Energon Universe

Last updated
"Energon Universe"
Energon Universe official logo, Skybound Entertainment, Jun 2023.png
Official logo.
Publisher
Publication dateJune  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]

Contents

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]

Publication history

Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as "showrunner" of the EU comic line. Robert Kirkman by Gage Skidmore 5.jpg
Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as "showrunner" of the EU comic line.

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 (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]

Distribution and localization

PublisherCountryLanguageRef.
Moztros Spain Spanish [13] [14]
Nagle Comics Poland Polish [15]
saldaPress Italy Italian [16]
Urban Comics France French [17]

Setting

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]

Energon Universe features
Star systemPlanetRaceFactions
Hadean SystemCybertronCybertronian (Transformer) Autobots
Decepticons
Sacred RingAgorriaAgorrianKeepers of the Light
Unifiers
ZertoniaZertonian
Solar System Earth Earthling (animal/human)Arashikage clan
Cobra
Cobra-La
Dreadnoks
G.I. Joe
M.A.R.S. Industries
United States military
?MonacusMonacolian?
QuintessaQuintessonAllicons

List of publications

Ongoing series

TitleIssuesWriterArtist(s)Colorist(s)Debut date
Void Rivals [note 1] 1 Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De FeliciPatricio 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]
  1. Original series.

Limited series

TitleIssuesWriterArtist(s)ColoristDebut dateConclusion date
Duke [note 1] 15Joshua WilliamsonTom ReillyJordie BellaireDecember 27, 2023 [8] April 24, 2024 [21]
Cobra Commander [note 1] Andrea MilanaAnnalisa LeoniJanuary 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 WattersAndrei Bressan
Andrea Milana
Adriano LucasJune 19, 2024 [23] October 16, 2024
  1. 1 2 3 4 G.I. Joe (vol. 7) prequel series.

Specials

TitleSide storyWriterArtistColoristRelease date

Energon Universe 2024 Special

TransfomersDaniel Warren Johnson Ryan Ottley Mike SpicerMay 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day) [24]
May 8, 2024 (variant covers) [25]
Void RivalsRobert KirkmanLorenzo De FeliciMatheus Lopes
G.I. JoeJoshua WilliamsonJason HowardAnnalisa Leoni
Energon Universe 2025 SpecialTransfomersDaniel Warren JohnsonTBAMay 3, 2025 (Free Comic Book Day)
Void RivalsRobert KirkmanConor Hughes
G.I. JoeJoshua WilliamsonAndrea Milana

Release order

Year one

  1. Void Rivals #1–4
  2. Transformers #1
  3. Void Rivals #5
  4. Transformers #2
  5. Void Rivals #6
  6. Transformers #3
  7. Duke #1
  8. Transformers #4
  9. Cobra Commander #1
  10. Duke #2
  11. Transformers #5
  12. Cobra Commander #2
  13. Duke #3
  14. Void Rivals #7
  15. Transformers #6
  16. Cobra Commander #3
  17. Duke #4
  18. Void Rivals #8
  19. Transformers #7
  20. Cobra Commander #4
  21. Duke #5
  22. Energon Universe 2024 Special

Year two

  1. Transformers #8
  2. Cobra Commander #5
  3. Void Rivals #9
  4. Scarlett #1
  5. Transformers #9
  6. Destro #1
  7. Void Rivals #10
  8. Scarlett #2
  9. Transformers #10
  10. Destro #2
  11. Void Rivals #11
  12. Scarlett #3
  13. Transformers #11
  14. Destro #3
  15. Void Rivals #12
  16. Scarlett #4
  17. Transformers #12
  18. Destro #4
  19. Scarlett #5
  20. Transformers #13
  21. Destro #5
  22. Void Rivals #13
  23. G.I. Joe #1
  24. Transformers #14
  25. Void Rivals #14
  26. Transformers #15
  27. G.I. Joe #2
  28. Void Rivals #15
  29. Transformers #16
  30. G.I. Joe #3
  31. Void Rivals #16
  32. Transformers #17
  33. G.I. Joe #4
  34. Void Rivals #17
  35. Energon Universe 2025 Special

Reception

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. [26]

Sales

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]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNomineeComicResultRef.
2024 Eisner Awards Best Continuing Series Daniel Warren Johnson Transformers Won [31]
Best LetteringRus WootonNominated
Best Writer/ArtistDaniel Warren JohnsonTransformersWon
ComicBook.com Golden Issue AwardsBest ArtistJorge CoronaTransformersPending [32]
Best Colorirst Jordie Bellaire G.I. Joe Pending

