"An Ending No One Will See Coming": G.I. Joe Is Teeing Up One of Its Most Explosive Battles to Date

WARNING! Potential spoilers ahead for G.I. Joe #6

Since time immemorial, G.I. Joe has fought the forces of Cobra – and the solicitations for G.I. Joe #6 suggests that the franchise's new ongoing series will conclude its first arc with a surprisingly definitive showdown between the Joes and Cobra, as the perennial conflict continues to heat up in publisher Skybound Entertainment's Energon Universe continuity.

Concluding the first arc of Skybound’s G.I. Joe series, the sixth issue promises an explosive conclusion that “no one will see coming.” Other than teasing an epic confrontation between Duke and Cobra Commander, the solicits give no further details of what readers can expect.

G.I. Joe #6 (2025)
G.I. Joe #6 Cover A Cobra Commander duels Duke on a thron with a sword
Release Date:	April 16th, 2025
Writers:	Joshua Williamson
Artists:	Tom Reilly & Jordie Bellaire
Cover Artists:	Tom Reilly & Jordie Bellaire
Variant Covers:	Derrick Chew, Lorenzo De Felici, Karl Kerschl, Travis Moore & Daniel Warren Johnson
Duke vs. Cobra Commander. It's all been leading to this. And the ending no one will see coming!

While sparse, Skybound’s solicitations for G.I. Joe #6 promise yet another surprise for the Energon Univese, something that has been a trademark of the imprint since it began with the shocking appearance of Jetfire at the end of Void Rivals #1.

G.I. Joe Teases A Surprise For The End Of Its First Energon Universe Arc, Driving Fan Speculation Into A Frenzy

Analyzing What Could Be In Store For The New Canon

Skybound offered limited hints about this surprise ending, but there are multiple possibilities that have been teased throughout the publisher's G.I. Joe titles. When looking at Derrick Chew’s variant, both Baroness and Destro are placed prominently together. While the two are a classic power couple in traditional G.I. Joe lore, they have yet to meet in the Energon Universe, with the Baroness actually joining the G.I. Joe team in the new continuity as opposed to being an agent of Cobra. Baroness betraying the Joes would certainly provide a memorable conclusion to the first story.

Another variant could hint at a different possibility, as Eisner-award-winning author Daniel Warren Johnson, who writes Skybound’s Transformers, provides an incredible variant depicting the Autobot Hound. Hound has yet to appear in the Energon Universe, so his prominence on variant cover suggests that the Autobot warrior will debut in G.I. Joe #6. The Joe team was formed in the wake of the appearance of the Transformers on Earth, with the Real American Heroes thus far making no distinction between Autobot and Decepticon – meaning the major shock could have crossover implications.

G.I. Joe Promises A Definitive Conclusion To Its First Story-Arc, But The Implications Of That Loom Large

Forecasting The Short-Term Future Of Joe

Comic book art: G.I. Joe #1 group shot with Chameleon (left) Baroness (Center) and Stalker (right)

Another possibility is even more wild: master-of-disguise Zartan could be hiding in plain sight as a member of the G.I. Joe team. The Dreadnoks have played a significant role in the Energon Universe thus far, but their leader Zartan is nowhere to be seen. His sister Zarana previously stated that she had a sibling who was in “deep cover,” so clearly, Zartan will appear sooner rather than later in the Energon Universe. Having a Joe revealed to be Zartan in deep cover would provide a shocking denouement, perhaps even moreso if it were a high-ranking member like Col. Hawk.

Whatever the shock ending of the first arc may prove to be, G.I. Joe fans will have to keep following the new Energon Universe reboot of the franchise closely.

Whatever the case may be, the new G.I. Joe series remains one of the most exciting comics on the stands today. The entire Energon Universe line has produced several high quality comic books since it began in 2023, and each new story has carried no shortage of shocking reveals and surprising twists. Whatever the shock ending of the first arc may prove to be, G.I. Joe fans will have to keep following the new Energon Universe reboot of the franchise closely.

G.I. Joe #6 will be available April 16, 2025 from Skybound Entertainment.