The Big Numbers Behind GI Joe’s Comic Book Comeback

This season has turned into one of the most exciting times for comics in recent memory. Fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, DC’s Absolute Universe, and now GI Joe are seeing releases that are breaking records.

With the return of Conrad Hauser, aka ‘Duke,’ and an all-new team of G.I. Joe operatives, GI Joe #1 has amassed a staggering 225,000 orders, the most ever for this series.

Published by Image/Skybound, this relaunch includes the art and story talents of Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, and Jordie Bellaire, aiming to reset the stage for Hasbro’s iconic franchise.

Skybound has been tight-lipped about what’s inside this issue, even leaving certain plot details and some characters a mystery.

But there’s plenty of hype: with Cobra Commander on the rise and Energon tech making waves, the stakes feel higher than ever for our heroes.

And this fresh story promises to include some fan favorites and even new faces, shaking up everything we know about the G.I. Joe and Transformers’ shared universe.

The comic scene right now is hotter than it’s been in years. Alongside GI Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been breaking boundaries with exclusive covers, and Absolute Batman is kicking off DC’s latest world-building effort with its own impressive numbers.

Both titles recently crossed the 200,000 order mark, showing that interest in classic characters is far from fading.

And Transformers, which launched last year with writer Daniel Warren Johnson, has been gaining traction fast. It’s not only holding steady but growing, with over 100,000 copies sold monthly—something most series don’t achieve after just a few issues.

Graphic novel collections for Transformers and Void Rivals have seen impressive order boosts for their second editions, which is a rare feat in today’s comic market.

Interestingly, a few variants of GI Joe #1 are already becoming collector’s items. Variants like David Finch’s 1:500 cover are selling quickly, and NYCC exclusives are fetching high prices, some even hitting $140 for the Ashcan edition.

GI Joe #1 is set to hit comic shops on November 13, and with the buzz already building, we may see second and third printings announced before long.

Skybound’s expansion of the Energon Universe has been impressive, with more than three million comics sold in just 16 months.

Whether GI Joe will eventually top the Transformers sales is yet to be seen, but for now, the Energon Universe is taking the spotlight from longtime favorites like Batman.

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