When IDW Publishing announced they had reached a deal with Hasbro to
plan a re-launch of the G.I. JOE comic book franchise, they kept their
mission plans secret. But now, with the impending release of the
kick-off issue, October’s specially priced G.I. JOE #0, it’s time to
discuss the plans in detail.
G.I. JOE #0, a $1.00, 24-page comic being released next month, will
debut three new series launching in early ’09. The issue contains three
stand-alone five-page stories unique to the #0 issue, as well as
character sketches and commentary from artist Robert Atkins, previews
of upcoming covers, and interviews with the new G.I. JOE creators. The
issue features two regular covers, one from Dave Dorman and one from
JonBoy Meyers, as well as two special incentive covers from Atkins and
a wraparound image by Ben Templesmith.
As to the content of the stories themselves, well, so far, the
only news announced to fans has been the return of acclaimed G.I. JOE
writer, Larry Hama and the addition of artist Atkins. While Hama is
indeed back in the fold, he’s returning as part of a larger action team
that will present these three initial comic book series in which G.I.
JOE and COBRA are fully revitalized and re-established for a new
generation of fans.
The first title to come storming out of the gate in January will be the
singularly titled G.I.JOE, written by Chuck Dixon and featuring art by
Atkins. This title moves ahead in the timeline from Hama’s series and
looks at the fledging G.I. JOE organization as it explores an all-new
threat, a shadowy organization that is first introduced to the team in
a #0 issue story. Dave Johnson (100 Bullets) will provide covers for
the series, as will Atkins. The first issue features a special
wraparound variant cover by superstar artist Gabriele Dell’Otto (Secret
War).
Larry Hama will be heading up G.I. JOE: ORIGINS, a series that
re-envisions the G.I. JOE team for a new generation. Hama will be
putting his great strength of blending strong characterization and
action storytelling, honed over decades of writing these characters, to
effective use in looking at the formations of the G.I. JOE organization
and just who the characters on the team really are. Hama will be joined
on this series by artist/colorist Tom Feister (Ex Machina). Each issue
will come with two regular covers, one by Andrea Di Vito and one by
Feister himself. The series launches in February.
Finally, launching in March will be the third round of this
initial salvo: G.I. JOE: COBRA, a four-part miniseries written by
Christos Gage and Mike Costa, with art by Antonio Fuso, and covers by
Howard Chaykin (American Flagg) and Fuso. This series provides a unique
look at the new status quo for the primary threat in the G.I. JOE
universe. The series views the sinister COBRA organization from a
ground-floor view as a familiar G.I. JOE team member seeks to
infiltrate Cobra and learn their inner workings.
In addition to these titles, IDW will be launching comics that lead
into next summer’s G.I. JOE live-action major motion picture from
Paramount Pictures and Hasbro, as well as deluxe reprints of past
fan-favorite tales. Details for both these projects will be released
soon.
G.I. Joe #0 (item code AUG08 4120, a 24-page, $1 issue, will be
available in October. G.I. Joe #1 launches in January 2009; G.I. Joe:
Origins #1 debuts in February 2009; and G.I. Joe: Cobra #1 premieres in
March 2009.
