Hot Rod and Megatron in the Energon Universe 2024 Special! Image Comics / Skybound 2024

This Free Comic Book Day / Special one-shot contains three stories from Skybound's Energon Universe titles: Transformers, Void Rivals, and G.I. Joe. This issue has some major reveals and teases for the second year of the Energon Universe and is a must read for fans of the Skybound continuity!
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Energon Universe 2024 Special
Published by Image Comics/Skybound on May 4th (FCBD) and May 8th (retail release), 2024
Daniel Warren Johnson, Robert Kirkman, Joshua Williamson - Writers
Ryan Ottley, Lorenzo De Felici, Jason Howard - Artists
Annalisa Leoni, Matheus Lopes, Mike Spicer - Colorists
Rus Wooton - Letterer
Sean Mackiewicz - Editor
Andres Juarez - Publication Design
Ashby Florence - Production

[@deniseg9210]

If this is what Megatron is capable of which only one arm and no eyes I'm scared to see what he’ll be capable of when he’s back at his full strength.

[@Moonbase3]

💯 It's gonna be intense!

[@deniseg9210]

@@Moonbase3and imagine what it’ll be like if he becomes Galvatron.

[@mr.end-game711]

@@deniseg9210 Galvatron has been know to time travel in the Marvel UK comics so what stoping Skybound from pulling that with the character

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Same here. But how is he gonna do that when he's BLIND?

[@mr.end-game711]

@@MatthewLoh-ru1mw echo location?

[@vontheunknown7982]

Skybound Megatron: "Starscream! I'm going to f*** you up, so badly. That IDW Megatron would feel sad for you!" 😂 LOL

[@vontheunknown7982]

We are going to find out, that Skybound Starscream is definitely alive. 😁

[@kinglycrimson]

I think he might not Hear me out I think it'd be interesting if starscream is still immortal but Megatron chooses to spare hjm given he technically took advantage like how they would normally

[@Tigerkaya]

Duke: Hey buddy get back in line I have him dead to rights! Carly: Same soldier boy!

[@Moonbase3]

😂

[@mr.end-game711]

@@vontheunknown7982 I mean Skywarp and Jetfire is still "alive" so I could see Starscream still being active

[@gigacanno750]

I can imagine a line from Megatron to Starscream; “Stars will bloom and die before I’m done killing you.”

[@mcpics4448]

I’ll be interested to see how Kirkman writing Hot Rod, considering he has said before that Hot Rod is his favorite transformer

[@Moonbase3]

It seems like he's got the voice down pretty well so far, in my opinion. Can't wait to see what kind of trouble he gets into!

[@FlamesofJagger]

As for the arm reattaching, Megatron has always been listed as having a connection to a black hole for powerboosts. This could just be one of the ways he uses that oft forgotten ability.

[@mr.end-game711]

their that or this Megatron is part junkion

[@Moonbase3]

Interesting thought about the black hole power! That one always slips my mind for some reason, despite it even coming up again in the IDW run.

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

@@Moonbase3 and also in the Secrets and Lies miniseries

[@Moonbase3]

Ah, yes, I forgot about that one! I think I even have the cover of the issue where he's showing off that power and it still slipped my mind lol

[@charleswashington4315]

I want to see his reaction to prime having his arm

[@Moonbase3]

Ditto! I'm guessing he won't be happy :)

[@mr.end-game711]

seeing how Megatron spoke of the Autobots, Megatron might applaud Optimus for finally fighting on a Deception's level

[@philipnapoli4468]

@@mr.end-game711 And he might feel a bit more pleased with Optimus having his arm and fusion cannon when he hears that he shot Starscream with it.

