Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU)

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 4:35AM CDT

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GI JOE #5 Review

Previous:
Seeming sorcerer supreme Crystal Ball and the always destructive Dreadnoks have been causing trouble. The Joe team has been infiltrating different cults and anarchic organizations investigating how the growing world anarchy events tie together, and if they involve dire wraiths, Rom, Cybertronians, or *GASP* the rise of Cobra again. Now the Joe team has taken Crystal Ball prisoner, but only after he seems to have magically unleashed some nasty creatures from under the Earth.

This Issue:
The Joe team, which also consists of Decepticon Seeker Skywarp, attempts to learn more about the monsters and to drive them back to where they came from before they can do some serious damage. Skywarp, luckily, is about the size of these menaces, so he’s getting more front line action. Rock ’N Roll’s guilt becomes the focus for Crystal Ball, Doc faces her heritage, and Scarlett shares a big secret with Roadblock, who shares it with someone else…

Brought to you by these hard working creative types:

The Art:
As you’ve probably noticed if you own the issue, or have taken a look at the preview, the art takes center stage here, with artist Aaron Conley along with colorist Lovern Kindzierski taking over the duties for the issue over regular Giannis Milonogiannis. Milonogiannis' style has been something for a reader to get used to, as it’s pretty different than what has been done in the past -much more stylized, but still fairly realistic.

With Conley in, we get something even more stylized, and perhaps maybe even more jolting to Joe readers. Conley’s style seems to be inspired by Christopher McCullough’s animated show, ‘The Venture Brothers’. This style may feel more jarring to some, others may welcome the change, or the reference to the show’s style. It seems very stylized and un-realistic, but GI JOE has become much less realistic and much more SCI FI as of late as it intertwines with the HASBROverse’s aliens, robots, and other properties. It’s also only a one off mission, so Giannis will be returning next issue, although Conley will still continue to do covers and other IDW series.

Didn't know Brock Sampson was on GI JOE too, did ya'?

And it's Roadblock's birthday. Time for cake!
Yay!

My take (GI JOE fan):
There’s a lot for a GI JOE fan to like. It’s nice to see some underutilized characters appearing, like Stretcher, and to see that the book’s cast will not only be the small group that we were initially introduced to. The addition of Skywarp, and the push towards much heavier sci-finess may be too much at the moment, especially with the art, but this new Joe mag is still trying to figure out where it fits within the HASBROverse -as its Crown Jewel.

There’s some heavy humanity as Doc wrestles with her and her dad’s alien history, some downright creepiness with Crystal Ball’s sorcery and interactions with Rock N’ Roll, and moral and humane lines involving prisoners. These are balanced off with some silliness as the good guys' banter- which even Skywarp seems to be learning to enjoy. With the giant inner-Earth creatures being the more violent form of Sunbow’s old favorite Fatal Fluffies (albeit much bigger), it’s overall a fun issue. The art to me betrays some of the serious feelings incumbent in the issue. Is it what Joe fans really like? I’ll have to ask some… but this Joe fan is mostly tolerating it, albeit willing to continue to give it a chance.

In the show, cute turned into...

...RWOARRRRR!!!!!!!

My take (Transformers fan):
If I were a big Skywarp fan, I know I would have to tune in much more to this book. This issue contains probably the most we’ve seen of the bot in a long time. He’s almost fully operational, but does not currently seem to be able to teleport. His addition to this team as the only Transformer, and one pushed into being an ally mostly against his will, seems awkward for him-true to his previous character. You can tell he’s not a fan of humans - still bearing the same smugness and holier-than-thou attitude toward the ‘insects’- but he seems like he ’s beginning to feel somewhat better about his predicament- less of a prisoner.

He seems to have some grudging respect for a few members of the team, and plays nicely with most of the rest. He also seems like he’d like to jet (pun intended) at the first opportunity - or does he? At this point, he does not seem to do much reflection on the past, or his relationships with the Decepticons and seems almost content in his new role.

You can tell, Skywarp does really like them. They're still alive.

One wonders if more interaction with the other Cybertronians is in his future (how can it not be?)… will he at some point have to confront Thundercracker? Will he be willing to escape if given the opportunity? Where would he turn if he did — Starscream and Cybertron?

