Skybound, Image & Hasbro Announce New Energon Universe Series M.A.S.K. by Dan Watters & Pye Parr
- Byron O'Neal
- 20 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Next Phase of the Energon Universe Starts This June!
As announced today in Robert Kirkman’s keynote address at ComicsPro, Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, will deliver an all-new addition to the Energon Universe, M.A.S.K., by the powerhouse team of writer Dan Watters (Batman: Dark Patterns, DESTRO), artist Pye Parr (Petrol Head, New Gods), colorist Pierluigi Casolino (DC vs Vampires), and letterer Rus Wooton (TRANSFORMERS). Together, they’re launching the most anticipated new series of the year, where anyone--and everyone--in the Energon Universe must join the fight for humanity’s survival. The historic first issue of this explosive new ongoing series hits comic book shelves June 3, 2026.
The world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K. -- a network of specialists ready to respond to the next global emergency. At a moment’s notice, Trakker and his agents can deploy bleeding-edge technology that converts their vehicles--and their drivers--into the ultimate weapon. But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. are one step ahead in a secret arms race, scouring the globe for deadly weapons from this planet and beyond, ready to sell out the entire human race. Only M.A.S.K. can stop them… but will Trakker’s own secrets jeopardize their entire mission?
“Illusion is the ultimate weapon--but also sometimes weapons are the ultimate weapon. M.A.S.K. is a book about ordinary people taking it into their own hands to face down the awesome weaponry of the Energon Universe--and a high octane, nonstop thrill ride to boot. I couldn’t be prouder to be bringing you this story alongside Pye this summer. Welcome to the M.A.S.K. network. Matt Trakker needs you to save the world.” - writer Dan Watters
“80s sports cars! Jets! Lasers! Robots! M.A.S.K. has everything that I love to read, watch, and draw, and my inner 12-year-old fought to the surface and made me scream loudly in the meeting when I was offered this gig,” said Pye Parr. “Never have I more bitterly regretted selling my beloved childhood toys, but the chance to rebuild all that stuff on the page has more than made up for it, and I can’t wait to see where Dan takes us in the Energon Universe.”
PREVIEW PAGES FROM THE FCBD ENERGON UNIVERSE SPECIAL
In addition to the main cover by Pye Parr, the lineup of variant covers for M.A.S.K. #1 includes open-to-order covers by J. Scott Campbell, Cedric Poulat, and Mark Spears, Energon Universe Third Anniversary connecting covers by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas, incentive variant covers by Kael Ngu, E.J. Su, Jonboy Meyers, Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer, blank sketch covers featuring M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M., foil covers by Pye Parr and J. Scott Campbell, and die-cut foil mask covers by Pye Parr, Luke Preece & Andres Juarez.
M.A.S.K. #1 also features a first-ever Energon Universe blind bag program that allows fans a chance to get ANY of the solicited covers from A through K, intermixed at varying degrees of rarity. However, there are rare SURPRISE variant covers related to the Energon Universe that can be found in these blind bags. Those SURPRISE comics will not be publicly announced in advance of the issue release.
"I love M.A.S.K.!” screamed Robert Kirkman. “Readers are going to freak out when they see how awesome this book is. Dan and Pye are expanding the Energon Universe in the coolest ways possible.”
"We’ve been working on M.A.S.K. in the shadows for so long, I’m thrilled to finally pull the curtain back and reveal what we’ve cooked up,” noted Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “Dan, Pye, Pierluigi, and Rus are delivering a thrilling new chapter in the Energon Universe!”
In celebration of M.A.S.K.’s arrival in the Energon Universe, Skybound and Hasbro will feature an exclusive first look at M.A.S.K. in the Energon Universe Special 2026, a Free Comic Book Day issue releasing Saturday, May 2, 2026. The special issue will include four all-new stories from TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, and Void Rivals and will serve as the first official glimpse into Dan Watters and Pye Parr’s M.A.S.K.
M.A.S.K. is the latest addition to the historic collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro, a new part of the shared Energon Universe that features ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Andrei Bressan (Aquaman), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country), the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited, Superman), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Andrea Milana (X-Men ’97), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Thor, Star Wars).
Originally launched in 1985, M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) became a pop-culture phenomenon with its mix of spy intrigue and sci-fi action. Brought to life through an animated series and bestselling toy line, M.A.S.K. followed Matt Trakker and his elite civilian task force as they battled Miles Mayhem and the criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. using advanced masks and transforming vehicles enhanced with extraordinary abilities. Now, M.A.S.K. enters the Energon Universe for a revolutionary new era.
COVER GALLERY
M.A.S.K. #1 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon| $4.99, unless otherwise noted) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The full list of variant covers is below:
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover A by Pye Parr
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover B by J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover C by Cedric Poulat
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover D by Mark Spears
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover E Energon Universe Third Anniversary (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary (Connecting) by Tom Reilly
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover G (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Kael Ngu
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover H (1:50 Copy Incentive) by E.J. Su
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover I (Foil) (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Jonboy Meyers ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover J (1:250 Copy Incentive) by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover K (1:500 Copy Incentive) by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover L Blank Sketch Cover (M.A.S.K.) ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover M Blank Sketch Cover (V.E.N.O.M.) ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover N (Foil) by Pye Parr ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover O Foil) by J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover P (Die Cut Foil Mask Cover) by Pye Parr & Luke Preece & Andres Juarez ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover Q (Die Cut Foil Mask Cover) by Pye Parr & Luke Preece & Andres Juarez ($5.99)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover R Blind Bag by Andres Juarez ($5.99)
ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
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, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.
ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Skybound is the leading entertainment company built to create, produce, scale, and sustain world-class IP across comics, television, film, video games, audio, merchandise and collectibles. Co-founded by visionary creator Robert Kirkman and CEO David Alpert, Skybound owns and controls a portfolio of globally recognized franchises and cultural hits including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter, Stillwater and others. Through a creator-first model, Skybound has become the go-to launchpad for original stories across all forms of entertainment.
Skybound publishes bestselling comics with top industry talent across its originals, licensed slates, and young readers imprint Skybound Comet. As a licensing partner, Skybound collaborates with Hasbro, The LEGO® Group, and Universal Products & Experiences on their most coveted properties. Skybound’s groundbreaking reimagination of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE in the Energon Universe is Hasbro’s most successful comic book line ever, headlined by the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS. Additionally, Skybound ran the two most funded comic campaigns ever on Kickstarter.
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