Conrad Hauser has made first contact with an alien being…or was it a UFO? Was it both? But no one, not even Colonel Hawk, will believe the story of the jet fighter converting into a colossal alien 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… Duke #1 kicks off a new era for the classic character setting up a new future for the force that will be known as G.I. Joe.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Duke #1 is a hell of a new take on characters who have been around for decades. G.I. Joe doesn’t exist. Cobra doesn’t really exist. But, giant robots who transform into vehicles do. And that’s the driver. Duke, during a flight, has come across these giant robots and is on a mission to try to figure out what’s going on.

Williamson puts Duke on the run from multiple groups as Duke #1 takes more from the X-Files than it does traditional G.I. Joe, and in that way, it soars. The debut feels fresh, new, interesting, and perfect for our era of paranoia and conspiracy theories.

But, Williamson keeps the focus on G.I. Joe’s eventual enemies in Cobra with teases and hints that long time fans of the franchise will appreciate. Familiar characters, and even some obscure ones, are hinted at or directly front and center. It all comes together for a great blend of new and familiar.

Williamson also keeps it all grounded. The idea of aliens and giant robots aren’t front and center. Instead, Duke is focused on a new weapon that seems like it’d upend things and stumbles upon something greater. The conspiracy is one built in a reality that makes sense, where a soldier might go with what he witnessed. It keeps the fantastical in a realistic setting.

The art by Tom Reilly is fantastic. The comic features solid takes and characters who have been around for so long. With color by Jordie Bellaire and lettering by Rus Wooton, the comic feels a bit traditional in its style but also a little updated. There’s slight updates and tweaks, like the Transformers comic itself, that makes the look of the series its own. And already, I want plastic incarnations of some of the characters. Reilly’s style also helps enhance the conspiracy/X-Files style of it all emphasizing a man on the run who’s attempting to discover the truth.

Duke #1 is another hell of a start for the “Energon Universe.” As part of Transformers and Void Rivals, the trio of comics set up pillars for what’s to come, each with their own voice but all tied into each other in ways that don’t feel forced. A solid start that hopefully delivers an update to a classic property and keeps it going for another 40 years.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle