The Energon Universe just revealed what’s coming next, and it looks like everything is about to change. Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have given fans an early look at Void Rivals #26 through preview pages and cover art that showcase where Robert Kirkman and Andrei Bressan are taking this flagship series. Patricio Delpeche continues handling colors while Rus Wooton provides lettering, keeping the creative team intact for what promises to be a massive installment. You can grab this issue at your local comic shop on January 28, 2026, following closely after issue #25 which just became available.
The preview material suggests we’re watching dominos fall that have been set up for months. Quintesson aggression has reached critical mass, with their Sharkticon armies launching a full-scale assault on the Sacred Ring. The sheer scale of this invasion accomplishes what diplomacy never could—it drags the Zertonians and Agorrians to the same side of the battlefield. These aren’t two factions that occasionally squabble over territory. Their conflict defines their entire history, shapes their cultures, and has cost countless lives across generations. Watching them coordinate military strategy while still harboring deep-seated hatred for each other creates the kind of dramatic tension that makes compelling comics. The preview makes it clear this won’t be a smooth partnership, and the cracks in their fragile cooperation might prove as dangerous as the external threat they’re facing.
Void Rivals has established itself as the narrative backbone of the Energon Universe by consistently delivering stories that matter beyond their immediate plot points. Kirkman understands how to construct a shared universe—you need tentpole moments that redefine the playing field, not just endless setup that pays off someday in another title. This twenty-sixth issue appears to be one of those seismic events where the landscape shifts permanently. The preview teases returning characters alongside fresh additions to the cast, plus story developments that will send shockwaves through connected titles. When you’re building a universe that includes properties as beloved as Transformers and G.I. Joe, every major move needs to feel earned and consequential, and Kirkman has proven he knows where and when to detonate his narrative bombs.
Collectors hunting variants will find several options when issue #26 drops. The standard edition features cover art by Lorenzo De Felici, whose work captures the grand scale this story demands. Open-to-order variants come from two sources—Andrei Bressan collaborating with colorist Adriano Lucas, which gives fans a chance to see the series artist’s take on a cover, and Ben Oliver, whose distinctive approach offers a completely different visual interpretation. Incentive variants require a bit more effort to obtain, with Leirix Li providing the 1:25 ratio option and Chuma Hill creating the 1:50 ratio variant. Given that this issue represents a potential watershed moment for the series, these variants might become particularly sought-after down the line.
The responsibility Void Rivals carries as the foundation of Skybound and Hasbro’s shared continuity can’t be overstated. This isn’t just another comic about robots and space adventures—it’s the linchpin connecting multiple franchises into a cohesive narrative ecosystem where events in one series create ripples felt across all the others. What makes this approach work is that Void Rivals functions as both its own compelling story and as essential context for understanding the broader Energon Universe. You don’t need to read Transformers or G.I. Joe to follow what’s happening with the Zertonians and Agorrians, but doing so enriches your understanding of how these pieces fit together. Each installment adds another puzzle piece to the larger picture, revealing how these iconic franchises can coexist and influence each other in ways that feel organic rather than forced. Issue #26 lands on January 28, 2026, and everything about this preview suggests it’s going to be required reading for anyone invested in where the Energon Universe goes next.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
