The Energon Pub

News Credits: 33 · by **Glyph** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:03 am

The point itself, I thought, was entirely reasonable and is part of the issue I've been having with the series' style. When The Ultimate Doom is more believable than your comic series...

(Perhaps you and cloudballoon could go back and put spoiler tags in your posts/quotes?)

News Credits: 33 · by **Glyph** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:50 am

snavej wrote:Well, I've waited and there's no response. If you're not interested in the comics, why are you here?

Dude, what are you talking about?

Your edit to say I hadn't responded: 16:15
My response to your post: 16:03 (that's 12 minutes earlier, for avoidance of doubt)

That's beside the point that this is a forum, not a real-time chat, and I can be interested in the comics even if I don't particularly like the current run.

News Credits: 33 · by **Glyph** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 12:24 pm

Right, moving on. Having now read up to #12... It's getting better. The second set of 6 were better than the first for me, more concerned with telling an actual story and less LOOKIT US SMASHING THESE TOYS TOGETHER!!

Still not a fan of the tryhard ultraviolence and eyerolling at the sound effects etc in the action scenes - the comic seems to be much more impressed with itself than I am with it, and really likes to pat itself on the back IMO. The art's still doing its thing and could really benefit from better layout & lines of motion in the pencilling stage (can anyone tell me what the heck Optimus' left leg is supposed to be connected to when he kicks Soundwave in #9?? I genuinely thought he'd hit him with a beam at first glance), and I'll never be a fan of the lettering. But the story is getting more focussed and the characters who are getting some actual personality are largely solid, even when they're quite different from the portrayals we're used to (except Shockwave - other characters describe him as "cold and calculating" while the actual guy on-screen is an emotive, cackling B-movie villain; sorry, that just comes off as inconsistent).

For the specifics of #12: there absolutely should have been major effects from Cybertron being transported to Earth - as I said before, that's the entire plot of The Ultimate Doom, and I think the comic is very much expecting us to be familiar with the cartoon so it can't just hope we don't think of that - but I suppose we can assume they're happening while Shockwave is siphoning "all life" from the oceans :roll:

. The big chunk of Cybertron falling into the ocean was right at the end of the issue so hopefully there'll be consequences of that in the next, on both sides. But I agree: without some magic solution, that should be devastating for both planets; probably an extinction-level event for Earth. It somehow won't be, of course.

Damning with faint praise? eh, maybe. Let's see what the next 6 bring.

by **cloudballoon** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:51 pm

snavej wrote:Release date was 11 Sept. 2024 and I'm being relevant to the thread.

It's funny how some people complain of going off-thread while others complain of being on-thread. This is a coercive tactic, an attempt to suppress free speech and keep people 'in line'.

LOL. ??? WTF? LOL.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 1:30 pm

I had been noticing that Shockwave, who is normally portrayed as cold and emotionless, has been acting pretty emotional and irrational in this iteration. I wonder if this little head injury might lead to him becoming the Shockwave we know.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Oct 09, 2024 9:18 am

Really enjoyed this issue.

Starscream's background is really interesting and seeing the Guardian was cool.

Some interesting notes:

- Megatron's gun mode has tank treads. I wonder if he's a triple-changer?

- This is the first time we've seen Bumblebee alive in this comic

- Jetfire calls Starscream 'Starscream' in issue 1, but this issue establishes that he adopted that name after Jetfire left.

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Tue Oct 15, 2024 1:44 pm

Fans were all in on the new Transformers comic. Not only did it sell very well, by consistently being one of the 10 most sold comics every month, but it also won the highest prizes for comic books.
Well after its first year, the comic is now dipping in the sales charts with last month being the first time to not feature in the top 10. And while in previous months it was outselling every DC book, it's no longer the case.

To recap the past 3 months, here has been its positioning:

5th best selling comic in July https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/ ... -july-2024
8th best selling comic in August https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/ ... ugust-2024
11th best selling comic in September https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/ ... ember-2024

11th place is still really good, and it remains the best selling book that isn't DC or Marvel.

