Energon Universe Reading Order (Transformers & G.I. Joe)

When I first visit a comic shop, I like to ask the staff what sort of comics they enjoy and recommend. This helps me to understand shop culture and owner interests while learning more about other readers in my community. When visiting a shop a few years ago, the owner recommended I check out a recent book from modern comics legend Robert Kirkman. This book, Void Rivals, was to be the start of a new connected comic book universe. I distinctly remember him pointing to a variant cover with a giant robot (shown below) on it and exclaiming, “I mean it’s Transformers AND G.I. Joe in one Universe. Like Saturday morning cartoons!”

As these series push on towards their fifth anniversary, there isn’t a better pitch for The Energon Universe (which derives its name from the fictional energy source “Energon” that ties together every corner of the universe). If you want high-octane comics that are as good as the cartoons you remember from your childhood, or if you’re looking to dip your toe into Transformers, G.I. Joe, and related science fiction or military action goodness, this reading guide will tell you everything you need to get started reading The Energon Universe.

The Energon Universe has four main pillars that carry its story. Each pillar has a main ongoing title with its own tone, creative teams, strengths, and weaknesses. These can be read independently of other books in The Energon Universe and do not need to be read together to be enjoyed. This universe is published by Robert Kirkman under his Skybound imprint at Image Comics. Given his reputation on long-running series like The Walking Dead and Invincible, these books will likely remain in print for years to come. Just walk into any book retailer and look for an Energon Universe comic, you’re likely to find something you can pick up and enjoy at any level of knowledge or interest.

4 Pillars of the Energon Universe

1. Void Rivals
2. Transformers
3. G.I. Joe
4. M.A.S.K.

The first book in the Energon Universe, as well as the first pillar, is Void Rivals; a new space adventure comic from Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici. The second pillar is Transformers; a sci-fi action comic about giant robots written (and occasionally drawn) by Daniel Warren Johnson. After the first story arc, Jorge Corona took over art duties for the remainder of Johnson’s time on the book while maintaining excellent colors from frequent DWJ-collaborator Mike Spicer. The third pillar is G.I. Joe, a reboot of the historic military action figure line spearheaded by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly. Unlike Void Rivals and Transformers, this section of The Energon Universe began as four mini series that introduced key players in the unfolding G.I. Joe mythos. Recently, a fourth pillar was added to The Energon Universe in the form of M.A.S.K. With legacy character appearances in both the 2025 Energon Universe Special and Transformers #25, the vehicle-centric 80s action franchise has slowly driven its way into the Energon Universe. An ongoing series from Dan Watters and Pye Parr is set to begin in June 2026. If any of those creative teams or properties have piqued your interest, then it’s as easy as beginning with the first issue or trade paperback of one of the four pillars. If nothing has jumped out to you yet, we’ll address each book in detail and cover how it stands apart in The Energon Universe.

Transformers just rocks! It goes first, because this is the easiest book to recommend from the entire line. Do you want to see Optimus Prime suplex a Decepticon one issue and then spend the next issue considering the nature of being and our responsibility to protect life in all its forms? You should, because it looks awesome, reads smooth, and packs one heck of a punch. Kirkman recently began writing the series with Transformers #25. Kirkman’s run features a rotation of artists for individual arcs and one-shots, including the talents of Dan Mora, Ludo Lullabi, and more.

Void Rivals is the other ongoing leading the line, and it is clear that this is Kirkman’s next long haul comic book. If you ever saw the daunting length of The Walking Dead or Invincible as too much to read, you should get into Void Rivals now and join us for the ride before it gets to be as long as those two behemoths. The titular rivals are members of two warring worlds situated on opposite sides of a space anomaly. Shot down during a battle, our heroes from opposite sides are forced to work together to make it home in one piece. Kirkman delivers some of his best world building to date in creating this new property for The Energon Universe, and the unfolding mysteries of the warring worlds’ history will keep you hooked as they set up grander arcs and higher stakes. Felici brings strong action to this book and frequently experiments with panel layouts that add a calculated and mechanical feel to the book. When you read this one, keep an eye out for the 16-panel pages. They’re a real feast for the eyes.

