In a move that’s sure to thrill longtime fans of 1980s pop culture icons, Hasbro and Skybound Entertainment are teaming up to bring the explosive crossover of Transformers and G.I. Joe to the small screen in a gritty, adult-oriented animated series. Titled as an adaptation of the blockbuster Energon Universe comics, this TV-MA project promises high-stakes action, moral ambiguity, and the kind of visceral storytelling that has made creator Robert Kirkman’s works like Invincible a hit.
The foundation for this animated spectacle was laid in the comics world. Launched in June 2023 by Skybound (Kirkman’s imprint under Image Comics), the Energon Universe reimagines Hasbro’s beloved franchises—Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the original series Void Rivals—in a shared continuity that’s been nothing short of a phenomenon. It all started with Void Rivals #1, where two aliens from rival factions stumble upon the dormant Transformer Jetfire, igniting a chain reaction that pulls in Autobots, Decepticons, G.I. Joe operatives, and Cobra forces. Subsequent launches like Transformers (written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson) and G.I. Joe (by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly) have sold over 7 million copies worldwide, shattering sales records and even earning Edgar Awards for Transformers in 2024.
Kirkman, a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of both properties, secured the publishing rights in 2021 after IDW lost the Transformers license. His vision? A gritty, interconnected saga where ancient alien tech crashes into modern geopolitics, forcing heroes and villains from disparate worlds to collide. “I’ve been a Transformers and G.I. Joe fan since I was a kid,” Kirkman has shared in interviews, emphasizing how the universe blends nostalgia with mature themes like war’s toll and uneasy alliances.
At the helm of the animated adaptation is Joe Henderson, the showrunner behind Lucifer and White Collar, who’s no stranger to blending high-octane drama with character-driven depth. Henderson is penning the script and overseeing production, infusing the series with the “broad sensibility” of Kirkman’s Invincible—think brutal fights, emotional gut-punches, and a willingness to kill off fan-favorites if the story demands it. Skybound Entertainment, co-founded by Kirkman and CEO David Alpert, is partnering with Hasbro Entertainment to shop the project to potential buyers, signaling it’s in the early but exciting pitching phase.
While plot specifics remain under wraps, the series will dive headfirst into the comics’ lore: the Cybertronian civil war erupting on Earth, G.I. Joe and Cobra vying for Energon-powered artifacts, and teases of even broader crossovers (like hints of M.A.S.K. characters). Expect Optimus Prime clashing with Cobra Commander, Scarlett teaming up with Bumblebee, and Decepticons exploiting human conflicts—all rendered in a style that’s far from the kid-friendly cartoons of yore. This marks the first official animated Transformers/G.I. Joe team-up, potentially beating a long-gestating live-action film to screens.
The timing couldn’t be better. Hasbro’s toybox titans have seen renewed interest through Michael Bay’s blockbuster films and recent entries like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which ended with a sly nod to G.I. Joe. Meanwhile, adult animation is booming—Invincible on Prime Video, Arcane on Netflix, and Primal on Adult Swim have proven audiences crave sophisticated takes on familiar IPs. The Energon Universe comics’ success (with Kirkman recently taking over writing duties on Transformers) provides a ready-made blueprint, complete with record-breaking first issues and critical acclaim.
No network or streamer has been announced yet, and a release date is likely years away given the shopping stage. However, with Hasbro’s current Transformers: EarthSpark airing weekly on YouTube and the comics churning out new arcs (including a 2025 special), momentum is building fast. For now, devotees can dive into the source material—grab Void Rivals, Transformers, or G.I. Joe to get a taste of the universe that’s about to explode on TV.
This Energon Universe series isn’t just a crossover; it’s a bold evolution, proving that even childhood heroes can grow up without losing their spark.
