Three classic '80s cartoon franchises will crossover this spring as Transformers, GI Joe, and MASK collide in the Energon Universe

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Three classic '80s cartoon franchises will crossover this spring as Transformers, GI Joe, and MASK collide in the Energon Universe News By George Marston published 20 November 2025

The Energon Universe is bringing together its three '80s animation/toy properties in a big crossover this spring

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(Image credit: Skybound)

Skybound's Energon Universe is about to engage in one of its first big crossovers this spring as the Transformers will be coming to GI Joe #19 and GI Joe #20 by writer Joshua Williamson and artist Andrea Milana, and colorist Lee Loughridge, and they're bringing along the Energon Universe's third big '80s cartoon/toy franchise, MASK.

The two-issue crossover will bring Optimus Prime and several Autobots will come face to face with Duke and the soldiers of GI Joe, all of whom will have a run-in with Matt Trakker, the lead character of MASK, who is known in the Energon Universe as "America's most wanted man."

"Duke and Optimus Prime meeting for the first time in the Energon Universe? What's led to this momentous meeting of the EU's two greatest heroes?" asks Skybound's official description of the big Transformers/GI Joe crossover. "All we can say is it involves Clutch, Autobot Hound, and America's most wanted man – Matt Trakker!"

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Here's a gallery of the many covers for GI Joe #19 and GI Joe #20, followed by a list of the artists for each cover.

Image 1 of 12(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)(Image credit: Skybound)

• G.I. JOE  #19 by Tom Reilly
• G.I. JOE #19 by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
• G.I. JOE #19 Ben Oliver
• G.I. JOE #19 by Tonči Zonjić
• G.I. JOE #19 by Trevor Hairsine, Andy Lanning, & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
• G.I. JOE #19 by Pye Parr
• G.I. JOE #19 by John Amor & Andres Juarez 
• G.I. JOE  #20 by Tom Reilly
• G.I. JOE  #20 by Joshua Cassara & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
• G.I. JOE  #20 by Ben Oliver
• G.I. JOE  #20 by Tonči Zonjić
• G.I. JOE  #20 by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer

GI Joe #19 goes on sale February 18, 2026, followed by GI Joe #20 on March 18. While we wait, you can learn all about what's to come for the Transformers in our recent interview with Energon Universe creator Robert Kirkman.

George MarstonSocial Links Navigation

I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)

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