G.I. Joe (Skybound Entertainment)

Last updated
G.I. Joe
Duke, issue 1, cover A, Skybound Entertainment.jpg
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.

Contents

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

Publication history

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

Premise

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

TitleIssue(s)Creative teamRelease schedule
Writer(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Premiere dateFinale date
Duke 1–5Joshua WilliamsonTom Reilly Jordie Bellaire December 27, 2023 [2] April 24, 2024
Cobra Commander Andrea MilanaAnnalisa LeoniJanuary 17, 2024 [2] May 15, 2024
Energon Universe 2024 SpecialOne-shot Daniel Warren Johnson
Robert Kirkman
Joshua Williamson
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
Jason Howard
TBAMay 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day) [6] [7]
Scarlett 1–5 Kelly Thompson Marco Ferrari Lee Loughridge June 5, 2024 [8] TBA
Destro Dan WattersAndrei BressanAdriano LucasJune 19, 2024 [8]

First series

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

G.I. Joe:A Real American Hero

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]

TitleIssue(s)Creative teamRelease schedule
Writer(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Premiere dateFinale date
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero301– Larry Hama Chris MooneyhamFrancesco SegalaNovember 15, 2023 [15] Present
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1Larry Hama CutOne-shotHerb Trimpe
Bob McLeod
Glynis WeinNovember 15, 2023 [16]

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPagesPublication dateISBN
Energon Universe
Duke, Volume 1
  • Duke #1–5
112June 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
120November 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
120September 17, 2024 1534373683 , 978-1534373686
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium, Volume 11168October 1, 2024 1534371508 , 978-1534371507

See also

Related Research Articles

Transformers is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals. The franchise encompasses toys, animation, comic books, video games and films. As of 2011, it generated more than ¥2 trillion in revenue, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Hama</span> American comic book writer, artist

Larry Hama is an American comic-book writer, artist, actor, and musician who has worked in the fields of entertainment and publishing since the 1960s.

There have been four main publishers of the comic book series bearing the name Transformers based on the toy lines of the same name. The first series was produced by Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1991, which ran for 80 issues and produced four spin-off miniseries. This was followed by a second volume titled Transformers: Generation 2, which ran for 12 issues starting in 1993. The second major series was produced by Dreamwave Productions from 2002 to 2004 with multiple limited series as well, and within multiple story continuities, until the company became bankrupt in 2005. The third and fourth series have been published by IDW Publishing with the third series starting with an issue #0 in October 2005 and a regular series starting in January 2006 to November 2018. The fourth series started in March 2019 with issue #1 and concluded in June 2022. There are also several limited series being produced by IDW as well. Skybound Entertainment began publishing Transformers comics starting in June 2023, kicking off the Energon Universe. In addition to these four main publishers, there have also been several other smaller publishers with varying degrees of success.

<i>G.I. Joe</i> (comics) Comics

G.I. Joe has been the title of comic strips and comic books in every decade since 1942. As a licensed property by Hasbro, G.I. Joe comics have been released from 1967 to present, with only two interruptions longer than a year. As a team fighting Cobra since 1982, the comic book history of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero has been covered by three separate publishers and four main-title series, all of which have been based on the Hasbro toy line of the same name.

Jinx (<i>G.I. Joe</i>) Character from the G.I. Joe franchise

Jinx is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and animated series. She debuted in 1987 as the G.I. Joe Team's female ninja, and since then her code name has been the identity of several other incarnations of the same character, including one of Snake Eyes' apprentices in G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, Chuckles' undercover contact in G.I. Joe: Cobra, and Storm Shadow's cousin in G.I. Joe: Renegades. She is portrayed by Élodie Yung in the 2013 film G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

<i>G.I. Joe</i> (IDW Publishing)

G.I. Joe is a comic book series by IDW Publishing, based upon Hasbro's G.I. Joe characters and toy line.

<i>G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero</i> (Marvel Comics) American comic book by Marvel Comics

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a comic book that was published by Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1994. Based on Hasbro's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys, the series has been credited for making G.I. Joe into a pop-culture phenomenon. G.I. Joe was also the first comic book to be advertised on television, in what has been called a "historically crucial moment in media convergence".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skybound Entertainment</span> American multi-platform entertainment company

Skybound Entertainment is an American multiplatform entertainment company founded by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert. It operates in concert with Image Comics.

<i>G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero</i> (Devils Due Publishing)

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a comic book that was published by Image Comics from 2001 to 2005. Based on Hasbro, Inc.'s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys, the series picks up seven years after the end of the Marvel Comics series.

<i>G.I. Joe and the Transformers</i> 4-issue comic book limited series

G.I. Joe and the Transformers is a 4-issue comic book limited series featuring characters from G.I. Joe and the Transformers and published by Marvel Comics in 1987.

The Hasbro Universe refers to several shared fictional universes featuring characters from several franchises owned by toy and entertainment company Hasbro.

<i>First Strike</i> (IDW Publishing)

First Strike is a 2017 comic book storyline published by IDW Publishing, running from August 9 to October 25, 2017. It is the sequel to 2016's Revolution in the Hasbro Comic Book Universe. The story is written by Mairghread Scott and David Rodriguez, featuring art by Max Dunbar and Freddie E. Williams II, and colors by Ander Zarate. A few back-up strips were written by John Barber, with art by Netho Diaz and Walden Wong, and colors by David Garcia Cruz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasbro Comic Book Universe</span> American comic book franchise

The Hasbro Comic Book Universe (HCBU) is an American comic book franchise and shared universe created and published by IDW Publishing, based on various properties of the toy company Hasbro.

<i>G.I. Joe</i> (2019 comic book) American comic book series

G.I. Joe is an American comic book series published by IDW Publishing, written by Paul Allor and drawn by pencillers Chris Evenhuis, Niko Walter, Ryan Kelly and Emma Vieceli, alongside colorist Brittany Peer. Based upon the G.I. Joe franchise by Donald Levine and Hasbro, this series is a reboot of the previous comic book series that used to take place in the Hasbro Comic Book Universe.

<i>Snake Eyes: Deadgame</i> Comic book limited series

Snake Eyes: Deadgame is an American comic book limited series by Rob Liefeld and Chad Bowers, and debuted on July 15, 2020, by IDW Publishing. The series features several characters from the G.I. Joe franchise by Donald Levine and Hasbro, but focuses on Snake Eyes as the main character.

The Energon Universe (EU) is an ongoing American comic book franchise and shared fictional universe created and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro.

<i>Void Rivals</i> 2023 American science fiction comic book

Void Rivals is an American comic book ongoing series written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici, colored by Matheus Lopes, and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics. It is the first installment in the Energon Universe, a shared universe that combines new Transformers and G.I. Joe comics developed by Skybound, in collaboration with Hasbro. The series debuted on June 14, 2023.

<i>G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero</i> (Skybound Entertainment)

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is an ongoing American comic book series published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment based on the G.I. Joe toy line by Donald Levine and Hasbro. The series is being written by Larry Hama and continues the run left from the previous series by Marvel Comics and IDW Publishing, starting with issue #301. The series debuted on November 15, 2023.

<i>Transformers</i> (Skybound Entertainment) Series of American comic books

Transformers is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment, being based on the toy line of the same name by Hasbro and Takara Tomy.

References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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.