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. The franchise is the successor of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018) by IDW Publishing, and features concepts and characters from old and new intellectual properties.

History Background Before IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics at the end of 2022, in December 2021, The Hollywood Reporter shared the news that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, was in talks with Hasbro to acquire those licenses. Skybound would then officially announce it in June 2023.

Intellectual properties +List of intellectual properties featured in the Energon UniverseN °Intellectual propertyDebut yearCreator(s)Note1Void Rivals2023Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De FeliciOriginal comic book series; co-owned by Hasbro and Skybound Entertainment2Transformers1984Shōji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake (Japan); Bill Mantlo, Bob Budiansky and Ralph Macchio (USA); Simon Furman (UK)Co-owned by Hasbro and Tomy3G.I. Joe1964Stanley Weston and Donald Levine 4M.A.S.K.1985Kenner Parker, Jack Forster and Roger SweetPreviously owned by Kenner Products5Rom the Space Knight1979Scott Dankman, Richard C. Levy and Bryan L. McCoy (toy); Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema (comic)Previously owned by Parker Brothers6Micronauts1976Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden (comic)Previously owned by Takara and Mego Corporation

List of media Comics

Phase One 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. Kirkman and De Felici had previously worked together in another comic titled Oblivion Song.

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."

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.”

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

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

Phase Two In 2025, characters from the M.A.S.K. franchise were officially introduced into the universe. Matt Trakker debuted in the G.I. Joe story of the 2025 Special, while Miles Mayhem debuted in Transformers #25. In February 2026, Skybound officially announced a M.A.S.K. ongoing series for June 2026.

In June 2026, Skybound announced the official introduction of Rom the Space Knight in the franchise, debuting in a Rom Special one-shot issue included in the blind bag program of the M.A.S.K. series. Rom then appeared in the sixth arc of Void Rivals (starting from issue #32).

In August 2026, M.A.S.K. #3 featured the introduction of Baron Karza, the antagonist character of the Micronauts franchise. During an interview in Collider, Kirkman revealed he is planning the EU to last for decades, being inspired by the storytelling featured in both the DC Universe and the Marvel Universe.

Toys +Energon Universe toy lineNameDebutLineRef.Autobot Jetfire, Agorrian Darak and Zertonian SolilaMarch 2025 (San Diego Comic-Con)NoneOptimus Prime with Megatron ArmOctober 2025 (New York Comic Con)Studio SeriesShredheadJuly 2026 (San Diego Comic-Con)Studio Series

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.

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.

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.

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.

Features

Star systemPlanetSpecies/RaceFactionsHadean SystemCybertronCybertronian (Transformer)AutobotsDecepticonsSacred RingAgorriaAgorrianKeepers of the LightUnifiersZertoniaZertonianSolar SystemEarthEarthling (human)Arashikage clanCobraCobra-LaDreadnoksG.I. JoeM.A.R.S. IndustriesM.A.S.K.Mugenonami groupNight ForceShadow WatchUnited States militaryV.E.N.O.M.Solstar OrderEloniaElonianSpace Knights JunkionJunkion (Transformer)Junkions MonacusMonacolian NebulosNebulan PrysmosPrysmosian QuintessaQuintessonAlliconsSharkticons

Plot

Characters

See also Hasbro Universe Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018)

Other universes

DC Universe (1938–present) Marvel Universe (1940–present) Whoniverse (1963–present) Buffyverse (1992–present) Monsterverse (2014–present) Bootleg Multiverse (2017–present) Massive-Verse (2021–present) Nacelleverse (2024–present)

References Notes

Footnotes