More than 40 years after they first hit the spinner racks, the Transformers are dominating the comic book sales charts again, thanks to Robert Kirkman and his Skybound imprint. After launching Transformers and following it up with a number of other Hasbro properties in the interlinked Energon Universe, it’s looking like the sky’s the limit for Skybound. But what’s next? Collider’s Steve Weintraub caught up with Kirkman at San Diego Comic Con, where he’s launching his newest creator-owned book, Terminal.

The Energon Universe launched stealthily with Void Rivals, which appeared to be an all-new science fiction series before the Transformer Jetfire appeared on the last page of issue #1. That then led into a dedicated Transformers book, which was initially by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson. Kirkman took over writing duties on that book with #25, and remains on it to this day. Skybound has subsequently launched G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and now Rom. What’s next for the Energon Universe? Well, if Kirkman had his way, a certain porcine space pirate from the pages of Void Rivals would go to the top of the list:
“Honestly, I want to do a Skuxxoid book. I would love to do a book just devoted to that character. I have so many ideas for that character.”
Alas, the solo adventures of the Skuxxoid will have to wait; not only does Kirkman have his hands full with his burgeoning multimedia empire, but he wants the line to stay streamlined. Says Kirkman, “I feel like when you have a lot of different mini-series, and it’s like, ‘There’s Skuxxoid 1–6, and that technically takes place withVoid Rivals 32–35,’ then it starts getting tedious. So I’m trying to avoid that for as long as I can.” That patience has certainly paid off:
“The line is still insanely successful. It’s going way better than we thought it was going to go internally, and we’re all having a great time. There’s just so many different things that we can do with these characters, and when you have them interacting the way that we have, there’s just so many different things that come to you, and things that come out of the characters interacting and having this cohesive universe that they’re existing in. So, there’s no limit to the ideas that we can do.”
It’s all to ensure that the Energon Universe is built to last, making it accessible and affordable for as long as possible. The line is still composed of four ongoing series (Void Rivals, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the newest entry, M.A.S.K.), although it remains to be seen how the addition of the alien-fighting armored space knight Rom, who recently got his own surprise one-shot comic, will shake up the publishing line.
“The Marvel Universe, back in the ‘60s, grew at a very slow and steady pace, with them adding a book or two every year or two, and I think that that’s the way that you build a foundation that can last for a while. Because our goal with the universe is to build something that is just as sustainable as the core DC and core Marvel Universe. I would be thrilled to, in 30 years, be still involved in Energon Universe books and see that it’s become this staple of the comic book industry. So, that’s our lofty goal. Whether we get there or not, who knows? But that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Soon, the comics won’t be the only way to experience the Energon Universe; an animated series adapting the books is now in development.
What Is ‘Terminal’?

Kirkman is the co-creator of The Walking Dead and Invincible, two acclaimed and successful creator-owned comics that have already spawned successful TV adaptations. His next big comics project is Terminal; co-written by Joe Casey, and featuring art by legendary pencilers Andy Kubert, David Finch, and Art Adams, Terminal centers around Marilyn Howe, a woman whose search for her missing sister takes her into the middle of a secret war between two factions of superhumans.

Stay tuned to Collider all week for the latest San Diego Comic Con coverage.