Confident Cobra & Mentor Mongoose Learn That Confidence Is Taught And Earned In Comic Book #17 | Characters, Story, Cover Art & Where To Buy
A Fearless Cobra Meets A Fierce Mongoose Who Changes Everything
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VeeFriends Comic Book #17 introduces Confident Cobra and Mentor Mongoose in their first-ever comic book appearances, as a bold but untested Cobra is forced to confront what confidence really means when instinct, ego, and survival collide.
Written and illustrated by Jim Rugg, what begins as a story about fearlessness and predation quickly becomes something deeper. When the fearless Confident Cobra crosses paths with predator Mentor Mongoose, together they navigate danger, discipline, and hard-earned growth, discovering that real confidence is not about never being afraid, but about knowing how to respond when it matters most.
This issue launches on Thursday, May 21st at 12pm ET on the VeeFriends online shop, alongside a Whatnot live drop on May 21st at 9:15pm ET hosted by GaryVee!
Fast Facts
Issue: VeeFriends Comic Book #17
Created by: Gary Vaynerchuk
Story by: Gary Vaynerchuk
Written by: Jim Rugg
Base Cover & Interior Art by: Jim Rugg
First Comic Appearance: Confident Cobra, Mentor Mongoose, & Wise Wasp
Format: Sealed Collector’s Comic Pack with rare variant chase editions
Edition Size: 10,000 total copies
Cover Breakdown: Cover A by Jim Rugg, Cover B by Geof Darrow
Where To Buy: shop.veefriends.com
Holder Sale: May 20th @ 12pm ET to May 21st @ 12pm ET
Public Sale: May 21st @ 12pm ET
Live Drop: May 21st @ 9:15pm ET on Whatnot
Confident Cobra And Mentor Mongoose Make Their First Comic Book Appearances
Confident Cobra
Confident Cobra has appeared across Series 2 NFTs, Y2K 2025 Topps Chrome, trading cards, hoodies, and tees, but Comic Book #17 marks the first time fans step inside Cobra’s world and see just how confident he is.
Cobra moves through the jungle with certainty. He trusts his instincts, acts without hesitation, and believes confidence is enough. But when he encounters a threat he cannot simply overpower, that belief is tested. This story pushes Cobra beyond instinct and into awareness, forcing him to confront the limits of confidence without humility.
Mentor Mongoose
Mentor Mongoose makes his first comic book appearance as one of the most unique characters in the VeeFriends universe.
Originally introduced as a Series 1 NFT, Mentor Mongoose came with real-world utility: holders were invited to exclusive in-person mentor meetings with Gary Vaynerchuk in New York City. The character has always represented access, guidance, and learning. In Comic Book #17, that philosophy becomes literal.
A Story About What Confidence Really Means
On the surface, Comic Book #17 is about survival, predator versus prey, instinct versus discipline, and the tension between Cobra and Mongoose. Underneath that, it is a story about what it takes to grow when belief in yourself is no longer enough.
Confidence Without Coachability Is Fragile
Cobra enters the story believing confidence is his greatest strength. He trusts his instincts, moves without hesitation, and assumes that belief alone will carry him through.
But when he faces something he cannot simply overpower, that confidence experiences pressure like never before. The story shows that confidence without the ability to listen, adapt, and be corrected is unstable. Without coachability, confidence becomes a liability.
Confidence Means Trying
In Comic Book #17, Confident Cobra and Mentor Mongoose don’t get it right on the first try, and that’s the point. Confidence isn’t about immediate success. It’s about believing you can figure it out, even when it’s difficult. They keep going, refusing to let early setbacks define the outcome.
Creativity Solves Problems
To move forward, Cobra and Mongoose don’t rely on a single approach. They experiment, adjust, and try again. Real progress comes from being flexible and willing to think differently until something clicks. The story makes it clear that teaching is not automatic. It requires patience, creativity, and an understanding of how others learn. Mastery means nothing if you cannot pass it on.
