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Duke (2024) #1-5
Duke, Vol. 1: Knowing is Half the Battle
For Fans of Human Target by Tom King and Department of Truth by James Tynion IV, DUKE is a paranoid conspiracy thriller set in the world of G.I. Joe and part of Skybound’s Energon Universe.
Codename G.I. Joe begins here.
Conrad Hauser made first contact with an alien being and lived to tell the tale. But no one, not even Colonel Hawk, will believe the story of the colossal transforming robot that nearly killed the man known as Duke.
Now, one of the US Army’s most decorated officers is on the hunt for answers, drawn into a conflict that no amount of training could ever prepare him for. A war that only a real American hero has any chance of surviving…
Superstar writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Batman) and artist Tom Reilly kick off the first of four action-packed miniseries that will introduce the best and worst humanity has to offer in the Energon Universe.
Collects DUKE #1-5
Codename G.I. Joe begins here.
Conrad Hauser made first contact with an alien being and lived to tell the tale. But no one, not even Colonel Hawk, will believe the story of the colossal transforming robot that nearly killed the man known as Duke.
Now, one of the US Army’s most decorated officers is on the hunt for answers, drawn into a conflict that no amount of training could ever prepare him for. A war that only a real American hero has any chance of surviving…
Superstar writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Batman) and artist Tom Reilly kick off the first of four action-packed miniseries that will introduce the best and worst humanity has to offer in the Energon Universe.
Collects DUKE #1-5
128 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 3, 2024
This was dope! After seeing that robot kill his friend and then transform into a jet, Duke wants answers. But his superiors don’t believe him about the robot. So now Duke has gone off on his own for answers. This was action packed watching him try to figure out what’s going on and I am so on board to see where this goes.
June 1, 2024
I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one, but I am absolutely sold on the Joe side of comics in this Energon Universe. It is officially safe to say I’ll be picking up all of the titles as they’re released in trade and I’m looking forward to the next one already.
This one was a ton of fun and reminiscent of the countless hours spent creating hero and villain organizations in my own head with my own action figures. Williamson is having a lot of fun with these toys, and I’m loving what he’s bringing to life here!
This one was a ton of fun and reminiscent of the countless hours spent creating hero and villain organizations in my own head with my own action figures. Williamson is having a lot of fun with these toys, and I’m loving what he’s bringing to life here!
July 30, 2024
So very campy, I cringe and grin with every America Fuck Ya moment. The crossovers with Transformers and the story that's being told here is very confident I'm going to read as many of the tpb as I can get my hands on
June 27, 2024
Duke vol #1 is one of the textbook examples of how to do a reboot. Duke is not a comic for just GI Joe fans, it's for all fans of smart action thrillers steeped in mystery and political intrigue. I can't believe this is the same Joshua Williamson who works for DC Comics, but sometimes characters click with writers on another level. The entire mini-series ends with a new status quo, bringing at least this portion of GI Joe more into the Energon Universe. I'd say this whole series has done a bang up job of making Duke, the blandest of the G.I.Joes, into a character to root for and get behind.
July 11, 2024
So far everything in the newly created Energon Universe has been pretty good especially Transformers. This miniseries about Duke is basically a prelude to the new G.I. Joe series coming out in November. It was surprisingly good and I thought it kept getting better with each issue. Can’t wait to see where all this goes.
August 23, 2024
I’m totally sold on this shared GI Joe & Transformers universe thing they got going on.
August 18, 2024
A very good book. Another quick read, I do like GIJOE/Action Force, but I love Transformers. I like the way both are coming together.
Conrad Hauser, Duke, was the best and brightest soldier produced by the US army. He has seen it all on the battlefield, or so he thought. He saw something that couldn't be explained, and everyone and everything he trusts is lying to him or hiding something from him. No longer in the army, but Duke is not the person to let something like this go. However could his discoveries lead to more conspiracies, beginnings, and definitely death.
A great start, I am very interested to see where things go from here. It is a very good epilogue in this book as well.
