Skybound and Image Comics unveiled new developments for Transformers, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K. and Void Rivals at the official Energon Universe comics panel at New York Comic Con this past weekend. The publishers presented the announcements in collaboration with Hasbro, the games, intellectual property and toy company.
Panelists included Robert Kirkman, writer of Void Rivals and Transformers, and Jason Howard, artist on Transformers. Joining them were G.I. Joe artist Tom Reilly, Void Rivals artist Conor Hughes, M.A.S.K. writer Dan Watters and Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
The Energon Universe recently celebrated its third anniversary and has sold more than 7.6 million copies. This year’s panel revealed major character changes and upcoming debuts as the shared universe continues to draw readers into comic shops.
Dinobots Head to Transformers
Over the past year, Kirkman and the series’ artists have introduced Elita Prime, Arcee Magnus and a new Superion. The next wave of stories brings another transformation and several anticipated appearances.
Megatron becomes Megatronus Rex this fall. Beachcomber then takes the spotlight in January’s Transformers #40, featuring guest artist Howard Porter.
March’s Transformers #42 introduces the Dinobots to the Energon Universe. The panel identified their arrival as the most requested debut in the comics line.
Void Rivals Returns to Cobra-La
Void Rivals, the series that launched the Energon Universe, begins its “Pit of Destruction” arc in December’s issue #37. Darak, Solila and Pythona journey back to Cobra-La on Earth, where new dangers await.
Another character joins the shared universe in March. Lobotomaxx makes their Energon Universe comics debut in Void Rivals #40.
Battle Force 2000 Enters M.A.S.K.
M.A.S.K. writer Dan Watters discussed the Baron Karza cameo and teased the series’ next developments. The cover for January’s M.A.S.K. #8 revealed the Energon Universe comics debut of the fan-favorite G.I. Joe team Battle Force 2000.
The team includes an all-new, bionic version of Maverick. How that change connects to M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. remains an open question.
Baroness Becomes a Cobra Agent
G.I. Joe continues its biggest arc yet as the war with Night Force rages on. The panel kept the outcome under wraps but revealed a major change coming after the conflict.
Baroness becomes an agent of Cobra in January’s G.I. Joe #30. The announcement delivered one of the panel’s most surprising moments.
Reilly also debuted additional character designs. Abernathy revealed that the team had planned Baroness’ change since day one.
More Secrets Across the Shared Universe
The Energon Universe stands at the center of Hasbro and Skybound’s collaboration, which launched a new era for Transformers and G.I. Joe within one shared comic book universe. Its ongoing titles include M.A.S.K., Void Rivals, Transformers and G.I. Joe.
The upcoming issues promise more major moments as each series unveils new secrets. Those revelations will move readers closer to answers to the larger questions connecting the franchises.
