Energon Universe

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.

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.

Void Rivals co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman acts as the "showrunner" of the EU comic line. He also began writing Transformers in October 2025.

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.

In 2025, characters from the M.A.S.K. franchise were officially introduced into the universe. Matt Trakker (in the IDW version appearance) 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 March 2025, Hasbro announced a three-pack toy line of figures for San Diego Comic-Con 2025.
• In October 2025, Hasbro also announced an "Optimus Prime with Megatron Arm" figure from the Transformers Studio Series for New York Comic Con 2025.

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.

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.

Comics creators at an October 2025 book signing for Energon Universe at Midtown Comics in Manhattan. From left to right: Ben Abernathy, Jorge Corona, Andrei Bressan, Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, Andrea Milana, Conor Hughes, and Dan Mora

• Hasbro Universe

  • Hasbro Comic Book Universe (2005–2018)

• DC Universe (1938–present)

• Marvel Universe (1940–present)

• Whoniverse (1963–present)

• Buffyverse (1992–present)

• MonsterVerse (2014–present)

• Massive-Verse (2021–present)

• NacelleVerse (2024–present)