IDW Publishing is set to launch a new volume of "G.I. Joe" in September, and for the first time ever, a female writer will be giving the orders. Military and science-fiction novelist Karen Traviss, who has written multiple "Star Wars," "Gears of War" and "Halo" novels, will write the new series, joined on art by long-time "Joe" illustrator Steve Kurth.

"Military fiction's my thing, and G.I. Joe's a genuine cultural icon -- how could I say no?" Traviss said in a statement to CBR News. "It's more relevant than ever and there's huge scope to explore stories. I'm thoroughly enjoying it."

The series will follow a G.I. Joe team headed by Scarlett, in a new arc titled "The Fall of G.I. Joe." With Cobra now positioned as the good guys, the solicitation promises that "real-world action and politics collide."

Relatively few writers have contributed to "G.I. Joe" in comic books, with Larry Hama writing more than 200 issues (and counting) of the franchise. Past writers on the main IDW series include Chuck Dixon, Fred Van Lente and, most recently, Paul Allor.

Traviss' past comic book credits were video game adaptations at DC Comics: "Gears of War" and "Batman: Arkham Unhinged." The solicitation for September's new "G.I. Joe" #1 follows.

G.I. JOE #1

Karen Traviss (w) • Steve Kurth (a) • Jeffrey Veregge (c)

DOES THE WORLD NEED G.I. JOE? Cobra had become an international peacekeeping force... and the future of G.I. JOE looks bleak. SCARLETT leads what's left of America's ultimate fighting force-but will she be able to keep hew team together? Real-world action and politics collide... and nothing will be the same.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99



Bullet points:

• THE FALL OF G.I. JOE BEGINS! Hard-hitting real world action!

• Bold new era begins with the master of military fiction, Karen Traviss (Halo, Gears of War, Star Wars: Republic Commando)!

• Scarlett commands the G.I. JOE team... but for how long?

• Foil-enhanced cover!

• Variant Cover by David Williams!