Transformers (Skybound Entertainment)

Transformers is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment, being based on the toy line of the same name by Hasbro and Takara Tomy.

Transformers
Cover A for Transformers (2023) issue #1.
Publication information
Publisher
Genre
Publication dateOctober 4, 2023 – present
Editor(s)

It is a successor of IDW Publishing's previous relaunch of Transformers comics.[1]

Publication history

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After IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics by the end of 2022,[2] Hasbro announced in June 2023 that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, would acquire those licenses.[3]

During San Diego Comic-Con 2023, it was revealed that Skybound has plans to reprint both the Marvel and IDW comics based on Transformers, with more info set to release later.[4]

List of works

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Energon Universe series

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Premise

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When Autobots and Decepticons travel from Cybertron to Earth, their war changes humanity's fate, and only Optimus Prime can save them.[1]

Overview

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Title Issue(s) Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date
Transformers (vol. 4) 1– Daniel Warren Johnson (1–24)[5] Daniel Waren Johnson (1–6)
Jorge Corona (7–12, 15–)
Jason Howard (13–14)
Mike Spicer October 4, 2023[6]
Energon Universe 2024 Special One-shot Daniel Warren Johnson
Robert Kirkman
Joshua Williamson
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
Jason Howard
Annalisa Leoni
Matheus Lopes
Mike Spicer
May 4, 2024
(Free Comic Book Day edition)[7][8]

First series

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Skybound's first Transformers comic is set in the Energon Universe, being written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson, and colored by Mike Spicer, and debuted on October 4, 2023.[6]

Johnson said, “To my readers, retailers, and fellow Transformers fans: get ready! I’ve only been drawing Optimus Prime and the rest of this amazing cast since I was in first grade. This is a dream project for me, and I’m so glad to be adding a new chapter to the decades long celebration of robots turning into cars. Also, cab-over trucks are so fun to draw!”[6]

In June 2023, Skybound announced that the main roster of Autobots features Optimus Prime, Arcee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Ratchet,[9][10] while the main roster of Decepticons features Starscream, Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble and Skywarp.[11][12]

In January 2024, it was announced that Jorge Corona would serve as the new artist of the series starting with issue 7, with Johnson staying as writer for the series.[13]

In August 2024, Johnson confirmed that his run will feature 24 issues in total.[5]

Worst Bot Ever series (Skybound Comet)

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In August 2024, Skybound announced a new graphic novel series titled Transformers: Worst Bot Ever for the Skybound Comet imprint for young readers.[14]

Title Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Release schedule
Transformers: Worst Bot Ever — Meet Ballpoint Brian “Smitty” Smith Marz Jr. July 9, 2025[14][15]

Reprints

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Title Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Release schedule
The Transformers #1 40th Anniversary Edition Bill Mantlo and Ralph Macchio Frank Springer and Kim DeMulder Nel Yomtov August 28, 2024

Collected editions

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Energon Universe

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Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
Trade paperback
Transformers, Volume 1: Robots in Disguise
  • Transformers (vol. 4) #1–6
136 May 7, 2024 ISBN 978-1534398177
Transformers, Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion
  • Transformers (vol. 4) #7–12
128 November 26, 2024 ISBN 978-1534345270
Transformers, Volume 3: Combiner Chaos
  • Transformers #13–18
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special (Transformers story)
136 May 27, 2025 ISBN 978-1534325593
Deluxe
Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1
  • Transformers #1–12
280 May 13, 2025 ISBN 978-1534328235

The Transformers Compendium

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Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
The Transformers Compendium, Volume 1 1064 April 22, 2025[16] ISBN 978-1534373679

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Salmon, Will (2023-06-14). "Skybound roll out a new shared Transformers and G.I. Joe universe - and it starts today!". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  2. ^ Kit, Borys (2022-01-21). "IDW to Lose 'G.I. Joe,' 'Transformers' License at End of 2022 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  3. ^ Kit, Borys (2021-12-10). "Robert Kirkman's Skybound in Talks to Acquire G.I. Joe, Transformers Publishing License (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  4. ^ Johnston, James (2023-07-23). "Image/Skybound Will Reprint Marvel & IDW Transformers & GI Joe Comics". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  5. ^ a b "Transformers: Daniel Warren Johnson Reveals When His Image Comics Run Will End". Comics. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  6. ^ a b c First Comics News (2023-06-14). "SURPRISE! TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMIC BOOK UNIVERSE TODAY!". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  7. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  8. ^ Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2024-02-13). "Transformers and G.I. Joe headline Skybound and Hasbro's surprise Energon Universe Special this May". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  9. ^ First Comics News (2023-06-23). "AUTOBOTS, ROLL OUT! SKYBOUND ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF AUTOBOTS TEAM IN DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON'S TRANSFORMERS #1". Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  10. ^ Salmon, Will (2023-06-26). "Skybound reveals the full line-up of Autobots featured in Transformers #1". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  11. ^ First Comics News (2023-06-30). "DECEPTICONS, ATTACK! SKYBOUND AND HASBRO ANNOUNCE DECEPTICONS LINEUP IN DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON'S TRANSFORMERS #1". Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  12. ^ Marston, George; Salmon, Will (2023-06-30). "The Decepticons attack in a new teaser for Transformers #1". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  13. ^ Writer, Graeme McMillan Staff (2024-01-11). "Transformers recruits Jorge Corona to join Daniel Warren Johnson on Image, Skybound & Hasbro's hit reboot of the franchise". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  14. ^ a b George Marston (2024-08-12). "Transformers officially introduces its "Worst Bot Ever", who turns into a ballpoint pen". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  15. ^ "Skybound Announces Middle-Grade 'Transformers' Graphic Novel Series". icv2.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  16. ^ "SKYBOUND, IMAGE & HASBRO ANNOUNCE THE TRANSFORMERS COMPENDIUM VOL. 1". Skybound Entertainment. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-06-18.