I didn't know he was Vogon.
Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound
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I didn't know he was Vogon.
Was that a thing in the cartoon? Or was it just in the comic? I still have never actually gotten around to reading Hama's GI Joe run. I don't remember it being a thing in the Sunbow cartoon, if it was.
It's from his Bio card:
I think he might have done it like once in the toon but my memory of the early cartoon isn't super detailed and he was a pretty small part of it.
-ZacWilliam, I think the General idea is he likes to think himself cultured but his poetry is crap.
I think he might have done it like once in the toon but my memory of the early cartoon isn't super detailed and he was a pretty small part of it.
-ZacWilliam, I think the General idea is he likes to think himself cultured but his poetry is crap.
Void Rivals #22 is out!
It's another solid issue! This one's mostly action across a few different storylines. Things are slowly coming to a head, right before we head into the Quintesson War. I have a feeling the next issue is going to be a big one. Again, it's not necessarily reading for Transformers-only fans. But, it has drastically improved over it's humble beginnings.
It's another solid issue! This one's mostly action across a few different storylines. Things are slowly coming to a head, right before we head into the Quintesson War. I have a feeling the next issue is going to be a big one. Again, it's not necessarily reading for Transformers-only fans. But, it has drastically improved over it's humble beginnings.
On the Cobra-La side of things, they've landed on the planet Quintessa in order to infiltrate the Quintessons. And...Grakula's armor is starting to come to life. Yeah...that's weird. I'm sure that's a reference to something specific, but I'm not sure what. Grakula (from WAAAY back in issue #15) doesn't seem to worried about it, and actually seems to welcome her new...pet? Maybe this is the start of the Pretenders in this universe, who knows?
Meanwhile, in Agorria, Springer and Hot Rod are in the middle of a fight with Proximus and his troops. It's not going well.
It's all out war between the Zertonians and Agorrians! It's not the best battle between two armies I've ever seen. But, I appreciate the attempt.
Solila tries to talk sense into Proximus, since they both want to achieve Unity. But, Proximus and Zalilak are both convinced that Unity can only come through subjugation. Oh, what bitter irony! Oh, what political commentary!
Also, I guess Solila's connection to Zerta gives her the backstory on everyone on the planet. Because she acts like she actually knows Proximus. Maybe it's because they've met before and Proximus just forgot. But, I think she just has access to everyone's tech specs inside her head, personally.
Meanwhile, in Skuxxoidland...Scarred Skuxxoid confronts Skuxxoid Alpha about his origins. Turns out Scar is actually the first "bud" Alpha ever created, he's Skuxxoid Beta! Alpha wants his Rockeroid back, since it's supposed to be the flagship of his armada. But, when Beta/Scar asks about what happened to their family, Alpha orders him sent away to the Divider! This is actually a annoyingly interesting scene. There's some legitimately interesting drama going on here. Alpha seems to actually be in pain due to the memory of whatever happened to their family. It's just baffling that this is happening to Skuxxoid of all characters.
Back in Agorria, the battle's not going well for our heroes. But then, EVERYONE'S forehead energon gems start glowing, and everyone on the battlefield has a massive headache. UNITY HAS BEGUN! ....Apparently. It's unclear what triggered this. Strange. Interesting, but strange.
Over in the letters page, Kirkman gets a little cagey when asked about a certain character starting with the 21st letter of the alphabet showing up, as the "enemy" the Goliant was designed to defend against. (It's "U", by the way). So...hmm...who COULD it be, who COULD it be...
Quintesson War starts in issue #25. So, this arc is probably going to be wrapping up with a few big reveals beforehand.
Meanwhile, in Agorria, Springer and Hot Rod are in the middle of a fight with Proximus and his troops. It's not going well.
It's all out war between the Zertonians and Agorrians! It's not the best battle between two armies I've ever seen. But, I appreciate the attempt.
