The Energon Universe Special 2026 serves as the first chapter in the upcoming Energon Universe series, M.A.S.K. Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro, have unveiled the lineup of variant covers that will be available with the special.

The special will include four new stories from Transformers, G.I. Joe, Void Rivals, and M.A.S.K. The stories are written by Robert Kirkman (Transformers), Joshua Williamson (G.I. Joe), and Dan Watters (M.A.S.K.), with art by Jason Howard (Transformers), Tom Reilly (G.I. Joe), Conor Hughes (Void Rivals), and Pye Parr (M.A.S.K.).

The book will first be available on Free Comic Book Day with the Energon Universe FCBD Special 2026 and exclusive cover. Skybound and Image described it as “a perfect jumping on point into the Energon Universe.”

The retail version of the Energon Universe Special 2026 will contain the same story content from the Free Comic Book Day issue, but features multiple covers. The main cover is by Parr, cover B by Howard Porter (Justice League 3000) and Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Green Lantern), cover C (1:10 incentive) by Howard, cover D (1:25 incentive) by Hughes, and cover E (1:50 incentive) by Cedric Poulat (Grimm Fairy Tales).

The Energon Universe has introduced a new era of The Transformers and G.I. Joe by putting them together in a shared universe. It includes the ongoing Void Rivals by Kirkman, artist Andrei Bressan (Destro), and colorist Dee Cunniffe (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country); Transformers by Kirkman, artist Howard, and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater); G.I. Joe by Williamson, artist Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Scarlett); and the new series M.A.S.K. by Watters (Batman: Dark Patterns), artist Parr, and colorist Pierluigi Casolino (DC vs Vampires), launching this June.

“The release of the Energon Universe Special is an exciting annual event in the E.U.,” Executive Editor Ben Abernathy said. “We bring the best talent together to tell exciting short stories that help seed the future of the Energon Universe…and the stories get more exciting each year!”

Energon Universe Special 2026 will be in comic shops on May 6.