Final:
I cringe somewhat when asked to do GI JOE-related reviews. I feel like I represent a fandom that I do not know that well anymore. I’m such a Sunbow cartoon GI JOE fan first, and that’s where most of my love for the franchise came from. I apologize if I ever misrepresent any GI JOE group. Like Transformers fans, Joe fans have their passionate and yet different kinds of fan cliques.

The right of might...wow!

I hope Joe fans are giving this comic a try. I’m fairly certain it won’t be a ‘purist’s’ (GI Joe geewunner) first choice, but it may provide enough so far to garner some interest and possible support to see in what direction it’s headed. The spread of Joe throughout the different HASBROverse books is new, and maybe exciting, with Zartan and Cobra showing up in MASK, Joes in Optimus Prime and Rom, and Revolutionaries playing around the edges of Transformers, Joe and Adventure Team history; it seems to be a fun time to be a fan of several franchises.

And, like I said above, if you’re a Skywarp fan, it looks like it’s time to start paying attention…

...they can't keep you in this comic as the only Transformer forever!

Credit(s): IDW

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Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1882476)
Posted by ebonyleopard on May 17th, 2017 @ 9:04pm CDT

I'm sorry. I want to take GI Joe series, I really looking forward to it, but this is ridiculous. I know the artist are working hard on this, I truly do. Illustrating comics myself I know how much time goes into every single page. BUT, this work is not "Crown Jewel" Worthy. And until they take that moniker seriously with some serious looking art, I just can't buy this. How can they get ROM so right and JOE so wrong?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1894096)
Posted by Va'al on July 3rd, 2017 @ 7:07pm CDT

Also out this week with IDW Publishing, and we keep talking about it just enough to cover our bases thanks to Skywarp, is issue #7 of the new GI Joe ongoing comics series! With the regular creative team back together, check out a full preview of the issue below.

G.I. JOE #7
Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Giannis Milonogiannis (a) • Aaron Conley (c)
G.I. Joe's subterranean mission takes a turn for the worse after the team is attacked by one of their own! Meanwhile, back in their underground base, Scarlett's command is challenged and a long-simmering rivalry boils to a head! Plus: Monsters, explosions, jokes and more in The Crown Jewel of the Hasbro universe!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Variant cover by Ed Luce variant cover!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1894384)
Posted by ScottyP on July 4th, 2017 @ 10:26pm CDT

I figured it out.

It's Skywarp.

Skywarp is TCJotHU.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897284)
Posted by Va'al on July 18th, 2017 @ 4:47am CDT

Out this week from IDW Publishing, alongside Rom vs Transformers: Shining Armor, is another of the soon-to-come-to-an-end-series from the Hasbro Universe, now in its eighth issue: Mobile Armor Strike Kommand (with a K)! Check out a full preview of the book below, as Ore-13, Mount St Helen, and several other parts of the shared lore are mentioned or used in the plot..!

M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #8
Brandon Easton (w) • Igor Lima (a) • Tone Rodriguez (c)
Determined to end the threat of Ore-13 radiation poisoning, Matt Trakker and the M.A.S.K. team go on a mission into the depths of the Earth where they discover much more than they could have imagined—a race of powerful mutated creatures borne from the strange Cybertronian energy source. Are these monsters too powerful even for the technology of M.A.S.K.?!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
All-new storyline starts here!
Variant cover by Marcelo Perez Dalannays!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897294)
Posted by Rated X on July 18th, 2017 @ 6:16am CDT

I have got nothing against Mask. I had the motercycle and sidecar submarine
toy as a kid. But on the other hand, why is this even posted? It is nothing to do with Transformers. Is this site going the route of Hascon? Will it soon become the Hasbro fan site?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897296)
Posted by Big Grim on July 18th, 2017 @ 6:36am CDT

Rated X wrote:I had the motercycle and sidecar submarine toy as a kid.

That was the Pirana with Sly Rax and Stilleto.

Rated X wrote:It is nothing to do with Transformers.

You mean other than Ore-13? The synthetic Energon that was there at the start of IDW's Transformers comic? And is a foundation to the shared Universe in which the Transformers now exist?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897297)
Posted by Kurona on July 18th, 2017 @ 6:36am CDT

Rated X wrote:I have got nothing against Mask. I had the motercycle and sidecar submarine
toy as a kid. But on the other hand, why is this even posted? It is nothing to do with Transformers. Is this site going the route of Hascon? Will it soon become the Hasbro fan site?

