SDCC 2026: Skybound, Image Comics & Hasbro Reveal the Future of Energon Universe Comics
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro revealed the next phase of the Energon Universe during the official Energon Universe comics panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2026, spotlighting new covers, character designs, story teases, and an all-new trailer for the expanding shared comic book line.
The panel celebrated the Energon Universe’s third anniversary and featured Robert Kirkman of Void Rivals and Transformers, Joshua Williamson of G.I. Joe, Conor Hughes of Void Rivals, and Sean Mackiewicz, Skybound’s Senior Vice President and Publisher.
The announcements covered major updates for M.A.S.K., Void Rivals, G.I. Joe, and Transformers, giving longtime readers a roadmap for what comes next while offering new fans a strong reason to start reading.
The Energon Universe Enters Its Next Phase
The Energon Universe has become one of the most talked-about shared universes in modern comics by bringing together multiple Hasbro franchises under one connected story banner.
The line currently includes M.A.S.K., Void Rivals, Transformers, and G.I. Joe, with each title building its own story while adding to the larger universe. At SDCC 2026, Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro used the panel to show that the next phase will bring new characters, new threats, and major status quo changes across the line.
Comic Book Addicts readers can follow more updates through our Skybound Entertainment coverage.
M.A.S.K. Reveals Scott Trakker and T-Bob
M.A.S.K. was a major focus of the SDCC panel, as Skybound highlighted the new series from writer Dan Watters and artist Pye Parr.
The series has long been planned as the fourth entry in the Energon Universe, bringing high-speed vehicle action and covert mission energy into the same continuity as Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals.
During the panel, fans were shown new character designs for Scott Trakker and T-Bob, who are set to appear in upcoming issues of M.A.S.K. Scott is the son of Matt Trakker, while T-Bob serves as his loyal robotic protector.
The panel also featured M.A.S.K. #5 Cover A by Pye Parr, giving fans another look at where the series is heading next.
Void Rivals Sets Up ROM and Predacron
Void Rivals is moving into a new chapter after the events of the Quintesson War.
Robert Kirkman and Conor Hughes discussed the future of the Sacred Ring and teased the upcoming arrival of ROM, a reveal that could expand the cosmic side of the Energon Universe in a major way.
The panel also revealed character designs for Predacron, a new bounty hunter entering the story. Fans were shown Void Rivals #34 Cover A and Void Rivals #37 Cover A by Lorenzo De Felici, along with the announcement that Frank Mazzoli will join the series as artist for the next story arc.
For readers following the larger mysteries of the Energon Universe, Void Rivals remains one of the most important titles in the line.
G.I. Joe Debuts New Cobra Character Major Medusa
The G.I. Joe announcements centered on the title’s next major storyline, G.I. Joe vs. Night Force.
Writer Joshua Williamson discussed the road to the extra-sized G.I. Joe #25, which arrives in August and launches the biggest arc of the series so far. The panel also featured G.I. Joe #25 Cover F, a 1:100 foil incentive cover by Johnboy Meyers.
The biggest G.I. Joe reveal was Major Medusa, an all-new Cobra character unveiled for the first time at SDCC.
Major Medusa’s design features a strong Cobra visual identity and glowing serpentine energy, positioning her as a potentially major threat in upcoming issues. With G.I. Joe #26 covers also shown during the panel, Skybound appears to be setting up Major Medusa for an important role in the next stage of the series.
Transformers Teases Superion, Thundercracker and Elita Prime
The Transformers section of the panel included several major teases for the future of the series.
Robert Kirkman discussed the current run’s approach to taking familiar Transformers characters in new directions. One of the biggest reveals was Transformers #36 Cover A by David Nakayama, featuring Superion with the newly christened Autobot Thundercracker as his new arm.
The panel also teased how far Elita Prime may go to win the war, suggesting that the conflict inside Transformers will continue to grow more intense and complicated.
Skybound also announced that Karl Kerschl will serve as guest artist on Transformers #37, which features a new cover by Jason Howard.
Why New Fans Should Start Reading the Energon Universe
The Energon Universe gives readers several clear entry points.
Transformers delivers large-scale robot warfare, emotional character turns, and major battlefield changes.
G.I. Joe brings military action, espionage, Cobra threats, and team-driven conflict.
Void Rivals expands the cosmic mythology and introduces new corners of the universe.
M.A.S.K. adds high-speed vehicles, advanced technology, secret missions, and another major Hasbro franchise to the line.
New readers do not need to know every piece of franchise history to get started. Each title has its own hook, but the connections between the books make the larger universe more rewarding.
For collectors, the SDCC 2026 reveals also point toward issues to watch for first appearances, new character designs, major cover reveals, and possible long-term story developments.
Featured SDCC 2026 Energon Universe Reveals
The SDCC panel included the following reveals and previews:
SDCC 2026 Energon Universe Comics Trailer
M.A.S.K. #5 Cover A by Pye Parr
Scott Trakker character design
T-Bob character design
Void Rivals #34 Cover A by Lorenzo De Felici
Predacron character design
Void Rivals #37 Cover A by Lorenzo De Felici
G.I. Joe #25 Cover F by Johnboy Meyers
Major Medusa character design
Transformers #36 Cover A by David Nakayama
Superion and Thundercracker designs
Transformers #37 Cover A by Jason Howard
Comic Book Addicts Take
The SDCC 2026 Energon Universe panel showed that Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro are continuing to build this shared universe with long-term momentum.
M.A.S.K. is expanding with Scott Trakker and T-Bob. Void Rivals is preparing for ROM and Predacron. G.I. Joe is introducing Major Medusa and moving into G.I. Joe vs. Night Force. Transformers is pushing Superion, Thundercracker, and Elita Prime into bold new territory.
This is exactly what a modern shared comic book universe should deliver: clear entry points, big character moments, major reveals, and a reason to follow every issue.
For official publisher updates, visit Skybound.
Final Thoughts
The Energon Universe has become one of the strongest shared lines in monthly comics because it offers multiple ways in without losing the excitement of a larger connected story.
Whether readers are here for Autobots and Decepticons, Cobra schemes, cosmic sci-fi, or the return of M.A.S.K., the SDCC 2026 reveals show that the next phase is packed with major developments.
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro are clearly not slowing down. The Energon Universe is getting bigger, and this panel gave fans several reasons to keep watching every title.
Join the Discussion
Which SDCC 2026 Energon Universe reveal has you most excited: M.A.S.K., ROM in Void Rivals, Major Medusa in G.I. Joe, or Superion and Thundercracker in Transformers?
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