Hasbro’s Transformers and G.I. Joe are set to be rebooted in Skybound Entertainment’s all-new Energon Universe – and according to an answer from Robert Kirkman in the letters column of Skybound’s Void Rivals #3, it is possible that more Hasbro properties could find their way into the new shared continuity.
While the creators of the fledgling Energon Universe has its hands full re-establishing the world of Transformers and G.I. Joe and tying them together with Skybound original titles like Void Rivals, Kirkman teased the possibility of eventually incorporating other Hasbro creations, such as Rom: Spaceknight into the ongoing story, once Energon is ready to expand.
It Might Be Inevitable That Rom: Spaceknight Enters The Energon Universe
The letters column for Void Rivals #3 featured a reader writing in to ask if there are any current plans to bring Rom: Spaceknight into the Energon Universe, now that Skybound will be relaunching Transformers and G.I. Joe. Robert Kirkman wrote in reply that, “Hasbro has a lot of really great concepts in their stable,” going on to say that “ROM is definitely high on the list of cool.” Rom‘s comic book history began with a late seventies Marvel run, which far outlived the toys it was based on, and continued for several years. Rom: Spaceknight became a Hasbro property following their acquisition of original manufacturer Parker Brothers in 1991.
Other Hasbro Properties Such As Micronauts and M.A.S.K. Could Find A Home At Skybound
Missing in action for over two decades, Rom returned to comics when IDW established the Hasbro Comic Book Universe, which in addition to G.I. Joe and Transformers also included eighties toy-lines such as M.A.S.K. and the Visionaries. In the original Marvel run, Rom hailed from the planet Galador. After Galador was threatened by alien shape-shifters known as the Dire Wraiths, Rom was selected to become a Spaceknight, cyborg warriors given silver battle armor and a variety of high-tech weaponry. 200 years later, Rom arrived on present-day Earth, to once again fight the Dire Wraiths. Marvel published Rom: Spaceknight for 75 issues, eventually losing the license after the series was canceled.
Given that Rom was previously in IDW’s Hasbro Comic Book Universe, it makes sense that the character would eventually make an appearance in the Energon Universe. However, when it came to short-term appearances of Rom, Kirkman’s reply in Void Rivals #3 tempered fans expectations, stating, “as far as any expansion of the Energon Universe is concerned, I wouldn’t expect it any time soon…,” though he coyly added, “but you never know…” Adding to the immediate unlikelihood, Marvel recently announced they had re-acquired the Rom rights to reprint the original comics in an omnibus collection. Still, the possibility remains, especially if the Energon Universe is a success, and runs for some time.
Of course, aside from Rom, other Hasbro properties can still become a part of Skybound’s Energon Universe. Although Marvel had great success with their tie-in comics for G.I. Joe and Transformers, they weren’t the first toy tie-ins the House of Ideas produced. In the late seventies, Marvel produced series for Shogun Warriors and Micronauts, alongside Rom, with the latter two being particularly successful. Additionally, franchises such as M.A.S.K., Visionaries and others are currently without a home. Still, Kirkman is probably right: it’s best to establish the new G.I. Joe and Transformers continuities before introducing any more franchises in the Energon Universe.
Void Rivals #3 is on sale now from Skybound Entertainment.
