A New GI Joe and Transformers Animated Series Has Comics’ Biggest Brains Working for It

“Transformers” fans waiting for a new cartoon (and disappointed that a “Transformers One” sequel probably won’t happen) have had their prayers answered.

Deadline has reported that a new “Transformers” and “GI Joe” animated series is in the works, based on the “Energon Universe” comics currently published by Skybound Entertainment. Joe Henderson of “Lucifer” will write and present the series.

Skybound is the production company of Robert Kirkman, screenwriter of “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible”. Kirkman was born in 1978 and, unsurprisingly, was a huge fan of “Transformers” and “GI Joe” as a child. (Both series debuted in the early 1980s.) He cited the death of Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated film “Transformers” as a key moment in his development as a storyteller.

Kirkman and Skybound lobbied for the comic book rights to both Hasbro brands and acquired them in 2023. Skybound launched “Energon Universe” later that year (“Energon” is the Transformers’ primary fuel and lifeblood), first with the original “Void Rivals” comic (written by Kirkman), then an ongoing “Transformers” comic written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson.

Johnson, who handed over art duties to Jorge Corona after issue #6, ended his “Transformers” series on issue #24, leaving Kirkman himself to take over as writer on “Transformers” starting with the most recently released issue #25. Clearly, his plans for Robots in Disguise don’t stop there.

Kirkman is currently overseeing an animated adaptation of “Invincible,” which aired on Prime Video for three seasons (with season 4 expected to arrive in 2026). According to Deadline, the “Energon Universe” cartoon will soon be “promised to buyers”, so it is not guaranteed at the moment that this series will be broadcast on the same platform as “Invincible”.

Since “Transformers” has a long history in animation, a cartoon is the natural next step for the “Energon universe.” Deadline reports that this “Energon Universe” cartoon will be aimed at adults, similar to “Invincible.” Skybound’s “Transformers” and “GI Joe” comics were aimed at older fans and aren’t afraid of violence, so it makes sense to keep that tone.

As of now, it’s unclear whether this series will be an adaptation of the comics or a separate story set in comic book continuity… but if it’s the former, accessing some of Johnson’s fight scenes from “Transformers” in animated form sounds awesome.

Currently, in “Energon Universe”, there has been no large-scale crossover between “Transformers” and “GI Joe”, only a few cameos. For example, GI Joe leader Duke appeared in the second issue of “Transformers” as a fighter jet pilot battling the Decepticon Starscream. The Autobot Hound (which transforms into a green military Jeep) also appeared in Joshua Williamson’s “GI Joe” comic strip.

Unlike “Transformers,” “GI Joe” is on hiatus when it comes to animation. There was no new “GI Joe: Renegades” cartoon series which was canceled in 2011. If you want to get a taste of what this new series might be like, the 2009 animated film “GI Joe Resolute” was similar in tone to the “classic ‘GI Joe’ but played bloody serious.”

With the series being so early in production, there’s no word yet on voice casting. However, “Invincible” features Peter Cullen (the original and most frequent voice of Optimus Prime) in a recurring role. I imagine it wouldn’t be difficult for Kirkman to convince Cullen to reprise Optimus once again for this new series.

The cartoon “Energon Universe” does not have a release date at the moment.