[@aidenmb7932]

The Transformers part was SO GOOD! It filled in so many details and had so many great moments with amazing art. With so many people after Starscream I'm starting doubt he's dead

[@Moonbase3]

Right!? Too many people want a piece of him. Dude has so many enemies it's kinda unreal

[@kinglycrimson]

It'd be funny if he was immortal Like he can't die and nobody can kill him

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

Megatron: “When I see Starscream I’ll slowly rip you into pieces, you’ll be begging Primus for your spark to be extinguish.” NPC: “I understand being nearly killed by your follower” Megatron: “Wait he nearly killed me?” Side note Baroness outfit reminds me of Scarlet’s outfit from the Operation Blackout video game (where the year few waves of Classified got their designs from”

[@Moonbase3]

Oh yeah, you're right, the outfits are similar. I didn't make that connection!!

[@zetaTF]

Holy crap. I didn't realize Hot Rod was back in the picture. I gotta check this out!

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

He appeared in the Energon Universe FCBD Special. You should read it, it sets up big things that are going to happen in said Universe going forward

[@Moonbase3]

Heck yeah!

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

@@Moonbase3 indeed

[@banobobot]

I heard “Intruments of Destruction” in my head whenever Megatron was present in this issue.

[@Moonbase3]

Heck yeah!

[@FlamesofJagger]

Hawk running two teams... a reference to G.I. Joe Renegades. Flint and Jaye representing the Falcons, maybe? Skybound's pulling from other continuities to build their universe

[@Moonbase3]

That's fantastic! I really, really need to watch Renegades.

[@FlamesofJagger]

​@Moonbase3 it's a slow start, but if you get past the first few episodes, Renegades is an interesting take on G.I.Joe

[@mr.end-game711]

for Transformers:Lord Globulus must being have a bad day, he lost the loyalty of Cobra Commander, the man who figured out the secrets of Energon along with the means of exploring it, he lost Nemesis Enforcer to the Commander and now he has lost Megatron. It feels too early to bring in Serpentor but Pythona might see some infiltration and subterfuge action. Void Rivals: in a year's time Robert finally got to bring Hot Rod into the continuity. I imagine that the reason Slizardo was looking for Zertonian metals was because Hot Rod tried him to do so. as for the spy...well I am thinking it Shockwave, both Agorrian and Zertonian tech is capable of space fight and Zertonian is know out side of the Sacred Ring but interplanetary commerce never been show by any of the main cast of Void Rivals G.I.Joe: I agree with you on wanting More Baroness, I felt like she was underutilized in the Duke miniseries. It would make certain scenes that Hawk would want multiple teams, everything is in motion in the Energon Universe and Hawk is show to keeping himself informed as best he can. speaking of witch we know why the Dreadnoks' bar brunt down but why would Hawk have any interest in that, does he know about Nemesis Enforcer? Duke #1 showed us a conspiracy theorist who talked about society living in the arctic so could Hawk have a lead on Cobra-La, Hawk did keep the existences of Transformers away from Duke because he didn't trust Duke so could Hawk also have proof of Cobra-La.

[@Moonbase3]

I'm wondering that, too - he either knows more about Cobra-La or Energon than he's letting on (or both). Either way, it's pretty cool that he is even somewhat aware of the situation in Florida. You definitely raise some interesting points...and a funny one about Golobulus! Dude's having a majorly crappy go of things lately 🤣

[@tylerrice4178]

​@@Moonbase3general hawk is basically the nick fury of the energon universe.

[@mr.end-game711]

@@tylerrice4178 rather fitting considering that Marvel's G.I.Joe comic was built out an unused concept of Nick Furry's son fighting Hydra.

[@alecfigueroa5769]

Definitely think Hot Rod is referencing Springer. Loved that reveal and the threads it sets up. Megatron was just as badass as expected from DWJ. Curious where those GI Joe threads are going as well. Also, totally agree about that yo Joe being a bit out of place without someone else saying it first.

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Most definitely. As for GI Joe regarding Scarlett, she has a her own miniseries coming up where she will be infiltrating the Arashikage ninja clan, the same one where snake eyes and Storm Shadow come from in Japan, where said clan has something BIG that will be a "Game-changer" that will make them a power player!

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, it makes me wonder if the G.I. Joe story is supposed to take place after something we haven't seen yet...