It's got quite a bit to do with Transformers due to sharing a universe with them in IDW -- especially this issue. From the preview alone you can see it involves Ore-13 and Mt. St. Helens, both concepts originating from and tied to Transformers.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897299)
Posted by Burn on July 18th, 2017 @ 6:42am CDT

Just ignore him. He's just being his usual stuck-in-the-80's self that has to criticise this site on a regular basis. >:oP

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897308)
Posted by RiddlerJ on July 18th, 2017 @ 8:14am CDT

I haven't been keeping up on things but are those meant to be Inhumanoids?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897310)
Posted by Rated X on July 18th, 2017 @ 8:34am CDT

Burn wrote:Just ignore him. He's just being his usual stuck-in-the-80's self that has to criticise this site on a regular basis.

I could...but I wont. :-$

Check your PM. ;)^

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897312)
Posted by Kurona on July 18th, 2017 @ 8:40am CDT

RiddlerJ wrote:I haven't been keeping up on things but are those meant to be Inhumanoids?

I think. They've been hinting at Visionaries for a bit now; mostly keeping it to GI Joe but now it's seemingly leaking into MASK. It kind of irritates me because it's another example of the Hasbro universe properties moving way too fast for their own good and shoving in crossovers and even more franchises everywhere rather than taking the time to develop their own unique identities.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897334)
Posted by Va'al on July 18th, 2017 @ 9:23am CDT

Also out this week from IDW Publishing, in terms of more Hasbro Universe books, is the first collected volume of the new GI Joe book - The Crown Jewel of the Hasbro Universe in fact, as they call it - featuring Transformers character Skywarp as part of the team! Full preview below, though we have seen the pages previously of course.

G.I. JOE, Vol. 1
Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Giannis Milonogiannis (a) • Ariel Olivetti (c)
G.I. JOE finds a new role in a world of globalization, TRANSFORMERS and aliens! After the events of REVOLUTION, the G.I. JOE team returns to the fray and their mission has become a global one–leading the charge against invading TRANSFORMERS and other aliens. But when a US military defense base goes dark, Scarlett has reason to suspect that these enemy forces may have infiltrated G.I. JOE. It's up to her, Roadblock, Rock 'n Roll, Quick Kick, Wild Bill, and Shipwreck to move in and root out any traitors before the facility falls into the wrong hands! Collects issues #1–4 and the G.I. JOE: Revolution one-shot.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 120 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-913-4

Bullet points:
It's a new look and new mission as G.I. Joe finds itself part of a larger battle.
Advance solicited for July release!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897391)
Posted by ScottyP on July 18th, 2017 @ 12:49pm CDT

Kurona wrote:
RiddlerJ wrote:I haven't been keeping up on things but are those meant to be Inhumanoids?

I think. They've been hinting at Visionaries for a bit now; mostly keeping it to GI Joe but now it's seemingly leaking into MASK. It kind of irritates me because it's another example of the Hasbro universe properties moving way too fast for their own good and shoving in crossovers and even more franchises everywhere rather than taking the time to develop their own unique identities.

What I thought was an Inhumanoids tease in GI Joe just turned out to be Fatal Fluffies, so not sure anymore. Maybe with Marvel doing Inhumans as a focus they backed off so as not to appear too copy-cat? Just speculating.

For your latter points, yes. Dead on. Some of these books are hitting their stride just in time to end.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1897453)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on July 18th, 2017 @ 3:22pm CDT

MASK never hit a stride. It fell face first at the start and every time it tries to get up it somehow digs itself deeper.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1898609)
Posted by Va'al on July 22nd, 2017 @ 3:17am CDT

Via the usual iTunes channels, we now have a three-page preview of the upcoming second issue of the Hasbro Heros Sourcebook - the first issue can be seen here - featuring another story (featuring a DOUBLEDECKER BUS TRANSFORMER), profiles, more papercraft and more from across the shared Hasbro Universe! Check it out below.

If you’re new to the Hasbro Universe or a long-time fan, this book is for you! Featuring a veritable TON of bios on your favorite characters, from E to O, plus papercraft projects, a map of Metrotitan, the current base of Optimus Prime, and an exclusive story featuring Kup and Bryce Chan’s adventures in London!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1898681)
Posted by Microraptor on July 22nd, 2017 @ 11:20am CDT

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time a character exclusive to the RID comic adaptions has been adapted to another continuity.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1898682)
Posted by Sabrblade on July 22nd, 2017 @ 11:21am CDT

Microraptor wrote:If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time a character exclusive to the RID comic adaptions has been adapted to another continuity.

