The following is a readers comment poll. By posting YOUR choice in the comments section YOU can make yourself heard!
I have been asked by multiple people; which version of Cobra Commander is my favorite? That can be a hard question to answer. So I’ll give my answer in the comments and the reason why.
Although there are many versions of the Cobra leader to choose from; I’ve picked 4 of the more well-known.
CLASSIC! Original metal plate Cobra Commander!
METAL PLATE: In 1983, viewers first saw the Cobra Commander in this outfit. The shiny metal plate covering his face, paired with the helmet made him come off as a creepy, terrifying Nazi!
By not having a face, Cobra Commander gave mystery to his character. One could also decide that the Commander was every form of evil in the world.
It was not until the animated movie that his appearance was revealed and as the metal plate fell to the ground the viewer could see that it was full of electronics.
Of all the versions, this was the first and is most recognizable.
The metal plate comes off and his identity is concealed under a hood.
HOODED: In the next 5 episodes in 1984, viewers went into a short-lived excitement as Cobra Commander took off his helmet and plate. We all thought that his identity was going to be revealed but alas, a servant was at the ready to hand the evil ruler of Cobra a blue cloth hood which covered his face but revealed his eyes giving him noticeable emotion. Odd that there was pale skin revealed through the eye holes which defeats what was shown in the animated movie. However, this incarnation of the Cobra leader gave him the look of a Klansman. How much more evil can you get!
The humanity aspect gave a new view of the Commander.
Call him Fred VII or Cobra Commander, he is still the Cobra Leader.
ARMORED: The armored Cobra Commander gave new purpose to the evil leader. The Commander was now tough and at the front lines in the play-time of children. Hand to hand with Duke or leading his soldiers into battle, this was the definitive Cobra Commander.
In other stories and action figures this was Fred VII a former Crimson Guard whom took the guise of the Cobra leader.
The file card describes the suit as high-technology with a bomb in it. What is more fitting for the all-powerful Cobra Commander.
The "real" Cobra Commander...?
MOVIE: They were always cartoon characters or art in a comic book; until now. The live action movie G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra featured the cartoon come to life. A completely new look and a face behind the mask. Say what you will about the design, costume or the figure as a whole–this incarnation came out as being interesting if anything. The clear mask revealing a burned face beneath gave the ultimate reality of the man behind the mask.
A few versions of the figure exist, however I’ve never seen this one with the air hoses. The others have small alterations with the holes in the body and head–or a mask that is more clear than the others.
So there you have it, 4 of the best choices for Cobra Commander. The other versions are from Resolute, comic conventions, STAR Brigade, ect…
It’s now YOUR turn! Leave a comment below to vote on YOUR favorite Cobra Commander!
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Paladin
Aug 22, 2009 -
I am still on the fence choosing my favorite Cobra Commander. Ever since I was young I’ve loved the Armored Commander. But, the Movie Commander is simply fascinating to me. I’m not basing my decision on the actor or what I thought of the movie, I’m looking at the whole picture. The face has always been fascinating to me, the fact that it was always hidden. Now with the movie, the action figures face is mostly exposed and that to me makes the character more menacing than just having Chris Latta’s voice.
When it comes down to it, I think the Armored Cobra Commander will always be my favorite, I feel regardless of what the cartoon showed–making him a cowardly wimp or not, this Commander never ran away at play time.
My final choice:
ARMORED COBRA COMMANDER
Agt. Pendergast
Aug 23, 2009 -
Mirror Mask (or metal plate as it’s listed here) is my choice. It’s simple, sleek and unique.
Peter Banning
Aug 23, 2009 -
I like the hood look. You can see the evilness in his eyes and it just looks more like an evil leader look.
Cricket
Aug 23, 2009 -
I like the hooded version. He looks simple but he looks so damn evil. I should get that figure on eBay. I have the Mighty Muggs Cobra Commander, they went with the metal plate version.
ccfmds
Aug 24, 2009 -
It’s a tough choice for me but I think I like the hooded look as well. There is something menacing about the hood, much like the hood that Scarecrow wears from Batman. The movie Cobra Commander was a lot of fun though and if I picked him, it would be based more on the actor.
Mongoose
Aug 28, 2009 -
I like the Armored one since that’s what I got as a kid, i remembered being sad cus i didn’t get the “original” version, but it grew on me.