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Spoilers for #19 below - In another bout of a flashback issue, Issue #19 brings us a little more of what is up with Skybound’s Megatron. When we last saw him, he brought Ravage back to life, using his own power from his chest for his revival. Now with this current issue, we know of possibly how he could attain such power, along with big story ramifications going forward. This issue starts off like us, as readers, wonder what just happened, switching gears to a insignia-less Megatron, captured and brought to an empty space by a Quintesson Prosecutor, if you are familiar with the 1986 movie and S3 of Transformers. Given the name Dezimir, he is given the task to set trials for the soon-to-be Decepticon leader, first through waves of Sharkticons, and then through his fire-breathing robo-dragon. In a time loop, Megatron keeps coming up short to winning against them, trying to defy this squid alien from making him their plaything. While Megatron’s origin will remain elusive for now, this chapter provides a little of what makes him unique in this current iteration. While he doesn’t bear a Decepticon insignia (yet), his captors are aware of his existence, and he has already failed to help his comrades. Thus, they will direct him towards a path through brutal guidance. He is mentally broken down from his boisterous, defiant personality at the beginning of this story. Only when an omnipotence voice, Dezimir’s master, speaks does the focal point of the purpose of Megatron’s trials is revealed. The Prosecutor gives a vine-like energy that wraps around Megatron, and such, another, secondary alt mode. The gun form we saw several issues back in Starscream’s origin story in #13. The one where Starscream indicates a voice calling to him; to bring destruction to those who hurt him, and then some. I have If readers have picked up on this, an occurring motif in Skybound’s Transformers has been characters doing against what they want, and the sacrificial consequences that come from it. Here, we once again see this in play, as the voice asks Dezimir, who has been gleeful in bringing Megatron down to his knees, to pick up the Megatron gun. Horrified at the prospect, Dezimir has no choice from his master, and Megatron, as an act of revenge, chooses to have the prosecutor shoot his pet, Mechanokorr, point blank. A mysterious power gifted by an unknown source, establishing Megatron as a powerful influence for the continuing Decepticon cause. What are Optimus, Starscream, the Autobots, and the rest of the Earth in store for Megatron’s return? We’ll have to see, but this issue, while a detour from the main story, gives us an iteration of Megatron that is ruthless and more capable of overpowering anyone in his path, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out from this current run. Raaarrrgh! Stray Obvs!(servations): -So that omnipotent voice, what are your guesses? I think given DWJ’s preference to stick to classic G1 lore has people thinking Unicron, but I personally like to think it’s Quintus Prime. I know most Quintus iterations aren’t as dubious as his Quintessons offspring, but the whole Mind control thing for Megatron kind of speaks to his perfectionism and able to accelerate living organisms’ abilities. -Another possible clue to it being Unicron, regardless, though, was Dezimir was carrying a Matrix-shaped object inside him to give Megatron his transformation. Matrix of Conquest, perhaps, which is tied to the Planet eater himself? (It probably is this, but part of me wants to tie in more with Quintus Prime). -(Also that talk about Megatron is small compared the universe, yeah, it’s probably a given). -Anybody getting a callback to the 1986 animated movie with the line “I am a slave to no [one]”? i.e: -Some DWJ notes here. He’s really glad a fan is digging Ultra Magnus’ trauma and trying to overcome Shockwave. No Cosmos, though. Sorry Cosmos, fans. But he hasn’t forgotten Jetfire. He may be back into the story once more. - “That was not only a trial. It was a lesson”. What do you guys think of this issue? Think it's a worthy introduction to this Megatron? Think something is up with his new powers? Let us know in our Discord, Transformers forum, our Twitter, or our Facebook group! Side addendum: Hey folks, it's been a minute. I am planning on covering the beginning arcs in some big reviews. so everyone can know our thoughts on the story so far. We are really digging this unfliniching take on our favorite car robot toy things. Also getting the GI Joe Skybound reviews up and running again, and covering the first arc in general after the 6th issue concludes it. Personal stuff got in the way, but I really like talking about these comics and want to continue them one way or the other. Stay tuned! -ALArts

