The Energon Pub

Heads up, this thread will be very spoilerific for those who have yet to read the issue. Consider yourself forewarned.

I'm only going to discuss what happened in issues 5 and earlier, anything I think may happen I will post in the spoilers and thoughts thread.

First up the glaring error of having Thundercracker coloured violent purple, it was a silly mistake.

So Jimmy and Verity are "alive" again. Being dead for over 5 minutes cannot be good for them, wonder what path Furman will take them down.

Megatron is now all too aware of Astrotrain's betrayal, and Starscream managed to "turn off" Sixshot with a fairly simple code.
There is some doubt (in my mind) as to what Sixshot was doing, I thought he had turned to attack Starscream, meaning he had joined the Reapers, but others have him still with the Decepticons.

Wheeljack was defeated by having a large quantity of damaged cars pushed over him, the Earth Alt modes the Transformers adopted have not been good to them. Hot Rod now faces the Headmasters alone.

And the biggy, Prime is pulling out and leaving Earth. We do not know who he is going to help, but since he didnt leave Earth after Thunderwing was stolen, this must be either a very big problem, or he is chickening out.
Taking a highly damaged and down on numbers crew to a new locale seems rather pointless on primes behalf, especially when he has Hounds Unit inbound to Earth.
Seeming to be fine with leaving behind Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and possibly Wheeljack shows that this IDW verse Prime is very different to other incarnations of Prime.

To counter the Autobots leaving Earth Grimlock is shown to be the most "battle ready" Eureka find, in a pure metallic body, with lots of teeth.

Su's artwork was nice to see again, but it felt a little lacking in terms of quality, but everyone's work suffers a little after a holiday (and having a baby at home cannot help either).

Bring on Devastation #6!

Im hoping that Ratchet can the Transformers advanced tech to make sure Jimmy and Verity are not vegatables. With Wheeljack and Ironhide down could they be candidates to be headmasters?

Astrotrain may get off Megatron's hook because he could say he released Starscream because he felt they could any help on hand. That is probably why Astrotrain did the "He's taking them on singlehandly" line to Megatron. Megatron knows what the deal is but he has to prioritize and deal with the immediate threat. Im sure he knows that Starscream hasnt stopped his treachery.

I assumed that Megatron's off switch for Sixshot would be something vocal but it would probably be Megatron's closest guarded secret. I doubt he would have put it some database or file that could be hacked so how did Starscream get it?

I think Sixshot turned against the Decepticons. Why else would he say that Starscream made his decision easier for him after pausing in battle? Why else would he turn to attack Starscream?

What Prime did was stunning. Just stunning. A cold pragmatic decision.

Human race? Eff them
Ore 13? Forget it
Sunstreaker, Ironhide, Hot Rod and Wheeljack? Too bad.

When Galvatron spacejacked Thunderwing from Cybertron I raised the question whether Ore-13 was such an important matter that Prime would seemingly ignore a threat that almost destroyed Cybertron and took the 2 factions coming together to deactivate him.

Now you have to ask the question of what is so important that the Reapers, Sixshot's presence on Earth, Ore-13 and fellow Autobots down and unaccounted for along with the possible extinction of the human race takes a back seat?

Going back and reading Prime's reasoning I think it is safe to assume that someone has broken out Monstructor or his 6 Monster parts.

Even though Omega Supreme said that if Gestalt technology got to the Decepticons it would be armegeddon for the Autobot I just cant see even a maurading Monstructor being more dangerous than the recent events happening on Earth.

Also, who broke out Monstructor? Dead Universe?

MYoung23 wrote:Going back and reading Prime's reasoning I think it is safe to assume that someone has broken out Monstructor or his 6 Monster parts.

Even though Omega Supreme said that if Gestalt technology got to the Decepticons it would be armegeddon for the Autobot I just cant see even a maurading Monstructor being more dangerous than the recent events happening on Earth.

Also, who broke out Monstructor? Dead Universe?

A counter theory to Monstructor is Arcee, but I doubt her alone would be reason enough for Prime to get up and leave. Monstructor escaping also seems a bit odd, since it was not at all long ago that Jetfire and the Technobots took them to study.

Maybe Monstructor resurfacing got the attention of Jhaxius and the Dead Universe. After the Ark-1 went missing Omega Supreme was the one who imprisoned Monstructor and the connotation that I got from the Prime Spotlight was that Omega Supreme was the only one left from that era that knew about Jhaxius' experiments, Monstructor or Gestalt technology. Prime had no clue. Monstructor was essentially off the grid from everyone including the Dead Universe until he broke out of his prison.

Prime is the leader of the Autobots and Omega Supreme didnt even feel it necessary to let him know that "yeah, we have a ultra dangerous, super robot monster locked up" From the Ultra Magnus Spotlight we are told that the Transformers do have some sort of due process and the Decepticons even have some sort of legal system so it appeared to me that Omega Supreme did something outside of Cybertron law at the time.