Conrad Hauser, Duke, was the best and brightest soldier produced by the US army. He has seen it all on the battlefield, or so he thought. He saw something that couldn't be explained, and everyone and everything he trusts is lying to him or hiding something from him. No longer in the army, but Duke is not the person to let something like this go. However could his discoveries lead to more conspiracies, beginnings, and definitely death.
A great start, I am very interested to see where things go from here. It is a very good epilogue in this book as well.
September 3, 2024
As someone who has read a G.I. Joe comic here and there, I am not as well-versed towards this franchise as I am towards Transformers. There have been three live-action movies, none of which left much of an impression, though there is a possibility that I could get into it, which brings us nicely onto Skybound Entertainment’s Energon Universe. Following the impressive first volume of Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers, now it was time to see the origins of G.I. Joe within this new shared universe.
As the title suggests, Duke centres on Conrad Hauser, who made first contact with the Decepticon Starscream and lived to tell the tale, referring an early scene from Johnson’s Transformers run. But no one, not even Colonel Hawk, will believe the story of the colossal transforming robot that nearly killed the American hero. Now, one of the US Army’s most decorated officers is on the hunt for answers, drawn into a conflict that no amount of training could ever prepare him for.
When Larry Hama originally wrote the comic book G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero that was first published by Marvel in the early eighties, he wasn’t interested in writing a piece of American jingoism, given that G.I. Joe itself is a military unit operating under the control of the United States Armed Forces. Since the foundation of G.I. Joe happens at the very end of this volume, writer Joshua Williamson is more interested in doing a character study about a dedicated soldier in conflict with his own country and searches for the truth, which slowly builds up the world-building within the Energon Universe.
Certainly, the main theme that this universe is leaning into is that the war between Autobots and Decepticons expands to Earth, leading to the foundation of G.I. Joe and Cobra in response. Since Williamson isn’t really touching upon anything to do with the Transformers (or Void Rivals for that matter), the story shows Duke’s pursuit of the truth leads him to M.A.R.S. Industries, a private developer of weapons technology owned by Destro. While a lot of this book feels like set-up for something bigger to arrive in the near future, there is still plenty to enjoy.
Considering that the franchise originated from a Hasbro toy line, and the original comic was referred to as a “toy book”, you could make that same argument here as Duke throws in a lot of characters like “Stalker” and “Rock ‘n Roll”, who will no doubt will get reissued toys if they haven’t already. That said, Williamson doesn’t treat them as figurines, but as people with their own flaws and he has a lot of fun writing their interactions, especially Duke’s scenes with the Baroness, a character who definitely has shades of Marvel’s own Black Widow. Considering her decades-long status as a villainess associated with Cobra, the end of this book ends with a change that sets up this universe’s own approach with the G.I. Joe mythos.
Across these five issues, there is a lot of action, almost as much as there are dialogue scenes, but artist Tom Reilly delivers in Hollywood spectacle in comic book form. Along with one of the best colourists in the medium, Jordie Bellaire, who makes every setting look eye-popping, Reilly brings a new visual identity to these iconic characters whilst plunging them into action sequences that are big and explosive, but never feel one-note. The epilogue of this book, collecting material from Energon Universe Special #1, has Jason Howard drawing the pages which are good, especially when you got ninjas involved, but lacks the flair compared to Reilly’s work.
Much like Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers, this current phase of G.I. Joe comics is the perfect time for long-time fans and newcomers to get into the franchise as the Duke miniseries is a terrific start that evokes what came before whilst bringing in the new.
As the title suggests, Duke centres on Conrad Hauser, who made first contact with the Decepticon Starscream and lived to tell the tale, referring an early scene from Johnson’s Transformers run. But no one, not even Colonel Hawk, will believe the story of the colossal transforming robot that nearly killed the American hero. Now, one of the US Army’s most decorated officers is on the hunt for answers, drawn into a conflict that no amount of training could ever prepare him for.
