Kobra was one of the more bizarre titles of the 70s. Here's Kobra 3, cover-date July 1976. A gonzo Ernie Chua cover. Look at that robot! Totally looks like Bender from Futurama. And a purple background! Outstanding!
Story by Marty Pasko with interior pencils by Keith Giffen and inks by Terry Austin and Dick Giordano. This was the title's third art team in as many issues. Wld go on to have six in first six before finally getting same art team in 7th and final issue. That kind of volatility plus a bimonthly publishing schedule cldnt have helped...
But it's kind of amazing that DC gave a brand new villain his own comic in the first place. Jack Kirby was listed as plotter in issue 1, so maybe he was to be involved somehow. But never happened. The main plot was Kobra battling his own twin brother, and Pasko threw in all sorts of spies, doubles, world domination, etc. Great 70s stuff. Giffen also was doing the great page designs he was doing in All-Star and later wld do in Defenders. Pretty much imitating Kirby and Steranko and doing a decent job of it.
Villain Solaris is "a crazed astrophysicist" who goes bad after not being recognized for his work. At one point in this story, he's even crying about it. Ah, the 70s...
Kobra later wld battle Aquaman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman & the Outsiders, but it's really kinda surprising that DC didnt use him even more. Criminal mastermind...global network...just add superhero!
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