TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE LAUNCH NEW SHARED COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE!

by toynewman
June 14, 2023

One of the best-kept secrets in comic-book history has finally been revealed. With today�s release of writer Robert Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici�s Void Rivals #1, Skybound has stealth-launched the �Energon Universe,� a universe shared by the ever-popular Transformers and G.I. Joe! In October, that universe expands with Transformers #1 from creator Daniel Warren Johnson. December will bring the first of four G.I. Joe limited series, Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly�s Duke #1 (exploring the origins of the Joes and Cobra). And January 2024 will witness the arrival of Williamson and Andrea Milana�s Cobra Commander #1. Read on for all the official details and a look at the full cover of Transformers #1 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer � featuring everyone�s favorite Autobot, Optimus Prime!

Today, it was announced that two of the world�s most popular franchises � Transformers and G.I. Joe � have a new comic book home as part of the historic partnership between toy and game company Hasbro and Skybound, effective immediately.

Comic book fans who picked up their copies of Void Rivals #1 in comic shops today were the first to learn the news, as the blockbuster Oblivion Song team of writers Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), along with colorist Matheus Lopes (Step By Bloody Step) and letterer Rus Wooton, revealed that the highly anticipated series was actually a stealth launch of this new shared �Energon Universe� with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire.

Three upcoming releases, alongside Void Rivals, mark the beginning of the interconnected �Energon Universe� featuring both the characters and franchises you know and love, along with entirely new concepts developed in partnership by Hasbro and Skybound.

�It�s a tremendous honor to be able to reintroduce this world to a new audience under the Skybound banner,� said Robert Kirkman. �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.�

�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,� said Michael Kelly, Hasbro�s VP of Global Publishing. �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.�

Launching in October, Transformers #1 begins an all-new era for the iconic robots in disguise from superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC�s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth). 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 Daniel Warren 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 new Energon Universe expands in December with Duke #1, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC�s Superman, Dark Ride) and Tom Reilly (The Thing), 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 Joshua 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!�

�I�m super excited to be working with Josh and the team at Skybound to usher in a new beginning for these iconic characters,� said Tom Reilly. �The Joes have a rich history in comics, one that we look forward to adding something new and exciting to. It�s going to be a fun ride!�

This will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 in January 2024, from Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook). 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.

�My first comic was G.I. JOE, and I couldn�t be more excited to unite the Transformers and G.I. Joe into one universe,� said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Publisher. �This line is being guided by the best comic creators in the world and features the same action-packed, surprise-filled, emotional storytelling you expect from all Skybound comics.�

Void Rivals #1 (JAN238443) is available today at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.

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

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Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )

CR1 - 2023-10-20 @ 4:09 pm

CR - I am intrigued by the idea that there will be a "Hama-verse" apart from the Energon universe. Hama's characters and stories inspired the old cartoon series, but never crossed over. Maybe that's as it should be. Even as a 4th Grader, I understood the distinction between comic book and cartoon continuity, and it was just fine with me.

Brian Langlois - 2023-10-13 @ 1:48 pm

1 hour ago, JayC said:
So I am curious, how is Serpentor alive again since he was killed back during the original Marvel run?

Hey, JayC. In the last arc of the previous series, Mindbender cloned Ghengis Khan directly but gave him knowledge of modern millitary tactics. He is the new "Serpentor", but not actually the original. He is wearing the suit and all that.

JayC - 2023-10-13 @ 11:45 am

So I am curious, how is Serpentor alive again since he was killed back during the original Marvel run?

JayC - 2023-10-13 @ 11:44 am

Skybound, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, debuted an all-new first look at G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301. One of the longest running non-superhero comics of all time, G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero launches at Skybound with legendary series writer Larry Hama (Marvels Wolverine) continuing his record-breaking run on the series, joined by fan-favorite artist Chris Mooneyham (DCs Nightwing, Sgt. Rock and the Unknown Soldier) and colorist Francesco Segala (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) breathing new life into the iconic characters, and with covers by the incomparable Andy Kubert (Marvels X-Men). G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 arrives in comic book shops on November 15, 2023.A new era for G.I. JOE begins in G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 with this jumping on point for new readers as your favorite characters Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Storm Shadow, Cobra Commander, Serpentor and more are back for new battles, new friends, new enemies andTHE RETURN OF THE ORIGINAL SNAKE-EYES!

