First Look: What's Next for Optimus Prime in Transformers #20?

Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed interior pages and the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #20, the two-time Eisner Award winning series from writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb), artist Jorge Corona (Middlewest), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). The next chapter of the tentpole Energon Universe story will be available on shelves in comic book shops May 14, 2025.

What’s next for Optimus Prime? The Autobots revive a group of allies who could change the tide of their war with the Decepticons, but little do they know who or what is coming for them…

This issue features key first appearances of fan-favorite characters from the worlds of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE.

In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and series colorist Mike Spicer, the lineup of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #20 includes an open-to-order cover B by series artist Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer, a 1:10 incentive variant continuing the connecting cover series by David Nakayama, a 1:25 incentive variant by Howard Porter & Romulo Fajardo Jr., and a 1:50 incentive variant by Pye Parr.

TRANSFORMERS is the cornerstone of the Energon Universe, the crown jewel of the historic collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, who has introduced a brand-new era of the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE franchises in one shared comic book universe. Other Energon Universe titles include the ongoing series Void Rivals by writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country) and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Tom Reilly (The Thing), and colorist Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33). Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions from some of the biggest franchises in comics today.

The full list of variant covers is below:

TRANSFORMERS #20 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0325IM370)
TRANSFORMERS #20 Cover B by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0325IM371)
TRANSFORMERS #20 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by David Nakayama (Lunar Code: 0325IM372)
TRANSFORMERS #20 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Howard Porter & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Lunar Code: 0325IM373)
TRANSFORMERS #20 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Pye Parr (Lunar Code: 0325IM374)

TRANSFORMERS #20 (Lunar Codes Below | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!