Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound
- Thread starter SHIELD Agent 47
- Start date
I personally feel that having visionaries in this universe would be forced much like it was in IDW.....but I think Hot Rod or Springer mentioned their world in Void Rivals
MASK #4 is out!
This is a solid enough one-off issue. It's a solid..."distraction" let us say (*he-he*). The plot doesn't get to progress too far. And this issue is technically skippable, if you aren't totally into this book. No Transformers or other wider universe implications are in this particular issue. But still, it does a solid enough job of delivering a bit of tension and action. Which is all you can really ask for.
This is a solid enough one-off issue. It's a solid..."distraction" let us say (*he-he*). The plot doesn't get to progress too far. And this issue is technically skippable, if you aren't totally into this book. No Transformers or other wider universe implications are in this particular issue. But still, it does a solid enough job of delivering a bit of tension and action. Which is all you can really ask for.
Matt Trakker is already out of the hospital after falling through several trees last issue. No time to rest when you're on the run from a secret terrorist organization.
Turns out there's a hobo with a mask that can shoot uncontrollable laser-beams everywhere. Miles Mayhem really is handing these out to everyone, isn't he? This is Buddie Hawks (AKA Clutch)! Who has the Penetrator mask. Which is...apparently very different in the original cartoon? Sounds like the original Penetrator mask let you phase through objects and attacks. This new Skybound version of the mask is basically a bomb that needs to be defused.
Anyway Buddie can't take off the mask, because miles locked it onto his face like the Count of Monte Cristo. And it's kinda implied he's a ex-soldier who has PTSD or some other mental problems. So...Miles is taking advantage of the mentally ill. Kinda tracks for him, honestly.
So, Matt calls in Dusty Hayes (AKA Powderkeg!). He's here because Matt needs someone to talk to for this issue! He was in Shadow Watch, too, as a demolition man. Which...oddly never comes into play this issue. Since they're basically defusing a bomb and all. Dusty getting hurt on a mission is what made Matt realize that Miles was just no good! So...there's some nice backstory, there!
Anyway, Matt is able to get the mask off Buddie's face. But, he's worried that all this feels like it could just be...a distraction!
Then we see Miles Mayhem going to Matt's son's private school to recruit him. Being a creepy creep. Convincing Scott Trakker to come with him, after just...watching him lose a fight to a bully. Real class act, that Miles Mayhem.
Turns out there's a hobo with a mask that can shoot uncontrollable laser-beams everywhere. Miles Mayhem really is handing these out to everyone, isn't he? This is Buddie Hawks (AKA Clutch)! Who has the Penetrator mask. Which is...apparently very different in the original cartoon? Sounds like the original Penetrator mask let you phase through objects and attacks. This new Skybound version of the mask is basically a bomb that needs to be defused.
Anyway Buddie can't take off the mask, because miles locked it onto his face like the Count of Monte Cristo. And it's kinda implied he's a ex-soldier who has PTSD or some other mental problems. So...Miles is taking advantage of the mentally ill. Kinda tracks for him, honestly.
So, Matt calls in Dusty Hayes (AKA Powderkeg!). He's here because Matt needs someone to talk to for this issue! He was in Shadow Watch, too, as a demolition man. Which...oddly never comes into play this issue. Since they're basically defusing a bomb and all. Dusty getting hurt on a mission is what made Matt realize that Miles was just no good! So...there's some nice backstory, there!
Anyway, Matt is able to get the mask off Buddie's face. But, he's worried that all this feels like it could just be...a distraction!
Then we see Miles Mayhem going to Matt's son's private school to recruit him. Being a creepy creep. Convincing Scott Trakker to come with him, after just...watching him lose a fight to a bully. Real class act, that Miles Mayhem.
TF #36
Hoo boy I did not like this issue. Not just because of the story itself (though not much interesting happens), but it also just feels very poorly written, like a rough draft that got turned into a comic. I already was dimming a bit on Kirkman because he doesn't seem very character-driven, but this just doesn't even flow well (though at points I think it may be the artist's fault too).
Cool to see TC finally get to be part of Superion, though the moment is a bit undercut by being given away on the cover (and you'd know months in advance if you saw the solicit). But I couldn't really follow the end to the action - Superion is ripping a worm apart, the Cobra-La troops get killed by the arrival of their own giant green creatures (?) and suddenly Superion has split back apart into the Aerialbots.
We then go to Optimus' ex-Autobots, where Wheeljack and Arkeville have apparently been working together, and successfully bring Shredhead back. Understandable, but the flow here also feels weird... like there needs to be another panel before all the worried faces. And Arkeville looks downright glad for the Autobots, not at all worthy of Flagg's stink eye. (Artist really should've drawn Arkeville with a knowing evil smirk or something IMO).
Starscream uses Megatron's healing device to heal himself fully, and asserts that Ulchtar is dead, he's Starscream now. He finds Wheeljack's magical mystery box...