When Larry Hama originally wrote the comic book G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero that was first published by Marvel in the early eighties, he wasn’t interested in writing a piece of American jingoism, given that G.I. Joe itself is a military unit operating under the control of the United States Armed Forces. Since the foundation of G.I. Joe happens at the very end of this volume, writer Joshua Williamson is more interested in doing a character study about a dedicated soldier in conflict with his own country and searches for the truth, which slowly builds up the world-building within the Energon Universe.
Certainly, the main theme that this universe is leaning into is that the war between Autobots and Decepticons expands to Earth, leading to the foundation of G.I. Joe and Cobra in response. Since Williamson isn’t really touching upon anything to do with the Transformers (or Void Rivals for that matter), the story shows Duke’s pursuit of the truth leads him to M.A.R.S. Industries, a private developer of weapons technology owned by Destro. While a lot of this book feels like set-up for something bigger to arrive in the near future, there is still plenty to enjoy.
Considering that the franchise originated from a Hasbro toy line, and the original comic was referred to as a “toy book”, you could make that same argument here as Duke throws in a lot of characters like “Stalker” and “Rock ‘n Roll”, who will no doubt will get reissued toys if they haven’t already. That said, Williamson doesn’t treat them as figurines, but as people with their own flaws and he has a lot of fun writing their interactions, especially Duke’s scenes with the Baroness, a character who definitely has shades of Marvel’s own Black Widow. Considering her decades-long status as a villainess associated with Cobra, the end of this book ends with a change that sets up this universe’s own approach with the G.I. Joe mythos.
Across these five issues, there is a lot of action, almost as much as there are dialogue scenes, but artist Tom Reilly delivers in Hollywood spectacle in comic book form. Along with one of the best colourists in the medium, Jordie Bellaire, who makes every setting look eye-popping, Reilly brings a new visual identity to these iconic characters whilst plunging them into action sequences that are big and explosive, but never feel one-note. The epilogue of this book, collecting material from Energon Universe Special #1, has Jason Howard drawing the pages which are good, especially when you got ninjas involved, but lacks the flair compared to Reilly’s work.
Much like Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers, this current phase of G.I. Joe comics is the perfect time for long-time fans and newcomers to get into the franchise as the Duke miniseries is a terrific start that evokes what came before whilst bringing in the new.
May 22, 2024
"First sergeant Conrad Hauser was found dead today."
September 17, 2024
A decent start to a reboot, with a Transfromers/GI Joe crossover and putting together a team being the focal point of the first volume.
June 11, 2024
All-American model soldier Duke saw his buddy get squished like a bug by a plane… that transformed into a robot!? Told by his superiors to keep quiet about it, Duke decides to go rogue and seek answers - and revenge - by his lonesome. But shadowy organisations a-plenty have their eyes on Duke and he’s gonna have to shoot his way to the truth!
Duke is the next title in the expanding Energon Universe that Image/Skybound is releasing, following on the heels of Transformers where the catalyst scene for Duke took place. I’d like to say it’s as good as Transformers but it’s not - Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle is a generic and forgettable action comic.
Duke is part of GI Joe (known as Action Man to those of us in the UK), which was a toy range that I never got to have as a kid, unlike Transformers. I’ve never read any GI Joe comics and I didn’t watch the ‘80s cartoon either so I don’t have any nostalgia for this brand. Nor do I have any familiarity with the characters - I’ve heard of some of them like Destro and Baroness, via pop culture osmosis, but nearly everyone in this book was new to me.
The story is fairly coherent and reads like one of the crappier Mission Impossible movies. Joshua Williamson’s script keeps Duke on his toes, rarely getting a breather from one set piece to the next, so it’s a fast-paced narrative. That said, I’m not a huge fan of action as they’re rarely substantial reads and this one left me unsatisfied.
In keeping with Robert Kirkman’s comics (Skybound is his company), a character gets shot in the head - and survives! They only lose an eye because, y’know, it’s not like getting shot in the head is fatal or anything. No idea how Duke survives that final battle either, but then Williamson isn’t much of a writer so I wasn’t surprised by the sloppy shortcut.