Solila tries to talk sense into Proximus, since they both want to achieve Unity. But, Proximus and Zalilak are both convinced that Unity can only come through subjugation. Oh, what bitter irony! Oh, what political commentary!
Also, I guess Solila's connection to Zerta gives her the backstory on everyone on the planet. Because she acts like she actually knows Proximus. Maybe it's because they've met before and Proximus just forgot. But, I think she just has access to everyone's tech specs inside her head, personally.
Meanwhile, in Skuxxoidland...Scarred Skuxxoid confronts Skuxxoid Alpha about his origins. Turns out Scar is actually the first "bud" Alpha ever created, he's Skuxxoid Beta! Alpha wants his Rockeroid back, since it's supposed to be the flagship of his armada. But, when Beta/Scar asks about what happened to their family, Alpha orders him sent away to the Divider! This is actually a annoyingly interesting scene. There's some legitimately interesting drama going on here. Alpha seems to actually be in pain due to the memory of whatever happened to their family. It's just baffling that this is happening to Skuxxoid of all characters.
Back in Agorria, the battle's not going well for our heroes. But then, EVERYONE'S forehead energon gems start glowing, and everyone on the battlefield has a massive headache. UNITY HAS BEGUN! ....Apparently. It's unclear what triggered this. Strange. Interesting, but strange.
Over in the letters page, Kirkman gets a little cagey when asked about a certain character starting with the 21st letter of the alphabet showing up, as the "enemy" the Goliant was designed to defend against. (It's "U", by the way). So...hmm...who COULD it be, who COULD it be...
Quintesson War starts in issue #25. So, this arc is probably going to be wrapping up with a few big reveals beforehand.
Transformers #24 is indeed out! And this issue marks the end of Daniel Warren Johnson's run on the book. It's been a pretty memorable run. I've enjoyed it. I feel like it's brought some new fans into the Transformers comic side of things, and that's always a good thing. I think people will end up remembering this run, and look back on it fondly. It's been good times. You did good, DWJ! We'll miss you.
And yeah, agreed on most points. Lot of action. Lot of excitement. A interesting new status quo for a few characters.
If I have one minor complaint, it's that this feels more like the ending to a arc, instead of the end of DWJ's run. It just doesn't quite feel..."big" enough, somehow. Too many things are left unresolved. And it's not like this book is over, so it really shouldn't be. The story is obviously still continuing. But, this is still a fine ending to this phase of the comic. I'm looking forward to what they have for us next.
If you haven't been picking this up...this might honestly be the absolute WORST place to start up again, unless you really want to see how it ends. Just give yourself one more issue and you'd have yourself a better jumping on point. But, if you've been reading this, you won't want to miss this one!
And yeah, agreed on most points. Lot of action. Lot of excitement. A interesting new status quo for a few characters.
If I have one minor complaint, it's that this feels more like the ending to a arc, instead of the end of DWJ's run. It just doesn't quite feel..."big" enough, somehow. Too many things are left unresolved. And it's not like this book is over, so it really shouldn't be. The story is obviously still continuing. But, this is still a fine ending to this phase of the comic. I'm looking forward to what they have for us next.
If you haven't been picking this up...this might honestly be the absolute WORST place to start up again, unless you really want to see how it ends. Just give yourself one more issue and you'd have yourself a better jumping on point. But, if you've been reading this, you won't want to miss this one!
The fight between Optimus and Megatron is REALLY kinetic! So many chips of metal flying everywhere. So many wrestling moves! It's a pretty fun fight. Maybe even one of the top fights in Transformers. Maybe.
Megatron's such a jerk in this, using the human onlookers as shields. It kind of feels like he's trying to make Optimus "better" ...in a very Reverse-Flash stalkery kind of way.
Oof...you know that art's good when you can FEEL Optimus getting impaled on those smokestacks.
And, yes, Beachcomber is NOT dead! That's...almost kind of too bad. I was warming up to my whole "ghost" idea. Oh well, probably for the best. Or maybe not, depending on if he gets the Cliffjumper treatment in the book in later issues.
