Skybound, Image & Hasbro Announce New Middle Grade OGN Series TRANSFORMERS: WORST BOT EVER by Brian “Smitty” Smith and Marz Jr.
The Graphic Novel Will Be the First TRANSFORMERS Book Published Under the Young Readers Imprint Skybound Comet
LOS ANGELES 08/12/2024 – Skybound Comet, the original graphic novel imprint aimed at Young Adult and Middle Grade audiences, in collaboration with Image Comics and leading toy and game company Hasbro, today announced TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint, the first book in a new series of OGNs from writer Brian “Smitty” Smith (Pea, Bee, and Jay) and artist Marz Jr. (Void Rivals cover artist).
Middle grade readers will be introduced to the misadventures of the bot who is mightier than the sword when TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint hits stores next July.
The Decepticons are known for being bad...but Ballpoint is truly the worst –the biggest failure of them all. After the latest attempt to take down the Autobots goes horribly wrong, he’s kicked out of the Decepticons, for good! Will Ballpoint be able to prove his worth by defeating the Autobots all by himself? Or will he keep failing and find that being the “best” is...More than Meets the Eye?
“It’s been awesome bringing Ballpoint to life,” said Brian “Smitty” Smith. “Getting to add a brand-new character to the TRANSFORMERS universe is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
"I’ve been obsessed with TRANSFORMERS since I was a kid,” said Marz Jr. “The 1986 animated movie blew my mind! I’ve tried to put that magic and love into each page.”
The inaugural offering in Skybound’s young readers line Skybound Comet is an integral component of its overall comics partnership with Hasbro. Other key components include Skybound’s new Energon Universe comic book series (Void Rivals, the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS, and G.I. JOE) and miniseries (Duke, Cobra Commander, Scarlett and Destro), Skybound’s reboot of G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, and Skybound’s ongoing publishing of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero compendiums.
“Ballpoint might be the worst/best Transformer ever created, and we’re over-the-moon to bring you his (mis)adventures starting in 2025!” Said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “Smitty and Marz Jr.’s work is guaranteed to thrill every TRANSFORMERS kid out there – no matter what age!”
The Skybound Comet slate also includes the upcoming release of Sea Serpent’s Heir Book Three: Queen of Mercy (Lunar Code 0724IM320, ISBN: 978-1-5343-3209-6 | SRP $14.99), the third and final installment of the high seas fantasy trilogy about growing up and changing your fate from acclaimed creators Mairghread Scott (Netflix’s Dragon Age: Absolution, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy) and Pablo Tunica (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) this October. Recent Skybound Comet releases include Super Dinosaur Compendium One (Lunar Code 0524IM258, ISBN: 978-1-5343-2775-7 I MSRP: $34.99) from Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Jason Howard (Batman, The Flash), Ava's Demon Book Two: Aftermath (Lunar Code 0324IM187, ISBN: 978-1-5343-9852-8 | SRP: $17.99), the next chapter of the groundbreaking YA graphic novel by acclaimed author Michelle Fus, and Clementine Book Two (Lunar Code 0923IM926, ISBN: 978-1-5343-2519-7 | SRP: $14.99) by acclaimed writer/artist Tillie Walden (Spinning, On a Sunbeam), all of which are available everywhere books are sold now.
TRANSFORMERS: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2799-3 | SRP $12.99) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday July 9, 2025 and at booksellers, along with digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Tuesday July 22, 2025.
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 toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers play experiences for fans of all ages around the world, through toys, games, licensed consumer products, digital games and services, location-based entertainment, film, TV, and more. With a portfolio of over 1,800 iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. 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, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.
ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Established in 2010, Skybound is a multiplatform content company that works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to create cool stuff and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to fans. Skybound extends their stories across platforms including comics, television, film, video games, tabletop, books, digital content, audio programming, and beyond. The company is home to critically-acclaimed global franchises including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Superfight, and hit podcast series Impact Winter.
Led by Skybound Entertainment co-founder Robert Kirkman, Skybound Comics is an award-winning line of comics published by Image Comics and promotes a shared vision to collaborate with top and emerging talent across the comics industry. The Skybound line includes acclaimed series such as The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultramega, Stillwater, Fire Power, and Excellence, while also delivering powerful licensed comics, including a partnership with LEGO Books. It is also home to Skybound Comet, a new line of Young Adult and Middle Grade original graphic novels published by Image Comics, which includes the Clementine book trilogy by award-winning writer/artist Tillie Walden and set in the world of The Walking Dead. Skybound has seen numerous comics series adapted for the screen, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur and Outcast, with more projects in development.
For the most up to date information on Skybound, please visit the company on X (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment), Instagram (@skyboundent), and at www.skybound.com.