Cobra Island

Cobra Island is a fictional country located in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the main base of operations for the fictional Cobra Organization featured in the G.I. Joe toyline from the 1980s. It is featured in the G.I. Joe cartoon and the comic book series created by Marvel Comics and Devil's Due Publishing. It is also a fictional island in the Caribbean in the Burt Lancaster film The Crimson Pirate, made in 1957.

Origin

In the comics, Cobra Island is in the Gulf of Mexico. The island is artificially created as the result of a plan by Crimson Guard scientist Professor Appel. False information in Appel's home led the Joes to target an underwater bunker with a massive drop of non-nuclear bombs. The explosion triggered a faultline releasing volcanic stresses forcing an area of the ocean floor containing a sunken freighter Cobra base to rise above sea level.^[1]

Realizing the strategic value of the new territory, G.I. Joe attempts to dislodge Cobra from the island via a pitched assault. The G.I. Joe team had nearly won when they were called off by the United States, as lawyers in Cobra's employ had successfully maneuvered to get the island sovereign nation status and recognition by the U.N..^[2]

Features

Many important facilities are established on the island, such as the Terror Drome fortress, a dedicated surgical hospital,^[3] an airfield and luxury hotel for visiting dignitaries (usually third-world dictators looking to buy weapons). One of the main features is the now "land-locked freighter", a seemingly mundane sunken cargo ship raised up with the island which hides a storehouse of advanced technology (including the Cobra space shuttle and launch facility) and is frequently used as an operations center. After Cobra is forced to retreat from Springfield ^[4] the island gains a significant civilian population.

Geographically the island is very small, barely 5 square miles (10 km²) in area. Its most prominent feature is its central active volcanic peak, created by the same forces which originally raised the island. The G.I. Joe team mountaineering expert Alpine commented that the volcano is unusually rough, jagged and steep, whereas most volcanic mountains are characterized by smooth regular slopes. Other terrains include tropical jungle (which grew quickly on the new island) and a swamp in which Croc Master maintained security with his trained crocodiles.^[5]

As an actual nation, it was forbidden for the G.I. Joe team to violate its airspace or territory, though of course Cobra had no qualms about spying on U.S. soil.^[6]

Near destruction

Cobra Island is threatened by an advanced missile controlled by a rogue faction in the United States military. The threat results in a battle between unofficial Joe forces, General Hawk himself and the mercenary Dreadnoks. A Cobra transport helicopter, sent from the Consulate in New York City destroys the weapon.^[7]

Cobra Civil War

The largest conflict to occur on the island was the Cobra Civil War.^[8] Tensions between Serpentor and the Crimson Guardsman Fred VII (masquerading as Cobra Commander) caused by competition for control of Cobra exploded into open combat between the different factions. The fighting would grow to involve G.I. Joe and Destro's Iron Grenadiers as well, with the Joes ordered to side with Serpentor's constitutional monarchy and Destro remaining neutral to either faction. Control of the airfield became a major turning point in the short war. Serpentor's faction was on the verge of seizing victory when he was assassinated by Zartan, leaving Fred VII unopposed, while Destro was permitted to leave with his prize, the Baroness.^[9]

The true Cobra Commander later returns and reclaims his position. He uses the land-locked freighter as a prison for many who opposed him, such as Doctor Mindbender and Raptor.^[10] He causes a mountain-damaging lava flow that buries the freighter. Most of the prisoners perish; the survivors manage to escape.^[11]

Cobra Island is abandoned after the collapse of Cobra. Sometime later it is taken over by Firefly, then again deserted.

Devil's Due

Following Cobra's defeat in 1994, Cobra Island is annexed by the United Nations.^[12]

It later serves as the base of operations for a revived Serpentor and his personal army called The Coil. The geography has changed. Before, it had been a relatively flat island with one mountain. Now it had towering cliffs surrounding a fortified harbor.^[13]

After the defeat of Serpentor, the U.S. Government sells Cobra Island to what seems to be a research firm called "Gen-Tek". As discovered by a Joe assault force, this company is yet another Cobra front.^[14] The purchasing was handled by the Cobra businessmen Tomax and Xamot. It serves as Cobra's headquarters before the organization moved to the Monolith Base. The island was destroyed when the G.I. Joe team drops a nuclear weapon on it. ^{[citation needed]}

Alternate versions

In the alternate universe of G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers 2, Cobra Island is a natural island in the Caribbean. It is the site of a showdown between Cobra, G.I. Joe, Autobots and the Decepticons.^[15]

Cartoons

Sunbow

In the Sunbow G.I. Joe cartoon, Cobra Island's location and origins were never explained. It debuted in the second season mini-series "Arise Serpentor, Arise" as Cobra's main headquarters.

Novel

Cobra Island is a featured location in the G.I. Joe novel 'Fool's Gold'.^[16]

References

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