**Press Release**
Skybound, Image & Hasbro Unveil Energon Universe Special 2026 Variant Covers
Get ready for all-new action from TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, VOID RIVALS & M.A.S.K.!
Praise for the Energon Universe:
“If you’ve been sleeping on the Energon Universe, the franchise that’s pumped new life into the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. Joe properties, you are missing out!“ - ComicBook.com
“If you are looking for something fresh and interesting, the Energon Universe may be just what you need.“
- Esquire Italy
LOS ANGELES 03/30/2026 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, revealed the lineup of variant covers from the highly anticipated Energon Universe Special 2026 which will also serve as the introductory chapter of the upcoming new Energon Universe series M.A.S.K.
First available with an exclusive cover as part of Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 2, 2026, Energon Universe FCBD Special 2026 serves as both a perfect jumping on point into the Energon Universe and a can't miss experience for long-time fans.
The biggest year in Energon Universe history is here, and this special issue includes four all-new stories from the worlds of TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, VOID RIVALS, and M.A.S.K. from the biggest names in comics. Energon Universe talent Robert Kirkman (TRANSFORMERS, VOID RIVALS, Joshua Williamson (G.I. JOE), and Dan Watters (M.A.S.K.) pen the stories, and Jason Howard (TRANSFORMERS), Tom Reilly (G.I. JOE), Conor Hughes (VOID RIVALS), and Pye Parr (M.A.S.K.) provide art for this action-packed special. The retail version of Energon Universe Special 2026 will be available for purchase in comic book shops on Wednesday May 6, 2026, featuring the same story content as the FCBD 2026 special with all-new can’t miss covers for collectors.
In addition to the main cover by Pye Parr, Energon Universe Special 2026 will feature an impressive slate of variant covers by Energon Universe and top comics talent Howard Porter (Justice League 3000) & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Green Lantern), Jason Howard, Conor Hughes, and Cedric Poulat (Grimm Fairy Tales).
“The release of the Energon Universe Special is an exciting annual event in the E.U.,” notes Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “We bring the best talent together to tell exciting short stories that help seed the future of the Energon Universe...and the stories get more exciting each year!”
The Energon Universe is the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Energon Universe ongoing series include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Andrei Bressan (Destro), and colorist Dee Cunniffe (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country), the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Robert Kirkman, 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 this June.
Energon Universe Special 2026 (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 6, 2026.
The full list of covers is below:
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover A by Pye Parr
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover B by Howard Porter & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) by Jason Howard
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Conor Hughes
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Cedric Poulat
- Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover A by Pye Parr
Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover B by Howard Porter & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) by Jason Howard
Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Conor Hughes
Energon Universe Special 2026 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Cedric Poulat
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.