Montage time... Wheeljack's exo-suits are in use in rebuilding Chicago (notably very orange and metal...), Shredhead and Cliffjumper drive around, Arcee meditates. Beachcomber comes to Hound with a request. Arkeville's solution to Onslaught is to attach him to a rocket and shoot him into space, where he'll eventually reach Cybertron... in a few thousand years, given the slow speed, so it serves as a "fitting prison." Not a terrible idea I guess, though of course readers will know he will likely be rescued at some point.
Spike writes in his diary some more about Optimus' personality change and fitting in (would've loved some show not tell here...) and the Aerialbots finally return to base. Thundercracker has a thousand-yard stare as he grimly informs Optimus of the horrible lurking evil of snake people. Sorry, I can't take Cobra-La seriously, so having TC lose it over a few weird aliens is eye-rolling for me.
At the Decepticon base, Skywarp rushes to tell Soundwave about Cobra-La as well, but Soundwave tells him to shut it, as Megatron's crysalis is cracking open...
But we don't get to see what it is. Instead, the last page is Beachcomber getting a device from Hound that will let him find more missing Autobots, and he sets off on his own to go search for them.
So yeah, in the end this is really just setting up the seeds for the next arc. Other than Shredhead's condition, nothing really resolves here (though there isn't that much to resolve, this book has been in somewhat of a holding pattern ever since Kirkman took over). We still don't know what's in Wheeljack's box, or what's going to happen to Megatron... I think either or both of these would've benefited from at least a final page reveal.
Cool to see TC finally get to be part of Superion, though the moment is a bit undercut by being given away on the cover (and you'd know months in advance if you saw the solicit). But I couldn't really follow the end to the action - Superion is ripping a worm apart, the Cobra-La troops get killed by the arrival of their own giant green creatures (?) and suddenly Superion has split back apart into the Aerialbots.
We then go to Optimus' ex-Autobots, where Wheeljack and Arkeville have apparently been working together, and successfully bring Shredhead back. Understandable, but the flow here also feels weird... like there needs to be another panel before all the worried faces. And Arkeville looks downright glad for the Autobots, not at all worthy of Flagg's stink eye. (Artist really should've drawn Arkeville with a knowing evil smirk or something IMO).
Starscream uses Megatron's healing device to heal himself fully, and asserts that Ulchtar is dead, he's Starscream now. He finds Wheeljack's magical mystery box...
Montage time... Wheeljack's exo-suits are in use in rebuilding Chicago (notably very orange and metal...), Shredhead and Cliffjumper drive around, Arcee meditates. Beachcomber comes to Hound with a request. Arkeville's solution to Onslaught is to attach him to a rocket and shoot him into space, where he'll eventually reach Cybertron... in a few thousand years, given the slow speed, so it serves as a "fitting prison." Not a terrible idea I guess, though of course readers will know he will likely be rescued at some point.
Spike writes in his diary some more about Optimus' personality change and fitting in (would've loved some show not tell here...) and the Aerialbots finally return to base. Thundercracker has a thousand-yard stare as he grimly informs Optimus of the horrible lurking evil of snake people. Sorry, I can't take Cobra-La seriously, so having TC lose it over a few weird aliens is eye-rolling for me.
At the Decepticon base, Skywarp rushes to tell Soundwave about Cobra-La as well, but Soundwave tells him to shut it, as Megatron's crysalis is cracking open...
But we don't get to see what it is. Instead, the last page is Beachcomber getting a device from Hound that will let him find more missing Autobots, and he sets off on his own to go search for them.
So yeah, in the end this is really just setting up the seeds for the next arc. Other than Shredhead's condition, nothing really resolves here (though there isn't that much to resolve, this book has been in somewhat of a holding pattern ever since Kirkman took over). We still don't know what's in Wheeljack's box, or what's going to happen to Megatron... I think either or both of these would've benefited from at least a final page reveal.
so in my mind one of the few pay offs here is Beachcomber seemed off the last issue...now we know it is because he feels he's not contributing enough and has found a way to help....by looking for missing stray Autobots....feel like this should be it's own mini series. The rest of the story seemed scattered and incomplete.....also...why is Thunder Cracker so worked up by Cobra La? If anything he got them more interested in causing a problem than they were before. I don't really like Cobra Lab playing a major role in Transformers....it seems off.
Transformers #36 is out!
This feels...like another transition issue. Stuff happens. But, not a lot of stuff. I'll admit, I did think Kirkman was going to pick up the pace a little. But, slower pacing remains a problem with Kirkman's Energon Universe books.
I've said it before but...it REALLY does seem like SOMETHING big is going to happen, soon. Maybe not next issue. But, soon. Ever sooner, surely.
This feels...like another transition issue. Stuff happens. But, not a lot of stuff. I'll admit, I did think Kirkman was going to pick up the pace a little. But, slower pacing remains a problem with Kirkman's Energon Universe books.
I've said it before but...it REALLY does seem like SOMETHING big is going to happen, soon. Maybe not next issue. But, soon. Ever sooner, surely.
