Skybound Announces ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’ With Larry Hama Writing

Yesterday we got the news that Skybound was to publish a whole new line of Transformers and G.I. Joe Comics. And today we get even more new news with the announcement of an all-new G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series returning in November with issue #301. What’s more, Skybound have only gone and got legendary series writer Larry Hama (Wolverine) to continue his record-breaking run on the series, joined by artist Chris Mooneyham (Nightwing, Sgt. Rock and the Unknown Soldier) and colorist Francesco Segala (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) with covers provided by Andy Kubert (X-Men). Each issue will also feature an open-to-order variant cover with a black and white version of Kubert’s main cover.

Here’s the official synopsis:

“A new era for G.I. Joe begins in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 with this jumping on point for new readers as your favorite characters – Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Storm Shadow, Cobra Commander, Serpentor and more – are back for new battles, new friends, new enemies and…THE RETURN OF THE ORIGINAL SNAKE-EYES!”

Here’s Hama on his return to the series he made his own back in the ’80s:

“I am delighted to be continuing the saga of G.I. Joe with the good folks at Skybound and totally amped to be taking the G.I. Joe team to issue #301 and beyond. Little did I know back in 1982 that I would be associated with the Real American Hero for over 40 years. My thanks to the whole crew at Skybound for allowing me to continue to chronicle the exploits of characters who have become like a family to me.”

Chris Mooneyham added:

“I’m very excited to be working on such an enduring property with original writer and comics legend Larry Hama, not to mention being able to do it at Skybound. I think Skybound is going to be able to offer G.I. Joe storytelling opportunities like never before, and I’m honored to be part of it. Yo Joe!”

Andy Kubert added:

“Early on in my career, I was asked to draw a few G.I. Joe covers for Marvel Comics. Having had the toys when I was a kid, I thought ‘Great! This is going to be a blast!’ and it was. Fast forward all these years later and here I am getting to play with G.I. Joe again and still having a blast!”

Mastermind of this whole new shared Energon Universe, Robert Kirkman said:

“One of the main goals of Skybound with these Hasbro properties is preserving and honoring the legacies already established with Transformers and G.I.Joe. While we’re creating something new with the Energon Universe, we’re also going to be devoting equal resources to paying respect to the glorious stories that came before and made these brands what they are today. I don’t want to live in a world where Larry Hama isn’t continuing his unparalleled run on G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero, and thanks to Skybound, I won’t have to!”

And, to warm up fan expectation, in November Skybound will also release G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 Larry Hama Cut:

“A special reprint of the very first iconic issue featuring Larry Hama’s original, unaltered scripting in a key moment that was changed in limited instances for the final printed edition. This is your first chance EVER to discover the very first G.I. Joe comic book exactly as Hama intended.”

Ready for even more statements? With this and yesterday’s news, I don’t think I’ve seen so many included why any PR I’ve received in almost ten years of covering comic book news. And certainly not with just the one attached image, in this case the debut issue cover. So, for anyone still reading, here’s the rest of ’em from two higher ups at Skybound and Hasbro:

“We’re so thrilled to be publishing this historic series. 300 issues by a single author is a feat that may never be accomplished again, and to be able to go back and fix something that Larry’s been holding onto since the very beginning…it’s just such a cool moment for the franchise and the fans.” – Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound

“Several years ago, a fan at SDCC asked me how long Larry Hama would be writing G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO comics,” recalled Michael Kelly, VP of Global Publishing at Hasbro. “My response was the only appropriate answer for someone in my position: ‘for as long as Larry wants to keep writing them.’ It’s exciting to be continuing this journey that started back in 1982, and I’m grateful to the great team at Skybound for helping me keep that promise.” – Michael Kelly, VP of Global Publishing at Hasbro

So, if anyone is still here, remember that G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 will be available on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023.