Wikipedia

Kobra (DC Comics)

Kobrais the name used by twosupervillainspublished byDC Comics.The Jeffrey Burr incarnation of Kobra and his brother Jason first appeared inKobra#1 (February 1976), and were created byJack Kirby.[1]Jason Burr debuted as Kobra inFaces of Evil: Kobra#1 (March 2009) byIvan Brandonand Julian Lopez. The Kobra identity is later established as an international terrorist organization that frequently clashes with superheroes associated with theJustice League.

Kobra
KOBRA symbols
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceKobra#1 (February 1976)
Created byJack Kirby
Steve Sherman
In-story information
Alter egoJeffrey Franklin Burr
Jason Burr
SpeciesHomo magi(current)
Human(originally)
Team affiliationsStrike Force Kobra
Blackadders
Underground Society
Notable aliasesLord Naga
AbilitiesIncredible hand-to-hand combatant, genius intelligence, excellent planner and tactician. Also possesses longevity through the use of lazarus pits.

Creation

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Co-creator Steve Sherman commented on the character's creation:

"The genesis for King Kobra came about when publisherCarmine Infantinocame to the conclusion first issues of comics sold really well, while the second and third issues tended to drop off, so he came up with the concept of1st Issue Specials.These were one-shot titles, designed to grab readers (and collectors) since they were all #1s. Jack was not particularly happy about this - not that he found it difficult to come up with characters, but, by this point he still wanted to do a novel in comic book format. To just crank out books with different characters wasn't part of Jack's agenda.

It was at this point that I approached him about coming up with a book. Prior to this, Jack's agreement with DC stated that all material had to be written and drawn by Jack Kirby, but by now, Jack felt that it would be acceptable. Plus, as I recall, he was now doing work for other editors.

An idea had been going through my head. I was fascinated at the time by theDr. Phibesmovies starringVincent Price.For some reason, I really thought that the idea of a villain who used different means of killing his opponents was really cool. Of course, this type of adventure goes back to the serials - but comics and serials do have that similar concept of recurring characters in outrageous situations.

WhenMark Evanierand I were researching material for In The Days of the Mob, I had come across a book that had described thethugeesof India. It is where we get the word "thugs".

I also was following one of Jack's story precepts that, in order to have a strong hero, you need a really strong villain. I didn't want to do a long underwear hero, mainly because there was no way I could come up with anything nearly as well as Jack. Instead I focused on a villain, figuring also that there were few comics that starred the bad guy. I needed to come up with a bad guy worth starring in his own book.

I should also mention that at the time, I had no idea there had been a movie entitled Curse of the Cobra Woman. Had I been aware of it, I probably would have borrowed some things from it. Anyway, combining the thugs with Dr. Phibes, I came up with the image of a cobra. Since it was to be a Jack Kirby comic, I changed the "c" to a "k". Obviously, what goes with "Kobra"? Well, if he wants to rule the word, "King".

I then needed a hero, of course, to battle the King. Who better than a Los Angeles police detective?! Somehow, I wanted to pit an ordinary lawman against this ultra science-fiction villain. I suppose I was being too "cinema" and not "comic booky" enough. At any rate, I typed the whole mess up, beginning with a splash page of a giant robot smashing through a window of a crowded restaurant. Jack of course was busy turning out the one-shot specials (I think "Atlas") and was leaving it to me to work the book out so that hopefully all he had to do was pencil it.

Upon taking it over to Jack, he read it, looked at me, and said, "Boy, does this stink". Actually he liked the title and the character of King Kobra. What he didn't see was the hook that would tie the whole thing together. I don't think he appreciated the humorous touches I had put in either. I was somehow trying to go for a cross between aMarvelcomic andThe Spirit.

Sitting at Jack's kitchen table, his initial thought was to cut each of us a piece of chocolate cake-something he was still allowed to eat back then. As we talked, Jack lit up a cigar-another thing he was still allowed to have. Finally, after a few minutes Jack looked at me and said, "The Corsican Brothers"."What? "said I." The Corsican Brothers byDumas.Identical twins, one good, one bad ", said Jack. And with that he had not only tied the whole series together but had given the characters a sense of depth that I had missed - and it worked. Now we had a story that really had punch to it.

