G I Joe #6 Review

 

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Tom Reilly; Derrick Chew; Lorenzo De Felici; Karl Kerschl; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Ivan Talavera; Clayton Crain; Rose Besch; Davi Go

Editor: Ben Abernathy

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Production: Ashby Florence

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 23, 2025

 

Destro has Duke in his power once again. But Duke has an ace up his sleeve. Clutch has infiltrated Cobra. Duke's childhood friend alerted the Joes that the Cobra Commander was targeting Dr Monev and his Brainwave Scanner. Now, Clutch helps Duke and the team escape Destro's Washington, DC facility.

 

After lifting off in a stolen helicopter, the Baroness realizes Duke isn’t onboard. Can Duke prevent Cobra Commander from detonating his Brainwave Bomb? And will the United States function more efficiently if everyone in the nation’s capital chants, “Obey Cobra”? Let's grab our rifles, leap into G I Joe #6, and find out!

 

Story

Duke's investigation into Tyler Frost's death led him to Destro. He cost Destro dearly when he destroyed Destro's Colorado base. Destro barely survived a power struggle to retain control of his family’s centuries-old weapons business. After the Cobra Commander's manipulations, Destro hungers to kill the man who jeopardized his position with Cobra. But something more worries Destro in G I Joe #6. Cobra Commander is using Destro and MARS like disposable tools. Destro needs leverage on Cobra Commander to ensure he remains a valued partner and retains access to Energon. But he must ensure he and MARS survive if Cobra Commander's operation fails.

 

Destro told the Cobra Commander about Duke, so the man who controls Earth’s Energon supply understands the forces that drive the soldier. When they meet in G I Joe #6, Cobra Commander senses a potential partner. The Cobra Commander's argument that they are more alike than different reveals how little he understands Duke. As Duke strives to prevent Cobra Commander from detonating his Brainwave Bomb, Duke also fights for people's freedom to make their own choices.

 

In Joshua Williamson’s story, Cobra Commander knows war is coming. The only way to ensure the survival of the fittest is to unify the world under a central leader. Still, Cobra Commander isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. He has plans within plans. And he parcels them out sparing, mixing truth with lies, to keep his friends close and his enemies frightened.

 

Art

After showing Duke's reflection on the Cobra Commander's faceplate, Tom Reilly celebrates each man’s journey on a double-page spread. As helicopters fly overhead, Duke and Cobra Commander confront each other on a rooftop. Cobra Commander remains calm amid the crackling energy and Dr Monev’s screams. His indifference to suffering enrages Duke, who demands he disengage the Brainwave Bomb.

 

When Mercer's troops attacked the Joes for the Cybertronian shard, Duke attacked Destro's henchman in a FANG gyrocopter. In G I Joe #6, Destro pursues the Joes in a FANG. Clutch's argument with the Baroness evokes their earlier confrontation in The Pit. Colors stream around Destro like a meteor shower, and his red diadem glows. Amid the violent clashing of Jordie Bellaire's limited palette, nothing sparks as much energy as Duke's gunfire revealing Cobra Commander's metal hand. As with Ash in Army Of Darkness, it was a necessary upgrade. Yet the gray hand that glows bluish-white symbolizes the Cobra Commander's

exile from his former home.

 

Rus Wooton fires black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Words grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Cobra Commander speaks red letters while gazing at the United States Capitol. Sound effects enliven gunfire, laser beams, the thrum of power, and a moment that will change the Joes forever. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Dr Monev created his Brainwave Scanner to protect Humans from themselves. Cobra Commander’s Brainwave Bomb is part of his grand design to protect Humans from the Cybertronians. While fractures weaken the Joes and Cobra, both groups also win. How much they win and lose is yet to be determined. Yet Cobra and the Joes are destined for transformation in G I Joe #6.

 

Rating: 9.4/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1 Review

 

Writer & Artist: Andrew Krahnke

Colorist: Francesco Segala

Cover Artists: Andrew Krahnke, Jorge Fornés, Jimbo Salgado, Peter Smith, Tiago Da Silva & Karen S Darboe

Editor: Alex Antone

Publication Design: Jillian Crab

Production: Ashby Florence

Creative Consultant: Diana Davis

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 23, 2025

 

A convoy traverses a winding, snow-covered road. The soldiers operating the roof-mounted guns remain alert as they pass a Road Closed sign. They signal each other and maintain formation as they travel on tracks and skis. Another bend in the tree-lined mountain pass awaits them. Still, they can see their headquarters higher up the slope.

