Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, revealed the first appearance of the pop culture icon ROM, as well as the other surprise releases that are part of the history-making M.A.S.K. #1 Blind Bag program.
Void Rivals co-creators, writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Lorenzo De Felici reunite to deliver ROM #1, a standalone issue that can only be found in M.A.S.K. #1 blind bags. With the launch of the first-ever Energon Universe blind bag program, it’s only right to mark the occasion with the introduction of a beloved character – who has been a decades long fan favorite across comics, toys, and more – like ROM who fans have demanded since the launch of this bestselling shared universe.
“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!” exclaimed Robert Kirkman. “ROM is such an iconic character with a rich history spanning decades. He’s been a constant request for the Energon Universe. Getting to develop him for the Energon Universe alongside my pal Lorenzo De Felici was an absolute blast and I can’t wait for fans to see our long-range plans for the character! ROM! WOO!!”
Fans can expect to see more of ROM and his alien companion ‘Carpet’ as the search for Dire Wraiths continues in the coming issues of Void Rivals!
“I can finally say it—ROM HAS JOINED THE ENERGON UNIVERSE!” exclaimed Executive Editor Ben Abernathy. “And will we see him again? You’ll have to read Void Rivals #33 to find out!”
M.A.S.K. #1 Blind Bags allow fans a chance to get ANY of the solicited covers from A through K, intermixed at varying degrees of rarity (that mirror existing ratios). In addition to ROM #1, there are two equally rare SURPRISE Energon Universe comics that can be found in these blind bags including:
M.A.S.K. Origins #1, reprinting and collecting the first appearances of M.A.S.K. & V.E.N.O.M. in the Energon Universe!
A special advance edition of M.A.S.K. #2, allowing fans to read the next thrilling issue in its entirety!
In M.A.S.K. #1, the world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K.–a network of specialists ready 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. Only M.A.S.K. can stop them… but will Trakker’s own secrets jeopardize their entire mission?
M.A.S.K. is the latest addition to the historic collaboration between Skybound and Hasbro, a new part of the shared Energon Universe that features ongoing series VOID RIVALS by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Conor Hughes (White Ash), and colorist Patricio Delpeche (Catwoman), the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS by writer Robert Kirkman, artist Jason Howard (The Astounding Wolf-Man), and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon), and G.I. JOE by writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Dark Ride), artist Andrea Milana (X-Men ’97), and colorist Lee Loughridge (Thor, Star Wars).
M.A.S.K. #1 (Lunar Codes Below| SRP: $3.99, unless otherwise noted) is available TODAY at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
The full list of covers is below:
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover A by Pye Parr (Lunar Code: 0426IM8000)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover B by J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich (Lunar Code: 0426IM8001)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover C by Cedric Poulat (Lunar Code: 0426IM8002)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover D by Mark Spears (Lunar Code: 0426IM8003)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover E Energon Universe Third Anniversary (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code: 0426IM8004)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary (Connecting) by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 0426IM8005)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover G (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Kael Ngu (Lunar Code: 0426IM8006)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover H (1:50 Copy Incentive) by E.J. Su (Lunar Code: 0426IM8007)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover I (Foil) (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Jonboy Meyers ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8008)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover J (1:250 Copy Incentive) by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Lunar Code: 0426IM8009)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover K (1:500 Copy Incentive) by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0426IM8010)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover L Blank Sketch Cover (M.A.S.K.) ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8011)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover M Blank Sketch Cover (V.E.N.O.M.) ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8012)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover N (Foil) by Pye Parr ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8013)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover O Foil) by J. Scott Campbell & Sabine Rich ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8014)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover P (Die Cut Foil Mask Cover) by Pye Parr & Luke Preece & Andres Juarez ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8015)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover Q (Die Cut Foil Mask Cover) by Pye Parr & Luke Preece & Andres Juarez ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8016)
M.A.S.K. #1 Cover R Blind Bag by Andres Juarez ($5.99) (Lunar Code: 0426IM8017)
ROM #1 Cover by Lorenzo De Felici