Speaking of the Skybound comics, there are new collected edition of them available for preorder on amazon.

Transformers Vol 3 TPB https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Vol ... formers-20

Void Rivals Deluxe Edition 1 https://www.amazon.com/Void-Rivals-Delu ... formers-20

Transformers Deluxe Edition 1 https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Del ... formers-20

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Tue Oct 15, 2024 2:15 pm

By the way, have you all seen the cover for Absolute Batman 2 by Daniel Warren Johnson, I can't wait to own it

News Credits: 650 · by **ScottyP** » Tue Oct 15, 2024 4:41 pm

Why is there a tree hanging off of Batman?

by **cloudballoon** » Wed Oct 16, 2024 8:11 am

Guess the shine's off the new reboot. I wonder the position it'll stablize at. Has the IDW one ever reached the heights in ranking as Skybound?

Still very happy that Skybound TF's coming out with such a bang though!

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Oct 16, 2024 8:56 am

william-james88 wrote:By the way, have you all seen the cover for Absolute Batman 2 by Daniel Warren Johnson, I can't wait to own it

Looks great. I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, but I really loved the first issue.

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Wed Oct 16, 2024 5:24 pm

ScottyP wrote:Why is there a tree hanging off of Batman?

Ha! Thats the odd design of his cape with this new take. And looks like Daniel Warren Johnson is making it look even more organic

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Thu Oct 24, 2024 10:52 am

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:I compiled a list below of the currently-known status of all Transformers in the Energon Universe:

Updated this list through Chapter 13 of Transformers, Chapter 13 of Void Rivals, and the Energon Universe special:

Alive and Active on Earth:

Autobots
Optimus Prime
Cliffjumper
Wheeljack
Jazz
Beachcomber
Arcee

Decepticons
Soundwave
Thundercracker
Laserbeak
Rumble
Devastator (and the Constructions that form him)
Onslaught

Alive and active off-world

Autobots:
Elita-1 (Cybertron)
Springer (The Sacred Ring)
Hot Rod (Traveling through space)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)

Decepticons
Swindle (Cybertron)
Blast Off (Cybertron)

Alive and Inactive

Autobots
Jetfire (Trapped in alt-mode)
Ultra Magnus (Fled from battle)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)

Decepticons
Megatron (Escaped from Cobra-La)
Starscream (Captured by humans)
Skywarp (Merged with Teletraan-1)
Astrotrain (Tied up by Beachcomber)

Offline, presumed alive

Autobots
Prowl
Windcharger
Hound
Ironhide
Trailbreaker

Decepticons
Ravage
Brawl

Dead/presumed dead (Based on what the story has implied/wants us to believe)

Autobots
Bumblebee (Killed by Starscream)
Ratchet (Killed by Shockwave)
Brawn (Killed by Megatron)
Warpath (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Huffer (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Kup (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)

Decepticons
Reflector (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Frenzy (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Shockwave (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Vortex (Shot down by Elita-1)
Genvo (Killed early in the war)

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Thu Oct 24, 2024 1:23 pm

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:
#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:I compiled a list below of the currently-known status of all Transformers in the Energon Universe:

Updated this list through Chapter 13 of Transformers, Chapter 13 of Void Rivals, and the Energon Universe special:

Left off Zerta Trion, who is implied to be alive inside the Sacred Ring

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Mon Oct 28, 2024 1:40 pm

Finally got to catch up on the comic, I really enjoyed the 2nd 6-part run. Poor cliffjumper cannot catch a break no matter what though.

Also, issue 13 was fun too. I actually like how Starscream got his name.

In fact, the series has been so fun, that for only the 3rd time, a comic has convinced me to make a cast setup in toy form

News Credits: 10 · by **JazZeke** » Wed Oct 30, 2024 12:53 am

Okay so I just finished issue 11 of the Skybound Transformers comics. I enjoy each issue in the moment of reading it. But as soon as I close the cover, I don't find myself dwelling on the story or particularly looking forward to the next issue. After my brother picks the comics up from the comic book store, they sit on my table a while before I can be bothered to pick them up.

