With G.I. Joe hitting shelves in just a few weeks, I recently dove into Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle (TP) by Joshua Williamson. This volume explores Duke’s backstory and the origins of the G.I. Joe team, and like the other Energon titles so far, it delivers.
Building on the events of Transformers Volume One, we’re introduced to Conrad Hauser—a man deeply shaken by his encounters with giant robots, only to be gaslit by the government when he tries to report them. This gritty action-conspiracy story unpacks Hauser’s journey and trust issues.
One of the highlights of this miniseries is its connections to the larger Energon universe. It was cool to see the Transformers make an appearance, but the inclusion of Destro as a key character was especially exciting. This shared universe keeps getting richer, and I’m glad I waited to read Duke until I’d finished the other miniseries. While it’s not essential to read them all, it definitely adds layers to the story here.
I had a great time with this miniseries; it moves at a good pace, keeping the action fresh without overdoing it. Watching Duke fight his way through these challenges made for a captivating journey.
Tom Reilly’s artwork is fantastic, bringing every scene to life, from intense action sequences to quieter dialogue moments. I’m thrilled that both Williamson and Reilly will be back for the upcoming G.I. Joe ongoing series!
One small critique—and this goes for all the Energon TP releases so far—is the lack of chapter breaks or collected covers in the back. It’s not a huge deal, but having breaks would be helpful—especially for people like me who constantly lose their bookmarks. @ImageComics, consider adding those in the future!
This series is a fantastic read that not only fleshes out the Energon Universe but also sets the stage for the ongoing G.I. Joe series. The vibe of this comic has me excited for what’s to come!
Check out my other Energon comic reviews!
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