Comic Books

FCBD ‘Energon Universe Special 2026’ gets 5 new covers and a major first look at M.A.S.K.

Five new covers, four interconnected stories, and one big launch point make this Energon Universe special a can’t-miss entry for new readers and longtime fans alike.

David Brooke

March 30, 2026

Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics, working with Hasbro, have unveiled a new wave of variant covers for Energon Universe Special 2026. The issue also sets the stage for the upcoming M.A.S.K. series, acting as its opening chapter.

The special will debut with an exclusive cover on Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Designed as an easy entry point for new readers while still rewarding longtime fans, the issue brings together multiple corners of the Energon Universe in one place.

Inside, the book features four original stories spanning Transformers, G.I. Joe, Void Rivals, and M.A.S.K.. The creative team includes Robert Kirkman, Joshua Williamson, and Dan Watters on writing duties, with art by Jason Howard, Tom Reilly, Conor Hughes, and Pye Parr.

A standard retail edition will follow on May 6, featuring the same stories alongside a new set of covers for collectors. In addition to the main cover by Pye Parr, variant covers will be available from Howard Porter, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Jason Howard, Conor Hughes, and Cedric Poulat.

“The release of the Energon Universe Special is an exciting annual event in the E.U.,” notes Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “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!”

The Energon Universe continues to grow as a shared comics world combining Transformers and G.I. Joe under one umbrella, alongside titles like Void Rivals. The upcoming M.A.S.K. series by Dan Watters, Pye Parr, and colorist Pierluigi Casolino will expand that universe further when it launches this June.

FCBD 'Energon Universe Special 2026' gets 5 new covers and a major first look at M.A.S.K.

Energon Universe Special 2026 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The full list of covers is below: