Editing Cobra Commander (section)

==Merchandising==
Cobra Commander was first released as a mail-in figure in 1982.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982–1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994|last= Santelmo|first= Vincent|year= 1994|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 0-87341-301-6|page=95}}</ref> Wearing a light blue uniform and his signature battle helmet, early production runs were marked with an early version of the Cobra sigil, nicknamed the "Mickey Mouse" emblem for its more rounded shape. All of the original sixteen figures from 1982 were released with "straight arms". In 1983, the figure with the proper Cobra sigil was released on a card for mass market with "swivel-arm battle grip", which made it easier for figures to hold their rifles and accessories.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982–1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=19}}</ref> In 1984, the Commander was offered again as a mail-away exclusive, this time in a darker blue, with the iconic hood that he wore prominently in the Marvel comics.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=39}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994|last= Santelmo|first= Vincent|year= 1994|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 0-87341-301-6|page=100}}</ref> This figure continued to be available as a mail-away figure until the line ended in 1994.

In 1987, a new Cobra Commander figure was designed, this time outfitting him in full-body battle armor.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982–1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=88}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994|last= Santelmo|first= Vincent|year= 1994|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 0-87341-301-6|page=112}}</ref> Cobra Commander was given another overhaul in 1991, wearing a blue and black ceremonial uniform, with an ornate redesign of his original battle helmet.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=184}}</ref><ref name="30thAnnPg133">{{cite book |title= The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994|last= Santelmo|first= Vincent|year= 1994|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 0-87341-301-6|page=133}}</ref> Also in 1991, a "Talking Battle Commander" figure was released, featuring a blue and yellow uniform inspired by the hooded Cobra Commander figure.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=183}}</ref><ref name="30thAnnPg140">{{cite book |title= The Official 30th Anniversary Salute To G.I. Joe 1964-1994|last= Santelmo|first= Vincent|year= 1994|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 0-87341-301-6|page=140}}</ref> This figure was repainted in black with silver accents, for 1993's Battle Corps subset.<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=218}}</ref> A 12" version of the Commander wearing the same uniform (blue with yellow accents) was released in 1993 as well. In 1994, Cobra Commander was suited up for space combat as part of the [[Star Brigade]].<ref>{{Cite book|title= The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982–1994|last= Bellomo|first= Mark|year= 2005|publisher= Krause Publications|isbn= 978-0-89689-922-3 |page=251}}</ref> Wearing a teal and purple spacesuit, the Commander's domed helmet was removable, revealing a masked head underneath. This face is similar to the sculpt which lay under the hood of the 12" figure, with dark hair, and a half mask covering his nose and mouth.

After the line was canceled in 1994, [[Hasbro]] made several attempts to resurrect A Real American Hero through repaint series. In 1997, Cobra Commander was released as part of the "Cobra Command Team" 3-pack, using the 1987 Battle Armor mold in a dark blue. In 2000, the Talking Battle Commander mold was repainted (sans talking backpack) in an even darker blue, with silver highlights, with a new character "[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]" (a [[Baroness (G.I. Joe)|Baroness]] doppelganger created to sidestep copyright problems). A second repaint of the 1987 figure was made available in 2001, in a muted version of its original color scheme. It was also a double-pack with the 'Laser-Viper' figure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/01/cardedimages/cobracommanderlaserviper.jpg |title=Cobra Commander/Laser-Viper two-pack |access-date=2011-07-19}}</ref>

===Modern===
In 2002, the Commander was initially meant to be redesigned by Hasbro. After the more radical elements were removed, the Commander emerged as one of the least extreme make-overs of the line, once again sporting the iconic hood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/02/cobracommander11.shtml|title=Cobra Commander (v11) G.I. Joe Action Figure – YoJoe Archive|work=yojoe.com}}</ref> A second Commander figure was released in 2003 for Spy Troops, featuring a more military look than the Commander has ever had before, and using the Commander's signature Battle Helmet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/action/03/cobracommander15.shtml|title=Cobra Commander (v15) G.I. Joe Action Figure – YoJoe Archive|work=yojoe.com}}</ref> Both figures went on to be repainted multiple times in 2004's Valor vs. Venom line, including one version with an interchangeable helmet and hood.

A 12" Cobra Commander was released to coincide with the Spy Troops line, based on the same design as its smaller counterpart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yojoe.com/12inch/03/cobracommander2re.shtml|title=COBRA COMMANDER (v3)|work=yojoe.com}}</ref>

A version of Cobra Commander with no accessories came with the [[Built to Rule]] Cobra H.I.S.S. in 2004. The figure featured additional articulation with a mid-thigh cut joint, plus the forearms and calves of the figure sported places where blocks could be attached.<ref>[http://www.yojoe.com/btr/04/hiss/ Cobra H.I.S.S. w/ Cobra Commander] at YOJOE.com Retrieved 2012-04-25</ref>

===25th Anniversary===
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
2007 was the 25th anniversary of the original launch of ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero''. To celebrate, Hasbro created three boxed sets of brand new figures, featuring modern sculpt and updated and increased articulation (including the replacement of G.I. Joe's trademark O-ring construction). Cobra Commander was included in the inaugural Cobra set, along with [[Destro]], [[Baroness (G.I. Joe)|Baroness]], [[Storm Shadow (G.I. Joe)|Storm Shadow]], and a [[Cobra Trooper]]. The figure was rereleased on a single card, and repainted in black and gold for the "Cobra Legions" 5-pack, and in comic accurate colors for a Comic 2-Pack. Mirroring the vintage line, Cobra Commander was released with a hooded head sculpt in the first wave of single carded figures.

A second Cobra Commander sculpt, based on the 1987 Battle Armor figure, was released in early 2008. The Battle Helmet version from 2007 was repainted in cartoon accurate colors for a second single card release, and the "Cobra Senior Officers" 3-Pack. The hooded version was repainted for the "[[Crimson Guard]]" 3-Pack.