Skybound has announced -- or rather, teased -- a new Kickstarter which is sure to get some attention from fans of the old Marvel Comics The Transformers books -- and perhaps even more so those interested in the more obscure supplementary material produced by Marvel UK. From the Kickstarter page: Worth noting is that this would appear to be a different, more exclusive offering than the recently-solicited Transformers Compendium, Volume 1 trade paperback that was shared to our forums from Bleeding Cool by ZakuConvoy: As you can see, this version, due out on June 10th, only collects The Transformers #1-46 and the four-issue The Transformers: Headmasters limited series, with no mention of the UK stories being included at all, much less woven in. Compared to the US series' 80 issues in a four-issue limited series (plus spin-offs, etc.), the UK series ran for a whopping 332 issues, using original material to fill the gaps between the release of the US stories, which were typically divided into two parts each to fill the weekly (versus monthly) schedule. All of which is to say, if the Kickstarter winds up being comparatively priced for the amount of content against the $64.99 mass retail trade, plus the inclusion of hard covers... well, that's looking to be quite a few Shanix you'll have to fork over for the Kickstarter version. Which one are you looking to get, if any? Allspark Forums Discord Server X Facebook Page Bluesky Instagram

It has long been the stuff of Marvel and Transformers legend: When writer Simon Furman created the character of Death's Head, it was decided that Marvel should own the character, rather than Hasbro, the owner of the Transformers property, and to whom any characters who first appeared within the pages of that licensed book would belong. And so Marvel created a short, one-page comic starring the freelance peacekeeping agent called "High Noon Tex" to run in their other publications before he appeared in 1987's The Transformers #113, thus ensuring their ownership of the character. At least, that's what we were told. In the following video, Wixhael takes us through the early history of the character, statements from Simon Furman and Marvel UK Editor Richard Starkings, and shows why all the explanations as to how the character ostensibly belongs to Marvel don't really add up. What do you think? Is there more to the puzzle? Did Marvel UK pull a fast one? Is there more to the contract we don't know? Did Marvel UK even have to adhere to the same contract as drawn up by Marvel in the USA? Did Hasbro just say "Nah, you can keep him" behind closed doors? Or, as far as we know, should Hasbro be the rightful owner of Death's Head? Tell us your thoughts down below! Thanks to NovaSaber over in the "Random Transformers Videos" thread for bringing this to our attention! Join the Allspark today. Allspark Forums Discord Server X Facebook Page Bluesky Instagram

For those whose heads are buried deep into the Energon Universe comics, Image Comics is bringing two offerings related to Transformers for Free Comic Book Day in May 2025: - TRANSFORMERS: WORST BOT EVER SPECIAL : Say hello to a new Decepticon called Ballpoint in this small sneak peek of a brand new Transformers graphic novel. The comic will also provide a sneak peek for FAMILY FORCE V by Matt Braly and Ainsworth Lin. - ENERGON UNIVERSE SPECIAL : Similar to this year's FCBD comic, this second special will feature new stories from Transformers, GI Joe, and Void Rivals. It is designed to be a "jumping off" point for new comers of the comics, as well as bringing in new twists for current readers. Super exciting to see Image comics continue to deliver more Transformers related media. Let's just hope all the characters in these specials make it out alive and in one piece... Source: Bleeding Cool Join the Allspark today. Allspark Forums Discord Server twitter (X) Facebook Page Bluesky Instagram

It’s no secret that Skybound’s new Energon Universe line of Transformers comics have been a hit. But just how big a hit have they been? Well, according to a report from Bleeding Cool, the recent release of Transformers #13, which delves into the history of the Decepticon Air Commander known to us as Starscream and how he came to become a part of the Decepticons and the war at large, will be receiving its second print run. That’s due to be available on December 11th, with two variant covers by Jason Howard (one Autobot, one Decepticon), for $3.99 USD a pop. So get your orders in now! Meanwhile, the issue that started it all — well, not all, because Void Rivals came out first — but the issue that kicked off the Transformers line, Transformers #1, is back for its tenth reprinting! By the Matrix, that’s a lot of reprints! And a lot of cover variants! Available for the slightly-higher price tag of $4.99 USD each, the prevailing logic at Skybound and Image Comics must have been “Ten reprints? Ten variant covers.” Because that’s how many they’re releasing one week after #13 hits again, on December 18th. Start rolling those nickels now! Bleeding Cool doesn’t have the images, but here are the details for each of the covers they shared: Wow. You could probably make a small quilt from all those covers. It probably wouldn’t be a very good quilt, mind, especially in the middle of December, but you could do it! If you’d like to remark upon this remarkable milestone, then head on over to the “Energon Universe – ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound” thread in our forums, and gab to your heart’s content! Not a member? Register now! It’s totally free, save for that teeny little fragment of your Spark that helps sustain our existence! If forums aren’t your bag and you’re more of a social media kid, then you can find us on SMOKAT (that’s the Social Media Once Known As Twitter — just you wait, this’ll catch on better than “X” ever will) @AllsparkNews. Or you can do your web-slinging Into and Across the Metaverse to find our Facebook page, Facebook Group, and Instagram! Or you can go Beyond the Metaverse, and join us on our Discord, Discord.gg/allspark, where our operators are standing by to serve you!