Skilled hand-to-hand combatant Genius-level intelligence Excellent planner and tactician Longevity through the use of Lazarus Pits
Kobra is the name used by twosupervillains published 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 Brandon and Julian Lopez. The Kobra identity is later established as an international terrorist organization that frequently clashes with superheroes associated with theJustice League.
Both Jeffrey and Jason Burr were created byJack Kirby for a proposedDC Comics series 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.[2]
Co-creator Steve Sherman commented on the character's creation. He stated that Kobra was originally created for a one-shot comic and was inspired byDr. Phibes, a character who used different means of killing his opponents. Sherman created Kobra's name and aesthetic by combining Phibes withthugees - Indian robber gangs. Sherman met with Jack Kirby, who created the idea of the Burr siblings. He was inspired byThe Corsican Brothers, a novella aboutconjoined twins who were separated at birth, but continue to share pain. By the time the meeting was over, Sherman and Kirby had written outlines for several stories beyond the initial one-shot.[3]
The concept was handed over to writerMartin Pasko with 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 Marcos redraw some of the art.[2] 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 ofKobra with 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".[2]
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 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 frequently address their master as "Naja-Naja", thebinomial name of theIndian cobra. This later became "Nāga-Naga", a meaningless title which translates fromSanskrit as "snake-snake". Whether this change was intentional or an error is unknown.[6]
Unbeknownst to the cult, Jeffrey possesses apsychic link to his twin brother Jason, causing the two to share pain.[7] At first, Kobra is unable to kill or even hurt his brother; eventually, however, he uses a device that "shut off" their psychic link, allowing him 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 Woman and 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 Kobra teams would fight two different incarnations of Batman'sOutsiders. Kobra also fought the thirdFlash, theSuicide Squad led byAmanda Waller, the original incarnation ofCheckmate,Captain Atom, aSuperman whose personality had been swapped withAmbush Bug's by exposure to redKryptonite, and others.
After the betrayal of his loverLady Eve during theStrike Force Kobra fiasco, she split Kobra in two and established her own splinter group. In thePower Company: Sapphire #1 the Justice League rushes toSan Diego to 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 Wave and 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. Atom Smasher later saves Terri viatime travel, replacing her with the villainExtant and allowing him to die instead.
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 through random acts of violence. Following this, his followers threatened to kill the media outside the courthouse with bio-engineered suicide bomb implants. Holding everyone hostage with this tactic, he was allowed by the JSA to escape, leading to an outragedBlack Adam and Atom Smasher, who both subsequently choose to leave the team. InJSA #51, Atom Smasher, Adam,Northwind, andBrainwave track Kobra to his headquarters in theHimalayas, where Adam kills him.[9]
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, 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. Jason reveals that he is re-structuring the organization and killing all the old members. Before revealing himself as the new Kobra, Jason spends time undercover as a Checkmate agent.[10]
InConvergence, Jason Burr leads the Kobra Cult under the alias of "King Kobra" and faces off againstRed Hood andArsenal.[11]
In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth" which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". King Kobra plans to raze a town inMarkovia if they do not obey his commands.[12][13] When the Suicide Squad rescuesKatana from Lady Eve, they find King Kobra outside Castle Markov.[14] Kobra andHelga Jace later work together to fuseViolet Harper with the Aurakles energy being, transforming her into Halo.[15][16][17]
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.
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.
The new Kobra has several ranks: low-level members areLanceheads, higher-level members are calledNagas (Checkmate vol. 2 #4), and the highest level shown are theBestowed,mystics who specialize in Blood Magic.[18]
InKingdom Come, an immortal Lord Naga/Jeffrey Burr appears as a member ofLex Luthor's Mankind Liberation Front.[19]
King Kobra appears in theLil Gotham series. Kobra King once stole the Jade Sword. Although they escapedGotham 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]
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-Face to 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 byStalker andBatman. 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 Shock episode "Future Shock", with its new, unnamed leader voiced byLance Henriksen.[23] After their leader is arrested, Kobra capturesStatic to 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 Bold episode "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 Justice episode "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 andKatana protect Burr from theLeague of Assassins after 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]
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 Parbat to unleash the serpent godNāga by 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.
The Jeffrey Burr incarnation of Kobra appears in issues #16 and #17 of theYoung Justice tie-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.
^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.
"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.
^"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.
^"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.
^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.
^"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.
^"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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