First Look: G.I. JOE Silent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Unleashed by Gabriel Hardman
Something legendary is returning to the battlefield—and this time Cobra is taking the spotlight.
Skybound and Image Comics, in partnership with powerhouse toy and entertainment company Hasbro, have just dropped a first look at interior pages from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero – Silent Missions: Crimson Guard #1, a brand-new one-shot launching as part of Skybound’s Silent Missions Month celebration. Written and illustrated by acclaimed creator Gabriel Hardman (Green Lantern: Earth One), this stealthy, high-stakes issue marches into comic shops on April 8.
And longtime Joe fans already know what makes this special.
Back in the 1980s, G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21 changed comics forever with the legendary “Silent Interlude” issue by Larry Hama and Steve Leialoha—a masterclass in visual storytelling told entirely without dialogue. No speech bubbles. No narration. Just pure action unfolding panel by panel.
Now Silent Missions Month returns for its second year—but with a dangerous new twist.
This time, the spotlight shifts to the dark side of the battlefield.
Cobra’s most elite operatives step forward as the stars of a brand-new lineup of silent, pulse-pounding stories crafted by an all-star roster of comic creators. And leading the charge is one of Cobra’s most feared forces: the Crimson Guard.
In Crimson Guard #1, Gabriel Hardman pulls readers directly into the ruthless world of Cobra’s secretive soldier program. A new class of Crimson Guard recruits is about to graduate—but first they must pass their ultimate test: protect Cobra Commander during a full-scale assault from G.I. Joe.
No dialogue.
No mercy.
And absolutely no failure allowed.
It’s a perfect setup for the silent storytelling format, where every explosion, ambush, and tactical maneuver has to be delivered through pure visual intensity.
The issue also arrives with a stacked lineup of covers that collectors will definitely want to track down. Alongside Hardman’s main cover, fans can grab an open-to-order variant from Jorge Fornés (Rorschach), a 1:10 black-and-white incentive version of Hardman’s cover, and the continuation of the 1:25 foil letter cover series by Fornés, which will eventually spell out the most dangerous word in the Joe universe: COBRA.
Silent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 is the second entry in a five-part lineup of silent one-shots arriving throughout April. Each issue spotlights a different creator bringing their storytelling instincts to the silent battlefield, with an elite roster including Gabriel Hardman, Joëlle Jones, Declan Shalvey, Pat Olliffe, Tom DeFalco, Howard Porter, and Jorge Fornés.
The release also arrives during an exciting era for the Energon Universe, the massive shared storytelling collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro. Alongside the ongoing success of Void Rivals, Transformers, and the flagship G.I. Joe series, the universe continues expanding with new stories and collector initiatives.
Fans can also prepare for the next big collector event: the upcoming G.I. Joe Compendium Set Kickstarter, launching March 24 at 6 a.m. PT. Readers can sign up now at GIJoeKickstarter.com to receive updates and early campaign details.
If you’re a longtime Joe fan, a collector chasing variants, or just someone who loves seeing comics push visual storytelling to its limits, Silent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting entries in the modern G.I. Joe era.
So mark your calendar, Joe fans.
Because when the Crimson Guard steps onto the battlefield…
Cobra never whispers. It strikes.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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