GI Joe #1 Will introduce the new team of real American heroes to the Energy Universe in November 2024, but this will also bring a new character into the fold. When the cover, by series artist Tom Reilly, for GI Joe #1 was asked, fans are curious about the man in the fancy suit wielding a gun. Now, writer Joshua Williamson reveals this exciting new character and what he brings to the series.
Speaking with ScreenRant, Williamson talks about the new team member. “His name is Risk“, says Williamson.”He is ex-CIA. Like a rich-boy thrill-seeker.“ Williamson goes on to describe the new Joe as a hand-to-hand combatant and a deadly cage fighter.
Williamson also discussed Risk’s backstory and how he got his codename:
“Part of his work in the CIA. Is actually risk assessment… what is the collateral damage of this mission? Will the mission be too much? And then he went into the field, because he felt… if I’m going to send people on these dangerous missions, I should also go out on them, right? If I’m going to tell someone else to take a risk, I should be able to take that risk too.“
Meet Jeopardy, GI Joe’s brand new team member
Character design by Tom Reilly
Williamson also explained how Risk will fit into the new team’s dynamic, highlighting how the new Joe will be “A bit of an antagonist for Duke.” According to Williamson, Risk is handpicked by Duke’s superior, Hawk. “Duke’s team is mostly made up of… people that Duke picked“, Williamson explains, which leads Hawk to put his own man on the team. Hawk feeling the need to put his own member on the main team is interesting, because fans previously learned that he already has his own secret team with Flint and Lady Jay .Why Hawk picked risk for Duke’s team instead of his hidden splinter group will be an intriguing mystery in the new series.
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While establishing Risk’s backstory and skills are essential parts of the character, Williamson also describes how the visuals determined who Risk would be:
“You know, the fun thing about creating a new one GI Joe Character is: How are they visually different? Because, again, I have this wall of GI Joe Yiddish here [on my shelf]And I would just stare at them. And I’d be like, ‘How is he different?’ And I look at Duke, I look at Flint, I look at the different characters… and I thought, ‘You know what’s missing from this line-up? A guy in a suit.’“
Williamson gave GI Joe And Duke Artists rely on the “marching orders” when designing risk, and the results speak for themselves. “[Tom] Ran with it and made a bunch of cool stuff“, says Williamson, resulting in A modern character who can more than handle himself in a fight.
Risk is GI Joes answer to John Wick
1:250 variant cover by Tom Reilly
Another piece of inspiration for Risk came from a big-screen Hollywood icon. “We don’t have a John Wick character“, says Williamson, explaining how Risk feels a void in the new team.”We don’t have a character who wears a suit and hits people.“Naming Keanu Reeves’ iconic hitman hints at the type of action risk will hopefully get up to the pages of GI JoeAs the franchise gets a sleek, modern update. With any luck, Risk will join the ranks of beloved characters GI Joe, Like these Energy Universe Continues to chart a bold path forward for fans both old and new.
Gee Joe #1 is available November 13, 2024 from Skybound Entertainment.