Three legendary 80s franchises. One shared universe. Unlimited nostalgia!
If you grew up in the 1980s, chances are that Transformers, G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. played a pretty significant role in your childhood.
From transforming robots and elite commandos to sports cars that sprouted wings, these were the toys and cartoons that fired our imaginations.
And now, thanks to the Energon Universe, these iconic franchises are connected in a shared world of action, adventure and comic-book storytelling.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist celebrating that with a new piece of artwork!
Welcome to the Energon Universe
One of the most exciting developments in comics has been Skybound and Image Comics’ Energon Universe, bringing together some of the most recognisable characters and franchises from our childhood.
The Transformers and G.I. Joe have already established themselves within this interconnected world, and with M.A.S.K. joining the universe, the possibilities for crossovers are fantastic.
For someone who grew up surrounded by these toys and cartoons, it’s brilliant seeing these franchises enjoying a new lease of life.
And it gave me the perfect excuse to bring together three of my childhood favourites in one illustration.
Jazz, Snake Eyes and Thunderhawk!
For this artwork, I wanted to feature some of the most memorable characters and vehicles from these legendary franchises.
Jazz – Transformers
I’ve always loved Jazz. His distinctive white Porsche-inspired design, unmistakable personality and effortlessly cool attitude made him one of my favourite original Autobots.
For this illustration, I wanted him dominating the centre of the composition, armed and ready for action.
Snake Eyes & Timber – G.I. Joe
Few characters from the 1980s are quite as iconic as Snake Eyes.
The mysterious black-clad ninja commando was always one of the coolest G.I. Joe characters, particularly when accompanied by his loyal wolf, Timber.
I wanted to capture that classic action-figure aesthetic, with Snake Eyes ready for battle and Timber looking suitably ferocious.
Thunderhawk – M.A.S.K.
And finally, one of the greatest toy vehicles of the 1980s!
Matt Trakker’s red Camaro, Thunderhawk, was already a fantastic-looking sports car. But the fact that it could transform into a flying attack vehicle made it something really special.
Naturally, I had to depict it in flight mode, complete with its iconic gull-wing doors.
For me, Thunderhawk perfectly captures what made M.A.S.K. such a brilliant toy line, fantastic vehicles, imaginative transformations and just the right amount of ridiculous 80s technology!
Creating the Artwork
As with my other illustrations, this piece was digitally hand-drawn in my own distinctive style.
I wanted the composition to feel like a dramatic comic-book cover, bringing together the energy of modern comics with the colourful nostalgia of the original 1980s cartoons and action figures.
Jazz takes centre stage, with Snake Eyes and Timber providing the ground-level action, while Thunderhawk soars overhead.
The vibrant blue and orange background, combined with the geometric lines and splashes of colour, helps give the illustration a sense of movement and energy.
It’s a celebration of three franchises that helped define my childhood, brought together in a universe that continues to introduce these characters to new generations of fans.
The Toys That Defined a Generation
One of the things I love most about creating nostalgic artwork is revisiting the characters and worlds that meant so much to me growing up.
Whether it was transforming an Autobot, staging battles between G.I. Joe and Cobra, or repeatedly opening and closing Thunderhawk’s gull-wing doors, these toys encouraged hours of imaginative play.
And that’s what makes the Energon Universe so appealing.
It’s not simply about bringing back familiar characters. It’s about taking the worlds we remember and finding exciting new ways to tell their stories.
For those of us who grew up with the originals, that’s pretty special.
Available Now – Energon Universe A4 Art Print
My latest Energon Universe: Transformers, G.I. Joe & M.A.S.K. artwork is available as an A4 print, produced on premium 300gsm card.
Whether you’re a lifelong Transformers collector, a G.I. Joe enthusiast, a M.A.S.K. fan or simply someone who loves 80s pop culture, I hope this artwork brings back a few happy childhood memories.
Energon Universe – Transformers, G.I. Joe & M.A.S.K. A4 Art Print
Original artwork by Colin Coughtrey – Artist & Illustrator
AKA Cardboard Colin
Available now at NerdyNostalgia.com
And here’s a question for fellow 80s kids: Transformers, G.I. Joe or M.A.S.K. – which was your favourite growing up?
This is independently created fan artwork and is not an officially licensed product.