Today saw the announcement by Skybound and Hasbro of a brand new shared comic book universe, bringing two of the world’s most popular franchises – Transformers and G.I. Joe – together into what they’re calling the “Energon Universe.”

The universe also received something of stealth launch with today’s release of VOID RIVALS #1 from Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felicia, which featured the surprising appearance of Transformers character Jetfire!

The full announcement confirmed three additional upcoming releases, featuring “the characters and franchises you know and love, along with entirely new concepts developed in partnership by Hasbro and Skybound.”

Speaking about the announcement, 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.”

He continued, adding “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.”

The Energon Universe will continue to expand this October with TRANSFORMERS #1, with Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer kicking off an all-new era for the “Robots in Disguise.”

Here’s the official blurb:

Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.

“To my readers, retailers, and fellow transformer fans: GET READY! I’ve only been drawing Optimus Prime and the rest of this amazing cast since I was in FIRST GRADE,” said Johnson. “This is a dream project for me, and I’m so glad to be adding a new chapter to the decades long celebration of robots turning into cars. Also, cab-over trucks are so fun to draw!”

The expansion will continue in December with DUKE #1, a limited series from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire

Here’s the blurb for this one:

The new Energon Universe expands in December with Duke #1, a (W0rldtr33), that tells the story you’ve never read before – the origins of G.I. Joe and Cobra in a world grappling with the arrival of the Autobots and Decepticons. When Conrad S. Hauser (codename DUKE) investigates the mysteries behind The Transformers, the answers will lead to the birth of forces for good and evil that the world never imagined.

Duke will be the first of FOUR G.I. Joe limited series coming from Skybound, setting the stage for a fresh new take on G.I. Joe, Cobra and the iconic characters that you only think you know!

“Childhood dreams come true! Get hyped! Tom and I are bringing you a new take on Duke and the formation of G.I. Joe that honors all that we love about the characters but takes it into a new and exciting direction,” said Williamson. “It’s been awesome working with Skybound and Hasbro to bring this new take on the G.I. Joe franchise. For the last few years, I’ve been picking up all of the new G.I. Classified figures, so I am pumped to contribute to this new world of G.I. Joe and Transformers!”

Rounding out the launch is COBRA COMMANDER #1, on sale this January from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana and Annalisa Leoni.

Here’s the brief synopsis for this one:

In a world where Cobra doesn’t exist, one man’s sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon will send shockwaves across the globe.

Fans can pre-order their copies of Transformers #1, Duke #1, and Cobra Commander #1 right now at their local comic book shops.  Void Rivals #1 is on sale now!

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The writer of this piece was: Craig Neilson-Adams (aka Ceej)
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