Cobra-La is attacking and Skywarp is FREAKING OUT! To be fair, I'd be freaked out, too, if I was attacked in the middle of the Himalayas by lizard-men. The Aerialbots combine into Superion and manage to run away. But, Golobulus is tired of these rasha-frashen giant robots stomping all over his backyard and vows to deal with them! SOON!
...And, yeah, I guess Skywarp WAS real last issue. Not just a hallucination. I was overthinking things again.
SHREDHEAD IS ALIVE! And...he seems pretty fine. Although, Doctor Arkeville seems a little TOO cordial so...Shredhead might have some mind-control technology in him or something. Time will tell.
Zombie-Starscream...is suddenly no longer a zombie. I guess he was able to repair himself...somehow. And he finds Wheeljack's secret stash of sparks in the Shard. Uh oh! I guess...maybe these WON'T turn out to be the Dinobots, after all? Kirkman continues to deny us our Dinobots in this universe. I think he's getting a kick out of it, at this point.
Also, Doctor Arkeville reveals his plan to rid the Earth of Decepticons. It's very simple, really. He's just going to strap them to some rockets and blast them into outer space, where they'll drift alone forever! And Optimus is going along with this...because? I guess he's just tired of the Decepticons. But, it does feel pretty unlike Optimus not to speak up about how...horrifying a fate this is for the Decepticons.
Beachcomber...seems to be over his "depression" last issue. And gets a special metal detector that might help him find any other lost Transformers out in the world.
Meanwhile, SOMETHING is hatching from Megatron's cocoon! Oh, I hope it's a Togepi! I need one of those for my Pokedex!
Personally, I'm fine with Cobra-La showing up. It makes this feel like a shared universe, rather than just a series of separate franchises that happen to take place all at the same time. And I assume this is all eventually leading to some sort of crossover event where all these guys meet.
It's the "eventually" part that's the problem, I think. Kirkman HAS consistently made these books DRAG. It's like he's waiting for something, but I have no idea what. I thought when Megatron started eating sparks, things were going to really hit the road fast. But...then Megatron went into his cocoon, and the book kind of stopped moving forward. The stuff on Cybertron kind of helped mitigate that. And there's nothing necessarily wrong with a quieter arc. But, not when it's basically your second arc on the book. But, Void Rivals eventually picked up it's pace. It'll probably happen here, too. But, hopefully, it happens sooner rather than later. Building tension is one thing. The problem is, there isn't enough actual tension here, to really make that work.
...And, yeah, I guess Skywarp WAS real last issue. Not just a hallucination. I was overthinking things again.
SHREDHEAD IS ALIVE! And...he seems pretty fine. Although, Doctor Arkeville seems a little TOO cordial so...Shredhead might have some mind-control technology in him or something. Time will tell.
Zombie-Starscream...is suddenly no longer a zombie. I guess he was able to repair himself...somehow. And he finds Wheeljack's secret stash of sparks in the Shard. Uh oh! I guess...maybe these WON'T turn out to be the Dinobots, after all? Kirkman continues to deny us our Dinobots in this universe. I think he's getting a kick out of it, at this point.
Also, Doctor Arkeville reveals his plan to rid the Earth of Decepticons. It's very simple, really. He's just going to strap them to some rockets and blast them into outer space, where they'll drift alone forever! And Optimus is going along with this...because? I guess he's just tired of the Decepticons. But, it does feel pretty unlike Optimus not to speak up about how...horrifying a fate this is for the Decepticons.
Beachcomber...seems to be over his "depression" last issue. And gets a special metal detector that might help him find any other lost Transformers out in the world.
Meanwhile, SOMETHING is hatching from Megatron's cocoon! Oh, I hope it's a Togepi! I need one of those for my Pokedex!
Personally, I'm fine with Cobra-La showing up. It makes this feel like a shared universe, rather than just a series of separate franchises that happen to take place all at the same time. And I assume this is all eventually leading to some sort of crossover event where all these guys meet.
It's the "eventually" part that's the problem, I think. Kirkman HAS consistently made these books DRAG. It's like he's waiting for something, but I have no idea what. I thought when Megatron started eating sparks, things were going to really hit the road fast. But...then Megatron went into his cocoon, and the book kind of stopped moving forward. The stuff on Cybertron kind of helped mitigate that. And there's nothing necessarily wrong with a quieter arc. But, not when it's basically your second arc on the book. But, Void Rivals eventually picked up it's pace. It'll probably happen here, too. But, hopefully, it happens sooner rather than later. Building tension is one thing. The problem is, there isn't enough actual tension here, to really make that work.
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As I was explaining to some casual fans, as someone that has read both TWD and Invincible comics; Kirkman is very much a slow boil author. He's not really "writing for trades" but he prefers the forests over the trees. He gets and idea and he runs with it, and there's no telling quite how long it will take.
GI Joe #26 is out!
This mostly one big, ol' fight! Or rather a series of fights. It IS fun to read through. But, it doesn't leave us with a lot to discuss. If you're in, then I bet you're in! But, if you're not, I don't think this issue would change your mind one way or another. It's a fun time, seeing our two teams of Joes go up against each other.
