CODENAME: G.I. JOE CONTINUES IN THIS FIRST LOOK AT DUKE #2

If it’s wrong to call a comic book about a hard-nosed, fighting military man “scrumptious,” then we don’t want to be right. Because today’s first look at the latest entry in the Energon Universe, the next issue of Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly‘s new G.I. Joe series Duke, is just that — with more layers to its art and story than a fine French pastry. Do I detect a note of manga in its action? Is that a hint of the finest Euro comics in its expressiveness? You can see what I’m talking about below, with a full gallery of art and variant covers from Duke #2, after these official details on the issue from Skybound HQ…

Today Skybound, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed new interior pages and variant covers for Duke #2 from writer Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), artist Tom Reilly (The Thing) and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33). The follow up issue to the Energon Universe’s buzzed about new limited series debut arrives in comic book shops on January 31, 2024.

Codename: G.I. JOE continues! Conrad Hauser, AKA Duke, is on the run from the very government he trusted, investigating secrets that may be More Than Meets The Eye. Now, he’s about to meet the last person any G.I. Joe fan ever expected! Are they friend, foe, or in it for themselves?

The first of four action-packed G.I. JOE miniseries that will introduce the iconic characters of the G.I. JOE and Cobra factions to the Energon Universe, Duke will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and colorist Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song) on January 17, 2024. 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!

The Energon Universe officially began in June 2023 with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1, introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE comics finding a new home with the publisher. The Energon Universe recently expanded with TRANSFORMERS #1 from writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), kicking off a brand-new era for the iconic franchise. 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.

Duke #2 (of 5) (Lunar Codes Below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

The full list of variant covers is below:

• Duke #2 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 1123IM272)
• Duke #2 Cover B by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz (Lunar Code 1123IM273)
• Duke #2 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 1123IM274)
• Duke #2 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Aco (Lunar Code 1123IM275)
• Duke #2 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Nick Dragotta (Lunar Code 1123IM276)

Cobra Commander #1 (of 5) (Cover A Lunar Code: 0623IM807 | $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.