Energon Universe

Publication dateJune 2023 – presentGenreMain character(s)Creative teamWriter(s)VariousArtist(s)VariousLetterer(s)Rus WootonColorist(s)VariousEditor(s)

The Energon Universe (EU) is an ongoing American comic book franchise and shared fictional universe created and overseen by Robert Kirkman, and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro.^[1]

Featuring concepts and characters from Transformers and G.I. Joe, alongside original intellectual properties, the franchise is the successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe by IDW Publishing (2005–2018).^[2]

Before IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics at the end of 2022, in December 2021, it was reported that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, was in talks with Hasbro to acquire those licenses.^[4][5] Skybound would officially announce it in June 2023.^[3]

The Energon Universe debuted on June 14, 2023, with the original series Void Rivals, written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici and colored by Matheus Lopes.^[1] Kirkman and De Felici had previously worked together in another comic titled Oblivion Song.^[6]

Kirkman said, "It’s a tremendous honor to be able to reintroduce this world to a new audience under the Skybound banner. I’ve loved these characters for most of my life and to have the opportunity to add to the already rich tapestry Hasbro has built with the all-new Void Rivals is an unbelievable opportunity. If you look at everything done with Transformers and G.I. Joe, you can see the inkling of a vast universe with tremendous potential for crossovers and interaction that will enhance the fan experience while staying true to the individual identities of both concepts. I look forward to exploring that potential for years to come."^[7]

Michael Kelly, who was Vice President of Global Publishing on Hasbro until December 2023, added, “When we first discussed plan for the surprise reveal in Void Rivals #1, I never expected it would be a secret we could keep for over a year. Now that it is finally here, we are all excited to finally be able to talk about all the amazing stories to come from our great new partners at Skybound.”^[7]

Void Rivals is followed by a Transformers ongoing series and four G.I. Joe limited series.^[8] Kirkman also brought up the possibility of adding other action brands from Hasbro in the future,^[9] and confirmed that they will not have more than four series running at once.^[a]

In May 2024, Skybound announced four connecting variant covers to celebrate the Energon Universe's first anniversary for June 2024. The covers are drawn by Jason Howard and colored by Annalisa Leoni.^[10]

In June 2024, Skybound officially announced the new G.I. Joe ongoing series that follows its four previous prequels.^[11]

Publisher	Country	Language	Ref.
Moztros	Spain	Spanish	[12][13]
Nagle Comics	Poland	Polish	[14]
saldaPress	Italy	Italian	[15]
Urban Comics	France	French	[16]

The Energon Universe is set in the present (modern era); the franchise name makes reference to the substance that Transformers need to survive.^[17]

In the Sacred Ring, there is a war between Agorrians and Zertonians. When two rivals named Darak and Solila crash on a mysterious planetoid, they must work together in order to survive. In the process, they learn a secret that will change everything they believed about their war.^[18]

Meanwhile, the other war between Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron expands to Earth, leading to the foundation of G.I. Joe and Cobra in response. A chain of events will cause all those factions to fight against each other, changing the fate of humanity (and the universe) forever.^[19]

Energon Universe features

Star system	Planet	Race	Factions
Hadean System	Cybertron	Cybertronian	Autobots Decepticons
Sacred Ring	Agorria	Agorrian	Keepers of the Light Unifiers
	Zertonia	Zertonian
Solar System	Earth	Earthling	Arashikage clan Cobra Cobra-La Dreadnocks G.I. Joe M.A.R.S. Industries United States military
?	Monacus	Monacolian	?
?	Quintessa	Quintesson	Allicons

Title	Issues	Writer	Artist(s)	Colorist(s)	Debut date
Void Rivals[note 1]	1–	Robert Kirkman	Lorenzo De Felici	Patricio Delpeche Matheus Lopes	June 14, 2023[1]
Transformers (vol. 4)		Daniel Warren Johnson (1–24)[20]	Daniel Waren Johnson (1–6) Jorge Corona (7–12, 15–) Jason Howard (13–14)	Mike Spicer	October 4, 2023[8]
G.I. Joe (vol. 7)		Joshua Williamson	Tom Reilly	Jordie Bellaire	November 13, 2024[11]

Title	Issues	Writer	Artist(s)	Colorist	Debut date	Conclusion date
Duke[note 1]	1–5	Joshua Williamson	Tom Reilly	Jordie Bellaire	December 27, 2023[8]	April 24, 2024[21]
Cobra Commander[note 1]			Andrea Milana	Annalisa Leoni	January 17, 2024[8]	May 15, 2024[22]
Scarlett[note 1]		Kelly Thompson	Marco Ferrari	Lee Loughridge	June 5, 2024[23]	October 2, 2024
Destro[note 1]		Dan Watters	Andrei Bressan Andrea Milana	Adriano Lucas	June 19, 2024[23]	October 16, 2024

Title	Side story	Writer	Artist	Colorist	Release date
Energon Universe 2024 Special	Transfomers	Daniel Warren Johnson	Ryan Ottley	Mike Spicer	May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[24] May 8, 2024 (variant covers)[25]
	Void Rivals	Robert Kirkman	Lorenzo De Felici	Matheus Lopes
	G.I. Joe	Joshua Williamson	Jason Howard	Annalisa Leoni

The EU comics have been receiving general positive reviews for their narrative, tone and complex storylines, with critics praising Void Rivals for the surprising guest appearance of several Transformers and G.I. Joe characters in each issue.^{[citation needed]}

Until March 2024, the franchise sold over one million copies of Void Rivals, Transformers, Duke and Cobra Commander in total.^[26] Following their highly positive critics, reprints have been made.^[27][28]

In June 2024, Transformers #10, Scarlett #2, Destro #2 and Void Rivals #11 were part of Image's Top 10 Comics in Direct Market.^[29]

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Comic	Result	Ref.
2024	Eisner Awards	Best Continuing Series	Daniel Warren Johnson	Transformers	Won	[30]
		Best Lettering	Rus Wooton	—	Nominated
		Best Writer/Artist	Daniel Warren Johnson	Transformers	Won

Title	Material collected	Pages	Publication date	ISBN
Void Rivals
Void Rivals, Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye	Void Rivals #1–6	136	February 20, 2024	ISBN 9781684158959
Void Rivals, Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland	Void Rivals #7–12 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Void Rivals story)	128	September 3, 2024	ISBN 9781534328372
Transformers
Transformers, Volume 1: Robots in Disguise	Transformers #1–6	136	May 7, 2024	ISBN 9781534398177
Transformers, Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion	Transformers #7–12 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Transformers story)	128	November 26, 2024	ISBN 9781534345270
G.I. Joe
Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle	Duke #1–5 Energon Universe 2024 Special (G.I. Joe story)	112	June 4, 2024	ISBN 9781534398160
Cobra Commander, Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World	Cobra Commander #1–5		June 11, 2024	ISBN 978-1534398153
Scarlett, Volume 1: Special Mission	Scarlett #1–5	120	November 5, 2024	ISBN 9781534329553
Destro, Volume 1: The Enemy	Destro #1–5		November 19, 2024	ISBN 9781534357686

• Hasbro Universe
  • Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018)
• List of comics based on Hasbro properties