SDCC Coverage sponsored by Mad Cave
The Enagon universe was recharged with San Diego Comics-2025, bringing the loudest cheers, biggest surprises and most heartfelt moments of the weekend.
Daniel Warren Johnson, Robert Kirkman, Joshua Williamson and editor Sean McKierwich gathered to celebrate a candy store that felt like 100 children. Just outside the gate, Johnson receives thunder applause for his work in the Transformers. It was a perfect moment of turning for fans and creators, and Johnson embraced it with humility and humor.
“I came, saw, and I conquered. I had a great time. In every respect, I knew in my mind that other projects would come out.
Moderator Arune Singh (VP, Brand, Skybound) kept Chaos down and kept his favourite memories from working together. Johnson was brightened as he remembered his early editing responses. “I remember Sean. He was the first editor of Transformers, and Hasbro initially didn’t like to kill Optimus deer. Sean asked me for a small change.
The room was already laughing as Mackiewicz jumped in with his personal love for running. “I worshiped what Daniel was doing in the book and was present when the documents came in. I saw Carly and Spike pushing Optimus, his gun. It was the best I’d ever seen. They were the first thing I’d seen.
Williamson nodded with approval, saying, “I just love Daniel and I remember seeing him selling Ashkan from Bootleg Star Wars. I was amazed at how this guy was the future.
Mackievich joked that he had too many emotions. Williamson laughed and added, “I’m sad that I’m not going to see him again.” Mackievich said, “Isn’t he dead?!” Kirkman jumped straight away, “He’s dead to us!!”
That was the atmosphere of the entire panel. There were few moments when attendees laughed or just didn’t enjoy themselves. It was full of excitement and filled with people proclaiming their love for this emerging universe.
Johnson continued to remember his past work. “But I have never been able to draw Grimlock yet,” he said, pulling out the Grimlock committee and holding the paper high. The screen was illuminated by the pictures. The surprises from the attendees were made specifically for him. The fans finally got their dwj Grimlock and the room exploded with cheers.
Kirkman then took the microphone and jumped into the next thing. The G1 bulkhead is displayed on the screen. “For longtime Transformers fans! We had to figure out what the G1 Bulkhead would look like. He revealed the wraparound cover of issue #24, the start of issue #24, revealing the start of Danmora’s run in issue #25, and took a peek at issue #26 and the preview page.
Williamson jumped in and tried to hype the crowd with a “Yojo” chant, but instead someone yelled “Cobra,” which sent the room into another wave of laughter. He went on to explain how the free Comic Book Day was a big moment for the energy universe with the introduction of Hound and Matt Tracker. Mackiewicz added more context. “He has a unique perspective that no one else in the cast does, so you’ll see the released elements appear soon.”
The announcement continues. Gi Joe #12 will feature the first appearance of Shooter, the latest recruit from Night Force. But Williamson is not finished yet. He dropped details for Dreadnok War, two events that began in November 2025. “Look at this,” Williamson said. “The Cobra Commander and Duke work together in the same car, where Destrast decides to kill the Cobra Commander and ensures that Dreadknock comes after him. It’s a very crazy adventure for Max. Duke is the only person who wants to help him.
Another big announcement followed. Tom Riley is currently limited to Skybound Entertainment. “He’s not going anywhere either,” Williamson joked, making a light jab at DWJ.
“He’s an incredible talent and we’re happy to have him,” added McKeevich.
The panel focused on the rivals, and Kirkman looked back at that location in the Energon universe. “In addition to the tapestry of the universe of energy, it was amazing to introduce new characters. It was one of the greatest honors of my life. It was a lot of fun building the Agorian and Zathonian worlds. Now I’m writing both.
He cried out the obvious surprise of the action figures of Drak and Solila. “We didn’t think we had them that fast,” the Hasbro team cried out from the crowd, “You guys are killing them!” Kirkman then announced the Quintesson War and will be coming this December. “It’s going to be wall-to-wall action and a lot of emotions.”
He explained that upcoming events will delve deeper into individual characters. For example, Cobrara security guards are fleshed out with habits and traits that give them more personality and distinction. The lights then dimmed and the new Energon Universe trailer was played.
Before closing, Johnson let out another heartfelt cry. “I’m assuming you’re being updated in the comics. The Devastator gives Bruticus a cutter, but I didn’t explain how to do it, and decided to show that Jorge (Corona) is going on in the skyscraper behind Optimus.
Kirkman closed the panel at the final bullying. “If you like Grimlock, you’ll love my first problem. But he’s not there, but there’s an element you love.”
At the end of the panel, everyone present got an exclusive Energy Universe Ashkan. The Energon Universe panel was about celebrating the promise of what was being built and what came next. With laughter, obviously heartfelt moments, and unimmersed crowd energy, it is clear that the universe of energy is bigger, bolder, and more enjoyable. At SDCC’25, we see Skybound preparing fans to lose their hearts.
Keep an eye out for more coverage from SDCC ’25.
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