[Snakes]

I thought I'd take a look at the Cobra organization at the time of Cobra Commander's return in issue #98 and where everyone was in regard to loyalties.

Cobra organization at the time of the Commander's return:

Dual head of Cobra and MARS: Destro (status in the air to his apparent resignation at the end of #97)

a) Operations and manufacturing (Cobra Island): Voltar and "Cobra Commander" [Fred VII]
b) Covert ops and intelligence (Cobra consulate): Baroness and Zarana
c) Sales and marketing: Darklon and Dr. Mindbender

After the Commander's return:

Cobra Commander: Shot and left for dead by Fred VII. Dug up by another Fred Series CG and secretly planned for return to Cobra organization. Made his return in Issue #98 where he used controlled explosions to bury so-called "traitors" alive.

Serpentor: Former Cobra emperor and rival to Cobra Commander's leadership in the organization. Killed in Issue #76 during Cobra Island Civil War.

Destro: At the time of CC's return, Destro was acting as head of Cobra, although in Issue #97 he had seemingly given up his leadership role. Even still, Destro was a threat to the Commander's leadership and needed to be eliminated.

Baroness: Formerly the Commander's closest subordinate, her relationship and loyalty to Destro also placed her among the Commander's enemies.

Fred VII: After impersonating the original CC, Fred VII was relegated by Destro to a subordinate role in the new organization. He was among the group of Cobras in the freighter when Cobra Commander returned. Due to his previous treachery, he was an obvious choice to be liquidated.

Dr. Mindbender: Serpentor's biggest supporter in the Cobra Island Civil War, Mindbender was not someone to be trusted. He was tossed into the freighter with others that the Commander labeled as traitors.

Zartan and Firefly: Although longtime henchmen and mostly loyal to the Commander, it could be assumed that they knew too much about the Commander's past and needed to be eliminated. They were also present in the freighter when the Commander returned.

Zarana: Nominal head of the Dreadnoks in the absence of Zartan and not a threat to the Commander's power, although she does not seem to show much emotion if she ever found out what the Commander did to her brother.

Tomax and Xamot: Although they threw in with Serpentor in the Cobra Island Civil War, it could be assumed that they justified their actions by seeing through Fred VII's impersonation of the real commander. They may have also had advance knowledge of the Commander's return due to their connection to the Crimson Guard. They would be kept on as field leaders for the Commander.

Voltar: A Destro subordinate, so definitely not someone the Commander would want around.

Darklon: See, Voltar. Unlike the unfortunate Voltar, Darklon was lucky enough to do most of his operations outside the States and thus managed to escape the Commander's wrath (for a time).

Major Bludd: Not involved in Cobra affairs at the time of the Commander's return, although he would most assuredly have been among those locked in the freighter had he been.

Croc Master: Not hired by Cobra when the original Commander was at its head, so he was probably someone the Commander did not feel the need to keep around.

Raptor: Involved in the Commander's burial and an associate of Fred VII. Easy name for the hit parade.

Wild Weasel, Scrap Iron, the Dreadnoks: Either specialists or non-threats to the Commander's leadership. They would be retained by the Commander.

Upon his return, the Commander eliminated (or attempted to eliminate) threats to his leadership and streamlined the organization. With less "individuals" in the organization, he could better consolidate his forces and ensure loyalty among his rank and file. Several of these individuals would survive his purge and eventually return over the years in various states of brain-washing.

[vxc961]

Thanks for doing that! I had quit joe (probably around issue 80?), so I?ve only read those later issues of the original run once. You?re making me look forward to digging back in!

[AWOL]

Here's a custom concept that was dug-up recently by OldBreed. Behold the Crimson Commander.

[Snakes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxc961

Thanks for doing that! I had quit joe (probably around issue 80?), so I?ve only read those later issues of the original run once. You?re making me look forward to digging back in!

Sorry for the spoiler!