The Energon Pub

[ScottyP]

Just finished up that first batch of episodes. Seemed like a fine kid's show.

Good stuff: A few of the action scenes were very well executed. Megatron and Twitch are the best characters and feel like the most developed ones so far. Soundwave's design, dang, that is cool, like Cybertron Soundwave got an Earth mode. Humor was mostly solid when it was present and it was almost always used in fitting places. Any scene with Fluffy Ears was a winner. G1 references were restrained pretty dagum well after the initial two-parter which had me fearing for a continuity trainwreck that did not occur. OP as a hesitant collaborator with a sketchy-feeling human org is something that I hope goes places. Speaking of Optimus, thank Primus they let him be cool dad Optimus again in this series.

Meh stuff: The design and animation of the human characters. I don't know if there's a name for that generic knockoff Disney style of CGI, but if there isn't, I nominate "Bland AF" as its new moniker. The other Terran ladybot near the end (Hashtag? I think they said her name twice.) had a grating accent, but hopefully it's just a dialect thing I'm not used to because if that was faked, it belongs in the next category.

Bad stuff: Mandroid. He's the wish.com version of Giga and Mega. No amount of bolted on robot parts will make me take him as a serious threat and I hope they ditch him for the eventual real villains of the series sooner rather than later. Served his purpose here, but overall, if he's anything more than the mid-season mini-boss then I'd find that to be a mistake, especially with a quality Decepticon villain stable present. Not to mention, GHOST is ripe for some betrayal. They're gonna kill off someone near the end of the season, I'm betting Thrash (sorry, Thrash.)

Wheeljack also kind of sucked but I don't know why. He just did.

[william-james88]

I agree about Wheeljack, felt the same.

[Burn]

Bad stuff: Mandroid. He's the wish.com version of Giga and Mega. No amount of bolted on robot parts will make me take him as a serious threat

If it wasn't for his Arachnamechs, he wouldn't be a threat at all. And the only reason they're remotely a threat is their numbers (I mean honestly, they can be taken down with a stick)

Wheeljack also kind of sucked but I don't know why. He just did.

Was not a fan of the voice.

[ScottyP]

Wheeljack also kind of sucked but I don't know why. He just did.

Was not a fan of the voice.

Right? He kinda sounded like the Cybertronian equivalent of the neckbeard/"le nice guy" stereotype.

[bluecatcinema]

Just finished watching the first ten episodes, and I have to say, I'm quite enjoying the series so far. There have been a couple of slow episodes, but there's also been plenty of action and endearing characters. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more. Especially concerning what the three new Terrans will add to the formula...

[Emerje]

Just finished the first batch of episodes. I really enjoyed most of the episodes, the whole family theme felt a lot more natural than in other series, probably because Transformers are already well known to exist and the parents were instantly welcoming. Animation is absolutely the best CG we've ever had in a Transformers series, the movements were smooth and nuanced and always fun to watch, not stuff and lifeless like in previous series. Watch the teacher move during the school episode, it's kinda ridiculous how well he's animated for a TV episode character that only shows up in one of the first 10 episodes. And the fight scenes were fast paced like we've never seen before, there's something very entertaining about watching Elita and Arcee destroy other bots and spiders. There were a few strange moments where the animation would slow down for no obvious reason and the intentional slowdown before commercial breaks which were a little jarring.

Lots of interesting things happening in the story, but the least of which is Mandroid. The guy is basically a poor man's Dr. Archeville. Weak motives, weak methods, and somehow nobody noticed Howl's Moving Castle get up and change locations. Also don't think a great job was done of explaining why Bumblebee was in hiding, but no other Autobots were. And if Optimus Prime and Megatron can't stop stop GHOST from going after the Terrans then just what is the point of their alliance? Also there's all these moral lessons about telling the truth, but the one with the most secrets is Optimus, that's not exactly great for kids.

