Author: Newsroom
LOS ANGELES 05/08/2024 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, announced special commemorative variant covers in June 2024 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Energon Universe, the record-breaking comics line that began with Void Rivals #1 from writer Robert Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici.
Since then, the Energon Universe has grown to include TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon) and series featuring iconic G.I JOE characters, including Duke, a limited series from writer Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), artist Tom Reilly (The Thing) and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33) and Cobra Commander from writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and colorist Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song).
To celebrate the chart-topping success of the Energon Universe, the below comics in June 2024 will feature two sets of open-to-order, connecting, full art variant covers – the first by superstars Jason Howard and Annalisa Leoni, the second a B&W version featuring Howard’s art.
- Destro #1
- Scarlett #1
- TRANSFORMERS #9
- Void Rivals #10
“Thank you to all the retailers, readers, and collectors who have helped us make the Energon Universe into a truly special pop culture event,” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP/Publisher, Skybound Entertainment. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and now Void Rivals worlds connect with a larger worldwide audience through our comics, and this is the first time you can see the entire roster of characters altogether, in one jaw-dropping piece. We’re thrilled to celebrate the first of what will be many exciting and surprising years of the Energon Universe!”
DESTRO #1 (Lunar Codes Below | $4.99), SCARLETT #1 (Lunar Codes Below | $4.99), TRANSFORMERS #9 (Lunar Codes Below | $3.99), and VOID RIVALS #10 (Lunar Codes Below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play in June 2024.
The full list of variant covers is below:
- DESTRO #1 CVR I HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code 0424IM807)
- DESTRO #1 CVR J B&W HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard (Lunar Code 0424IM808)
- SCARLETT #1 CVR I HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code 0424IM809)
- SCARLETT #1 CVR J B&W HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard (Lunar Code 0424IM810)
- TRANSFORMERS #9 CVR F HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code 0424IM811)
- TRANSFORMERS #9 CVR G B&W HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard (Lunar Code 0424IM812)
- VOID RIVALS #10 CVR F HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code 0424IM813)
- VOID RIVALS #10 CVR G B&W HOWARD CONNECTING EU ANNIVERSARY VAR by Jason Howard (Lunar Code 0424IM814)
Praise for the Energon Universe:
“The Energon Universe is one of the most exciting developments in comics in a very long time” – Derby Comics
“The best comic universe on the market right now.” – Graphic Policy
“Skybound’s Energon Universe is shaping up to be one of the best launches of a shared universe in comics we have ever seen.” – Lotusland Coomics
“The cleverly concealed, mind-blowing reveal of the Energon Universe back in Void Rivals #1 deserves to go down in comics history as a masterwork of licensing subterfuge. Hiding the announcement of one of the preeminent nostalgia franchises within the pages of an unknown and untested property was not only a brilliant way to create buzz for a favorite property but to also wow readers hungry for something new.” – AIPT Comics
“Stealth releasing Void Rivals as the first offering from Skybound Entertainment’s new shared Energon Universe was a stroke of genius.” – GamesRadar+/Newsarama
“It’s not easy to launch a new shared universe, even with pre-existing recognizable characters, but these new Energon Universe comics sure are making it look that way.” – The Beat
“We have reached a new golden age for comics. Between Void Rivals, TRANSFORMERS, Duke, and Cobra Commander, the Energon Universe continues to impress with each new issue.” – Comics Online
“It speaks to the tremendous artistry and ambition behind Skybound’s Energon Universe that I now treat each new release as can’t-miss comics.” – ComicBook.com
“The Energon Universe is the biggest story of what worked in comic shops in 2023.” – SKTCHD
“Whether it’s in the pages of these books, the writing and artistic synergy that is Daniel Warren Johnson’s signature in Transformers, or the intergalactic saga in Void Rivals, it is incredibly clear how much thought, effort, and love has been poured into Skybound’s Energon Universe.” – Comic Book Invest
“G.I. Joe, Duke, Cobra Commander, Void Rivals, and the TRANSFORMERS will be the most talked about comic books at the end of 2024.” – Bam Smack Pow