The more we discussed it, the better it became. By the time I left that evening we had plotted out not only the first book, but another as well, completely forgetting that this was a one-shot book.

By the time I returned the following week with new written pages, Jack had already begun penciling the book. It was really exciting to see the whole thing suddenly come to life on the penciled pages. Jack had already broken the story down into panels ".[2]

Publication history

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Both Jeffrey and Jason Burr were created byJack Kirbyfor a proposedDC Comicsseries calledKing Kobra,the first issue of which was both written and drawn by Kirby. This first issue then sat in DC inventory for over a year, during which time Kirby left the publisher to return toMarvel Comics.[3]

Eventually the concept was handed over to writerMartin Paskowith orders to make a series out of it. Pasko was unimpressed with King Kobra, feeling it to be a throwaway idea churned out by Kirby as he was preparing to leave DC, and tried to make the best out of the assignment by whiting out all of Kirby's original dialogue, rescripting the issue, and havingPablo Marcosredraw some of the art.[3]Now titled simplyKobra,the first issue of the series appeared in late 1975 (cover-dated February 1976). It was cancelled after seven issues, though the contents of the unpublishedKobra#8 saw print inDC Special Series#1. Pasko later reflected: "I wrote all ofKobrawith my tongue firmly planted in my cheek—it was a preposterous exercise dumped in my lap, and it helped pay the rent on a very nice place in the Village ".[3]

Kobra is also featured in a January 2009Faces of Evilone-shot,written by Ivan Brandon.[4]

Fictional character biography

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Jeffrey Franklin Burr

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Jeffrey Burr as Kobra as he appeared on the cover ofKobra#5 (December 1976), art by Rich Buckler and Frank McLaughlin.

Kobra is an international terrorist and mad scientist who has crossed paths with the majority of Earth's costumed heroes during his attempts to usher in theKali Yuga(an age of chaos). His real name is Jeffrey Franklin Burr, and he was born part of a set of conjoined twins, but was stolen at birth by the Cult of the Kobra God, since a prophecy claimed he would lead them to rule the world.[5]Under their teaching, he became a dangerous warrior and a sadistic criminal mastermind. He led the cult into using advanced technology to menace the world. Followers of Kobra would frequently address their master as "Naja-Naja", "naja naja"being thebinomialname for theIndian cobra.This later became "Nāga-Naga ", a meaningless title which translates from theSanskritas "snake-snake". Whether this change was intentional or an error is not known.[6]

Unbeknownst to the cult however, he had apsychiclink to his twin brother, Jason, who knew nothing of Kobra. As a result, one felt what the other felt, including pain. Because of this, his brother was recruited by an international agency to help them combat Kobra.[7]At first, Kobra was unable to kill or even hurt his brother; eventually, however, he used a device that "shut off" the psychic link, and gave him the chance to kill Jason.[8]Kobra was subsequently haunted by visions of his brother. Whether it really was his ghost or just Kobra's imagination was never revealed.

In subsequent years, Kobra would clash with assorted superheroes, includingBatman,whom he first met over a Lazarus Pit of his own creation. Kobra had learned to build modified Lazarus Pits, which allowed him to control the minds of those he killed and resurrected. Kobra is the only person in the DC universe ever to decipher the formula for the Lazarus Pits. Kobra had special concerns aboutWonder Womanand sought to ensure her death, first by hiring a cartel of international assassins who were led secretly by corrupted UN Crisis Bureau chief Morgan Tracy (alsoDiana Prince's Boss ), then by kidnapping and irretrievably damaging environmental activist Deborah Demaine, forcibly transforming her into a newCheetah,and ultimately, facing Wonder Woman in combat in Egypt, faking his own demise after being defeated by the Amazon Princess. A short while later his variousStrike Force Kobrateams would fight two different incarnations of Batman'sOutsiders.Kobra also fought the thirdFlash,theSuicide Squadled by Amanda Waller, the original incarnation ofCheckmate,Captain Atom,aSupermanwhose personality had been swapped withAmbush Bug's by exposure to RedKryptonite,and others. Kobra is one of a very small number of individuals that has the capability of defeating Batman in hand-to-hand combat, and actually did so on one occasion.