Image/Skybound really seem to be milking their new Hasbro licences - not only does Duke get his own book but so does the Cobra Commander, Scarlett and Destro, and THEN (maybe - there could be more characters books first!) we get the GI Joe title proper (along with the inevitable crossover/event with Transformers).
Tom Reilly’s art is serviceable - I don’t have any real complaints about it - but, like Williamson’s script, it also feels bland, uninspired and indistinct. There’s no style to it nor does it seem like he brought anything special to the title.
It’s a quick and easy read but also a very shallow and unmemorable story, offering up little more than derivative, unremarkable action scenes and flat characters. Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle is a weak continuation of the Energon Universe saga - and now we know!
Duke is the next title in the expanding Energon Universe that Image/Skybound is releasing, following on the heels of Transformers where the catalyst scene for Duke took place. I’d like to say it’s as good as Transformers but it’s not - Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle is a generic and forgettable action comic.
Duke is part of GI Joe (known as Action Man to those of us in the UK), which was a toy range that I never got to have as a kid, unlike Transformers. I’ve never read any GI Joe comics and I didn’t watch the ‘80s cartoon either so I don’t have any nostalgia for this brand. Nor do I have any familiarity with the characters - I’ve heard of some of them like Destro and Baroness, via pop culture osmosis, but nearly everyone in this book was new to me.
The story is fairly coherent and reads like one of the crappier Mission Impossible movies. Joshua Williamson’s script keeps Duke on his toes, rarely getting a breather from one set piece to the next, so it’s a fast-paced narrative. That said, I’m not a huge fan of action as they’re rarely substantial reads and this one left me unsatisfied.
In keeping with Robert Kirkman’s comics (Skybound is his company), a character gets shot in the head - and survives! They only lose an eye because, y’know, it’s not like getting shot in the head is fatal or anything. No idea how Duke survives that final battle either, but then Williamson isn’t much of a writer so I wasn’t surprised by the sloppy shortcut.
Image/Skybound really seem to be milking their new Hasbro licences - not only does Duke get his own book but so does the Cobra Commander, Scarlett and Destro, and THEN (maybe - there could be more characters books first!) we get the GI Joe title proper (along with the inevitable crossover/event with Transformers).
Tom Reilly’s art is serviceable - I don’t have any real complaints about it - but, like Williamson’s script, it also feels bland, uninspired and indistinct. There’s no style to it nor does it seem like he brought anything special to the title.
It’s a quick and easy read but also a very shallow and unmemorable story, offering up little more than derivative, unremarkable action scenes and flat characters. Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle is a weak continuation of the Energon Universe saga - and now we know!
September 3, 2024
Because Knowing is half the battle. The GI Joe fan in me had a huge smile on my face after reading this book. The Energon Universe from Skybound is definitely the hottest comic book universe currently being published. This is not because they just got the best artist on their books but the writers seem to love what they are writing. Duke has never been my favorite Joe. This maybe because he always seem to straight laced and quite frankly a bit boring. Williamson and his artist team have taken the bare bones of the character and infused into Duke why he deserves to be the leader of the GI Joe team and reminds us of what a hero should be. I have to say Duke's got a lot of things working against him in this universe. First, he is a surviving witness of a strange unexplained attack from who readers know as the Decepticon villain, Stars cream. The American government is covering up the incident. Duke is also up against a mysterious corporation designing technology around this extraterrestrial threat. Our hero has know idea of the shadowy terrorist organization vying to take control of the alien tech for their world domination purposes. You'll have to check out Cobra Commander, Vol. 1: Determined to Rule the World to get that side of the story. This book was really well done. The dialogue is perfect and the action is nonstop. This universe feels like its building towards something major. I have already read Void Rivals, Vol. 1: More than Meets the Eye and just have to check out Transformers, Vol. 1: Robots in Disguise. I wish DC comics and Marvel were publishing a universe this coherent but hope the Energon Universe continues to showcase to comic book publishers that this is the type of storytelling comic book fans want in their superhero franchises. A 10 out 10 book all the way.
