The featured image is the cover to “Transformers vs G.I. Joe” #13 by Tom Scioli”
News broke this week that IDW would be losing the licenses to both G.I. Joe and Transformers at the end of 2022. Rumored to be in negotiations with Skybound/Image for the licenses in the future, Hasbro, the boy brand that created, developed, and still owns the license for both, was reportedly unhappy with the way that IDW had handed the franchises recently.
These types of things happen with relative frequency in comics, and so it isn’t shocking to see the licenses change hands, but IDW had built much of its current focus around both brands, alongside other licenses like the Rocketeer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, and more.
So, our poll asks this week: do you think that IDW did right by these properties? The approach to each was a little different, so it is a question that requires some nuance. While on the G.I. Joe side, Larry Hama’s continuation of his Marvel series, “G.I. Joe: Real American Hero” has been a wonderful gifts for fan of Hama’s run, but are not exactly the best entry point for new Joe fans. Both franchises have underwent reboots over time, but it seems that the non-Hama Joe comics were rebooted far more frequently, while the Transformers books had more consistency, including a 13 year continuity that was finally sunset in 2018, but were not without restarts and refreshes.
So, vote in our Reader Poll, and check back on Monday for the results!