I guess the equivalent would be whomever is the next President of the US not being about the aliens locked up at Area 51.

My assumption was that the facility that Prime was refering to was a special detention centre or something like that, where important and dangerous prisoners were kept. So if that facility has been breached there might be the risk of extremly deadly prisoners getting out, which by all counts means Monstructor. It does seem cold for Prime to up and live like he did where in most other universes he would probably be torn between the two, but I think this representation of him is trying to show him off as a leader of a galaxy spanding effort which means he has many other priorities to deal with other then Earth. I also got the impression the only reason he left Earth was because he and his crew were the only reinforcements close enough to reach the facility in time, so it appears that he would like to stay on Earth but at the moment this situation takes priority.

I think we'll get the full story about this situation once Spotlight: Arcee hits the shelved. Either way I am ver eager to see how the Devastation arc is going to end and where this story is going to go in the future.

Wodicus wrote:My assumption was that the facility that Prime was refering to was a special detention centre or something like that, where important and dangerous prisoners were kept. So if that facility has been breached there might be the risk of extremly deadly prisoners getting out, which by all counts means Monstructor. It does seem cold for Prime to up and live like he did where in most other universes he would probably be torn between the two, but I think this representation of him is trying to show him off as a leader of a galaxy spanding effort which means he has many other priorities to deal with other then Earth. I also got the impression the only reason he left Earth was because he and his crew were the only reinforcements close enough to reach the facility in time, so it appears that he would like to stay on Earth but at the moment this situation takes priority.

I think we'll get the full story about this situation once Spotlight: Arcee hits the shelved. Either way I am ver eager to see how the Devastation arc is going to end and where this story is going to go in the future.

Hell the facility could hold all of Jhiaxus's experiments...

I'll admit that I didn't really enjoy this issue. For me there was too much stuff that I don't know about (Reapers, Sixshot, headmasters), and not enough of what I do know about (Pre '86 movie bots). Although the reveal that Grimlock is going to enter the fray shortly was good.

MYoung23 wrote:Im hoping that Ratchet can the Transformers advanced tech to make sure Jimmy and Verity are not vegatables. With Wheeljack and Ironhide down could they be candidates to be headmasters?

I hope not. I'm not a big fan of the fact that Sunstreaker is likely to become one, so I don't really want 2 more characters I like being altered. I'd be fine with Nightbeat, Hardhead or any of Hound's G2 team members becoming them because I don't know enough about them to care about them.

I would assume the Jhiaxus experiments imprisonment center place is where Prime is rushing off to. Or as was mentioned, he has been given word on where Thunderwing has been jacked to.

Or it could be something that we know nothing about!

There was a lot happening, but I think it just made more interest in the series. I am pretty happy with what is going on, and am amped up to read more spotlights, and more 'series' books. This is a bit of the 'more mature' series that many of us have wanted. Probably not yet mature enough for some, but getting there.

Prime's choice reminded me a lot of his earlier tactic with how he stopped the car, ending up killing the driver (who ended up being a facsimile anyway).

I believe he has weighed all of the odds, and is still living up to his "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." motto, but sees the threat that he and his crew are now leaving for as a much larger, more universe endangering threat as was mentioned--Prime has much more to consider than just Earth in this timeline version--. Thus, Earth, and its problems need to wait.

One wonders why Prime and the bots have never had to tangle with the Reapers before? If they are attacking planets and wiping them out, one would assume that is as big a threat as the Decepticon army...so some attention should be paid to it--unless they did not know, or he is only working from the point of trying to stop his races evil, but not all evil--.

Hmmm...

tigertracks 24 wrote:One wonders why Prime and the bots have never had to tangle with the Reapers before? If they are attacking planets and wiping them out, one would assume that is as big a threat as the Decepticon army...so some attention should be paid to it--unless they did not know, or he is only working from the point of trying to stop his races evil, but not all evil--.

Hmmm...

I believe that in Spotlight: Sixshot, the Reapers were considered a "legend" or "myth". Many an Autobot and Decepticon have probably seen the Reapers, but since the Reapers wipe out entire planets life and resources, none would have survived to tell about them, and any recon teams sent would have to assume that it was the Bots/Cons themselves that ruined the planet.

Prime didnt kill the driver of the truck that smashed into his leg. The guy was bloodied but alive when Prime left. The driver wasnt mentioned again in the issue or the issue afterward.

I'll post a bit of what I put in the IDW thread:

Leonardo wrote:With Prime leaving Earth, do we think he'll order all Autobots to rendezvous with the Ark-32 / Earth Autobots? Reason I ask is he's already ordered Hound's unit to Earth, and given how quickly Prime himself got from Cybertron to Earth (the start of Stormbringer was mid-way through Infiltration, when Ironhide sent the pulsewave, and Prime had arrived on Earth by Infiltration #6), Hound and co. should be on Earth fairly soon. Will Prime order Hound's unit to head to Garrus-9 also?

