History ComicBook / HasbroComicUniverse

[[caption-width-right:350:Pictured: [[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Biotron, Space Glider, Orbital Defender, Acroyear,]] [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Arcee, Victorion, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Kup,]] [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW Roadblock, Scarlett, Snake Eyes,]] ComicBook/ActionMan, [[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]], [[ComicBook/{{MASK}} a Thunderhawk, and a Rhino]], [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amongst others]]. Not pictured: [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW ponies]], [[ComicBook/MightyMorphinPowerRangersBoomStudios teenagers with attitude]] and a [[ComicBook/JemAndTheHolograms truly outrageous band]].]]

The ''Hasbro Comic Universe'' [[note]]or ''[[ComicBook/Revolution2016 Revolution Universe]]''[[/note]] is the SharedUniverse of (most of) Creator/IDWPublishing's Creator/{{Hasbro}}-licensed comics, debuting with the release of the ''ComicBook/{{Revolution|2016}}'' miniseries in 2016. Through CanonWelding of the previously unrelated IDW ''Franchise/TransformersGeneration1'' and ''[[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW G.I. Joe]]'' series (and to a far lesser extent, ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHolograms''), and the introduction of ''[[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]]'', ''ComicBook/{{Micronauts|IDW}}'', ''ComicBook/ActionMan'' and ''ComicBook/{{MASK}}'' to the universe, these disparate franchises have been formed into a single shared universe.

* ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHolograms'': An ongoing series by Kelly Thompson, started before ''Revolution'' was announced. Even despite their non-involvement in the other books, they still have their own problems to deal with- like Synergy's EvilCounterpart, SILICA.

* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersUnicron'': The GrandFinale for the uinverse.

* ''New Avengers/Transformers'': A crossover miniseries with Creator/MarvelComics, involving the ComicBook/NewAvengers and [[SelfDemonstrating/DoctorDoom Latveria]] getting involved in the Transformers' war. Set during Escalation, it has had little effect on the overall universe, and can probably be considered mostly non-canon. Ran for four issues.

The ''Hasbro Comic Universe'' [[note]]or ''[[ComicBook/Revolution2016 Revolution Universe]]''[[/note]] is the SharedUniverse of [[note]][[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW most]] [[ComicBook/DungeonsAndDragons of]][[/note]] [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW Publishing's]] Creator/{{Hasbro}}-licensed comics, debuting with the release of the ''[[ComicBook/Revolution2016 Revolution]]'' miniseries in 2016. Through CanonWelding of the previously unrelated IDW ''[[Franchise/TheTransformers Transformers Generation 1]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW G.I. Joe]]'' series (and to a far lesser extent, ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHolograms''), and the introduction of ''[[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]]'', ''[[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Micronauts]]'', ''[[ComicBook/ActionMan Action Man]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/{{MASK}} M.A.S.K.]]'' to the universe, these disparate franchises have been formed into a single shared universe.

* ''[[ComicBook/RomVsTransformersShiningArmor Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor]]'': Listed above under "Rom", this miniseries is set in the past and brings together Transformers such as Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee against Rom and the Space Knights.

* ''Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra'': A five-issue 2015 miniseries starring Snake-Eyes [[CaptainObvious as an]] [[FaceHeelTurn agent of Cobra]].

[[caption-width-right:350:Pictured: [[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Biotron, Space Glider, Orbital Defender, Acroyear,]] [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Arcee, Victorion, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Kup,]] [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW Roadblock, Scarlett, Snake Eyes,]] ComicBook/ActionMan, [[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]], [[ComicBook/{{MASK}} a Thunderhawk, and a Rhino]], [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amongst others]]. Not pictured: [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW ponies]] and [[ComicBook/MightyMorphinPowerRangersBoomStudios teenagers with attitude]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Pictured: [[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Biotron, Space Glider, Orbital Defender, Acroyear,]] [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Arcee, Victorion, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Kup,]] [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW Roadblock, Scarlett, Snake Eyes,]] ComicBook/ActionMan, [[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]], [[ComicBook/{{MASK}} a Thunderhawk, and a Rhino]], [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amongst others]]. Not pictured: [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW ponies]] and [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/MightyMorphinPowerRangersBoomStudios teenagers with attitude]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Pictured: [[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Biotron, Space Glider, Orbital Defender, Acroyear,]] [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Arcee, Victorion, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Kup,]] [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW Roadblock, Scarlett, Snake Eyes,]] ComicBook/ActionMan, [[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]], [[ComicBook/{{MASK}} a Thunderhawk, and a Rhino]], [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amongst others]]. Not pictured: [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW ponies]] and [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/MightyMorphinPowerRangersBoomStudios teenagers with attitude.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Pictured: [[ComicBook/MicronautsIDW Biotron, Space Glider, Orbital Defender, Acroyear,]] [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Arcee, Victorion, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Kup,]] [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW Roadblock, Scarlett, Snake Eyes,]] ComicBook/ActionMan, [[ComicBook/RomIDW ROM]], [[ComicBook/{{MASK}} a Thunderhawk, and a Rhino]], [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amongst others]]. Not pictured: [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW ponies]].]]

