G.I. Joe (Skybound Entertainment)

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G.I. Joe
Duke issue #1, cover A.
Publication information
Publisher
Publication dateNovember 15, 2023 – present

G.I. Joe is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment based on the toy line of the same name by Donald Levine and Hasbro.

It is a successor of IDW Publishing's previous relaunch of G.I. Joe comics.[1][2]

Publication history[edit]

After IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics by the end of 2022,[3] Hasbro announced in June 2023 that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, would acquire those licenses.[4]

Since November 2023, Skybound began publishing four limited series of the Energon Universe franchise, as well as continuing IDW's A Real American Hero series, which originated from Marvel Comics.[1][2]

During San Diego Comic-Con 2023, it was revealed that Skybound has plans to reprint both the Marvel and IDW comics based on G.I. Joe, with more info set to release later.[5]

Energon Universe series[edit]

Premise[edit]

In response to the arrival of Cybertronians on Earth, G.I. Joe wants to investigate their origins while Cobra wants to harness the power of Energon.[2]

Overview[edit]

Title Issue(s) Creative team Release schedule
Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date Finale date
Duke 1–5 Joshua Williamson Tom Reilly Jordie Bellaire December 27, 2023[2] April 24, 2024
Cobra Commander Andrea Milana Annalisa Leoni January 17, 2024[2] May 15, 2024
Energon Universe 2024 Special One-shot Daniel Warren Johnson
Robert Kirkman
Joshua Williamson
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
Jason Howard
TBA May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[6][7]
Scarlett 1–5 Kelly Thompson Marco Ferrari Lee Loughridge June 5, 2024[8] TBA
Destro Dan Watters Andrei Bressan Adriano Lucas June 19, 2024[8]

First series[edit]

Starting in December 2023, Skybound began publishing four limited series set in the Energon Universe, starting with Duke and Cobra Commander, being written by Joshua Williamsonn, with art and colors by Tom Reilly, Andrea Milana, Jordie Bellaire and Annalisa Leoni respectively.[2]

Williamson said, “Childhood dreams come true! Get hyped! Tom and I are bringing you a new take on Duke and the formation of G.I. Joe that honors all that we love about the characters but takes it into a new and exciting direction. It’s been awesome working with Skybound and Hasbro to bring this new take on the G.I. Joe franchise. For the last few years, I’ve been picking up all of the new G.I. Classified figures, so I am pumped to contribute to this new world of G.I. Joe and Transformers!”[9]

In October 2023, Skybound announced that the main roster of G.I. Joe features Duke, Hawk, Stalker and Baroness,[10] while the main roster of Cobra features Cobra Commander, Destro, Zarana and Mercer.[11]

In March 2024, Skybound announced the last two of the four initial limited series: Scarlett, written by Kelly Thompson, drawn by Marco Ferrari and colored by Lee Loughridge; and Destro, written by Dan Watters, drawn by Andrei Bressan and colored by Adriano Lucas.[12]

Thompson said, “I’m fortunate that, thanks to my job, I often get to dig into characters and worlds that I’ve loved for a long time, but G.I. Joe’s Scarlett is truly one of my first geek loves as a kid, and I am absolutely thrilled to have a hand in building her for this new, incredibly cool and rich universe at Skybound.”[13]

Watters added, “I’m incredibly excited to bring Destro to life with Andrei. This is going to be a visceral, explosive thriller in which he [Destro] isn’t very nice to anyone at all — everything you’d want from your favorite amoral arms trafficker.”[14]

Other series[edit]

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero[edit]

An ongoing series written by Larry Hama, drawn by Chris Mooneyham and colored by Francesco Segala, which continues the run left in the Marvel and IDW series, starting with issue #301.[15]

Title Issue(s) Creative team Release schedule
Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date Finale date
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 301– Larry Hama Chris Mooneyham Francesco Segala November 15, 2023[15] Present
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 Larry Hama Cut One-shot Herb Trimpe
Bob McLeod
Glynis Wein November 15, 2023[16]

Collected editions[edit]

Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
Energon Universe
Duke, Volume 1
  • Duke #1–5
112 June 4, 2024 1534398163, 978-1534398160
Cobra Commander, Volume 1
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
June 11, 2024 1534398155, 978-1534398153
Scarlett, Volume 1: Special Mission
  • Scarlett #1–5
120 November 5, 2024 1534329552, 978-1534329553
Destro, Volume 1: The Enemy
  • Destro #1–5
November 19, 2024 1534357688, 978-1534357686
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Volume 1
  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301–305
120 September 17, 2024 1534373683, 978-1534373686
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 1 1168 October 1, 2024 1534371508, 978-1534371507

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2023-06-14). "Hasbro just secretly relaunched Transformers & GI Joe into its own universe - orchestrated by Robert Kirkman". Popverse. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Brooke, David; Simmons, Nathan (2023-06-14). "Robert Kirkman details plans for Transformers/G.I. Joe-centric Energon Universe • AIPT". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  3. ^ Kit, Borys (2022-01-21). "IDW to Lose 'G.I. Joe,' 'Transformers' License at End of 2022 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  4. ^ Kit, Borys (2021-12-10). "Robert Kirkman's Skybound in Talks to Acquire G.I. Joe, Transformers Publishing License (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  5. ^ Johnston, James (2023-07-23). "Image/Skybound Will Reprint Marvel & IDW Transformers & GI Joe Comics". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  6. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  7. ^ Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2024-02-13). "Transformers and G.I. Joe headline Skybound and Hasbro's surprise Energon Universe Special this May". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  8. ^ a b Marston, George (2024-03-07). "GI Joe veterans Scarlett and Destro get their own titles as part of Skybound's Energon Universe". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  9. ^ First Comics News (2023-06-14). "SURPRISE! TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE TODAY!". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  10. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-16). "G.I. Joe's New Roster Revealed - & It Includes a Major Cobra Villain". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  11. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-21). "New G.I. Joe Continuity: Cobra's Official Roster Includes a Shock G.I. Joe Hero". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  12. ^ "YO JOE! NEW G.I. JOE MINISERIES SCARLETT AND DESTRO COMING FROM SKYBOUND, IMAGE & HASBRO". Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  13. ^ "Skybound Announces Two G.I. Joe Limited Series". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  14. ^ "Skybound Announces Two G.I. Joe Limited Series". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  15. ^ a b Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2023-06-14). "Hasbro just secretly relaunched Transformers & GI Joe into its own universe - orchestrated by Robert Kirkman". Popverse. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  16. ^ Salmon, Will (2023-06-15). "Long-running G.I. Joe comic A Real American Hero returns for a new run at Skybound". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-06-22.