I did not intend for Pop Heist to become a bit of a G.I. Joe fan site — but I also don't know how I could have avoided it. Skybound's new G.I. Joe #1 (written by Joshua Williamson, art by Tom Reilly) dropped mere weeks ahead of this very site — all of this coverage is justified. And we've done everything from examining the historical accuracy of Serpentor's genetic lineage to casting the definitive G.I. Joe movie. You want an essay about G.I. Joe toys and grief? We got that. We also have a list of the best Sunbow episodes, and another list begging Super7 to make O-ring figures for a number of supremely obscure Sunbow-era characters. And if you want another essay about how G.I. Joe is not right-wing geek propaganda, I also wrote that.
Anyway — we've also provided a lot of coverage of Skybound Entertainment's G.I. Joe series by way of two sprawling guides to the Energon Universe. For those not in the know, who are here because they saw the words "G.I. Joe" and "character guide" somewhere in the darkest corner of Google results, Image Comics imprint Skybound rebooted the Transformers and G.I. Joe comic franchises in 2023, created a streamlined and unified continuity that's both nostalgic and fresh as hell.
It's an exciting time to be a fan of G.I. Joe — so, I decided to channel that excitement into a super complicated research project resulting in a 10-page infographic. These are the choices I make. I'm currently risking my entire livelihood on building a worker-owned pop culture website that allows writers to do weird things like research Serpentor and create 3000+ word recaps of Transformers lore. I can't do much half-assed. Please sign up and help fund madness like this.
The goal was to visualize the expansion of the G.I. Joe character roster as it grows in this new universe, in real time (hopefully). It's very easy to forget that characters like Snow Job or Doc have been introduced, since they have yet to appear in the main series. I wanted to see who all is currently in play — and who we have to look forward to. My initial idea was to create an image akin to the cover of X-Men #141 — you know what I'm talking about. "Days of Future Past." I'd put the current, Skybound G.I. Joe team in the place of Wolverine and Kate Pryde. Behind them, on the giant poster, the faces of all the A-list Joes that have yet to be introduced into the new canon.
And from there, I bit off more than even Gnawgahyde's warthog could chew.
That idea expanded to what you'll find below: an infographic depicting every single G.I. Joe character from 1982 to 1987, as they were introduced via the Real American Hero toy line. Don't worry: I found spots for characters who exist in canon but aren't prominent or part of the toy line. Here's an example:
By default, every character is represented by their original action figure art — unless they've been introduced in the Energon Universe. In that case, they're represented by art from the Skybound comics. In addition to the toy art, characters that have yet to be introduced also have the "PENDING" label; characters that have been introduced have the "ACTIVE" label. And if a character has been introduced and already killed, they'll have Skybound art and the "K.I.A." label.
Also every character is only listed once, when they were first introduced into the toy line. So Snake Eyes is in the 1982 lineup, but I used his 1985 toy art because — I mean come on, that's Snake Eyes. And even though there was a rad Roadblock figure in 1986, you'll find him in 1984, with the characters he was introduced alongside. Got it?
Additionally, I wanted to convey every active (or dead) character's alliance and allegiance. So right now, there are five categories — and I know there will be bones to pick here!
- There's a blue star for the members of the G.I. Joe team that headlines the flagship G.I. Joe title.
- There's a Cobra logo for members of Cobra. Now, this includes members of Destro's M.A.R.S., Tomax and Xamot's Extensive Enterprises, and Cobra-La. Why? The M.A.R.S. logo would just be a tall, skinny "M" which ... wouldn't pop. If Energon Universe Destro forms the Iron Grenadiers, though, then we could have something special for them. And Extensive Enterprises and Cobra-la are both too small to come up with another logo for them, in my opinion. They are all, at present, united as Cobra — except, actually, Cobra-la? But Cobra Commander is part of Cobra-la so — y'know what, the graphic can change.
- The Dreadnok emblem, as seen in the Cobra Commander limited series, represents the Dreadnoks. Duh. I separated the Dreadnoks from Cobra because, like pointing out that the monster's name is not Frankenstein, G.I. Joe fans seem to love clarifying that the Dreadnoks are not members of Cobra. Personally, I don't care either way, but the Energon Universe has so far proven to really care; the Dreadnoks have yet to be put on retainer by Cobra Commander, and Ripper has left the Dreadnoks and joined Cobra, uniform and all.
- Then there's the Arashikage contingent, which is small (just three so far) but definitely distinct and important to the canon. Plus, cool logo.
- And lastly, there's a white star for members of that other G.I. Joe team, the one briefly glimpsed in the 2024 Energon Universe Special, the one that's getting a spotlight in G.I. Joe #7 (dropping May 28). I'm calling them "covert ops" because that's what their vibe gives me so far, but again, all of this is open to debate and ready for updates as more is revealed.
And lastly (before I get to some requests for input and stray thoughts): I cut this off at 1987 because that's the last year where more than one character has been introduced into the EU. And on top of that, the toy line kept expanding, so the ratio of ACTIVE to PENDING characters would be hilariously unbalanced and a lot of work just to say "nope, not yet" dozens of times.
PLEASE HELP!
- Who am I missing? I've read the entire universe, but it's very likely characters have slipped past my attention.
- I do know there was a book titled Mindbender in Duke #1, and that issue also alludes to the existence of Lt. Falcon (Hawk says, "Insubordination, carelessness ... I expected this of your brother..."). Is there a need for that to be indicated in the infographic?
- I should probably add Dr. Adele Burkhart (also from Duke) due to her overall prominence in Larry Hama's run, right?
- Is Nemesis Enforcer dead? It looks like Cobra Commander blasted him in half with his energon blastin' hand, but I didn't clock any real confirmation of that being fatal. I mean, he's Nemesis Enforcer. Oh god, or is he Nemesis Immortal? I didn't check.
- Submit any additions, omissions, and polite, good faith opinions via Bluesky
Now, onto the infographic (followed by a few random thoughts!):
So that's a lot! But this satisfied that need for me. It better. It took long enough.
What's wild to me is the restraint with which Joshua Williamson is approaching this universe. We're essentially two years into this whole project and there are a ridiculous amount of A-list characters still in the toy box: Snake Eyes, Firefly, Roadblock, Zartan, Shipwreck, Dr. Mindbender, Big Lob! And I think this restraint, coupled with the steady once-a-month schedule, has kept the new franchise feeling urgent. It doesn't feel two years old. There's still an explosion of energy around it, and that's true without having faves like Bazooka and Gung Ho on board yet. There's so much to look forward to.
And before anyone asks: No, I will not do this with Transformers. I'm not the man for that job.
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