Mentorship Is Powerful
Through mentorship, Cobra and Mongoose gain something they could never develop on their own: perspective. The story shows that guidance and humility don’t just protect you from failure, they reshape how you approach the process.
Cover Art: Jim Rugg & Geof Darrow
Cover A: Jim Rugg
Jim Rugg brings Confident Cobra to life in Cover A with a bold, striking cover that highlights the character’s intensity and presence. As both writer and interior artist, Rugg delivers a cohesive visual experience that blends classic comic storytelling with a modern, stylized edge.
Cover B: Geof Darrow
Cover B is illustrated by award-winning comic artist Geof Darrow, co-creator of Hard Boiled and Shaolin Cowboy, who also served as a conceptual designer on The Matrix films. A recipient of multiple Eisner Awards and the Inkpot Award, Darrow brings his signature detailed linework and cinematic sense of scale to this special VeeFriends Cover B.
Cover B comes in 1,000 inked editions and 1,000 full-color editions, giving collectors two unique ways to experience the same masterwork.
Rare Variants & Comic Collector Pack Breakdown
Comic Book #17 comes sealed in a Collector’s Comic Pack, continuing its collectible format in the VeeFriends Comics series. Each pack is a blind bag pull, with rare variants and chase editions built into the release.
Highlights include:
* GaryVee 1/1 Sketch Cover
* 1/1 Lollipop Edition
* Jim Rugg /4 Sketch Covers
* Geof Darrow Variant Covers (/1000 Color, /1000 Ink)
These rare editions make every pack an opportunity to uncover something unique, adding another layer of excitement to the drop.
How To Buy VeeFriends Comic Book #17
Phase 1: NFT Holder Sale (Early Access)
Who: Series 1 and Series 2/Iconics NFT holders
When: May 20th @ 12pm ET to May 21st @ 12pm ET
Where: shop.veefriends.com
Series 1 Price: $19.99 (30% off) | Up to 3 books per NFT held
Series 2 / Iconics Price: $22.99 (20% off) | Up to 2 books per NFT held
Phase 2: Public Sale (with launch week price)
Who: Open to everyone
When: May 21st @ 12pm ET
Where: shop.veefriends.com
Launch Week Price: $24.99 (15% off)
$29.99 on all platforms after discounted launch pricing ends on Monday, May 25th @ 12pm ET.
New To VeeFriends Comics? Catch Up On Every Issue
VeeFriends Comics is an ongoing anthology series where each issue centers on one character or character pairing from across the VeeFriends universe. Every issue stands on its own, making it easy for new readers to jump in at any time.
Here’s a quick guide to the series so far:
- Issue #1: The Battle for Balance Begins — featuring Persistent Penguin, Balanced Beetle, Cynical Cat, Optimistic Otter, Practical Peacock, Positive Porcupine, Rare Robot, Flex’n Fox
- Issue #2: The Origin of Fearless Fairy — featuring Fearless Fairy & Bad Intentions
- Issue #3: World Tour — featuring Fearless Fairy & Decisive Duck
- Issue #4: Hunt for Harpik — featuring Willful Wizard and the Thoughtful Three-Horned Harpik
- Issue #5: Motivated Monster
- Issue #6: VEE is for Viking — featuring Versatile Viking
- Issue #7: Notorious Ninja
- Issue #8: Gary Bee
- Issue #9: Kind Warrior
- Issue #10: Rare Robot
- Issue #11: Adventurous Astronaut — featuring Adaptable Alien & Adventurous Astronaut
- Issue #12: Mindful Minokawa
- Issue #13: Farm Fights — 12 first appearances
- Issue #14: Doggy Daycare — 8 first appearances
- Issue #15: Driven Dragon — featuring Driven Dragon
- Issue #16: Witty & Gritty — featuring Witty Weasel & Gritty Ghost
Sign up at garyvee.com/comics for announcements on every new release.
“Comic Book #17 brings Confident Cobra and Mentor Mongoose into the spotlight with a story that challenges what confidence really means. What starts as a battle for survival becomes a deeper lesson about mentorship, humility, and the discipline it takes to truly grow.”
— VeeFriends
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