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

@@Moonbase3 it does take place right after this story in the FCBD special

[@Moonbase3]

Sorry, I meant that I wondered if the Baroness story from the special is set after something we haven't seen yet - like a yet-to-be-published story where they establish the G.I. Joe name and the battle cry

[@robertgray1365]

I really think the sacred ring is Unicron. Like some sort of ancient prison/stasis device that the protagonists are going to break and inadvertently unleash armageddon on the universe.

[@Moonbase3]

That would be WILD!

[@tylerrice4178]

That's a good theory/would be a huge twist because n the end it always ends with the chaos bringer showing up and being the final boss.

[@wayigotitfigured9800]

In the cartoon series, Megatron always (or mostly always) had a detached kind of evil. He wasn't cruel, Starscream was cruel. Megatron was more goal focused. And all the 'comedy' of Megatron occurs in Season 2, which is much more watered down than Season 1.

[@Moonbase3]

You're right - season 2 got silly. Season 1 and the 86 movie are peak G1 animated continuity for me

[@justadude1984]

been waiting for this

[@Moonbase3]

I was dying to get to it!

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Fantastic information as always, thank you.

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks for watching! Much appreciated!

[@justanormaldilo.249]

Called it, partially.

[@toukendanshiwarrior2846]

Oooo, that’s cool. Hot Rod getting involved with the Zertonians. Megatron’s gonna rip his arm back from Prime.

[@Moonbase3]

I'm looking forward to that confrontation between Megatron and OP!

[@Lucario4thewin]

The Megatron Baroness toy makes me feel they might have a eventual meeting and team up.

[@ninjakittie24]

Couldn't keep reading in real time when issues were released, it's nice to read and watch your take on each issue. Surely a reading order is easy to find online.

[@Moonbase3]

I'm sure there's something online, but the reading order is pretty straightforward so far as the titles are pretty self-contained

[@MankyGit]

I’ve been playing catch up on the IDW series and I didn’t even realize that the sky bound stuff existed. There goes my weekend!

[@Moonbase3]

You are in for some fun!

[@MankyGit]

@@Moonbase3 any advice on reading order, or is it too new to worry?

[@Moonbase3]

@@MankyGit It's pretty self-contained, but that being said, I would say go: Void Rivals 1-6 -> Transformers 1-6 -> Duke 1-5, then Cobra Commander (which will conclude later this month). Then you'll just have a few issues to be all caught up (Void Rivals 7-8, TF 7-8 and the Energon Universe 2024 special).

[@MichaelBlunden-rx9vj]

Finally hot rod shows up! One of my favs honestly

[@Moonbase3]

Same here!

[@SwizzPrime]

WE EATING GOOD!

[@Moonbase3]

Hell yeah!

[@albernardi8]

First story - Excellent stuff, and it emphasizes my favorite thing about Megs: he’s a hater. All the best villains are huge haters. Lex Luthor, Doctor Doom, Palpatine. Massive haters. They wake early in the morning to start hatin’. We get a little taste of that here, but I gotta see more. I cannot wait to see Megatron return and have a big fuck off fight with Optimus! Make it 48 pages of those two beating each other to death Skybound, and make it snappy! Second story - Good as well. I hope that Hot Rod and Springer can meet up sooner than later. Great to see the Skuxxoid again. Third story - Real American Baroness? That’s awesome. The suit? Could be better. Looks a bit like an NFL Superpro. Worst part is I know I’ll still get the figure if they make it 😂

[@Moonbase3]

Dude, yes! I don't know when exactly Megatron is going to properly show up in the main series, but there needs to be a suitably epic throwdown with Optimus. I'm expecting everything to change once he's back at full strength.

[@billloney2567]

“I AM COMING FOR YOU, STARSCREAM.” Who’s gonna tell him?

[@Moonbase3]

🤣

[@brainstorm9560]

Aaaaahhh! Hot Rod. Lady Jaye! Flint! This new continuity is becoming one of the most fantastic so far. Now, if they can get the Micronauts or even Rom the space knight in there I'll be in heaven.

