiyon on them. Just seems like a minor detail that would have worked better if it was left out and we were just left to assume SS hasn't had the opportunity of being in the same location as SE.

[ucsf]

I noticed a HISS Tank that hasn't been released in toy format (it has a flat cockpit and it can be seen in the Snake Eyes comic book). Do you guys know anything about it's origin?

[Jinx723]

I noticed a HISS Tank that hasn't been released in toy format (it has a flat cockpit and it can be seen in the Snake Eyes comic book). Do you guys know anything about it's origin?

It's the HISS tank that was in the Resolute cartoon toward the end of it.

[Jay West]

Good to see Destro. Who is the woman with CC? What's her story?

[Troynos]

Good to see Destro. Who is the woman with CC? What's her story?

Savane.

Don't know her story yet.

[GI Guppy the third]

Savane.

Don't know her story yet.

But I already like her enough to make a custom. She seems like CCs replacement for the baroness that reflects his damaged counter culture persona.

[Troynos]

But I already like her enough to make a custom. She seems like CCs replacement for the baroness that reflects his damaged counter culture persona.

Yeah. I'm waiting to see how the Baroness reacts to her presence.

[maczero]

You and me both on the Annual scheduling. At the same time it sort of makes some of the characters that he's had a past with a little bit more bumbling. They should understand what he's doing but they seem like they just jumped in yesterday.To be fair, none of them know Krake on a personal level. They've had some run-ins with him but that doesn't mean they should be able to anticipate his actions. Heck, I as reader have more information on Krake than the characters around him and even I'm a little puzzled by his actions. At first, I thought he wanted to take over Nanzhao as a way of establishing a sovereign nation for Cobra. After reading his backstory, I thought "okay, he wants a little payback for his crappy childhood". It kinda makes sense. Call it poetic justice. After reading Cobra 9 (Scarlett hypothizes he wants to destroy the country), I'm going "wtf". So yeah, I can see how some of high command would be caught off guard by the Commander's actions.

Savane.

Don't know her story yet.I really want her to be an updated version of "Pythona".

[Troynos]

I wonder if Savane is Krake's "replacement" in the high command. He moves up, she moves into his spot.

[GI Guppy the third]

To be fair, none of them know Krake on a personal level. They've had some run-ins with him but that doesn't mean they should be able to anticipate his actions. Heck, I as reader have more information on Krake than the characters around him and even I'm a little puzzled by his actions. At first, I thought he wanted to take over Nanzhao as a way of establishing a sovereign nation for Cobra. After reading his backstory, I thought "okay, he wants a little payback for his crappy childhood". It kinda makes sense. Call it poetic justice. After reading Cobra 9 (Scarlett hypothizes he wants to destroy the country), I'm going "wtf". So yeah, I can see how some of high command would be caught off guard by the Commander's actions.

I really want her to be an updated version of "Pythona".

If you read the annual, they've had plenty of interaction with him to understand to some level what kind of character he is. They might not all be underestimating him, but certainly Bludd did.

Also, it can be assumed that the characters have more information on Krake than we do. Outside of the few instances before becoming commander, the Annual merely skimmed over his story. At the same time, we're talking about the higher ups of the organization who have natural political tendencies that turn themselves into rivals. There might be certain details they know about Krake's childhood, but through his actions they should understand he's about chaos, not business.

[Rainbow Viper]

I'm enjoying "Cobra Command" A LOT more than "Civil War". I also like how each ongoing continues directly into the next one. It's much easier to follow than Civil War was, so far anyway. I like how IDW is finally dipping more into the toy vault and we are seeing more classic designs, like the mambas, hiss tanks, toxo-vipers, etc. I really like CC's new costume too.

[Troynos]

If you read the annual, they've had plenty of interaction with him to understand to some level what kind of character he is. They might not all be underestimating him, but certainly Bludd did.

Also, it can be assumed that the characters have more information on Krake than we do. Outside of the few instances before becoming commander, the Annual merely skimmed over his story. At the same time, we're talking about the higher ups of the organization who have natural political tendencies that turn themselves into rivals. There might be certain details they know about Krake's childhood, but through his actions they should understand he's about chaos, not business.

^ This

[GI Guppy the third]

Finally got my issues. I really liked the fact we're finally getting Joes fighting Cobras directly. Up until now, there really hasn't been an open assault. I am kind of bummed that I have to wait even more for the SS vs SE fight.

I do find it funny how they keep on mentioning over and over that it's a trap. I just wanted SE to at some point turn around and say. "Yeah, I know and I don't care." Like a temple out in the middle of no where says, "Not a trap." Which also is funny since the order given out was to lead him without letting on it's a trap. Temple out in the middle of no where?.....trap.

[Jay West]

I find it funny how much I enjoy SE when the core Joe title still just has never found its footing. Maybe it's because SE is essentially a super hero, I accept this, and Dixon is a good super hero comic writer.

[Trooper13]

All I know is I'm totally stoked that Krake made the cut. He's the man. Though I have to say I liked his "Krake" uniform A LOT more then his CC uniform. I wish we could get a Sideshow Krake. Never happen, but it would be killer!

