WARNING! Spoilers ahead for FCBD 2024: Energon Universe 2024 Special #1

G.I. Joe has recently formed in the Energon Universe, but a new story hints that there is more than one team operating in the field. Skybound Entertainment’s new shared universe has been slowly assembling the pieces of the G.I. Joe franchise together in new and exciting ways. Now, the added wrinkle of a secret team of Joes unbeknownst to Duke could have major consequences down the line.

The revelation comes in Joshua Williamson, Jason Howard, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooton’s story in the FCBD: Energon Universe 2024 Special #1, which catches readers up with the Baroness following the events of the Duke miniseries.

When the Baroness finds herself under attack by assailants in hi-tech armor, she is rescued by Duke. The G.I. Joe field team leader offers her a position on the new team, which Baroness hesitantly accepts. The story’s final moments then reveal that Baroness’ hi-tech assailants are actually Flint and Lady Jaye, who were acting under the orders of Col. Hawk.

There’s A Secret Team Operating Alongside Codename: G.I. Joe

Having a splinter group operating alongside the main team will be a very interesting thread to follow in the upcoming Energon Universe G.I. Joe titles. Judging from the events of the Duke miniseries, readers can expect Duke’s team to consist of Clutch, Stalker, Rock ’n Roll and now Baroness. Cover Girl was also depicted as working closely with Col. Hawk, so whether or not she will join Duke’s team or the splinter group (or both) remains to be seen. The preview for June’s Scarlett #1 sees the title character of that series being sent on a mission on behalf of some intelligence agency, so fans can assume Scarlett will be on either team, as well.

The real question is why Hawk feels the need to have a covert group operating alongside the other group without Duke’s knowledge. Duke went AWOL in his own series after he felt the U.S. government was covering up the existence of the Transformers. Now that Codename: G.I. Joe has formed with the express purpose of hunting down these transforming alien robots, what purpose does the splinter group serve? Hawk claims that he had Flint and Lady Jaye attack Baroness to strengthen the bond between her and Duke, showing that he’s willing to manipulate people from behind the scenes like chess pieces.

Hawk Assembles New G.I. Joe Team… But For What Purpose?

Hawk is playing a dangerous game, with the ultimate outcome currently a mystery. Another group of Joes means that there will be more room for classic characters to appear in future storylines. With Flint and Lady Jaye making their Energon Universe debut, anticipation is building as to who will show up next. Now that Scarlett will be investigating the Arashikage clan in her upcoming series, it will be interesting to see how ninja characters like Snake Eyes or Storm Shadow will fit into all of this. Whatever happens next, G.I. Joe fans will have to keep reading the Energon Universe titles to see how the story plays out.