I liked this issue. Things are finally moving again after what I felt was a bit of a stalling last issue. Lots of characters in play and all the various threads coming together, possibly even a new one in the form of Garrus-9.

I too am wondering what'll happen to Jimmy and Verity. Will they become Headmasters / Targetmasters / Powermasters / vegetables?

I don't imagine Megatron will punish Astrotrain as severely as Starscream was punished in Infiltration. I think Megatron knows Starscream will be useful, if only for the immediate battle.

I'm thinking that he's leaving to make sure monstructor doesn't get out. But also from fear of whom it may be that broke him out. If he knows this was one of Jhiaxus' experiments and that it was hidden for so long, as well as being aware of Nova Primes continued existance, that would probably explain why he's running off. What would he do if Nova Prime had Monstructor. As of now we know Monstructor hates OMega, we have no understanding of what they feel towards their re-creator.

As for Earth, why does everyone think he's abandoning it. Right know he's soon to find out the decepticons are otherwise occupied. And he has Hound's team coming, which would be a full team. that's only two or three people less than he has here now, so i'd hardly call that abandoning. I think he's diverting his main force to deal with a potentially catastrophic problem now, and planning to return when it gets taken care of (which it most likely won't but comics are fun for that) He said, "earth would have to fend for itself for now." But that could be untill Hound shows up or when he gets back.

I love that this Prime makes military decisions rather than entirely emontionally based ones. He feels more like a resistance leader than a super-hero.

I think the fact that Megatron and Sixshot are on Earth means something big. There's no point to leaving a team like Hounds on Earth to face him, when they cannot do a thing to prevent Megatron doing whatever he wants. Prime can barely stand up to Megatron, what chance does Hound and his team have?

Though I concur, I too like this more war leader style Prime.

i_amtrunks wrote:Though I concur, I too like this more war leader style Prime.

Count me in on this as well! I like it a lot! Prime NEEDS to be this way to combat another war-leader...fight fire with fire!

Ok, I FINALLY found the one and only comic book store in my new city and I picked up this and Blaster today.

You know, I was hoping Verity and Jimmy would stay dead. Their deaths had a dramatic impact on me, since it came out of nowhere, and if they just come back all peachy keen it cheapens the effect. But that remains to be seen.

I believe you guys are right about Prime's reason for the withdrawal. I'm also wondering how Galvy's gonna play into this, as well as the ten thousand other plots and characters that remain to be seen. I can't believe how much is being juggled here.

Good issue, even if the art seemed a little less than what I expect from Su (like I'm one to talk). Can't wait til 6.

i_amtrunks wrote:I think the fact that Megatron and Sixshot are on Earth means something big. There's no point to leaving a team like Hounds on Earth to face him, when they cannot do a thing to prevent Megatron doing whatever he wants. Prime can barely stand up to Megatron, what chance does Hound and his team have?

Though I concur, I too like this more war leader style Prime.

Don't really think they'd be there to directly stop Megatron, but rather to tie up loose ends like Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and the uncontactable Hotrod and Wheeljack, as well as stall for time until Optimus or another suitably powerful team, such as the wreckers, can arrive. While i do think that this Prime would give up on earth in a situation like this (the giant Decepticon vs. Reaper war can't be a very inviting situation for a resource strapped army), i don't think he'd leave a planet full of ore-13 even if it does have some important weaknesses.

Calvatron wrote:Don't really think they'd be there to directly stop Megatron, but rather to tie up loose ends like Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and the uncontactable Hotrod and Wheeljack, as well as stall for time until Optimus or another suitably powerful team, such as the wreckers, can arrive.

I think you're right about that. I'd love to see Sideswipe attempt to take on Megatron, though.

By the by, I read your post about how colourists can affect pencillers work over in IDW's Blaster thread. It made me try to look at my comics in a different way and envision other colourists tackling the same pencils. Your post gave me interesting food for thought.

Leonardo wrote:

Calvatron wrote:Don't really think they'd be there to directly stop Megatron, but rather to tie up loose ends like Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and the uncontactable Hotrod and Wheeljack, as well as stall for time until Optimus or another suitably powerful team, such as the wreckers, can arrive.

I think you're right about that. I'd love to see Sideswipe attempt to take on Megatron, though.

By the by, I read your post about how colourists can affect pencillers work over in IDW's Blaster thread. It made me try to look at my comics in a different way and envision other colourists tackling the same pencils. Your post gave me interesting food for thought.

Glad i could be helpful. I really don't know much about art or the comic book industry. But seeing so many TF artists doing many different projects and so many of the same characters drawn by different artists at IDW has led me to pay a great deal more attention to each persons contribution to the comics. How i love that company.