Beast Wars: Uprising transplanted a ton of RID 2015-original characters.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1901228)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on August 1st, 2017 @ 11:18am CDT

Full previews for issues #2 and #3 of the Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook are out now.
Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #2 Preview: http://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive ... rcebook-2/
Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #3 Preview: http://www.cbr.com/hasbro-heroes-sourcebook-3/

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1901244)
Posted by Kurona on August 1st, 2017 @ 12:24pm CDT

Thanks to fellow board member Daniel Adkins, as he's just provided us with links to previews for the upcoming Hasbro Heroes Sourcebooks -- issues #2 and #3! Put up on the websites Comic Crusaders and Comic Book Resources respectively, most of the profiles shown here do feature characters from franchises like G.I. Joe and Micronauts; but rest assured, our favourite Cybertronians do have their own bios within these pages. Also of note is that like Issue #1, Issue #2 has a mini-comic as previewed here; but Issue #3 unfortunately seems to not follow suit. Nevertheless, take a look at the previews below and tell us what you think in the forums!

And here's Sourcebook 3's preview!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1904981)
Posted by ScottyP on August 17th, 2017 @ 7:57pm CDT

Another preview for an August 30th Hasbro Universe comics release from IDW Publishing is now available on iTunes, this one being for GI Joe #8. While it doesn't feature any Skywarp, the driver of our coverage of The Crown Jewel Of The Hasbro Universe, that's ok because we're pretty sure that would render the ninja fight/"sparring contest" between Quick Kick and Snake Eyes seen in the pages below a rather pointless affair. Enjoy the preview and look for this issue at your local comic shop in about two weeks' time.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1904987)
Posted by Tigertrack on August 17th, 2017 @ 8:41pm CDT

Cocky much? I like Quick Kick, but assume Snake Ryes will own him in the end. I would happily surprised if QK won though, albeit after a good beating.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1904998)
Posted by MrBlack on August 17th, 2017 @ 9:29pm CDT

Really looking forward to this issue, for the Quick Kick/Snake Eyes fight and to find out Rock 'n Roll's fate.

And Skywarp, because Skywarp.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1905000)
Posted by Nexus Knight on August 17th, 2017 @ 10:19pm CDT

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! :-D

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1905068)
Posted by ebonyleopard on August 18th, 2017 @ 10:06am CDT

The interior art is so falsely advertised from its cover. It's amateurish. Including incomplete faces, backgrounds, and color errors (Snake Eyes goes from fingered gloves to fingers in one panel) is so unexceptionable for Hasbro crown jewel.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1905087)
Posted by ScottyP on August 18th, 2017 @ 11:56am CDT

Ebonyleopard wrote:The interior art is so falsely advertised from its cover. It's amateurish. Including incomplete faces, backgrounds, and color errors (Snake Eyes goes from fingered gloves to fingers in one panel) is so unexceptionable for Hasbro crown jewel.

The interior artist does have a cover for this issue (there are 4 total), I just picked one that wasn't theirs for the news story thumbnail. Why? Because those Tom Whalen variant covers are awesome

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1905720)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on August 22nd, 2017 @ 8:17am CDT

Figured this might interest a few people. I recently got the chance to talk with Brandon Easton, writer of M.A.S.K. and Transformers: Deviations, on my podcast Action and Adventure. Easton is a life-long Transformers fan, and we talked about our shared TF fandom, how he got the job on TF: Deviations, and the development of the M.A.S.K. book.

You can listen to it on our Libsyn page: http://hasbrouniverse.libsyn.com/interv ... don-easton

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907202)
Posted by Va'al on August 29th, 2017 @ 3:58am CDT

Out this week alongside Optimus Prime #10, we have another IDW Publishing comic that will have been leading to the First Strike event, while also featuring the saltiest Seeker around - Skywarp. Check out below the full preview for GI Joe #8!

