The Comic Source Podcast

The Energon Universe isn't slowing down. At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, The Comic Source went inside the Skybound press room for an extended conversation with Robert Kirkman, Void Rivals artist Conor Hughes and Skybound publisher Sean Mackiewicz about the past, present and future of the interconnected universe.
Kirkman discusses rebuilding ROM for a new continuity, including the research he did into the character's Marvel history and why he worried ROM's damaged appearance could be interpreted the wrong way. Hughes explains why that damage represents sacrifice and "scars of war," while Mackiewicz details how ROM and M.A.S.K. became part of Skybound's larger Energon plans.
The conversations also reveal that Matt Trakker was included in Skybound's original pitch to Hasbro and was once intended to appear in Duke before Clutch ultimately filled that role. Mackiewicz and Kirkman both tease major developments beginning in M.A.S.K. #3, while Kirkman discusses the Energon Universe animated project currently in development and his hope that the comics may eventually reach their own version of the story represented by 1986's The Transformers: The Movie.
And when asked whether there's a limit to how far the Energon Universe can expand, Mackiewicz's answer is simple: "no limits."
 
00:00 – Kirkman Teases the Energon Universe's Transformers: The Movie
00:12 – Sean Mackiewicz on M.A.S.K., ROM & Expanding Energon
02:40 – How ROM & M.A.S.K. Fit Into the Energon Universe
05:20 – Why Skybound's Comics Are Connecting With Readers
07:20 – G.I. Joe, Lara Croft & Expanding Beyond Nostalgia
11:25 – Finding New Creators & Building Skybound's Future
12:15 – Matt Trakker Was Originally Going to Be in Duke 13:25 – M.A.S.K. #3 Has a Surprising Energon Connection
14:35 – Does the Energon Universe Have Any Limits?
15:20 – Robert Kirkman & Conor Hughes Reinvent ROM
19:15 – Kirkman Went to "ROM School"
21:20 – Building ROM & Void Rivals Together
23:40 – M.A.S.K. Was in the Original Energon Universe Pitch
25:45 – Kirkman Takes Over Transformers 27:55 – The Energon Universe Animated Series
29:20 – Could Energon Reach Its Own Transformers: The Movie?

Robert Kirkman is building an expansive new superhero universe with Terminal, and at San Diego Comic-Con Jace from The Comic Source sat down in the press room with Kirkman, Andy Kubert, Arthur Adams and David Finch to talk about what makes the series different. Kirkman discusses the influence of '90s X-Men and the desire to bring that same bold, in-your-face energy back to superhero comics, while creating two opposing factions where readers may not immediately know who the heroes and villains actually are. The conversation explores Kirkman and Joe Casey's long-term plans for a story designed to dramatically evolve by issues #12, #25 and even #50, Arthur Adams returning to interior work, David Finch tackling a different visual world after Skinbreaker, and Andy Kubert balancing the energy of his classic X-Men work with everything he has learned since. Kirkman also explains why Terminal may be his most collaborative individual comic yet, with Kubert, Adams and Finch contributing character designs, influencing one another's work and being given the freedom to change pacing, layouts and even expand moments from the script when they see a better visual solution. Plus, Kirkman addresses comparisons to The Walking Dead, why he wants Terminal to become its own thing rather than "the next" anything, and why making the best comic possible will always come before thinking about potential film, television or animation adaptations.
Follow The Comic Source on all social media with our Linktree - https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource
 
00:00 Robert Kirkman Wants Terminal to Bring Back '90s Comic Energy 01:04 What Is Terminal? The '90s X-Men Inspiration 03:01 Arthur Adams Returns to Interior Comics 04:54 David Finch on Terminal After Skinbreaker 06:12 Who Are the Good Guys in Terminal? 07:56 Kirkman's Long-Term Plans for Issues 25, 50 & Beyond 09:14 Building Terminal With Multiple Artistic Voices 11:26 Kirkman Calls Terminal His Most Collaborative Comic 12:04 Andy Kubert Recreates the Energy of His X-Men Era 14:50 Is Terminal the Next Walking Dead? 16:05 Why Kirkman Isn't Designing Terminal for Hollywood 17:28 Giving Artists Freedom to Change the Script 19:12 Cliffhangers, Surprises & Keeping Readers Coming Back 20:04 Kubert, Adams & Finch on Designing Terminal Characters 21:58 David Finch on Drawing His Favorite Artists' Designs

Garret Dillahunt joins Jace to discuss Lanterns, his mysterious role as William Macon, working with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, and why he believes the series may have found the right tone for Green Lantern. The conversation also dives into Dillahunt's lifelong comic-book fandom, Neal Adams' Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Tom King, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, practical effects, San Diego Comic-Con and the challenge of translating the Green Lantern mythology to live action.
Chapters-
00:00 – Lanterns & Working With Kyle Chandler 02:31 – Sci-Fi, Comics & Why Lanterns Feels Different 07:29 – William Macon & the Mystery at the Heart of Lanterns 11:03 – Terminator, Practical Effects & the Lanterns Production 15:07 – Comic-Con, Comic Fandom & Sneaking Onto the Show Floor 17:43 – Can Lanterns Finally Crack Green Lantern in Live Action?

