G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #226
Issue #226 opens the 'Cobra Nation' arc — a post-'Cobra World Order' power struggle that reframes Cobra's internal politics around insurgency and factionalism rather than outward conquest. Its single most lasting contribution to the ARAH continuity is the first appearance of Dawn Moreno, a Springfield teenager whose extraordinary combat instincts immediately attract both Cobra Commander and the Baroness, setting in motion a character thread that would run deep into the series. The issue also showcases a pivotal redesign for Destro, who confronts Cobra Commander wielding cybernetic arms equipped with wrist rockets — a physical consequence of earlier story damage that grounds continuity-driven cause-and-effect rarely seen in franchise comics of this era. Taken together, these elements mark #226 as a meaningful turning point in Larry Hama's decades-long stewardship of the ARAH mythos.
In "Cobra Nation, Part 1," Cobra Commander encounters Dawn Moreno, a surprisingly skilled Springfield teen, as tensions rise in a town under unexpected siege. With Zartan's allies manipulating the populace through televised hypnosis and a double impersonating Cobra Commander, Destro—now armed with cybernetic hands—faces his former leader in a deadly confrontation. Written by Larry Hama and illustrated by S. L. Gallant, with inks by Brian Shearer, colors by J. Brown, and letters by Neil Uyetake, this issue features a cover by S. L. Gallant.
ComicBooks.com Value
This exact issue on ebay
Raw / ungraded ▾ $35.33–$150 4 listings
Read it digitally
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
Larry Hama wrote every issue of IDW's ARAH continuation, picking up directly from Marvel's 1994 conclusion at #155 and resuming consecutive numbering at #156. By issue #226, the series had settled into its durable creative partnership of Hama writing, S.L. Gallant on pencils (a tenure that ran from #161 through #245), Brian Shearer on inks, and James Brown on colors — a stable production unit that gave this era of the book its recognizable visual identity. Editor Carlos Guzman shepherded the issue under publisher Ted Adams at IDW. The 'Cobra Nation' arc directly follows the 'Cobra World Order' storyline, with #226 serving as the first chapter of a new multi-part story collected in IDW's Trade Paperback Volume 16 alongside issues #227–230.
Trivia · 7 facts
- First appearance of Dawn Moreno, a physically gifted Springfield teenager who becomes central to both Cobra Commander's plans and a subsequent Baroness mentorship storyline.
- Story title: 'Cobra Nation Part 1'; cover date March 2016, published by IDW Publishing.
- Full creative credits: writer Larry Hama, pencils S.L. Gallant, inks Brian Shearer, colors J. Brown (James Brown), letters Neil Uyetake, editor Carlos Guzman.
- Cover A illustrated by Stephen Mooney; Cover B (subscription variant) illustrated by Adam Riches.
- Destro appears with cybernetic prosthetic arms — replacements fitted with wrist rockets via Revanche and M.A.R.S. nanotech — resulting from injuries sustained in the preceding arc, and uses them to physically confront and threaten Cobra Commander.
- Road Pig (real name Donald DeLuca) appears as part of the Dreadnok contingent backing the coup; the character was originally introduced in the toy line in 1988 and is distinguished by a split personality — the brutish Road Pig persona contrasted with the articulate Donald identity — and a noted attraction to Zarana.
- The issue was collected in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Volume 16 TPB (ISBN 978-1631407321), published October 2016, alongside issues #227–230.
Cast · 6 characters
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #16 (2016)
Variants (1)
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.