The longest-running and most expansive part of IDW's universe, IDW's Transformers universe began as a DarkerAndEdgier UltimateUniverse reimagining of the Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 franchise by longtime Transformers author and mastermind behind [[ComicBook/TheTransformers Marvel's ''Transformers'' comics]], Simon Furman. It's since expanded to cover a huge range of styles and tones of the franchise, with multiple fan-favorite (and [[DorkAge less fan-favorite]]) authors writing for it. It can be roughly divided into five "eras", based on the main writers and editorial direction of the series.

Simon Furman's intricately plotted reboot of the Generation 1 Transformers universe, told through a set of miniseries. It establishes a serious, cloak-and-dagger tone to the universe, with an emphasis on the "robots in disguise"; the Decepticons work through "infiltration protocols" intended to destabilise the planet instead of the goofy, public supervillain schemes of the original Generation 1. These series work with very deliberate, limited casts, initially only using a small selection of the original 1984 characters ([[AndZoidberg and the Battlechargers.]]) These miniseries ran between 2005 and 2008.

Despite its obvious similarities to the planned "[[FollowTheLeader Hasbro Cinematic Universe]]", the comic universe is actually completely unrelated, as IDW was unaware of the movie plans before they pitched the concept to Hasbro. Major differences from the movies include the presence of ''Transformers'' (as their own film franchise is continuing), ''Jem'' and ''Action Man''.

Website/TFWikiDotNet offers coverage of the ''Transformers''-related parts [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Revolution here]], and an [[http://idwhasbro.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page IDW Hasbro Wiki]] has been established to handle everything else.

Variously described as "[[TagLine the greatest hero of them all]]" or "the UK's one-bloke answer to G.I. Joe", Action Man is the code name for [[LegacyCharacter an operative]] trained to the highest levels of ability in all fields - he's a master of hand-to-hand and ranged combat, a member of UsefulNotes/{{MENSA}}, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking a 3-star Michelin chef]]... and he's also [[DeathByOriginStory dead]]. Focusing on the newest Action Man, this series based on Britain's equivalent of G.I. Joe is inspired by the original military rendition of the character rather than the extreme-sports adventurer of [[WesternAnimation/ActionMan the TV show]], and is written by John Barber.

* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersAutocracy'': A twelve-issue digital comic by [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers G1 cartoon]] writers Flint Dille and Chris Metzen, retelling the days just prior to the start of the Great War.

* ''ComicBook/{{Revolutionaries}}'': Described as "''Marvel Team-Up'' meets ''ComicBook/{{Planetary}}''", ''Revolutionaries'' is a TeamUpSeries focusing on a team consisting of [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Kup, Garrison Blackrock,]] [[Franchise/GIJoe Mayday]] [[note]](a new G.I. Joe codename for Ayana Jones of ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''; the codename dates back to the much-maligned ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeExtreme'', and had also been used in the Devil's Due continuity)[[/note]], and ComicBook/ActionMan; it is a mystery-focused TeamUpSeries focused on the mysterious artifact called the [[BigDumbObject Talisman]]. The series delves into some of the more obscure and strange corners of the shared universe, bringing together such disparate elements as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Savage_and_his_Screaming_Eagles Sgt. Savage]], the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Predacons]], the [[Franchise/GIJoe Adventure Team]], a new [[Franchise/GIJoeARealAmericanHero Cobra Commander]], and the... ''[[{{Elseworld}} Hearts of Steel]]'' Transformers?! Meanwhile, the heroes will have to contend with [[ComicBook/ActionMan Doctor X]], [[Franchise/GIJoe Storm Shadow]] and [[UnexpectedCharacter Baron Ironblood]], who want the Talisman for their own purposes.