G.I. JOE #8
Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Giannis Milonogiannis (a) • Aaron Conley (c)
It’s the battle you’ve been waiting for! No, not G.I. Joe versus Cobra… it’s Snake Eyes versus Quick Kick! When Snake Eyes steps out of bounds, only Quick Kick stands in the way of the ninja commando. Who is the team’s true martial arts champion? Well, you’ve gotta read to find out!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Don’t miss the Snake Eyes cover by Mondo artist Tom Whalen, part of our Tom Whalen Cover Month!
Variant cover by Santipérez!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907208)
Posted by Mr.MicroMaster on August 29th, 2017 @ 5:45am CDT

This actually looks interesting might have to pick it up.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907211)
Posted by Kurona on August 29th, 2017 @ 5:50am CDT

I don't usually say this... but more pages like the last one please

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907525)
Posted by Windsweeper on August 30th, 2017 @ 12:17pm CDT

Just read it. I like Skywarp and Rock and roll but Quick Kick is annoyingly arrogant.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907544)
Posted by Va'al on August 30th, 2017 @ 12:44pm CDT

Windsweeper wrote:Just read it. I like Skywarp and Rock and roll but Quick Kick is annoyingly arrogant.

The 'uncle' line, also in the preview, was great though.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1907553)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on August 30th, 2017 @ 1:04pm CDT

Man, it was so satisfying seeing Quick Kick beat Snake Eyes. IDW Snake Eyes is the worst and I was happy to see him get his ass kicked.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910691)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:49pm CDT

By means of Bleeding Cool, we have an early solicit with no cover for a December book - which we knew was coming - featuring both Rom and Micronauts in one of the resulting team-ups that will follow the First Strike event! Written by Christos Gage and with art by Paolo Villanelli, the book will start its release (provisionally) on 13 December 2017.

Baron Karza and D’rge, the Dire Wraith sorcerer, have joined forces to carry forward their equally malignant goals-Karza desires to conquer all of Microspace (again), while the Wraiths seek to awaken their Wraith God and conquer Earth! Now it’s up to Rom and the Micronauts to form their own alliance in order to stop the evil domination of two worlds! Christos Gage (Amazing Spider-Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Paolo Villanelli (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) team up to bring us this all-new adventure!

An all-new Hasbro team-up event featuring your favorite Solstar Knight and the tiniest heroes around!

Written and illustrated by fan-favorite creators-writer Christos Gage and artist Paolo Villanelli!
In Shops: Dec 13, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Covers by Richard Wentworth, George Caltsoudas, Jeffrey Veregge, Guy Dorian and Sal Buscema.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910695)
Posted by Kurona on September 13th, 2017 @ 12:54pm CDT

But when will Dirge and D'rge team up?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910703)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 1:05pm CDT

Kurona wrote:But when will Dirge and D'rge team up?

You mean t'mup? Probably the Third Quarter, once they achieve Total Brand Awareness.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910711)
Posted by ScottyP on September 13th, 2017 @ 1:33pm CDT

So the pitch for Karza and D'rge getting together in the back of some month's books was exactly that, eh?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910728)
Posted by Va'al on September 13th, 2017 @ 4:10pm CDT

From Paste magazine, we have some news about another upcoming First Strike consequence in IDW Publishing's, regarding the current GI Joe series (featuring Decepticon Skywarp as a member - the best member - of the team), and its rebranding after the crossover event: Scarlett's Strike Force! The interview can be read in full here, you can find a snippet below, and you can check out some concepts, cover art - and even interior art for upcoming First Strike tie-ins for MASK and GI Joe!

This December, Sitterson continues his mission with artist Nelson Daniel in a new series titled Scarlett’s Strike Force. Announced at Hasbro’s industry event Hascon today, Scarlett’s Strike Force will pit the titular character and her crew against the newly reemerged threat of Cobra Commander. Paste chatted briefly with Sitterson about the decision to relaunch G.I. Joe under a new title, Daniel’s contribution to the franchise and how the duo plan to produce “The Best Action Comic Ever.” We’ve also got an exclusive first look at interior art from this fall’s First Strike tie-in issues of G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K., both written by Sitterson and drawn by Ilias Kyriazis, as well as concept art for Scarlett’s Strike Force from Nelson Daniel.

Paste: What prompted the name change? Is there a shift in tone or mission statement with this new iteration?

Aubrey Sitterson: In the previous Joe series—by me, Giannis Milonogiannis and Lovern Kindzierski—Scarlett was the leader of a team that included not only Joes, but the Decepticon Skywarp, and in the new series, they’ll be joined by Matt Trakker of M.A.S.K. as well as another face that might be familiar to long-time fans.