This mostly one big, ol' fight! Or rather a series of fights. It IS fun to read through. But, it doesn't leave us with a lot to discuss. If you're in, then I bet you're in! But, if you're not, I don't think this issue would change your mind one way or another. It's a fun time, seeing our two teams of Joes go up against each other.
Flint isn't mad at Duke, he's just disappointed. Oh wait...my mistake, Flint is VERY mad at Duke! "Young man, if you don't go to your room right this minute, it'll be no driving the helicopter for a WEEK! Do you understand!?"
Baroness really isn't helping the situation. Refusing to tell ANYONE what she saw that caused all this. How...convenient. Lady, these people are risking a court-martial and their LIVES to try to save your bacon. The LEAST you could do is EXPLAIN! Baroness is just being pouty, now.
Roadblock is just a nice guy, though. He'd rather everyone just get together for a nice meal and talk. And to be fair...that'd probably be a good idea, in this situation. Maybe everyone's just hangry.
Meanwhile, Zartan is DEFINITELY feeling peckish, himself. And the only thing that can satisfy his hunger...is the the Energon Katana that we saw back in the Scarlett miniseries! Everyone's got a need...a need to feed! So, Zartan/Hawk sends Scarlett herself out for his "takeout" order.
Also, over there, Cobra Commander is helping to train Major Medusa in using her new hologram powers. It looks pretty cool! This WOULD make for a fun-looking toy, if they used the same clear plastic they used for Crystal Ball. But, she isn't getting much of a read on CC's fears for her to hook onto. Because, apparently, CC fears NOTHING! Sure...sure. Except for his old boss! Oh, the paperwork that Golobulus made him do! That stuff left SCARS on his poor little psyche! And Destro sees all this, and learns about CC's worst fear. I'm sure Destro would NEVER exploit the fears of a coworker to get ahead. Never!
Meanwhile, the GI BAT fights Duke. And...it looks like someone (...probably Zartan) gave him new orders to kill. And also, gave him a wicked drill arm attachment! Again, I'll just say it, GI BAT looks a LOT to me like Snake Eyes. I'm not sure if that's on purpose or not. Anyway, both the Joes and Night Force have to team up for a bit to stop the robot from killing Duke. They want to bring them all in alive, not skewered! If this keeps up, Duke's gonna turn into this universe's Captain Fanzone from Animated. Duke just has REALLY bad luck with robots.
Shooter is able to take out Hound's wheels. And...I feel like Hound is REALLY holding back, here. Because I feel like Hound along could stop this fight by himself. But, I guess it'd be rude to do that, since this IS the Joe book.
But...WHAT A TWIST! Turns out they swapped out Baroness with Cover Girl, at some point. I...REALLY don't know when they had the time to do that? But, whatever. Baroness is underwater. Swimming with the fishes. Happy as a clam! I appreciate the fake-out. I just wish there was some way that WE, the audience, could have figured that out. Because this really does feel like it comes out of nowhere. And..Cover Girl just had a wig that matched Baroness's hair with her, I guess. She collects wigs of ALL her friends' hair! That's not weird, right? I guess this shows the Joes DID have more of a plan, than it first appeared.
Baroness really isn't helping the situation. Refusing to tell ANYONE what she saw that caused all this. How...convenient. Lady, these people are risking a court-martial and their LIVES to try to save your bacon. The LEAST you could do is EXPLAIN! Baroness is just being pouty, now.
Roadblock is just a nice guy, though. He'd rather everyone just get together for a nice meal and talk. And to be fair...that'd probably be a good idea, in this situation. Maybe everyone's just hangry.
Meanwhile, Zartan is DEFINITELY feeling peckish, himself. And the only thing that can satisfy his hunger...is the the Energon Katana that we saw back in the Scarlett miniseries! Everyone's got a need...a need to feed! So, Zartan/Hawk sends Scarlett herself out for his "takeout" order.
Also, over there, Cobra Commander is helping to train Major Medusa in using her new hologram powers. It looks pretty cool! This WOULD make for a fun-looking toy, if they used the same clear plastic they used for Crystal Ball. But, she isn't getting much of a read on CC's fears for her to hook onto. Because, apparently, CC fears NOTHING! Sure...sure. Except for his old boss! Oh, the paperwork that Golobulus made him do! That stuff left SCARS on his poor little psyche! And Destro sees all this, and learns about CC's worst fear. I'm sure Destro would NEVER exploit the fears of a coworker to get ahead. Never!
Meanwhile, the GI BAT fights Duke. And...it looks like someone (...probably Zartan) gave him new orders to kill. And also, gave him a wicked drill arm attachment! Again, I'll just say it, GI BAT looks a LOT to me like Snake Eyes. I'm not sure if that's on purpose or not. Anyway, both the Joes and Night Force have to team up for a bit to stop the robot from killing Duke. They want to bring them all in alive, not skewered! If this keeps up, Duke's gonna turn into this universe's Captain Fanzone from Animated. Duke just has REALLY bad luck with robots.
