Talking Joe: A G.I. Joe Comics Podcast

Pat Olliffe and Tom DeFalco interview - Zartan Sssilent Missions

Edited audio only version. Tom Defalco's mic was very quiet, so this edit has his levels much higher in the mix compared to the video.

Youtube https://youtu.be/R76qxxNyy4o (when public)

Mark and Tim talk with Pat Olliffe and Tom DeFalco, creators of the new Sssilent Missions – Zartan

Pat Olliffe and Tom DeFalco are known for working together with long runs on Spider-Girl at Marvel.

We interviewed Tom Defalco (editor of GI Joe 1 back in 1982) in summer 2025 (ep 328) - https://youtu.be/EMwIScYZr-s

Pat Olliffe is no stranger to GI Joe, having produced GI Joe 1 Hama cut variant cover, GI Joe 301 variant cover for Ultimate Comics, Plus Character profile art for #301

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Zartan #1

Writer: Tom DeFalco

Artists: Pat Olliffe

Colors: John Kalisz

Iconic Spider-Man creators Pat Olliffe (Spider-Girl) and Tom DeFalco (The Amazing Spider-Man) trap Zartan in his deadliest undercover mission yet. But for the master of disguise, outmaneuvering Cobra Commander, Major Bludd, and G.I. JOE’s not a bad day’s work...

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Zartan #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Patt Oliffe work history:

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/pat-olliffe/4040-21610/issues-cover/

New episode - G.I. Joe ARAH # 327 review!

With weekly Silent missions episodes we are releasing an extra episode this week!

Mark and Tim were be live talking G.I. Joe ARAH # 327 released Wednesday, 8th April, 2026

Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yszO5UjJjpQ

Edited an audio only version on your podcast player of choice. Links here - https://talkingjoe.co.uk/#Podcasts

Synopsis:

STOP THE TERROR DROME! Cover Girl, Jinx, and Dawn are running out of time to complete a deadly covert op—and it’s about to get tougher with an army of Blue Ninjas in their way!

Creative team

Writer: Larry Hama

Artist Andrew Krahnke (rhymes with donkey)

Colorist: Francesco Segala, with Sabrina Del Grosso (Flatter)

Letterer: Pat Brousseau

Editor: Alex Antone

Assistant Editor Caitlin Chappell

Publication design Jillian Crab,

Production Design Richard Mercardo

Creative Consultant: Diana Davis

Plot Breakdown

In the mountains of sierra gordo, blue Ninjas (disguised as rebels) have captured a Joe team of dawn, jinx and cover girl (disguised as nuns) but with some support from the sniper team of downrange and sherlock they get away.

The joe team enters a mine, which contains an ancient pyramid, with a terror drome inside plus a multitude of Bobby traps.

The joe rear guard take the blue Ninjas from behind while the joes fight out inside. They set up explosives on the Terror drome but then change their mind. We end on a cliffhanger as a cyborg is about to shoot an rpg, setting off the reactive plates that could incinerate everything in the corridors.

Interview with Gabriel Hardman - writer/ artist of Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard

Mark and Tim talk to the writer/ artist of Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard, Gabriel Hardman about the process of creating the book, dig into the details, but also talk about Gabriel's day job as story board artist on big budget Hollywood movies.

Creator Spotlight:

Gabriel "Gecko" Hardman is an American illustrator, who has done comic book art for DC, Marvel and Boom, as well as art for motion pictures like 'Spider-Man 3', 'X2: X-Men United', 'Superman Returns', 'Tropic Thunder' and 'Inception'. In the mid-1990s, he started out with Marvel's 'War Machine' (1994),. Since the late 2000s, he has drawn Marvel's 'Hulk', 'Agents of Atlas' and 'Secret Avengers', as well as 'Heathentown' for Image/Shadowline and 'Zombie Tales', Star Wars Legacy for Dark Horse and 'Exile on the Planet of the Apes' for Boom! He is currently working on Batman / Green Arrow / The Question: Arcadia at DC and Rocketeer at Boom.

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1

Writer & Artist: Gabriel Hardman

Colors: Matt Hollingsworth

Acclaimed creator Gabriel Hardman (Green Lantern: Earth One) invites you to the join the next graduating class of Crimson Guard initiates as they complete their final test: protecting Cobra Commander from an all-out assault by G.I. JOE! However, this is a test where failure is NOT an option!

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Links:

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/gabriel-hardman/4040-55995/issues-cover/

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/people/522/gabriel-hardman

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362449/

House of ideas: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt40447320/

Early access - interview with Declan Shalvey, writer of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Baroness #1 - Spoiler-free

Mark talks with Declan Shalvey, writer of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Baroness #1, released Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

This is the audio only version - this episode is mostly talking heads - so you won't miss out on anything by listening as audio only.

This was recorded 27th Feb 2026, before I was able to read the Baroness comic, and is spoiler-free. We talk about his backgound, the journey from just artist to writer/ artist, how he got involved in this project and the creative process.