So, coming out of the First Strike event, we thought it made sense for the name of the book to speak to the nature of the team. Don’t worry though—the reception to our unique take on G.I. Joe has been amazing, so there are no plans to stop giving you the bombastic, sci-fi-action-packed character drama that you deserve!

Paste: Should we expect a team shakeup or any new faces?

Sitterson: While the focus of the book will remain on the characters you know and love—including Scarlett, Roadblock, Salvo, Quick Kick and Skywarp—one of the G.I. Joe concept’s greatest strengths is its deep roster. We’ll be pulling from it, and even introducing the classic Action Man character, The Intruder, into the Hasbro Universe. Plus, our brand-new Cobra Commander has assembled an organization including Destro, Storm Shadow, Cesspool, Croc Master, Raptor and an army of new, serpentine Vipers.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910731)
Posted by Mr.MicroMaster on September 13th, 2017 @ 4:35pm CDT

Are they fighting army ants.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910733)
Posted by CaptainMagic on September 13th, 2017 @ 4:47pm CDT

So, is it possible that with Joe Colton and Sgt. Savage showing up in Revolutionaries and Duke showing up in GI Joe that Hasbro might launch books where everyone gets their own Joe team to run their own way? And then crazy 90s Savage can turn to the audience and invite us all to "Choose Yo Joe?" Please?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1910755)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on September 13th, 2017 @ 7:13pm CDT

ROM #13 iTunes Preview is up! https://t.co/i6hfIyUsaj

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1915196)
Posted by Va'al on October 7th, 2017 @ 12:04pm CDT

With IDW Publishing busy at New York Comic Con 2017, we have received their previews for next week directly, and are allowed to publish them for all to see! First up, a tangential Transformers title - through Skywarp and the involvement of the cast with First Strike and the wider Hasbro Universe: GI Joe #9!

Also included below is the ending to the M.A.S.K. series, with its tenth issue, as it leads into the First Strike event.. currently on its fifth issue out of six.

G.I. JOE #9
Aubrey Sitterson (w) • Giannis Milonogiannis (a) • Aaron Conley (c)
It all comes to a head for G.I. Joe! Can Roadblock and his team escape the underground in time? And is Scarlett prepared for all hell to break loose?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Don’t miss the cover by Ominous Press creator, Bart Sears, part of our Bart Sears cover month!
The pulse-pounding final issue before this month’s First Strike crossover!
Variant cover by Dylan Burnett!

M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #10
Brandon Easton (w) • Drew Moss (a) • Abel Ciccero (c)
In the final issue of M.A.S.K., Matt Trakker loses the trust of his friends and teammates, causing the group to disband. With mounting threats on the horizon, Mobile Armored Strike Kommand is no longer on the front lines, plunging them all into an uncertain future.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Don’t miss the cover by Ominous Press creator, Bart Sears, part of our Bart Sears cover month!
The jaw-dropping finale before the epic crossover First Strike!
Variant cover by Santipérez!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1915203)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on October 7th, 2017 @ 12:25pm CDT

FINALLY MASK IS OVER! Thank the Lord above!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1919106)
Posted by Va'al on October 31st, 2017 @ 8:26am CDT

Courtesy of IDW Publishing directly, we also have a second preview today for one of their comic books out this week, and the final issue of one of their Hasbro Universe ongoings: Rom the Spaceknight! Ending the series at issue 14, Christos Gage and Chris Ryall try tying up loose ends before the cast moves in with the Micronauts in the new series after First Strike, as reported here. Check out the preview below.

Rom #14
Chris Ryall & Christos Gage (w) • David Messina, Guy Dorian & Sal Buscema (a) • Nathan Greno (c)
“Long Roads to Ruin” finale! Is this the last issue of Rom? Yes… and no! First Strike is upon us and out of that momentous event, a new Rom will arise! But before that, the fate of the Knights of the Solstar Order!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
On the road to First Strike!
Final issue. Wait… what?! The portentous answers lay within!
Variant cover by Ray Dillon!

