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G.I. Joe (2024)
G.I. Joe, Vol. 4: The Hunt for Energon
Transformers, ninjas, and new alliances form as the Joes, Cobra, and Autobots face off in the hottest new installment of the Energon Universe in G.I. Joe Vol. 4.
OPTIMUS PRIME! MATT TRAKKER! STORM SHADOW! SCARLETT!
The worlds of G.I. Joe, Cobra, the Autobots, and beyond collide as the biggest stars of the Energon Universe meet – and battle – for the very first time!
Superstars Joshua Williamson (Superman), Tom Reilly (Duke), Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and Lee Loughridge (Scarlett) deliver stunning returns, unexpected meetings, and shocking secrets that no fan can afford to miss!
Collects G.I. Joe #19-24.
OPTIMUS PRIME! MATT TRAKKER! STORM SHADOW! SCARLETT!
The worlds of G.I. Joe, Cobra, the Autobots, and beyond collide as the biggest stars of the Energon Universe meet – and battle – for the very first time!
Superstars Joshua Williamson (Superman), Tom Reilly (Duke), Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and Lee Loughridge (Scarlett) deliver stunning returns, unexpected meetings, and shocking secrets that no fan can afford to miss!
Collects G.I. Joe #19-24.
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 12, 2026
The Energon Universe books continue to entertain.
October 4, 2026
Skybound’s Energon Universe has been going on for three years, starting with Void Rivals to eventually Transformers and G.I. Joe, all of which are ongoing titles. What has been surprising is the lack of a crossover event as unlike DC and Marvel who like to crank out an event storyline every year to shake things up, Robert Kirkman and the various creators haven’t made the decision for these titles to collide just yet. However, from its front cover, the latest volume of G.I. Joe finally delivers a crossover between two iconic toy-based franchises that this shared universe has been building since its inception.
While Zartan, disguised as General Hawk, secretly compiles information on Energon from G.I. Joe and Cobra's databases, the other Joes try to defuse the standoff between Duke and the Autobot Hound. As much as Clutch tries to vouch for Hound since they’ve been secret allies earlier in the series, Duke is still traumatised by the Starscream attack (as seen in the Duke miniseries) and thus distrust towards all Transformers is strong. Duke reluctantly agrees to trust and Clutch and help Hound by finding Matt Trekker to fix Hound’s transponder and reconnect with the other Autobots active on Earth.
At this point in the series, you ought to have knowledge of not just G.I Joe and some of the miniseries that preceded it, but also what is happening elsewhere in the Energon Universe. While much of the first two issues is a fun side-quest which sets up the ongoing M.A.S.K. series, the big selling point is the meeting between Duke and Optimus, who is no longer a Prime and doesn't possess the Matrix of Leadership (as seen in Kirkman’s ongoing Transformers run). Although Andrea Milana draws the Autobots as almost huge figures of horrors that get across Duke’s perspective towards the, Joshua Williamson writes the meeting between Duke and Optimus with genuine warmth as the two share similar experiences of how war seems forever in their lives.
Milana pushes the horror with the next big storyline, in which the Joes Risk, Baroness, and Stalker arrive at Badhikistan to collect an Energon deposit, only to confront Destro, Mercer, and Astoria from Cobra. However, all six characters become targets of Crystal Ball, whose illusion-creating D.I.R.E. Tech has been empowered and upgraded by Energon to bring its victims' worst fears to life. Mixing a haunted house ghost chiller with another storyline where heroes and villains reluctantly join forces to survive some ordeal, Williamson succeeds more at writing these smaller stories than some big Joe vs Cobra event. With Risk serving as the protagonist here, he is tormented by past sins, which manifest in front of him as ghoulish figures.
As much as Milana is doing his best work on the series by leaning into his horror sensibilities that he previously established in the Cobra Commander miniseries, Tom Reilly only does one issue here as it might be the best crafted issue of the whole series. Tying in with the Scarlet miniseries, issue #21 serves as a tribute to the “Silent Interlude” issue from Larry Hama’s legendary run with the Joes assigned to retrieve Scarlet, who remains at the mountainous Arashikage stronghold to fight alongside Jinx. This mostly dialogue-free issue allows Reilly to revel kinetic and bloody action with plenty of ninjas to be cleaved, whilst colourist Lee Loughridge gives the whole thing a moody and vibrant atmosphere.
No doubt this volume opens the door for more crossover adventures with the Joes joining forces with the Autobots which is exciting, but even outside of that, Williamson and Co. continue to showcase the various dynamics going on in both G.I. Joe and Cobra to great effect, as well taking full advantage on how diverse and dangerous the power of Energon can be.
While Zartan, disguised as General Hawk, secretly compiles information on Energon from G.I. Joe and Cobra's databases, the other Joes try to defuse the standoff between Duke and the Autobot Hound. As much as Clutch tries to vouch for Hound since they’ve been secret allies earlier in the series, Duke is still traumatised by the Starscream attack (as seen in the Duke miniseries) and thus distrust towards all Transformers is strong. Duke reluctantly agrees to trust and Clutch and help Hound by finding Matt Trekker to fix Hound’s transponder and reconnect with the other Autobots active on Earth.
At this point in the series, you ought to have knowledge of not just G.I Joe and some of the miniseries that preceded it, but also what is happening elsewhere in the Energon Universe. While much of the first two issues is a fun side-quest which sets up the ongoing M.A.S.K. series, the big selling point is the meeting between Duke and Optimus, who is no longer a Prime and doesn't possess the Matrix of Leadership (as seen in Kirkman’s ongoing Transformers run). Although Andrea Milana draws the Autobots as almost huge figures of horrors that get across Duke’s perspective towards the, Joshua Williamson writes the meeting between Duke and Optimus with genuine warmth as the two share similar experiences of how war seems forever in their lives.
