"Energon Universe"
Official logo.
Publisher
Publication dateJune 2023 – present
Genre
Main character(s)

The Energon Universe (EU) is an ongoing American comic book franchise and shared fictional universe created and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro.[1] Featuring characters from Transformers and G.I. Joe, alongside original intellectual properties, the franchise is a successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe by IDW Publishing (2005–2018).[2]

Publication history

Background

Before IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics at the end of 2022,[3] in December 2021, it was reported that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, was in talks to acquire those licenses.[4]

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.[1] Kirkman and De Felici had previously worked together in another comic titled Oblivion Song.[5]

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."[6]

Michael Kelly, then Vice President of Global Publishing on Hasbro, 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.”[6]

Void Rivals is followed by a Transformers ongoing series and four G.I. Joe limited series.[7] Kirkman also brought up the possibility of adding other brands from Hasbro in the future.[8]

Setting

The Energon Universe is set in the modern era or present day.

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.[9]

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, and change the fate of humanity (and the universe) forever.[10]

List of works

2023

Title Issue(s) Creative team Premiere date Finale date Note(s) Ref.
Void Rivals 1– Writer(s)
Robert Kirkman
Artist(s)
Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist(s)
Patricio Delpeche
Matheus Lopes		 June 14, 2023 Present Original series. [1]
Transformers (vol. 4) Writer(s)
Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist(s)
Jorge Corona
Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist(s)
Mike Spicer		 October 4, 2023 [7]
Duke 1–5 Writer(s)
Joshua Williamson
Artist(s)
Tom Reilly
Colorist(s)
Jordie Bellaire		 December 27, 2023 [7]

2024

Title Issue(s) Creative team Premiere date Finale date Note(s) Ref.
Cobra Commander 1–5 Writer(s)
Joshua Williamson
Artist(s)
Andrea Milana
Colorist(s)
Annalisa Leoni		 January 17, 2024 TBA [7]
Energon Universe 2024 Special One-shot Writer(s)
Robert Kirkman
Daniel Warren Johnson
Joshua Williamson
Artist(s)
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley		 May 4, 2024 Released during Free Comic Book Day. [11]

Release order

  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

Collected editions

Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
Void Rivals
Void Rivals, Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye
  • Void Rivals #1–6
 136 February 20, 2024 1684158958, 978-1684158959
Transformers
Transformers, Volume 1
  • Transformers #1–6
 136 May 7, 2024 1534398171, 978-1534398177
G.I. Joe
Duke, Volume 1
  • Duke #1–5
 112 June 4, 2024 1534398163, 978-1534398160
Cobra Commander, Volume 1
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
 June 11, 2024 1534398155, 978-1534398153

See also

References

  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. ↑ 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. ↑ Wigler, Josh (2018-03-06). "'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. ↑ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-09-01). "New Transformers Canon Could Include Other Hasbro Properties, Confirms Kirkman". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-18). "Why G.I. Joe and Transformers HATE Each Other In New Shared Continuity". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  11. ↑ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
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