Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound

[ZakuConvoy]

August solicitations are out!

Spoiler

Transformers/GI Joe/Void Rivals' Energon Universe August 2025 Solicits

Transformers, GI Joe and Void Rivals of Image/Hasbro/Skybound's Energon Universe are part of Image Comics' August 2025 solicits

bleedingcool.com

Image Comics' August 2025 Full Solicits And Solicitations

Image Comics' August 2025 full solicits, including launches for Escape, Invisible Man, Space Opera Xanadax, Pizza Witch & The Book Of Shame.

bleedingcool.com

And some commentary:

Spoiler

Sounds like we're going inside the Matrix for the end of DWJ's run. That should be interesting. I wonder which batch of past Primes Skybound will take inspiration from? Probably the cartoon ones, but they might surprise us.

Springer versus Proximus! Round 2! Given how the last fight went, I suppose Proximus almost HAS to win this one. Story structure demands it!

Also, the Void Rivals solicitation reveals a spoiler SO shocking, SO mind-blowing, that I'm going to need another layer of spoiler tags for this one! Click ONLY if you DARE!

Spoiler

Skuxxoid LIVES!!! Yeah, I figured from the other books that have been solicited. You can't keep Skuxxoid down! Kirkman loves this character...I guess?

How much do you want to bet that both bisected halves of him will BOTH grow back like a earthworm, and we'll end up with TWO Skuxxoids? I could see it happening. It's either that or Mecha-Skuxxoid, I guess.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

GI Joe #7 and Void Rivals #19 are out!

Let's start with GI Joe first. It's a solid issue. It's mostly one big heist that goes a little sideways. It's a fun, action-packed issue. It doesn't leave you with a lot to talk about. But, you'll probably enjoy the ride while you're on it.

Spoiler

Beach Head makes his first appearance in this universe! This is a big deal, apparently! I dunno, I guess I like him well enough. In this universe, his whole thing is that he's a veteran who's been doing this for years, but doesn't want to retire yet. So, the whole issue he's kind of questioning if he still has the chops to do this sort of stuff. It does give him a bit more character. I like that this issue is partially a character study, in between all the action.

The biggest thing this issue for me is that we finally get a name for "GI Joe Dark". Night Force! Not the most original name But, at least now we have something to call them officially. It only took them over a year. That actually is something from the old toyline. They have their own logo and everything. Neat! I can't wait until "Crazylegs" shows up!

YOJOE.COM | G.I.Joe Action Figure Archive - Subteams - G.I.Joe

Anyway, Beach Head is after something a millionaire bought from Darklonia. The people who read the Destro miniseries should recognize that name. And, yeah, it turns out to be a BAT. I was actually expecting a Transformers arm or something to be in the box.

"Box 47" is actually a reference to the first Marvel comic that Beach Head ever appeared in, so that's kind of a cute reference. I had to look that up, so I might as well share it.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Vol 1 47

Featured Characters: G.I. Joe Supporting Characters: Antagonists: Cobra Other Characters: Locations: Earth-91274 Items: Vehicles: Flint's rescue team is picked up by the W.H.A.L.E. crew, and they haul "Ripcord" on-board, unaware that he is Zartan. The W.H.A.L.E. launches heat-seeker missiles...

marvel.fandom.com

Dragging the entire box out of the mansion with a semi is pretty EXTREME! Wait..no...that's a different team.

Major Bludd ends up killing his entire crew in fit of rage. So, he's going to have to hire another crew. Normally, I'd say it'd probably be the Dreadnoks, but they seem to have their own thing going on. So, I'm not actually sure who he's talking about.

So...who wants to bet Night Force is going to turn the BAT into a new member of THEIR team? Could Robo-Joe be in our future? Or...something similar to that, anyway. I'm not sure if a repurposed Cobra BAT was ever a Joe before.

I do find it interesting that they mention liking the Dinobots in the letters page. I still feel like there's a plan there. For them AND Snake Eyes.

And now for Void Rivals and...hoo boy! This is a...this is an issue alright. It...it NEEDS to be experienced. Let's put it that way.

I don't want to spoil too much. But, let's just say...the cover isn't a lie. Yeah...we're doing this. There's no going back, now. This is the book now. Better to just get used to that.