[@Moonbase3]

The more the merrier!

[@elementalt4nick199]

Good to know other people want ROM

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Not likely. Marvel just got back the rights to Rom, as they will be publishing an Omnibus of Rom during his time at Marvel

[@tomhur1]

Hey man. Sorry I'm VERY late commenting on this. No delayed issue excuse this time. I was just having trouble thinking of what to say, plus I've been dealing with some other issues in my life. I'm so excited to see my boy Hot Rod's debut in the Energon Universe. I had a feeling we'd be getting him given Kirkman's been vocal about him being his favorite Transformer but I didn't think it'd be this soon. Also that comment about Brawn's fate to be killed by Megatron across the multiverse felt oddly fitting considering (spoiler alert for my Transformers fanfic you probably won't read) that's going to happen in my personal Transformers Universe too.

[@Moonbase3]

No worries, buddy! Please don't feel like there's any expectations or obligations here - this is all just for fun. I'm happy to hear from long-time posters like you regardless of when it is or how frequently. So really, don't sweat it and take care of yourself. I hope everything is ok! And let me know if you ever decide to share your work, as I'd be interested in giving it a read. :) And yeah, I'm so stoked for Hot Rod! Hopefully we see more of him soon. Fingers crossed!

[@tomhur1]

@@Moonbase3 Thanks for the kind words. Honestly, I'd love to share my work with you, but in addition to being a Transformers story my stuff is also a crossover with the book series Percy Jackson(Although Transformers is the "Main" part of it) so I don't know how interested you'd be in reading it or how much you'd get out of it.

[@Moonbase3]

Well, although I only have some name recognition for that series, it doesn't dissuade me from wanting to read your fanfiction! No pressure, but all I'm saying is: I'm open to reading it, if you ever want to share someday. :)

[@Numbr1jUvEnile]

Really hope daniel warren gets back on for like a GI Joe vs Transformers miniseries, the day duke finds starcream has to be done by Ddubs

[@robertgray1365]

Yeah, I really hope he's not completely gone and is just taking a hiatus to work on his personal projects. DWJ's work on Transformers is way too good to end at just 12 issues.

[@Numbr1jUvEnile]

@@robertgray1365 RIGHT? it's a EASY money decision also, they gotta see how popular his runs, variants, and stories are so it really should be a no Brainer to put him back on. I probably wouldn't have invested much into the other energon books without his transformers laying the ground work for sure.

[@Moonbase3]

I'm hoping for more, but even if we only get 12 issues by him, that'll be more than I was initially expecting to be honest. I thought he'd only stay on for one arc when it was announced that he was doing the book. But I wish he'd stay on for 24-36 issues.

[@AngryBurpTV]

Have not felt so good about transformers since Beast Wars tv and Dreamwave. So far fabulous start 💪🏾

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, Skybound is killing it so far!

[@Beelzeboogie]

Gonna have to wait until this comes out digitally, there's no brick and mortar comic shops on the island i live on, but it looks boss.

[@Moonbase3]

It'll be worth the wait, man! It's goooooood

[@Beelzeboogie]

​@Moonbase3 Aquired through... legally questionable means and yeah you're right it was worth the wait. I wonder if the autobot Hot Rod is looking for might be Jetfire? Maybe? Probably Springer but it could be.

[@AubergineMans]

I imagine that Cobra surgically removed Megatrons arm, and as such he could reattach it easily.

[@Moonbase3]

You might be on to something there!

[@kylegivens3120]

It's interesting that Cybertronians here are more vulnerable. Normally Starscream's blasters can't even damage Megatron. But here Starscream actually blasts half his face off.

[@user-jz1cq1ee9b]

That third street

[@VectorPrime-wx3lx]

Im really interested to see how they handle Megatron in this series, especially how he treats others because after seeing how ruthless the decepticons are on earth, Megatron not only sparing the life of a small organic but also saying "thank you" feels so out of place.

