Cobra

Background
The Cobra organisation was founded in the late 1970s by an American civilian believed to be a former used-car salesman who bore a grudge against the US government and the military regarding the death of his brother and the failure of his business. The organisation grew slowly at first, before becoming a threat to US national security, resulting in the GI Joe team being directed to work to thwart the group's attempts to overthrow the US government and to achieve global dominance.

Repeated defeats at the hands of GI Joe didn't deter the leader, now known simply as 'Cobra Commander', with the organisation continuing to grow in size and capability. The creation of a landmass in the Gulf of Mexico, dubbed 'Cobra Island', eventually led to the group becoming a de-facto nation. Off-shoot groups were formed in Europe, South America and Canada; but the internecine squabbling between rival factions as well as the splintering of The Coil and the defeat of Cobra forces in Central Europe have left Cobra weakened and in effective isolation as they attempt to rebuild their forces following losses in men, materiel, and equipment. Nonetheless, Cobra are still seen as a threat to US security.

Key Personnel
Cobra Commander - first and now current leader

The Baroness - Cobra Commander's right-hand woman until internal squabbles drove her away. Now brainwashed into serving again.

Destro - Scottish arms dealer and rival of Cobra Commander, has left the group twice, once forming his own private military force, the Iron Grenadiers, before returning, then leaving. Now under hypnotic control of Cobra Commander.

Dr. Mindbender - Principal scientist. Was killed and resurrected in a revolutionary cloning process. Key to Cobra Commander's control via hypnosis and brainwashing of several lead figures.

Zartan - Mysterious assassin and infiltration expert. Also left only to return under hypnotic control.

Storm Shadow - Japanese-American ninja warrior. Left Cobra and served in GI Joe before being brainwashed into serving Cobra Commander once more.

Wild Weasel - lead fighter pilot

Firefly - demolitions and sabotage expert. Former member of the Arishikage ninja clan. Left Cobra.

Tomax and Xamot - French-born business experts who lead the Crimson Guard

Stories
Cobra appears in the following stories:

Offshore Extortion

The Fall of Cobra

War of the Red Shadows

Always Faithful

Robopocalypse

A Woman's Touch