The creator of Invincible and The Walking Dead is about to redefine Saturday morning cartoons with a gritty, adult-oriented animated series that finally brings two of Hasbro’s most iconic properties together.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the comics and animation world, Skybound Entertainment has announced an Energon Universe adult animated series. This epic crossover will unite the worlds of Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the new original IP, Void Rivals, in a shared universe masterminded by the one and only Robert Kirkman. If you thought Invincible was a game-changer, you might want to buckle up.
For years, fans have dreamed of a proper, no-holds-barred crossover between the Robots in Disguise and America’s elite fighting force. While the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts post-credit scene teased a live-action crossover, that project appears to have stalled. But now, Kirkman, the creative force behind The Walking Dead and Invincible, is set to deliver what many have been waiting for, and it’s coming to the small screen in a way no one expected: as a mature, adult-oriented animated series.
Caption: The Energon Universe 2024 Special comic book showcases the crossover potential of the new shared universe.
Credit: Skybound
Source: Amazon.com
What is the Energon Universe?
The Energon Universe is the brainchild of Robert Kirkman, who, after acquiring the comic book publishing rights for Hasbro’s Transformers and G.I. Joe in 2021, set out to create a cohesive, shared universe. The surprise launch began in June 2023 with Void Rivals, a new creator-owned series by Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici. The first issue ended with the shocking appearance of the Transformer Jetfire, revealing that this new series was part of something much, much bigger.
Since then, the Energon Universe has exploded in popularity, becoming one of Hasbro’s bestselling comic book lines of all time, with over 7 million combined units sold worldwide. The line includes a new Transformers series, four G.I. Joe character-focused miniseries, and a flagship G.I. Joe series that launched in November 2024. The critical and commercial success of these comics, including two Edgar Awards for the Transformers series in 2024, has laid the perfect groundwork for an animated adaptation.
An Adult Animated Series in the Vein of Invincible
What makes this announcement so exciting is the promise of an “adult sensibility” in the same vein as Kirkman’s hit Prime Video series, Invincible. While the Energon Universe comics aren’t quite as brutally violent as Invincible, the animated series is expected to be the most mature and uncompromising take on the Transformers and G.I. Joe properties to date. This is a far cry from the Saturday morning cartoons of the 80s, and it opens up a world of storytelling possibilities.
Leading the charge as showrunner is Joe Henderson, best known for his work as the co-showrunner of the wildly successful Fox and Netflix series, Lucifer. Henderson’s experience in adapting comic book properties for television, combined with Kirkman’s vision, suggests that the Energon Universe is in very capable hands. The series is expected to be taken out to buyers shortly, and a bidding war between streaming services seems almost inevitable.
[Image failed to load: The cover of Void Rivals #1, showing the two main characters, Darak and Solila.]
Caption: Void Rivals, the original IP that kicked off the Energon Universe, introduces new characters and a new war to the shared universe.
Credit: Skybound
Source: Joepedia – Fandom
What About the Live-Action Crossover?
The announcement of the Energon Universe animated series raises questions about the future of the live-action Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover that was teased at the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. While that project has been in development, progress appears to have stalled, with Rise of the Beasts star Anthony Ramos citing “a lot going on at Paramount” as a potential reason for the delay. The recent merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media may have further complicated matters.
With multiple Transformers projects in development, including a sequel to Rise of the Beasts and a new film from Transformers One director Josh Cooley, it’s possible that Paramount is waiting to see how the Energon Universe animated series is received before moving forward with a big-screen crossover. If the animated series is a hit, it could prove that there is a massive appetite for this kind of crossover, paving the way for a live-action blockbuster.
A Comic Book Revolution Paves the Way
The groundwork for this animated series was laid by one of the most successful comic book launches in recent memory. When Robert Kirkman and Skybound acquired the Hasbro licenses, they didn’t just start publishing new stories; they engineered a shared universe from the ground up. The masterstroke was launching Void Rivals, a completely new sci-fi comic that secretly housed the DNA of the Energon Universe. Its stunning reveal of Jetfire in the first issue was a genuine “holy cow” moment for comic readers, and the momentum hasn’t stopped since.
This universe has been a commercial juggernaut. With over 7 million copies sold, the Energon Universe isn’t just a hit; it’s a phenomenon that has defied the odds for licensed comics. Titles like Transformers and G.I. Joe have not only set sales records but have also garnered critical acclaim, proving that there is a massive audience for mature, compelling stories featuring these characters. The success of the comic book industry’s digital revolution has shown a hunger for new formats, and this animated series is the next logical step.
Why Joe Henderson is the Perfect Showrunner
Attaching Joe Henderson as showrunner is another stroke of genius. As the co-showrunner of Lucifer, Henderson proved he could take a beloved comic book character and translate them to the screen while retaining the spirit of the source material. Lucifer was a ratings powerhouse, and Henderson’s ability to blend character-driven drama with high-concept fantasy is exactly what the Energon Universe needs. He’s a creator who understands the delicate balance between honoring fan expectations and delivering fresh, surprising television.
The Invincible Effect: A New Era for Animation
The comparison to Invincible is no accident. Kirkman’s other animated hit on Prime Video completely redefined what a superhero cartoon could be. It demonstrated a massive market for adult animation that doesn’t pull its punches, blending spectacular action with complex emotional storytelling. The success of Invincible, which has been renewed for a fourth and fifth season, has clearly given Skybound and Hasbro the confidence to pursue a similarly mature vision for the Energon Universe.
This new series promises to be a far cry from the G-rated adventures of the past. Imagine a Transformers story with real stakes, where the horrors of war are felt. Picture a G.I. Joe series that explores the complex political and moral landscape of a world with giant alien robots. This is the potential the Energon Universe animated series holds, and it’s a prospect that should have every fan buzzing. It taps into the same desire for more mature storytelling that has made the rise of antiheroes in comics such a popular trend.
What Does This Mean for the Toys and the Future?
This new animated series is not just a win for fans of the comics and cartoons; it’s a massive opportunity for Hasbro. A successful adult-oriented animated series could ignite a whole new wave of interest in the toy lines, particularly among collectors who grew up with the original figures. It’s a synergistic strategy that Kirkman and Skybound have perfected, turning their comic book properties into multi-platform empires.
For now, the Energon Universe animated series is being prepped to be shopped around to networks and streamers. Given the names involved and the massive success of the comic line, a bidding war is all but guaranteed. This is a story we’ll be following closely, but one thing is certain: Robert Kirkman is about to do for Transformers and G.I. Joe what he did for zombies and superheroes. The game is about to change, once again.
This is more than just another reboot; it’s a calculated, ambitious expansion of a universe that has already proven its commercial and critical appeal. By leveraging the creative freedom of adult animation and the storytelling prowess of Kirkman and Henderson, the Energon Universe is poised to become a landmark moment for all three franchises. The age of gritty, mature storytelling has come for the robots in disguise and the real American heroes, and we can’t wait to see the final result.
