Yesterday Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, announced two all-new G.I. JOE limited series set within the Energon Universe. Scarlett and Destro, featuring two of the most iconic G.I. JOE characters ever, will arrive in comic book shops in June 2024.
Red-hot writer Kelly Thompson (Black Widow, Birds of Prey) and artist Marco Ferrari (Frontiersman) introduce some of the most anticipated characters to the Energon Universe in ways you’ll never expect in Scarlett #1, launching June 5, 2024.
Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara is about to take on the most dangerous black ops mission of her career: infiltrating the mysterious rising power in Japan known as the Arashikage Clan. Her one lead is her former partner—Jinx—turned Arashikage enforcer. Now, Scarlett must use her operative skills to survive undercover… and discover a shocking weapon that could change the balance of power on Earth.
“I’m fortunate that, thanks to my job, I often get to dig into characters and worlds that I’ve loved for a long time,” said Kelly Thompson. “But G.I. JOE’s Scarlett is truly one of my first geek loves as a kid, and I am absolutely thrilled to have a hand in building her for this new, incredibly cool and rich universe at Skybound.”
“I’m very excited to join the Scarlett team and to use every tool in my toolbox to bring her to life in this new series,” said Marco Ferrari. “I can’t wait for everyone to dive into Scarlett’s mission with us!”
And then, acclaimed writer Dan Watters (Loki, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!) and artist Andrei Bressan (Dark Ride, Birthright) change the balance of power in the Energon Universe forever in Destro #1, launching June 19, 2024.
James McCullen Destro XXIV is the man behind M.A.R.S. Industries, the undisputed leader in providing high-tech weapons to world powers…for the right price. But the emergence of Energon has changed everything. As Destro’s ambitions grow, the “Crimson Twins” Tomax and Xamot Paoli emerge to destroy their competition, and Cobra Commander realizes his current ally could be his future greatest enemy.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring Destro to life with Andrei,” said Dan Watters. “This is going to be a visceral, explosive thriller in which he [Destro] isn’t very nice to anyone at all — everything you’d want from your favorite amoral arms trafficker.”
“I just can’t wait to see what Dan has planned for Destro!” said Andrei Bressan. “I’m pretty excited because everything going on with the Energon Universe so far has been bonkers and Destro…he is just an absolute bad***, ready to kill and destroy.”
Rounding out the lineup of four action-packed G.I. JOE miniseries that introduce the iconic characters of the G.I. Joe and Cobra teams to the Energon Universe, Scarlett and Destro join Duke by Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33) and Cobra Commander from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and colorist Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song). These miniseries promise to set the stage for a fresh new take on G.I. Joe, Cobra and the iconic characters that you only think you know in a shared universe with TRANSFORMERS and Void Rivals!
“Duke and Cobra Commander were two of the highest-selling G.I. JOE comics of all-time, and they’re only the start of our new beginning for the amazing G.I. JOE franchise,” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Publisher, Skybound. “With G.I. Joe and Cobra now locked on an unavoidable collision course, Scarlett and Destro will introduce new characters and factions that will disrupt their most carefully laid plans. Kelly Thompson, Marco Ferrari, Dan Watters, and my favorite madman, Andrei Bressan are crafting action-packed, jaw-dropping comics that will forever change the Energon Universe.”
The Energon Universe officially began last summer with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1 from Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and Mateus Lopes (Step by Bloody Step), introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE comics finding a new home with the publisher. Then TRANSFORMERS from writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon) kicked off a brand-new era for the iconic franchise. The Energon Universe recently expanded with the launch of Duke and Cobra Commander. Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions.
