Two icons of the 1986 Transformers animated movie are teaming up in the Energon Universe, as publisher Skybound will be releasing exclusive variant covers for this year’s SDCC, teaming Springer and Hot Rod. Coming from artist Ryan Barry, the variants will be connecting covers for Transformers #10 and Void Rivals #11, depicting a pitched battle between the Autobots and Decepticons.

According to Skybound, Ryan Barry’s connecting covers will be highlighted at SDCC during the “eBay Live with Ryan Berry” panel on Tuesday, July 25. The composition is split between the two covers, with Shockwave and Soundwave on Transformers #10 and Hot Rod and Springer on Void Rivals #11.

Available exclusively during the convention, SDCC attendees will be able to pick up the covers at the following locations:

The Big Clutch booth (#1101), eBay Live and eBay Pop-Up Studio Pick-up (Located at the Sparks Gallery 530 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101)

Hot Rod & Springer Team-Up in SDCC Exclusive Variant Covers

Transformers Fans at SDCC Will Get an Exclusive Treat

The covers are amazingly detailed pieces in their own right, but the characters chosen tell a story for where the Energon Universe is going in upcoming stories. Autobot Springer recently debuted in the pages of Void Rivals, which sees Triple-Changer aiding series protagonists Darak & Solila. Hot Rod also recently appeared in the FCBD Energon Universe Special, where readers learned he has been searching the galaxy for an old ally. That story ended with the promise that it would be continued in Void Rivals, so the appearance of Hot Rod and Springer on Barry’s SDCC variant suggests that the two Autobots will be teaming up soon.

In turn, Shockwave has been making waves in the Energon Universe now that he has established a portal bridging Cybertron with Earth. Upon arriving, Shockwave delivered a crushing blow to Optimus Prime and the Autobots, eventually bringing Cybertron itself through the bridge to strip Earth of its Energon. Soundwave’s inclusion on the variant cover is also notable, as the calculating Decepticon was recently made the de facto leader of Transformers‘ enemy faction. Fans can assume that Shockwave’s plans might not include his new leader Soundwave, which could also lead to lots of meaty drama in future Energon Universe storylines.

Is the Energon Universe Building Up to a Massive Crossover?

The connecting covers will be a nice item for Energon Universe fans to pick up during SDCC, due primarily to the inclusion of Hot Rod, Springer, Shockwave and Soundwave. The Energon Universe made quite the splash last year when it debuted, and the second year looks to be continuing the story in even more exciting ways. With the recently-escaped Megatron running free in the EU now, fans have to wonder if all of this is building to a massive crossover between all Energon Univere titles. Whatever the case, it’s nice to see the Energon Universe era of Transformers continuing strong with brilliant variant covers from artist Ryan Barry.

Source: Skybound