 

Someone hides behind a tree as the vehicles pass. Then, the man races through the forest, intent on outpacing the motorcade. Will he assist the convoy? Or will he prevent the Cobra soldiers from reaching their home base? Let's grab our machine guns, leap into G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1, and find out!

 

Story

The convoy brakes when a tree falls atop the foremost vehicle. As the Cobra soldiers inspect the tree, the driver seated outside the armored vehicle waits. Beside him, someone peers out through a slit in the metal container. The soldier is one of four, clutching rifles as they surround their captive. She sits on the floor, hands bound, head down. But she looks around as the driver shouts, and the convoy reverses course.

 

This time, the man standing amid the trees awaits them. He heaves on a precut tree. The towering evergreen crushes the vehicle that took the lead. Two sets of eyes stare through openings on either side of the driver as the motorcade stops again. The guards also peer out of slits on the sides. Like the soldiers outside, they wonder who has boxed them in and what further attacks await them.

 

In G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1, Andrew Krahnke ratches up the fear factor. As in Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None, an unseen opponent picks them off. The Cobra soldiers are confused and distracted. They are so close to home. Instead, it's time for the fireworks to begin.

 

G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1 is a study of tactics. Roadblock has methodically planned this rescue. While no plan ever survives contact with the enemy, Roadblock's preparations help him face the difficulties that threaten to derail his operation.

 

Art

Andrew Krahnke packs each page with detailed panels. While conveying hero moments and a battle amid scenic surroundings, the scenes never take over a page or sprawl across its neighbor. Exhalations join vehicle exhaust, the snow spraying from the ski and track vehicles, and the smoke rising from crushed conveyances. High-flying action and wrestling moves enliven the weapon and hand-to-hand fighting in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1. His intense physical training grants Roadblock freedom of movement while the combat suits, parkas, gloves, masks, balaclavas, and helmets confine the Cobra soldiers.

 

Francesco Segala paints the vehicles and snowscape blue while lavishing purple on foreground figures, distant slopes, and the evening sky. The red lighting inside the prisoner transport suggests a high alert, while yellow and brown explosions send soldiers and vehicles flying. Amid the limited colors, Roadblock braves the elements and armaments in his green camouflage tank top.

 

Up the slope, in a circular building that evokes Piz Gloria, a man clad in red, his features disguised from head to toe, leaves a green-lit control room. And he won't wait for orders from Ernst Stavro Blofeld to ensure Roadblock doesn't have everything his way. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Roadblock doesn’t rely on his physical training and fondness for machine guns to get by. G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1 reveals a man of refinement whose understanding of human nature, meticulous planning, and concern for his comrades help him accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1 Review

 

Writer & Artist: Leonardo Romero

Colorist: Cris Peter

Cover Artists: Leonardo Romero, Jorge Fornés, Jimbo Salgado, Peter Smith, Marat Mychaels, Tiago Da Silva & Karen S Darboe

Editor: Alex Antone

Publication Design: Jillian Crab

Production: Ashby Florence

Creative Consultant: Diana Davis

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 16, 2025

 

When a fox leaps into the forest road, the approaching truck breaks. The park ranger leaves her vehicle as an eagle alights atop the cab. The bird watches as the Native American man wraps the wounded animal in a blanket. They put the animal in a crate in the bed. Spirit studies his surroundings and signals his partner. Then he lifts his arm, Freedom flies to him, and Spirit signs his intentions.

 

As his partner drives away, Freedom flies off above the evergreens. Clutching his rifle, Spirit follows the eagle into the forest. What will Spirit discover as he follows the fox’s tracks? And who has been harming the animals? Let's pull on our hiking boots, leap into G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1, and find out!

 

Story

Claw marks on wood, severed limbs, downed trees, and blood litter the forest floor. Among the animal prints, Spirit finds a sizeable depression. His trek leads past an abandoned jeep. Then Freedom swoops in and leads Spirit to a clearing. In Leonardo Romero's story, the Native American tracker gazes into the valley. Tree trunks surround a parking lot dotted with vehicles. As the sunlight wanes, Freedom flies toward an immense dome bearing the same symbol as the abandoned jeep.