Che Grayson joins Jace from the floor of San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to discuss the breakout reception to Absolute Catwoman and the creative freedom that came with reinventing Selina Kyle without the restrictions of traditional continuity. Grayson explains the collaborative process with Scott Snyder, how Bengal's artwork helped establish the book's slick and cinematic identity, and why every gadget, trap and globetrotting set piece is connected to Selina's emotional journey. They also discuss Absolute Cassandra Cain, the deeper history connecting the book's characters and the still-unrevealed "original wound" at the center of Selina's story. Che also shares an update on Exquisite Corpses and the upcoming Fox Mask Killer spin-off. Follow The Comic Source: https://linktr.ee/thecomicsource Chapters 00:00 Selina's Original Wound 00:21 Introduction and *Dark Spaces: Good Deeds* 01:10 The Reception to *Absolute Catwoman* 02:36 Reinventing Selina Without Continuity 03:25 Working with Scott Snyder 05:46 Building a Character-Driven Globetrotting Story 06:15 Absolute Catwoman Versus Absolute Batman 06:51 Working with Bengal 07:35 Bringing a Cinematic Style to Comics 08:33 Cassandra Cain and More Surprises 09:01 Selina Kyle's Unrevealed Original Wound 09:38 *Exquisite Corpses* and *Fox Mask Killer* 10:19 Final Thoughts

Jace and Rocky break down all 10 DC releases for the week of August 5, 2026. In Absolute Superman #22, Superman risks being poisoned by Metallo's kryptonite blood because he knows reaching Christopher Smith emotionally is the only way to end the fight. In Batman #12, Verity is living up to the Pennyworth name as mention of her training and her quick thinking impresses Bruce and Damian while five highly trained killers each demonstrate their methods in a series of murders. Could their missions be tied to Gotham's newest threat? In Absolute Green Lantern #17, Jo confronts Mu as the issue adds more fascinating cosmic concepts, but seventeen issues of undefined terminology leave even the central conflict difficult to understand. But the issue does deliver the origin of Absolute Jessica Cruz and a great scene of Tomar-Re being fired like a bullet. In Adventures of Superman: Book of El #11, even though Superman has been reunited with Osul and Otho, the battle is not over. Kal-El is determined to stop Kryl-Ux even while trying to save him from himself and the grief of losing his family that has twisted his soul. In Deadman #3, Deadman travels through Hell to rescue a soul Rama Kushna says does not belong there, only for him to be shocked when Lucifer shows him proof the soul is where it belongs. The devil's got receipts. In Batgirl #22, Cassandra learns that Victoria was both her childhood friend and rival assassin. Both girls were manipulated by David Cain and Dr. Forget-Me-Not, respectively, in an experiment to build the perfect killer. The resolution for this one feels a little abrupt, but the possibility that Victoria may still be alive hints at more to come for this storyline in the future. In JSA #22, Jim Corrigan refuses to reclaim the Spectre, forcing the Spirit of Vengeance to seek a surprising new host from within the JSA. Kid Eternity fulfills her previously unknown mission to find that host, but turns down the chance to recover her memories and move on to the afterlife so she can remain with the team and continue to make a difference. In Supergirl: Survived #3, Kara's love for Kal drives her to attempt the impossible, using a Blue Lantern ring to recreate Krypton for both Kal-El and Hal Jordan. It's an emotionally powerful moment, but the issue takes an unexpected turn when an Elseworlds version of Mister Mxyzptlk arrives, shifting the story away from the hard sci-fi direction it had been building toward. In Gotham Academy: First Year #6, the final issue reveals more about Olive Silverlock, but the predetermined need to position every character for the beginning of Gotham Academy Vol. 1 leaves the story feeling paint-by-numbers. The rushed maneuvering from the end of issue #4 makes the conclusion feel both overstuffed and choppy, while surprisingly little of consequence actually happens. In 100 Bullets: The U.S. of Anger #2, the issue provides so little usable context that neither a new reader nor someone familiar with the original series can clearly explain who the characters are or what is happening. The series does seem to be appropriately named, though, as the anger the issue is steeped in feels all too real. While the story hasn't come together yet, the simmering anger of the U.S. reflected here feels authentic. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.
 
00:00 — DC Week Overview, SDCC Aftermath & Comic Promotion 17:49 — Absolute Superman #22 35:27 — Deadman #3 43:03 — Absolute Green Lantern #17 57:44 — Supergirl: Survived #3 1:04:19 — Batman #12 1:13:51 — Batgirl #22 1:18:18 — Gotham Academy: First Year #6 1:21:19 — Adventures of Superman: Book of El #11 1:29:23 — 100 Bullets: The U.S. of Anger #2 1:37:20 — JSA #22 1:45:42 — Collected Editions, Reprints & Facsimiles 1:53:17 — Rankings & Books of the Week