Cobra’s Iconic Elite Forces Arrive April 8
Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed a first look at interior pages from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1, an all-new one-shot debuting for Skybound’s Silent Missions month. Written and illustrated by acclaimed creator Gabriel Hardman (Green Lantern: Earth One), this issue hits comic book shops on April 8.
The face of comic books changed forever when G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21 introduced fans to the “Silent Interlude,” an action-packed story with no dialogue. This April, Silent Missions Month returns for a second year, but with a new twist: the focus turns to Cobra as its most lethal members take center stage in a new series of silent, high-stakes stories, featuring superstar creators.
In this issue, Gabriel Hardman invites you to the join the next graduating class of Crimson Guard as they complete their final test: protecting Cobra Commander from an all-out assault by G.I. Joe! Failure is NOT an option!
In addition to the main cover by Gabriel Hardman, the lineup of variant covers includes an open to order cover by Jorge Fornés (Rorschach), a 1:10 incentive black and white version of Hardman’s cover, and the continuation of the 1:25 incentive foil letter cover series by Fornés, ultimately spelling COBRA.
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 is the second of five all-new Silent Missions one-shots, each releasing on a Wednesday this April, from an elite assembly of talent including Gabriel Hardman, Jöelle Jones & Declan Shalvey, Pat Olliffe & Tom DeFalco, Howard Porter, and Jorge Fornés.
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero is a cornerstone of the historic collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro, with a second Compendium Set Kickstarter running in 2026, collectors can sign up for the mailing list now at www.GIJoeKickstarter.com to receive all campaign details and updates ahead of its launch on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 a.m. PT. Essential to this successful collaboration is the shared Energon Universe that features ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Andrei Bressan (Destro), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country), the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Jason Howard (The Astounding Wolf-Man), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and colorist Lee Louthridge (Scarlett).
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 (Lunar Codes Below| $3.99, unless otherwise noted) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The full list of variant covers is below:
- G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover A by Gabriel Hardman (Lunar Code: 0226IM0345)
- G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover B by Jorge Fornés (Lunar Code: 0226IM0346)
- G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover C (1:10 incentive) (Black & White) by Gabriel Hardman (Lunar Code: 0226IM0347)
- G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover D (Foil) (1:25 Incentive) by Jorge Fornés ($4.99) (Lunar Code: 0226IM0348)