 

Inside, Spirit and Freedom find an animal-shaped robot. They discover an abandoned room filled with control terminals. A file, screwdriver, and screws rest on a tray attached to a central worktable. In the darkness, a robot assembly arm hovers over another animal robot on a rectangular surface. But this mechanical beast wears an animal’s skull in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1.

 

As a Native American shaman or medicine man, Spirit is attuned to nature. Tracking people and animals comes naturally to him. The bears wandering through the abandoned facility investigating the spilled liquids and animal bones do not frighten him. Spirit clutches a handgun and a flashlight. With the generators down, Spirit can see little beyond the circle of light from his flashlight.

 

Then, the claws jutting from an enormous hand rip through the wall. Freedom flies from his shoulder as Spirit falls to the cement floor. He gazes up at the strange being who injured and killed so many forest animals in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1.

 

Art

Spirit wears the same beige pants as his partner. Yet he wears a blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and a red bandana circles his dark, braided hair. Spirit bears a serious but not severe countenance as he studies his surroundings and favors gestures over words. A leather strap helps him direct his rifle with one gloved hand while he brushes aside branches with the other. Cris Peter fills Spirit's view of the research base with pink, mauve, beige, and tan as Billy flies off toward the lavender dome.

 

Leonardo Romero rapid-fires panels onto pages that communicate each moment of the fox's flight, Spirit's investigation, and a battle amid the darkness. More panels creep into scenes that help us feel Spirit's reverence for nature. The still metal beast he discovers lays like a fallen animal. Smoke rises as a metal monstrosity tears through walls. Circles divided into four quadrants reveal what Spirit sees when he peers into the scope of his rifle.

 

Signs in a control room highlight the base's fate. Descriptions beside a schematic give insights into what Spirit fights. A researcher's notes detail an endeavor to bolster the organization's combat forces in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1. Two pages display twenty layouts accompanied by Leonardo Romero's notes. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Animal experimentation is nothing new. Nor do outsiders invading tribal lands surprise anyone. But when Spirit tracks a strange creature to its home, the Native American tracker discovers an abomination of unrivaled strength in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

The New Song from GI Joe's Cold Slither

 

Attention all G I Joe, Cobra, and Dreadnok fans! Ready for more raging music? Here's another song from the group that brought you "Cold Slither"!

 

G.I. JOE'S COLD SLITHER Returns with “Knock Em Dread”

 

Following the triumphant resurrection of their cult-classic single, COLD SLITHER, the iconic Cobra heavy metal band from Hasbro's G.I. Joe storms back with their first original release in decades: “Knock Em Dread.” A ferocious, riff-fueled anthem straight from the heart of the Dreadnoks' wild legacy, this track ignites a new era of metal domination for the most notorious band ever conceived by Cobra.

An unapologetic throwback to mid-’80s heavy metal, “Knock Em Dread” surges with galloping rhythm, punishing drums, and anthemic energy. The line—“Thrashin’ and Fightin’, Dreadnoks for life!”—cements this track as a rebellious roar of loyalty, chaos, and untamed spirit. It’s a sonic gut-punch, roaring from the same engine of destruction that made their original hit a weapon of mass manipulation.

“Knock Em Dread” is the second release from the upcoming album Cold Slither, which sees Zartan, Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer reunited in an unexpected comeback chronicled in the upcoming rockumentary Band of Vipers. Once fractured by ego, disillusionment, and Cobra’s rise to power, the Dreadnoks find their way back to the music that started it all—with raw, unfiltered fury.

The new single is part of a larger COLD SLITHER resurgence that spans across comics, collectibles, and a full-blown live event at San Diego Comic-Con. With toys from Hasbro and Super7, a Skybound comic one-shot, and digital mayhem brewing across streaming platforms, the COLD SLITHER movement is just getting started.

Get ready for distortion, destruction, and denim as “Knock Em Dread” blasts across speakers and battlefields alike. The revolution has a new rallying cry—and it shreds.

The song is also once again accompanied by a video by the Illustrious Costin Chioreanu.