Instead of an ongoing series, G.I. Joe began with two pairs of mini series. With one series introducing a hero and one series introducing a villain, each pair allows readers to explore different aspects of the G.I. Joe franchise. The first pair of series introduces G.I. Joe protagonist Duke and antagonist Cobra Commander and sets the stage for the conflict between them. The second pair fleshes out the universe by introducing the sapphic secret agent Scarlett and metal-faced arms dealer Destro. Any of these mini-series can be read independently, but I would highly recommend reading Duke and Cobra Commander before starting G.I. Joe. Both of these series are written by G.I. Joe scribe Joshua Williamson, and they do most of the legwork in establishing the status quo that the G.I. Joe ongoing will use as its starting point. This book notably features a murderer’s row of colorists that make every arc of this military action-thriller jump off the page.

A keen-eyed reader may notice the arrival of Matt Tracker and Miles Mayhem to The Energon Universe far before the publication of the M.A.S.K. ongoing that completes our quartet. At the time of writing, this series has not yet begun, but readers can expect to see the acronym-bearing security task force stand against the equally abbreviated V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem). Dan Watters returns to The Energon Universe with Pye Parr after penning the deviously fun Destro mini series.

The following section will provide a short description for each series and a link to purchase the trade paperbacks. The final section will feature an issue by issue reading guide for anyone who wants to join me on the journey of reading the entire Energon Universe in order.

Energon Universe Collected Edition Reading Order:

Void Rivals Volume One: More Than Meets The Eye

Collects Void Rivals #1-6

Transformers Volume One: Robots In Disguise

Collects Transformers #1-6 – Written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson with colors from Mike Spicer

Duke Volume One: Knowing Is Half the Battle

Collects Duke #1-5

Cobra Commander Volume One: Determined To Rule The World

Collects Cobra Commander #1-5

Void Rivals Volume Two: Hunted Across The Wasteland

Collects Void Rivals #7-12

Transformers Volume Two: Transport To Oblivion

Collects Transformers #7-12 – Jorge Corona takes over art duties on Transformers until the end of Johnson’s 24-issue run on the title.

Energon Universe Special 2024

This collects Free Comic Book Day material from The Energon Universe. Most importantly, it features a Transformers story that adds context to Megatron’s place in this universe, as well as a G.I. Joe story that teases the upcoming Scarlett and Destro mini-series pair.

Scarlett Volume One: Special Mission

Collects Scarlett #1-5 – Written by Kelly Thompson and drawn by Marco Ferrari, this book follows G.I. Joe’s resident crimson-haired spy as she searches for her former partner Jinx. There are times when this book almost reads like a romance comic, and I couldn’t be happier about it. This one also features some of the smoothest action in The Energon Universe.

Destro Volume One: The Enemy

Collects Destro #1-5 – Written by Dan Watters and drawn by Andrei Bressan, this book rounds out the threat of COBRA by introducing their weapons manufacturer and arms dealer, James McCullen Destro XXVI. I know it feels a bit on the nose, but check this out if you’re a Doctor Doom fan. Who doesn’t love a supervillain in a metal mask?

Void Rivals Volume Three: The Key To Vector Theta

Collects Void Rivals #13-18

Transformers Volume Three: Combiner Chaos

Collects Transformers #13-18

G.I. Joe Vol. 1: The Cobra Strikes!

Collects G.I. Joe #1-6

The conclusion of the four introductory mini-series (Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett, and Destro) and start of the G.I. Joe ongoing marks a new era of Energon Universe comics. At the time of writing, only the flagship titles are slated to be releasing monthly issues, and while there is plenty of potential for new ongoing or limited series, Kirkman has stated that Skybound intends to never publish more than four series simultaneously within The Energon Universe.

G.I. Joe Vol. 2: Bludd’s Revenge

Collects: G.I. Joe #7-12

Transformers Vol. 4: Conquer and Control

Collects: Transformers #19-24, Energon Universe Special 2025. This collection ends the Daniel Warren Johnson run.