The action is superb. The characterization is spot on... but there doesn't seem to be enough of it. It feels like the story has been go-go-go with little room to breathe. And it's brutal. It's grim. It's a "war is hell" story. It's not a Transformers universe I'd particularly want to live in.

I get what the writers are going for. It feels mature and grim without crossing the line into edgelord grimdarkness. It's kind of like what I said about Earthspark. I want to like it. But it's just not... pulling me in. At the end of the day, despite the moments of brilliance here and there, it's just... the Saturday morning cartoon but with stakes. And every time a character gets killed off this early on, as "realistic" as it is for there to be deaths, as much as they make the stakes feel more solid, and costly... that's one less character we'll get to know, less potential for stories with them.

And the good and bad kind of cancel each other out and I'm just left feeling apathetic as soon as I close the book.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:22 am

JazZeke wrote:And it's brutal. It's grim. It's a "war is hell" story. It's not a Transformers universe I'd particularly want to live in.

I get what the writers are going for. It feels mature and grim without crossing the line into edgelord grimdarkness.

In regards to this point in particular, I think one of the things that I really like about it is the balance between grim and hopeful. Its a "war is hell" story while also being a "Earth is beautiful and must be protected story"

You have these hellish war moments, while also having little moments where Optimus reflects on the beauty of Earth.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Nov 13, 2024 11:13 am

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:I compiled a list below of the currently-known status of all Transformers in the Energon Universe:

Ch. 14 spoilers below

Big changes in issue 14, so here's an updated list

Alive and Active on Earth:

Autobots
Optimus Prime
Cliffjumper
Wheeljack
Jazz
Beachcomber
Arcee

Decepticons
Soundwave
Thundercracker
Laserbeak
Rumble
Devastator (and the Constructions that form him)

Starscream's Brigade
Starscream
Astrotrain
Onslaught
Brawl
Vortex
Swindle
Blast Off

Alive and active off-world

Autobots:
Elita-1 (Cybertron)
Springer (The Sacred Ring)
Hot Rod (Traveling through space)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)

Decepticons
Swindle (Cybertron)
Blast Off (Cybertron)

Alive and Inactive

Autobots
Jetfire (Trapped in alt-mode)
Ultra Magnus (Fled from battle)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)

Decepticons
Megatron (Escaped from Cobra-La, location unknown)
Skywarp (Merged with Teletraan-1)

Other
Zeta Trion (Implied to be alive inside the Sacred Ring)

Offline, presumed alive

Autobots
Prowl
Windcharger
Hound
Ironhide
Trailbreaker

Decepticons
Ravage

Dead/presumed dead (Based on what the story has implied/wants us to believe)

Autobots
Bumblebee (Killed by Starscream)
Ratchet (Killed by Shockwave)
Brawn (Killed by Megatron)
Warpath (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Huffer (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Kup (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)

Decepticons
Reflector (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Frenzy (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Shockwave (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Genvo (Killed early in the war)

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Thu Dec 12, 2024 12:01 pm

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:I compiled a list below of the currently-known status of all Transformers in the Energon Universe:

The Chapter 15 update:

Big changes in issue 15, so here's an updated list

Alive and Active on Earth:

Autobots
Optimus Prime
Wheeljack
Jazz

Ultra Magnus Search Team
Arcee
Beachcomber

Decepticons
Soundwave
Thundercracker
Rumble
Devastator (and the Constructions that form him)

Starscream's Brigade
Starscream
Astrotrain
Bruticus (and the Combaticons that form him)

Alive and active off-world

Autobots:
Elita-1 (Cybertron)
Cliffjumper (Cybertron)
Blurr (Cybertron)
Bluestreak (Cybertron)
Warpath (Cybertron)
Springer (The Sacred Ring)
Hot Rod (The Sacred Ring)

Alive and Inactive

Autobots
Jetfire (Trapped in alt-mode)
Ultra Magnus (Fled from battle)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)
Laserbeak (Left on a mission for Soundwave)

Decepticons
Megatron (Escaped from Cobra-La, location unknown)
Skywarp (Merged with Teletraan-1)