In addition to the main cover, each issue of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero will also feature an open-to-order variant cover with a black and white version of Kuberts stunning main cover. Issue #301 also features a 1:10 incentive cover by Brad Walker (Detective Comics) and an open-to-order blank sketch cover.The return of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero continues the historic collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro, seeing the return of the G.I. JOE franchise to comics as overseen by visionary creator Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), alongside the all-new shared Energon Universe that features Void Rivals by Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song), TRANSFORMERS by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson, Duke by writer Joshua Williamson (DCs Superman, Dark Ride) and artist Tom Reilly (The Thing), and Cobra Commander by writer Joshua Williamson and artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook).G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 (Lunar Codes below | SRP: $3.99) will be available on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.The full list of variant covers is below:I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 Cover A by Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson (Lunar Code 0923IM335)I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 Cover B by Andy Kubert (Lunar Code 0923IM336)I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 Cover C (1:10 incentive) by Brad Walker (Lunar Code 0923IM337)I. JOE: A Real American Hero #301 Cover D Blank Sketch Cover (Lunar Code 0923IM338)Fans can also discover the origins of G.I. JOE and Cobra in The Energon Universe by pre-ordering their copies of the upcoming limited series Duke #1 (Lunar Code 0623IM806) and Cobra Commander #1 (Lunar Code 0623IM807) right now at their local comic book shops.

Admiralty_Entertainment - 2023-06-16 @ 3:23 am

So glad to hear that RAH is continuing on in it's original continuity - that's *my* Joe verse!

Satam - 2023-06-15 @ 10:38 pm

45 minutes ago, Faceless said:
Isn't that Andy *Kubert*?

Yeah. It was a typo on the Popverse.com page and got carried over here. It happens sometimes.

Faceless - 2023-06-15 @ 10:32 pm

Isn't that Andy *Kubert*?

Brian Langlois - 2023-06-15 @ 11:36 am

Now THAT'S what I wanted to hear! I'm all-in for the Hama series.

JayC - 2023-06-15 @ 11:06 am

The website Popverse.com has confirmed that Larry Hama's long-running G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic series that originally began under Marvel Comics and later with IDW will continue under Robert Kirkman's Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics.Things will pick up were the IDW run left off at the end of last year with issue #301 which will see release this coming November. Hama will of course be writing the stories while Chris Mooneyham will be the interior artist and Andy Hubert will be doing the cover art. Hama was quoted as saying:

"I am delighted to be continuing the saga of G.I. Joe with the good folks at Skybound and totally amped to be taking the G.I. Joe team to issue #301 and beyond,"

As we have previously reported, under Skybound the Joe team will be joining a new shared universe with Hasbro's other property Transformers called the "Energon Universe". These stories which on the Joe side will kick off in December with a Duke limited series from Joshua Williamson (DCs Superman, Dark Ride) and Tom Reilly (The Thing), that tells the story youve 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!This will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 in January 2024, from Joshua Williamson and Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook). In a world where Cobra doesnt exist, one mans sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon will send shockwaves across the globe.The Larry Hama series will completely stand-alone from all that however and continue to do it's own thing just as we saw under IDW.

kILLMonger - 2023-06-12 @ 12:46 pm

Image is really going to have to bring their A game to this. IDW stands as the pinnacle for TF stories so I'm interested to how/where this goes. I've never really been a fan of the shared universe between the two because it creates all kinds of....problems with the individual lines (and TF and GI Joe/Cobra characters pairing off with their counterparts.) I guess the June release will help me see. If not...Astrobots is doing enough to keep me sated.

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