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"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 the successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe by IDW Publishing (2005–2018). [2]

Setting

The Energon Universe is set in the present ( modern era); the franchise name makes reference to the substance that Transformers need to survive. [3]

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. [4]

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. [5]

Publication history

Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as "showrunner" of the EU comic line. [6]

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. [7] [8] Skybound would officially announce it in June 2023. [6]

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. [9]

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." [10]

Michael J. 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.” [10]

Void Rivals is followed by a Transformers ongoing series and four G.I. Joe limited series. [11] Kirkman also brought up the possibility of adding other action brands from Hasbro in the future, [12] and confirmed that they will not have more than four series running at once. [a]

Distribution and localization

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

List of publications

Ongoing series

Title Issues Writer Artist(s) Colourist(s) Debut date
Void Rivals [note 1] 1– Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De Felici Matheus Lopes (1–4, 6, 9)
Patricio Delpeche (5, 7–8, 10) 		June 14, 2023 [1]
Transformers (vol. 4) Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson (1–6)
Jorge Corona (7–) 		Mike Spicer October 4, 2023 [11]

Limited series

Title Issues Writer Artist Colourist Debut date Conclusion date
Duke [note 2] 1–5 Joshua Williamson Tom Reilly Jordie Bellaire December 27, 2023 [11] April 24, 2024
Cobra Commander [note 2] Andrea Milana Annalisa Leoni January 17, 2024 [11] May 15, 2024
Scarlett [note 2] Kelly Thompson Marco Ferrari Lee Loughridge June 5, 2024 [18] TBA
Destro [note 2] Dan Watters Andrei Bressan Adriano Lucas June 19, 2024 [18]

One-shots

Title Writer(s) Artist(s) Colourist(s) Release date

Energon Universe 2024 Special

 Robert Kirkman
Daniel Warren Johnson
Joshua Williamson 		Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
Jason Howard 		May 4, 2024 ( Free Comic Book Day) [19]
May 8, 2024 (variant covers) [20]
  1. ^ Original series.
  2. ^ a b c d G.I. Joe prequel series.

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
  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
  23. Transformers #8
  24. Cobra Commander #5
  25. Void Rivals #9
  26. Scarlett #1
  27. Transformers #9
  28. Destro #1
  29. Void Rivals #10
  30. Scarlett #2
  31. Transformers #10
  32. Destro #2
  33. Void Rivals #11

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
Void Rivals, Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland
  • Void Rivals #7–12
 128 September 3, 2024 1534328378, 978-1534328372
Transformers
Transformers, Volume 1: Robots in Disguise
  • Transformers #1–6
 136 May 7, 2024 1534398171, 978-1534398177
Transformers, Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion
  • Transformers #7–12
 128 November 26, 2024 1534345272, 978-1534345270
G.I. Joe
Duke, Volume 1: Knowing is Half the Battle
  • Duke #1–5
 112 June 4, 2024 1534398163, 978-1534398160
Cobra Commander, Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World
  • Cobra Commander #1–5
 June 11, 2024 1534398155, 978-1534398153
Scarlett, Volume 1: Special Mission
  • Scarlett #1–5
 120 November 5, 2024 1534329552, 978-1534329553
Destro, Volume 1: The Enemy
  • Destro #1–5
 November 19, 2024 1534357688, 978-1534357686

Reception

Critical response

Issue Critic rating Critic reviews Ref.
Void Rivals 8.4/10 72 [21]
Transformers (vol. 4) 9.0/10 84 [22]
Duke 8.7/10 45 [23]
Cobra Commander 8.5/10 43 [24]

Sales and reprints

Until March 2024, the franchise sold over one million copies of Void Rivals, Transformers (vol. 4), Duke and Cobra Commander in total. [25] Following their highly positive critics, reprints have been made. [26]

See also

References

Notes

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

Footnotes

  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. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-01). "Transformers Reveals Why New Continuity Is Called the ENERGON UNIVERSE". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-10-18). "Why G.I. Joe and Transformers HATE Each Other In New Shared Continuity". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  6. ^ a b Schedeen, Jesse (2023-06-14). "Skybound Acquires Transformers and G.I. Joe Comic Book License". IGN. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Wigler, Josh (2018-03-06). "'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Cabaniss, Nathan (2023-09-01). "New Transformers Canon Could Include Other Hasbro Properties, Confirms Kirkman". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  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. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Void Rivals (2023) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  22. ^ "Transformers (2023) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  23. ^ "Duke (2023) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  24. ^ "Cobra Commander (2024) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  25. ^ Johnston, Rich (2024-03-12). "Robert Kirkman's Energon Universe Sold Over A Million Copies So Far". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  26. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-12-22). "Transformers Comics Get New Printings From Skybound and Hasbro". CBR. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
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