Forget The Movies, This Transformers Project Is Exactly What The Franchise Needs

As Paramount revealed its upcoming film slate during CinemaCon 2026, the company confirmed that a new Transformers movie entry is in the works. While the movie's early stage of development means that a director, cast, or writing team has yet to be revealed, it is likely that the next big screen installment will be a live-action feature, potentially even returning to the style established by Michael Bay with the 2007 movie.

However, even with what will likely be a heavily-marketed theatrical return, the most exciting upcoming project for the Transformers universe was confirmed to be in development in late 2025, which will blend the franchise's now iconic original aesthetic with expansive MCU-esque universe-building and the adult-oriented animation of Invincible.

What Is The Energon Universe?

In October 2025, Deadline confirmed that Invincible and The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman would work alongside Hasbro Entertainment to pitch an Energon Universe adult-oriented series to various production companies. Spanning out of Kirkman's Void Rivals comic in 2023, the Energon Universe is a new retelling that blends the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and M.A.S.K. franchises into a shared universe, with the Transformers ongoing series becoming the longest-running title in the property so far.

Originally penned by Daniel Warren Johnson, the series initially opens with scenes reminiscent of the original 1984 animated series, as the Autobot and Decepticon survivors are awoken on a long-buried crashed vessel on Earth after leaving behind the war-torn Cybertron. However, as each respective bot is revived, Johnson quickly establishes that things are going to be far different from the classic cartoon, as certain fan-favorite characters suffer tragic fates within the first issue, setting the darker tone that the comic will hold. Skybound's Transformers series is more than robots fighting for energy, but a story that asks what the Autobots and Decepticons are willing to do to win the war.

From Optimus resisting a growing, darker side across the first 24 issues, an even more sadistic Starscream hiding a tragic origin, and Thundercracker questioning whether the Decepticon cause is where his heart lies, Skybound's Transformers remains true to the core characteristics and aesthetics established in G1, but weaves them into a modern narrative with incredible depth. However, even with a new edge being added to the franchise, the comic also features rare moments of beauty, as the Cybertronians learn more about Earth. As such, when paired with well-balanced humor and creative action, the comic prevents itself from being a unrelenting and downbeat reimagining of the franchise, feeling more like a blending of G1 with the grounded tone found in Bay's earlier movies and the Aligned continuity.

The Energon Universe Is More Than A Nostalgic Cash-In

Despite returning to the aesthetics and cast of the initial G1 run, Skybound's Transformers isn't simply cashing in on the nostalgia of longtime fans. While it takes visuals and scenarios from the classic toyline, animated series, and 1986 movie during its initial run, the ongoing series has gradually brought in more elements from across the franchise's 42-year history in its more recent issues. Bulkhead and Slipstream; fan-favorites who debuted and became popularized in the various 2000s' and 2010s' Transformers animated series, have appeared in the main run, while several key Decepticon figureheads from Marvel Comics and Dreamwave's respective comic series appeared in issue 31, showing that the comic is appealing to all corners of the fandom.

That isn't to say that the comic run hasn't been afraid to stand apart from what came before, be it with new character twists, concepts, or players within the franchise. From Optimus's brush with darkness as he finds himself using the severed arm of Megatron, Thundercracker's defection to the Autobots, to Ultra Magnus and Arcee's shared development, the comic run has left fans with plenty of moments that have allowed it to stand apart from what came before, becoming iconic in their own right. And though Shredhead remains the only new prominent bot that's been created for the Energon Universe, their existence shows that the team isn't afraid to add new players to the mythos.

Transformers Is Only One Part Of A larger World

Of course, the Autobots and Decepticons are only one part of the Energon Universe. While the forces of Cybertron have come to Earth, humanity is dealing with its own conflicts as G.I. Joe and Cobra collide in their own respective stories. The Transformers have crossed paths with both respective sides, especially Starscream, who found himself playing a major role in one Joe's origin and relying on the technologies of COBRA in dire times.

Despite this interconnected storytelling, readers don't have to follow every title to understand the ongoing narrative. While it may be rewarding for dedicated fans to spot every connection to every Hasbro line, each series' respective story provides enough information for those focused on a single ongoing to not feel like they need to do additional reading. As such, following the Energon Universe never feels like a chore.

An Energon Universe Show Could Revive The Transformers' On-Screen Presence

With everything mentioned prior, it is clear to see why an Energon Universe animated series could be a hit that would reignite interest in the Transformers franchise. At the time of writing, Kirkman's Invincible animated series is airing its fifth season to much success, showing that adult-oriented animation is still a medium that holds plenty of potential. With Kirkman being attached to the Energon Universe, his name could draw fans of Invincible to the series once it airs.

Furthermore, the Energon Universe itself can firmly establish itself as a new entry point. Alongside how the main comic continuity stripped down each IP to its basic components before building upon them, the animated series being oriented towards an older audience would firmly set it apart from anything that came before. As such, many viewers would be willing to give the animated series a chance, knowing that they needed no understanding of what came before.

Finally, an Energon Universe show could finally fulfill one of the Transformers movie franchise's most notorious unfulfilled plans. Transformers: Rise of the Beast's mid-credits scene teased the existence of G.I. Joe within the live-action continuity, though poor theatrical performances across recent theatrical releases have seemingly led to a drastic change in direction that will ignore these setups. With this, an Energon Universe animated series could finally bring this idea to screens.

When Will The Energon Univere Show Be Released?

Of course, the Energon Universe animated series, at the time of writing, is still seemingly in just as early development as the recently announced movie. While Lucifer's Joe Henderson may be attached as writer and showrunner, a production company has yet to pick up the series. Because of this, our first glimpse at the series may still be some time away, if it ever goes forward.

However, even with what could be a several-year wait, I feel an Energon Universe animated series is exactly what the franchise needs. Even with a generation now having nostalgia for Bay's earlier movies, they still hold a controversial reputation amongst certain fans and especially the more general audience due to the quality of certain installments. As such, an adaptation of an already-proven take on the franchise could redefine the Transformers brand to viewers, and once more show why the battles between the Robots in Disguise are worth watching.