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1923756)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on November 26th, 2017 @ 10:07pm CST

Kind of surprised no one reported this already. Scarlett's Strike Force is canceled with issue #3. https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/11/23 ... cancelled/

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1923773)
Posted by Va'al on November 26th, 2017 @ 10:48pm CST

Daniel Adkins wrote:Kind of surprised no one reported this already. Scarlett's Strike Force is canceled with issue #3. https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/11/23 ... cancelled/

I have been keeping my eye on this since the news broke, and am waiting for something to come through official channels. Like, literally anything would do. thx IDW

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1923834)
Posted by ScottyP on November 27th, 2017 @ 10:31am CST

What it looks like: IDW capitulated to an angry mob.

Realist side that I can't shut up inside my head: I'd guess with the personnel shakeups, someone looked at the financials and walked back a previous decision. Heck, it felt to me like SSF was getting more promo than Rom/Micronauts and only a smidge less than TF vs Visionaries, but I don't really want to look. I'd bet the sales of Joe vol. 5's run coupled with 1) poor early indicators of SSF orders and 2) the apparent status of SSF as an ongoing (as opposed to the other 5 issue minis about to launch), one of the folks in a new position made the call to cut losses. The timing and optics of it are especially poor, but I have a hard time ever getting too black/white on this kinda stuff.

Not saying anyone is without fault: Sitterson sent a poorly worded tweet, IDW axed an entire project and its creative team weirdly early with odd but possibly explainable timing, and no one wins.

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1923901)
Posted by Va'al on November 27th, 2017 @ 7:47pm CST

ScottyP wrote:What it looks like: IDW capitulated to an angry mob.

Realist side that I can't shut up inside my head: I'd guess with the personnel shakeups, someone looked at the financials and walked back a previous decision. Heck, it felt to me like SSF was getting more promo than Rom/Micronauts and only a smidge less than TF vs Visionaries, but I don't really want to look. I'd bet the sales of Joe vol. 5's run coupled with 1) poor early indicators of SSF orders and 2) the apparent status of SSF as an ongoing (as opposed to the other 5 issue minis about to launch), one of the folks in a new position made the call to cut losses. The timing and optics of it are especially poor, but I have a hard time ever getting too black/white on this kinda stuff.

Not saying anyone is without fault: Sitterson sent a poorly worded tweet, IDW axed an entire project and its creative team weirdly early with odd but possibly explainable timing, and no one wins.

Yes. The what it looks like is the troubling part, but other information seems to confirm the rest.
Which is where some on-the-ball PRing would help ease any ill feeling towards IDW (from any party, really).

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1923913)
Posted by Targetmaster Kup on November 27th, 2017 @ 9:16pm CST

People already had bad will to IDW. Lots of people stopped reading IDW over that fiasco. But it's over and dune now. Can't we just let comics be our escape and not divide ourselves over politics here, please?

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1924111)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 29th, 2017 @ 11:21am CST

I was honestly surprised to see they were going to attempt another GI Joe ongoing, and I am not terribly surprised this was cancelled. I don't wish ill will upon those who wanted it, but really GI Joe hasn't been working out in any real book.

I will say though, the title with the whole "IDW cancels female led book" sounds more political than this should be. GI Joe as a whole hasn't been great, don't try to make it something more than what it may be

Re: Review of IDW G.I. Joe #5 (#TCJHU) (1926258)
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2017 @ 1:32am CST

Courtesy of IDW Publishing, we get a preview look at a book due out this week (or perhaps the next, you never know with scheduling) which collects the three parts of the Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook we've seen released so far. The collected volume includes short comics, profiles, bios, details and more about most of the major players in the current Hasbro universe, including what hadn't been revealed at the time of first publication - check out the opening pages below, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub!

Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
John Barber, Cullen Bunn, Sina Grace, & Various (w) • Robert Atkins, Guido Guidi, Paolo Villanelli & Various (a) • Marcelo Borstelmann (c)
From the pages of Transformers, G.I. Joe, Rom, M.A.S.K., Micronauts, Action Man, and Revolutionaries comes the ultimate guide to the heroic and villainous champions of Hasbro! The new post-Revolution universe's biggest movers and shakers from Acroyear to Zarana are all here with detailed bios and astonishing art by today's top talent! Plus, three back-up stories that expand upon the new lore of the shared universe; fantastic spreads of the bases of G.I. Joe, Optimus Prime, and the Micronauts; and if you look closely, hints of things to come!
TPB • FC • $17.99 • 144 pages • ISBN: 978-1-68405-099-4

Bullet points:
From today’s top creative talent!
Advance solicited for December release!