So, yeah. Pick this up. I had to read this. So, you all have to, too.

(Seriously, though, it is a pretty solid issue. And there's some interesting ideas in here. Plus...you KNOW this is going to pay off down the line. It's...not boring, at least)

Spoiler

I CALLED THIS! I wish I hadn't! But, I did! Even down to the "regrowing both halves like a earthworm" thing! Just LOOK at my post from last Friday! FEAR ME and my incredibly useless foresight! Why do I only ever correctly predict the STUPIDEST things?!

*HUFF* But, yeah, anyway...Wreck-Gar and the Junkions are in this, too. As is Akronus! Remember Akronus? Dear, sweet Akronus? Cobra-La guy who managed the amazing feat of having a name? Left for dead in Void Rivals #16? No? Not ringing any bells? Well, I guess I can't blame you. I guess Akronus didn't manage to figure out the Rockeroid's controls in time to take control of the ship himself.

Anyway, "our" Skuxxoid has a scar on his face. So, at least we can keep track of him.

And we get that DEEP SKUXXOID LOOOORE that we've all been craving. The Skuxxoid can regrow from any wound, as long as the chunk of him that gets cut off is big enough. That's....disturbing in a number of ways. And good news, it gets worse! Because, the Skuxxoid's wife and child left the original Skuxxoid. NOT this one we've been following. I'm not even sure how long it's been, or how long-lived The Skuxxoid is. But, the original Skuxxoid's memories are always the ones that are strongest, so the Skuxxoid-buds are always losing their recent memories in favor of their old, original ones. GEEZ...I was not expecting this high of a sci-fi concept from the SKUXXOID, of all creatures. But, you could actually really dig into this. There's some real psychological horror gold to be mined here, potentially.

"I am NEVER going to Earth" Hmmm...we shall see about that. I wouldn't be surprised if that Quintesson War they teased in the Free Comic Book Day issue eventually ends up spilling onto Earth.

And then ANOTHER random guy pops up out of nowhere and kidnaps our Skuxxoid...s. Skuxxes? Skuxxoidsies? Whatever. Honestly, this guy kind of looked like he could be someone from some other franchise. I can't quite place him. He does kind of give me "Robo Force" vibes, but that's not it. A robot guy with a monitor for a head. Maybe it just reminds me of Brian K Vaughan's Saga?

'Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-Channel!" I'm surprised they can get away with saying this. But, hey, what DC/Warner doesn't know can't hurt them.

I bet you could probably pick out every Junkion line as actually coming from some real TV show, but I have no idea where some of these lines specifically come from. The Junkions and the Cobra-La guy make a pretty fun unlikely buddy team by the end of the book. Yeah, I could see them coming back, down the line.

"This other one has never eaten!" That's a good point, actually. Man, wait until Skuxxoid #2 tries food. Food's the best!

But, let's take a moment here. All that DEEP SKUXXOID LOOOORE might have you wondering..."Wait, if the Skuxxoid can regenerate himself every time he gets a piece cut off of him, couldn't he like...make an unstoppable army of himselves on purpose?" And I have good news for YOU! YOU think exactly like Robert Kirkman! Because he had the exact same thought!

So, we meet Skuxxoid Alpha and his Super Samurai Skuxxoid Squad! Yeah, I guess this is that original Skuxxoid. Or at least closer to the original than the one we've been following. Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to call him "Skuxxoid PRIME", but, hey, you can't have everything. And he's built himself a little army. So, I guess we have another faction for that Quintesson War that's coming up.

I do wonder if Skuxxoid Alpha's staff is special? That purple crystal looks like it could do something. But, I don't recognize it from anything. So, who knows?

So, we went from ZERO Skuxxoids to HUNDREDS of Skuxxoids in the course of a single issue. This has been an all-singing, all-dancing Skuxxoid issue! The Skuxxoid's never been LESS dead than he is now! Skuxxoid FOREVER! Skuxxoid and Skuxxoid a thousand years! Kirkman even has a little "apology" in the back explaining why he did this, taking up most of the letters column. But, I'll never forgive. I'll never forget.

