Colliding Worlds: The Definitive Energon Universe Reading Order

The Big Bang of a New Continuity When Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici launched Void Rivals in 2023, the industry expected a high-concept sci-fi odyssey. What they got was the foundational spark of a revolution. The surprise appearance of Jetfire in those debut pages didn’t just signal a crossover; it announced the birth of the Energon Universe—a meticulously crafted, high-stakes shared reality where the Transformers and G.I. Joe share the same oxygen.

This isn’t the nostalgia you remember from Saturday morning cartoons. This is visceral, cinematic storytelling where every choice has a cost, and every transformation feels like heavy metal grinding against destiny. To witness the rebirth of these icons under the Skybound banner, you need a roadmap. This is how you experience the Energon Universe in its purest form.

For years, comic book fans have watched Marvel and DC build sprawling universes filled with superheroes, cosmic threats, and endless crossovers. But in 2023, a very different kind of shared universe quietly emerged from Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment.

It didn’t begin with a superhero.

It didn’t begin with Optimus Prime.

And it certainly didn’t begin with G.I. Joe.

Instead, it started with two stranded enemies floating in the emptiness of space.

Welcome to the Energon Universe.

What Is the Energon Universe?

The Energon Universe is a shared comic book continuity created by Skybound Entertainment, Image Comics, and Hasbro. It brings together several iconic franchises—including Transformers and G.I. Joe—while introducing entirely new characters and stories designed specifically for this universe.

Unlike previous comic continuities, the Energon Universe was built from the ground up as a connected narrative.

Every major event, character, and discovery has the potential to affect every other series.

Think of it as a giant science-fiction puzzle where each title reveals another piece of the larger story.

Phase One: The Discovery

Many readers assume the Energon Universe starts with Transformers.

It doesn’t.

The true starting point is Void Rivals.

Written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici, the series introduces two pilots from opposing civilizations:

• Darak
• Solila

After a battle leaves them stranded in deep space, they are forced to work together to survive.

What begins as a survival story quickly expands into something much larger involving ancient mysteries, interstellar politics, forgotten technology, and a powerful energy source known as Energon.

Then comes the surprise.

Transformers begin appearing.

And suddenly readers realize they are witnessing the birth of an entirely new universe.

• Void Rivals #1–6
• Transformers #1–6

What Is Energon?

Energon is the resource that gives the universe its name.

Transformers fans may already recognize it as the primary energy source used by Cybertronians.

In the Energon Universe, however, its importance goes far beyond fuel.

Energon influences technology, warfare, politics, exploration, and the balance of power between multiple factions.

As more secrets are uncovered, it becomes increasingly clear that Energon may be the single most important element connecting every story in the universe.

Phase Two: The Origins of Joe and Cobra

As the giant robots make their presence known, humanity begins to scramble. The power of Energon becomes the ultimate prize, leading to the rise of legendary factions.

• Duke #1–5: Conrad Hauser investigates the “giant metal men” that the government wants to keep secret. This is a gritty, paranoid thriller that sets the stage for G.I. Joe.
• Cobra Commander #1–5: Witness the terrifying ascent of a madman. This series explores how the discovery of Energon fuels the birth of the most dangerous organization on the planet.

Phase Three: The Expanding Front

The universe begins to tighten its grip, weaving the cosmic and the terrestrial together.

• Void Rivals #7–12: The space opera continues, deepening the lore of the Zertonians and Agonians while hinting at larger galactic threats.
• Transformers #7–12: The war escalates as Megatron’s shadow looms and new players enter the fray.
• Scarlett #1–5: A deep dive into the universe’s most lethal operative as she navigates a world where the rules of engagement have changed forever.
• Destro #1–5: The arms race reaches a boiling point. The inner workings of M.A.R.S. Industries provide the technological bridge between human warfare and Cybertronian might.

Phase Four: Total Convergence

• G.I. Joe #1 (Ongoing): The culmination of the limited series, where the disparate threads of Duke, Scarlett, and Cobra Commander finally collide into a full-scale tactical war.

The Rotten Usagi Verdict The Energon Universe is the gold standard for modern shared continuities. It respects the legacy of the 1980s while injecting a contemporary, “prestige TV” sensibility into the narrative. Whether you are here for the crunch of shifting gears or the tactical precision of a covert strike, this reading order ensures you won’t miss a single spark.

if you’re a fan of science fiction, giant robots, military thrillers, or interconnected storytelling, the answer is simple: it’s one of the most interesting comic book projects currently being published.

The Energon Universe isn’t trying to recreate the past.

It’s building something new from it.

And if the early chapters are any indication, Robert Kirkman and Skybound may have created one of the most exciting shared universes in modern comics.

Whether you’re here for Optimus Prime, Cobra Commander, or an entirely new sci-fi adventure, there’s never been a better time to jump aboard.

The universe is still young.

And that’s exactly what makes it exciting.