Robert Atkins, a regular contributor to JoeReloaded.com (and current artist of the G.I. Joe book from IDW) occasionally posts some art on the JoeReloaded forums. Well, he went a bit further this time around and showed off a bunch of art for the cover of Issue #5, including a very early sample, and leading up to the full blown colored final version. Some awesome insight and some great art as well.
Check out the thread here.
Any fan of the G.I. Joe comics, or even fans of comics in general need to bookmark this link.
It’s a sub-forum on Phil Kost’s site JoeReloaded.com, and it’s called the “Atkins Sketch Blog”. Essentially it’s a spot for G.I. Joe comic artist Robert Atkins to show and talk about his pencils and the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into producing the art for the monthly book. There is some awesome insight, some terrific pencils, and a fantastic peek “inside the head” of the current artist on the monthly G.I. Joe book. With each issue (and each post in the above forum) I’m becoming a bigger and bigger Robert Atkins fan, so check out that link and keep going back, there’s always something cool in there to see.
Below is a little highlight of the cover art for Issue #4, and it’s only a tiny sample of the great stuff posted on the forums. Check it out.
JoeReloaded continues their awesome work interacting with IDW and bringing us some awesome behind-the-scenes content tied into the new various G.I. Joe comics. Robert Atkins (who participates in the JoeReloaded forums regularly) gives us a sneak peek at the cover for Issue #4:
The original thread can be found on JoeReloaded here. While you’re there, also check out this thread, which also features some exclusive art by Robert Atkins, this time covering his thoughts and the process behind designing the massive underground city that serves as the new Pit! Some incredible looking art and a great peek behind the scenes at IDW with the G.I. Joe book. Good stuff.
IDW, in my mind, got off to a strong start with their first issue, and things don’t look to be letting up any time soon. I was honestly surprised that I was that captivated by the first issue as much as I was, since G.I. Joe Reloaded never really captured my attention that much. As an alternate universe, it just didn’t do anything for me, however. Curiously Chuck Dixon was the writer of that series as well, so I’m not sure where the change took place, but whatever happened, Dixon definitely got a roll, at least for the first issue. Of course I’ll give it some more time before making a final decision, but it absolutely got off on the right foot at least.
That being said, IDW definitely isn’t just coasting on this main series, there’s a ton of other stuff in the works. G.I. Joe Origins is next in line, written by the immortal Larry Hama, and we can see a great 6-Page preview at JoeReloaded.com right here.
My first opinion is honestly a bit mixed. The military lingo almost goes overboard, at least in those first few pages, and the art style is somewhat strange. Not realistic in the least, a very “cartoony” style that didn’t mesh overall with the more realistic Atkins art, but perhaps it’ll grow on me. It will be interesting at least to see these new origins and where the team kind of forms in this new universe.
As well as the 6-page preview, Toy News International gives us a peek into upcoming IDW Titles for April as well, with some looks at the covers and potential stories. Check that out here.
This is going to be a big year for G.I. Joe, that’s for sure, and if Issue #1 is any indication, I think the comic license is in good hands, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what new universe IDW is able to weave going forward.