Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics announced Skybound Visions, a new line of standalone comic book limited series. The initiative brings together Hasbro, the games, intellectual property, and toy company, and Universal to reimagine established pop culture characters.
The line will pair creators with characters for complete stories that readers can revisit without following an ongoing continuity. Skybound positions the books as entry points for new readers that also offer longtime fans new perspectives on familiar icons.
The first titles arrive in early 2027. Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet launches in January, followed by G.I. Joe: The Island of Dr. Mindbender in February and Turok: Son of Stone in March. Each issue will use deluxe newsprint and offer variant covers from additional artists.
“Skybound Visions pairs beloved comic book characters with the most interesting comic book creators working today, to present their personal takes on these fan-favorites,” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Skybound. “Visions is all about surprising creators, surprising characters, and surprising storytelling, and we have plenty more in store for 2027 and beyond.”
Bumblebee Faces a Planet That Wants Him Dead
Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet arrives in comic shops on January 27, 2027. Writer Tate Brombal (Batgirl, Everything Dead & Dying) teams with artist Matt Emmons (The Council of Frogs), colorist Giovanna Niro (Absolute Catwoman), and letterer Becca Carey (Radiant Black).
The story strands Bumblebee on an uncharted planet after a Decepticon attack. With no way to call for help, the Autobot faces the biggest mission of his young life.
A secret beneath the planet’s surface has begun to corrupt and transform its indigenous life. The warrior described as the “weakest of all the Autobots” must evolve into their greatest hope while surviving a hunt by the deadliest Decepticon.
Brombal described the approach behind the series. He cited Scavenger’s Reign and Horizon Zero Dawn as points of comparison.
“What an honor to be a part of this first wave of Skybound Visions! With its bold mandate in mind, we wanted to make a Transformers comic unlike any other…so get ready as Bumblebee takes center stage on an alien planet hellbent on killing him. This is Scavenger’s Reign meets Horizon Zero Dawn vividly illustrated by your new favorite artist (if he isn’t already) Matt Emmons and the inimitable Giovanna Niro.”
Emmons highlighted Bumblebee’s new design and the planet’s inhabitants. He also credited the collaborators who helped build the book.
“I’m so thrilled unveiling Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet, and especially our new Bumblebee design for this new journey! We went all out filling this strange, beautiful, and dangerous world with all sorts of bizarre plants, animals and a few… other beings to make a Transformers comic the likes of which has never been seen before. Working with Tate, Ben, Giovanna, and Becca has been a dream come true. Everyone brought their best to this book. I’m so excited to share what we’ve made and couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the first wave of Skybound Visions.”
Flint Leads a Rescue Mission to Dr. Mindbender’s Island
G.I. Joe: The Island of Dr. Mindbender reaches stores on February 2, 2027, one new comic book day after Bumblebee – Lost Planet #1 debuts. Writer Karl Kerschl (Gotham Academy) joins artist Doug Mahnke (Batman: The Man Who Laughs), inker Jaime Mendoza (Superman), colorist David Baron (JLA), and letterer Tom Napolitano (Kaya).
The last team of Joes sent to Dr. Mindbender’s island never returned. Codename: Flint must leave retirement and lead new recruits into the scientist’s isolated compound.
Mindbender has grown more unstable, and his creations have become more monstrous. Flint wants to rescue his old friends and return to his family, but the mission forces him into a fight for survival.
Kerschl drew on his childhood connection to the franchise. His story combines the action of G.I. Joe with horror.
“As a kid who grew up watching the G.I. Joe cartoon and obsessing over the comic books, I spent a lot of time making up my own characters. Now I have the opportunity to do that for real. The Island of Dr. Mindbender is a nightmare-fueled version of everything that I love about G.I. Joe. It’s a freight train of 80’s-inspired action and horror.”
Mahnke said the story grew more complex as Kerschl’s scripts arrived. The artist emphasized its progression into chaos and horror.
“Working with Karl on GI Joe: The Island of Dr. Mindbender has been one helluva ride. When I signed on to do the book, the rough concept of Joes going to save more Joes from a twisted version of Dr. Mindbender on a distant and hidden island seemed simple enough, but as each script unfolded it was far from simple as the story submerged further and further into chaos and horror, two things I’m absolutely qualified and happy to draw! This is definitely not your father’s G.I. Joe story, and it’s entirely awesome.”
Turok Falls Into a World Outside History
Turok: Son of Stone launches on March 10, 2027. Turok becomes the first Gold Key character to join Skybound Visions.
Writer Stephen Graham Jones (The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Earthdivers) works with artist Leandro Fernández (The Old Guard). Colorist Lee Loughridge (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero) and letterer Tom Napolitano (Kaya) complete the team.
Turok hopes an archaeological dig in New Mexico will establish his reputation. Instead, the ground collapses beneath him, sending him into a valley where different prehistoric eras coexist.
The Ice Age overlaps with the age of dinosaurs, and each discovery leads him toward an older, more dangerous era. To return to his son, Turok must uncover the truth about the hidden world while holding onto his sense of reality.
Jones described writing the series as a chance to enter Turok’s world. He pointed to its prehistoric creatures as part of the appeal.
“Don’t we all want to go be in a Turok comic book? Don’t we all want to see dinosaurs, mammoths, prehistoric birds and snakes and fish? Writing this, it was close as I can get to that. It’s been a thrill, an honor.”
Fernández said the first script drew him into the project. He welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Jones on a new version of the character.
“I got hooked into this story automatically, right after reading the first script. It feels so exciting for me to have the chance to work with Stephen on this new approach to this classic character. It’s both fun and very inspiring. A perfect starting point. Let’s enjoy the ride!”
Preview Ashcan Arrives November 11
A Skybound Visions ashcan will reach comic shops on Wednesday, November 11. The preview will showcase character designs and offer a first look at all three launch titles.
Readers will soon be able to preorder Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet #1, G.I. Joe: The Island of Dr. Mindbender #1, and Turok: Son of Stone #1 through local comic book shops. The three series form the first slate of Skybound Visions releases.