...Okay, seriously, this was kind of a fun issue. This...might actually be the best issue of Void Rivals, so far. I hate to admit it but...the Skuxxoid could PROBABLY star in his own ongoing, now. There's enough meat on this bone to at LEAST support a miniseries of his own. And that's...not impossible, given how much Kirkman seems to love this character. You finally did it Kirkman. You made the Skuxxoid interesting to me. Congratulations! Hopefully, you have space on your shelf for that Eisner this issue has probably earned you.

 

[LiamA]

1) What was going on with Skuxxoid doesn't surprise me. Kirkman did the same thing in Invincible.

2) Kirkman might not be a Monty Python fan. I didn't notice a Monty Python reference when Wreck-Gar was talking.

 

[Blot]

2) Kirkman might not be a Monty Python fan. I didn't notice a Monty Python reference when Wreck-Gar was talking.

Good.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

Transformers #21 is out!

This is another solid issue. We seem to be gearing up for the grand finale of DWJ's run in Transformers #25, so stuff is starting to pay off now. It's mostly action, but we get a few other tidbits as well. We're juggling quite a few different plot threads, so it jumps around quite a bit. But, they're all pretty interesting plots, so I don't mind too much.

It looks like this is going to be a finale to remember, so you might want to catch up, if you dropped off before!

Spoiler

Poor Ultra Magnus. The time between his various tortures was pretty short lived. General Flagg's going to get some karma for this, maybe.

I can't find anything about a "Caparzo" in GI Joe. It MIGHT be a Saving Private Ryan reference? But, yeah, probably just someone new?

Meanwhile, Elita-One is getting ready to try to return to Earth to get Optimus Prime back to Cybertron. But, she only has enough Energon to send one bot.

It's kind of a sweet moment where Cliffjumper talks about how much meeting Carly has meant to him. Oh wait...here comes Elita-One...oh no. Cliffjumper can never be happy for long in this universe.

Starscream really is Megatron's designated whipping boy, here. He deserves that slap for everything he's done, but it is a little uncomfortable.

So, it seems like Megatron's arm is somehow blocking Optimus's Matrix from recharging. I..didn't know it could do that. It does make a bit of sense, since Megatron has the Quintesson Matrix in this universe. Still, it's getting a little "Evil Dead" up in here.

There seems to be a bit of a "sibling rivalry" between Devastator and Bruticus. Kind of makes sense, and it does sometimes happen in other universes. Good thing Superion is here to break up the fight! That's a great splash page!

But, Thundercracker gets to Skywarp plugged into the Ark. And they use Skywarp's powers to teleport the entire Ark...somewhere. We don't see where they went this issue. I'm kind of impressed! This is a pretty impressive display of not only Skywarp's power to teleport something this massive, but also his accuracy of being able to leave everyone else who was inside the Ark behind. I'm guessing being hooked up to the Ark this long has expanded his powers? I do wonder where they went. Where would Skywarp feel safe on Earth?

Optimus tries to rip off Megatron's arm himself, but it won't come off...so he orders all the Autobots to help him SHOOT it off. MAN! This book, sometimes!

With the Ark gone, and the Decepticons on the attack, and Optimus down to one arm again, the Autobot's retreat. And Megatron reclaims is old arm. Megatron is WHOLE once again!

Which is not the best news for the retreating Autobots. Megatron blows off Superion's arm aka Slingshot. Poor guy gets "KK-KRUNCH"-ed. Which ends the issue.

This is apparently the soundtrack to this issue, if you want to try reading this issue with this blaring in the background:

We also get a character spotlight/summary page in the back of the issue. Honestly, I feel like something like this is more handy to have in the front of the issue, rather than the back. But, it's a good inclusion, either way. It's almost like having Tech Specs in the back of the issue.

 

[Magnusblitz]

Mostly just fighting, but at least one major plot point pushes forward.

Spoiler

Finally the Autobots put two and two together and figured out the arm is evil. I felt the 'bots were a bit oddly reticent to blast it off (especially Wheeljack, who already knew about it). I mean, it's not permanent, they can rebuild limbs and such.

Also thought Slingshot didn't look too dead, but Megatron certainly made sure of it after the Autobots left. (Fitting though to have the GPS sufferer be the one to be shattered.)

