G.I. Joe #19: The Meeting

G.I. Joe #19 picks up at the end of the Dreadnok War, which culminated in Hound revealing himself and Duke expressing his frustration over his team keeping secrets from him. As Duke begins questioning everything he’s experienced since Starscream killed his friend, greater forces within the Energon Universe are set in motion, unraveling more of the connective tissue between the line’s various titles.

The most substantial world-building between the Transformers and the G.I. Joes so far came in the Energon Universe 2025 Special, which saw Clutch track down his old friend Matt Trakker to help with Hound’s repairs. That storyline returns in a major way here, as G.I. Joe #19 explores Trakker’s whereabouts following those events. This is also where the ongoing narrative of the Energon Universe proves especially impactful, with the introduction of Mayhem, the villainous group led by Miles Mayhem, previously seen causing trouble in a recent issue of Transformers. While the full ramifications aren’t revealed yet, the potential created by the creators’ restraint is immense.

So far, the primary “big bads” of the Energon Universe (at least on Earth) have been the Decepticons and Cobra. Seeing another group emerge through interconnected moments across multiple series is exciting and speaks to the strength of the universe’s long-form storytelling.

The heart of this issue lies in Duke’s explosive reaction to Hound’s revelation. Duke clearly holds a grudge, yet beneath his anger, he remains surprisingly understanding. While likely unintended, it’s amusing that the most level-headed character in the issue is a giant alien robot. This may stem from Hound’s awareness that the others can’t truly harm him, but his behavior also reflects the ideals established by Optimus Prime for the Autobots.

This dynamic makes Duke and Hound’s interaction especially compelling, as it challenges expectations about how such a confrontation might unfold. Although the issue hints at an eventual meeting between Duke and Optimus Prime, it stops just short of delivering it, making the next installment a must-read.

Overall, G.I. Joe #19 may be the most significant issue for world-building in the Energon Universe so far. Impressively, this expansion doesn’t rely on heavy exposition. Instead, readers experience the larger universe through the characters’ discoveries, mirroring what longtime fans already know.

As a result, the issue feels like a reward for readers invested in the entire Energon line, while still remaining accessible to newcomers. The way G.I. Joe #19 bridges the gap between casual readers and completionists is remarkable and serves as a model for any franchise looking to expand its continuity.