[Troynos]

All I know is I'm totally stoked that Krake made the cut. He's the man. Though I have to say I liked his "Krake" uniform A LOT more then his CC uniform. I wish we could get a Sideshow Krake. Never happen, but it would be killer!

Have to agree about the Krake uniform. I don't like the new CC uniform.

[Jay West]

Have to agree about the Krake uniform. I don't like the new CC uniform.


I really like the new CC uniform, but do prefer the Krake uniform. It's a shame we most likely have lost that design in the books for now.

Cobra was really good today. I was hoping the return would be Chuckles (though realistically I knew it wouldn't be). I did like the return, though. With the movie coming out could she finally take the Jinx code name that we thought she was going to take initially.

[Trooper13]

Have to agree about the Krake uniform. I don't like the new CC uniform.

Yeah, it's really weird. Like the promotion made him forget how to dress or something? How do you go from this...?

http://www.panelsonpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CCKrake.jpg


to THIS?!


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecu2EGJpArA/TuD8_ZiHX0I/AAAAAAAABbI/3LoJpy4jMMo/s1600/Cobra+Commander+Cover+coloured+small.jpg


He went from looking like a hardcore badass to looking like a character who is a cheap Power Ranger knockoff you find at Dollar General. :/

[ucsf]

I do find it funny how they keep on mentioning over and over that it's a trap.

First I wasn't into this special force Snake Eyes team, but now I really do love the characters, and with that pretty Helix jungle camo I'm totally looking forward to get the next issue. Oh and yeah, a trap.

[maczero]

Yeah, it's really weird. Like the promotion made him forget how to dress or something? How do you go from this...?

http://www.panelsonpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CCKrake.jpg


to THIS?!


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecu2EGJpArA/TuD8_ZiHX0I/AAAAAAAABbI/3LoJpy4jMMo/s1600/Cobra+Commander+Cover+coloured+small.jpg


He went from looking like a hardcore badass to looking like a character who is a cheap Power Ranger knockoff you find at Dollar General. :/Eh, it's subjective. I prefer the CC uniform over Krake's old get up. There was nothing badass about Krake's old get up. He looked like a generic goon who I would've normally labeled as cannon fodder if we weren't clued into how important he would be way back in the Origins series.

[Troynos]

First I wasn't into this special force Snake Eyes team, but now I really do love the characters, and with that pretty Helix jungle camo I'm totally looking forward to get the next issue. Oh and yeah, a trap.

I love the camoed Helix.

[Jay West]

I love the camoed Helix.

Hasbro needs to figure out a way to make this figure.

[Stormgard]

I like seeing Cobra involved in a big military operation - the politics of everything at the top level is a little less interesting to me. Am slowly getting used to the new style of artwork, especially including the way they represent camo on people and vehicles. Am still uinsure if I like the tactical-camoed Mambas but am beginning to come around to them.

I'm also a little unsure how I feel about how the Cobra troopers/Vipers are depicted. It seems like every issue the blue/red trooper has a different uniform, and I can't tell is this is laziness or entirely deliberate. Part of me wishes they made an effort to make them look the same, but having them look different suggests to me that Cobra is in fact much bigger than the known toy trooper roster would indicate, and that's kind of cool.

As an ex Norwegian Army guy, I was sorry to see the Norwegian peacekeepers get taken out by the red ninjas, but was impressed to see the artist got the Norwegian desert camo just right. I'm sick of Ninjas in general and think that whenever they attack some sword fodder, the sword fodder could at least put up a bit of a fight every now and then.

Lots of new characters to keep tabs on, which is interesting I suppose. I'd really like to see some comics that focus less on Cobra/Joe high command and politics and focus more on the grunts, squads and fireteams. This could be done from the Joe and/or Cobra perspectives - think an IDW does Special Missions type thing.

[GI Guppy the third]

Here's my feeling on ninjas. It's like watching vikings attacking soldiers who are professionally trained in modern warfare and equipment. They're outdated and were at the time the counter to samurai culture. They might as well develop a GI Joe horse calvary.

[Troynos]

Yeah, not a big ninja fan. I can't stand them in most super hero comics.

Avengers #24 just showed why ninjas don't work beyond the street level characters: The hand are attacking by the dozens, Iron Man just stands there and releases repulsor tendrils that take out the ninjas.

[maczero]

Here's my feeling on ninjas. It's like watching vikings attacking soldiers who are professionally trained in modern warfare and equipment. They're outdated and were at the time the counter to samurai culture. They might as well develop a GI Joe horse calvary.I've been making this argument for years. I'm not even bothered by the concept of a modern day ninja (I like the nightcreepers). I see the benefits of ninjutsu in terms of stealth, physical conditioning and hand 2 hand combat. It's the relying solely on fuedal weapons that bothers me.

[Troynos]

Yeah. That makes no sense. A true ninja adapts to the time and surroundings.

The stealth, agility, h2h is timeless. But a modern ninja would be using modern tools.

[Stormgard]

I've been making this argument for years. I'm not even bothered by the concept of a modern day ninja (I like the nightcreepers). I see the benefits of ninjutsu in terms of stealth, physical conditioning and hand 2 hand combat. It's the relying solely on fuedal weapons that bothers me.


