Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, announced today that they will publish Energon Universe Special 2024 #1, featuring the same story content as the Free Comic Book Day 2024 special with all-new can’t miss covers for collectors. This issue will be available from Skybound, Image and Hasbro the week following FCBD on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Skybound also debuted a first look at all-new pages from the FCBD special, which promises shocking turns from the juggernaut Energon Universe series and can’t miss first appearances from the worlds of Void Rivals, TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE. This comic serves as a perfect jumping on point for new readers and a can’t miss for long time fans. Discover three all new stories from the Energon Universe, with stunning revelations for the worlds of TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE AND Void Rivals from the biggest names in comics. Energon Universe talent Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride) pen the stories, and Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), Ryan Ottley (Invincible) and Jason Howard (Super Dinosaur) will provide art. In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer, Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 will feature a slate of variant covers by friends of Skybound and top comics talent Lorenzo De Felici, Tom Reilly (Duke), Stephen Green (Impact Winter), and Khary Randolph (Excellence). The Energon Universe officially began last summer with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1 from Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), and Mateus Lopes (Step by Bloody Step), introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE comics finding a new home with the publisher. Then TRANSFORMERS from writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon) kicked off a brand-new era for the iconic franchise. The Energon Universe recently expanded further with the launch of Duke, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33) and Cobra Commander from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song). 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. Energon Universe Special #1 (Lunar Codes listed below $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. 

The full list of covers available include:

Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 Cover B by Lorenzo De Felici (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 Cover C (1:10 Incentive) by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 Cover D (1:25 Incentive) by Stephen Green (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

Energon Universe Special 2024 #1 Cover E (1:50 Incentive) by Khary Randolph (Lunar Code Coming Soon)

“Kaos,” the Greek mythology comedy series that premiered in late August, has been canceled at Netflix, Variety is reporting. The show premiered on August 29 and starred Jeff Goldblum as the all-mighty Zeus, albeit in a more whimsical and insecure portrayal. In a modern-day setting, Zeus has chained up Prometheus after interfering with his godly rule over humanity. Prometheus then attempts to overthrow Zeus with the help of three humans, Eurydice, Ariadne and Caeneus. Charlie Covell (“The End of the F***ing World”) wrote the entire eight-episode series. The show did spend four weeks in the Netflix top 10 charts upon its release, but failed to garner a significant audience in that time. It peaked at number three on the English language TV chart in its second week of availability.

A story that lauded director John Boorman created for his children is being worked up as an animated feature. The Honey Wars was a tale that veteran helmer Boorman told his kids and now Dublin-based animation house Kavaleer Productions is developing it as a 90-minute-long film. Boorman has opened the Rolodex and helped reach out to some starry voice talent. The producers are in talks with Jamie Lee Curtis, Vanessa Kirby, Patrick Stewart, Brendan Gleeson, Richard E. Grant and Jon Voight. Billed as a dark comedic fantasy, the story follows Hope, a young girl with a secret ability to see the invisible threads that connect the magical world to our own. Recently uprooted by the loss of her mother, she stumbles upon a bitter conflict rooted in two warring tribes: the Fairies and the Elves. She encounters Alfred, a mischievous and exiled Elf, and Fiona, an outcast fairy. The unlikely comrades uncover long-buried truths and begin laying the groundwork for an unthinkable reconciliation in the war-ravaged universe. Five-time Oscar-nominated Boorman’s credits include Point Blank, Deliverance, Excalibur and Hope and Glory. (via Deadline)

After delivering two critical and commercial disappointments with Morbius and Madame Web, Sony Pictures desperately needs a win. It's hardly a surprise then that the studio is pulling out all the stops for Venom: The Last Dance. The studio has partnered with a long list of brands and celebrities to promote the threequel and Venom has now paid a visit to Hot Ones. Forced to eat a series of increasingly fiery hot wings, it doesn't take long for Eddie Brock to lose it. With any luck, there are plans for Tom Hardy to be a guest on the actual Hot Ones show because that would be a ton of fun. Venom: The Last Dance will be released in theaters on October 25. (via ComicBookMovie)

