Summary
G.I. Joeis returning to comics with an all-new ongoing series this fall, launching a bold new era for the franchise inSkybound’s Energon Universe continuity.After being set-up in theDuke,Cobra Commander,Scarlettand thecurrentDestrominiseries, the Real American Heroes are getting a monthly series to chronicle their adventures in the new canon.
Looking at the wraparound cover forG.I. Joe#1 – written by Tom Reilly, with art by Jordie Bellaire – several franchise regulars fill out the ranks of both G.I. Joe and Cobra, but one character in particular seems like a completely new addition.
The character seen towards the center wearing a dapper suit and slinging a rifle over his shoulder appears to be one fans haven’t seen before.The initial announcement for Skybound’sG.I. Joeteased the first appearance of an “all-new character,”so it is likely the man seen on the cover is this new addition to cast.
New G.I. JOE Ongoing Series Will Rock the Energon Universe to Its Foundations
G.I. Joe #1 launches this November, finally assembling the Joe team in the Energon Universe and setting up the biggest comic book debut of the year.
It’s possible the man in the fancy suit could be the new character being teased, but it’s also equally possible that this could be an update on one of the franchise’s many characters.
G.I. Joe’s New Energon Universe Character Is The Franchise’s Most Exciting Mystery
A Freshly Introduced Character, Or An Updated Classic
It’s possible the man in the fancy suit could be the new character being teased, but it’s also equally possible that this could be an update onone of the franchise’s many characters.The suit, the western-themed gunbelt, and the repeating rifle slung over his shoulder suggest a cowboy theme, which means he could bean updated look for William “Wild Bill” Hardy, the Joe team’s resident helicopter pilot. With his cowboy hat, boots and .45 revolvers, Wild Bill always had one foot in the Old West, so the vaguely Western look the characteronG.I. Joe#1’s cover sports would make for a nice update.
There is another possibility for the mystery character seen on the cover, and that is the Tracker Spirit Iron-Knife. Born on the Taos Pueblo Reservation in New Mexico, Charles Iron-Knife worked as a hunting guide before enlisting in the military, eventually being recruited by the eliteG.I. Joeteam to his skill as a hunter/tracker. The look of the character on theG.I. Joe#1 cover would be a interesting update for Spirit, as well as a way to sidestep the more stereotypical portrayal of Indigenous people from his original design.
Whether he’s an update to an older character or the entirely new one teased by Skybound, it will be interesting to learn more about the rifle-wielding gentleman seen on Tom Reilly & Jordie Bellaire’s cover.
G.I. Joe’s Presence In The Energon Universe Continues To Expand
A Rapidly Deepening Roster
Of course, it’s entirely possible the character seen on the wraparound cover is neither Wild Bill nor Spirit. Whether he’s anupdate to an older characteror the entirely new one teased by Skybound, it will be interesting to learn more about the rifle-wielding gentleman seen on Tom Reilly & Jordie Bellaire’s cover. Now that there’s an all-newG.I. Joeongoing seriesin the Energon Universe,Skybound has ample opportunity to fill out the ranks with both new and old characters in franchise history.
