Tag Archives: duke

Skybound, Image, and Hasbro Announce Energon Universe Hardcovers

Posted on by

Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have announced three Energon Universe deluxe hardcovers coming in spring and summer 2025. Collecting Transformers, Void Rivals, and the G.I. JOE miniseries Duke and Cobra Commander for the first time in beautiful hardcover editions, fans can read the hit Energon Universe comics like never before.  

The Energon Universe is 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.

The Transformers enter the Energon Universe! In comic book shops April 2025, Transformers Deluxe Edition Book One collects the first two arcs (issues #1-12) of the two-time Eisner Award-winning series from the critically acclaimed creative team of Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, and Mike Spicer in a stunning deluxe hardcover for the first time.  

The Autobots and Decepticons have renewed their endless war on Earth, and one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime. 

Transformers Deluxe Edition Book One (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2823-5| SRP $49.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. 

Then, rediscover the series that started the Energon Universe with Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book One from the game changing team of Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici. In comic book shops May 2025, this deluxe hardcover collects Void Rivals #1-12 and material from the Energon Universe 2024 Special, bringing the world of Transformers—and beyond—back to comics. 

War rages around the Sacred Ring, where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war. However, when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies end up on a journey neither of them expected. 

What dark forces await them? And will they be able to put aside their differences to confront them together? 

Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book One (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2824-2| SRP $49.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. 

The Road to G.I. JOE begins here! Experience the epic origin of G.I. Joe and Cobra like you’ve never seen before in Codename: G.I. JOE Deluxe Edition Book One, collecting the bestselling Duke and Cobra Commander miniseries, alongside material from the Energon Universe 2024 Special. Red-hot writer Joshua Williamson teams up with artists Tom Reilly and Andrea Milana to introduce two of the most powerful factions Earth has to offer in this gorgeous hardcover. 

Conrad “Duke” Hauser made first contact with a Transformer and lived to tell the tale. Now, one of the US Army’s most decorated soldiers is on the hunt for answers, drawn into a conflict that no amount of training could prepare him for.  

Meanwhile, one man’s sinister plans utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon sends shockwaves across the globe. Who is Cobra Commander? Where does he come from? And what horrors is he planning to unleash that will rock the world—and maybe the universe—to its core? 

Codename: G.I. JOE Deluxe Edition Book One (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2822-8| SRP $49.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, and at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. 

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

The Boxer Vol. 6 (Yen Press/IZE Press) – One of the best comics out right now, it’s not about the boxing, it’s about the individuals in and out of the ring.

Chernobyl Fall of Atomgrad (Palazzo Editions) – This graphic and harrowing account of nuclear catastrophe at Chernobyl in April 1986 follows the dozens of human stories cruelly affected by disaster.

Conan the Barbarian #10 (Titan Comics) – The series has delivered with every issue breathing new life into the classic character.

Dawnrunner #2 (Dark Horse) – It’s mech vs. aliens/monsters but there’s something really cool about that first issue that has us excited to check out the second.

Dick Tracy #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – The classic character returns with a hell of a creative team behind it. Can’t wait to see what this new series is like.

Duke #5 (Skybound) – The new take on G.I. JOE has been amazing as we get to see Duke attempt to figure out what’s going on. It’s been a great way to connect the property to Transformers and the greater Energon Universe.

Feral #2 (Image Comics) – The series is cute animals meets a zombie story. The first issue was fantastic and we’re excited to see what’s next.

If You Find This I’m Already Dead #3 (Dark Horse Comics) – The series wraps up and it’s been a hell of a ride. Don’t miss this one about a journalist stuck on an alien world. After the last issue’s reveal, we can’t wait to read this one!

The Penguin #9 (DC Comics) – The series might be about the Penguin’s return to Gotham but it has solidified him as a scary Batman villain.

The Six Fingers #3 (Image Comics) – The series from the perspective of a serial killer has been an interesting spiral into madness.

Ultimate Spider-Man #4 (Marvel) – One of the best comics Marvel is putting out right now. It’s everything that makes Spider-Man good and then some.

Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives! #1 (Skybound) – We’re excited to check out the next entry in the return of Universal Monsters to comics! Dracula was so good, we’re hoping this one is close.

Duke #4 delivers some awesome action as it continues to remix G.I. Joe

Posted on by

Duke is close to discovering the truth about the alien robots that have landed on Earth. But who-or what-is M.A.R.S.? Duke #4 features the assault from Bludd and his followers continuing while Duke must deal with Baroness who has him down the barrel of a gun.

Story: Joshua Williamson
Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

The Epic Series Finale of Duke from Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly arrives in April!

Posted on by

Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have revealed new variant covers for Duke #5 from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, and colorist Jordie Bellaire. The series finale of the Energon Universe’s acclaimed limited series arrives in comic book shops on April 24, 2024.  

Duke has been betrayed by his allies and hunted by new enemies. The time has come for Duke to start fighting for something bigger than his country. Bigger than he ever could have imagined. Get ready for the last page shocker than no one will see coming! 

Duke #5 will feature a main cover by Reilly, along with a stacked lineup of variant covers by Mateus Santolouco, Tyler Boss and Jason Wordie, Brian Level, and Dustin Nguyen. 

The full list of variant covers is below: 

  • Duke #5 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 0224IM262) 
  • Duke #5 Cover B by Mateus Santolouco (Lunar Code 0224IM263) 
  • Duke #5 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 0224IM264) 
  • Duke #5 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Brian Level (Lunar Code 0224IM265) 
  • Duke #5 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Dustin Nguyen (Lunar Code 0224IM266) 

Duke #4 delivers fun action

Posted on by
Duke #4

Duke is close to discovering the truth about the alien robots that have landed on Earth. But who-or what-is M.A.R.S.? Duke #4 features the assault from Bludd and his followers continuing while Duke must deal with Baroness who has him down the barrel of a gun.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Duke #4 is a fun entry in the comic series. Bludd’s forces have Duke and his captors surrounded but the more concerning issue is Baroness who has a gun pointed at Duke. Williamson delivers action and moments that blends the tone of the previous three issues but also invokes the original animated series a bit.

When it aired, the animated series delivered a lot of action but at the same time there was also a rather silly aspect of it all. There was comedy underneath. It could have been actions, the plot, something a character does. But, there was a levity about it all. We see more of that in this issue, especially as Duke and his allies take the fight to Bludd. The dialogue, the action, it’s all a bit goofy when you stop and think, but it works and works well.

Part of that is due to the art of Tom Reilly. There’s a fun, infectious aspect to it all. Though bullets are flying, everyone seems to be having fun as the attack begins. Then there’s some solid art that delivers some surprises that fans of G.I. Joe will be excited about. The page turn, pacing, all of that, is solid.

While not the strongest issue, Duke #4 is a hell of a lot of fun. There’s solid action, some good humor, and overall, it’s just brainless entertainment in a good way. The issue’s heart is the classic G.I. Joe cartoon which balanced serious and silly. A good entry that continues Duke’s intriguing journey.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Duke #3 is another amazing entry in the Energon Universe packed with holy crap moments

Posted on by

Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly’s Duke #3 adds more depth to the man known as Duke and ups the action with some fantastic memorable moments.

Story: Joshua Williamson
Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

TFAW
Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Your First Look at M.A.R.S. in Duke #4

Posted on by

Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro, have revealed new interior pages and variant covers for Duke #4 from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, and colorist Jordie Bellaire. The penultimate issue of the Energon Universe’s acclaimed limited series arrives in comic book shops on March 27, 2024.  

Duke is close to discovering the truth about the alien robots that have landed on Earth. But who—or what—is M.A.R.S.? 