Shooter is able to take out Hound's wheels. And...I feel like Hound is REALLY holding back, here. Because I feel like Hound along could stop this fight by himself. But, I guess it'd be rude to do that, since this IS the Joe book.
But...WHAT A TWIST! Turns out they swapped out Baroness with Cover Girl, at some point. I...REALLY don't know when they had the time to do that? But, whatever. Baroness is underwater. Swimming with the fishes. Happy as a clam! I appreciate the fake-out. I just wish there was some way that WE, the audience, could have figured that out. Because this really does feel like it comes out of nowhere. And..Cover Girl just had a wig that matched Baroness's hair with her, I guess. She collects wigs of ALL her friends' hair! That's not weird, right? I guess this shows the Joes DID have more of a plan, than it first appeared.
Damn...the digital release got delayed until next week
I wonder what causes that.
Seems to happen a lot on Amazon. Sometimes it takes weeks for them to have it available for purchase.
Well, gosh, this issue was just cursed with bad luck all around, wasn't it?
Anyway, um...take your mind off it, with the December Solicitations!
The images:
And some commentary:
Anyway, um...take your mind off it, with the December Solicitations!
Image Comics Full Official December 2026 Solicits
Image Comics December 2026 solicits Vampire on Aisle 6, The Princess Murders, Creature Corps, The Forgotten Five & Merciless
bleedingcool.com
The images:
And some commentary:
In GI Joe, it looks like finally Hawk escaped. So, it's Hawk (Zartan) vs Hawk (Classic)! Who can be the better bird?! Also...this is the END OF GI JOE! ..."As we know it". So, yeah, I don't think the book's getting cancelled. The main Joes and Night Force are probably just going to combine together into one big mega-team. Which means...they're all going to have to use the same breakroom! What sitcom hijinks will befall them as they try to live together?!
Over in MASK, it sounds like Matt did something to make everyone lose their trust in him. Oh no, did Matt use generative AI to create his masks? Matt, really, you're better than that. So, his son Scott is going to have to step up. And looking at the cover...T-Bob is going to be YOKED in this universe! They're uh...kinda overcompensating for how "lame" people remember him from the original cartoon, huh?
In Void Rivals, it looks like the gang is going to have to fight in Lord Gyconi's gladiatorial arena! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! Well...yeah, I'd say I'm mildly entertained. I'm putting my money on ROM sweeping this tournament.
And finally, in Transformers it's Optimus versus...a MYSTERY CHALLENGER! Who could it possibly...it's Megatron. It's obviously Megatron. I don't know why they're being coy about this. I get not revealing the new design on the cover, but c'mon! He's still looking pretty G2 to me. But, we'll see. I could see Kirkman deciding to give Megatron a unique design, now that he's out of his cocoon. I guess MAYBE they'll give Megatron a new name? Probably not Galvatron, since we might be saving that for any future "Movie"/Unicron stuff. But, maybe he'll be like...Gigatron or Teratron or something, now? Or if Kirkman's been looking through the wiki, maybe he'll be Megastorm, now? Just to do something different.
tfwiki.net
Over in MASK, it sounds like Matt did something to make everyone lose their trust in him. Oh no, did Matt use generative AI to create his masks? Matt, really, you're better than that. So, his son Scott is going to have to step up. And looking at the cover...T-Bob is going to be YOKED in this universe! They're uh...kinda overcompensating for how "lame" people remember him from the original cartoon, huh?
In Void Rivals, it looks like the gang is going to have to fight in Lord Gyconi's gladiatorial arena! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! Well...yeah, I'd say I'm mildly entertained. I'm putting my money on ROM sweeping this tournament.
And finally, in Transformers it's Optimus versus...a MYSTERY CHALLENGER! Who could it possibly...it's Megatron. It's obviously Megatron. I don't know why they're being coy about this. I get not revealing the new design on the cover, but c'mon! He's still looking pretty G2 to me. But, we'll see. I could see Kirkman deciding to give Megatron a unique design, now that he's out of his cocoon. I guess MAYBE they'll give Megatron a new name? Probably not Galvatron, since we might be saving that for any future "Movie"/Unicron stuff. But, maybe he'll be like...Gigatron or Teratron or something, now? Or if Kirkman's been looking through the wiki, maybe he'll be Megastorm, now? Just to do something different.
Megastorm (BW) - Transformers Wiki
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Giving him a G2-style body and calling him Megastorm would be a cute reverse reference.
I like the homage to (Marvel) Transformers #2.
I've seen some speculation the giant gun Devastator is holding in the B cover could be Megatron's new gun mode, which would be cool. Or it could just be unrelated. Devastator also has a plow on his Mixmaster foot, so...
I like the homage to (Marvel) Transformers #2.
I've seen some speculation the giant gun Devastator is holding in the B cover could be Megatron's new gun mode, which would be cool. Or it could just be unrelated. Devastator also has a plow on his Mixmaster foot, so...
