Energon Universe 2026 Special #1 review

What’s all this then?

Oh, it’s just time for a Free Comic Book Day Energon Universe Special! For 2026, this edition features four tales:

M.A.S.K., written by Dan Waters with art by Pye Parr.

Transformers, written by Robert Kirkman, penciled by Jason Howard, and colored by Sarah Stern.

Void Rivals, written by Robert Kirkman, penciled by Conor Hughes, and colored by Patricio Delpeche.

G.I. Joe, written by Joshua Williamson, penciled by Tom Reilly, and colored by Lee Loughridge.

Oh.

Yeah, it’s the usual Free Comic Book day teases of upcoming storylines or in M.A.S.K.’s case, a new ongoing comic. Accordingly, M.A.S.K. gets the longest story that sets up the ongoing as Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem begin to assemble their teams.

The Transformers tale is free of dialogue, introducing a mysterious new human character and a classic Autobot who has been absent from the Energon Universe so far.

The Void Rivals tale takes place after the current “Quintesson War” arc (and annoyingly SPOILS some plot elements that haven’t been revealed yet as of this release) and follows Proximus and his kid sidekick Ultum.

The G.I. Joe tale is a spotlight on Zartan and his role in current Joe affairs.

So?

I mean, it’s free, so there’s really no excuse for you to not pick this up if you see it, right? If you are invested in any of these properties, and especially excited by the prospect of a M.A.S.K. comic, this is for you!

As far as I personally go, I’m invested in Transformers and Void Rivals, and… well, a little disappointed in the scant coverage Transformers gets here. Also, a little annoyed at the SPOILER of certain Void Rivals character statuses following the Quintesson War arc, which only has one more issue to go as of this writing. But hey, I guess that’s just the biz.

Cube?

Are you kidding? It’s free. You see. You grab. For the great art in all four tales, at the very least.

Transformers #28 (2023) review

Kirkman Kills The Transformers! Well, not all of them, yet! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, he now takes the writing reins of the flagship Transformers comic series as well, with Dan Mora now on pencils and Mike Spicer still on colors. In this twenty-eighth issue, Megatron has a freakout, Arcee gets a promotion, Miles Mayhem tries his darndest to get a spin-off, and SOMEONE DIES. FOR REAL. PERMANENTLY. Whut-oh. Yeah, Kirkman finally gives in to his Walking Dead and Invincible pedigree and brings on the gore here, for both human and Transformer alike! After I felt like he was being remarkably restrained for his first three issues, he really goes for it here and it’s... I dunno... kind of on the nose, maybe? I guess he wanted to show that his run will be chock-full of consequences too, but I feel maybe his choice of victim was a little flawed and a real shame. The victim is a Transformers character that is known for getting the shaft usually...

Solomon Kane: The Original Comics Omnibus Vol. 1 review

Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane, the dour English Puritan Swashbuckler, gets a revised complete collection of his classic Marvel suggested for mature readers sword and sorcery adventures. The omnibus is available in two versions: with a Mike Mignola dust jacket (available everywhere) or with a direct market Howard Chaykin dust jacket (only available from comic book stores). Inside this magnificent hardcover you will find the following: Stories in full color: Kane versus looter Le Loup (Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin) Kane versus looter Le Loup (Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard, Ralph Macchio, Steve Carr and Bret Blevins) Kane versus a werewolf (And Faith, Undying... by Ralph Macchio and Bret Blevins) Kane versus kidnaper Sir George Banway (Blades of the Brotherhood by Robert E. Howard, Ralph Macchio, Bret Blevins and Al Williamson) Kane versus Prince Ali-Ben Ar (The Prophet by Ralph Macchio, Mike Mignola and Al Williamson) Kane versus vampires/zombie...

Transformers #34 (2023) review

How do you propose I get to the comic store this week? On My ROLLER SKATES??? The bold new era for the Autobots and this book continues! Robert Kirkman, chief architect of the Energon Universe, writes the flagship Transformers title and Jason Howard takes over as regular penciler for this new story arc with Mike Spicer on colors. Howard had previously drawn issues #13 and #14 of this book, along with many covers. In this thirty-fourth issue, we meet Doctor Henri Arkeville, Thundercracker and the Aerialbots set out on a quest, and Shredhead and Cliffjumper bite off more than they can chew! Doctor Arkeville? Really? Yep! Kirkman’s appreciation for the Sunbow cartoon continues as he formally introduces Doctor Arkeville into the story, and much like Miles Mayhem, he just has to take a swing at General Flagg! Flagg’s in an ornery mood after learning that Optimus gave up the Matrix and is a less powerful ally now, so he doesn’t take kindly to being attacked. He still offers Arkeville Mayhem’...

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