Interview - Andrew Dabb Talks G.I.Joe: Sigma 6

Sigma 6 is the code name for a new group of covert G.I.Joe operatives with highly specialized capabilities. They use innovative technology and gear designed exclusively for each mission.

Working against them is the evil Cobra organization, seeking to take control of the world by sabotage, espionage and outright destruction. Sigma 6 fights them at every turn and provides a swift solution to critical situations around the globe.

Launched as an all-new animated series that recently enjoyed its Saturday morning debut across America
on 4Kids TV on FOX, Sigma 6 now has a comic book from Devil's Due Publishing! Andrew Dabb (FORGOTTEN REALMS, and DRAGONLANCE) and Chris Lie (G.I.JOE: ARASHIKAGE SHOWDOWN) brings us a 6-issue limited series starting in December.

We had a chance to sit down and talk to Andrew about what we can expect from this new series.


CNI: Will this series have any tie-in to the actual episodes on tv or will the story be a total stand alone? Can you give us a general synopsis of the plot for this limited series?

Andrew: Our stories will happen “between” episodes of the Sigma 6 cartoon; same characters, same general feel, but nothing too continuity heavy. As far as the plot goes, each issue will be stand alone and feature a different Joe (or in the case of issue #5, two Joes) doing battle with a Cobra operative. We really want to take some time to focus on the individual characters and tell some fun, exciting stories.

CNI: Can you give a break-down of which character will be focused on for each issue? Will there be any focus on the Cobra characters, or just the Joes?

Andrew: Issue #1: Duke/Destro #2: Spirit/Zartan #3 Tunnel Rat/Overkill #4: Scarlett/Baroness #5: Heavy Duty & Long Range/Cobra Commander #6: Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow. The focus will be primarily on the Joes.

CNI: Will we see any other characters or vehicles be used besides the ones already shown in the TV series and toyline? Especially Cobra. And not just main characters, but will we get to see what Cobra Vipers look like in the Sigma 6 universe?

Andrew: Most of what we’re using has shown up in the cartoon or will soon. However, we’re adding a few touches here and there, like some Cobra subs in issue #1 which I don’t believe have been in any S6 episode, where we can.

CNI: How involved was Hasbro in the writing of this story? Did they give you pretty much free reign to tell a story you wanted or did they dictate what they wanted to see?

Andrew: Hasbro and Devil’s Due laid down certain general guidelines, really just an emphasis on making the stories all ages and action packed, but beyond that they’ve been very cool about letting me do what I want story-wise. It’s been a very good experience thus far.

CNI: What are the chances of seeing this turn into a regular ongoing series?

Andrew: That all depends on sales, really. I hope the fan support will be there, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know that’s not something you can ever really predict.

CNI: From a writer's stand point, what is it like doing a comic that is based on an animated series? Especially one that has not been running for very long and has a lot of established episodes?

Andrew: There are pros and cons. On the con side, as you mentioned, with Sigma 6 being so new there’s not a lot to draw from. Still, at the same time, these are not new characters. The designs may be a bit different, but from a character point of view the Sigma 6 Snakes Eyes is exactly the same person as Larry Hama’s Snake Eyes from the 80’s. That history really informs my writing, even if we won’t be directly referencing it in the comic. On the pro side, with everything being so new there’s a lot more room to improvise and create, there are corners of this world that haven’t been explored in the cartoon which Chris and I can really cut loose with in the comic.

CNI: In your own words, what makes Sigma 6 different from the regular Joe titles, other then the animated style look? Story and character wise, what's different about these guys?

Andrew: What I’ve really tried to do with Sigma 6 is tap into what attracted me to the Joe franchise as a kid. Lately, in the main title most of the conflicts are continuity based, by which I mean that they arise from things that have come before; either Brandon Jerwa’s issues before the recent re-launch, or in some cases stories that were written two decades ago. And for longtime fans, including myself, that’s great. But the average kid watching Sigma 6 every Saturday morning isn’t going to be familiar with those plotlines, so for them I’m really trying to make each issue’s plot straightforward, fun, and kinetic. It was the jokes, the cool tech, and the big action set pieces that attracted me to Joe in the first place, and I want to capture that same spirit—the spirit the early comics and cartoons had—in this mini-series.

CNI: Have you seen the new Sigma 6 toys in person? If so, what do you think of them and how would you compare it to the 3 3/4" toys?

Andrew: As someone who grew up in the 80’s, there will always be a special place in my heart for the 3 ¾” toys. But with that said, I think the job Hasbro has done both in terms of designing and packaging the Sigma 6 stuff has been great. Even before I was tapped to write this book I was planning on collecting the figures, which is just about the highest praise I can give.

CNI: Who is your favorite Sigma 6 character and why?

Andrew: So far it’s Spirit, hands down. He’s a great, underused character who I think has a lot of potential. We utilized some of that in his issue of S6 (#2), but there’s still so much more to be done. I’m hoping Devil’s Due will give him a larger platform sometime soon.

CNI: Will this series be geared more towards a younger audience, or will the same people who read AE and Declassified also enjoy this title?

Andrew: The Sigma 6 comics are geared for a younger audience, but I think people who read America’s Elite and Declassified will like what they see. We aren’t going to scratch the same continuity itch that those books do, but we are going to be telling some cool, exciting, fun stories with these great characters that I really think longtime fans should enjoy.

CNI: What's in store for you after this series is done? Any other projects that you are working on that you would like to tell us about?

Andrew: In addition to Sigma 6, I’m also adapting the Dark Elf Trilogy and Dragonlance: Chronicles novels for Devil’s Due, writing Vaistron for Slave Labor graphics, and scripting Atomika for Mercury Comics.

Comic News International would like to thank Andrew Dabb & Devil's Due Publishing for taking the time to answer our questions. Look for issue 1 on shelves in December.