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]
Daniel Warren Johnson Robert Kirkman Joshua Williamson
Conor Hughes Daniel Warren Johnson Andrea Milana
Patricio Depelche Lee Loughridge Mike Spicer
May 3, 2025 (Free Comic Book Day)
Prequel series
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 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.”[14]
Mainline series
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 debuted on November 13, 2024.[9]
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.[15][16] Additionally, on the same publishing date of issue #1, there was a screening of G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) in AMC City Walk, in Los Angeles, which includes a panel discussion featuring Williamson.[17]
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.[1]
Hama said, "I am delighted to be continuing the saga of G.I. Joe with the good folks at Skybound and totally amped to be taking the G.I. Joe team to issue #301 and beyond. Little did I know back in 1982 that I would be associated with the Real American Hero for over 40 years. My thanks to the whole crew at Skybound for allowing me to continue to chronicle the exploits of characters who have become like a family to me.”[1]
A series of five one-shot issues titled A Real American Hero: Silent Missions, featuring several characters in scenes with no dialogue, was published during April 2025.[18]
Cold Slither
Cold Slither is an upcoming one-shot issue written by Tim Seeley, drawn by Juann Cabal, colored by Rex Lokus, and lettered by Pat Brosseau. It was published on October 1, 2025. The issue features the fictional band Cold Slither, which is based on Cobra's Dreadnok faction, and is set in a modern version of the shared continuity between the animated series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Transformers, Jem and Inhumanoids.[19]
Seeley said, “The catchiest song ever to grace a military themed toy line has lived in my head rent-free for forty years, so I’m happy to drag it out, and write the true story of the scrappy band of miscreants who recorded it.”[19]
Cabal added, “My parents met at a Cold Slither gig back in the ’80s, so getting to draw this one-shot has been really special for me.”[19]
Ben Abernathy, Executive Editor on Skybound, also added, “To say this face-melting issue was a labor of love is an understatement. Getting this motley crew of creators together for this incisive and heartfelt look at the rise and fall of the legendary Cold Slither was a heavy metal dream come true!”[19]
Additionally, Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music presented a concert in San Diego’s Brick by Brick festival (July 24), featuring Gus Rios as Zartan (vocals/bass), Ross Sewage as Torch (guitar), Matt Harvey as Ripper (guitar) and Andy Selway as Buzzer (drums).[20]
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