Cobra's early success was kick started with the Baffler. He wrote for The Baffler and numerous other zines and independent magazines. Soraya Roberts was also critical of "Nanette" in "The Baffler" magazine. The first incarnation of "The Baffler" had up to 12,000 subscribers. In 2015, after retiring from Harvard, he began writing a books column for "The Baffler". He co-founded and edited "The Baffler" magazine. The Baffler is an American magazine of cultural, political, and business analysis. "The Baffler" has also organized literary events and debates with its contributing editors.