Featuring Fan-Favorites from the Worlds of G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, VOID RIVALS, and M.A.S.K.!
“The Energon Universe is one of the most exciting things happening in monthly comics” - The Beat
LOS ANGELES 03/10/2026 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, announced commemorative connecting variant covers from Skybound-exclusive artist Tom Reilly (G.I. JOE) and colorist Adriano Lucas (Ghost Pepper) coming in June 2026 to celebrate the third anniversary of the Energon Universe, the record-breaking comics line that began with the iconic stealth launch of Void Rivals #1 from writer Robert Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici.
Since then, the Energon Universe has grown to include the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS whose current creative team consists of writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Jason Howard (The Astounding Wolf-Man), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Scarlett), and now also the brand-new series M.A.S.K. by writer Dan Watters (Batman: Dark Patterns, DESTRO), artist Pye Parr (Petrol Head, New Gods), and colorist Pierluigi Casolino (DC vs Vampires), launching June 3.
To mark the anniversary, each Energon Universe comic releasing in June 2026 will feature two sets of open-to-order, connecting, full art variant covers from fan-favorite Energon Universe artist Tom Reilly and colorist Adriano Lucas, the second a black & white version of Reilly’s art.
The variants will be available for M.A.S.K. #1, TRANSFORMERS #33, G.I. JOE #23, and Void Rivals #31. With the full art piece featuring 82 iconic characters, including recent Energon Universe returning favorites M.A.S.K., V.E.N.O.M., Arcee Magnus, Crystal Ball, Storm Shadow, and Scarlett, this is a connecting cover set collectors do not want to miss.
"It’s that time of the year where we once again celebrate the anniversary of the Energon Universe, now welcoming the stars of our new series M.A.S.K.,” notes Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “And to have Skybound-exclusive Tom Reilly bring his artistic skills, with the colors of Adriano Lucas, is absolute magic!”
M.A.S.K. #1 (Lunar Codes Below| $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- M.A.S.K. #1 Cover E Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code: 0426IM8004)
- M.A.S.K. #1 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 0426IM8005)
TRANSFORMERS #33 (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, June 10, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- TRANSFORMERS #33 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
- TRANSFORMERS #33 Cover G Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White)(Connecting) by Tom Reilly
G.I. JOE #23 (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, June 17, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- G.I. JOE #23 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
- G.I. JOE #23 Cover G Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly
Void Rivals #31 (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, June 24, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- Void Rivals #31 Cover H Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
- Void Rivals #31 Cover I Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly
Praise for the Energon Universe:
“Skybound’s Energon Universe line has been a major hit over the past couple of years, for many of the same reasons as DC’s Absolute Universe and Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. It offers a clean, accessible gateway into the shared world of G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS, driven by some of the top creators working today.” - IGN
“The Energon Universe line from Skybound Entertainment simply does not miss. With consistently stellar creative teams and an ambitious new narrative driving the familiar G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS concepts, it’s proven to be one of comics’ best current success stories” - ComicBook.com
"The Energon Universe is still going strong as one of the most entertaining comics in print, and with fewer serious rivals by the day." - CBR
"If you are looking for something fresh and interesting, the Energon Universe may be just what you need." - Esquire Italy
“Skybound’s Energon Universe is a massive, breakaway hit” - Comic Book Club Live
“It’s an exciting time to be a fan of all of these properties. This is a comic universe that can’t be missed.” - Graphic Policy
“The Energon Universe has been nearly flawless since it started back in 2023. So much so that reading any new comic book involving it is a must.” - Bam Smack Pow
"The Energon Universe may be the best universe going in comics today and with this next chapter heating up, you need to check it out." - Nerd Initiative
"The Energon Universe continues to be a slam dunk." - Comicon
“The good folks at Skybound Entertainment have some of the absolute best comic licenses in the land, which means they also have some of the best graphic novels on the stands right now.” - Comic Pause
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.
Press Contact:
Shannon Meehan | Skybound Entertainment
smeehan@skybound.com
Gallery
