Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s Void Rivals is one of the biggest releases of 2023. The creative team alone was a reason to pick up the series. But what took Void Rivals to another stratosphere of must-have is that it introduced us to the shared universe for the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchised, called he Energon Universe. Now Skybound has shared with us a first look at the highly anticipated release of Transformers #1, launching on October 4, 2023.
Transformers #1 will feature a creative team made up of writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson, colorist Mike Spicer, and letterer Rus Wooton. The Autobots that will be featured will be Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Wheeljack. On the Decepticons side we’ll see a roster of Starscream, Rumble, Skywarp, Laserbeak, and Soundwave. Transformers #1 solicitation teases the following for the debut issue:
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. Humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime.
Transformers #1 will arrive with a main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer. Variant covers by artists Ryan Ottley, Orlando Arocena, Cliff Chiang, Francis Manapul, and Ian Bertram are also available for ordering. You can check a look at the covers and four-page preview of Transformers #1 below:
Transformers #1 will be available in comic book shops and digital storefronts on October 4th. You can learn more about Transformers #1 in Skybound’s press release below.
LOS ANGELES 08/30/2023 — Today Skybound, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed an impressive lineup of variant covers and a first look at interior pages of Daniel Warren Johnson’s hugely anticipated Transformers #1. The second series in the recently launched Energon Universe, Transformers will debut on shelves in comic book shops beginning October 4, 2023.
Transformers #1 begins an all-new era for the iconic Transformers franchise from Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. Humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime.
The recently announced rosters of Autobots and Decepticons headlining the first story arc of the all-new Transformers series include Autobots Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Wheeljack, and Decepticons Starscream, Rumble, Skywarp, Laserbeak, and Soundwave.
In addition to the already-iconic main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, the stacked list of variant covers for Transformers #1 includes Autobot and Decepticon covers by Johnson and Spicer, a cover by iconic artist Ryan Ottley (Invincible), a 1:10 incentive variant that kicks off a connecting cover series by Orlando Arocena (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), a 1:25 incentive variant by Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls), a 1:50 incentive variant by Francis Manapul (The Flash), a 1:100 incentive variant by Ian Bertram (Little Bird), and finally, an open-to-order blank sketch cover.
The Energon Universe officially began in June 2023 with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1, introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with Transformers and G.I. Joe comics finding a new home with the publisher. The Energon Universe expands in December with Duke #1, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33). This will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 in January 2024, from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song).
Transformers #1 (Lunar Codes Below | $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
The full list of variant covers is below:
- Transformers #1 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code 0623IM805)
- Transformers #1 Cover B by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Autobot) (Lunar Code 0823IM287)
- Transformers #1 Cover C by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Decepticon) (Lunar Code 0823IM288)
- Transformers #1 Cover D by Ryan Ottley (Lunar Code 0823IM289)
- Transformers #1 Cover E (1:10 Copy Incentive – Connecting) by Orlando Arocena (Lunar Code 0823IM290)
- Transformers #1 Cover F (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Cliff Chiang (Lunar Code 0823IM291)
- Transformers #1 Cover G (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Francis Manapul (Lunar Code 0823IM292)
- Transformers #1 Cover H (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Ian Bertram (Lunar Code 0823IM293)
- Transformers #1 Cover I Blank Sketch Cover (Lunar Code 0823IM294)
ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro is a leading toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.
ABOUT TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” experiences to fans of all ages. The brand’s enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.
ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Established in 2010, Skybound is a multiplatform content company that works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to create cool stuff and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to fans. Skybound extends their stories across platforms including comics, television, film, video games, tabletop, books, digital content, audio programming, and beyond. The company is home to critically-acclaimed global franchises including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Superfight, and hit new podcast series Impact Winter.
Led by Skybound Entertainment co-founder Robert Kirkman, Skybound Comics is an award-winning imprint of Image Comics and promotes a shared vision to collaborate with top and emerging talent across the comics industry. The Skybound publishing slate includes acclaimed series such as The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultramega, Stillwater, Fire Power, and Excellence, while also delivering powerful licensed comics, including a partnership with LEGO Books. It is also home to Skybound Comet, a new original graphic novel imprint aimed at Young Adult and Middle Grade audiences, launching in June 2022 with Clementine Book One, by award-winning writer/artist Tillie Walden and set in the world of The Walking Dead. Skybound has seen numerous comics series adapted for the screen, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur and Outcast, with more projects in development.