Skybound & Image Celebrate Energon Universe Second Anniversary

Get ready, comic fans! Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have just dropped some huge news. They are celebrating the Energon Universe second anniversary with a bang! This landmark event brings exciting reveals for some of your favorite franchises. Expect to see stunning new covers and major first appearances across G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and VOID RIVALS titles. We’ve got the official details straight from the publishers. Stay up-to-date on all things comics with us at Comic Book Addicts!

Celebrating the Energon Universe Second Anniversary with Big Reveals

The excitement kicks off with the Energon Universe Special 2025. This special issue first appeared as part of Free Comic Book Day this past weekend. It serves a dual purpose: it’s a perfect jumping-on point for new readers and a must-have for longtime fans. Inside, you’ll find huge revelations and epic first appearances that set the stage for future stories.

While the fan-favorite Autobot Hound first appeared in G.I. JOE #6 and continues his presence here, Skybound has now revealed even more. The epic first appearances in the Energon Universe Special 2025 include two major characters. Get ready for the debut of another popular Autobot, Wheelie! Plus, fans will welcome the first appearance of a M.A.S.K. character in the Energon Universe: Matt Trakker! This marks a significant expansion for the shared universe.

These three new stories come from some of the biggest names working in comics today. Joshua Williamson (Duke, Superman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), and Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb) provide the writing talent. Art comes from Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), Conor Hughes (White Ash), and Daniel Warren Johnson himself.

The Energon Universe Special 2025 will be available for purchase in comic shops on May 14, 2025. It features the same story content as the FCBD 2025 special. However, it boasts all-new, can’t-miss covers perfect for collectors. Andrea Milana provides the main cover. Variant covers feature art by a fantastic lineup including Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Stillwater), Conor Hughes, E.J. Su (Blood & Thunder), and Tom Reilly (G.I. JOE, Duke).

Executive Editor Ben Abernathy shared his enthusiasm. “It’s a remarkable achievement to be celebrating the second anniversary of the Energon Universe,” Abernathy noted. “But with the introduction of Matt Trakker to the Energon Universe, it still feels like we’re just getting started.” He added, “The three killer stories in this issue are just a taste of some amazing stories to come…you’d better buckle up!”

Adding to the celebration, June brings special anniversary variant covers. Fan-favorite Energon Universe cover artists Jason Howard (Super Dinosaur) and Annalisa Leoni (Invincible Universe: Battle Beast) have created stunning mural anniversary covers. These pieces spotlight beloved characters from G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and VOID RIVALS. The artwork includes the recently revealed Hound, Wheelie, and Matt Trakker. These variant covers will be available as open-to-order options for the June issues. Each connecting set offers both a full color and a black-and-white variant cover. You can find these on TRANSFORMERS #21 (out June 11, 2025), G.I. JOE #8 (out June 18, 2025), and Void Rivals #20 (out June 25, 2025).

The Energon Universe is truly the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound. This partnership launched a brand-new era for the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises within one shared comic book universe. Ongoing series driving the narrative include Void Rivals by writer/creator Robert Kirkman, artist Conor Hughes, and colorist Patricio Delpeche; the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson, artist Jorge Corona, and colorist Mike Spicer; and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana, and colorist Lee Loughridge. Fans should always expect major moments in every issue. Secrets are continually unveiled. The path is being laid to answer the BIG questions surrounding these massive franchises.

Praise for the Energon Universe has been widespread:

• “Skybound has done remarkable work revitalizing Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises over the past two years” – A.V. Club
• “Skybound’s Energon Universe has raised the bar for licensed comics across the industry” – ComicsXF
• “The Energon Universe has been a truly special thing to watch” – ComicBook.com

The 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.

Energon Universe Special 2025 Covers:

• Cover A by Andrea Milana (Lunar Code: 0325IM287)
• Cover B by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 03325IM288)
• Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) by Conor Hughes (Lunar Code: 0325IM289)
• Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by E.J. Su (Lunar Code: 0325IM290)
• 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.

TRANSFORMERS #21 Anniversary Variant Covers:

• Cover F Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM424)
• 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) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

G.I. JOE #8 Anniversary Variant Covers:

• Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM347)
• Cover H Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM348)

Void Rivals #20 (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.

Void Rivals #20 Anniversary Variant Covers:

• Cover F Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM437)
• Cover G Energon Universe Second Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0425IM438)

This Energon Universe second anniversary celebration brings exciting new characters and stunning art to your pull list. The arrival of Wheelie and Matt Trakker opens up fantastic story possibilities. The connecting anniversary covers will be a great addition for any collector. What are you most excited about from these reveals? Join the conversation on our Twitter page!