G.I. Joe #1 will introduce the new team of Real American Heroes to the Energon Universe in November 2024, but it will also bring a new character into the fold. When the cover, by series artist Tom Reilly, for G.I. Joe #1 was solicited, fans were curious about the man in the fancy suit wielding a rifle. Now, the writer Joshua Williamson reveals this exciting new character and what he brings to the series.

Speaking with ScreenRant, Williamson talks about the new team member. “His name is Risk,” Williamson says. “He’s ex-CIA…kind of like a rich-boy thrill-seeker.” Williamson goes on to describe the new Joe as a hand-to-hand combatant and a deadly cage fighter.

G.I. Joe #1 cover close-up, mystery character holding a rifle, with what appears to be old-west-esque clothing.

Williamson also discussed Risk’s backstory, and how he got his codename:

“Part of his job in the CIA was actually risk-assessment…what is the collateral damage of this mission? Is this mission going to be too much? And then he went into the field, because he felt…if I’m going to send people out on these dangerous missions, I should also go out on them, right? If I’m going to tell someone else to take a risk, I should be able to take the risk, too.”

Meet Risk, G.I. Joe’s Brand New Team Member

Character Design by Tom Reilly

G.I. Joe Energon Universe Risk Character Design by Tom Reilly

Williamson also explains how Risk will fit into the new team’s dynamic, highlighting how the new Joe will be “a little bit of an antagonist for Duke.” According to Williamson, Risk was hand-picked by Duke’s superior, Hawk. “Duke’s team is mostly comprised of…people that Duke picked,” Williamson explains, which leads Hawk to put his own man on the team. Hawk feeling the need to place his own member on the main team is interesting, as fans previously learned that he already has his own secret team with Flint and Lady Jaye. Why Hawk picked Risk for Duke’s team instead of his hidden splinter group will be an intriguing mystery in the new series.

G.I. Joe #1 Chameleon (left) Baroness (Center) and Stalker (right)
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While establishing Risk’s backstory and skillset were essential parts of the character, Williamson also describes how the visuals determined who Risk would be:

“You know, the fun thing about creating a new G.I. Joe character is: how are they visually different? Because, again, I have this wall of G.I. Joe toys over here [on my shelf], and I would just stare at them. And I would be like, ‘How is he different?’ And I’m looking at Duke, I’m looking at Flint, I’m looking at the different characters…and I thought, ‘You know what’s missing from this line-up? A dude in a suit.’”

Williamson gave G.I. Joe and Duke artist Reilly these "marching orders" when deg Risk, and the results speak for themselves. “[Tom] ran with it and made a bunch of cool stuff,” Williamson says, resulting in a stylish character who could more than handle himself in a fight.

Risk Is G.I. Joe’s Answer to John Wick

1:250 Variant Cover by Tom Reilly

Comic book cover: a design sheet for new GI Joe character, Risk.

Another piece of inspiration for Risk came from a big-screen Hollywood icon. “We don’t have ,” Williamson says, explaining how Risk fills a void in the new team. “We don’t have a character that wears a suit and beats the crap out of people.” Naming Keanu Reeves’ iconic hitman hints at the type of action Risk will hopefully get up to in the pages of G.I. Joe, as the franchise gets a slick, modern update. With any luck, Risk will the ranks of beloved characters in G.I. Joe, as the Energon Universe continues to chart a bold path forward for fans both old and new.

G.I. Joe #1 is available November 13th, 2024 from Skybound Entertainment.