Stream/Watch/Purchase "Knock Em Dread" HERE: https://coldslither.rpm.link/knockemdreadPR

Watch HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjKIIEdJb5w

 

About COLD SLITHER:

Cold Slither burst onto the scene with their now classic single, "Cold Slither",  setting the stage for an even darker campaign with their upcoming album, "Cold Slither." Helmed by the enigmatic Zartan and supported by his ruthless Dreadnoks—Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer—this band blends heavy metal ferocity with a sinister, anarchistic energy that upends the conventional music scene. Their signature sound unleashes a torrent of guttural guitars, boisterous bass, venomous vocals, and thunderous percussion, casting shadows across the musical landscape.

Each concert is a spectacle of chaos and brute force, with Cold Slither captivating hearts and demolishing instruments worldwide. Their music transcends generational divides, championing a dark new world order with each pulse-pounding beat. This band doesn’t just chase gold and platinum records; they aim to capture the minds and souls of their audience.

Conceived by Cobra Commander, Zartan and his Dreadnoks were transformed into Cold Slither, a heavy metal behemoth designed to captivate and influence America's youth. With their cunning lyrics and compelling stage presence, they harness their music as a powerful tool for mass destruction and control.

Anticipation for their forthcoming album "Cold Slither" is building, with fans eager for a new chapter of anthems that promise not just to challenge but to change the industry. Prepare for an auditory onslaught that will resonate long after the lights fade. With Cold Slither, the revolution is not just televised—it's an all-encompassing, reverberating force. Brace yourself to join their ranks and be changed. Their music doesn’t merely entertain; it indoctrinates.

Follow COLD SLITHER:

ColdSlitherOfficial.com | Facebook | Instgram | X | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple Music
 

 

 About Reigning Phoenix Music

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme and hard music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists by offering best services and practices in the industry. RPM’s paramount goal is to help the artists amplify their music and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.
 

More on RPM:
reigningphoenixmusic.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
 

About Hasbro:

Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With over 164 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches over 500 million kids, families and fans around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.   

Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.  

For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.   

 

 

G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1 Review

 

Writer & Penciler: Phil Hester

Inker: Travis Hymel

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Cover Artists: Phil Hester & Lee Loughridge; Jorge Fornés; Jimbo Salgado; Peter Smith; Sajad Shah; Tiago Da Silva; Karen S Darboe

Editor: Alex Antone

Publication Design: Jillian Crab

Creative Consultant: Diana Davis

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 2, 2025

 

While a girl tends to a pigeon coup, her younger brother plays with his slingshot. A helicopter clipping a nearby roof grabs their attention. They see soldiers tumble through the air as the helicopter spins out of control. After the men crash on the roof of their apartment building, the two Cobra troopers batter a man in a torn uniform. What do the children think of the armored soldiers beating the prisoner with bound hands? Who is the green-clad man hiding his features behind a balaclava? Let’s grab our weapons, leap into G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1, and find out!

 

Story

Amid the fighting, the green-clad soldier manages to get his bound hands in front of him. He charges the nearest trooper. The boy shouts when the other Cobra soldier raises his gun. The prisoner grabs the trooper’s neck with his bound hands and uses him as a shield. Then, the balaclava-wearing man dives behind a chimney on the tower block roof. The surviving Cobra soldier, enraged at being tricked into shooting his comrade, grabs the boy and holds a gun to his head. Will the man escape and allow the boy to die? Or will he sacrifice himself to save the kid who saved him?

 

In G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1, the abandoned children inhabit a warzone. The girl tries to call the shots. With his world torn apart by war, the boy reaches for weapons, eager to join the fighting. His sister knows the costs of war. She struggles to keep him in check and protect her brother from his instincts.

 

Phil Hester's unlettered story shows how people forge connections even in the worst times. It's a reminder that war strips away the necessities and comforts we rely on and often take for granted. Those who live on a farm or in small towns may be more insulated from the devastation and limited resources. But when war ravages cities, every day becomes a struggle to survive.

 

Art

Phil Hester and Travis Hymel show the girl behind the metal mesh fronting the pigeon coup. The damaged buildings leave rubble strewn among the fallen bodies in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1. Chucks of a damaged structure fill the air as the helicopter careers above the city. Smoke from the broken helicopter joins the trails of smoke rising from the buildings. The boy smiles, and the girl's mouth drops as they watch the fighting soldiers become silhouettes. An effective deployment of white space challenges the reader to follow the snow-bound action.

 

Lee Loughridge contributes muted colors that enhance the bleak urban warzone in G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1. The perspective changes along with the layouts. Red links the girl's headband, a First Aid box, and Beach Head's bleeding leg with a beige portrait showing a woman wearing a stethoscope. Yet it also links the Cobra symbol with an object that could benefit the children more than the scraps of food in their house or the guns strapped to the fallen soldiers in the streets. A panel becomes a montage, symbolizing the girl's silent mission to protect those she cares about. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

G I Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1 shows how war pits some people against each other and brings others together. Beach Head rises as a beacon in a city darkened by war. His adventure is not a silent mission with tactics and objectives. Instead, this mission of the heart reminds us we never know our limits until we push against them.

 

Rating 9.5/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

G I Joe #5 Review

 

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Tom Reilly; David Finch, Sandra Hope & Adriano Lucas; Ryan Sook; Karl Kerschl; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; E J Su; Tyler Kirkham

Editor: Ben Abernathy

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Production: Ashby Florence

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: March 19, 2025

 

After rescuing Dr Monev, Duke said, “Never tell me the odds,” and wished Risk had an Off switch. But when backup arrived, they came from Cobra Commander, not Colonel Hawk. The soldiers turn Duke's team into a chain gang, and the Cobra Commander has their first work assignment. Which member of the Joes will become a test subject for Dr Monev’s Brainwave Bomb? And will anyone care if everyone in the nation’s capital chants, “Obey Cobra”? Let's grab our rifles, leap into G I Joe #5, and find out!

 

Story

Like Snake Plissken, Destro thought Duke was dead. The Joes may wish Duke was dead, and Destro’s lieutenant Mercer is happy to oblige. But Duke has an ace up his sleeve as Mercer pounds him mercilessly. Duke knows the way his old buddy Clutch thinks. His stalwart focus on the mission, loyalty to his team, and reverence for their fallen comrade win Duke respect as the Joes battle Cobra’s forces in G I Joe #5.

 

The MARS Industries facility in Washington, DC, may be ideal for Cobra Commander's operation. Still, Cobra Commander didn't secure Destro's permission before taking over his base of operations. By relocating to the nation’s capital, Cobra Commander jeopardizes Destro's agreement with the United States military if anything goes wrong. Destro has scrambled for leverage in their partnership, but Cobra Commander calls the shots. So when a firefight breaks out in MARS, Destro hurries to quash it, lest he lose access to Cobra Commander’s Energon.

 

If Destro rises as the most charismatic villain in G I Joe #5, Cobra Commander proves the most effective. Cobra Commander demonstrates his ability to sway people once again. He seeks out talented people lacking in morals, uses them, and then discards them when they offer no more immediate use. But Cobra Commander's approach loses him more than he gains as he perches on the brink of his new world order. While he discards partners from a position of strength, Duke wins admiration and loyalty amid a hopeless situation because he empowers others in Joshua Williamson’s story.

 

Art

Mercer spreads his arms wide as the platform rises. Then he unchains Duke and makes him kneel before Destro. Ripper, Chameleon, Scrap Iron, and Cobra soldiers watch as Destro yanks Baroness by the hair. Destro covers his features in a mask, and the Cobra Commander hides behind a shield. Yet Chameleon’s mask, goggles, and long hair make her look the least Human as a taut confrontation explodes into furious action.

 

Jordie Bellaire unleashes a limited color palette on Tom Reilly's action in the MARS Industries Washington DC facility. Orange and pink enliven the gray base, while red links Destro, Cobra, and the Crimson Twins. Mercer and Duke glow blue as they greet the man in the blue and green mask. Harsh overhead lights make Destro's medallion flare. Orange and red streak through the air as crimson spurts and flows across faces. Yet Destro’s reflective mask fades to gray when yellow energy crackles, white lasers burn through the air, and Clutch’s face glows blue. 

 

Rus Wooton fires black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Words grow bold for intonation, change color, and swell for raised voices in G I Joe #5. Sound effects enliven savage beatdowns, a roaring engine, laser fire, and explosions while Clutch fires a handgun at his childhood friend. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

An inventor demonstrates why Congress questioned his ethics, a bully shows his true colors, and Scrap Iron earns his name as Duke weakens Cobra Commander’s coalition in G I Joe #5.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

GI Joe's Cold Slither Music Video

 

Beware: Cobra Commander wants to influence you. He wants to control you. Whatever you do, do not watch this terrific new video from Cobra and the Dreadnoks, or you will be a fan of G I Joe forever!

