The Energon Universe’s G.I. JOE 2026 is going to get even busier. That comes in the way of Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro revealing the first details and covers of the series’ next big story arc. That story arc will kick off in May’s G.I. JOE #22. It will be coming from the creative team of Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana, colorist Lee Loughridge, and letterer Rus Wooton.
This upcoming story will be a three issue arc taking place over the course of G.I. JOE #22 to #24. It will be showing the impact of the Dreadnok War that conclude at the beginning of 2026 will continue to be felt. That is already showing to be the case with how it is causing the G.I. JOE and Transformers to clash due to the fallout of the Dreadnok War. It is an impact that will continue to be felt as we see through the first info about the upcoming story arc:
After the stunning conclusion to DREADNOK WAR, the Joes and Cobra are in a race to find Energon across the world, but Crystal Ball (making his Energon Universe first appearance) has other ideas, and some D.I.R.E. new tricks up his sleeve. And as the secret origin of G.I. Joe’s most unpredictable member Risk is revealed, the future of Joe and Cobra will change forever when Baroness and Destro meet again…
For this three-issue story arc G.I. JOE #22-#24 main covers is being handled by artist Tom Reilly. Additionally, there will be several variant covers for each issue that include variants from artists Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr., Ben Oliver, Tonči Zonjić, and Andrea Milana. Check out some of these covers below:
G.I. JOE #22 is scheduled to be released in stores on May 20, 2026, with G.I. JOE #23 scheduled for June 17th and G.I. JOE #24 scheduled for July 15th. Learn more about these comic books, including quotes from the creative team, from Skybound Entertainment, Image Comics, and Hasbro’s press release below.
Skybound, Image & Hasbro Reveal Risk’s Secret Origin in New G.I. JOE Arc
LOS ANGELES 2/10/2026 — Today, Skybound, Image Comics, and leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, announced the latest action-packed story arc in the hit Energon Universe series G.I. JOE. The creative team of writer Joshua Williamson (DC K.O.), artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), colorist Lee Loughridge (Universal Monsters: The Mummy) and letterer Rus Wooton (Invincible Universe: Battle Beast), kick off a twisted new three-issue run sure to shock fans on the road to the game changing 25th issue this summer. Find out what’s in store for the Joes and Cobra when G.I. JOE #22 arrives in comic shops May 20, 2026.
After the stunning conclusion to DREADNOK WAR, the Joes and Cobra are in a race to find Energon across the world, but Crystal Ball (making his Energon Universe first appearance) has other ideas, and some D.I.R.E. new tricks up his sleeve. And as the secret origin of G.I. Joe’s most unpredictable member Risk is revealed, the future of Joe and Cobra will change forever when Baroness and Destro meet again…
“One of the things I’ve loved about working in the Energon Universe is that we’ve created a world that lets us explore the G.I. JOE mythology using different genres. And with these three issues we’re taking the team into a horror story.” said writer Joshua Williamson. “We used some of those tools in the Cobra Commander mini-series two years ago, so it’s awesome that we’re revisiting that kind of story with Andrea Milana again! Be ready for some action-packed horror! Lots of surprises as these issues help set up the next massive storyline that hits the Energon Universe.”
“This action-packed arc has it all–adventure, horror, a new villain, and the origin of Risk,” noted Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “We have a lot of pieces coming into alignment as we build toward our epic 25th issue!”
This three-issue story arc of G.I. JOE from #22-24 includes main covers by Tom Reilly, additional open to order covers by Joshua Cassara (X-Force) & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Wonder Woman), Ben Oliver (Vengeance of Vampirella), and incentive variants including 1:25 by Tonči Zonjić (Shadowman) and 1:50 by Andrea Milana.
G.I. JOE is a tentpole of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Other Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Andrei Bressan (Birthright), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (Catwoman) and the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited, Superman), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.
G.I. JOE #22 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
G.I. JOE #23 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
G.I. JOE #24 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The full list of variant covers is below:
- I. JOE #22Cover A by Tom Reilly
- I. JOE #22Cover B by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
- I. JOE #22 Cover C by Ben Oliver
- I. JOE #22 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) by Tonči Zonjić
- I. JOE #22 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Andrea Milana
- I. JOE #23 Cover A by Tom Reilly
- I. JOE #23 Cover B Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
- I. JOE #23 Cover C by Ben Oliver
- I. JOE #23 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) by Tonči Zonjić
- I. JOE #23 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Andrea Milana
- I. JOE #24 Cover A by Tom Reilly
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