G.I. Joe (Skybound Entertainment)

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.

G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe vol. 7 issue #1, cover A (extended).
Publication information
Publisher
Publication dateNovember 15, 2023 – present
Editor(s)

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

Publication history

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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]

List of publications

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Energon Universe series

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Premise

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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

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Title Issue(s) Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date Finale date
First series
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
Annalisa Leoni
Matheus Lopes
Mike Spicer
May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[6][7]
Scarlett 1–5 Kelly Thompson Marco Ferrari Lee Loughridge June 5, 2024[8] October 2, 2024
Destro Dan Watters Andrei Bressan (1–2, 4–4)
Andrea Milana (3)
Adriano Lucas June 19, 2024[8] October 16, 2024
G.I. Joe (vol. 7) 1– Joshua Williamson Tom Reilly Jordie Bellaire November 13, 2024[9] Present

First series

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Duke issue #1, cover A.

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!”[10]

In October 2023, Skybound announced that the main roster of G.I. Joe features Duke, Hawk, Stalker and Baroness,[11] while the main roster of Cobra features Cobra Commander, Destro, Zarana and Mercer.[12]

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.[13]

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.”[14]

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.”[15]

As announced in the Energon Universe 2024 Special, a new ongoing G.I. Joe series in being planned for development, being a direct continuation of the Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett and Destro limited series. The series will feature the Duke creative team, with Williamson returning as writer, Reilly as illustrator, and Bellaire as colorist. The first issue is set to debut November 13, 2024.[16]

To promote the debut issue, Skybound announced a fan initiative titled "Choose Your Side", in which readers submit photos and publicly declare their loyalty to either the G.I. Joe or Cobra factions.[17][18] Additionally, on the same publishing date of issue #1, there will be a screening of G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) in AMC City Walk, in Los Angeles, which includes a panel discussion featuring Williamson.[19]

A Real American Hero series

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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.[20]

Title Issue(s) Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (vol. 4) 301– Larry Hama Chris Mooneyham (#301–305, 311–)
Paul Pelletier (penciller, #306–310)
Tony Kordos (inker, #306–310)
Francesco Segala November 15, 2023[20]

Reprints

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Title Issue(s) Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Release schedule
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 Larry Hama Cut One-shot Larry Hama Herb Trimpe
Bob McLeod
Glynis Wein November 15, 2023[21]

Collected editions

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Energon Universe

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Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
Trade paperback
Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle
  • Duke #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special (G.I. Joe story)
112 June 4, 2024 ISBN 978-1534398160
Cobra Commander, Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
June 11, 2024 ISBN 978-1534398153
Scarlett, Volume 1: Special Mission
  • Scarlett #1–5
120 November 5, 2024 ISBN 978-1534329553
Destro, Volume 1: The Enemy
  • Destro #1–5
November 19, 2024 ISBN 978-1534357686
G.I. Joe, Volume 1: The Cobra Strikes!
  • G.I. Joe #1–6
160 June 17, 2025 ISBN 978-1534328075
Deluxe
Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Duke #1–5
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special (G.I. Joe story)
256 June 24, 2025 ISBN 978-1534328228

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

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Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Volume 1 120 September 17, 2024 1534373683, 978-1534373686
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Volume 2
  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (vol. 4) #306–310
112 January 28, 2025 153434554X, 978-1534345546

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium

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Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 1 1168 October 1, 2024 ISBN 978-1534371507
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 2
  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 1 #51–78
  • G.I. Joe Yearbook #1–4
  • G.I. Joe: Special Missions #1–15
1230 December 1, 2024 TBA
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 3
  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 1 #79–115
  • G.I. Joe: Special Missions #15–28
TBA TBA TBA
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 4
  • G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol. 1 #116–155
  • G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1–4
  • G.I. Joe: Order of Battle #1–4
  • G.I. Joe Special #1
TBA TBA TBA

See also

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References

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  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 (2024-06-27). "YO JOE! JOSHUA WILLIAMSON & TOM REILLY DEBUT NEW ENERGON UNIVERSE SERIES G.I. JOE #1". Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  10. ^ First Comics News (2023-06-14). "SURPRISE! TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE TODAY!". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  11. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-16). "G.I. Joe's New Roster Revealed - & It Includes a Major Cobra Villain". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "YO JOE! NEW G.I. JOE MINISERIES SCARLETT AND DESTRO COMING FROM SKYBOUND, IMAGE & HASBRO". Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  14. ^ "Skybound Announces Two G.I. Joe Limited Series". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  15. ^ "Skybound Announces Two G.I. Joe Limited Series". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  16. ^ First Comics News (2024-06-27). "YO JOE! JOSHUA WILLIAMSON & TOM REILLY DEBUT NEW ENERGON UNIVERSE SERIES G.I. JOE #1". Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  17. ^ First Comics News (2024-07-03). "YO JOE! ... OR COBRA!!! SKYBOUND, IMAGE & HASBRO ANNOUNCE "CHOOSE YOUR SIDE" FAN INITIATIVE FOR G.I. JOE #1". Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  18. ^ "New G.I. Joe Series Invites Fans to Join Joes or Cobra With "Choose Your Side" Initiative". Comics. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  19. ^ "G.I. Joe The Movie Screening & Signing in Los Angeles For Comic Series Launch". HissTank.com. 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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.