* ''ComicBook/[[TransformersVsVisionaries Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'': Written by Mags Visaggio (author of Black Mask's Kim & Kim) and drawn by Fico Ossio (Revolution and Revolutionaries), this five-issue miniseries will show a clash of magic and metal as the Knights of the Magical Light come into conflict with the Transformers.

* ''G.I. Joe'' volume 3: A continuation of the previous ongoing, which lasted for 15 issues from 2013 to 2014; it contained some fairly earth-shattering elements, including [[spoiler:the reveal of G.I. Joe's existence to the world at large.]]
* ''G.I. Joe: Special Missions'': A Chuck Dixon series inspired by [[ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHero the classic series of the same name]], that lasted for 14 issues from 2013 to 2014.
* ''G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files'': The replacement for ''Cobra'' volume 2 as the Cobra-focused series, this series by Mike Costa lasted for nine issues in 2013.

* ''G.I. Joe: The Fall of G.I. Joe'': An ongoing by newcomer Karen Traviss, this cut-short series lasted 8 issues from 2014 to 2015, and involved a subplot of G.I. Joe potentially being shut down.

* ''ComicBook/GIJoe2016'': Spinning out of ''Revolution'', the simply-named ''G.I. Joe'' is a new series by Aubrey Sitterson. Though set in the same continuity as the previous IDW titles, the author has expressed a desire to embrace some of the [[DenserAndWackier more fantastical elements]] of the franchise - and the first step is including the Transformer Skywarp as a member of the relaunched team, which also consists of Scarlett, Roadblock, Rock'n'Roll, Quick Kick, Helix, Shipwreck, and Snake Eyes.

* ''G.I. Joe: Unmasked'': Functioning as a successor to both "G.I. Joe" and "M.A.S.K. - Mobile Armored Strike Kommand", ''Unmasked'' teams G.I. Joe with M.A.S.K.'s Matt Trakker against a resurgent Cobra and an assortment of villains, like... the Army Ants? It's written by Aubrey Sitterson and drawn by Clue's Nelson Daniel.

* ''Rom and the Micronauts'': A series that acts as a successor to both "ROM" and "Micronauts". The creative team of the series has not been announced, but the "First Strike" tie-in creative teams suggest it will be written by Christos Gage.

* ''Rom and the Micronauts'': A series that acts as a successor to both "ROM" and "Micronauts". The creative team of the series has not been announced, but the "First Strike" tie-in creative teams suggest it will be written by Christos Gage.

* ''G.I. Joe: Unmasked'': Listed above under "G.I. Joe", ''Unmasked'' sees M.A.S.K.'s Matt Trakker join forces with the Joes against Cobra.

[[folder:'''Visionaries''']]

* ''ComicBook/{{Visionaries}}'': Written by Mags Visaggio (author of Black Mask's Kim & Kim) and drawn by Fico Ossio (Revolution and Revolutionaries), Visionaries will explore the mystical side of the Hasbro Universe.
* ''Transformers versus Visionaries'': The series introducing the Knights to the Hasbro universe, as they come into conflict with the inhabitants of Cybertron.

* UnexpectedCharacter:
** Not many people were expecting IDW to give Action Man his own series.
** [[spoiler:As noted above, no one expected the European "knockoff" Cobra Commander, Baron Ironblood, to show up, let alone be a major antagonist for ''Revolutionaries''. For context, Ironblood is from ''Action Force'', the UK counterpart to 80s ''G.I. Joe''; eventually it became ''G.I. Joe'' in a "transition", where Ironblood became Cobra Commander. And ''no one'' was expecting his true identity to be Joe Colton!]]
** ''G.I. Joe'' has ''Skywarp'' joining the Joe Team. [[spoiler: And from hints given by Crystal Ball and the writers, it seems the WesternAnimation/{{Inhumanoids}} are on the way too.]]
** ''G.I. Joe Unmasked'' has the Joes and Matt Trakker running into the ''Army Ants'', characters from a late 80s Hasbro toyline similar in concept to ''M.U.S.C.L.E.'' or the ''Transformers'' Decoys (small rubber figures that could be collected and were often sold in sets).

After the events of ''All Hail Optimus'', the concluding arc of ''The Transformers'', Optimus has set up a permanant base on Earth, and humanity isn't happy about it. So to deal with him, they bring back a long-defunct organisation: the elite American military unit [[ComicBook/GIJoeIDW G.I. Joe]]! With the Revolution crossover, the IDW Transformers and GI Joe universes, along with the other Hasbro properties IDW has licenses for, are merged into one; out of this, their Transformers books have been relaunched, with new focuses, new numbering and new names. Notably, despite the renamed and renumbered titles, the creative teams are ''not'' changing - though John Barber is stepping down as an editor, he, Roberts and Scott are continuing to write a title each for Transformers.

