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

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.

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!