G.I JOE'S COLD SLITHER Unleashes Their New Single "Cold Slither" In A Groundbreaking Partnership Between Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music

Watch "Cold Slither" HERE

In an explosive return to the music scene, the iconic yet notorious band COLD SLITHER has released their first single "Cold Slither," off their much-anticipated album. This project marks a groundbreaking fusion of real-world music and fictional narrative, bringing to life the villainous charm of the Cobra organization from the classic 1980s G.I. JOE series.  In a dynamic collaboration, Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music have teamed up to release "Cold Slither." This partnership breathes new life into COLD SLITHER, a band once crafted as part of a nefarious plot and now reborn with a sound that mixes nostalgia with cutting-edge rock prowess. Helmed by the mysterious Zartan and his band of Dreadnoks—Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer—the single reintroduces their heavy metal ferocity combined with a sinister, anarchist energy that upends the conventional music scene. "Bringing COLD SLITHER to life through our partnership with RPM has been an absolute dream come true! As a child watching this fictional band on my TV screen, I never imagined I'd one day help transform them from animated rockstars into a tangible, sonic reality. From the meticulously crafted figures you can hold in your hand to the face-melting album we've created, G.I. JOE fans worldwide are about to experience something truly revolutionary this summer. This project bridges nostalgia with innovation in ways that will leave the community speechless—prepare for a musical assault that would make Cobra Commander proud!" shares Ben"BMac" MacCrae — Associate Brand Manager, Global Brand Development & Marketing at Hasbro.  Reigning Phoenix Music General Manager and Co-founder Gerardo Martinez comments: "It is a dream come true to be able to work on this amazing collaboration with my favorite, and one that happens to be one of the most iconic brands in the world: G.I.JOE!  It is also a pleasure to work on this amazing project alongside some of my friends from Hasbro and be able to bring Cold Slither into reality in the most Heavy Metal way! Many of us have waited 40 years for this to happen but the wait is finally over. And a special thanks to Michael Charles Hill for writing the original COLD SLITHER episode back in 1985." "It's programs like these that make Hasbro's goal of creating Magic Moments truly come to life! What started out as a cult-classic episode from the 1985 series G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero has culminated into a fan program for the ages - inclusive of toys, comics, and of course, music. It could not have been made possible without amazing licensees like Reigning Phoenix Music who put their passion, expertise, and fandom into everything they create. We're extremely excited for everyone to rock out to this single and we plan to reveal even more as we move closer to San Diego Comic Con. So, as the single echos, we hope... "you'll be joining us soon!""  says Alyse D’Antuono — Hasbro’s VP of Global Franchise Strategy & Management for Action Brands "Cold Slither" features bone-crushing riffs and an anthemic chorus, perfectly capturing the rebellious spirit of the '80s and leading the charge in COLD SLITHER's resurgence. The infamous track, which initially captivated audiences as part of Cobra's mind-control plot, is now reimagined with a compelling melody and legendary backstory, showcased in a newly released lyric video, animated by the legendary Costin Chioreanu.

About COLD SLITHER: Cold Slither burst onto the scene with their now classic single, "Cold Slither",  setting the stage for an even darker campaign with their upcoming album, "Cold Slither." Helmed by the enigmatic Zartan and supported by his ruthless Dreadnoks—Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer—this band blends heavy metal ferocity with a sinister, anarchistic energy that upends the conventional music scene. Their signature sound unleashes a torrent of guttural guitars, boisterous bass, venomous vocals, and thunderous percussion, casting shadows across the musical landscape. Each concert is a spectacle of chaos and brute force, with Cold Slither captivating hearts and demolishing instruments worldwide. Their music transcends generational divides, championing a dark new world order with each pulse-pounding beat. This band doesn’t just chase gold and platinum records; they aim to capture the minds and souls of their audience. Conceived by Cobra Commander, Zartan and his Dreadnoks were transformed into Cold Slither, a heavy metal behemoth designed to captivate and influence America's youth. With their cunning lyrics and compelling stage presence, they harness their music as a powerful tool for mass destruction and control. Anticipation for their forthcoming album "Cold Slither" is building, with fans eager for a new chapter of anthems that promise not just to challenge but to change the industry. Prepare for an auditory onslaught that will resonate long after the lights fade. With Cold Slither, the revolution is not just televised—it's an all-encompassing, reverberating force. Brace yourself to join their ranks and be changed. Their music doesn’t merely entertain; it indoctrinates. Follow COLD SLITHER: ColdSlitherOfficial.com | Facebook | Instgram | X | Tiktok | Spotify | Apple Music

About Reigning Phoenix Music Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme and hard music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists by offering best services and practices in the industry. RPM’s paramount goal is to help the artists amplify their music and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.   More on RPM: reigningphoenixmusic.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube   About Hasbro: Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With over 164 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches over 500 million kids, families and fans around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.    Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.   For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.

