Cobra Commander #1 reveals how the Decepticons create GI Joe’s greatest enemy

The latest iteration of Cobra Commander rises in this debut issue, but it’s the surprising role that Decepticon Megatron plays that may have funs surprised.

The new Transformers Energon Universe was launched with the promise of the Autobot war against the Decepticons being linked to the creation of GI Joe. Now fans have a glimpse of just how that’s going down.

We’ve already gotten a glimpse at the state of the war, and it’s bleak. After an indeterminate amount of time in ruin, the Transformers are saved and repaired by Jetfire. However, Jetfire mistakenly revives the traitor Starscream as well.

The Autobots are on the defensive in Transformers, with events that have led to the formation of GI Joe in the mini-series Duke. Now Cobra Commander #1 reveals just how the war factors into the creation of the sinister criminal organization, Cobra.

Warning, spoilers for Cobra Commander #1 follow.

Cobra Commander #1 reveals how Megatron led to Cobra technology

In Cobra Commander #1, readers get an origin story for the enigmatic leader of Cobra. In this tale, he’s an up and coming scientist through the ranks of Cobra-La.

The issue sees him obtain the Cobra Commander title, revealed to be largely in-name-only as he ventures out into the world. However, he has an edge that he’s kept close to his vest.

Skybound

Cobra Commander is revealed to have Megatron held prisoner. He’s been experimenting on and studying the Decepticon, using it to make powerful weapons and technology.

The issue establishes that the Commander is something of an outcast in Cobra-La, the secret nation where his people come from. His predilection for torture and inhumane experiments have made him untrustworthy.

Still, he’s managed to convince his superiors that he’s ready to prove his worth, asking for the Commander title and for the right to step out into the world. Using Decepticon technology, he’s got big plans to make a splash in the name of Cobra. And based on the wink Cobra Commander misses, Megatron may have been planning on that.

How exactly Megatron got here remains a mystery, though not all of him made it, judging by the giant Megatron arm Optimus Prime is sporting on both the final page of Transformer #4 and the upcoming Transformers #5 cover.

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