Ah man....who would show up RIGHT at this exact moment but OMEGA SUPREME! What a...strange moment. Where did this guy come from? Where did he go? What's going on? I guess we'll find out later? But, given Starscream's old love of these guys from the flashback issues (issue #13)...
"My name...is Ulchtar" Dang....okay, powerful moment right there. And then...he tries to blow his own face off. It doesn't take, since we see that he survives later. But...man...that's a little dark. But, he finally found a way to resist Megatron's influence. Good for him! I mean...I can't say this redeems him. He's done WAY too many nasty things to the humans in these issues. But, I am interested in seeing where this ends up going.
And who should show up at the last moment but Shredhead! Nobody's a match for him! He handles things pretty easily, all things considered. I guess he really is just built different.
"Carly. Cliffjumper says hello." Gotta love that he takes time out of the middle of the fight to just say "hi", like he promised.
The Decepticons all retreat. Starscream's alive, but pretty broken in multiple ways. The Autobots start picking up the pieces. And even the Matrix is slowly starting to recharge. All in all..not the worst day ever for the Autobots. It was a busy day. And a pretty rough day. But, it all worked out pretty well, all things considered.
Interesting thing to note. DWJ does say that it was someone "higher up" who told them to include the Thirteen in the Matrix vision. DWJ just called what he wrote the "Hall of Primes". So, that's kind of interesting. Not sure what that would mean for any future plans for the Thirteen in this universe.
Megatron's such a jerk in this, using the human onlookers as shields. It kind of feels like he's trying to make Optimus "better" ...in a very Reverse-Flash stalkery kind of way.
Oof...you know that art's good when you can FEEL Optimus getting impaled on those smokestacks.
And, yes, Beachcomber is NOT dead! That's...almost kind of too bad. I was warming up to my whole "ghost" idea. Oh well, probably for the best. Or maybe not, depending on if he gets the Cliffjumper treatment in the book in later issues.
Ah man....who would show up RIGHT at this exact moment but OMEGA SUPREME! What a...strange moment. Where did this guy come from? Where did he go? What's going on? I guess we'll find out later? But, given Starscream's old love of these guys from the flashback issues (issue #13)...
"My name...is Ulchtar" Dang....okay, powerful moment right there. And then...he tries to blow his own face off. It doesn't take, since we see that he survives later. But...man...that's a little dark. But, he finally found a way to resist Megatron's influence. Good for him! I mean...I can't say this redeems him. He's done WAY too many nasty things to the humans in these issues. But, I am interested in seeing where this ends up going.
And who should show up at the last moment but Shredhead! Nobody's a match for him! He handles things pretty easily, all things considered. I guess he really is just built different.
"Carly. Cliffjumper says hello." Gotta love that he takes time out of the middle of the fight to just say "hi", like he promised.
The Decepticons all retreat. Starscream's alive, but pretty broken in multiple ways. The Autobots start picking up the pieces. And even the Matrix is slowly starting to recharge. All in all..not the worst day ever for the Autobots. It was a busy day. And a pretty rough day. But, it all worked out pretty well, all things considered.
Interesting thing to note. DWJ does say that it was someone "higher up" who told them to include the Thirteen in the Matrix vision. DWJ just called what he wrote the "Hall of Primes". So, that's kind of interesting. Not sure what that would mean for any future plans for the Thirteen in this universe.
I guess I don't mind it so much. Sure, it's overused. But, it's used well, here. And it's pretty clear that this universe LOVES the Sunbow cartoon. I can't blame them quoting the Movie. It doesn't ruin things for me, personally.
It practically did for me. Skybound have been good with borrowing heavy inspiration from the SunBow media. There is 'borrowing from, 'inspired by', then there is 'straight ripping from'. This was a pretty big moment, one where DWJ could have put his OWN mark on the franchise, like "Going on the Offensive", but NO. Situational-specific quote from the 86' movie! And THAT is what I'll end up remembering from this issue/arc.
