The Cobra logo, superimposed holographically
Cobra is an international terrorist organization seen within the film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins. It is a collection of loosely affiliated groups: terrorist cells, crime syndicates, arms manufacturers, and paramilitary groups all working together under a single centralized command. It is described as being "a shadow organization devoted to bringing about global revolution through violence, extortion, and fear".
History[]
Some 20 years ago, one of the agents of G.I. Joe infiltrated a Cobra cell. He was discovered, but in the process provided intel that saved thousands of lives. He managed to escape with his son, but was tracked down in a cabin in a forest that was supposed to serve as a safe house. There, Augustine, one of Cobra's members, shot him and set the house on fire to cover up the crime. The boy, who would later become known as Snake Eyes, managed to escape.
One of the most well-known recent acts carried about by a member of Cobra is that of a train attack to influence an election. Carried out by Baroness, the attack killed a member of parliament and over 200 civilians. She is also known to be involved in bombings, assassinations and civil unrest throughout the world.
Approximately 20 years after the death of Snake Eyes' father, a man named Kenta is the head of yakuza smuggling operation in Los Angeles, California. Transferring operations to Japan, he launches a plan in sync with Cobra and Baroness to topple the Arashikage Clan, which he was once in-line to lead. He sends in Snake Eyes, who is one of his employees, as a double-agent to steal an artifact known as the Jewel of the Sun. With it, he hopes to get revenge on Tomisaburo "Tommy" Arashikage, who banished him from the clan after he plotted to kill him to seize leadership.
Tommy catches wind of Kenta's being back in Japan, but is fooled by the gambit to insert Snake Eyes into the clan. Although Snake Eyes begins to have doubts when he learns that Kenta is allied with Cobra, he nevertheless steals the Jewel and gives it to Kenta. Kenta, in return, gives Snake Eyes what he promised: the man who killed his father. He sets off with the Baroness to storm the Arashikage Castle, while Snake Eyes confronts the man in a shack.
When Snake Eyes questions his father's killer, Augustine, he is shocked to learn that the man killed his father under Cobra orders. He realizes that he has been taking orders from a member of the same group that killed his father. Determined to make things right, he frees Augustine and races off in pursuit of Kenta and Baroness. Along the way, he is confronted by Tommy, but manages to convince him they have a shared objective.
Ultimately, Kenta chooses to betray Baroness, leading her to forge a temporary alliance with Scarlett of G.I. Joe. Together, they, the Arashikage and Snake Eyes corner Kenta and relieve him of the Jewel. Tommy then claims the Jewel and tries to use its power to incinerate Kenta, only to strike a wall instead. Snake Eyes ultimate kills Kenta instead, but Tommy is barred from clan leadership for using the Jewel in anger. He storms off in a rage, swearing vengeance on Snake Eyes. When he arrives at his private jet, he finds Baroness waiting for him. She tells him "You've lost an army, Tommy. But I can get you a better one." In response, he tells her to call him Storm Shadow.
Members[]
Trivia[]
- While previous versions of Cobra have been described as a terrorist organization, the group's depiction in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is more realistic to modern terrorist organizations, which typically operate as many independent cells with limited cross-communication.