M.A.S.K. #1 Blind Bag Reveals a Major Energon Universe Debut

1 week ago 14

Published Jun 11, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT

Sam Fang primarily covers news for CBR, with over a decade of experience writing about entertainment and pop culture and degrees in both journalism and art.

Skybound and Image Comics' new M.A.S.K. series has debuted and brought a surprising new character along with it. The publisher recently revealed a secret issue tucked away in M.A.S.K. #1's blind bags.

Void Rivals co-creators, writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Lorenzo De Felici are back with ROM #1, which the publisher revealed is a standalone issue only able to be obtained in M.A.S.K. #1 blind bags. The inclusion of a special issue is intended to celebrate the launch of the Energon Universe's blind bag program, and it won't be too long until fans can see where else ROM might be popping up in the future. Image also teased that, in addition to ROM #1, two equally rare 'surprise' Energon Universe comics can also be found: M.A.S.K. Origins #1 and a special advance copy of M.A.S.K. #2.

Hasbro's ROM Makes His Energon Universe Debut

"Nothing is more exciting to me than an unexpected comic drop! Getting to a store and finding out a brand-new book exists is just the coolest thing. The only thing that could make it better... is if it was ROM!" Kirkman teased of the reveal. "ROM is such an iconic character with a rich history spanning decades. He's been a constant request for the Energon Universe."

Kirkman was sure to keep that fan demand in mind when crafting the special issue. "Getting to develop him for the Energon Universe alongside my pal Lorenzo De Felici was an absolute blast," he said, "and I can't wait for fans to see our long-range plans for the character! ROM! WOO!!"

Image already has plans for ROM to make more appearances down the line, though it'll be in Void Rivals rather than in a standalone ongoing series. "I can finally say it—ROM HAS JOINED THE ENERGON UNIVERSE!" Executive Editor Ben Abernathy shared. "And will we see him again? You’ll have to read Void Rivals #33 to find out!"

Details about ROM #1's story were not disclosed in Image's press release — meaning fans will actually have to go out and hunt a copy down in the M.A.S.K. blind bags. The program allows fans the chance to get any of a slew of variant covers, from A through K, intermixed at varying degrees of rarity, mirroring existing ratios.

M.A.S.K.'s New Energon Universe Series Kicks Off with a Deadly Arms Race

Skybound Entertainment M.A.S.K. 1 variant cover header

The debut of ROM in the Energon comes alongside the arrival of M.A.S.K., with the series debuting on June 10 and starting the 'next phase' of the Energon Universe. Image's solicit for the series teases a dark new path lies ahead. " The world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K. — a network of specialists recruited to respond to the next global emergency."

"At a moment’s notice, Trakker and his agents can deploy bleeding-edge technology that converts their vehicles—and their drivers—into the ultimate weapon. But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. are one step ahead in a secret arms race, scouring the globe for deadly weapons from this planet and beyond, ready to sell out the entire human race." The new series is created by Dan Watters with art by Pye Parr, and Image has already teased that "anyone - and everyone - in the Energon Universe" will join the fight for humanity's survival that unfolds in M.A.S.K.'s pages.

M.A.S.K. #1 and its blind bags with ROM #1 are on sale now from Skybound and Image Comics.