TF #24 (I'll keep with the spoiler box since it's still day of release)
EDIT to add:
So yeah, DWJ's run comes to an end. And... it's not terrible, but certainly a bit underwhelming, and I think emblematic of the latter half of his run as a whole: cool fight scenes, but plot-wise it definitely felt like he ran out of steam and didn't have any clear idea on where to go. Given that this is by far the longest run he's ever done (Extremity was 12 issues, everything else was 8 or less), I'm not too surprised. I think things started off great, and the theme of 'war is hell' was pretty evident, but it just sorta kept chugging along without anything more to say. Most of the characters are used in relatively interchangeable ways, and there's no interesting or novel high-level concepts at play.
The actual climax was also somewhat weird... Omega Supreme shows just outta nowhere to just... fly by? Bizarre. Maybe he's supposed to be less of a 'real' Cybertronian and more of a mythological figure? Reminds me of say, a viking or ancient Roman seeing their gods at a pivotal moment or something.
Starscream has a sudden flash of insight, which... it's an interesting thread to pick up again, but it certainly doesn't feel like a fully redemptive moment for me. I know we got his backstory as Ulchtar back in #13, but while we saw the motivating event for him joining up with the Decepticons, we never saw his descent into a bloodthirsty murderer, and without that I still can't muster up too much sympathy for him. (It probably also doesn't help that the comic is kinda vague here - does he shoot himself, or does Megatron? Is he actually still alive at the end?)
Between Omega Supreme and the sudden Shredhead appearance, it's almost verging on the worst sort of deus ex machina, though at least we knew Shredhead was on his way.
I also wasn't too bothered by the 'sterner stuff' line, kinda inevitable, and at least it's a lesser-used line (at least as I can remember, 'one shall stand' gets used a lot more, for example).
I think the 'small but mighty' theme at the end here would've had more of an impact of any of the smaller guys (Beachcomber, or the humans, etc) actually did anything to save the day. At most you can give some thanks to Cliffjumper for sending Shredhead, but even then there's an awful lot of luck and convenient timing involved.
The actual climax was also somewhat weird... Omega Supreme shows just outta nowhere to just... fly by? Bizarre. Maybe he's supposed to be less of a 'real' Cybertronian and more of a mythological figure? Reminds me of say, a viking or ancient Roman seeing their gods at a pivotal moment or something.
Starscream has a sudden flash of insight, which... it's an interesting thread to pick up again, but it certainly doesn't feel like a fully redemptive moment for me. I know we got his backstory as Ulchtar back in #13, but while we saw the motivating event for him joining up with the Decepticons, we never saw his descent into a bloodthirsty murderer, and without that I still can't muster up too much sympathy for him. (It probably also doesn't help that the comic is kinda vague here - does he shoot himself, or does Megatron? Is he actually still alive at the end?)
Between Omega Supreme and the sudden Shredhead appearance, it's almost verging on the worst sort of deus ex machina, though at least we knew Shredhead was on his way.
I also wasn't too bothered by the 'sterner stuff' line, kinda inevitable, and at least it's a lesser-used line (at least as I can remember, 'one shall stand' gets used a lot more, for example).
I think the 'small but mighty' theme at the end here would've had more of an impact of any of the smaller guys (Beachcomber, or the humans, etc) actually did anything to save the day. At most you can give some thanks to Cliffjumper for sending Shredhead, but even then there's an awful lot of luck and convenient timing involved.
EDIT to add:
When Megatron rebuilds Starscream in #20, the location is a 'beacon of the Ancients' in part of the Cybertronian wreckage, and he notes it "still signals." Still pretty damn convenient timing!
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Let me guess...
"One shall stand, one shall fall"?
That was already used in issue 23.
