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GI Joe Also Gets A Relaunch

By and | November 16th, 2012
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We host a monthly column called GI JoeVersity, in which writer Chad Bowers goes over all things Joe for you real American heroes out there. However, if you didn’t read the latest one for October, you may have missed him dropping the news that IDW is relaunching their GI Joe books with new creative teams. Here’s what Mr. Bowers had to say:

Beginning in February 2013, a new “G.I. Joe” ongoing will launch with writer Fred Van Lente and artist Steve Kurth replacing the books’ existing creative team of Chuck Dixon and a rotating group of artist. But Dixon’s not gone, as “G.I. Joe: Special Missions” launches in March by Dixon and the legendary Paul Gulacy, with April seeing the debut of the renamed “Cobra Files” by the returning team of Mike Costa and Antonio Fuso. Not as much a entire reboot, but a slight rebranding with Van Lente and Kurth added to the mix.

It’s probably worth noting that the relaunch just happens to coincide with the March 27, 2013 release date of G.I. Joe: Retaliation 3D. IDW’s taking a page from the Marvel playbook here, and facilitating a brand new jumping on point for those whose interest gets piqued by the movie. Seems like a pretty good idea to us, but like it more if they hadn’t just done this about two years ago. But c’est la vie (can we even use French in a G.I. Joe column?).

Finally, “Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow,” the line’s current third title, won’t be returning in February, raising a few eyebrows, as Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and that Arashikage are set to play major role in the upcoming motion picture. What’s in store for everyone’s favorite silent ninja commando in the comics and on the silver screen? We’re not betting against the guy yet, but you never know… could ‘Snake Eyes R.I.P.’ be around the corner?

So why the repost? Well, we have a press release from IDW to share with you today. For the full press release from IDW, please see below, and stay tuned for an interview with Fred van Lente on his new Joe book soon here at Multiversity.

IDW Press Release

IDW is pleased to announce not only a new creative team on their flagshipG.I. JOE comic, but also an exciting new era for the beloved heroes based on the iconic Hasbro brand!

Beginning in February with G.I. JOE #1, the anti-terrorist titans will be up against a new threat: publicity! With their formerly secret identities compromised, Duke must lead his squad of Real American Heroes up against the legendarily evil COBRA in the public eye. Written by Fred Van Lente (The Comic Book History of Comics, The Incredible Hercules) with art by Steve Kurth (Ultimate Iron Man, Avengers Vs. X-Men: Consequences), the all-new G.I. JOE is an explosive turning point for those following the Joes ongoing adventures and a perfect jumping-on point for new fans to join the action.

“As a longtime G.I. JOE fan it’s very exciting to be able to launch the series in a bold new direction, with a new status quo that develops organically from events in the current ongoing series,” said Van Lente. “In the first arc,Homefront, the G.I. JOE team gets a new (but familiar) commanding officer, a new (and unfamiliar) public role — and discover that Cobra has brought their war to America in a major way for the first time. We hit the ground running with all-out combat on U.S. soil,” he continued.

This new spin on America’s classic fighting force is also an exciting opportunity for the book’s explosive artist, “It’s G.I. JOE with a superhero spin. This is the G.I. JOE comic I’ve wanted to make for 10 years and the one I’ve wanted to read for 20!” said Kurth.

If all of that weren’t enough, fans will also be treated to eye-melting covers by Juan Doe, Steve Kurth, and Jamal Igle, and a special G.I. JOE “comics history” cover by Van Lente‘s The Comic Book History of Comics co-conspirator Ryan Dunlavey! This relaunch also comes with a special treat for the G.I. JOE super fans in the form of a suitably bombastic subscription variant cover by legendary artist Arthur Adams!

It’s a very exciting time to be a G.I. JOE fan, and IDW couldn’t be happier to help rid the world of the COBRA menace!

G.I. JOE #1 (FC, 32 pages, $3.99) in stores 2/13/13. Diamond order code: DEC12 0412.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. IDW can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/idwpublishing and http://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/ and on Twitter at @idwpublishing.


Matthew Meylikhov

Once upon a time, Matthew Meylikhov became the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Multiversity Comics, where he was known for his beard and fondness for cats. Then he became only one of those things. Now, if you listen really carefully at night, you may still hear from whispers on the wind a faint voice saying, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not as bad as everyone says it issss."

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Chad Bowers

Chad Bowers has been reading comics for most of his life. His transition from fan to professional is a work in progress. He’s the co-founder of ACTION AGE COMICS, creator of the webcomic MONSTER PLUS, co-creator of AWESOME HOSPITAL, THE HARD ONES, and DOWN SET FIGHT (coming soon from Oni Press) with Chris Sims. He reviews comics, writes G.I. JoeVersity, and co-hosts The Hour Cosmic for Multiversity Comics! If you've got nothing better to do, you can follow him on Twitter or Tumblr.

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