July 11, 2024
“I have followed EVERY order to the best of my ability, sir. And right now, my country is LYING to me. I’m getting answers. I WILL know what that flying robot is. Then I’m taking it out.”
Conrad “Duke” Houser is on the run from a country that betrayed him! And despite being probably the most straight forward of the Energon Universe titles thus far, still some great fun to be had here. Especially if you loved the IDW/Aubrey Sitterson era of Joe.
Picking up mere days after Duke’s last brush with this new EU, this volume finds Houser on a mission for fresh Intel about the new mechanized threat., brushing him against a bunch of fantastic Joe cameos (Rock n’ Roll! Lady Jayne! B. A. T.s!), the MARS Corporation, and even a Very Cool Unexpected Co-Star that I’m very, very happy will be around for the incoming new Joe spin-off.
Reilly and Bellarie are truly a dream team. If DWJ hadn’t been truly killing it on TFs, I could strongly argue that this is the best looking Energon title thus far. There are even a few really fun moments directly referencing the cartoon’s sets and vehicles that I very much appreciated.
Also appreciated is the continued shared trade dress of all these titles. I still wish they would include the covers with each issue but the credits pages and the fill-in pages of these trades being uniform (and even continuing the CLASSIFIED MATERIALS gag from the opening single issues), that’s always something I’m going to love. That little extra production effort makes all the difference for a big, interconnected publishing universe. I really hope it continues into these book’s second arcs (though I think these miniseries are almost wrapped up now with Scarlett and Destro hitting this summer).
Once again, toy comics can kind be good if we let them be (and we have a creative team handling them that isn’t just going broad or rehashing the stuff we liked before).
Conrad “Duke” Houser is on the run from a country that betrayed him! And despite being probably the most straight forward of the Energon Universe titles thus far, still some great fun to be had here. Especially if you loved the IDW/Aubrey Sitterson era of Joe.
Picking up mere days after Duke’s last brush with this new EU, this volume finds Houser on a mission for fresh Intel about the new mechanized threat., brushing him against a bunch of fantastic Joe cameos (Rock n’ Roll! Lady Jayne! B. A. T.s!), the MARS Corporation, and even a Very Cool Unexpected Co-Star that I’m very, very happy will be around for the incoming new Joe spin-off.
Reilly and Bellarie are truly a dream team. If DWJ hadn’t been truly killing it on TFs, I could strongly argue that this is the best looking Energon title thus far. There are even a few really fun moments directly referencing the cartoon’s sets and vehicles that I very much appreciated.
Also appreciated is the continued shared trade dress of all these titles. I still wish they would include the covers with each issue but the credits pages and the fill-in pages of these trades being uniform (and even continuing the CLASSIFIED MATERIALS gag from the opening single issues), that’s always something I’m going to love. That little extra production effort makes all the difference for a big, interconnected publishing universe. I really hope it continues into these book’s second arcs (though I think these miniseries are almost wrapped up now with Scarlett and Destro hitting this summer).
Once again, toy comics can kind be good if we let them be (and we have a creative team handling them that isn’t just going broad or rehashing the stuff we liked before).
May 23, 2024
This book was real fun and really was so hyped up and it lives up to it, I love the excitement of it and the universe in general and since its written by one of my favorite writers its awesome and yeah I love how this is like a movie almost, old American veteran on the run finding that his country is keeping secrets from him and he becomes a pariah, an outcast and its like DUKE vs all his enemies, his one final mission, it takes that trope and does it so well omg, I just love it.
The way it has that set up and introducing characters left ad right in this universe is awesome, like how the presence of TRANSFORMERS has changed this world and you get to see it, the reverberations are felt and then people hunting him, him getting jailed, and then the villains striking like MAJOR BLUDD and his Blood hounds, which is such a kickass name for a villain group and how it leads to all the GI Joe characters teaming up and yeah the set up and the action and the fight is insane.. its like a movie with each part of the comic giving you the 5 act structure feel and I love it.