Collected editions

Trade paperback

#TitleMaterial collectedPagesReleasedISBN
Void Rivals
1More than Meets the Eye
  • Void Rivals #1–6
13621 Feb 2024 [33] 978-1534398184 [33]
2Hunted Across the Wasteland
  • Void Rivals #7–12
1284 Sep 2024 [34] 978-1534328372 [34]
3The Key to Vector Theta
  • Void Rivals #13–18
12810 Jun 2025 978-1534326910
Transformers Vol. 4
1Robots in Disguise
  • Transformers #1–6
1368 May 2024 [35] 978-1534398177 [35]
2Transport to Oblivion
  • Transformers #7–12
12813 Nov 2024 [36] 978-1534345270 [36]
3Combiner Chaos
  • Transformers #13–18
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • Transformers story
13627 May 2025 978-1534325593
Codename: G.I. Joe
1Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle
  • Duke #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • G.I. Joe story
1125 Jun 2024 [37] 978-1534398160 [37]
2Cobra Commander: Determined to Rule the World
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
11210 Jul 2024 [38] 978-1534398153 [38]
3Scarlett: Special Mission
  • Scarlett #1–5
1206 Nov 2024 [39] 978-1534374140 [39]
4Destro: The Enemy
  • Destro #1–5
12020 Nov 2024 [40] 978-1534351066 [40]
G.I. Joe Vol. 7
1The Cobra Strikes!
  • G.I. Joe #1–6
16017 Jun 2025 978-1534328075

Hardcover

#TitleMaterial collectedPagesReleasedISBN
Void Rivals
1Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Void Rivals #1–12
2723 Jun 2025 978-1534328242
Transformers Vol. 4
1Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Transformers #1–12
28013 May 2025 978-1534328235
Codename: G.I. Joe
1Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Duke #1–5
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • G.I. Joe story
25624 Jun 2025 978-1534328228

See also

Related Research Articles

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.

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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.

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<i>G.I. Joe</i> (IDW Publishing)

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References

Notes

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 Schedeen, Jesse (2023-06-14). "Skybound Acquires Transformers and G.I. Joe Comic Book License". IGN. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Wigler, Josh (2018-03-06). "'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  7. 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.
  8. 1 2 3 4 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.
  9. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-09-01). "New Transformers Canon Could Include Other Hasbro Properties, Confirms Kirkman". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  10. First Comics News (2024-05-08). "CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENERGON UNIVERSE WITH COMMEMORATIVE VARIANTS IN JUNE!" . Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  11. 1 2 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. Muñiz, Igor Álvarez (2024-01-17). "Moztros publicará Transformers y G.I. Joe en España - Zona Negativa". Zona Negativa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  14. Iglesias, Joel (2024-01-17). "Los Transformers aterrizan en Moztros". Tomos y Grapas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  15. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  16. "L'Energon Universe arriva in Italia: il futuro è già qui!". saldaPress (in Italian). 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  17. "L'Energon Universe arrive chez Urban Comics en 2024". Urban Comics (in French). 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  18. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-01). "Transformers Reveals Why New Continuity Is Called the ENERGON UNIVERSE". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  19. 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.
  20. Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-18). "Why G.I. Joe and Transformers HATE Each Other In New Shared Continuity". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  21. Duke #5
  22. Cobra Commander #5
  23. 1 2 Marston, George (2024-03-07). "GI Joe veterans Scarlett and Destro get their own titles as part of Skybound's Energon Universe". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  24. Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  25. Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2024-02-13). "Transformers and G.I. Joe headline Skybound and Hasbro's surprise Energon Universe Special this May". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  26. "Void Rivals (2023) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  27. Johnston, Rich (2024-03-12). "Robert Kirkman's Energon Universe Sold Over A Million Copies So Far". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  28. Donohoo, Timothy (2023-12-22). "Transformers Comics Get New Printings From Skybound and Hasbro". CBR. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  29. Comments, Rich Johnston | Last updated | (2024-06-14). "Printwatch: Void Rivals #1 Gets 9th Printing, Transformers #1 Gets 7th". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  30. "Energon Universe, Witchblade Dominate Image's July Sales Charts". Comics. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  31. First Comics News (2024-05-16). "NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 WILL EISNER COMIC INDUSTRY AWARDS" . Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  32. Adams, Tim (2024-12-06). "The 2024 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards Nominees for Comics". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  33. 1 2 "Void Rivals TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  34. 1 2 "Void Rivals TP, Vol. 2". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  35. 1 2 "Transformers TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  36. 1 2 "Transformers TP, Vol. 2". Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  37. 1 2 "Duke TP". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  38. 1 2 "Cobra Commander TP". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  39. 1 2 "Scarlett TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  40. 1 2 "Destro TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.