I was kinda on the fence with this issue, but a post in the comments for TJOmega's review on youtube
does a good job of summing things up and has kinda turned me around:
The point is that Megatron needs to win, and he needs to be seen as winning. He has declared himself as the leader of "the one true way" to save cybertron, and merely killing optimus would not be a victory. It would, at most, create a martyr. No, Megatron needs to break Prime. He needs to show him that Prime's compassion and empathy is a waste, that he cannot make the "hard choices" like Megatron can. Megatron isn’t this scheming, mustache-twirling cartoon villain with grand ambitions. He's a fanatic. He has been broken and twisted by whoever "gifted" him the dark counterpart to the Matrix, and believes that it is his right- his duty- go break and twist all cybertronians for that same end. He needs Optimus to concede defeat. That's why he says he will kill both the humans and beachcomer if Prime cannot decide. It's also where the irony of Megatron's ideology comes back to bite him. Megatron doesn't have to make hard choices. He doesn't have to balance the lives of his followers and the lives of noncombatants. He simply just does things, and if others don't go along, he beats them into submission. But what happens when someone has enough of this? His re-activation of the sentinel beacon to power starscream's rebuild comes and bites him in the tailpipe in his moment of victory because it calls Omega Supreme to him, and it reminds Starscream- Ulchtar- of the last time he spent with people who loved him, who saw him as more than just a mere vessel for tyrannical plans. And Ulchtar, seeing this, has nothing to lose. How are we introduced to Ulchtar? He reprimands a friend of his for treating the life of a turbosect as worthless. Ulchtar cannot bring himself to destroy another living thing, no matter how small or insignificant. So he does the only thing he can-- he ends the cycle.
GI Joe #11 is out!
This is another solid issue! It's the end of the Baroness and Cover Girl arc, and it ends...memorably, let's just say that. We're also getting more with Hound, which does feel like it's setting up a larger role for him down the line in this book. Overall, it's just a good issue! Fun times!
This is another solid issue! It's the end of the Baroness and Cover Girl arc, and it ends...memorably, let's just say that. We're also getting more with Hound, which does feel like it's setting up a larger role for him down the line in this book. Overall, it's just a good issue! Fun times!
"...There's someone behind me, isn't there?"
They actually did it. They have Hound DRINK Cobra's energy weapons like they're a tube of Go-gurt. Yummy...blueberry!
But, this energon is "corrupted", somehow. Hey! It came from a swamp! Cut it some slack! I do wonder if there's going to be side-effects, though. Zombie Transformers incoming? I mean, this universe IS run by Robert Kirkman, after all.
Honestly? It's a little hard to believe that Baroness is actually having that hard of a time with Major Bludd, of all characters. Maybe it's the bias of "the more popular character SHOULD be stronger" trope. But, still. I guess you could just say she's stalling for time.
Baroness, is your plan REALLY to try and talk sense into the guy in the bird costume? I feel like she's not really thinking that one through.
AW GEEZ! Baroness takes Major Bludd's OTHER eye. Well...hope he has spare eye-patches laying around.
So, Cobra Commander is preparing for "A war between flesh and metal". In which, he thinks the "metal" will win, so they have to become one with it. That's...interesting. Robo-Joe incoming? Or just WAY more BATS? Something else from Joe lore that I'm forgetting? I'm a little surprised this didn't lead more directly into the Dreadnok War, with CC on the run, but I guess that's coming later.
So, Risk agrees to keep Clutch and Hound's secret for now. I guess this is going to be a subplot a while longer.
And this hostage situation really gave Baroness and Cover Girl time to bond. They're pretty good friends now! Or...well, frienemies, at least.
"Enjoy your broken nose. I'm sure your plastic surgeon will be happy to see it again." Oof. Savage!
Good thing, too, because Night Force was going to kill Baroness if she got out of line! Yeah, I guess we're probably headed for a Joe versus Joe event, at some point.
But, Night Force's next mission will be to go to Darklonia to break their next recruit out of prison...SHOOTER!
