IDW and Hasbro have partnered to bring attention to the serious issues that veterans who served our country face, including mental health. They are working together during September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with promotions that coincide with the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
IDW and Hasbro are focusing on these issues in G.I. Joe comics. The recent issue 7 story, “A Soldier’s Heart,” focuses on Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara, a combat veteran struggling to return to civilian life, who joins a support group to navigate everyday challenges and tragic losses on a path toward recovery. The creative team behind G.I. Joe consulted with service members and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create the story and provide valuable real world information on mental health and resources for support.
During the month of September, IDW and Hasbro have made that issue available to read for free online, to spread awareness of suicide prevention and mental health. IDW also commissioned original artwork from artist Freddie Williams II as a public service announcement, featuring G.I. Joe characters and a banner proclaiming “Hope Lives Here,” a message of encouragement with suicide prevention initiatives.
They also hosted a virtual panel to raise awareness, moderated by George Gustines of The New York Times. It brought together Paul Allor (G.I. Joe writer), Michael Kelly (VP Global Publishing, Hasbro), Patricia Watson (PhD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and G.I. Joe #7 consultant), Duane K.L. France (U.S. Army SFC, LPC, and G.I. Joe #7 consultant), and Tom Waltz (IDW Senior Editor, writer, and former U.S. Marine).
“G.I. Joe is one of the great pop culture icons of the past century, and I think everyone involved recognizes how powerful this brand can be when used to shine a light on mental health among our veteran population,” Allor said. “I hope this panel and making the issue available for free during the month of September helps spread that message even further.”
IDW has been publishing G.I. Joe comics since 2010. Allor is writing the current series with art by Chris Evenhuis, Niko Walter, and Emma Vieceli.