G.I. Joe is a legendary American media franchise owned by Hasbro, centered on a specialized special operations force. Originally launched in 1964 as the world's first "action figure," it evolved into a massive multi-media property including toys, comics, and cartoons. 

Current Comic Series (as of March 2026)

Following the end of IDW Publishing's tenure, Skybound Entertainment (an imprint of Image Comics) currently publishes G.I. Joe across two distinct continuities: 

• G.I. Joe (Ongoing Series): Launched in late 2024 as part of the Energon Universe, a shared world that connects G.I. Joe with the Transformers.
• Latest Issue: G.I. Joe #20 (released March 18, 2026) continues the high-stakes conflict where the team uses "Energon-powered" weapons to combat Cobra.
• Creative Team: Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Tom Reilly.
• G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (RAH): This series continues the original 1982 continuity started by Marvel Comics.
• Latest Issue: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #327 is scheduled for April 8, 2026.
• Creative Team: Still written by the legendary Larry Hama, who has steered the property for over 40 years. 

Iconic Characters & Organizations

The franchise is built on the struggle between two primary factions: 

• G.I. Joe Team: An elite, international special mission force dedicated to defending human freedom. Core members include Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Roadblock, and Stalker.
• Cobra: A ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world. It is led by Cobra Commander and includes key figures like Destro, The Baroness, and Storm Shadow. 

Action Figure Lines

• Classified Series: A modern 6-inch scale line with high articulation and detail. Recent releases include the Cobra Desert Scorpion (#180) and Footloose (#156).
• Retro Collection: Features 3.75-inch figures using 1980s-themed packaging. 

Major Media History

• 1964–1976: The original 12-inch "movable fighting man" focused on realistic military branches.
• 1982–1994: The "A Real American Hero" era introduced the 3.75-inch scale, the iconic Sunbow animated series ("Knowing is half the battle!"), and the Marvel comic run.
• Live-Action Films: Includes The Rise of Cobra (2009), Retaliation (2013), and Snake Eyes (2021).