G.I. Joe #26 Review – Joe Vs. Joe With A Twist

G.I. Joe #26 (Image Comics, 9/16/26): Writer Joshua Williamson & artist Tom Reilly pit Duke’s band of rogue Joes against Flint’s Night Watch to capture Baroness, but it’s not what you think. Williamson’s action-heavy script is just the ticket to renew interest in this title. Verdict: One of the better issues in the series.

• Writer: Joshua Williamson
• Artist: Tom Reilly
• Colorist: Lee Loughridge
• Letterer: Rus Wooton
• Cover Artist: Tom Reilly (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: September 16, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of G.I. Joe #26:

First Impressions:

Comparisons with Larry Hama’s long-running G.I. Joe series are inevitable, and so far, I’ve found the Energon version of G.I. Joe to be second best. That said, this issue has me coming around.

Recap:

In G.I. Joe #25, a new arc began when the newly formed Night Watch was sent to stop the traitorous Baroness for murdering Crystal Ball, not realizing she was on a secret, undercover mission. The issue ended with Duke’s team, the Baroness, Clutch, and Hound (the Transformer) on opposite sides of the fight against Night Watch.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

In G.I. Joe #26, Flint orders Duke to stand down, forcing the leader to make his stand. Duke decides to proceed with his plan. Hound and Clutch flee with Baroness, with Lady Jaye in hot pursuit. The rest of the teams go head-to-head in a battle of Joes. Risk versus Roadblock, Beachhead versus Stalker. Duke versus a G.I. Bat.

Elsewhere, Zartan – disguised as Col. Hawk – mulls over the seed of a plan to get his hands on more Energon. His planning is interrupted by the arrival of Snow Job, who has a hostile prisoner with him – Scarlett. Zartan is very interested in knowing the location of the Energon sword (see the Scarlett miniseries for that story, or not. It was terrible).

Elsewhere, Cobra Commander (CC) wields the Energon sword in a sparring match with Major Medusa. Her powers evoke her opponent’s greatest fears against them. In CC’s case, it’s Golobulus. The sparring ends with CC agreeing to send Major Medusa into the field, while Destro secretly witnesses CC’s fear made real.

Back to the fight. The G.I. Bat goes berserk and tries to kill Duke, forcing the competing Joes to put their differences aside. Flint orders a desperate move to stop Hound and capture Clutch and Baroness. The move works, but the issue ends with Flint realizing too late that Baroness is really Cover Girl in disguise.

How is the story in G.I. Joe #26?

Joshua Williamson’s tale of intrigue, manipulation, and combat is a winner. To be blunt, I still believe Larry Hama’s Real American Hero series is the superior G.I. Joe title, but Williamson’s Energon version is finding its footing for a take that – in the best possible way – reads like a grittier version of the 1980s cartoon. If you’re a fan of the cartoon and want more of it in comic form with a little extra edge, this issue is a keeper.

How is the art in G.I. Joe #26?

Likewise, the art is rock solid. Let me let you in on a secret that isn’t so secret. The goal isn’t to get rid of an artist who isn’t up to snuff. The goal is to see an artist grow and improve with every issue in every title to meet the needs of the story/genre. Tom Reilly is doing just that. Reilly still leans toward the side of cartoonish with the way he draws expressive eyes, but everything else works. The lines are cleaner and sharper. Reilly’s action panels have intensity, and the panel flow/transitions are great.

Plus, Lee Loughridge’s colors are dead solid perfect, barring one page. When Risk and Roadblock duke it out (no pun intended), the page is presented as a film negative, which made the action and lettering extremely hard to read. It may have been a defect in the review copy we received. If so, ignore the criticism. If not, it was a poor creative choice.

Characters

Williamson does something extremely well here. Even in ensemble stories, one character has to take the lead. For the most part, Duke is that guy. You see him struggle with the weight of making a decision about Baroness. You witness him taking on the most dangerous fight against G.I. Bat and taking the worst damage because of it. And you realize that Duke is a top-tier leader when you see that the plan worked.

Originality & Concept Execution

In the history of G.I. Joe, there aren’t many stories with a whole team against another and a Transformer in the mix. Sure, there are a few deep-cover missions or a Joe who might have gone rogue for a while, but not entire groups, and for this reason. Williamson has the right concept, and the execution is aces.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Great art and action
• Excellent pacing with a twist you won’t see coming
• Foreshadowing that builds hype

Room for Improvement

• One art page is almost impossible to read
• Hound is underutilized
• Risk’s actions are too risky, even for him.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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G.I. Joe #26 brims with action, intrigue, and surprises. Joshua Williamson’s script presents a conflict that feels like the afternoon cartoon come to life, with a little more edge, and the art team’s presentation looks great. But for a few minor flaws, this issue is a keeper.

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