Warning: Spoilers for G.I. Joe #1As one of the biggest comic book launches of the year, G.I. Joe #1 has a lot to live up to. The third ongoing series in the Energon Universe line aims to continue the winning streak begun last year with Void Rivals and Transformers. Fortunately, Skybound’s latest installment in the ongoing Energon Universe saga more than delivers on the hype, boldly charting a fresh new path for the franchise that gave birth to the “action figure.”

Coming from the creative team of Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire, and Rus Wooton, G.I. Joe #1 picks up where the previous miniseries Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro left off, with Codename: G.I. Joe having just formed under the command of field team leader Duke.

Duke struggles to bring the team together as one unit, as new recruit Baroness rubs everyone the wrong way due to her criminal past. They’ll have to learn to work together quickly, however, as a new threat has just entered the global stage. Cobra Commander has assembled the army of Cobra, with nothing less than world domination in his sights.

G.I. Joe #1 Is Another Blockbuster Debut for the Energon Universe

Alongside Transformers and Void Rivals, Skybound’s Shared Universe Continues to Grow

The new G.I. Joe #1 certainly has a lot to live up to. Fellow Energon Universe titles Void Rivals and Transformers have been met with record sales and award-winning acclaim, and no one wants to be the dud in a pack of firecrackers. Fortunately, the creative team brings their A-game to G.I. Joe #1, delivering a thrilling story that would put most Hollywood action blockbusters to shame. With a strong cast of characters and a clear mission statement, the new issue is a worthy successor to both the G.I. Joe name and the Energon Universe as a whole.

The creative team finds a fresh way to bring the team into existence within the broader context of the Energon Universe.

When it comes to crafting a successful first issue, comic book creators have to accomplish a number of key objectives. This new iteration of G.I. Joe has the benefit of a forty-year history to draw from, as well as the already-established Energon Universe continuity, but the new series also has to bring something new to the table. The creative team finds a fresh way to bring the team into existence within the broader context of the Energon Universe, keeping the military action-adventure themes while giving the team the broader mission of dealing with extra-normal threats like weapons derived from Cybertronian technology.

Another key element a #1 issue must accomplish is portraying a cast of compelling characters for the reader to follow in an ongoing series. Team books are doubly tricky, as, by their nature, the creative team has less page time to devote to developing individual characters. The creators achieve this mission objective with flying colors, expertly juggling a fairly large cast of characters and giving each at least one moment to shine. The training session that opens the issue is the perfect example of this, as each Joe member is introduced through action in a way that tells the reader everything they need to know.

G.I. Joe Shines Thanks to a Killer Art Team

Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire Bring Their A-Game

Of course, what truly makes a comic a comic is the art, and thankfully, this is another area in which G.I. Joe #1 excels. The book reunites the Duke team of artist Reilly and colorist Bellaire, and both work in concert to create one of the best-looking books of the year. As an artist, Reilly has quickly established himself as a top creator. His clean lines and clear -to- storytelling recalls the likes of Chris Samnee or even Alex Toth, giving G.I. Joe #1 a classic, timeless look and feel on the page.

One of the other ongoing Energon Universe titles, Transformers, has also been consistently praised for its art - and no wonder, since the first arc, which is available now in a collected edition from Skybound, is written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson.

Perhaps Reilly’s greatest strength as an artist lies in his carefully-observed use of body language. Whether it’s in the way Rock N’Roll jumps into action with full-bodied abandon or small details like Cover Girl brushing her hair behind her ears, these moments reveal pertinent character details entirely through the visuals. Bellaire also shows why she is one of the best colorists in the business, as her creative application of color does a lot to tell the story on its own. The fight that introduces new character Risk is but one example where Bellaire’s colors get to shine, as the alternating tones punctuate the violence.

Special mention must also be given to Rus Wooton, whose superb lettering for all the Energon Universe titles has created a cohesive visual language across the entire line. Great comic book lettering is like great film editing in that it only stands out when something has gone horribly wrong, so the great letterers often go unsung by sheer virtue of their talent. Wooton’s work here further hammers home the high level of craft the letterer always brings to every project, and his work only adds to what is a stunning debut for Skybound’s new G.I. Joe series.

This New Series Fills Out the G.I. Joe Corner of the Energon Universe

G.I. Joe #1 Sets Up Several Intriguing Storylines

The G.I. Joe team’s first mission brings them into conflict with a new global power, and the action scene that ends the issue is a tense first encounter between Cobra and the Joes. Several intriguing story-lines are set in motion, and it will be interesting to see how these threads develop over the course of the series. For instance, fans will wonder if Baroness will ever be accepted by the team, or if the friction between them will ultimately lead her down a villainous path. It’s also hard to imagine any prospective readers who won’t immediately be desperate to read the next issue following this issue's last page shocker.

Even with all that is going on here in G.I. Joe’s debut issue, there are so many threads throughout the whole of the Energon Universe that remain to be explored. The Transformers big bad Megatron was held prisoner by Cobra Commander before his recent escape, and fans have to assume the former Decepticon leader will be looking for revenge against the Commander sooner or later. Cobra Commander will also likely have to deal with the hidden society of Cobra-La eventually, after he was excommunicated following his betrayal in the pages of Cobra Commander miniseries.

Where all of these outstanding storylines will lead remains to be seen, but the great thing about Skybound’s shared universe is that each series can still be enjoyed without having to read every single title of every other series. Whether readers have kept up with all the Energon Universe titles released so far or they are jumping in for the first time, G.I. Joe #1 is a satisfying start to what is hopefully a classic comic book series in the making.

G.I. Joe #1 is available now from Skybound Entertainment.