Author: Newsroom
LOS ANGELES 05/05/2025 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed all-new spoiler variant covers from the Energon Universe Special 2025 and the June issues of G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and VOID RIVALS, which will celebrate the landmark second anniversary of the Energon Universe.
Featuring content first available as part of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) this past weekend, the Energon Universe Special 2025 special serves as both a perfect jumping on point for new readers and a can’t miss for longtime fans, with huge revelations and epic first appearances.
Following the shocking first appearance of fan-favorite Autobot Hound in G.I. JOE #6 and his continued presence in the FCBD 2025 special, Skybound can now reveal that the epic first appearances in the FCBD 2025 Special include that of another popular Autobot, Wheelie, and fan favorite M.A.S.K. character Matt Trakker, the first time a character from the M.A.S.K. franchise has appeared in the Energon Universe.
These three new stories from the worlds of G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and VOID RIVALS come from the biggest names in comics. Energon Universe talent Joshua Williamson (Duke, Superman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), and Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb) pen the stories, and Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), Conor Hughes (White Ash) and Johnson provide art.
Energon Universe Special 2025 will be available for purchase in comic book shops on May 14, 2025, featuring the same story content as the FCBD 2025 special with all-new can’t miss covers for collectors.
In addition to the main cover by Andrea Milana, Energon Universe Special 2025 will feature an impressive slate of variant covers by Energon Universe and top comics talent Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), Conor Hughes, E.J. Su (Blood & Thunder, Tech Jacket), and Tom Reilly (G.I. JOE, Duke).
“It’s a remarkable achievement to be celebrating the second anniversary of the Energon Universe, but with the introduction of Matt Trakker to the Energon Universe, it still feels like we’re just getting started,” noted Executive Editor, Ben Abernathy. “The three killer stories in this issue are just a taste of some amazing stories to come…you’d better buckle up!”
Then, in celebration of the second anniversary of the Energon Universe this June, fan-favorite Energon Universe cover artist Jason Howard (Super Dinosaur) and Annalisa Leoni (Invincible Universe: Battle Beast) will be drawing three mural anniversary covers that spotlight the beloved characters from G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and VOID RIVALS, including the recently revealed Hound, Wheelie, and Matt Trakker. These will be available as open-to-order variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #21, out June 11, 2025; G.I. JOE #8, out June 18, 2025; and Void Rivals #20, out June 25, 2025. Each connecting set features a full color and black-and-white variant cover.
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/creator Robert Kirkman, artist Conor Hughes (White Ash, The Game), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country); the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson, artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer; and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Universal Monsters: The Mummy). 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 from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.
Energon Universe Special 2025 (Lunar Codes listed below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The full list of covers is below:
- Energon Universe Special 2025 Cover A by Andrea Milana (Lunar Code: 0325IM287)
- Energon Universe Special 2025 Cover B by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 03325IM288)
- Energon Universe Special 2025 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) by Conor Hughes (Lunar Code: 0325IM289)
- Energon Universe Special 2025 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by E.J. Su (Lunar Code: 0325IM290)
- Energon Universe Special 2025 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 0325IM291)
TRANSFORMERS #21 (Lunar Codes listed below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover F Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM424)
- TRANSFORMERS #21 Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White)(Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM425)
G.I. JOE #8 (Lunar Codes listed below | $3.99, unless otherwise noted) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- G.I. JOE #8 Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM347)
- G.I. JOE #8 Cover H Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM348)
Void Rivals #2) (Lunar Codes listed below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
- Void Rivals #20 Cover F Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM437)
- Void Rivals #20 Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM438)
