"Energon Universe" | |
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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) |
|
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 toy company Hasbro. [1]
Featuring concepts and characters from Hasbro's Transformers and G.I. Joe , alongside the original intellectual property Void Rivals , 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 (EU) 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] In November 2024, Skybound deluxe editions for the coming years. [12]
Publisher | Country | Language | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Moztros | Spain | Spanish | [13] [14] |
Nagle Comics | Poland | Polish | [15] |
saldaPress | Italy | Italian | [16] |
Urban Comics | France | French | [17] |
The Energon Universe is set in the present (modern era); the franchise name makes reference to the substance that Transformers need to survive. [18]
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. [19]
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. [20]
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 Dreadnoks 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 | Jorge Corona Jason Howard Daniel Waren Johnson | Mike Spicer Sarah Stern | 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 9, 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
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 |
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. [26]
Until March 2024, the franchise sold over one million copies of Void Rivals, Transformers, Duke and Cobra Commander in total. [27] Following their highly positive critics, reprints have been made. [28] [29]
In June 2024, Transformers #10, Scarlett #2, Destro #2 and Void Rivals #11 were part of Image's Top 10 Comics in Direct Market. [30]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Comic | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Eisner Awards | Best Continuing Series | Daniel Warren Johnson | Transformers | Won | [31] |
Best Lettering | Rus Wooton | — | Nominated | |||
Best Writer/Artist | Daniel Warren Johnson | Transformers | Won | |||
ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards | Best Artist | Jorge Corona | Transformers | Pending | [32] | |
Best Colorirst | Jordie Bellaire | G.I. Joe | Pending |
# | Title | Material collected | Pages | Released | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Void Rivals | |||||
1 | More than Meets the Eye |
| 136 | 21 Feb 2024 [33] | 978-1534398184 [33] |
2 | Hunted Across the Wasteland |
| 128 | 4 Sep 2024 [34] | 978-1534328372 [34] |
3 | The Key to Vector Theta |
| 128 | 10 Jun 2025 | 978-1534326910 |
Transformers Vol. 4 | |||||
1 | Robots in Disguise |
| 136 | 8 May 2024 [35] | 978-1534398177 [35] |
2 | Transport to Oblivion |
| 128 | 13 Nov 2024 [36] | 978-1534345270 [36] |
3 | Combiner Chaos |
| 136 | 27 May 2025 | 978-1534325593 |
Codename: G.I. Joe | |||||
1 | Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle |
| 112 | 5 Jun 2024 [37] | 978-1534398160 [37] |
2 | Cobra Commander: Determined to Rule the World |
| 112 | 10 Jul 2024 [38] | 978-1534398153 [38] |
3 | Scarlett: Special Mission |
| 120 | 6 Nov 2024 [39] | 978-1534374140 [39] |
4 | Destro: The Enemy |
| 120 | 20 Nov 2024 [40] | 978-1534351066 [40] |
G.I. Joe Vol. 7 | |||||
1 | The Cobra Strikes! |
| 160 | 17 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328075 |
# | Title | Material collected | Pages | Released | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Void Rivals | |||||
1 | Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
| 272 | 3 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328242 |
Transformers Vol. 4 | |||||
1 | Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
| 280 | 13 May 2025 | 978-1534328235 |
Codename: G.I. Joe | |||||
1 | Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1 |
| 256 | 24 Jun 2025 | 978-1534328228 |
Transformers, is a media franchise produced by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy and American toy company Hasbro. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals. The franchise encompasses toys, animation, comic books, video games and films. As of 2011, it generated more than ¥2 trillion in revenue, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Snake Eyes is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books, and animated series, created by Larry Hama. He is one of the original and most popular members of the G.I. Joe Team, and is most known for his relationships with Scarlett and Storm Shadow. Snake Eyes is one of the most prominent characters in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero franchise, having appeared in every series of the franchise since its inception. He is portrayed by Ray Park in the 2009 live-action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and the 2013 sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Henry Golding portrays the titular character in the 2021 reboot Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.
Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for co-creating The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Invincible, Tech Jacket, Outcast, Oblivion Song, and Fire Power for Image Comics, in addition to writing Ultimate X-Men, Irredeemable Ant-Man and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt.
There have been four main publishers of the comic book series bearing the name Transformers based on the toy lines of the same name. The first series was produced by Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1991, which ran for 80 issues and produced four spin-off miniseries. This was followed by a second volume titled Transformers: Generation 2, which ran for 12 issues starting in 1993. The second major series was produced by Dreamwave Productions from 2002 to 2004 with multiple limited series as well, and within multiple story continuities, until the company became bankrupt in 2005. The third and fourth series have been published by IDW Publishing with the third series starting with an issue #0 in October 2005 and a regular series starting in January 2006 to November 2018. The fourth series started in March 2019 with issue #1 and concluded in June 2022. There are also several limited series being produced by IDW as well. Skybound Entertainment began publishing Transformers comics starting in June 2023, kicking off the Energon Universe. In addition to these four main publishers, there have also been several other smaller publishers with varying degrees of success.
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G.I. Joe is an American media franchise and a line of action figures owned and produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Pilot, Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse. The name is derived from the usage of "G.I. Joe" for the generic U.S. soldier, itself derived from the more general term "G.I.". The development of G.I. Joe led to the coining of the term "action figure". G.I. Joe's appeal to children has made it an American icon among toys.
Skybound Entertainment is an American multiplatform entertainment company founded by Robert Kirkman and David Alpert. It operates in concert with Image Comics.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a comic book that was published by Image Comics from 2001 to 2005. Based on Hasbro, Inc.'s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys, the series picks up seven years after the end of the Marvel Comics series.
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The Hasbro Comic Book Universe (HCBU) is an American comic book franchise and shared universe created and published by IDW Publishing, based on various properties of the toy company Hasbro.
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G.I. Joe is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment based on the toy line of the same name by Donald Levine and Hasbro.
Transformers is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment, being based on the toy line of the same name by Hasbro and Takara Tomy.