Skybound, Image & Hasbro Unveil All-New Energon Universe Trailer, G.I. JOE Character Designs

At the official Energon Universe panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) this weekend, Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed an all-new trailer, covers, and character art from the shared universe in a panel featuring superstars Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals), Daniel Warren Johnson (TRANSFORMERS), Joshua Williamson (G.I. JOE, Duke), Tom Reilly (G.I. JOE, Duke), and Sean Mackiewicz (SVP/Publisher, Skybound).

The SDCC audience was granted an exclusive debut of the all-new Energon Universe trailer, which showcases just how shared the shared universe is becoming this fall with the introduction of an epic new series. Kirkman and Johnson also revealed upcoming cover art teasing what is to come in the worlds of Void Rivals and TRANSFORMERS, respectively.

This included the announcement of a historic tenth printing of Void Rivals #1, the issue that kicked off the Energon Universe in June 2023, and has gone on to smash sales records in just over a year. This new printing is certified Skybound Gold to commemorate the rare achievement of a tenth printing and will feature all new covers by top artists in the industry to be announced.

The Energon Universe will expand with the biggest comic book launch of the decade, introducing a bold new vision of G.I. JOE and Cobra to the Energon Universe, when G.I. JOE #1 debuts on Wednesday, November 13 from the superstar creative team of writer Joshua Williamson, artist Tom Reilly, and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33).

At the SDCC panel, Williamson and Reilly also revealed a lineup of characters from the series including Baroness, Cobra Commander, Cover Girl, Destro, Duke, Tomax, and Xamot, and showcased all-new images of both fan-favorite and new characters. New covers to G.I. JOE #1 were also revealed for the first time, from superstar artists including David Finch, Brett Booth, Jerome Opeña, Sozomaika, David Nakayama, and more!

The all-new series will become another tentpole of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country) and TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). The Energon Universe also includes G.I. JOE miniseries Duke, from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly and Jordie Bellaire; Cobra Commander from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song); Scarlett, from writer Kelly Thompson (Black Widow, Birds of Prey), artist Marco Ferrari (Frontiersman), and colorist Lee Loughridge (I Hate This Place, Killadelphia); and Destro, from writer Dan Watters (Loki, Universal Monsters: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!), artist Andrei Bressan (Dark Ride, Birthright), and colorist Adriano Lucas (Dark Ride, Birthright), which introduce the iconic characters of the G.I. JOE and Cobra factions to the Energon Universe. Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.

Skybound is currently running a “Choose Your Side” initiative that offers readers the opportunity to see themselves on the pages of the all-new ongoing series G.I. JOE by publicly declaring their loyalty to either G.I. Joe or Cobra, to be featured alongside other Insiders in the series’ house ads. Readers can pledge their affiliation by submitting a photo of themselves, along with their stated allegiance to the “Choose Your Side” page on the Skybound Insiders website by visiting www.GIJoeChooseYourSide.com. The photo submission portal on Skybound Insiders is open now and will close on September 8, 2024. To be eligible, users must have a verified Skybound Insiders account, and be 18+ and a legal resident of the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada (excluding Quebec).

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!