Finally, I'm not sure how I feel about the gender swapping in this series. Originally I was fine with it, we've seen it before, especially in Cyberverse. But then they basically established this as a sort of possible future of the original G1 cartoon and suddenly the Seekers and Rumble didn't make sense. It'd be nice if they established these as new characters that took the names after the originals either died or were put into stasis or whatever. Oh, and if Nightshade doesn't turn into a bat I'm going to be very disappointed.

Emerje

[Sabrblade]

Interview With Alan Tudyk On His Role As Optimus Prime

What goes through your head when you learn that you’re going to be part of such a well-known franchise?

I got an email asking if I wanted to do it. I read it and my brain rejected the idea that I would even be asked to play Optimus Prime. I read it as Prime. I saw Prime and I was like, “Oh, right. There are other Primes.” Because I did [2011 live action film] Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, and there was another Prime [Sentinel]. There was Optimus and then this other guy showed up.

It was like one of the original Primes and so I thought I was like Optometrist Prime or some other, you know, Amazon Prime. I was like, “Cool. I’ll be talking about Transformers. I’ll probably have like two lines an episode and I get to do this cool thing.” It wasn’t until just a few days before I ever had to record that I started working on it and saw that all the lines in the script that were highlighted were Optimus, and I freaked out.

Why?

Like, there’s no way! [Laughs] What are you talking about? I’m more like Uncomfortable Prime, I shouldn’t be… That’s usually my characters that I play: Indecision Prime, left or right? We really had a blast, I came in and worked on it, and we had a really good time. The first time I got to say “Autobots, roll out,” I got chills, literally chills. And then they turned up the heat. And then we continued the session.

What’s been your main take-away for your character?

I would say it’s just so much fun. I love this new iteration; there’s areas of grey here because it’s now after the war, and Megatron and Optimus Prime are working together, but it’s not clean-cut. Some of the Decepticons are still fighting this war, so they’ll capture them and it’s like, “Are they your enemies? Are they your friends? You’re all part of the same species. So what is it?” There’s a question there. It’s about looking after ourselves as a species, which is a good message at any time in history, but working together for the common good.

I also took away how cool the animation has become. From when you first watched it to now, this big animation is so cool, it looks really, really good. It’s very entertaining, there’s a lot to it. There’s a story family, a lot of that part of the story, but then there’s also some really great action.


You can read the rest of the interview on SFX Magazine – February 2023.

[bluecatcinema]

Alan has been doing a great job as Optimus. It's nice to see his point of view on things.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Thanks to a heads up from Seibertronian Sabrblade, we have news that the latest SFX Magazine, the February 2023 edition, has an exclusive interview with Alan Tudyk, the voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformers Earthspark. This is Tudyk's first time voicing Optimus Prime, and his awe at being able to voice the legendary Autobot Leader is on full display. This is not his first Transformers experience though, as he played the character of Dutch in Dark of the Moon previously, which he references in his interview. You can read the snipped of interview below, and pick up the Magazine for the full interview!

What goes through your head when you learn that you’re going to be part of such a well-known franchise?

I got an email asking if I wanted to do it. I read it and my brain rejected the idea that I would even be asked to play Optimus Prime. I read it as Prime. I saw Prime and I was like, “Oh, right. There are other Primes.” Because I did [2011 live action film] Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, and there was another Prime [Sentinel]. There was Optimus and then this other guy showed up.

It was like one of the original Primes and so I thought I was like Optometrist Prime or some other, you know, Amazon Prime. I was like, “Cool. I’ll be talking about Transformers. I’ll probably have like two lines an episode and I get to do this cool thing.” It wasn’t until just a few days before I ever had to record that I started working on it and saw that all the lines in the script that were highlighted were Optimus, and I freaked out.

Why?

Like, there’s no way! [Laughs] What are you talking about? I’m more like Uncomfortable Prime, I shouldn’t be… That’s usually my characters that I play: Indecision Prime, left or right? We really had a blast, I came in and worked on it, and we had a really good time. The first time I got to say “Autobots, roll out,” I got chills, literally chills. And then they turned up the heat. And then we continued the session.

