These Classic G.I. Joe Villains Aren’t Messing Around In Their Energon Universe Debut

Summary

• The Dreadnoks bring ultraviolence to the Energon Universe, making Cobra Commander rethink his strategy.
• Joshua Williamson’s Cobra Commander #2 introduces Ripper, Buzzer, and Zarana in a dark, brutal twist.
• The sadistic Dreadnoks pose a major threat, setting the stage for intense clashes in the Energon Universe.

WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Cobra Commander #2Cobra Commander may be a nasty customer, but one group of G.I. Joe villains may be even nastier as the Dreadnoks make their Energon Universe debut in Cobra Commander #2. The Dreadnoks’ ultraviolent methods show they aren’t messing around in the new continuity. The legendary biker gang is back and more brutal than ever, as the Commander finds himself in over his head in their dangerous swampland territory.

Coming from the creative team of Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, Annalisa Leoni and Rus Wooten, Cobra Commander #2 sees the titular character traveling to the swamps of Louisiana in search of Energon.

While there, he runs afoul of a certain biker gang with an affinity for doughnuts and grape soda, as readers are introduced to Ripper, Buzzer and Zarana. The issue opens with the Dreadnoks dealing with a pair of arms dealers intruding on their turf, whom they proceed to dismember with a chainsaw and drag behind in their swamp rig.

Enter the Dreadnoks: G.I. Joe’s Villainous Faction Make Their Debut

The original Dreadnoks first appeared in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #25, where they were revealed as a gang of mercenaries Cobra Commander could call upon for specialized, “shock and awe” style missions. Lead by the master of disguise Zartan, the Dreadnoks terrorized the roads of America, and at one point where given the task of trashing G.I. Joe’s famed headquarters, the Pit. While the Dreadnoks were always rowdy in the old continuity, the Energon Universe version paints them as downright sadistic. Aside from the crazy violent opening, readers see their true brutality when Cobra Commander examines their hideout and body parts of their victims are hanging everywhere.

The Grand Guignol display of horrors may be extreme, but it does show the stakes at play in the Energon Universe. The Dreadnoks being especially brutal poses a challenge for Cobra Commander, as the future despot will have his hands full in attempting to recruit the biker gang as potential allies. This far more violent version of the Dreadnoks will also be a major threat when the new G.I. Joe organization officially comes together, so it will be exciting to see all these factions come to blows as the G.I. Joe corner of the Energon Universe continues to grow.

The Dreadnoks’ Zarana Makes Her Energon Universe Debut

Which other Dreanoks will appear in the Energon Universe next? Zarana calls Ripper and Buzzer away at the end, saying they have a “family meeting,” so it’s likely that her twin brother Zandar and their older sibling Zartan will be showing up sooner rather than later. Whether or not other Dreadnoks such as Road Pig, Torch or Gnawgahyde show up remains to be seen. Cobra Commander certainly has a huge task ahead of him if he’s going to recruit the Dreadnoks to his cause. G.I. Joe fans will have keep reading to find out what happens next in the Energon Universe.

Cobra Commander
#2
is on sale now from Skybound Entertainment.