Cobra Commander searches for a power greater than any the Earth has ever seen. But when this mission brings him face-to-face with a fan-favorite G.I. Joe faction—will they be friend, foe, or something else entirely? Cobra Commander #2 introduces the Dreadnoks to the Energon Universe!

Cobra Commander #2 is another home run for Skybound‘s Energon Universe. Comprising of G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Void Rivals, the shared universe takes the original concepts and delivers them in new and interesting ways. Written by Joshua Williamson, Cobra Commander #2 gives us a comic focused on Cobra Commander and his mission to find sources of Energon on the surface to benefit Cobra-la… or is it to benefit himself? Williamson teases the scheming Cobra Commander we love but so far is keeping readers guessing as the Cobra we knew is built again in a new way.

But, what makes Cobra Commander #2 really stand out is the introduction of the Dreadnoks. It’s not the full group, only giving us a few members, but this version is a group of arms dealers that seems like it’ll put them into conflict with Cobra Commander as well as Destro in the future. But, the conflict with Cobra Commander is here in this issue as to the two groups trade fire and more.

And all of that is partially what makes Cobra Commander #2 and the series as a whole stand out. It’s brutal at times. People get tortured, dragged behind cars, this isn’t your parents’ G.I. Joe. It’s updated, more adult, and a just more visceral overall.

That gritty look is helped by the art of Andrea Milana who is joined by Annalisa Leoni on color and Rus Wooton on letters. The group gives us characters who look like a lot like the classic ones we knew but a bit updated. The action and battles isn’t dialed back as well giving us enough to say “holy crap, this is a G.I. Joe comic!?”. But Milana is smart about it all, just showing readers enough to get their imaginations running with the torture going on.

Cobra Commander #2 is another fantastic issue that continues to cement the Energon Universe as the best comic universe on the market right now. What Skybound and the creators have done is to give properties that have been around decades a shot in the arm, a hell of a new kick off. This comic is a prefect example of that, mixing in old and new to make long time fans happy, welcome new ones, and keep everyone guessing what will happen next.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Andrea Milana
Color: Annalisa Leoni Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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