AUTOBOT SPRINGER MAKES EPIC FIRST APPEARANCE IN ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI’S VOID RIVALS #9

LOS ANGELES 02/01/2024 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed that fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS character Springer will make a first appearance in Void Rivals #9. The Energon Universe tentpole from the Oblivion Song team of Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), along with colorist Matheus Lopes (Step by Bloody Step), and letterer Rus Wooton (Fire Power), Void Rivals #9 will hit comic book shops on May 1, 2024.

Each issue of Void Rivals promises to take readers further into this all-new world, with more familiar faces to appear. Void Rivals #6 concluded the series’ first arc with a shocking ending last fall and the series is set to return with issue #7 to kick off the second arc on March 6.

In Void Rivals #9, Darak and Solila cling to life deep in the wasteland and find--SPRINGER?! It's the first Energon Universe appearance of everyone's favorite Triple-Changer Autobot!

“If you needed a reminder, Void Rivals continues to be the series where we debut fan favorite characters and also explore exciting new corners of the Energon Universe,” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Publisher, Skybound. “We’re only halfway through this arc and there’s no shortage of surprises to come.”

The Energon Universe officially began last summer with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1 from Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and Mateus Lopes (Step by Bloody Step), introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE comics finding a new home with the publisher. Then TRANSFORMERS from writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon) kicked off a brand-new era for the iconic franchise. The Energon Universe recently expanded with the launch of Duke, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33) and Cobra Commander from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song). Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions.

Void Rivals #9 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

The full list of covers is below:

  • Void Rivals #9 Cover A by Lorenzo De Felici & Matheus Lopes
  • Void Rivals #9 Cover B by Caspar Wijngaard
  • Void Rivals #9 Cover C (Connecting) by André Lima Araújo & Chris O’Halloran
  • Void Rivals #9 Cover D by Lynne Yoshii
  • Void Rivals #9 Cover E by Tonci Zonjic

ABOUT TRANSFORMERS

The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE" experiences to fans of all ages. The brand's enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.

ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro is a toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands.

Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.

ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Established in 2010, Skybound is a multiplatform content company that works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to create cool stuff and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to fans. Skybound extends their stories across platforms including comics, television, film, video games, tabletop, books, digital content, audio programming, and beyond. The company is home to critically-acclaimed global franchises including The Walking Dead, Invincible,Superfight, and hit new podcast series Impact Winter.

Led by Skybound Entertainment co-founder Robert Kirkman, Skybound Comics is an award-winning line of comics published by Image Comics and promotes a shared vision to collaborate with top and emerging talent across the comics industry. The Skybound line includes acclaimed series such as The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultramega, Stillwater, Fire Power, and Excellence, while also delivering powerful licensed comics, including a partnership with LEGO Books. It is also home to Skybound Comet, a new line of Young Adult and Middle Grade original graphic novels published by Image Comics, launching in June 2022 with Clementine Book One, by award-winning writer/artist Tillie Walden and set in the world of The Walking Dead. Skybound has seen numerous comics series adapted for the screen, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur andOutcast, with more projects in development.

For the most up to date information on Skybound, please visit the company on X (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment), Instagram (@skyboundent), and at www.skybound.com.

Press Contacts: 
Shannon Meehan | Skybound Entertainment
smeehan@skybound.com

Nia Phillips | Skybound Entertainment
nphillips@skybound.com

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