Not too long ago, Hasbro pulled their G.I. Joe and Transformers licenses from IDW and partnered with Robert Kirkman's Skybound for a brand new comic book continuity where the Autobots and Joes routinely crossed over.
The Energon Universe began in June 2023 as a bold, fresh start, completely untethered from any previous continuities.
Transformers, written by Daniel Warren Johnson, kicked things off by chronicling the Autobots’ dramatic crash-landing on Earth, introducing readers to the robots in disguise from the ground up.
Meanwhile, the G.I. Joe narrative unfolded through a series of miniseries that delved into the formation of both the Joes and Cobra, set against the backdrop of a world suddenly facing the emergence of colossal alien machines.
At the heart of this universe lies Void Rivals, an original IP that serves as the connective tissue uniting these storylines and establishing the broader mythos.
Altogether, the Energon Universe is a meticulously crafted, still-developing shared world, one built from the ground up to bring together Transformers and G.I. Joe with fresh storytelling, modern sensibilities, and a compelling sense of mystery.
Now, Bleeding Cool is reporting that there's an animated series adaptation in the works. Given the involvement of Robert Kirkman and Skybound, Amazon is considered a strong contender to serve as the series’ streaming platform, assuming the rumor proves true.
Additionally, the site suggests that an official announcement could arrive as early as San Diego Comic-Con next month, or possibly at New York Comic Con in October.
Following the disappointing box office performance of Transformers One, Hasbro appears to be seeking a new strategy to keep the franchise alive and culturally relevant. If this rumored project doesn’t succeed, it’s entirely possible that future Transformers adaptations could be put on hold indefinitely.
That said, a live-action Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover film is still technically in the works. It’s slated to be the next installment in the Transformers live-action franchise, picking up after Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
The crossover was first hinted at in the film’s post-credits scene, where Noah Diaz (played by Anthony Ramos) is approached by a representative of G.I. Joe.
Despite the buzz generated by its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, updates on the project have been few and far between since then.
Stay tuned to Toonado for future updates as we'll have up-to-the-minute coverage at both SDCC and NYCC and we'll definitely have follow up reports if anythings is announced.