The Transformers and G.I. Joes are set to finally meet in Energon Universe, an adult animated series based on Skybound’s best-selling comic universe series, which consists of Transformers, G.I. Joe and Void Rivals, per Deadline.
After Skybound, which was founded by The Walking Dead and Invincible creator Robert Kirkman, purchased the rights to publish Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Hasbro, summer 2023 saw the company surprise readers in the final page of Void Rivals‘ first issue of its Transformers connection and beginning the Energon Universe where the three titles would co-exist within the same universe. Skybound relaunched Transformers later that fall which became one of the year’s best-selling titles that broke records and earned two Edgar Awards for comics.
Transformers was first written by Daniel Warren Johnson for its first two years and Kirkman will now serve as the head writer beginning with the recent release of Transformers #25. G.I. Joe, meanwhile, began with several miniseries with each centered around a specific character like Duke, Scarlett and Cobra Commander leading to the main G.I. Joe series which began last year from writer Joshua Williamson. Though an official crossover between the Joes and the Transformers has yet to happen, characters from both franchises have made brief appearances, particularly with a comatose Megatron being experimented on by a younger Cobra Commander.
Energon Universe will have an “adult sensibility” for older audiences. Joe Henderson (Lucifer) will serve as the showrunner and write the series. A home has yet to be announced as Skybound is getting ready to take the series to potential buyers.
The series comes as Hasbro Entertainment has been trying to develop a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover for several years, most notably with a tease at the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts where an agent for G.I. Joe proposes a partnership between them and Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Despite that tease, development on the live-action crossover has stalled as Hasbro and Paramount remain unsure on what to do with either franchise for the big screen.
For the Skybound comic series, Kirkman begins his run on Transformers as he continues writing Void Rivals while next month will see the start of Williamson’s ‘Dreadnok War’ in G.I. Joe #13, showcasing a team-up between a reluctant Duke and Cobra Commander.
What do you think of a Energon Universe series? Are you excited to see the Transformers and G.I. Joe cross over on the small screen? Let us know on our social channels at @FlickeringMyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd talk.
