Energon Universe

Last updated
Energon Universe
Energon Universe official logo, Skybound Entertainment, Jun 2023.png
Created by Robert Kirkman
Original work Void Rivals #1 (June 2023)
Owners
Years2023–present

The Energon Universe (EU) is an ongoing American mass media franchise and shared fictional universe created and overseen by Robert Kirkman, being developed and presented by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro. [1]

Contents

The franchise is the successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018) by IDW Publishing, and features concepts and characters from several classic intellectual properties, like Transformers and G.I. Joe . [2]

History

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. [3] [4]

Skybound would officially announce it in June 2023. [5]

Intellectual properties

N °Intellectual propertyDebut yearCreator(s)Note
1 Void Rivals 2023 Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De FeliciOriginal comic book series
2 Transformers 1984 Shōji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake Co-owned by Hasbro and Takara Tomy
3 G.I. Joe 1964 Stanley Weston and Donald Levine N/a
4 M.A.S.K. 1985 Kenner Products N/a

List of media

Comics

Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as the "showrunner" of the EU comic line. He also writes Transformers since October 2025. Robert Kirkman by Gage Skidmore 5.jpg
Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as the "showrunner" of the EU comic line. He also writes Transformers since October 2025.

The EU debuted on June 14, 2023, with the original comic book series Void Rivals , written by Robert Kirkman, and initially 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 . [7]

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." [8]

Michael Kelly, who was Vice President of Global Publishing on Hasbro until December 2023, added, “When we first discussed the 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.” [8]

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. [9] Kirkman also brought up the possibility of adding other action brands from Hasbro in the future, [10] and confirmed that they will not have more than four series running at once, [a] as well as not adding more titles (for now) to keep the line at a manageable, easy-to-follow size. [b]

In June 2024, Skybound officially announced the new G.I. Joe ongoing series that follows its four previous prequels. [11] In November 2024, Skybound announced deluxe editions for the coming years. [12]

Toys

Animation

In October 2025, it was announced that an adult animated television series based on the EU was in development, with Joe Henderson attached as writer and showrunner of the adaptation. [15]

Setting

Premise

The Energon Universe is set in the present (modern era); the franchise name makes reference to the substance that Transformers need to survive. [16]

In the Sacred Ring, there is a war between planets Agorria and Zertonia. When two rivals 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. [17]

Meanwhile, the other war on Cybertron between Autobots and Decepticons 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. [18]

Features

Star systemPlanetSpecies/RaceFactions
Hadean SystemCybertronCybertronian (Transformer) Autobots
Decepticons
Sacred RingAgorriaAgorrianN/a
ZertoniaZertonianKeepers of the Light
Unifiers
Solar System Earth Earthling (human)Arashikage clan
Cobra
Cobra-La
Dreadnoks
G.I. Joe
M.A.R.S. Industries
Mugenonami group
Night Force
Shadow Watch
United States military
N/aJunkionJunkion (Transformer)Junkions
N/aMonacusMonacolianN/a
N/aNebulosNebulanN/a
N/a Prysmos PrysmosianN/a
N/aQuintessaQuintessonAllicons
Sharkticons

Plot

Characters

See also

References

Notes

  1. As depicted in the letters page for Void Rivals #3.
  2. As depicted in the letters page for Void Rivals #15.

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Walking Dead Creator's New Series Is an Invincible-style Shared Sci-Fi Universe". CBR. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  2. "IDW Is Merging G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Its Other Hasbro Comics Into One Giant Universe". io9. June 2016. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  3. Kit, Borys (2022-01-21). "IDW to Lose 'G.I. Joe,' 'Transformers' License at End of 2022 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  4. Kit, Borys (2021-12-10). "Robert Kirkman's Skybound in Talks to Acquire G.I. Joe, Transformers Publishing License (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  5. 1 2 Schedeen, Jesse (2023-06-14). "Skybound Acquires Transformers and G.I. Joe Comic Book License". IGN. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. Marston, George (2025-06-26). "The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is taking over Transformers, and he's bringing DC's best artist with him". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  7. Wigler, Josh (2018-03-06). "'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  8. 1 2 First Comics News (2023-06-14). "SURPRISE! TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE TODAY!" . Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  9. Salmon, Will (2023-06-14). "Skybound roll out a new shared Transformers and G.I. Joe universe - and it starts today!". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  10. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-09-01). "New Transformers Canon Could Include Other Hasbro Properties, Confirms Kirkman". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  11. First Comics News (2024-06-27). "YO JOE! JOSHUA WILLIAMSON & TOM REILLY DEBUT NEW ENERGON UNIVERSE SERIES G.I. JOE #1" . Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  12. "Skybound Plans Energon Universe Hardcovers". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  13. Cabaniss, Nathan (2025-03-10). "Transformers Announces Major SDCC Treat For Its Epic Energon Universe". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  14. Donohoo, Timothy Blake (2025-10-12). "Transformers' Optimus Prime Returns to the Energon Universe After 2 Years With Official First-Look Reveal". CBR. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
  15. Andreeva, Nellie (2025-10-22). "Energon Universe Adult Animated Series Based On Comic From Hasbro & Skybound With Joe Henderson As Showrunner Hitting TV Marketplace". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
  16. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-01). "Transformers Reveals Why New Continuity Is Called the ENERGON UNIVERSE". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  17. First Comics News (2023-02-24). "ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMICS UNIVERSE IN VOID RIVALS #1" . Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  18. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-18). "Why G.I. Joe and Transformers HATE Each Other In New Shared Continuity". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-19.