Despite its obvious similarities to the planned "[[FollowTheLeader Hasbro Cinematic Universe]]", the comic universe is actually completely unrelated, as IDW was unaware of the movie plans before they pitched the concept to Hasbro. Major differences from the movies include the presence of ''Transformers'', ''Jem'' and ''Action Man''.

Announced at SDCC 2017, the Knights of Prysmos from WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}} cartoon will be joining the Hasbro Universe following ''First Strike''. Though few details have been announced, First Strike #0 and various seeds from ''ComicBook/{{Revolutionaries}}'' imply its story to be linked to the mystery of the [[BigDumbObject Talisman]].

** [[spoiler:As noted above, no one expected the European "knockoff" Cobra Commander, Baron Ironblood, to show up, let alone be a major antagonist for ''Revolutionaries''. For context, Ironblood is from ''Action Force'', the UK counterpart to 80s ''G.I. Joe''; eventually it became ''G.I. Joe'' in a "transition", where Ironblood became Cobra Commander.]]

Despite its obvious similarities to the planned "[[FollowTheLeader Hasbro Cinematic Universe]]", the comic universe is actually completely unrelated, as IDW was unaware of the movie plans before they pitched the concept to Hasbro. Major differences from the movies include the absence of ''WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}}'', and the presence of ''Transformers'', ''Jem'' and ''Action Man''.

* ''G.I. Joe: Unmasked'': Functioning as a successor to both "G.I. Joe" and "M.A.S.K. - Mobile Armored Strike Kommand", the creative team of "G.I. Joe: Unmasked" has not been announced, but the "First Strike" tie-in creative teams suggest it will be written by Aubrey Sitterson.

* ''G.I. Joe: Unmasked'': Functioning as a successor to both "G.I. Joe" and "M.A.S.K. - Mobile Armored Strike Kommand", the creative team of "G.I. Joe: Unmasked" has not been announced, but the "First Strike" tie-in creative teams suggest it will be written by Aubrey Sitterson.

[[folder:'''SPOILER FRANCHISE''']]

Not yet officially announced, careful analysis of the "Classified" title announced through the ComicBook/FirstStrike issue checklist suggests it to be a comic based on the WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}} cartoon. Though no details have been announced, First Strike #0 and various seeds from ''ComicBook/{{Revolutionaries}}'' imply it to be linked to the mystery of the [[BigDumbObject Talisman]].

* ComicBook/GIJoe2016: Spinning out of ''Revolution'', the simply-named ''G.I. Joe'' is a new series by Aubrey Sitterson. Though set in the same continuity as the previous IDW titles, the author has expressed a desire to embrace some of the [[DenserAndWackier more fantastical elements]] of the franchise - and the first step is including the Transformer Skywarp as a member of the relaunched team, which also consists of Scarlett, Roadblock, Rock'n'Roll, Quick Kick, Helix, Shipwreck, and Snake Eyes.

** ''g.i. Joe'' has ''Skywarp'' joining the Joe Team. [[spoiler: And from hints given by Crystal Ball and the writers, it seems the WesternAnimation/{{Inhumanoids}} are on the way too.]]

* ''ComicBook/RomVsTransformersShiningArmor Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'': Listed below under the "Rom" entry, this crossover miniseries pits the space knight against the Cybertronians, with new character Stardrive -- a Cybertronian member of the Solstar Order -- caught in the middle. It's written by ''RID''[='=]s John Barber and ''ROM''[='=]s Christos Gage, with art by ''MTMTE''[='=]s Alex Milne.

* ''ComicBook/RomVsTransformersShiningArmor Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'': Set about 150 years prior to the "present day" of the main series, this miniseries -- written by Christos Gage and [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise John Barber]], and drawn by [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye Alex Milne]] -- shows how, in the late days of the Cybertronian's war and the early days of the Solstar Order's, the Autobots (including Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee) came into conflict with Rom's Space Knights, with [[OriginalGeneration new character Stardrive]], a [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot Cybertronian Space Knight]], caught in the middle.

* ''ComicBook/RomVsTransformersShiningArmor Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'': Listed above under "Rom", this miniseries is set in the past and brings together Transformers such as Ultra Magnus and Bumblebee against Rom and the Space Knights.