What alignment is Cobra Commander - the Official Word

[Fifth Element]

A tidbit that some might find interesting:

After D&D, my obsession is GI Joe. (Well, it's tied with a few others, anyway.) I was perusing the writer's guide for the Sunbow GI Joe animated series (here) from 1985-86. Lo and behold, on page 15 we find the following (bold added for emphasis):

"COBRA COMMANDER is CHAOTIC EVIL doing the job of a Lawful Evil Character. He's scary because he's completely mad.

DESTRO is Lawful Evil and very bright. Think of Darth Vader. He is infinitely more logical than C.C. Destro is scary because he knows exactly what he's doing and why."

Those alignments are spot-on for the characters, of course. Interestingly, this guide is intended for all writers of the series, including new writers. Was playing AD&D a requirement for getting the gig??

One might think it might be related to Poul Anderson or Moorcock (it would make sense for writers), but I understand they used only Law/Neutrality/Chaos, with Gygax adding the second axis. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

[slwoyach]

Cobra Commander is chaotic wang. Destro needs to shoot him in the head and take over.

 

[Parlan]

Those alignments are spot-on for the characters, of course. Interestingly, this guide is intended for all writers of the series, including new writers. Was playing AD&D a requirement for getting the gig??

One might think it might be related to Poul Anderson or Moorcock (it would make sense for writers), but I understand they used only Law/Neutrality/Chaos, with Gygax adding the second axis. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

Wow this takes me back! I'd love to know the answer to this myself.

Anyone?

 

[Bumbles]

Well, let's see, Buzz Dixon typed it up, and Steve...wrote it...which Steve? There are two listed on IMDB. Gerber and Mitchell. I think it's Gerber since he's listed as the Supervising story editor.

You want to guess what his other credits include, or just check?

look and see

 

[GMforPowergamers]

"COBRA COMMANDER is CHAOTIC EVIL doing the job of a Lawful Evil Character. He's scary because he's completely mad.

DESTRO is Lawful Evil and very bright. Think of Darth Vader. He is infinitely more logical than C.C. Destro is scary because he knows exactly what he's doing and why."

Those alignments are spot-on for the characters, of course. Interestingly, this guide is intended for all writers of the series, including new writers. Was playing AD&D a requirement for getting the gig??

that is an awsome find...and pretty spot on too. In 4e I would make CC CE still, but Destro Unaligned...but leaning toward evil

 

[Relique du Madde]

It's not surprising that Cobra Commander is chaotic evil considering his "official" (pre Cobra-La retconn) origins story.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

"COBRA COMMANDER is CHAOTIC EVIL doing the job of a Lawful Evil Character. He's scary because he's completely mad.

Hrm. I'd've thought that the comic book version was LE all the way, what with all the infiltration and use of society's structures against it. But the cartoon, definitely agree CE.

Brad

 

[Bumbles]

It's not surprising that Cobra Commander is chaotic evil considering his "official" (pre Cobra-La retconn) origins story.

I prefer him as a Used Car Salesman made good.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Cobra Commander is chaotic wang. Destro needs to shoot him in the head and take over.

He got smart, left, and formed the Iron Grenadiers. Why he didn't bring Major Bludd along, I don't know. Destro trained him, but I guess Cobra was better bankrolled.

It's not surprising that Cobra Commander is chaotic evil considering his "official" (pre Cobra-La retconn) origins story.

Cobra-La never happened in my book.

 

[Relique du Madde]

Cobra-La never happened in my book.

Same with that power armor that the GI Joe members are said to wear in the live action movie.