Well that would be SE. Who I would like a lot more if he weren't treated like a superhero, but more of a stealthy, close quarters combat specialist commando.

[maczero]

Well that would be SE. Who I would like a lot more if he weren't treated like a superhero, but more of a stealthy, close quarters combat specialist commando.The reboot toned him down a bit initially (remember that brutal fight with the lone viper), however, since he's been hanging out with Helix he's back to taking down dozens of armed opponents with just his katana. To me that takes away from what makes the character so awesome. SE isn't a badass because he's superhumanly fast or super strong. I like to think it's his mind that makes him so dangerous.

Anyway, I am excited for Snake-Eyes 11. Just saw the previews and it looks awesome!

[Troynos]

I miss the SE that got his butt whupped by a single viper.

[Jettfire]

I miss the SE that got his butt whupped by a single viper.

I think they need to do what they did in the 70's and scale back his powers and maybe remove the threat of Kryptonite in order to bring the character back down to earth a little. If he's basically invincible, where's the drama and suspense going to come from?

Wait-- wrong character. Carry on!

[Stormgard]

I liked the way they used him early on in some of the original Marvel run.

Remember that Special Missions four part story arc in Chomo Lungma, China and then Burma - where SE was there as part of the team, still had a lone wolf badass streak to him, but wasn't taking on whole armies on his own or hogging the storyline? That's how I like him being used.

[Trooper13]

it's no secret how I feel on ninjas. Honestly, I'm cool with Storm Shadow. I agree that modern ninjas would definitely use modern weapons, in addition to ancient. If they are the ultimate assassins then they would want every form of assassination at their disposal. That is something I thought was done extremely well in Rise of Cobra. RoC SS was the perfect imagining of what a modern ninja should be in storytelling, imo. He was handy with a handgun, a sword, shuriken, and even an RPG. A master of combat, and stealth. I liked what IDW was doing with Oda Satori as his handler. Had they not made the Arashkage clan so ridiculously huge I would have been fine with it. IDW Storm Shadow is cool, the fact that we now have to deus ex machina in SE and Helix is NOT COOL. I was really enjoying the way the ninja angle was being handled in this universe in the beginning. Now it's just as bad as ARAH. However, atleast the military and espionage action is still topnotch.

[Jay West]

Really good preview of the next issue of Cobra floating around the world wide web. Baroness vs. uh...not sure what to call her ...the Original Chameleon I guess.

[Jay West]

The original Chameleon gets a new code name and I'd say we can pencil in one of the villain members of Flint's team. Cobra was pretty good.

[Stormgard]

Wow, the most recent few issues were pretty intense. Baroness at her most evil and devious, and Bludd at his most pragmatic.

This thing with the Joes always getting knocked back from politicians and generals in DC is getting old though - how many times have we seen this happen before?

[viper416]

What I don't get is why didn't Storm Shadow kill Cobra Commander/Krake when he had the chance too in part 5of Cobra Command

[mswi]

What I don't get is why didn't Storm Shadow kill Cobra Commander/Krake when he had the chance too in part 5of Cobra Command

Wondered that too, unless SS is setting up SE as a means to bring him before Cobra Commander. Maybe not but I'm anxious to see how that plays out

[viper416]

Wondered that too, unless SS is setting up SE as a means to bring him before Cobra Commander. Maybe not but I'm anxious to see how that plays out

I hope thats the case and its all part of SS strategy because I really like the idea that he is still loyal to Cobra.

[Owner of a Lonely B.A.T.]

I'm sorry 9 issues three months and all of this just to say Cobra is now a major world player?

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying there hasn't been some good moments as there has...it just feels like they were stretching to pull this story through three titles probably could have wrapped this up in two months instead of three.

I'm hoping the next arc is a little more...paced.

[Jay West]

I'm sorry 9 issues three months and all of this just to say Cobra is now a major world player?

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying there hasn't been some good moments as there has...it just feels like they were stretching to pull this story through three titles probably could have wrapped this up in two months instead of three.

I'm hoping the next arc is a little more...paced.

I can see your point. I liked it, though. Last weeks GI Joe was pretty good. Nice new status quo for the team. Hawk was replaced and I like the new choice. I think we will see more of Hawk. I can't imagine with 3 titles that there isn't a place for him. I'd love to see him start a private Action Force/Adventure Team sort of team. I would love to see the Adventure Team/Action Force/Red Shadows have some sort of presence. I think Cobra as the only enemy is sort of a stretch.

[GI Guppy the third]

What I don't get is why didn't Storm Shadow kill Cobra Commander/Krake when he had the chance too in part 5of Cobra Command

I haven't gotten a couple issues yet but I remember the scene. I think Stormy's intelligent enough to know that he can't just kill Krake, especially since Krake is obviously building a wall of supporters around him. He wants to take vengeance but he doesn't want to commit suicide doing it. SE on the other hand, is always willing to put himself in the deadliest of situations.

[Troynos]

Yeah, I think SS is thinking long term. He's going to wait for the right oppotunity/time to get his revenger.


Hawk will probably be behind the scenes, doing what he does best.