Void Rivals Vol. 4: First Chosen

Collects: Void Rivals #19-24

G.I. Joe Vol. 3: Dreadnok War

Collects: G.I. Joe #13-18

G.I. Joe Vol. 4: The Hunt for Energon

Collects: G.I. Joe #19-24

Transformers Vol. 5: Generation One

Collects: Transformers #25-30. This collection begins Robert Kirkman’s time on the book and features art from Dan Mora and Jorge Corona while maintaining Mike Spicer’s explosive colors.

Void Rivals Vol. 5: The Quintesson War

Collects: Void Rivals #25-30. Andrei Bressan and Patricio Delpeche bring kinetic art for this planet-shaking war.

Transformers Vol. 6: Decepticons Attack

Collects: Transformers #31-36. Jason Howard and Ludo Lullabi provide art for this volume.

For readers interested in hardcover collections, Skybound plans to release Deluxe Editions for each of these titles. These will be listed below and can be read in any order.

Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book One

Collects Void Rivals #1-12 and material from Energon Universe 2024 Special

Transformers Deluxe Edition Book One

Collects Transformers #1-12

Codename: G.I. Joe Deluxe Edition Book One

Collects Duke #1-5, Cobra Commander #1-5, and material from Energon Universe 2024 Special

Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book Two

Collects Void Rivals #13-24 and material from Energon Universe 2025 Special

Transformers Deluxe Edition Book Two

Collects Transformers #13-24 and material from Energon Universe 2024 and 2025 Specials

Codename: G.I. Joe Deluxe Edition Book Two

Collects Scarlett #1-5 and Destro #1-5

G.I. Joe Deluxe Edition Book One

Collects G.I. Joe #1-12 and material from Energon Universe 2025 Special

Energon Single Issue Reading Order:

Void Rivals #1–4

Transformers #1

Void Rivals #5

Transformers #2

Void Rivals #6

Transformers #3

Duke #1

Transformers #4

Cobra Commander #1

Duke #2

Transformers #5

Cobra Commander #2

Duke #3

Void Rivals #7

Transformers #6

Cobra Commander #3

Duke #4

Void Rivals #8

Transformers #7

Cobra Commander #4

Duke #5

Energon Universe 2024 Special

Transformers #8

Cobra Commander #5

Void Rivals #9

Scarlett #1

Transformers #9

Destro #1

Void Rivals #10

Scarlett #2

Transformers #10

Destro #2

Void Rivals #11

Scarlett #3

Transformers #11

Destro #3

Void Rivals #12

Scarlett #4

Transformers #12

Destro #4

Scarlett #5

Transformers #13

Destro #5

Void Rivals #13

G.I. Joe #1

Transformers #14

Void Rivals #14

Transformers #15

G.I. Joe #2

Void Rivals #15

Transformers #16

G.I. Joe #3

Void Rivals #16

Transformers #17

G.I. Joe #4

Void Rivals #17

Transformers #18

G.I. Joe #5

Void Rivals #18

Energon Universe 2025 Special

Transformers #19

G.I. Joe #6

Transformers #20

Void Rivals #19

G.I. Joe #7

Transformers #21

G.I. Joe #8

Void Rivals #20

Transformers #22

G.I. Joe #9

Void Rivals #21

Transformers #23

G.I. Joe #10

Void Rivals #22

Transformers #24

G.I. Joe #11

Void Rivals #23

Transformers #25

G.I. Joe #12

Transformers #26

Void Rivals #24

Transformers #27

G.I. Joe #13

Void Rivals #25

Transformers #28

G.I. Joe #14

Void Rivals #26

Transformers #29

G.I. Joe #15

G.I. Joe #16

Void Rivals #27

Transformers #30

G.I. Joe #17

G.I. Joe #18

Void Rivals #28

G.I. Joe #19

Void Rivals #29

G.I. Joe #20

Void Rivals#30

Transformers #31

G.I. Joe #21

Transformers #32

G.I. Joe #22

Energon Universe 2026 Special

[Continue reading any single issues or trades released after the issues listed above. You should be able to follow any of the four pillars to their current single issues or trades, regardless of future updates. – Diana]

Related Reading Orders:

Transformers

Invincible