I'm assuming that Shredhead is the one Elita will send back, as that makes sense from the "most powerful" angle, though I suppose there's an outside chance it's Cliffjumper. Maybe Cliffjumper even beats SH to the punch or something.

Boy, Bruticus and Devastator are basically the equivalent of two young children, aren't they?
(This is the face of an exasperated dad who's had enough of his kids' antics)

 

[Glitch]

Well Megatron's certainly the ALPHA so BRAVO.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Spoiler

Also thought Slingshot didn't look too dead, but Megatron certainly made sure of it after the Autobots left. (Fitting though to have the GPS sufferer be the one to be shattered.)

FFS...

 

[ZakuConvoy]

GI Joe #8 is out!

And this is a fun issue! It feels like kind of like a "breather arc" after the first big opening arc. There's not as many characters here, but we're focusing in on a few of them and fleshing them out. We're lowering the stakes a bit. But, we're learning interesting details about some of these characters, so it's a good trade off.

If you've enjoyed the book up until now, I think you'll enjoy this, too. Otherwise, it doesn't feel like essential reading, if you're only here for the Transformers side of things. This is a fun issue, though.

Spoiler

Paintball. The OTHER half of the battle.

I mean, if YOU were the Baroness, I think you'd like to pose, too. Just sayin'.

To be fair, it actually does make sense for these guys to train together a lot. Because while they all might be highly trained, they still don't know each other very well, yet. Fighting with and against each other lets them learn each other's moves and quirks. They still need to train to be a actual unit. I feel like Duke could explain that better.

Meanwhile, Cobra Commander is watching the Transformers. And who can blame him? It's quality programming!

Meanwhile-meanwhile, Clutch is trying to hide Hound from the other Joes until he can find a way to tell them they're not all violent, gun-toting villians. Some of them are violent, gun-toting good guys! I'm sure this won't cause problems in the future. I'm doubly sure it won't cause a rift between Clutch and Duke. Nothing but good things can come from this, yessir!

And Baroness wants some shore leave. No, not the Joe, she just wants to go to Paris for a bit. It DOES feel a bit odd to let your prisoner go off on her own, even with Cover Girl as a chaperone. But, it's a bit weird to let her join your secret army squad, too. The military's just trying a lot of new ideas out and seeing what works, I guess.

...They get private planes full of wine? There ARE perks to being a secret underground miliatry outfit. A lot of perks, actually. A concerning amount of perks, really.

"Yours is cute, tho'" I DO like Cover Girl humble-bragging about her time as a supermodel. It's a fun way for her to play off of Baroness.

And Baroness just wanted to go to Paris so she could...spy on her parents on their anniversary. Huh. That's so...innocent, it's kind of endearing. I wasn't expecting that. Her parents are so...normal looking, it's weird. I'm not sure if we've ever seen Baroness's parents before in other media.

And Cover Girl opens up about her own issues with her parents. It's a nice little bonding moment.

Then the bird man shows up. Raptor. It's almost cute that Cover Girl tries to talk his giant pet bird off a nearby table. And suddenly this cute buddy roadtrip comedy has become a Hitchcock movie. I guess they're gonna have to punch several birds in the face next issue.

They're also trying to make it VERY clear in the backmatter that the thing that Cobra Commander got last issue WAS a T-Cog. It's 100% confirmed. Several times. I'm glad they clarified that.

Also, Williamson's Joe Codename would be Burnout! I hope that isn't a secret cry for help.

 

[Swerve]

I loved the new issue of G.I. Joe

Spoiler

The interactions between Baroness and CoverGirl were great. Not a friendship I would have expected. I'm kind of liking "good guy" Baroness and I don't want to see that changed. There is some good subtlety with this version of Cobra Commander. He boldly tells Destro he's keeping secrets so Destro doesn't turn on him. Love Clutch and Hound. Clutch tells him he can't hide in robot mode and Hound turns into a robot because he's more comfortable talking that way. Duke walks in and we get the classic "What is that?" panic only for Clutch to find out Hound turned to a Keep before Duke saw him. The Energon Universe really is making sure we have a token Transformer or two in each comic. Still not liking Risk.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

I like what I'm seeing of the Joe book here more than I am the Transformers book.