What’s been your main take-away for your character?

I would say it’s just so much fun. I love this new iteration; there’s areas of grey here because it’s now after the war, and Megatron and Optimus Prime are working together, but it’s not clean-cut. Some of the Decepticons are still fighting this war, so they’ll capture them and it’s like, “Are they your enemies? Are they your friends? You’re all part of the same species. So what is it?” There’s a question there. It’s about looking after ourselves as a species, which is a good message at any time in history, but working together for the common good.

I also took away how cool the animation has become. From when you first watched it to now, this big animation is so cool, it looks really, really good. It’s very entertaining, there’s a lot to it. There’s a story family, a lot of that part of the story, but then there’s also some really great action.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I really do like his version of Optimus Prime. and I am glad he got to do more Transformers. He is more than welcome as Optimus in this show.

[84everfan]

Loved hearing him in the show I just wish he was Optimus in something that wasn't so terrible.

[DeathReviews]

I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that this guy was also the voice of King Candy in Wreck-it Ralph, and Weaselton in Zootopia. You hear the ghost of both in his Optimus, sometimes...

[Sabrblade]

I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that this guy was also the voice of King Candy in Wreck-it Ralph, and Weaselton in Zootopia. You hear the ghost of both in his Optimus, sometimes...

Well, G1 Megatron is also the current Scooby-Doo and Curious George. Some people have quite the vocal range.

[Flashwave]

For me, his Optimus lacked the Commanding Confidence of most Primes, that stoic centeredness you were immediately drawn to that you could feel being immediately grounding He might be more in line with the RID01 Prime and I don't remember it, but this didn't feel like the same kind of G1 Prime we have come to expect. Megatron was more that in this show than Prime was. But he mattered where it counted. He had the vision, and I really like this world that Earthspark is building. I look forward to more of it

[Sabrblade]

Season 1 Part 2 trailer:



Sadly, it's region-locked, but a region-free version can be found at the beginning of this video:



And this Den of Geek article reveals three new voice actors:

Keith David is Grimlock
Alfie Allen is Tarantulas
Roger Craig Smith is Breakdown

[RodimusPrimeUkraine1]

Bumblebee's design has been fixed! Rejoice! (Please note that I will not see your replies because I have not yet found a pirate version of all Earth spark Season 1 and don't want spoilers until 2024.)

Screenshot 2023-02-02 11.33.52 AM (1).png

[bluecatcinema]

Breakdown, Shockwave, Grimlock, and Tarantulas? This is gonna be all sorts of awesome.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

With that Bumblebee design, Megatron having his full con badge, and the Allspark in play, i think this set of episodes will feature some flashbacks and maybe feature Megatron's turn.

This show is gonna make me give a damn about a 2nd Stunticon, isn't it?

Keith David Grimlock is so frikkin cool. Tales from the Hood 2 Satan as Grimlock is such a real win.

Also love that the movie-verse Allspark design finally returns. That was always my favorite Allspark.

Also super happy to see that Tarantulas has just adopted the Transmetal design in full furry mode as his baseline design now. Thank you Nick Roche for making that happen!

[Bounti76]

If you've been waiting for the second installment of the first Season of Transformers Earthspark, you only have a few more days to wait! The next batch of 8 episodes will start being released this Friday, March 3rd, on the Paramount+ streaming service. Below, please find the press release regarding the show, as well as a teaser trailer and some still shots.

Feb. 1, 2023 – Paramount+ today announced the renewal of the original animated series TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK for a second season, which will follow the Malto family and Terrans on even higher stakes adventures packed with humor, heart and family. Beginning Friday, March 3, the next eight episodes of the first season will be available to stream in the U.S. and Canada, with additional international territories to follow. The first 10 episodes of the 26-episode season premiered in November 2022, and are available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Korea and France.