Declan Shalvey is an Irish Comic creator, known for his art on Moon Night, Deadpool, Wolverine, Venom and more at Marvel, Batman and DC, his many covers and on his creator owned comics like Injection, Time Before Time, Old Dog. He was recently a triple threat creator as  writer, interior artist , & cover artist, for Mystique at Marvel. In recent times he has expand out as a writer, including on licensed books such as Alien, Terminator and ThunderCats. Out in April is the latest expansion to the ThunderCats universe - - ThunderCats X SilverHawks 5 issue event miniseries and drawing the first issue at a bumper 30 pages.

Website: https://www.declanshalvey.com/

Declarations newsletter - https://declanshalvey.substack.com/ 

Declan's work:

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/people/985/declan-shalvey

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/declan-shalvey/4040-57300/issues-cover/ 

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Baroness #1

Writer: Jöelle Jones and Declan Shalvey

Artists: Jöelle Jones

Colors: Mike Spicer

In a standalone thriller from superstars Jöelle Jones (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Declan Shalvey (Mystique), the Baroness must prevent Cobra intelligence from falling into the hands of G.I. JOE... and Destro?

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Baroness #1 ($3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Skybound New Era G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Kickstarter

Mark was live, talking about the details of the new Kickstarter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SDdXH-IGgM

Skybound New Era G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/gi-joe-a-real-american-hero-compendium-1-2

The Mission Continues with Eight Volumes Collecting Over 300 issues in a New Campaign Launching March 24

Skybound have announced a campaign for new Kickstarter-exclusive G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Sets 1+2.

The compendium sets, including a total of eight volumes, feature new key art by the legendary Andy Kubert (X-Men) and collect over 300 issues from both Marvel and IDW eras of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero spanning from 1994-2022, expanding on the previous Kickstarter that shattered crowdfunding records and dominated headlines worldwide.

Fans can sign up for the mailing list now at www.GIJoeKickstarter.com

Featuring the iconic series writer Larry Hama (Wolverine) and an all-star lineup of series artists, the new G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Sets 1+2 present the incredible heroes of G.I. JOE, the terrifying villains of Cobra, and the unforgettable stories that set them on a collision course. Now collecting over 300 issues of A Real American Hero, these new hardcover compendiums collect the most iconic moments in G.I. JOE history, from Cobra Commander’s seemingly successful world domination to the unforgettable introduction of Dawn Moreno, the all-new Snake-Eyes.

“I am really glad that there will finally be a quality compendium of the continuation of my run on G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero beyond the initial Marvel run and into the IDW issues.” said Larry Hama. “This will be the first time that a uniform hard-bound edition will be produced that includes the first 300 issues, along with covers and many exclusive extras. A real must for loyal fans and completists!”

Fans who backed the first G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Set campaign can select a tier to purchase the new set of hardcovers, collecting issues #155 ½ to #300, along with all the annuals, specials, and more. Like that first campaign, you must choose a side – will you stand with G.I. Joe or rule the world with Cobra? Either way, these deluxe hardcovers will look perfect alongside the original compendium set, presenting the iconic G.I. JOE series in the highest quality collections of all time.

"Following the massive success of our first G.I. JOE campaign, we’re going BIGGER and BETTER with the second campaign!” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “These collections are the most comprehensive assemblage of G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO material ever, and we can’t wait for fans to see what we have cooked up.”

Fans won’t want to miss backing the campaign to secure all the limited-edition tiers and exclusive rewards: Kickstarter-exclusive Larry Hama signed bookplates, faux leather hardcovers, spot gloss, foil finish and gilded edges on all books, satin ribbons, patches, pins, stickers, individual issue reprints, two source books featuring art from previous trading cards, vehicles, and more.

The G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Sets 1 + 2 campaign will be live on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6 a.m. PT, with stretch goals and campaign-exclusive products to be announced through the close of the campaign on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 12 p.m. PT.

Mark and Tim are talking GI Joe #20 - released 18th March 2026

This is edited audio only version.

YouTube version with images also available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5ThDxx9s8g

Official Synopsis:

OPTIMUS PRIME AND DUKE MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME

What does this mean for future of the Energon Universe?

Creative Team:

Writer Joshua Williamson 

Artist Andrea Milana

Colorist Lee Loughridge

Letterer Russ Wooton

Editor Ben Abernethy

Publication design Andres Juarez

Production Abigail Lee

Cover – fave cover (shift+7)

G.I. JOE  #20 Cover A by Tom Reilly 

G.I. JOE  #20 Cover B by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

G.I. JOE  #20 Cover C by Ben Oliver 

G.I. JOE  #20 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) by Tonči Zonjić 

2nd of 6 covers in this theme

i had all the paints ready but unfortunately the body didn't cooperate so only the first and (most of) the last one-- i will try again this year on something, because it was really satisfying to ink with colored lines on paper, a very childlike joy

G.I. JOE  #20 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer

F by Andrea Milana

Retailer exclusive: Lucas Meyer - Blank Cover Podcast / Big Time Collectibles C2E2 2026 Lucas Meyer Foil Virgin Variant

TJ 367 - G.I. JOE ARAH 326 audio only review.