Is... is this growing up?

 

[Cyoti]

Williamson has more experience with corporate owned fictional franchises given his large body of work at DC (especially in incorporating obscure plot elements like Cobra-La for instance or dealing with a shared universes and mandates from higherups).

 

[ZakuConvoy]

September Solicitations are out!

Spoiler

Image Comics' Full September 2025 Solicits From Elvis To A Viking Moon

Image Comics' Full September 2025 solicits from from the Dead and Dying to Elvis getting Closer to a Viking Moon

bleedingcool.com

Images, if you just want to see the Energon Universe stuff:

Spoiler

And some discussion about the solicits:

Spoiler

Hmmm...Baroness with a eyepatch? Y'know, I think she could pull it off. I hope it doesn't happen. But, she could rock that pirate look.

"Wheelie meets Cobra-La" is not a sentence I ever expected to hear, never mind actually get excited for. But, this might be fun! Void Rivals has been picking up.

And it's the end of a era over in Transformers. Daniel Warren Johnson's last issue. I'll be sad to see him go. Despite my quibbles, this has been a pretty solid run. I do wonder who they're lining up to replace him? I suppose Kirkman's probably going to save that for a big reveal somehow. Either at SDCC or just suddenly just drop the info on us out of the blue. Kirkman does love to stir things up. Maybe Kirkman himself will just take it over, at least for the upcoming "Quintesson War" event?

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Spoiler

Hey, Optimus gets his arm back!

...

Ew. Maybe he should have kept Megatron's.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

Here's a interesting rumor. There might be a animated series based on the Energon Universe in the works.

GOSSIP: Robert Kirkman Has Sold A Transformers/GI Joe Cartoon Series

The gossip is that Robert Kirkman and Skybound have sold a Transformers/GI Joe/Void Rivals Energon Universe animated streaming series.

bleedingcool.com

This is just gossip. So, I wouldn't get too excited. But, it's interesting to think about. I guess there's enough material out already for at least one season, I guess.

 

[LordGigaIce]

Good.

I'm quite over Transformers referencing Brit nerd culture.
My parents introduced me to Monty Python at a young age, and I'm a Doctor Who fan on top of that, so I never thought I'd get to this point, but James Roberts found a way.

So, I wouldn't get too excited.

I'll get excited. Cautiously so, to be sure, as this isn't anywhere near confirmed/a done deal.

Still, I've thoroughly enjoyed the Energon Universe stuff and would love to see it adapted into animation.

 

[Mat-Man]

Has anyone been able to find the Energon Universe 2025 Special for sale digitally? Comixology had it listed for preorder a week or so before the retail release, then after release it said it was unavailable in my region, and now the only listings are for various variant covers for physical copies. I looked on Kobo and they still have it as a preorder for release May 14th.

 

[Shadewing]

Has anyone been able to find the Energon Universe 2025 Special for sale digitally? Comixology had it listed for preorder a week or so before the retail release, then after release it said it was unavailable in my region, and now the only listings are for various variant covers for physical copies. I looked on Kobo and they still have it as a preorder for release May 14th.

I've been trying to find it as well to no avail.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

Hmm, yeah, you guys aren't the only ones.
reddit.com/r/EnergonUniverse/comments/1ks84p4/digital_version_of_energon_universe_special/

There's actually a few threads out there wondering the same thing.

Amazon did seem to have it up for preorder at one point. The best reason I can find is that Amazon is telling people that "the publisher removed it from the site". I'm not sure why Skybound would do that. The paid physical version did come out. You would think the digital version would get released at the same time. There has been a lot of stuff happening in the comic book world recently. Maybe this just fell through the cracks? It's a little weird. Maybe it's some sort of rights issue they didn't catch until the last minute?

 

[Blot]

I'm quite over Transformers referencing Brit nerd culture.
My parents introduced me to Monty Python at a young age, and I'm a Doctor Who fan on top of that, so I never thought I'd get to this point, but James Roberts found a way.

Not even that. It's unnecessary. Not everything needs to be a winking nod to the audience going "eh, eh, see, I know all the trivia about this franchise!" Heck, not even Wreck-Gar in the movie itself made any Monty Python references.