LOS ANGELES 03/02/2026 – Today Skybound Comet, in collaboration with Image Comics and leading games, IP, and toy company Hasbro, revealed a first look at TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever– Bot Swap! The latest book in the series of Middle Grade OGNs from writer Brian “Smitty” Smith (Pea, Bee, and Jay) and artist Marz Jr. will be available in comic shops on June 17 and everywhere books are sold on July 14, 2026.
As Ballpoint struggles to fit in with his new Autobot friends, a mishap with an experimental weapon causes him to swap bodies with the most feared Decepticon of them all—Megatron! Will Ballpoint’s newfound size and strength finally garner him the acceptance he desires? Maybe! Will the mighty Megatron really accept being placed in the itty-bitty body of the Worst Bot Ever? Of course not!
“I'm absolutely thrilled to bring more Ballpoint to both longtime and new TRANSFORMERS fans,” said writer Brian ‘Smitty’ Smith. “This book has something for everyone, even if you hate pens!”
"So excited to be drawing the lovable, little rascal again!” added artist Marz Jr. “Is bigger always better? You never know until you walk a mile in another TRANSFORMER bot’s mechanical leg!"
The continuation of the Worst Bot Ever OGN series reinforces the collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, alongside other key initiatives including the shared Energon Universe comic book universe (Void Rivals, the two-time Eisner Award-winning TRANSFORMERS, and G.I. JOE), the relaunch of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, and the most funded comics campaigns on Kickstarter, The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Compendium Sets.
"Your favorite new Transformers Bot is back and worse than ever!” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “Smitty’s story and Marz Jr.’s art are a match made in comic book heaven, and we’re looking forward to bringing you even more of Ballpoint’s hilarious mishaps!”
Recent Skybound Comet releases include Pizza Witch (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2796-2 | SRP $16.99), the graphic novel that cooks up a delicious world of magic for a wide range of readers by Sarah Graley (Glitch, Our Super Adventure) and Stef Purenins (Our Super Adventure), TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever– Meet Ballpoint (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2799-3 | SRP $12.99), the first book in the OGN series about the misadventures of Ballpoint from Brian “Smitty” Smith and Marz Jr., Clementine Book Three (ISBN: 978-1-5343-9737-8 | SRP $14.99), the heart-wrenching finale of the Eisner –Award-nominated YA trilogy by Tillie Walden (On a Sunbeam, Spinning), and Family Force V (SBN: 978-1-5343-4033-6 | SRP $16.99), the prismatic YA graphic novel about your new favorite alien fighting family by Matt Braly (Disney’s Amphibia) and artist Ainsworth Lin.
TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever– Bot Swap! (ISBN: 978-1-5343-3146-4 | SRP $12.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 and at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
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, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.
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 SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Skybound is the leading entertainment company built to create, produce, scale, and sustain world-class IP across comics, television, film, video games, audio, merchandise and collectibles. Co-founded by visionary creator Robert Kirkman and CEO David Alpert, Skybound owns and controls a portfolio of globally recognized franchises and cultural hits including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter, Stillwater and others. Through a creator-first model, Skybound has become the go-to launchpad for original stories across all forms of entertainment.
Skybound publishes bestselling comics with top industry talent across its originals, licensed slates, and young readers imprint Skybound Comet. As a licensing partner, Skybound collaborates with Hasbro, LEGO® Books, and Universal Products & Experiences on their most coveted properties. Skybound’s groundbreaking reimagination of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE in the Energon Universe is Hasbro’s most successful comic book line ever, headlined by the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS. Additionally, Skybound ran the two most funded comic campaigns ever on Kickstarter.
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