Josh Blaylock, president of Devil's Due Publishing and author of numerous GI Joe comics, was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions for Joe Reloaded.com.

This is an EXCLUSIVE interview.

Enjoy.

Phil
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Joe Reloaded (JR):Josh, first thanks for sitting down with us to answer some questions
about Devil’s Due new GI Joe series: GI Joe Reloaded.

Josh Blaylock (JB): MY PLEASURE. SORRY IT’S TAKEN THIS LONG

JR: So far there have been three (soon to be four) GI Joe Reloaded
based comics, and the fan reaction has been mixed, what has your
impression been of the fan reaction thus far?

JB: LARGELY THE REACTION HAS BEEN GREAT. OUR MAIN GOAL HERE IS TO
CREATE SOMETHING THAT DRAWS NEW READERS INTO THE G.I.JOE MYTHOS.
DESPITE HOW MUCH WE ALL LOVE THE LONG RUNNING CONTINUITY, IT’S VERY
INTIMIDATING TO JUMP INTO FOR SOME PEOPLE.

WE’RE GRABBING THE “CASUAL” JOE FAN HERE – THE PEOPLE WHO READ THE
COMIC, BUT NOT RELIGIOUSLY, WHO WATCHED THE SHOW, OR WHO JUST PLAIN
THINK PAUL JENKINS AND JOHN RIEBER ARE GOOD WRITERS, AND WHO MAY HAVE
NEVER TOUCHED A G.I.JOE COMIC BEFORE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE’RE TRYING TO CRAFT A STORY THAT THE MOST HARDCORE
FAN CAN STILL ENJOY, THE SAME WAY THEY’D ENJOY A LIVE ACTION MOVIE THAT
RETOLD THE STORY.

JR: The news just came out recently that GI Joe Reborn sold out at the
distributor level, and I am sure you are pleased about that. Have you
been pleased with the sales of Cobra Reborn and GI Joe Reloaded #1 as
well?

JB: YES, I HAVE. I’M ALWAYS STRIVING FOR MORE, BUT THE REORDERS WERE
INCREDIBLE. COBRA REBORN, WHICH WE PRINTED A LITTLE MORE OF BECAUSE IT
CAME OUT EARLIER, AND WE WANTED TO HAVE INVENTORY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE
BEFORE GOING TO TRADE PAPERBACK, IS STILL SELLING HUNDREDS OF COPIES A
WEEK.

I THINK SOME RETAILERS WEREN’T SURE OF WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT NOW THAT
THEY’RE SELLING OUT THEY SHOULD BOOST THEIR INITIAL ORDERS EVEN MORE.

I’D LOVE TO ADD ON ANOTHER 10,000 JOE READERS THAT WE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
THIS SUMMER AT THE CONVENTIONS IS WHERE I THINK WE’LL SEE JUST WHAT
KIND OF READER IS RESPONDING THE MOST TO G.I.JOE: RELOADED.

JR: So far, we have seen synopsis for Reloaded up till issue #5, are
there any hints as to what we can expect, that you are willing to share
with us?

JB: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. I’VE SEEN SOME READERS COMMENTING THAT WE
DIDN’T CHANGE ENOUGH… BUT JUST HANG IN THERE. SNAKE-EYES IS NOT THE
SAME GUY AS IN THE ORIGINAL SERIES, AND THE WHOLE DYNAMIC OF THE JOE
TEAM IS DIFFERENT – WHICH YOU’LL SEE MORE DOWN THE LINE – THEY’RE NOT
OPERATING WITH THE FULL PERMISSION OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THERE ARE
SOME IMPORTANT PEOPLE TRYING TO PULL OFF A MAJOR JUGGLING ACT TO KEEP
THEM IN OPERATION.

AS FAR AS COBRA, I’LL ADMIT THEY WEREN’T CHANGED AS MUCH… BUT AGAIN,
JUST GIVE IT TIME. COBRA’S MOTIVATIONS ARE CLEARLY DIFFERENT THIS TIME
AROUND. BOTH JOE AND COBRA ARE ACTING IN THE NAME OF PATRIOTISM, AND
IT’S NOT ALWAYS CLEAR WHO’S RIGHT AND WRONG.

WELL, UNTIL COBRA COMMANDER BLOWS UP A BUNCH OF STUFF AND WE REALIZE
HE’S A PYSCHOPATH.

BY ISSUE 6, YOU’LL SEE JUST WHAT A MAJOR THREAT COBRA IS – WHEN THEY
PULL OFF SOMETHING THAT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED IN THE ORIGINAL SERIES.

JR: How long can the fans expect to see John Ney Reiber and Javier
Saltares working on the title?

JB: FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. TO BE HONEST, THERE WERE SOME HICK-UPS
BEHIND THE SCENES – I MEAN IT JUST SEEMED LIKE THE TALENT WAS ALL
GETTING HIT WITH MAJOR PERSONAL ISSUES ACROSS THE BOARD – BUT WE STILL
GOT THE BOOKS OUT, AND NOW THINGS ARE GETTING A LITTLE EASIER ON OUR
END.

RON LIM WILL ACTUALLY BE STEPPING IN TO HELP ASSIST JAVIER ON ISSUE
THREE – WORKING TOGETHER ON THE SAME PAGES.

WE’RE CURRENTLY PLOTTING OUT UP TO ISSUE 12 WITH JOHN, AND I HOPE
JAVIER STAYS ON BOARD AS WELL.

JR: Finally, will the GI Joe Reloaded Prologue ever be included in a
Reloaded TPB?

JB:YES!

AND SOMEDAY… YOU’LL GET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN BETWEEN THE PROLOGUE
AND REBORN.

JR: Thanks for your time and answering these questions.

JB: MY PLEASURE!

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Come and discuss the interview Here