We recently published a list of The 50 Greatest G.I. Joe Characters of All Time. Now, it’s time to celebrate the bad guy.

In addition to the esteemed group of panelists whose individual ranks were tallied to form these composite rankings, for this list we’re honored to be joined by Fred Van Lente, writer of IDW’s upcoming G.I. Joe relaunch. Also returning as a special guest panelist is Marvel’s Arune Singh.

The Cobra list by the numbers:

50. Overlord

Highest rank: #18 (Justin Bell)

Yet another in a long line of challengers to Cobra Commander’s rule, Mikhail Derenko AKA Overlord was released as an action figure in 1990. I guess when you take the codename “Overlord” there isn’t much mystery regarding your targeted specialty. His biggest claim to Cobra fame might be appearing as a boss in the 1991 NES G.I. Joe video game.

49. Iron Grenadier

Highest rank: #19 (Fred Van Lente)

The Iron Grenadiers were elite troopers in Destro’s private army. Besides the Dreadnoks and Oktober Guard, these guys comprised another independent faction to battle both G.I. Joe and Cobra. It is said that the Grenadiers are more motivated than Cobra Troopers since they each own shares in Destro’s weapon supply company, which basically makes them the Chick Fil-A employees of the G.I. Joe universe.

48. Shadow Tracker

Highest rank: #16 (Dan Uthman)

Cobra’s Jungle Tracker was released in the Pursuit of Cobra line in 2011. His file card says that he “tastes his victims’ fear in the wind” – but we think that might just be Bazooka’s legendary gas.

47. Hydro-Viper

Highest rank: #17 (Carson Mataxis)

The successor to Cobra’s Eels, Hydro-Vipers were actually surgically enhanced to withstand and thrive in underwater conditions- until it comes time to clean Major Bludd’s hot tub, then all of a sudden they’re “underqualified”.

46. Zombie Viper

Highest rank: #16 (John Vanover)

Another Cobra Viper that debuted recently, the Zombie Viper capitalized on the popularity of the undead. Soon to be joined on a special missions team by Vampire Viper, Werewolf Viper, and Mer-Viper.. oh wait, see #47.

45. Voltar

Highest rank: #15 (Justin Bell)

First released as an action figure in 1988, Voltar was a mercenary commander that Destro employed as part of his Iron Grenadiers. He first appeared in the Marvel Comics’ ARAH series in issue #87, helping defend Castle Destro by hiding tanks inside haystacks surrounding the property. God, I love Larry Hama’s storytelling style.

44. W.O.R.M.S.

Highest rank: #16 (Fred Van Lente)

Driver of the Cobra Maggot, W.O.R.M.S. stood for Weapons Ordnance Rugged Machine Specialist and is a perfect example of the ‘name it first and we’ll figure out an acronym later‘ strategy. Want proof? Other names considered for the character included “Crabs,” “Roaches,” “Slugs” and “Grubs.” This figure did have a really cool removable helmet.

43. Wraith

Highest rank: #18 (Dan Uthman)

Charles Halifax is a mercenary spy who is less about money, and all about death and chaos. The stealth technology in his suit makes him invisible. Kinda like Snake Eyes in the Sunbow cartoon! Hey-O!

42. Headhunter (trooper)

Highest rank: #11 (Rob Buzan)

Headhunters are Cobra’s Street Troopers, released in 1992 as part of the Drug Elimination Force line. They worked for Headman, whom we’ll visit with later; he’s a positively lovely fellow.

41. Hazard Viper

Highest rank: #10 (John Vanover)

When the newest Hazard Viper figure debuted in 2011, Justin from Generals Joes wrote: “Not only is there a niche for this kind of trooper, but the Hazard Viper does an exemplary job of filling it. Where Toxo-Vipers specialize in the creation, distribution, and use of noxious substances, I think the Hazard Vipers are pure Hazardous material removal and containment.”

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