Its so high octane, and I love the art here, its just so fun to enjoy the comic when both writing and art are good, the final fight for DUKE and the revelation he gets and what he has to do next will just make you love this universe and you can't help but be excited with what comes next as it did for me. I also love how Destro was introduced and he is one crazy rich guy villain, Lex Luthor but a gotham-esque villain almost and I am excited to see what his mini series will be like and I am excited for the direction of this book!
Seriously one of the best books of the year!!
The way it has that set up and introducing characters left ad right in this universe is awesome, like how the presence of TRANSFORMERS has changed this world and you get to see it, the reverberations are felt and then people hunting him, him getting jailed, and then the villains striking like MAJOR BLUDD and his Blood hounds, which is such a kickass name for a villain group and how it leads to all the GI Joe characters teaming up and yeah the set up and the action and the fight is insane.. its like a movie with each part of the comic giving you the 5 act structure feel and I love it.
Its so high octane, and I love the art here, its just so fun to enjoy the comic when both writing and art are good, the final fight for DUKE and the revelation he gets and what he has to do next will just make you love this universe and you can't help but be excited with what comes next as it did for me. I also love how Destro was introduced and he is one crazy rich guy villain, Lex Luthor but a gotham-esque villain almost and I am excited to see what his mini series will be like and I am excited for the direction of this book!
Seriously one of the best books of the year!!
July 29, 2024
This is the first volume in the Image Comics iteration of G.I. Joe, though their Energon Universe began with Void Rivals. They're clearly building their G.I. Joe mythology piece by piece, beginning with the traditional backbone of the team (as opposed to the most popular Joe which would generally be acknowledged to be Snake Eyes).
Joshua Williamson does a good job at establishing Duke as an individual, providing backstory and family connections. Additionally, there is an element of political intrigue involved, with his superior, Colonel Hawk, demonstrating underhanded, manipulative qualities not shown in prior versions of the character that I'd encountered. Additionally, there's some good world-building at work as both G.I. Joe and Cobra are in early stages of developing into what they would become. Additionally, the Transformers play a more prominent role in this development than in prior iterations.
I enjoyed the stylish artwork, a less detailed and grittier style which matches well with the story. I can see a strength of this mini-series approach being that individual artists can be matched to the characters and stories rather than pushing different types of stories through a single creative team.
As with Void Rivals, I find myself intrigued enough to continue seeing where this new continuity goes. Thanks to Image Comics for providing a copy for me to review.
Joshua Williamson does a good job at establishing Duke as an individual, providing backstory and family connections. Additionally, there is an element of political intrigue involved, with his superior, Colonel Hawk, demonstrating underhanded, manipulative qualities not shown in prior versions of the character that I'd encountered. Additionally, there's some good world-building at work as both G.I. Joe and Cobra are in early stages of developing into what they would become. Additionally, the Transformers play a more prominent role in this development than in prior iterations.
I enjoyed the stylish artwork, a less detailed and grittier style which matches well with the story. I can see a strength of this mini-series approach being that individual artists can be matched to the characters and stories rather than pushing different types of stories through a single creative team.
As with Void Rivals, I find myself intrigued enough to continue seeing where this new continuity goes. Thanks to Image Comics for providing a copy for me to review.
May 7, 2024
No, I'm not keeping completely up with Skybound's reboot of Hasbro prosperities. I retain some curiosity, so I thought this would be a good starting point for me.
Maybe the issue is that I was never nothing more than a moderate fan of the Marvel Comics run or animated shows (no slight to Larry Hama who deserves a standing O for the work and devotion he has shown on the comics side over the decades).
I like the concept of merging these properties, combined with an unrelated series being scripted by Kirkman. But, I remain unmoved (and I like a lot of Kirkman's work).
The core plot is Duke's friend has been killed by a Transformer and the government is hiding this fact.
Does the Truth is Out There Sound familiar?
Maybe the issue is that I was never nothing more than a moderate fan of the Marvel Comics run or animated shows (no slight to Larry Hama who deserves a standing O for the work and devotion he has shown on the comics side over the decades).
