Scott's Take: Cobra Commander Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World by Joshua Willamson, illustrator Andrea Milana

Cobra Commander Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World by Joshua Willamson, illustrator Andrea Milana, is the origin story for Cobra Commander and Cobra as a whole in the Energon Universe. Cobra Commander is exiled from a highly advance society that values nature over technology. To make up for his transgressions, he is sent out to retrieve Energon and along the way encounters a criminal faction that is already using the Energon themselves. They won’t give it up without a fight.

 

This is a very horror themed story as Cobra Commander does horrific things along his journey. There is a lengthy graphic torture scene in the book. There is a lot of blood spilled throughout this book. The author does a good job of establishing Cobra Commander as a unique leader. He is manipulative, he is a brilliant scientist, and he does not value human life. He seeks to bring order to the world.

 

This version of the Cobra Commander character seems way more dangerous and more intelligent than most. Some of the technology Cobra Commander creates is reminiscent of Tony Stark has used in recent years. I don’t know if that is just a coincidence or a deliberate homage.

 

Megatron is not in this book as much as one would expect after the first issue. He is part in this universe. The art is excellent and bloody.

 

This miniseries was rather good if a bit rushed. The next book to read is either Scarlet or Destro. They are both getting miniseries about the same time. Destro is the arms dealer for Cobra while Scarlet is the red headed lead female of the G.I. Joe who wields a crossbow and is usually depicted in a relationship with Snake Eyes the mute ninja.

 

So, I guess I will read whichever comes out in trade first. I think with all these miniseries, there should be some sort of reading guide included in this book. Of course one can find one online, but I would have done something here to help readers follow along.

 

A related title in this universe is Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle by Joshua Williamson.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3LA3Pcu

 

My digital reading copy came by way of the Hoopla App via the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Scott's Take: Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle by Joshua Williamson

Duke Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle by Joshua Williamson with Tom Reilly (illustrator) and Jordie Bellaire (colorist) is a miniseries despite being titled Volume 1. There is no Volume 2 and there will not be. This is a miniseries set in the Energon Universe. A recently started line of books based on the idea--- what if the Transformers and the G.I. Joe lived in the same universe? This miniseries is designed to start setting up the G.I. Joe part of the Energon Universe. 

 

Duke barely survived an encounter with the Decepticon known as Starscream, but his friend was not so lucky. The United States military is covering it up and telling the highly decorated soldier that he is just wrong. So, Duke goes rogue and finds out that the rot in the institutions he has served his whole life in is deeper that he knows.

 

The art is pretty good even if the colors are a little dull. I don’t know if this was a deliberate choice, but Duke spends a good portion of this tale looking like Captain America from Infinity War. This is a mature and well thought out tale that raises a number of questions about what does a man who believes in the system do when the system fails him? We don’t get to explore this version of Duke too in much depth as this is more of a thriller than a character development read.

 

I really liked this read until the ending. Major spoilers, but a lot of the questions raised in this tale are brushed aside in order to have Duke help form the G.I. Joes.

 

The newly formed G.I. Joe group is assigned to kill Optimus Prime. They don’t know he is a good guy or, I guess, a good robot. Started here, this mission will be followed up in one of the new books in the universe. At the time of this review, I do not know which one.

 

The next announced book in the series, Cobra Commander, focuses on the Cobra Commander forming his group to take over the world.

 

Additionally, a full G.I. Joe series will start sometime this fall. That series will have Duke and other members of the G. I. Joe group.

 

Overall, while they are building up the G.I. Joe part of the universe with miniseries, they are currently giving the Transformers universe an actual series.

 

There is also something called Void Rivals set in space. I read it, and quite frankly, I still have no idea how it’s supposed to tie in yet. Which is why I have not reviewed it. I did not much care for it either.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3zEWshf

 

My reading copy was a Hoopla digital eBook via the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024