Kobra Cult (DC)
Kobra is a criminal organization that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
History
Origin
In time, they were regarded as an old Indian legend that spoke of a cult of cobra-worshippers that sought a new leader every 44 years. (Kobra v1 #1)
At New Delhi, a pair of Siamese Twins were born to the Burr family when the hospital was attacked by agents of Kobra who were seeking their prophecised leader who was said to had been born at that moment. After subduing the doctors, they found the two children and believed that Jeffrey Franklin Burr would grow up to become the leader of their cult. (Kobra v1 #1) After the death of Natalie, Jeffrey Burr returned to the cult with the goal of taking control of them and transformed them from a purely religious order into a global crime syndicate. (Kobra v1 #3)
It was thought that the cult had abandoned their North American chapter but they were actually operating in secret when they came under attack from the Brotherhood of the Monkey Fist. The attack saw many of their agents being killed with their top martial artist Adder being eliminated. (Green Arrow v2 #134)
The New 52
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different version of versions. It was said that this ancient cabal had ruled from the shadows since the time of the Pharaohs. (Bane: Conquest v1 #6)
The Kobra Cult came into conflict with the Parliament of Owls and dispatched their newly acquired agent Nightwing along with the outlaw Raptor to combat them. (Nightwing v4 #1)
Overview
It was claimed that they were an international crime cartel who were involved in almost every criminal enterprise. (Green Arrow v2 #134)
Divisions within the cult included:
- Bestowed : a sect of inquisitors that used blood magic and could discern the secrets of others. (Checkmate v2 #10)
The ranks of the Kobra organization included:
- Naja-Naja : title held by the leader of the cult. (Kobra v1 #1) This infallible ruler and demigod ruled until their death whereupon a new one was found through a mystical rite of divination that took months as the cult believed that their Naja-Naja's essence transferred into a new born child after their demise. (Bane: Conquest v1 #6)
The cult was divided into a number of houses such as the House of Asp with its leaders consisting of Lords. (Bane: Conquest v1 #9)
Potential leaders were chosen based on prophecy where they were trained until they reached their 21st birthday. As a test, they were forced to drink cobra venom and should they survive the normally fatal process then they were seen as being worthy in leading the cult. These leaders were sometimes referred to as sahib by their followers. (Kobra v1 #1) Funerals of a Naja-Naja were known to be sacred ceremonies that took days to complete whereby no business transactions were made by the cult as they prepared their leaders remains to be encased in a vault prepared for him since birth. The period between the choosing of a new leader was rife with chaos as conflict emerged within the Kobra Cult as scores were settled and members maneuvered for higher positions of power whilst those in the lower tiers advanced by murdering those that blocked their chance to ascend the ranks. During this time, the cult utilised mystical approaches with prayer and trances as they sought out the next Naja-Naja. (Bane: Conquest v1 #7)
They worshipped a cobra deity that was referred to as the serpent god. (Kobra v1 #1) Nulla Pambu was the name of the snake god of the Kobra cult. (Kobra v1 #2)
Their genetic research division was always looking out for new biological material and often used forgotten people that would not be noticed if they went missing such as refugees. (Nightwing v4 #2) The cults knowledge in this field allowed them to field Kobra Converts that were genetically enhanced devout assassins that appeared human but used drugs to transform themselves into serpentine hybrids with great strength. (Nightwing v4 #7) Operatives could swallow pills that transformed them into large serpent monsters with superhuman strength along with increased endurance allowing them to fight against super-powered beings. (Trinity v2 #16)
Known artifacts held by the cult included:
- Ovoid : a meteor that was actually a container holding an artificial being created by an alien race with these entity being known as the Servitor who followed commands of its master and used its foot tall great strength to attack its enemies. (Kobra v1 #1)
- Saber of Farah : a scimitar blade held in their possession. (Kobra v1 #1)
Their warriors sometimes deployed the flying sabers that were sword blades that moved through the air under their own power and tracked their targets. (Kobra v1 #2) A floating craft was used by the Lord Kobra that was known as the Kobra Ark. (Kobra v1 #1)
Members
- Jeffrey Franklin Burr :
- Jason Blur :
- Lady Eve :
Notes
- Kobra was created by Martin Pasko, Steve Sherman, Jack Kirby and Pablo Marcos where they made their first appearance in Kobra v1 #1 (March 1976).
In other media
Television
- In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the Kobra Cult appeared in the episode "Requiem for the Scarlet Speedster!". Lord Kobra and the cult were responsible for capturing a sacrificial victim that they intended for use in a ritual to bring forth the Kali-Yuga. This ritual was disrupted by the arrival of Batman and the Outsiders who battled the cultists. Batman managed to rescue the captive and the Outsiders defeated the guards as well as the animated giant stone cobra. However, the Outsiders neglected to take out the bridge to the castle that was used by Kobra which allowed the cultists to arrive to assist their defeated leader.
- In Young Justice, Kobra makes an appearance in the first season episode "Drop Zone" where they were shown to be allied with the Light when they took control of Santa Prisca from Bane. Their mission was merging the Blockbuster formula with the Venom drug to create a more powerful combination known as Kobra-Venom to produce enhanced soldiers. The mission was stopped by the arrival of the Team which saw Kobra's leader escaping into the shadows.
- In Justice League: God's and Monster Chronicles, Kobra made an appearance as villains in the animated episode "Big". Steve Trevor tracked down their Base where they were creating a superweapon but he was freed by Bekka of the New God's who was this world's version of Wonder Woman. She quickly made short work of her foes with the Kobra leader with his last dying act unleashed his weapon that was the large mechanical titan called Giganta.
Appearances
- Green Arrow v2 #134:
External Links
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