I like the concept of merging these properties, combined with an unrelated series being scripted by Kirkman. But, I remain unmoved (and I like a lot of Kirkman's work).
The core plot is Duke's friend has been killed by a Transformer and the government is hiding this fact.
Does the Truth is Out There Sound familiar?
July 10, 2024
The only thing i've ever read by Joshua Williams was 'The Button', a The Flash/Batman crossover in wich Watchmen enters the DC comics universe. I Wasn't really impressed by that, but this story about a pilot (we saw shortly in Transformers vol. 1) trying to wrap his head around seeing his partner getting killed by a giant robot is pretty good. I sets up the world of GI JOE in the Energon Universe without feeling forced.
I've never been into the GI JOE cartoons or toys but seeing how character pop up without demanding recognition by the fans i think Williams did a great job. Go Joe! (and the Energon Universe seems to be on fire and one of the better IP's currently out there).
I've never been into the GI JOE cartoons or toys but seeing how character pop up without demanding recognition by the fans i think Williams did a great job. Go Joe! (and the Energon Universe seems to be on fire and one of the better IP's currently out there).
August 19, 2024
This may be my first GI Joe comic, and this is part of the Energon Universe connecting Hasbro toys.
Duke, the all-American hero, and is the Joe who never falters. Except this is the story where he does. Duke sees a Transformer transform leading to the death of a fellow soldier. Not believed he loses faith in command providing the answers he seeks. He goes off on his to find who is responsible for making this weapon.
This was fun to read because Duke is portrayed as the infallible soldier. What happens to a loyal soldier whose sanity is questioned and claims denied? What will that soldier do to find the truth?
Duke, the all-American hero, and is the Joe who never falters. Except this is the story where he does. Duke sees a Transformer transform leading to the death of a fellow soldier. Not believed he loses faith in command providing the answers he seeks. He goes off on his to find who is responsible for making this weapon.
This was fun to read because Duke is portrayed as the infallible soldier. What happens to a loyal soldier whose sanity is questioned and claims denied? What will that soldier do to find the truth?
August 29, 2024
How can I not like a book called "duke" given my name, well I cant. Look I grew up with g.i. joes and transformers and this adult "energon" universe is hyping me up big time. I emphasize "adult" because we have had enough weak, waterer down attempts and us adults want something to enjoy too.
OK bias aside, this book is awesome. I love the story and how Duke is on his own, trying to make sense of it all. They nailed the time line, starting at a point before the big rivalry between joe and cobra. The action is awesome, the writing is solid, the art is colorful and has a bit of retro style. Not sure I have been this excited for a series in a while, it is so damn fun!
OK bias aside, this book is awesome. I love the story and how Duke is on his own, trying to make sense of it all. They nailed the time line, starting at a point before the big rivalry between joe and cobra. The action is awesome, the writing is solid, the art is colorful and has a bit of retro style. Not sure I have been this excited for a series in a while, it is so damn fun!
October 7, 2024
4. Something rounded down
Continually impressed by the energon universe, really enjoyed this!
I know nothing about G.I Joe, it's not a franchise I ever watched, and I don't know any of the characters. It was a series that just never interested me, not in the slightest, so I stayed away... until today.
I've been enjoying the universe, I like Joshua Williams and thought I'd try this and I really liked it.
Duke is a badass, plain and simple, he's been disrespected by his country and had his world views shattered by robots and damn is he gonna do something about that.
The art was great, the characters were fun, its VERY over the top but hell, I love over the top
Continually impressed by the energon universe, really enjoyed this!
I know nothing about G.I Joe, it's not a franchise I ever watched, and I don't know any of the characters. It was a series that just never interested me, not in the slightest, so I stayed away... until today.
I've been enjoying the universe, I like Joshua Williams and thought I'd try this and I really liked it.
Duke is a badass, plain and simple, he's been disrespected by his country and had his world views shattered by robots and damn is he gonna do something about that.