Released today, the all-new trailer and artwork showcases more Autobots, more Decepticons and more Terrans! In the next eight TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK season one episodes, the Terrans continue to uncover their powers while they learn to protect themselves against G.H.O.S.T. Twitch, Thrash and the rest of the Malto family will continue to learn what it means to be a Transformers robot, what it means to be human and ultimately what it means to be a family. Making their debut in the series are Keith David (“The Princess and the Frog”) as Grimlock, Alfie Alan (“Game of Thrones”) as Tarantulas and Roger Craig Smith (“Regular Show”) as Breakdown.

“The highly anticipated series TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK premiered with a strong launch on Paramount+, ranking as one of the top five most-watched Kids & Family series,” said Tanya Giles, chief programming officer of Paramount Streaming. “In partnership with Hasbro, eOne and our studio partner Nickelodeon, we’re thrilled to continue telling the story of the Malto family and the new generation of Transformers robots.”

The original animated series will make its weekly debut on Nickelodeon beginning this Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 P.M., ET/PT. In the one-hour premiere, “Secret Legacy,” Robby has trouble adjusting after his family’s big move to the rural town of Witwicky until he and his sister, Mo, discover the first-ever earthborn Transformers. The previously released episodes will continue to debut Fridays on Nickelodeon through March 3.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK introduces a new generation of Transformers robots – the first to be born on Earth – and together with the humans who welcome them and care for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family. 

The dynamic voice cast of TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK includes Sydney Mikayla (“Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts”) as Robby Malto, Zion Broadnax (“Day Shift”) as Mo Malto, Benny Benni Latham (“Cornerstones: Founding Voices of the Black Church”) as Dot Malto, Jon Jon Briones (“Ratched”) as Alex Malto, Kathreen Khavari (“Dead End: Paranormal Park”) as Twitch, Zeno Robinson (“Big City Greens”) as Thrash, Danny Pudi (“Community”) as Bumblebee, Alan Tudyk (“Resident Alien”) as Optimus Prime, Rory McCann (“Game of Thrones”) as Megatron, Cissy Jones (“The Owl House”) as Elita-1, Diedrich Bader (“Better Things”) as Mandroid, Cyrus Arnold (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”) as Jawbreaker, Z Infante (“Dead End: Paranormal Park”) as Nightshade and Stephanie Lemelin (“Dawn of the Croods”) as Hashtag. 

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK is created and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (“Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) and executive produced by Ant Ward (“Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”). The series is developed for television by Claudia Spinelli, senior vice president of Big Kids Animation, Nickelodeon. Production is overseen for Nickelodeon by Mikiel Houser, executive in charge of production, and for eOne by Kari Rosenberg.

Are you all excited to have new episodes of Earthspark to watch? Not a big fan? Let us know what your thoughts are below!

[Bumblevivisector]

I've no streaming services, so I'm technically excited for the 2-parter Nick will be cable-debuting that same day. Yippie.

[noctorro]

Aren't you guys getting sick and tired of all the streaming services?
Hulu, Netflix, paramount plus, disney plus, apple plus, sony plus.
Can't even torrent the series, it's insane.

[Immortal Starscream]

I'm genuinely looking forward to this one. Also, TARANTULUS? oooo that makes me extra excited. Also Keith David as grimlock, now thats am EXCELLENT voice casting, but the gargoyles and dr facilier memes practically write themselves.

[DeathReviews]

Am I the only one who thought...



I mean - I know Hollywood is infamous now for lazily rehashing old ideas, but couldn't they even come up with an original idea for the promo artwork?

[Big Grim]

I'd be interested if I knew where to watch it legally that ain't yet another streaming service.

~ Grim

[ZeroWolf]

I'd be interested if I knew where to watch it legally that ain't yet another streaming service.

~ Grim

It is on Nicktoons at the moment (at least it will be once it stops being Spongebob), Earthspark and Star Trek Prodigy were both on there.