Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire
Published by Skybound/Image Comics
Who would have thought that Robert Kirkman’s Energon Universe would be bringing us some some the best comics in recent years?
I mean, sure, the creative teams lean into the nostalgia factor pretty heavily with these. But I have to say, it has been a real trip. They have been putting some truly top notch creators on these books.
With this title, they have the creative team of Joshua Williamson writing and Tom Reilly doing the artwork and it has been nothing but top notch. It has been an enjoyable time watching this universe just come together.
What is this book about? Well, it is about G.I. Joe versus Cobra! What more can you ask for?
But there is something more at play this time than the usual good versus evil. Williamson pushes his story to fit into the bigger universe quite skillfully. There are a lot of toy lines from the 1980s that Skybound and Robert Kirkman now hold the licenses on, so they are all going to be integrated into this universe.
To do so, they need a solid foundation to begin the epic storytelling with. This volume is definitely a big part of that foundation.
Leading up to this book, we got a couple of miniseries.
They all factor in pretty heavily, but it is the Duke miniseries that this book really continues (mostly because it is by the same creative team). We get to see Duke leading a fledging group of G.I. Joe soldiers in the field. There are a few familiar faces but the Baroness is a part of this Joe team. How is this happening?
Well, it is all part of the way the creative team has put this story together organically. She might end up betraying the Joes, but this storytelling choice is a a strong and fresh one.
Duke is obsessed with finding out more about these big alien robots from outer space.
He has had some clues thus far, but he is trying to find out more about these Transformers. He also wants to figure out how to destroy them. While he is trying to piece together the meager clues that he has, his team run afoul of the terrorist organization known as Cobra.
Cobra seems to be in possession of a source of energy called Energon. It makes them more deadly than we have ever seen them in any previous incarnations. It also puts everyone on a clear path to eventually meet up with the Transformers in this universe (which I am sure they will have a big crazy crossover with, alongside Void Rivals and more). All of these elements take us to some very exciting and new places.
As the book goes along the circumstances and events grow larger. It eventually all builds to a crescendo by the sixth chapter. That has all our war between the Joes and Cobra. The build up to that fight is all great and it makes sense. It is also really cool how Cobra is using the Energon from the Transformers to fuel parts of their army. It is all handled with skill by the creative team in a manner that makes you excited to read and witness.
Eventually, we also get to see Duke going up against Cobra Commander. This was a great scene especially if you read the Duke miniseries before this. It really gives Duke his moment to shine and to fight all of his fears all at once. The scene is exciting and action packed, and it is a showdown that earned. The story really makes you cheer for the Joes and boo the Cobras. I loved the final few pages as well as it does set up some of the upcoming storylines.
And man, what a set up. To make a series last a long time in an interesting way is quite tough. The whole story of the series really would need a strong foundation. That’s exactly what we have here. This series is structured well and built to last. There is a long term plan here and none of it is phoned in.
Joshua Williamson writes a hell of story and he is to be commended for his great work. Same thing for artist Tom Reilly. This is a book that I can’t wait to read each time it comes out. I look forward to more!
RATING: A
You must be logged in to post a comment Login