ComicsImage ComicsG.I. Joe #1 is an assured and exciting reinvention of the classic action franchiseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsImage ComicsG.I. Joe #1 is an assured and exciting reinvention of the classic action franchiseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Image/Skybound)
Skybound launched its Energon Universe with a bang last June with the publication ofVoid Rivals– Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s sci-fi adventure series which also marked the surprise start of a shared continuity that included newTransformersand G.I. Joe comics.
But now – finally – the main event is here. The first issue of the ongoing G.I. Joe series hits comic stores tomorrow, from the team of writer Joshua Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, colorist Jordie Bellaire and letterer Rus Wooton. As the issue isn’t out yet we won’t get into spoilers here, but we can say that it’s exactly the sort of assured opener you would expect from this team and imprint.
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The issue opens with an introduction to the new Codename: G.I. Joe team, all finally working together. There’s heavy artillery specialist Rock ‘N Roll, ranger Stalker, former fashion model Cover Girl, driver Clutch, and Duke himself. Then there’s Baroness – usually a villain, but in the Energon Universe a far more ambiguous character. They’re training against drones as they prepare to engage with their mysterious new foe Cobra, but it’s not going so well. “We’re not ready. If we went up against the enemy today… we’re screwed,” warns Duke at one point. Well… guess what happens later in the issue?
We also briefly meet Risk – a new character, and something of a wild card. He gets a striking introduction here that suggests he will be the character to watch as the series progresses.
Cobra, meanwhile, are making their own preparations for war. The evil organization has a growing army and some new, highly-advanced weapons. There’s bickering between Destro andCobra Commander, something that will surely turn into a full on rivalry somewhere down the line, but for now it’s clear that they have the advantage.
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This first issue is very much about putting the pieces in place for what Joshua Williamson has promised will be a good, long run. The complex character dynamics are there, with Duke soon realizing that he must find a way for his disparate, bickering squad to work together as a unit if they have any chance of succeeding.
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But even though there’s a lot of scene-setting, the issue doesn’t stint on the action. It’s not really a spoiler to say that, yes, Joe and Cobra make first contact here and, as Duke worried, things go wrong pretty much from the off. There’s a pretty solid cliffhanger setup for #2 that massively raises the stakes.
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Throughout, Williamson’s script is pacy and efficient, giving us what we want with a few surprises along the way. But it’s Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire’s art that really sells the issue. This is the same art team as the Duke series and G.I. Joe continues that book’s mix of dynamic action and bold, pop art flourishes, while also broadening its scope. After taking their time to establish the world in the previous series, there’s a real sense of heightened stakes here as our small team of heroes face overwhelming odds from a threat they still don’t truly understand.
Check out our interview with Joshua Williamson and Tom Reillyabout the Duke limited series.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”