The full list of variant covers is below: 

  • Duke #4 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 0124IM247) 
  • Duke #4 Cover B by Andrei Bressan & Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code 0124IM248) 
  • Duke #4 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 0124IM249) 
  • Duke #4 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Taurin Clarke (Lunar Code 0124IM250) 
  • Duke #4 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Ben Oliver (Lunar Code 0124IM251) 

Preview: Duke #3

Posted on by

Duke #3

(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Jordie Bellaire (A/CA) Tom Reilly
In Shops: Feb 28, 2024
SRP: $3.99

Duke’s search for answers has led him to a classified holding site for America’s most dangerous prisoners. Now he’s the most wanted man in the world. Unfortunately, everyone seems to prefer him Dead over Alive.

Duke #3

The full list of variant covers is below: 

  • Duke #3 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code 1223IM271) 
  • Duke #3 Cover B by Declan Shalvey (Lunar Code 1223IM272) 
  • Duke #3 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Tyler Boss & Jason Wordie (Lunar Code 1223IM273) 
  • Duke #3 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Priscilla Petraites & Frank Martin (Lunar Code 1223IM274) 
  • Duke #3 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Karl Kerschl (Lunar Code 1223IM275) 

Duke #3 is packed with action and intriguing moments

Posted on by
Duke #3

Duke’s search for answers has led him to a classified holding site for America’s most dangerous prisoners. Now he’s the most wanted man in the world. Unfortunately, everyone seems to prefer him Dead over Alive. Duke #3 features a ton of actions as we learn more about the man and the list of those that want him grows.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Duke #3 is a fantastic example of the newest take on G.I. Joe and Transformers. The series has excelled at taking what has come before and delivering something that’s familiar but also new. It’s not quite a remix, it’s not quite a reboot, it’s something… else. The issue has Duke capture and being held in The Pit with Clutch and a surprising prisoner… Baroness. Yes, the classic femme fatale made her debut last issue and we get a quick rundown as to her background in this take as she attempts to recruit Duke for an escape. But… there’s so much more going on as Destro wants Duke captured and sends another familiar character for the mission.

Duke #3 is packed with action and nostalgia and one hell of a surprising “origin” for a character’s trademark look. The comic does a fantastic job of packing in excitement but also diving a bit more into Duke’s character, what he’s struggling with, and also those that captured him. It’s far more than just flash and excitement. But that excitement…

It’s all helped by the art of Tom Reilly. With Jordie Bellaire on color and lettering by Rus Wooton, the comic continues to do an excellent job of delivering visuals that are familiar, building off of classic designs. The debut of a new character and his troops will put a smile on long time fans’ faces as it teases what’s to come but also what has come. There’s also one brutal moment that will get readers to wince and say “holy shit,” with punch added by Bellaire’s coloring. Wooton’s lettering also adds to the excitement and drama making the visuals a perfect match to Williamson’s narrative.

Duke #3 is another homerun for Skybound‘s Energon Universe. The issue does an amazing job of honoring what has come before but also treading its own path. There’s more than enough action, drama, and heart to keep readers engaged and entertained and wanting more. It makes us want to stand up and yell… Yo JOE!

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on by
Duke #3

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

A Simple Truth (Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics) – Based on Kevin Sacco’s own experience with international adoption.

Charred Remains #3 (Mad Cave) – We want to know what’s up with this one! The flaming man has been an interesting mystery so far. Think Backdraft mixed with horror.

Conan the Barbarian #8 (Titan Comics) – High quality Conan tales, the series has been excellent so far with solid storytelling and art.

Duke #3 (Skybound) – The Energon Universe has been great and this new take on Duke has been fantastic. Full of paranoia and action, it’s a great introduction to the world before G.I. Joe exists!

I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time Vol. 2 (Yen Press) – This series has been great so far with a fun concept and great art. The volume twists things up in interesting ways we didn’t expect until much later.

Jill and the Killers #2 (Oni Press) – We got sucked into the first issue in this (possible murder) mystery series.

The Penguin #7 (DC Comics) – The series has been amazing so far as the Penguin attempts to rebuild his empire.

Punisher #4 (Marvel) – We want to know what/who Jigsaw is! Is it the classic villain back? Something/someone else? We’re loving the new Punisher.

Savage Sword of Conan #1 (Titan Comics) – The main Conan series has been excellent so far, so we’re intrigued to see if this series can equal that quality.

« Older Entries