Hot Ones promo: https://twitter.com/i/status/1843426081409511574

Comic book creator Rob Liefeld is plotting a return to the property that helped launch his post-Marvel career more than 30 years ago. Liefeld will return to write and illustrate a Youngblood title for Image Comics, which will publish the book next year. It marks his first work on the property in seven years, and he is working with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who oversees the property for rights holder, Rip Media Inc. “It’s so great that I can run into the comfort of characters that I created, that launched a movement. They carry such history. I love Youngblood so much. These characters are my absolute passion,” said Liefeld. In addition to the new series, Image will publish Youngblood Vault Edition, featuring high-res scans of the original art from the first Youngblood series, collected in a deluxe oversized hardcover. There will also be a facsimile edition of Youngblood #1 timed to its 33rd anniversary in April 2025. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Breakout WandaVision character Agatha Harkness is currently casting a spell in Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along, now streaming on Disney+. To celebrate the series, an upcoming issue of Scarlet Witch’s current solo series will have a special Marvel Studios Variant Cover utilizing concept art of Kathryn Hahn’s beloved portrayal of this iconic Marvel Comics character. The new Marvel Studios Variant Cover will be featured on November’s SCARLET WITCH #6. Written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Lorenzo Tammetta, this highly-anticipated issue sees Wanda take on a mysterious new pupil at Agatha's request. It’s the debut of Amaranth! But where did the young sorceress come from? And what could have spooked Agatha into giving up the chance to mentor her? Check out the Marvel Studios Variant Cover and preorder SCARLET WITCH #6 at your local comic shop today!

In addition to new takes on the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), James Gunn's upcoming Superman reboot will introduce our latest live-action interpretation of the iconic hero's nemesis, Lex Luthor. Nicholas Hoult landed the role after initially testing to play Superman himself. Gunn has shared some of the comic book incarnations of the villain that influenced him while writing this new take on the character. "God, there are so many," the director responded to a fan on Threads. "Lex is one of my favorites -- he works on so many levels -- and it’s been a joy bringing him to the screen with the incredible Nicholas Hoult. Some of the influences were, of course, All-Star Superman, [Brian] Azzarello’s Luthor [in the 2005 miniseries Lex Luthor: Man of Steel], and the reckless scientific genius from the 1950’s and ‘60’s." Superman is slated to open in theaters July 11, 2025. (via ComicBookMovie)

David A.R.White (God’s Not Dead), Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Jason Patric (Speed 2), Katrina Bowman(30 Rock), and Scott Baio (Happy Days) are leading cast in action-thriller A Life of Fire, which is now filming in Los Angeles and Miami. Also starring are Eve Richards (Where’s Dad), Vincent DePaul (Tesla), G-Rod (Bad Boys 4), and Samantha Lockwood (Hawaii Five-0). The synopsis for the action-thriller reads: “After working as a secret agent in the FBI for ten years, Jack Conry aka “Cash” left it all behind after his wife passed in order to dedicate himself to his two daughters. Despite a fulfilling life at home, Cash misses the chance to make an impact and has been considering a return to the force. The decision is made for him when his old partner’s niece Jamie calls him for help, launching Cash right back into a world of danger, corruption and intrigue.” (via Deadline)

Coming out of the Los Angeles Comic Con this weekend, actor Ewan McGregor told fans that they are exploring ideas for an Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2. He went on to say it’s his hope that he gets to wear the Clone Wars armor and do more flashbacks with Annikin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen. McGregor was on a panel that included Christensen and three actors from The Mandalorian, Ming-Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito and Emily Swallow. The first season of Obi-Wan Kenobi focused on a time between the end of Revenge of the Sith and the start of A New Hope which had the Jedi living on Tatooine protecting Luke when he is pulled away by Bail Organa to rescue Leia. 

Last year, at the New York Comic Con, director Matthew Vaughn claimed to have quit X-Men 3 after he learned that Storm actress Halle Berry had been sent a fake script to entice her to join the film. The phony script was produced to appeal to her specifically as it would extend her characters story arc. Vaughn said at the time: “I thought, if you’re going to do that to an Oscar-winning actress who plays Storm, I quit; I thought, I’m mincemeat… One of the main reasons I quit X-Men 3, and this is a true story: Hollywood is really political and odd.” Recently Berry responded to Vaughn comments, saying: “Ya just never know the shady s— going on behind ya back! Thank you Matthew Vaughn for bringing the dark to light.” 

Joel Kinnaman wants fans to know that he would never appear on HBO’s Peacemaker series. The actor played the role of Rick Flag Jr. in both iterations of the Suicide Squad films with his character dying in the most recent that was directed by James Gunn. It’s also the film that John Cena was introduced as Peacemaker and he is the one that killed Flag. Moving forward Gunn has cast Frank Grillo to play Rick Flag Sr and he will appear in the animated Creature Commandos, the live-action Superman and season 2 of Peacemaker. Earlier this year, the director of the second season, Peter Sollett, tagged Kinnaman in a show wrap post (later deleted), which made some believe that Rick Flag Jr. would show up somehow. Screen Rant asked Kinnaman about returning to the DC Universe: “I don’t know what to say. That’s ridiculous. I would never. I would never be on a show like that. It’s not what I do. It’s not what I do.” It almost sounds like he’s insulting the series. Could this be a cover to keep his appearance a secret or is there something more to it?