Is it overplayed to say “It’s all been building to this!” Maybe, but Skybound and Image Comics’s Energon Universe has definitely all been building to this. And this, in this case, is G.I. Joe #1, written by Joshua Williamson with art by Tom Reilly. Multiple miniseries, years of build-up, and now the showdown of the decade is here as G.I. Joe takes on Cobra. So is it enough to make you say, “Yo, Joe!”
Yes, actually. Williamson has already written two miniseries in this universe, and clearly given a lot of thought to the all-American heroes and their enemies. But the killer app here is Tom Reilly, along with Jordie Bellaire on colors. The whole thing looks phenomenal, and has the feel of an old newsprint newspaper comic, while still employing modern techniques. The action is dynamic throughout, the stakes world-ending, and the characters distinct in a way only G.I. Joe characters can manage.
The plot is pretty simple: now that Duke has assembled a strike force to take on the rising threat of Cobra Commander’s organization, they need to figure out how to work as a team. It’s a different sort of mode than we’ve seen with the ‘roided out military force before and puts them in the secondary seat next to Cobra — who usually are one step away from falling apart.
That’s a good spot for our heroes to be in, and gives the thing real stakes that a lot of G.I. Joe media lacks. Still, Williamson doesn’t shy away from the puffed chest, sports team style razzing of the characters as they mock each other to rile each other up and get ready for missions. Even with an increased female presence — get this, both Baroness and Cover Girl are on the team at the same time! — the book still reeks of machismo.
And that’s sort of how it should be, right? This is high-octane action, which is exactly what you want from a G.I. Joe book. Williamson ably sets up the characters, with Duke as the emotional core. But the real draw is jumping out of planes, fighting impossible enemies, and jumping into helicopters. That’s what you’re looking for, and G.I. Joe delivers.
It also drops some big twists that really do shake up what you might expect plotwise from a book like this. Kudos to the team for taking chances you wouldn’t expect, because it immediately becomes surprising for constant fans, and intriguing for new ones.
That’s the last aspect I’ll mention here, and full disclosure I’m not usually a G.I. Joe guy. This book doesn’t require prior knowledge of the Energon Universe or even G.I. Joe to enjoy. If you’re a complete newbie curious to check this out… Go wild. All you need is an appreciation of action and gorgeous comic book art. So if you didn’t know, now you know. And knowing is half the battle.
G.I. Joe #1 Rating:
G.I. Joe #1 Official Synopsis:
SERIES PREMIERE
THE BIGGEST COMIC BOOK LAUNCH OF THE DECADE!
Conrad Hauser, Codename DUKE, has assembled a special force known as G.I. Joe to battle the rising power of the mysterious COBRA in the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons’ arrival on Earth.
But the enigmatic Cobra Commander has unleashed the power of Energon like never before!
Featuring many familiar faces and the first appearance of an ALL NEW character, this is the comic that will change everything you think you know about G.I. Joe…and that’s only half the surprises in store from the chart-topping Energon Universe dream team of JOSHUA WILLIAMSON and TOM REILLY!
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