FIRST LOOK: G.I. B.A.T. Storms Into the War in G.I. Joe #26

G.I. Joe and Night Force collide in a brutal second round while Baroness races to complete a secret mission that could stop the entire conflict

Round one did not settle a damn thing. Now G.I. Joe and Night Force are loading up for another explosive collision, and Skybound just dropped a first look at the chaos coming in G.I. Joe #26.

Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have revealed new preview pages and the complete variant-cover lineup for the next chapter of the blockbuster Energon Universe series. Written by Joshua Williamson, illustrated by Tom Reilly, colored by Lee Loughridge, and lettered by Rus Wooton, G.I. Joe #26 storms into comic shops on September 16, 2026.

G.I. Joe and Night Force refuse to back down, turning their already dangerous confrontation into a full-scale battle. Both teams are dug in, tensions are climbing, and the battlefield is about to receive one seriously unexpected upgrade. G.I. B.A.T. has entered the fight.

Yeah, you read that correctly. A new Joe bearing the B.A.T. name is stepping onto the battlefield, raising a truckload of questions about who built it, who controls it, and what its arrival means for everyone caught in this war. With G.I. Joe and Night Force already prepared to tear into each other, dropping G.I. B.A.T. into the middle of the conflict is like tossing a grenade into a room full of gasoline cans.

While the teams trade fire, Baroness is operating on another front. Her secret mission may be the only thing capable of ending the war before the damage becomes irreversible. Of course, completing that mission means surviving it first, and when Baroness starts moving through the shadows, you already know somebody is about to have a very bad day.

The series continues to earn praise for its unpredictable storytelling and high-stakes action.

“This is one of the rare comics where you never know what you’re going to get, and more titles should follow in its stead,” said AIPT Comics.

“Joshua Williamson is arguably one of the greats and he continues to prove it with this series,” said Nerd Initiative.

The creative team behind G.I. Joe #26 is no stranger to big action. Williamson is joined by Duke artist Tom Reilly, Universal Monsters: The Mummy colorist Lee Loughridge, and Invincible Universe: Battle Beast letterer Rus Wooton. Together, they are taking one of the Energon Universe’s biggest conflicts and slamming the accelerator straight through the floor.

Reilly also provides the main cover for the issue. The variant lineup includes two open-to-order covers from Jerome Opeña and Neeraj Menon, and InHyuk Lee. Collectors can also hunt down a 1:25 incentive streetwear variant by Fadime Yildirim and a 1:50 incentive cover by Jonboy Meyers featuring the first cover appearance of G.I. B.A.T.

That Jonboy Meyers incentive is going to have collectors circling September 16 on the calendar. A first cover appearance tied to a mysterious new G.I. Joe character? Yeah, the speculation engines are about to start smoking.

G.I. Joe remains one of the central titles in the Energon Universe, Skybound and Hasbro’s shared comic book world connecting the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises. The line has built its identity around explosive battles, major character introductions, surprising connections, and revelations that reshape the larger universe.

The Energon Universe currently includes Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Conor Hughes, and colorist Patricio Delpeche; the two-time Eisner Award-winning Transformers by Kirkman, artist Jason Howard, and colorist Mike Spicer; and M.A.S.K. by writer Dan Watters, artist Pye Parr, and colorist Pierluigi Casolino.

Every title continues pushing toward larger mysteries surrounding some of the most recognizable franchises in comics and pop culture. Fans should expect major revelations, crossover connections, and the kind of cliffhangers that make waiting another month feel like cruel and unusual punishment.

The newly revealed preview offers readers an early look at round two between G.I. Joe and Night Force, but the biggest questions remain locked and loaded. What exactly is G.I. B.A.T.? Can Baroness finish her secret mission? More importantly, will anything be left standing when these two teams finish going to war?

G.I. Joe #26 hits comic book shops on September 16, 2026.

Round two is here, Crusaders. Sound the alarm and prepare for battle!

The full list of variant covers is below:

• G.I. Joe #26 Cover A by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 0726IM0440)
• G.I. Joe #26 Cover B by Jerome Opeña & Neeraj Menon (Lunar Code: 0726IM0441)
• G.I. Joe #26 Cover C by InHyuk Lee (Lunar Code: 0726IM0442)
• G.I. Joe #26 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) by Fadime Yildirim (Lunar Code: 0726IM0443)
• G.I. Joe #26 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Jonboy Meyers (Lunar Code: 0726IM0444)

G.I. Joe #26 (Lunar Codes Below | $4.99, unless otherwise noted) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.