[@Moonbase3]

He seems more like Thundercracker from TF#8 in that regard. It is an interesting difference from the other Decepticons

[@robertgray1365]

I was never a fan of Jason Howard's artwork on Astounding Wolf-Man but it looks like he's come a long way since then. I was impressed with the work he put in on the Joe segment. I see a lot of Ryan Ottley's influence in his new stuff and that's definitely not a bad thing.

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, I dug it. I'll have to check out his other stuff.

[@mistaj8655]

Only following Transformers at the moment. Heavily considering getting into Void Rivals. May get the trades of the GI Joe mini series’ and if I like them I’ll probably get the eventual monthly Joe book. Love the Transformers but not sure if I want to commit to the other books just yet.

[@Moonbase3]

If you decide to try G.I. Joe, start with Cobra Commander. That one really picks up around issue 3 and has become pretty awesome. It's my second favorite Energon Universe title after Transformers.

[@mistaj8655]

@@Moonbase3 Cheers! I think I’ll pick up the trade in that case.

[@Moonbase3]

Nice! Hope you enjoy it!

[@tylerrice4178]

Love this fcbd also I saw this theory on another youtubers channel while covering this that the mysterious ancient legend could be the Allspark which would makes sense unless u disagree with that theory and think it's something else. I would also like to add that when baroness finally joins cobra I would not be surprised if she might become a double agent for the joes(particularly duke)for Intel and she might die and sacrifice herself for them. And one last thing I think it's safe to say that starscream is alive,with all this mention of him(not to mention the enormous beef he has with everyone)he'll be back because it will be pointless for megatron,Carly,duke(and potentially bumblebee if he's brought back online)to have that final confrontation with him and getting their payback.

[@Moonbase3]

I think the legend being related to the Allspark is a solid theory. I'm curious how Zerta and Goliant might fit into it, though - those are the wildcards that might steer it away from being something like the Allspark, or it could all be connected somehow. Also, I really dig your theory about Baroness being a double agent! That would be a great spin on her character!

[@dragon_ninja_2186]

I actually like Baroness’s GI Joe look

[@Moonbase3]

It's not bad. I'm coming around on it, I think.

[@Gaming_Helm]

2 vids in 24 hours equals awesome 😎 dang poor Brawn just can’t catch a break but at least this series is doing a great job of answering some questions while holding enough back to keep things interesting 👍 I wonder if this issue will be released in paperback format, any ideas on the chances on that?

[@Moonbase3]

I think there's a really good chance it will be reprinted, I'm just not sure how - like, will they split up the stories and include them in their respective titles or will the whole thing be reprinted in one or all of the trades? Not sure, but there's some pretty essential plot stuff in here - it would be madness not to include them in the collected editions!

[@Gaming_Helm]

@@Moonbase3 makes sense to me 👍

[@DragonFist9323]

I already ship Duke and Baroness together! I hope that's the case later on. Even tho she's gonna switch side cus that's her nature. Fkn amazing One-Shot! I picked the DWJ cover.

[@Moonbase3]

It could definitely go that way with Baroness and Duke - wouldn't be the first time it's happened in G.I. Joe fiction, after all. And I got the DWJ, De Felici, and Reilly covers because I have a problem. 😂

[@Gittykitty]

As long as Snake Eyes and Scarlett are together, I'm in.

[@muhdshafiq2523]

I can’t get over how Michael bay ruined hot rod in the last knight.

[@Moonbase3]

I didn't make it that far in the Bay movies. I'm gonna watch it someday, though!

[@banobobot]

Yeah… he doesn’t look much like the character. To be fair though, that’s par for the course in the case of the live-action movies, and heck, the franchise in general. Along with many characters receiving drastic redesigns in their looks and personalities, there are also instances where names of previous characters are slapped onto newer characters of which share no likeness to the previous character. This is something I’m used to as a Transformers fan.

[@carlosfelipe2988]

Gran video como siempre 🤩🤗😎! Megatron peleando con Golobulus y Baroness miembro de G.I. Joe, eso es algo que nunca pensé ver😳😲

[@Moonbase3]

Same here! It's fun to see something different. 😎

[@TF2Fan101]

The only question I have is why Astrotrain seems to have it out for Megatron.

[@ralphward741]

Remember the G1 episode where the triple changers tried to usurp both Megatron and Starscreem?

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, I'm curious about where the bad blood came from. There had to be a reason why Megatron imprisoned him.

[@fishpop]

Had to hold off on watching this until i could read the comic.

[@Moonbase3]

No worries! I thought the digital one was dropping in June, but they must have bumped it up as it's available now. Weird little hiccup in scheduling, I guess.

[@wendellstephens6311]

Wasn't really fond of Howard character designs on GI Joe, but he does good action.

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, I could see how it might be everybody's cup of tea, but I agree, he's good at action.

[@kendrickvieraramos]

Imagine nick roche and e j su and don Figueroa joining the Energon universe

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Not likely. They have long since "severed" all ties to anything to do with Transformers

[@Moonbase3]

DUDE. That would be killer

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Nope, they have long since moved on from anything to do with Transformers

[@Moonbase3]

Roche did Last Bot Standing not too long ago, so I think he'd be open. He seems the most likely to return to the franchise, imo. And Su did a beautiful cover for Skybound's TF#1. But yeah, not sure that he'd do any interiors. Figueroa, I agree, seems unlikely to ever return to Transformers. But a guy can dream.

[@YongTheBloxHasBeenTaken]

So it seens my theory is true about optimus slicing megatron's arm and kick him off the ship is true. Just like the comment i made back in your review of issue 4 skybound transformers

[@user-zy6mj2hd6m]

If they do hot rod DO NOT MAKE HIM RODAMUS PRIME I love hot rod but leave him as hot rod that when he at his best.

[@Moonbase3]

Not a fan of Rodimus Prime, I take it 😂

[@robertcarey45]

I think Hot Rod's friend might be Kup.

[@deniseg9210]

I don’t think so considering we saw Kup on Cybertron in issue 7 and he seems to have died.

[@isplat927]

Kup was on Cybertron with Elita and was blown to bits.

[@robertcarey45]

@isplat927 & @deniseg9210 Dang! I guessed wrong. Sorry about that. 😳

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

I think it's Springer as he will be showing up in future issues of Void rivals

[@robertcarey45]

@MatthewLoh-ru1mw That would be cool.

[@jkd1975]

This looks interesting. I appreciate your summaries and I may actually pick these up, but Baroness should always be sexy and that outfit isn’t doing it.

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Really? Baroness has NEVER appeared sexy in all her appearances over the years and that's not going to change NOW

[@Rhron]

I have never been invested in GI Joe, there was nothing there that kept me interested. Transformers however, THAT kept me drawn in all the time when I was little. So I wont be investing in the GI Joe part of the Energon universe. I'm just going to stick with Transformers.

[@jakerise980]

this series is so lame and a rip off early IDW, but it's something to read

[@Moonbase3]

I dunno, I don't remember Megatron being held prisoner by Cobra-La in early IDW 😂

[@jakerise980]

This comic is basically have a battle, go back to base. Have a battle, go back to base. And a bunch of whining from Carly in between. When she was complaining in the recent issue, I was like "good, go home, get out of my comic book." Lol....

[@Computronimus]

Out of all the Skybound Energon Universe. I hate Transformers the most. It reads like a Michael Bay movie. Someone is getting killed every issue. Can’t even focus on the characters because they will more than likely die.

[@Moonbase3]

Fair enough. I know the pace at which they're killing characters has been off-putting for some readers - even those who are otherwise enjoying the series.

[@Computronimus]

@@Moonbase3 the megatron armed Optimus is amazing! I need the toy. But lord is everyone dead already lol

[@Moonbase3]

I would definitely like a toy of that Optimus as well. I want to see that truck mode with the cannon in place of the stack in toy form 😂