The art was great, the characters were fun, its VERY over the top but hell, I love over the top
May 3, 2024
This was nicely done. Duke is a top notch soldier. People also think he's crazy after he was attacked by Starscream since no one knows the Transformers exist. So we get G.I. Joe characters introduced organically as the story calls for them. I gotta say I'm shocked that Snake Eyes didn't show up given his popularity. Good art. Good story. Looking forward to checking out Scarlet and Destro next. If you were thinking about jumping into Skybound's Energon universe, what you are waiting for? The water's just fine.
June 8, 2024
Probably the best modern comic that I’ve read in years, would be CCA approved, swears are rendered as &$@$! Art is average, not bad not great.
Storyline is an interesting crossover with Transformers, with Duke being ostracized like a pilot who saw ufos, when he views a transformer while on a flight.
The actual production of the trade isn’t good, most trades will have the covers of the individual comics reprinted, this doesn’t.
Storyline is an interesting crossover with Transformers, with Duke being ostracized like a pilot who saw ufos, when he views a transformer while on a flight.
The actual production of the trade isn’t good, most trades will have the covers of the individual comics reprinted, this doesn’t.
June 7, 2024
I know even less about GI Joe than I do about classic Transformers, and yet here I am, neck deep in the Energon Universe and loving it. There's probably lots of references and characters that I'm meant to go OH at, but I'm having too much fun to worry too much about anything I'm missing, because what I am getting is plenty.
June 25, 2024
Duke spins right out of the events of Transformers and it is straight action. Duke has seen the Transformers and they killed his friend but no one believes him. The government pushes him aside leading him to believe they’re a conspiracy. Duke goes on the run encountering other GI Joe characters and trying to find the truth. In his search he actually gets mixed up in another war against Destro and his arms manufacturing company. It’s a fun spy conspiracy type story that I enjoyed. Tom Reilly has a wonderful art style that lends itself to the spy thriller action that this story was going for. Joshua Williamson is building something good here with GI Joe and I can’t wait for him to do on ongoing series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
This is my first time reading a GI Joe comic as I have never gone back to the original Larry Hama series (which I have heard is great). The intrigue of a shared universe with the transformers was a great jumping point to give this a shot. This volume was a fun read and about what I expected. I’m in for now to see where this story goes.
July 27, 2024
4/5 stars.
I had a whole review written but the app crashed and I lost it. Instead of retyping it I'll say this:
I wasnt a GI Joe or Transformers kid, I know little about them. This does a really really good job of making me care without it feeling like the "Yay American Military Industrial Complex" propaganda that GI Joe was always meant to be. I continue to enjoy the Energon Universe a lot.
I had a whole review written but the app crashed and I lost it. Instead of retyping it I'll say this:
I wasnt a GI Joe or Transformers kid, I know little about them. This does a really really good job of making me care without it feeling like the "Yay American Military Industrial Complex" propaganda that GI Joe was always meant to be. I continue to enjoy the Energon Universe a lot.
August 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book a great deal. It had my second-favorite art of the Energon Universe books so far, right behind Transformers volume 1. The story is clever, causing Duke to go rogue after being irritated by the lies he was being fed. It's a great way to introduce the leader of the team, and I'm excited to see how things evolve in Scarlett and Destro before the main GI Joe book.
August 15, 2024
Yeah, I don't think this is for me. I was never a big fan of G.I. Joe or the Transformers. My G.I. Joe was an earlier (and much larger) version that preceded all this Cobra nonsense. I didn't really get a lot from this rather pedestrian story. And the art is little more than perfunctory. Your mileage may vary...
July 31, 2024
Una actualización interesante de cara a los acontecimientos que Skybound pretende desarrollar en torno a las franquicias de Hasbro. Más cercana al espionaje que a lo militar, juega contraumas y traiciones lo suficiente como para enganchar nuevos lectores.
September 19, 2024
This was a fun adventure story, while also working as the formation of a new G.I. Joe team. Tom Reilly's art had the right dynamism for an action story, while also handling the emotion well. Based off of this, I think I'm all the way back in on the Energon Universe.
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