Edited audio only version of the episode originally recorded as YouTube livestream-

https://www.youtube.com/live/SQ6X2T2611g?si=ApoKJSvsFXlbODCr

Mark and Tim were live on Saturday 14th March @ 1pm Eastern time (5pm UK Time) to discuss G.I. Joe ARAH # 326 released Wednesday, 11th March, 2026

ARAH 326 - SKYBOUND G.I. Joe a real American hero review - livestream video from Talking Joe

Synopsis:

NO TURNING BACK! Duke, Roadblock, Scarlett, and Snake-Eyes head deep into Trucial Abysmia on a rescue mission with enemies around every corner!

Creative team

Writer: Larry Hama

Artist Andrew Krahnke (rhymes with donkey)

Colorist: Francesco Segala, with Sabrina Del Grosso (Flatter)

Letterer: Pat Brousseau

Editor: Alex Antone

Assistant Editor Caitlin Chappell

Publication design Jillian Crab,

Production Design Richard Mercardo

Creative Consultant: Diana Davis

Interview with Alex Antone - ARAH & Editorial Director at Skybound + Sssilent Missions.

Editor Alex Antone (rhymes with phone) returns to Talking Joe (we last spoke in ep 305 a year ago) to talk Paternity leave, ARAH 3 years in, Hama Files, Kickstarter compendium 2, and 2nd year of Silent Missions month.

Will be available as video talking heads and edited audio only.

This was recorded 3rd March 2026, just ahead of Silent Missions Month

Links

Credits: https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/people/4127/alex-antone

X https://x.com/Alex_Antone

audio review - GI JOE REBORN from Devil's Due March 2004.

Mark and Tim return to the Devils Due era & look at the 48 page special - G.I.JOE: REBORN from Devil's Due March 2004

Synopsis:

Continued from G.I. Joe: Cobra Reborn #1. Continued in G.I. Joe: Reloaded #1.

A new terror has emerged in the world - a unified legion of radical militias, powerful enemies of the United States, and even internal sympathizers. A terror known as Cobra.

What were though to be random attacks and incidents throughout the country were actually orchestrated by a man called Cobra Commander. Disgusted (and arguably driven mad) by the "system" that taxes the little man and benefits the rich, he will launch a full scale war on our nation in mere hours unless stopped. In G.I. Joe: Cobra Reborn, we watched as the Commander gathered his forces, but on the other side of the coin, a frantic administration makes split second decisions to handle this crisis. It must be dealt with quickly, quietly, and efficiently, without invoking hysteria. With sympathizers to Cobra in our own ranks, the world needs a task force formed outside of the standard bureaucracy, operating in secret, unknown to even top military brass. The world needs G.I. Joe, and it needs them NOW.

G.I. Joe: Reloaded brought the G.I.Joe story back to its beginnings in a new continuity. 14 Issues with two specials were first published in 2004 by Devil's Due. Paul Jenkins written Cobra Reborn, followed by GI Joe reborn

Creative team

Story: John Ney Reiber,

Pencils: Joe Bennett & Javier Saltares,

Inks: Ruy Jose & Andrew Pepoy,

Colors: Transparency Digital,

Letters: Dreamer Design,

Graphic Design: Mike Norton,

Cover: Tim Bradstreet & variant by Francis Manapul , Cory Hamsher & Beth Setellow

G.I. Joe 19 - Feb2026 (Skybound Energon Universe) - DUKE vs HOUND!

Mark and Tim talking GI Joe #19 released Wednesday, 18th Feb 2026

Originally recorded as YouTube livestream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjluFZ41-0Q) , this is edited audio only version.

Official Synopsis:

JOE VS. TRANSFORMER! The secret is out! When Duke discovers that Clutch has been hiding the AUTOBOT Hound from the Joes, can anyone stop him from putting down Hound PERMANENTLY?

Creative Team:

Writer Joshua Williamson

Artist Andrea Milana

Colorist Lee Loughridge

Letterer Russ Wooton

Editor Ben Abernethy

Publication design Andres Juarez

Production Abigail Lee

list of variant covers as below:

G.I. JOE #19 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 1225IM0344)

G.I. JOE #19 Cover B by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Lunar Code: 1225IM0345)

G.I. JOE #19 Cover C by Ben Oliver (Lunar Code: 1225IM0346)

G.I. JOE #19 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Tonči Zonjić (Lunar Code: 1225IM0347)

Process post here: https://tozo.today/cover-gi-joe-19d/

G.I. JOE #19 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Trevor Hairsine & Andy Lanning & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Lunar Code: 1225IM0348)

G.I. JOE #19 Cover F (Foil) (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Pye Parr (Lunar Code: 1225IM0349)

G.I. JOE #19 Cover G (Foil Mask Cover, $4.99) by John Amor & Andres Juarez (Lunar Code: 1225IM0350)