The only organization ever to rival Kobra in the oldDC Universe(Pre-Crisis I) was SKULL. There were frequent recorded clashes between the two groups, the last occurring inOutsidersAnnual #1 story "The Skull...The Serpent...and The Outsiders".

After the betrayal of his loverLady Eveduring theStrike Force Kobrafiasco, she split Kobra in two and established her own splinter group. In thePower Company:Sapphire#1 the Justice League rushes toSan Diegoto prevent disaster as two rival factions of the Kobra Cult prepared to go to war. One faction was led by Eve; the other was led by Kobra himself.

He kidnaps the former heroAir Waveand uses him to seize control of the world's media and satellite resources, intending to destroy a number of major world cities. However, in a demonstration of his power, he incidentally kills Terri Rothstein,Atom Smasher's mother, ensuring theJustice Society of America's involvement. Mrs. Rothstein's life would later be saved through time travel; Atom Smasher replacing her with the villainExtantso that the same number of people died in the plane crash that killed his mother.

He appeared again inJSA#45, which featured his trial. He shrugs off claims of terrorism, claiming to be an enlightened soul (abodhisattva) trying to free souls from their karmic debt by random acts of violence. Following this, his followers threatened to kill the media outside the courthouse with bioengineered suicide bomb implants. Holding everyone hostage with this tactic, he was allowed by the JSA to escape, leading to an outragedBlack Adamand Atom Smasher, who both subsequently choose to leave the team. InJSA#51, Atom Smasher, Black Adam,Northwind,andBrainwavetrack Kobra down to his headquarters in theHimalaya Mountains,Kobra's prophesied 'reign of darkness' as the world fell to the return of Eclipso and Obsidian having ended when Alex Montez took control of Eclipso and Alan Scott managed to redeem Obsidian. After killing Kobra's guards, Black Adam rips his heart out and he died instantly.

Jason Burr

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Jason Burr as Kobra, on the cover ofFace of Evil: Kobra#1 (January 2009). Art by Andrew Robinson.

Jeffrey's twin brother Jason is re-animated by the Kobra Cult,[9]possibly through the use of Kobra's Lazarus Pits. This involves the death of an entire facility of Checkmate agents, including several of Burr's friends. Within the one-shot Jason reveals that he is re-structuring the organization and killing off all the old members. Before revealing himself as the new Kobra, Jason spends time undercover as a Checkmate agent.

King Kobra

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InConvergence,an unidentified Kobra leads the Kobra Cult under the alias of "King Kobra" and faces off againstRed HoodandArsenal.[10]

inDC Rebirth,King Kobra plans to raze a town inMarkoviaif they do not obey his commands.[11][12]When the Suicide Squad rescuesKatanafrom Lady Eve, they find King Kobra outside Castle Markov.[13]Kobra andHelga Jacelater work together to fuseViolet Harperwith he Aurakles energy being, transforming her into Halo.[14][15][16]

InDoomsday Clock,King Kobra's cult capturesCreeperbeforeBlack Adamrescues him.[17]

Kobra organization

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Kobra Blackadders vs Checkmate Knight
  • The Kobra organization survived Jeffrey Burr's death, and has been gaining converts. InIdentity Crisis,it was revealed that DCU prisoners (such asSlipknot) sometimes convert to the cult of Kobra, to the general disgust of the DC's supervillains.
  • LikeRa's al Ghul,Kobra owned a hidden network of very specialized Lazarus Pits.
  • Kobra apparently entertains many specialized sub-sections. One such section was theBlackadders,a group of ninja-like fanatics. In the past, Kobra operated an aggressive metahuman research and recruitment program. This program gave birth to both known versions ofStrike Force Kobra.
  • Kobra is currently active in the DCU as a terrorist organization with a religious bent. Upon the death of Jeffrey Burr, it underwent a power-struggle, with would-be leaders includingKing Snake,and (unwillingly) a schoolfriend ofTim Drakewho apparently fitted the prophecy, but this has apparently settled: a new leader has emerged (possibly Eve who had split off with half of the old school Kobra). Under her, the organization now seeks to fulfill 'the prophecies of Kali Yuga'. It is actively being fought by the super-spy agency known asCheckmate.
  • The new Kobra seems to be ranked by serpent type, low level members areLanceheads,higher level members are calledNagas(Checkmate vol. 2 #4), the highest level shown are theBestowed,mysticswho specialize in Blood Magic.[18]
  • Kobra later researched every villain that ever foughtBatmanand how they each acquired their respective powers. After obtaining some test subjects, Kobra had his researchers use this information to transform them intoStrike Force Kobrato serve the Kobra organization.