G I Joe #4 Review

 

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Tom Reilly

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Tom Reilly; David Finch & Adriano Lucas; Derrick Chew; David Nakayama; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas; E J Su; Tyler Kirkham

Editor: Ben Abernathy

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Production: Ashby Florence

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 19, 2025

 

Cobra Commander holds the world’s supply of Energon. His scientists have the alien technology of the shard of Cybertron. Now, Cobra Commander set his sights on Dr Monev and his brainwave scanner.

 

Rock 'N Roll's shadow hangs heavy over Duke's team. Clutch hides out in Springfield. Risk wants to take command. Can Duke and his unhappy and distracted team prevent Cobra from capturing Dr Monev and his mind-controlling invention? Let's grab our rifles, leap into G I Joe #4, and find out!

 

Story

When Cover Girl catches Clutch’s transmission, Duke must make a snap decision. Cobra is making a move for Dr Monev and his experimental brainwave scanner. The inventor is in Washington, DC. His invention is in Virginia. They’re not worlds apart. Still, Duke opts to split up the team. As Duke, Risk, and Baroness try to rescue Dr Monev, Stalker and Cover Girl seek to secure the mind-alteration machine. Both groups come under fire from Cobra forces. And no one on either team is happy with Duke’s leadership.

 

After losing people and the Cybertronian shard, the Joes are hungry for a win in G I Joe #4. Aside from their differences and waning confidence in Duke, the team faces another obstacle. The Joes are a secret team. Few in the military know they exist, forcing them to fight their fellow soldiers when they need to work together to protect the USA from Cobra.

 

While Duke's team threatens to burst and bleed out like one of Stalker's stitches, Destro's forces align under Cobra Commander. Destro insists he is a co-leader of Cobra. But the Commander calls the shots in Joshua Williamson’s story. As Cobra Commander folds Extensive Enterprises and the remnants of the Dreadnoks under his umbrella, he treats MARS personnel and facilities like his own. Perhaps Destro can still count on Chameleon and Hybrid Technologies. Still, he must scramble to keep up with Cobra Commander's moves and discover his partner's weaknesses.

 

Art

Tom Reilly shows Dr Monev’s fright as he clutches Duke's collar on the speeding motorcycle with his wrists bound by handcuffs. Baroness shows her disgust while glancing back on her cycle to fire at their pursuers. Duke grits his teeth as he struggles to make his plan work. An explosion hurls his team to the ground in G I Joe #4, evoking their failure to protect the Cybertronian shard. Duke believes they still have options. But when civilians flee another explosion, and a father clutches his frightened child, Duke drops his gun.

 

Blue, green, and pink energize the Crimson Twins' pursuit as their armored jeep rams aside white vehicles. Xamot and Tomax’s gray skin contrasts with their fluorescent red uniforms and the intense green and blue air. Blue-white lasers distort the Joes’ perceptions as explosions from stinger missiles threaten to white out Washington, DC.

 

Orange, purple, gray, and green enliven a sniper in Shenandoah National Park. After a familiar silhouette emerges from the blue and orange smoke, Jordie Bellaire grants him lifelike coloring as he carries out vehicular carnage. Then he points a laser rifle with a curved bayonet at Stalker and Cover Girl.

 

Rus Wooton fires black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. His letters shrink for lowered voices, grow bold for intonation, and swell for raised voices in G I Joe #4. Sound effects enliven knockout blows, bursting brains, grinding gears, sheering metal, and alarms bathing Springfield in crimson. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Firefights in National Parks and the nation's capital leave Duke's team defeated. Like Captain Kirk after V’ger swallows the USS Enterprise, Duke insists they're down but not out. But the Cobra Commander is gathering all the components to complete his plans. Once, he worked to make Cobra-La a world power. Now, if the Cobra Commander's plan is successful, all will bow at his feet.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.