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Energon Universe

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"Energon Universe"
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]

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

[edit]
Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as "showrunner" of the EU comic line.[3]

Background

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
Publisher Country Language Ref.
Moztros Spain Spanish [13][14]
Nagle Comics Poland Polish [15]
saldaPress Italy Italian [16]
Urban Comics France French [17]

Setting

[edit]

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 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

List of publications

[edit]

Ongoing series

[edit]
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]
  1. ^ Original series.

Limited series

[edit]
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
  1. ^ a b c d G.I. Joe (vol. 7) prequel series.

Specials

[edit]
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
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

Release order

[edit]

Year one

[edit]
  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

[edit]
  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. Transformers #18
  36. G.I. Joe #5
  37. Void Rivals #18
  38. Energon Universe 2025 Special

Reception

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Critical response

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
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

Collected editions

[edit]

Trade paperback

[edit]
# Title Material collected Pages Released ISBN
Void Rivals
1 More than Meets the Eye
  • Void Rivals #1–6
 136 21 Feb 2024[33] 978-1534398184[33]
2 Hunted Across the Wasteland
  • Void Rivals #7–12
 128 4 Sep 2024[34] 978-1534328372[34]
3 The Key to Vector Theta
  • Void Rivals #13–18
 128 10 Jun 2025 978-1534326910
Transformers Vol. 4
1 Robots in Disguise
  • Transformers #1–6
 136 8 May 2024[35] 978-1534398177[35]
2 Transport to Oblivion
  • Transformers #7–12
 128 13 Nov 2024[36] 978-1534345270[36]
3 Combiner Chaos
  • Transformers #13–18
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • Transformers story
 136 27 May 2025 978-1534325593
Codename: G.I. Joe
1 Duke: Knowing is Half the Battle
  • Duke #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • G.I. Joe story
 112 5 Jun 2024[37] 978-1534398160[37]
2 Cobra Commander: Determined to Rule the World
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
 112 10 Jul 2024[38] 978-1534398153[38]
3 Scarlett: Special Mission
  • Scarlett #1–5
 120 6 Nov 2024[39] 978-1534374140[39]
4 Destro: The Enemy
  • Destro #1–5
 120 20 Nov 2024[40] 978-1534351066[40]
G.I. Joe Vol. 7
1 The Cobra Strikes!
  • G.I. Joe #1–6
 160 17 Jun 2025 978-1534328075

Hardcover

[edit]
# Title Material collected Pages Released ISBN
Void Rivals
1 Void Rivals: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Void Rivals #1–12
 272 3 Jun 2025 978-1534328242
Transformers Vol. 4
1 Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Transformers #1–12
 280 13 May 2025 978-1534328235
Codename: G.I. Joe
1 Codename: G.I. Joe: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Duke #1–5
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • G.I. Joe story
 256 24 Jun 2025 978-1534328228

See also

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References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ As depicted in the letters page for Void Rivals #3.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Void Rivals TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  34. ^ a b "Void Rivals TP, Vol. 2". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  35. ^ a b "Transformers TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  36. ^ a b "Transformers TP, Vol. 2". Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  37. ^ a b "Duke TP". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  38. ^ a b "Cobra Commander TP". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  39. ^ a b "Scarlett TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  40. ^ a b "Destro TP, Vol. 1". Image Comics. Image Comics. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
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