SDCC 2023: Robert Kirkman, Daniel Warren Johnson And Josh Williamson Talk The Energon Universe
by Gary Catig
Skybound surprised audiences when their series Void Rivals launched the Energon Universe, a shared universe featuring the Hasbro licensed properties of Transformers and G.I. Joe. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Robert Kirkman, Sean Mackiewicz, Daniel Warren Johnson and Joshua Williamson shared more details of what fans can expect from the different titles moving forward.
Void Rivals explores two factions engaged in a never-ending war. Kirkman teased that in the future, we’ll discover that the different sides haven’t really encountered each other than in battle. As the two main characters grow closer, they’ll discover that they’ve both been told lies about the enemy and they search for answers regarding when the deceptions began and who started them. We also received an unedited version of Taurin Clarke’s cover for issue #3 (far right), and some interiors.
Johnson said his Transformers series will have a G-1 flare with many emotional beats. The teams for the Autobots and Decepticons serve as a starting point and other familiar characters could be added to their rosters. He also shared that in the first two arcs, humans will play an important role. In addition, in issue #2, the Transformers experience nature for the first time and must learn how to navigate an organic world. He also shared some sequential art from the series as well as a Ryan Ottley variant cover (far right).
Williamson will be writing the G.I. Joe side of the Energon Universe. The setting is before the formation of either G.I. Joe or Cobra. He chose to focus on Duke because he is a man of action, and is synonymous with the brand. The character will experience a crisis of faith after witnessing something that blows his mind.
The other character that he will feature is Cobra Commander. Williamson was always obsessed how the leader of Cobra could be such a hated figure but still be a unifying factor that brought these different factions under his guidance and have them work together. His Cobra Commander is a science genius and a master manipulator. This story will have the feel and tone of a horror comic.
Williamson took inspiration from many sources including the G.I. Joe comics, cartoons, and the toys. He also stated that as you read Duke and Cobra Commander’s journey, you’ll find that there are many parallels even though the two characters are on opposite sides.
