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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]
| "Energon Universe" | |
|---|---|
 Official logo. | |
| Publisher | |
| Publication date | June 2023 – present |
| Genre | |
| Main character(s) |
|
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Various |
| Artist(s) | Various |
| Letterer(s) | Rus Wooton |
| Colorist(s) | Various |
| Editor(s) |
|
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]
Background
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]
Development
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 and Patricio Delpeche.[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 featuring Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro as main protagonists.[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]
Distribution and localization
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]
| Star system | Planet | Race | Factions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hadean System | Cybertron | Cybertronian (Transformer) | Autobots Decepticons |
| Sacred Ring | Agorria | Agorrian | Keepers of the Light Unifiers |
| Zertonia | Zertonian | ||
| Solar System | Earth | Earthling (animal/human) | Arashikage clan Cobra Cobra-La Dreadnocks G.I. Joe M.A.R.S. Industries United States military |
| ? | Monacus | Monacolian | ? |
| Quintessa | Quintesson | Allicons |
Ongoing series
| 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 | Jorge Corona Jason Howard Daniel Waren Johnson |
Mike Spicer | October 4, 2023[8] | |
| G.I. Joe (vol. 7) | Joshua Williamson | Tom Reilly | Jordie Bellaire | November 13, 2024[11] | |
- Original series.
Limited series
| 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[20] |
| Cobra Commander[note 1] | Andrea Milana | Annalisa Leoni | January 17, 2024[8] | May 15, 2024[21] | ||
| Scarlett[note 1] | Kelly Thompson | Marco Ferrari | Lee Loughridge | June 5, 2024[22] | October 9, 2024 | |
| Destro[note 1] | Dan Watters | Andrei Bressan Andrea Milana |
Adriano Lucas | June 19, 2024[22] | October 16, 2024 |
- G.I. Joe (vol. 7) prequel series.
Specials
| Title | Side story | Writer | Artist | Colorist | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Transfomers | Daniel Warren Johnson | Ryan Ottley | Mike Spicer | May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[23] May 8, 2024 (variant covers)[24] |
| Void Rivals | Robert Kirkman | Lorenzo De Felici | Matheus Lopes | ||
| G.I. Joe | Joshua Williamson | Jason Howard | Annalisa Leoni | ||
| Energon Universe 2025 Special | Transfomers | Daniel Warren Johnson | TBA | May 3, 2025 (Free Comic Book Day) | |
| Void Rivals | Robert Kirkman | Conor Hughes | |||
| G.I. Joe | Joshua Williamson | Andrea Milana | |||
Year one
- Void Rivals #1–4
- Transformers #1
- Void Rivals #5
- Transformers #2
- Void Rivals #6
- Transformers #3
- Duke #1
- Transformers #4
- Cobra Commander #1
- Duke #2
- Transformers #5
- Cobra Commander #2
- Duke #3
- Void Rivals #7
- Transformers #6
- Cobra Commander #3
- Duke #4
- Void Rivals #8
- Transformers #7
- Cobra Commander #4
- Duke #5
- Energon Universe 2024 Special
Year two
- Transformers #8
- Cobra Commander #5
- Void Rivals #9
- Scarlett #1
- Transformers #9
- Destro #1
- Void Rivals #10
- Scarlett #2
- Transformers #10
- Destro #2
- Void Rivals #11
- Scarlett #3
- Transformers #11
- Destro #3
- Void Rivals #12
- Scarlett #4
- Transformers #12
- Destro #4
- Scarlett #5
- Transformers #13
- Destro #5
- Void Rivals #13
- G.I. Joe #1
- Transformers #14
- Void Rivals #14
- Transformers #15
- G.I. Joe #2
- Void Rivals #15
- Transformers #16
- G.I. Joe #3
- Void Rivals #16
Critical response
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.[25]
Sales
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]
Accolades
| 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 | Format | Pages | Released | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Void Rivals | ||||||
| 1 | More than Meets the Eye |
|
TPB | 136 | 10 Sep 2024 | 978-1302957292 |
| 2 | Hunted Across the Wasteland |
|
TPB | 128 | 18 Mar 2025 | 978-1302958282 |
| 3 | The Key to Vector Theta |
|
TPB | 128 | 10 Jun 2025 | 978-1534326910 |
| 1 | Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
|
HCV | 272 | 3 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328242 |
| Transformers | ||||||
| 1 | Robots in Disguise |
|
TPB | 136 | 11 Oct 2024 | 978-1302957308 |
| 2 | Transport to Oblivion |
|
TPB | 128 | 15 Apr 2025 | 978-1302958237 |
| 3 | Combiner Chaos |
|
TPB | 136 | 27 May 2025 | 978-1534325593 |
| 1 | Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
|
HCV | 280 | 13 May 2025 | 978-1534328235 |
| Codename: G.I. Joe | ||||||
| 1 | Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle |
|
TPB | 112 | 4 Jun 2024 | 978-1534398160 |
| 2 | Cobra Commander: Determined to Rule the World |
|
TPB | 112 | 11 Jun 2024 | 978-1534398153 |
| 3 | Scarlett: Special Mission |
|
TPB | 120 | 5 Nov 2024 | 978-1534329553 |
| 4 | Destro: The Enemy |
|
TPB | 120 | 19 Nov 2024 | 978-1534357686 |
| 1 | Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
|
HCV | 256 | 24 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328228 |
| G.I. Joe | ||||||
| 1 | The Cobra Strikes! |
|
TPB | 160 | 17 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328075 |
- G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, an unrelated G.I. Joe series published by Skybound Entertainment
- Hasbro Universe
- Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018)
- List of comics based on Hasbro properties
- Ultimate Universe by Marvel Comics
- Absolute Universe by DC Comics
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