Void Rivals #34 is out!
It's a solid issue. It's also mostly a big ol' fight issue. So, there's not a whole lot of plot movement.
But, you'll never guess who shows up in this issue! It's not like the covers spoil the surprise or anything! Mind, this character's such a deep cut, that maybe spoiling the reveal was a good idea?
It's a solid issue. It's also mostly a big ol' fight issue. So, there's not a whole lot of plot movement.
But, you'll never guess who shows up in this issue! It's not like the covers spoil the surprise or anything! Mind, this character's such a deep cut, that maybe spoiling the reveal was a good idea?
Wreck-Gar has no patience for Wreck-Gar's nonsense. He wants his Rockeroid back, and he'll do ANYTHING to get it back. Even team up with Proximus! Also...apparently, the Rockeroid is made out of Silly Putty. Funny, I would have thought it'd be more of a pet rock, but I guess there aren't as many memorable commercials for Wreck-Gar to parrot for those?
Meanwhile, Grakula lost her pet giant bug. Don't you hate it when that happens? Probably saw a squirrel. And Pythona does NOT care for pets. She thinks it's weird. And...since this "pet" grew from her armor, fair enough. I guess I'd be concerned too, if one of my friends grew a pet from their body and then got VERY attached to it as quick as she has. There are red flags to be seen here. Even though the issue frames Pythona as being in the wrong.
Also, it seems like Darak has a little crush on Pythona! Oh...Darak...you have TERRIBLE taste in women. Understandable, I get it but...terrible, terrible choice.
ROM's about to go off to look for a spaceship for them all to use, right as who should show up itching for a fight but Predacron! You know...good ol' Predacron! ...From GI Joe Star Brigade? No, not PredaCON, CRON! Despite the original toy being "CON", which, I'm guessing Hasbro asked them to change to avoid any confusion concerning the Combiner of the same name. Kirkman seems VERY excited about Predacron in the letters page.
And Predacron brought pets! Or...children? I don't know what they are on his ship, but they're something that likes meat. Especially hearts! Adorable!
Apparently, ROM is wanted by "The Galactic Authorities" for...some undisclosed reason. I'm not even sure if ROM remembers for sure what he did. Anyway, any bets on who the "Galactic Authorities" will turn out to be? Because that sounds like prime material for another addition to this new, expanding Hasbroverse. Maybe they're the Visionaries? I could see them as "Authorities". Unless there's some intergalactic branch of COPS that I'm unaware of. Although...if the Dire Wraiths AREN'T completely wiped out, them being the Galactic Authorities would make for a pretty interesting twist, too.
Predacron throws a bomb at the Cobra-La Crew (do you like that nickname? I like that nickname.), and RIGHT before they become snake-paste, who should show up but Grakula and Borr to save the day. Borr this is NOT the time to play fetch! And the dog-bug saves them all by...just throwing the bomb in the air, I guess? Sure, whatever. Pythona TOTALLY likes Grakula's pup-pupa, now. So, that's one subplot resolved this issue!
But, then it gets serious when Predacron blows a hole in Carpet! Dear, sweet, precious (probably a Dire Wraith in disguise) CARPET! It. Is. ON. NOW!
The Cobra-La Crew (I'm gonna make this happen!) try to commandeer Predacron's spaceship. But, they end up running into...whatever it is in this ship.
And then who should show up at the last minute but SKUXXOID! I...don't know why he's stopping on this random planet, but hey, at least now everyone's all together in one spot!
Over in the letters page, it sounds like Kirkman is denying any intentional resemblance between the Void Rival's gang and the Zamojin from The Face of Nijika. Oh, what our subconscious minds can do, sometimes.
Meanwhile, Grakula lost her pet giant bug. Don't you hate it when that happens? Probably saw a squirrel. And Pythona does NOT care for pets. She thinks it's weird. And...since this "pet" grew from her armor, fair enough. I guess I'd be concerned too, if one of my friends grew a pet from their body and then got VERY attached to it as quick as she has. There are red flags to be seen here. Even though the issue frames Pythona as being in the wrong.
Also, it seems like Darak has a little crush on Pythona! Oh...Darak...you have TERRIBLE taste in women. Understandable, I get it but...terrible, terrible choice.
ROM's about to go off to look for a spaceship for them all to use, right as who should show up itching for a fight but Predacron! You know...good ol' Predacron! ...From GI Joe Star Brigade? No, not PredaCON, CRON! Despite the original toy being "CON", which, I'm guessing Hasbro asked them to change to avoid any confusion concerning the Combiner of the same name. Kirkman seems VERY excited about Predacron in the letters page.
And Predacron brought pets! Or...children? I don't know what they are on his ship, but they're something that likes meat. Especially hearts! Adorable!