Other versions

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  • InKingdom Come,an immortal Lord Naga/Jeffrey Burr appears as a member ofLex Luthor's Mankind Liberation Front.[19]
  • King Kobra appears in theLil Gothamseries. Kobra King once stole the Jade Sword. Although they escaped Gotham City, he'd be tracked and captured by Batman and his mysterious partner, revealed to be Alfred. Years later, they would again steel the Jade Sword. While they were chased by Katana and Robin, they quickly subdued the heroes. Batman's ex-partner would come to their aid and defeat Kobra.[20]

In other media

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Television

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  • A futuristic incarnation of the Kobra organization appears in series set in theDC Animated Universe(DCAU), with various members voiced byCorey Burton,Kerrigan Mahan,Gary Anthony Sturgis,andKeith Szarabajka.[21]This version of the group is a global terrorist organization primarily consisting of scientists with an obsession for reptiles and dinosaurs, envisioning the latter as the only lifeform capable of ruling the world and seeking out ways to splice humanity with dinosaur DNA. To better emulate the species they admire, Kobra's members have conducted tests on kidnapped people, transformed themselves into reptilian creatures, and used cutting-edge technology for robberies, extortion and terrorism.
    • Kobra first appears inBatman Beyond.Introduced in the episode "Plague", they develop a biological virus and hireFalse-Faceto smuggle it intoNeo-Gotham,turning him into a carrier as backup. Kobra plans to demand a ransom of 10 billion credits, but are intercepted and foiled byStalkerandBatman.In the two-part episode "Curse of the Kobra", it is revealed that Kobra genetically engineered and trained the perfect leader for their organization, whom they namedZander(voiced byAlexis Denisof),[22]due to lacking cohesive leadership. After coming of age, he leads the organization in stealing dinosaur DNA to transform their operatives into dinosaur hybrids and attempting to raise the Earth's temperature by detonating a thermal bomb inside a volcano so that they can rule in the aftermath. However, they are foiled by Batman,Max Gibson,and Kairi Tanaga and Zander is presumed dead in the ensuing battle. In flashbacks depicted in the episode "Unmasked", Batman revealed his secret identity to a young boy and inadvertently made him a target of Kobra. While the terrorists captured the latter and used a memory machine in an attempt to learn Batman's identity, the boy deceived them by replacing Batman's face with that of his favorite action figure.
    • Kobra appears in theStatic Shockepisode "Future Shock", with its new, unnamed leader voiced byLance Henriksen.[23]After their leader is arrested, Kobra capturesStaticto ostensibly negotiate a trade while secretly helping their leader escape. Once he is freed, the Kobra leader attempts to kill Static, only to be foiled by Batman and Static's time-traveling younger self, who frees his older counterpart so he can defeat Kobra.
  • The Kobra cult appears in the teaser for theBatman: The Brave and the Boldepisode "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!", with their leader voiced byRobin Atkin Downes.They attempt to sacrifice a young woman in preparation for world domination, only to be defeated by Batman and theOutsiders.
  • The Jeffrey Burr incarnation of Kobra and his cult appear in theYoung Justiceepisode "Drop Zone", voiced byArnold Vosloo.[24]This version is a martial artist and ally of theLight.
  • Jason Burr appears inBeware the Batman,voiced byMatthew Lillard.[25]This version is the inventor of the Ion Cortex, a device that could potentially manage the world's power. Throughout the series, Batman andKatanaprotect Burr from theLeague of Assassinsafter they target him and the Ion Cortex. After being attacked and possessed by League of Assassins member Cypher, Burr secretly contacts the League's leader,Lady Shiva,and finishes the Ion Cortex for her. While Batman and Katana free Burr from Cypher's control so he can disable the Ion Cortex, Shiva uses the Soultaker sword on him before he can finish.
  • The Kobra cult appears inBeast Boy: Lone Wolf.[26]

