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 little over a year 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 approach their two year 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 more, this reading guide will tell you everything you need to get started reading The Energon Universe.
As it exists in 2025, the Energon Universe has three main pillars. Each pillar has a main ongoing title with its own tone, creative team, 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, so 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.
3 Pillars of the Energon Universe
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 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. This series is the newest ongoing comic in The Energon Universe and only a few issues are out at the time of this article’s publishing. 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. 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 three 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 inherent worth of all life, in spite of our mortality and inevitable demise? You should, because it looks awesome, reads smooth, and packs one heck of a punch.
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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 are intriguing enough to keep you hooked. 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.
G.I. Joe is in a different spot than the other two pillars of this universe, because its ongoing title is only two issues long at the writing of this reading guide. 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 explore.
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 going forward.
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.
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 (Set to release June 10th, 2025)
Transformers Volume Three: Combiner Chaos
Collects Transformers #13-18 (Set to release May 27th, 2025)
G.I. Joe Vol. 1: The Cobra Strikes!
Collects G.I. Joe #1 to #6 (Set to Release June 2025)
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 that has only just begun. Currently, only the three flagship titles are releasing new 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.
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
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
Related Reading Orders:
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