Apparently, ROM is wanted by "The Galactic Authorities" for...some undisclosed reason. I'm not even sure if ROM remembers for sure what he did. Anyway, any bets on who the "Galactic Authorities" will turn out to be? Because that sounds like prime material for another addition to this new, expanding Hasbroverse. Maybe they're the Visionaries? I could see them as "Authorities". Unless there's some intergalactic branch of COPS that I'm unaware of. Although...if the Dire Wraiths AREN'T completely wiped out, them being the Galactic Authorities would make for a pretty interesting twist, too.
Predacron throws a bomb at the Cobra-La Crew (do you like that nickname? I like that nickname.), and RIGHT before they become snake-paste, who should show up but Grakula and Borr to save the day. Borr this is NOT the time to play fetch! And the dog-bug saves them all by...just throwing the bomb in the air, I guess? Sure, whatever. Pythona TOTALLY likes Grakula's pup-pupa, now. So, that's one subplot resolved this issue!
But, then it gets serious when Predacron blows a hole in Carpet! Dear, sweet, precious (probably a Dire Wraith in disguise) CARPET! It. Is. ON. NOW!
The Cobra-La Crew (I'm gonna make this happen!) try to commandeer Predacron's spaceship. But, they end up running into...whatever it is in this ship.
And then who should show up at the last minute but SKUXXOID! I...don't know why he's stopping on this random planet, but hey, at least now everyone's all together in one spot!
Over in the letters page, it sounds like Kirkman is denying any intentional resemblance between the Void Rival's gang and the Zamojin from The Face of Nijika. Oh, what our subconscious minds can do, sometimes.
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Read GIJoe, mostly liked it.
I like Roadblock just being a large and chill dude that only gets angry if you try to blow him up.
I feel Hound is going easy on everyone becuase they are humans, and they aren't really bad guys. Hound in the Sunbow cartoon was very laid back and not that big of a fighter, so to me it makes sense that he doesn't just instantly end the fight.
As for the switch: The I feel like they want you to think it happens when Hound Transforms. Everyone is kinda focused on the giant robot that there is just enough plausibility for the real Baroness to escape. But I am going to go with a long shot and say that the switch happened off screen last issue, and that the Baroness on the boat was ALWAYS Cover Girl and the convo between her and Clutch is a fake out in case anyone can hear them.
I feel Hound is going easy on everyone becuase they are humans, and they aren't really bad guys. Hound in the Sunbow cartoon was very laid back and not that big of a fighter, so to me it makes sense that he doesn't just instantly end the fight.
As for the switch: The I feel like they want you to think it happens when Hound Transforms. Everyone is kinda focused on the giant robot that there is just enough plausibility for the real Baroness to escape. But I am going to go with a long shot and say that the switch happened off screen last issue, and that the Baroness on the boat was ALWAYS Cover Girl and the convo between her and Clutch is a fake out in case anyone can hear them.
You aren't wrong, honestly. I just like them as a concept. But how about we just bring in Nebulos and the <InseertNounHere>Masters? I'd even be fine if they went the Japanese route and made them a lost colony of micronized/human sized transformers, I just dig the gimmick.
MASK #5 is out!
This is actually kind of a fun little issue. The change in perspective and environment kind of helps freshen things up a little. I wouldn't call this the most important issue ever, or anything. But, I enjoyed it.
This is actually kind of a fun little issue. The change in perspective and environment kind of helps freshen things up a little. I wouldn't call this the most important issue ever, or anything. But, I enjoyed it.
Let Buddie's story be a less to us all. Don't accept strange highly-advanced masks from internet people claiming to cure your medical problems! I guess the creators of this book really hate those red-light therapy masks that have gotten popular, recently. Yeah...this HIGHLY specific lesson from a comic book is more relatable than you thought, isn't it? Our world is weird.
Anyway, Matt's able to put 2 and 2 together here. And what it adds up to is...A DISTRATION! Mayhem's really after his son, Scott! Dear, sweet, precious, innocent Scott!
Innocent Scott, who's basically able to read this situation like a book. And seems to have gone along with all this, just so that he can unleash his 15-foot tall robot on everyone. Uh..yeah...Scott might have some issues, in this continuity.
Anyway, we finally meet T-Bob! "The T stands for THICC!" I quote that from the letters page. Honestly? He kinda gives me "Headmaster" vibes. I just have to wonder....it would be pretty fitting for the MASK cast to be related to Headmasters in some way.
And yeah...these MASKS are no match against a giant robot. Well, we now know these guys powerscale below Transformers. But, are they above Joes? The powerscalers are waiting with notebooks in hand!
And VENOM keeps underestimating Scott. Because he's able to get a drop on one of them with a big stick. And he seems pretty willing to go all in on a "counter-strike" as he puts it. He gets his murderous rage from his mom. I'm joking, but I could see that actually being the case in the future.
So, most of the issue is a kid and his giant robot fighting supervillains in the woods. I don't know, it was just a fun time for me. Maybe just being able to see a character's face helped make his issue feel a little special, I don't know.
Also, Inhumanoids gets a little mention in the letter's column. So...they're aware of the franchise, at least.
