How G.I. Joe Will Adapt To A Brave New World In Its Latest Comic

There are big changes coming to IDW’s Hasbro comics line, thanks to the merging of all these disparate properties — Rom, M.A.S.K., Transformers, and more — into one singular universe. But what role do the Joes have in a world of giant robots and space knights? That’s what we’ll learn in the all-new G.I. Joe comic, and we’ve got a first look.

Written by Aubrey Sitterson with art from Giannis Milonogiannis and Lovern Kindzierski, the relaunched G.I. Joe ongoing re-envisions Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake Eyes, and friends not as Real American Heroes, but Real Earth Heroes in a world where threats can come from anywhere, even beyond the stars.

“For the first time, the G.I. Joe team finds themselves in a world with giant robots, miniature astronauts, shapeshifting aliens, Spaceknights and more,” Sitterson told io9 over email. “In order to stay competitive in this brave new world, we’re leaning heavily into the science-fiction adventure aspects of the concept. Not only are we bringing lasers back to the franchise, but for the first time ever, there’s an actual Transformer on the team.” Yes, you read that correctly: the Joes are going on a recruiting spree, according to Sitterson. “As the first and best line of defence for humanity, G.I. Joe has now broadened their scope: They aren’t just Real American Heroes…they’re Real Earth Heroes, and that will be reflected in both their adventures and their growing roster.”

Part of the integration into this new Hasbro-shared universe will mean that the new series will shift in tone — to something a little more in line to a modern take on the classic cartoon series. “In recent years, G.I. Joe has veered more toward the real-world military side of things… but we’re taking things in a different direction,” Sitterson continued. “Our tone is heavily influenced by the 80s cartoon series, then filtered through our modern sensibilities — it’s a big, action-heavy, aspirational, ensemble soap opera with snappy dialogue to spare.”

For all the action and change in tone though, the book will still have a core that resonates with the modern world “Given the current political landscape, our G.I. Joe is an important, necessary book. G.I. Joe, at its core, is a diverse group of friends working together to fight a homogenous, fascist, oppressive evil. What’s more progressive than that?” Sitterson said. “G.I. Joe is the Crown Jewel of the Hasbro Universe. It’s the oldest property, a cornerstone of the company and new shared universe and, frankly, it’s going to be the best-looking, best-reading book on the stands. People simply aren’t prepared for what’s coming their way.”

Check out the first five pages from the first issue below, making their debut here on io9.

G.I.Joe #1 hits shelves and digital stores next Wednesday, December 28th.