Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics‘ G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero has tapped Paul Pelletier (Aquaman, Guardians of the Galaxy) to serve as guest artist on an upcoming issue.
Per Skybound, Pelletier will join series writer Larry Hama, inker Tony Kordos, and colorist Francesco Segala on May’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #306. At this time, the comic studio has shared three unlettered preview pages, featuring the Dreadnok known as Zartan. The issue will feature a main cover by Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson, with Kubert also providing a variant cover. Brad Walker and Francesco Segala will provide an additional variant.
Check out the preview pages for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #306 below:
An official synopsis for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #306 reads as follows: “Destro and Zartan have formed a new partnership, but the Dreadnok has a secret that will change everything. As Snake Eyes and Scarlett begin a new chapter, tragedy strikes for someone dear to them in Springfield…”
“Joining the GI JOE team sounded like a fun challenge. Having spent most of my career in the superhero world, GI JOE provides a chance for me to push myself as an artist/storyteller on a slightly different kind of book,” Pelletier said. “Working with an all-time pro like Larry Hama is a very nice bonus, along with getting to work again with my friend Tony on inks and seeing page after page of Francesco’s terrific colors.”
“I’m thrilled to be working with the great Paul Pelletier again,” Skybound‘s Alex Antone added. “From Aquaman to Green Lantern, Paul’s been one of the best in the biz for years, and we can’t wait to share his G.I. JOE debut.”
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero has a new home at Image Comics
The IDW Publishing era of G.I. Joe came to an end with issue #300 in November 2022. The Image/Skybound era kicked off in November 2023 with G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 by Hama and Chris Mooneyham. Issues #302 and #303 followed suit in December 2023 and January 2024, respectively.
Skybound and Image recently announced that G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #301 and #302 would be getting third printings, while issue #303 would be getting a second printing. These new batches are due to arrive in comic shops on March 13. In the meantime, issue #304 drops next Wednesday, February 21. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #305 by Hama and Mooneyham follows on March 20.
All that being said, continuing with A Real American Hero isn’t the only thing Skybound has done since acquiring the publishing rights to G.I. Joe last year. The studio has also begun introducing the franchise’s characters to the Energon Universe — a shared universe that also includes fellow Hasbro property Transformers and the Skybound-original Void Rivals.
As it stands, Image and Skybound plan to publish four G.I. Joe limited series as part of the EU. The first, Duke, launched in December 2023. The second, Cobra Commander, kicked off in January.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #306 goes on sale Wednesday, May 15 from Image Comics.