Anyway, Matt's able to put 2 and 2 together here. And what it adds up to is...A DISTRATION! Mayhem's really after his son, Scott! Dear, sweet, precious, innocent Scott!
Innocent Scott, who's basically able to read this situation like a book. And seems to have gone along with all this, just so that he can unleash his 15-foot tall robot on everyone. Uh..yeah...Scott might have some issues, in this continuity.
Anyway, we finally meet T-Bob! "The T stands for THICC!" I quote that from the letters page. Honestly? He kinda gives me "Headmaster" vibes. I just have to wonder....it would be pretty fitting for the MASK cast to be related to Headmasters in some way.
And yeah...these MASKS are no match against a giant robot. Well, we now know these guys powerscale below Transformers. But, are they above Joes? The powerscalers are waiting with notebooks in hand!
And VENOM keeps underestimating Scott. Because he's able to get a drop on one of them with a big stick. And he seems pretty willing to go all in on a "counter-strike" as he puts it. He gets his murderous rage from his mom. I'm joking, but I could see that actually being the case in the future.
So, most of the issue is a kid and his giant robot fighting supervillains in the woods. I don't know, it was just a fun time for me. Maybe just being able to see a character's face helped make his issue feel a little special, I don't know.
Also, Inhumanoids gets a little mention in the letter's column. So...they're aware of the franchise, at least.
Well, New York Comic Con has given us a fair bit of news for upcoming books. I'll link to them individually below.
BIG SPOILERS in each of the tags below. You've been warned. Though, they're mostly cover reveals, so you'll probably get spoiled eventually.
Such as, a new, out-of-continuity book:
And the grand debut of a group of fan-favorite characters:
And the reveal of what hatches from Megatron's cocoon:
BIG SPOILERS in each of the tags below. You've been warned. Though, they're mostly cover reveals, so you'll probably get spoiled eventually.
Such as, a new, out-of-continuity book:
Bumblebee Lost Planet!
Interesting choice, given how main-Skybound has been avoiding Bumblebee like the plague.
There's also a GI Joe Island of Doctor Mindbender book coming that's also more art-forcused and out of continuity.
I THINK these are both miniseries. Though, both of them being $5 a pop is unfortunate. But, that's the way the industry's going.
Official: Skybound Has The Gold Key License, Starts With Turok
Skybound Has The Gold Key License, Starts With Turok The Dinosaur Hunter For New Line, Including Transformers & G.I. Joe
bleedingcool.com
Interesting choice, given how main-Skybound has been avoiding Bumblebee like the plague.
There's also a GI Joe Island of Doctor Mindbender book coming that's also more art-forcused and out of continuity.
I THINK these are both miniseries. Though, both of them being $5 a pop is unfortunate. But, that's the way the industry's going.
And the grand debut of a group of fan-favorite characters:
The Dinobots have arrived!
In issue #42 to boot...nice.
They were teasing this for a while. And, honestly, I'm still not sure if this won't be a fake-out, somehow. Kirkman does enjoy his twists. But, the Dinobots arrival should lead to a lot of action and violence in this book, one way or another.
NYCC: Megatron Becomes Megatronus Rex, Energon Universe Gets Dinobots
New York Comic Con Announcement: Megatron Becomes Megatronus Rex in Transformers as the Energon Universe gets Dinobots
bleedingcool.com
In issue #42 to boot...nice.
They were teasing this for a while. And, honestly, I'm still not sure if this won't be a fake-out, somehow. Kirkman does enjoy his twists. But, the Dinobots arrival should lead to a lot of action and violence in this book, one way or another.
And the reveal of what hatches from Megatron's cocoon:
Megatronus REX!
Yeah, there's a little bit of G2 Megatron in there. Though, they did put their own spin on him. And taking the name "Megatronus" is potentially interesting. The Thirteen are slowly getting more and more important in this universe, I guess. And Megatron getting the Fallen's flame-aesthetic is interesting. Hopefully, they do something cool with that. This could be the Fallen possessing Megatron's body, on some level, I guess.
NYCC: Megatron Becomes Megatronus Rex, Energon Universe Gets Dinobots
New York Comic Con Announcement: Megatron Becomes Megatronus Rex in Transformers as the Energon Universe gets Dinobots
bleedingcool.com
Yeah, there's a little bit of G2 Megatron in there. Though, they did put their own spin on him. And taking the name "Megatronus" is potentially interesting. The Thirteen are slowly getting more and more important in this universe, I guess. And Megatron getting the Fallen's flame-aesthetic is interesting. Hopefully, they do something cool with that. This could be the Fallen possessing Megatron's body, on some level, I guess.
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So Bumblebee mini makes me happy, but also has me wondering if this is what was teased in the Energon free comic book day comic
Anyways happy to see Bumblebee getting some love from Skybound.
The human(oid) featured on some covers as well as damaged Ironhide on another...keep in mind in the free comic boy issue had a person living in Ironhide....the thing is that looked like it was tied to main Transformers continuity....I can't see how the Bumblebee one is at all.