Film

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The Jeffrey Burr incarnation of Kobra appears inBatman: Soul of the Dragon,voiced byJosh Keaton.[27][28]This version was kidnapped and brainwashed by the Kobra cult as a child to be their savior. In the present, he plans to unlock a gate atNanda Parbatto unleash the serpent godNāgaby offering children's souls via the Soul Breaker sword. After his forces are defeated by Lady Shiva,Richard Dragon,Ben Turner,and Batman, they plead with a desperate Burr to reject Kobra. Ultimately, Burr stabs himself with Soul Breaker, killing him and unleashing Nāga.

Miscellaneous

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  • The Jeffrey Burr incarnation of Kobra appears in issues #16 and #17 of theYoung Justicetie-in comic book.[citation needed]He plots to perform a ritual on his twin brother Dr. Jason Burr, only to be interrupted by Batman, theFlash,Green Arrow,Robin,Kid Flash,andArtemis.Despite this, Kobra attempts to resume the ritual by feeding Jason's blood to a snake before drinking it along with the Blockbuster formula. As he gains snake-like abilities, Jason is absorbed into his dagger. However, Kobra is pricked by the dagger, undoing his mutation and restoring Jason.
  • The first King Kobra appears inBatman '66.
  • An alternate universe version of Kobra appears in theJustice League: Gods and Monsters Chroniclesepisode "Big", voiced byBruce Thomas.[24]

References

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  1. ^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe.DK Publishing. p. 170.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^Sherman, Steve (1998)."Jack Kirby Collector"(22): 38–39.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  3. ^abcKelly, Rob (August 2009). "Kobra".Back Issue!(#35).TwoMorrows Publishing:63–66.
  4. ^Ivan Brandon Sharpens Fangs on "Kobra",Comic Book Resources,November 17, 2008
  5. ^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. p. 166.ISBN978-0-345-50108-0.
  6. ^"Kobra".Hyperborea.org. 2007-01-08.Retrieved2011-01-16.
  7. ^Greenberger, Robert (2008).The Essential Batman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp. 217–219.ISBN9780345501066.
  8. ^Rovin, Jeff (1987).The Encyclopedia of Supervillains.New York: Facts on File. pp. 180–181.ISBN0-8160-1356-X.
  9. ^Faces of Evil: Kobra#1
  10. ^Convergence: Titans#1. DC Comics.
  11. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deathstroke and Katana#1. DC Comics.
  12. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deathstroke and Katana#2. DC Comics
  13. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deathstroke and Katana#3. DC Comics.
  14. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana#4. DC Comics.
  15. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana#5. DC Comics.
  16. ^Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana#6. DC Comics.
  17. ^Doomsday Clock#1 (May 2018). DC Comics.
  18. ^Checkmatevol. 2 #24
  19. ^Kingdom Come#2. DC Comics.
  20. ^Batman: Li'l Gotham#3. DC Comics.
  21. ^
    • "Kobra One Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
    • "Main Kobra Ops Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
    • "Kobra Ops 1 Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
    • "Kobra Driver Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
    • "Bracelet Kobra Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  22. ^"Zander Voice -Batman Beyond(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  23. ^"Kobra Leader Voice -Static Shock(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedAugust 7,2023.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  24. ^ab"Kobra Voices (DC Universe)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  25. ^"Dr. Jason Burr Voice -Beware the Batman(TV Show) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  26. ^Milligan, Mercedes (October 21, 2024)."Cartoon Network'sTeen Titans Go!Celebrates 400th Episode with Global Event ".Animation Magazine.RetrievedNovember 9,2024.
  27. ^Couch, Aaron (12 August 2020)."Batman: Soul of the DragonSets Voice Cast ".The Hollywood Reporter.
  28. ^"Jeffrey Burr Voice -Batman: Soul of the Dragon(Movie) ".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 19,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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