Other
Zeta Trion (Implied to be alive inside the Sacred Ring)

Offline, presumed alive

Autobots
Prowl
Windcharger
Hound
Ironhide
Trailbreaker

Decepticons
Ravage

Dead/presumed dead (Based on what the story has implied/wants us to believe)

Autobots
Bumblebee (Killed by Starscream)
Ratchet (Killed by Shockwave)
Brawn (Killed by Megatron)
Huffer (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Kup (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)

Decepticons
Reflector (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Frenzy (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Shockwave (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Genvo (Killed early in the war)
Ramjet (Killed by Bluestreak for Energon)

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Jan 08, 2025 10:29 am

Issue 16 spoilers below

This version of Megatron is already so fascinating. While he mutilated Laserbeak for his own benefit, he also expressed (seemingly) genuine gratitude to him and made it clear that it was temporary. Based on this small interaction, he seems to be cold while also showing genuine care for his soldiers. He reminds me a lot of Animated Megatron so far.

Also, I wonder if the new warrior that Cliffjumper creates might be Gridlock.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:31 pm

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:Issue 16 spoilers below

Also, I wonder if the new warrior that Cliffjumper creates might be Grimlock.

Another thought has occurred to me: Given the focus on combiners this arc, and the upcoming toy release, this could be Superion

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:44 pm

#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:
#1 Signal Lancer fan wrote:Issue 16 spoilers below

Also, I wonder if the new warrior that Cliffjumper creates might be Grimlock.

Another thought has occurred to me: Given the focus on combiners this arc, and the upcoming toy release, this could be Superion

That was also my thought as well

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:36 am

Void Rivals #16 spoilers:

Very curious about the mysterious Transformer that Solila and Handroid have stumbled across.

The most obvious answer would be Zerta Trion, but for some reason I don't think that's the case.

by **#1 Signal Lancer fan** » Wed Mar 12, 2025 1:59 pm

Time for another status update on all transformers revealed in this world so far. This is as of Transformers issue #18 and Void Rivals issue #17

Alive and Active on Earth:

Autobots
Optimus Prime
Wheeljack
Jazz
Trailbreaker
Arcee
Beachcomber

Decepticons
Megatron
Laserbeak
Soundwave
Ravage
Rumble
Devastator (and the Constructions that form him)

Starscream's Brigade
Starscream
Astrotrain
Bruticus (and the Combaticons that form him)

Alive and active off-world

Autobots:
Elita-1 (Cybertron)
Cliffjumper (Cybertron)
Blurr (Cybertron)
Bluestreak (Cybertron)
Warpath (Cybertron)
Shredhead (Cybertron)
Springer (The Sacred Ring)
Hot Rod (The Sacred Ring)

Decepticons:
Hotlink (Cybertron)

Alive and Inactive

Autobots
Jetfire (Trapped in alt-mode)
Ultra Magnus (captured by G.I. Joe)
Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)

Decepticons
Skywarp (Merged with Teletraan-1)
Thundercracker (Left to find Skywarp)

Other
Zerta Trion (Inside the Sacred Ring)
Alpha Trion (Location/status unknown)

Offline, presumed alive

Autobots
Prowl
Windcharger
Hound
Ironhide

Dead/presumed dead (Based on what the story has implied/wants us to believe)

Autobots
Bumblebee (Killed by Starscream)
Ratchet (Killed by Shockwave)
Brawn (Killed by Megatron)
Huffer (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)
Kup (Killed storming Shockwave's fortress)

Decepticons
Reflector (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Frenzy (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Shockwave (Killed by Optimus Prime)
Genvo (Killed early in the war)
Ramjet (Killed by Bluestreak for Energon)
Bitstream (Cut in half by Shredhead)
Carnivac (Killed by Shredhead)

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:48 pm

The ending to #18 has me really excited for how the current run will end, looking forward to these final 6 issues of the Warren run!

On top of that, since I love this series enough to get the toys for it, Toyhax got me some stickers, so my Skybound shelf is fully up to speed.