Skybound’s latest addition to the Energon Universe came, characteristically, as a surprise to readers: Rom Special #1 was included in blind bags for M.A.S.K. #1, as was the double-sized M.A.S.K. Origins #1. Initially released in the blind bags on June 10, they are now open to order with a release date of August 26, 2026.
ROM Special #1 is a standalone one-shot by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici that brings ROM the Space Knight into the Energon Universe, which also includes Transformers, G.I. Joe, and M.A.S.K. Skybound did not announce a solo series for the property but did say that the character and his companion Carpet will appear in upcoming issues of Void Rivals, the flagship series for the Energon Universe. The open to order issue will have a main cover by Lorenzo De Felici and variants by Christian Ward, E.J. Su, Nick Bradshaw, and Jim Charalampidis, as well as a foil, die-cut mask cover by John Amor.
M.A.S.K. Origins #1 is a double-sized issue that includes the first appearances of M.A.S.K., V.E.N.O.M., and others in the Energon Universe before the launch of M.A.S.K., with comics by Kirkman, Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana, Dan Mora, Russ Wooten, Lee Loughridge, and Mike Spicer. It will have a main cover by Pye Parr and variants by Jason Howard, Ethan Young, Danilo Beyruth and Neeraj Menon, and Ben Oliver.
Kirkman announced at ComicsPRO that Skybound, which is distributed by Image, would be adding M.A.S.K. to the lineup (see “M.A.S.K. Joins the Energon Universe”). Like G.I. Joe, Transformers, and M.A.S.K., ROM is a Hasbro property.
Skybound did another stealth reveal in July with the unannounced appearance of Lara Croft, heroine of the Tomb Raider series, in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #330, heralding a five-issue crossover between the two properties that will launch in October (see “Lara Croft Makes Surprise Appearance”).
Click Gallery below for covers!
Source: ICV2