Milana pushes the horror with the next big storyline, in which the Joes Risk, Baroness, and Stalker arrive at Badhikistan to collect an Energon deposit, only to confront Destro, Mercer, and Astoria from Cobra. However, all six characters become targets of Crystal Ball, whose illusion-creating D.I.R.E. Tech has been empowered and upgraded by Energon to bring its victims' worst fears to life. Mixing a haunted house ghost chiller with another storyline where heroes and villains reluctantly join forces to survive some ordeal, Williamson succeeds more at writing these smaller stories than some big Joe vs Cobra event. With Risk serving as the protagonist here, he is tormented by past sins, which manifest in front of him as ghoulish figures.
As much as Milana is doing his best work on the series by leaning into his horror sensibilities that he previously established in the Cobra Commander miniseries, Tom Reilly only does one issue here as it might be the best crafted issue of the whole series. Tying in with the Scarlet miniseries, issue #21 serves as a tribute to the “Silent Interlude” issue from Larry Hama’s legendary run with the Joes assigned to retrieve Scarlet, who remains at the mountainous Arashikage stronghold to fight alongside Jinx. This mostly dialogue-free issue allows Reilly to revel kinetic and bloody action with plenty of ninjas to be cleaved, whilst colourist Lee Loughridge gives the whole thing a moody and vibrant atmosphere.
No doubt this volume opens the door for more crossover adventures with the Joes joining forces with the Autobots which is exciting, but even outside of that, Williamson and Co. continue to showcase the various dynamics going on in both G.I. Joe and Cobra to great effect, as well taking full advantage on how diverse and dangerous the power of Energon can be.
September 6, 2026
I've probably mentioned in like, every review of the Energon Universe stuff that I'm a big n00b when it comes to these characters, but I've been having a blast with everything regardless. That's never been more true than in this fourth volume of GI Joe, where everything starts colliding in bigger ways than ever before.
We've got Optimus Prime showing up, machinations from Zartan, Cobra Commander, Destro, and the Baronness, and a cliffhanger ending that looks like it's gonna cause biiiiig problems in the next volume. We dig into Risk's background, we get some more Matt Trakker, Crystal Ball and his DIRE Tech, and an old-fashioned completely silent issue that brings back plot points from the Scarlett mini-series that I'd thought had been forgotten about.
I'm strapped in, I'm here for the long haul, whatever way you want to describe it, but I've stopped caring that I don't know all the ins and outs of where these characters have been before, because they're so good now that it doesn't even matter.
We've got Optimus Prime showing up, machinations from Zartan, Cobra Commander, Destro, and the Baronness, and a cliffhanger ending that looks like it's gonna cause biiiiig problems in the next volume. We dig into Risk's background, we get some more Matt Trakker, Crystal Ball and his DIRE Tech, and an old-fashioned completely silent issue that brings back plot points from the Scarlett mini-series that I'd thought had been forgotten about.
I'm strapped in, I'm here for the long haul, whatever way you want to describe it, but I've stopped caring that I don't know all the ins and outs of where these characters have been before, because they're so good now that it doesn't even matter.
October 14, 2026
I definitely enjoyed this a ton, super awesome seeing all these characters and interactions. There were places it felt a bit underwhelming though. Duke nearing the robots after all these volumes… a similar Cobra and Joe team up like the last (but on a smaller scale)… etc. It definitely feels too like it’s not the finale of an arc yet, so I’m excited to see what that will end up being… and Hawks character and seeing that was definitely a highlight, as was the new character introduced too.
I think I was definitely going in with a lot more expectations, so maybe after a second read I’ll have different thoughts. Overall though, a solid addition, I love the way all the different franchises are blending together in these volumes and this is another prime example of how well it’s working!
I think I was definitely going in with a lot more expectations, so maybe after a second read I’ll have different thoughts. Overall though, a solid addition, I love the way all the different franchises are blending together in these volumes and this is another prime example of how well it’s working!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2026
this volume is good too! We get solid continuations of all the previous storylines, and a fun ghost story. Ending doesnt make a ton of sense, I dont see how cobra was able to get all that stuff, but oh well. Also, theres a great issue with the ninja’s that is just one long fight with almost no dialogue. We are getting a new character as this valkyrie becomes close with cobra commander. Im sure he will send her to her death sometime, but im enjoying this in the meantime. Maybe destro will kill her to hurt him
October 11, 2026
The moment we have been waiting on for dozen of inidividual issues arrives. Duke realizing Hound has been hiding in plain sight. All and all he takes it in strive. There is also more setup here for the new MASK series. The cliffhanger though is where things really leave you with your jaw on the ground and showcases things are going to change very soon in a massive way.
Review of advance copy
A lot going on in this one. Duke meets Optimus for the first time. Matt Tracker makes another appearance before MASK begins. Then the ending of the arc! Wow! I like how they are mixing it up. Andrea Milano's art isn't really doing it for me though. Too sloppy.
July 17, 2026
Read the individual issues numbered 19 through 24. Had a blast as the team met Optimus prime and then descended into a magical horror Funhouse by Crystal ball. A very creative and entertaining story arc
October 24, 2026
Still good and nice to see how they develop characters and us a mission to give a character more depth (Risk). But als a bit of a in-betweener. A lot happens but most of it feel like setting up something that dienst yet pay off.
Review of advance copy
Read as single issues
September 30, 2026
Really enjoying this series super pumped about the new character building
October 21, 2026
The series quality remains high. New characters are introduced, new alliances are foreshadowed, no one is safe. I'm really looking forward to the continuation of the plots started here.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews