**Press Release**
Activate Your Alt Mode with Energon Universe Sound Chip Editions
TRANSFORMERS #1 and Void Rivals #1 Return with Exclusive New Audio Effects
LOS ANGELES 03/20/2025 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, announced the release of TRANSFORMERS #1 Sound Chip Edition and Void Rivals #1 Sound Chip Edition. Both will be available fall 2025, just in time for the second-ever TRANSFORMERS Day on September 17.
When the cover to each comic is opened, fans will hear the iconic Transformers Signature Sound of the bots shifting from robot to alt mode – or vice versa, with a different sound in TRANSFORMERS #1 and in Void Rivals #1.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity to reimagine the world of TRANSFORMERS through both our TRANSFORMERS and Void Rivals comics series in the Energon Universe, so we’re excited to celebrate those debut issues by adding two of our favorite sounds effects ever into the experience,” said Ben Abernathy, Executive Editor, Skybound. “These are the first comics in Skybound history to feature sound chips, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to Roll Out a whole new way to experience two of the most important comic book launches of the decade.”
Void Rivals #1, from the iconic Oblivion Song team of Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), memorably launched the shared Energon Universe with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire. The stealth launch served as an official introduction to the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound.
TRANSFORMERS #1 kicked off an all-new era for the iconic Transformers franchise from Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. Humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime.
The Energon Universe is the crown jewel of the collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who have introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici, along with colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country); TRANSFORMERS by writer Daniel Warren Johnson, artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer; and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander), artist Tom Reilly (Duke), and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33).
TRANSFORMERS #1 and Void Rivals #1 Sound Chip Editions (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $19.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
The full list of covers is below:
- - TRANSFORMERS #1 Sound Chip Edition Cover A (Optimus Prime) (Foil Autobot Logo) (Lunar Code: 0125IM876)
- - TRANSFORMERS #1 Sound Chip Edition Cover B (Starscream) (Foil Decepticon Logo) (Lunar Code: 0125IM877)
- - Void Rivals #1 Sound Chip Edition Cover A (Jetfire) (Foil Autobot Logo) (Lunar Code: 0125IM875)
ABOUT TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE" experiences to fans of all ages. The brand's enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.
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 over 164 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches over 500 million kids, families and fans 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
We do things differently here. Skybound is the creator-driven, fan-focused company behind landmark global franchises like The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter and hundreds more IPs that are redefining entertainment through our Wheel of Awesome business model. Skybound unlocks the unique opportunity to cultivate all aspects of a franchise from development through distribution; our IP connects with audiences through groundbreaking stories told on a grand scale. We empower our creators to directly expand their IP and turn their ideas into movies, TV shows, tabletop games, comics, podcasts, collectibles, video games, or all of the above and then some.
Skybound publishes award-winning and bestselling comics series such as Invincible, The Walking Dead, Stillwater and Ultramega, among others. Skybound's commitment to partnering with top industry talent and giving an elevated platform to diverse and unique voices has resulted in a record-breaking run on Kickstarter, where we launched mega-successful campaigns for Ava’s Demon, Extra Fabulous, and G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero — the most funded comic book campaign in Kickstarter’s history. Skybound Comet, our young readers graphic novel imprint, released the Clementine (set in The Walking Dead universe) series to great critical and commercial success. Skybound is also a savvy and sought-after licensing partner, working with companies including LEGO, Universal Products & Experiences and Hasbro to publish comics for their most coveted properties. Skybound’s Energon Universe series is Hasbro’s biggest comics launch of all time, with TRANSFORMERS #1 becoming the bestselling comic of 2023.
Skybound doesn’t just make global franchises, we change the way that global franchises can be made.