...Who's Shooter? *Googles quick* Wait, wait, no! I already did this bit when the solicitations came out. Nevermind.
gijoe.fandom.com
Wow, Major Bludd only appeared with BOTH his eyes in eight total panels in this series. That's not a lot!
They actually did it. They have Hound DRINK Cobra's energy weapons like they're a tube of Go-gurt. Yummy...blueberry!
But, this energon is "corrupted", somehow. Hey! It came from a swamp! Cut it some slack! I do wonder if there's going to be side-effects, though. Zombie Transformers incoming? I mean, this universe IS run by Robert Kirkman, after all.
Honestly? It's a little hard to believe that Baroness is actually having that hard of a time with Major Bludd, of all characters. Maybe it's the bias of "the more popular character SHOULD be stronger" trope. But, still. I guess you could just say she's stalling for time.
Baroness, is your plan REALLY to try and talk sense into the guy in the bird costume? I feel like she's not really thinking that one through.
AW GEEZ! Baroness takes Major Bludd's OTHER eye. Well...hope he has spare eye-patches laying around.
So, Cobra Commander is preparing for "A war between flesh and metal". In which, he thinks the "metal" will win, so they have to become one with it. That's...interesting. Robo-Joe incoming? Or just WAY more BATS? Something else from Joe lore that I'm forgetting? I'm a little surprised this didn't lead more directly into the Dreadnok War, with CC on the run, but I guess that's coming later.
So, Risk agrees to keep Clutch and Hound's secret for now. I guess this is going to be a subplot a while longer.
And this hostage situation really gave Baroness and Cover Girl time to bond. They're pretty good friends now! Or...well, frienemies, at least.
"Enjoy your broken nose. I'm sure your plastic surgeon will be happy to see it again." Oof. Savage!
Good thing, too, because Night Force was going to kill Baroness if she got out of line! Yeah, I guess we're probably headed for a Joe versus Joe event, at some point.
But, Night Force's next mission will be to go to Darklonia to break their next recruit out of prison...SHOOTER!
...Who's Shooter? *Googles quick* Wait, wait, no! I already did this bit when the solicitations came out. Nevermind.
Shooter
Shooter is a G.I. Joe character from the A Real American Hero comics Continuity. Shooter is the codename for the G.I. Joe team's original sniper. Shooter was killed in action during the events of G.I. Joe: Declassified, which took place within the first issue of the Marvel Comics series...
gijoe.fandom.com
Wow, Major Bludd only appeared with BOTH his eyes in eight total panels in this series. That's not a lot!
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The solicitations for December are out!
The solicits themselves:
And some commentary:
Image Comics December 2025 Full Solicits, And No Digital For Criminal
Image Comics' December 2025 solicits, with The Darkness, Wrestle Heist, Spawn, Ghost Machine, Massive-Verse... and no digital for Criminal
bleedingcool.com
And some commentary:
Not much to say about Drednok War. Seems like it's going to be a bunch of fun action. I'm guessing we MIGHT get to see Duke finding out about Hound, finally. We'll see.
Sounds like Megatron's already making a move in Transfomers. I was kind of wondering if we might be switching to a different antongist for a while, to give Megatron some time to lick his wound, but nope! There's a spoiler cover, too. So, place your bets! What's going to happen to be worthy of a cover? Maybe Thundercracker switches sides and joins the Autobots?
Quintesson War starts in Void Rivals! This should be fun and interesting! I do wonder what the fallout of this event is going to end up being. Could we see a certain planet-eating god reawaken?
Sounds like Megatron's already making a move in Transfomers. I was kind of wondering if we might be switching to a different antongist for a while, to give Megatron some time to lick his wound, but nope! There's a spoiler cover, too. So, place your bets! What's going to happen to be worthy of a cover? Maybe Thundercracker switches sides and joins the Autobots?
Quintesson War starts in Void Rivals! This should be fun and interesting! I do wonder what the fallout of this event is going to end up being. Could we see a certain planet-eating god reawaken?