Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound

[ZakuConvoy]

Spoiler

Ah, Megatron's Transformation Cog is a good call. I always forget those can be removed.

And I'm not sure if that's a Cobra-grenade in Clutch's duffel bag or if that's supposed to be a "carrying case" for the Cobra uniform he was using to disguise himself in the Cobra base. (Cobra is nothing if not on-brand.) Maybe he was planning to bury his uniform and helmet out in the desert to give himself some closure? Or maybe there IS a mind control device in the helmet and maybe he IS a double agent now. Otherwise, I don't think there was time for him to be converted. I'll admit, I'm not sure what that is. But, supposedly, Clutch packed it himself since it was in his bag.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

July solicitations are out!

Spoiler

Transformers, Void Rivals And G.I. Joe Energon Solicits For July 2025

Transformers, Void Rivals and G.I. Joe's Energon Universe solicits and solicitations for July 2025 from Image Comics

bleedingcool.com

Not much to say about them this time around. They're all pretty vague. So, either something big is going to be happening in all of them, or they'll all be more "transition" issues.

It does sound like July is when DWJ will start the arc where he wraps up his run on the book. He's said before he plans to end his run at 24 issues. I'll miss him, he's been pretty solid on this book, despite my criticisms. I do wonder who will end up replacing him. Given how much Kirkman loves a good surprise, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't find out until it's announced in issue #24 or maybe the FCBD issue.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

Void Rivals #18 is out!

This issue is...a bit disjointed. But, things are definitely happening. We're following quite a few different plot threads, here. So, we jump around a lot. And we seem to be covering a few weeks worth of time in this one issue. It's not the most seamless reading experience, but I'll take this to nothing happening.

Not much in the way of Transformers importance yet. But, it's pretty clear that there's going to be more Transformers involvement later.

All in all, this is a pretty good issue. We're still setting things up, but there's more progress than before. If the previous issues were crawling, this is at least taking a nice gingerly stroll. This book is improving. I'm enjoying this book more now, than I was before.

Spoiler

Zalilak is still undergoing the trials of the Keepers of the Light. Looks like a fun time. Cults are always known for great parties. I do want to know what it was that he was killing, deep in the bowels of their ringworld. They kind of remind me of the Demons from the Marvel Comics. I wonder if they're something similar. Maybe creatures of the Goliant?

Demon - Transformers Wiki

tfwiki.net

Proximus has taken the throne of Zertonia! And his first order of business is...to take a nap. Overthrowing the rulers of half a world takes a lot out of you!

Darak has learned the secrets of this world...offscreen. And now he's on his dad's side. Because drama! "It doesn't sound so bad when you put it like that" indeed!

Solila has reactivated Vector Theta, and it's not pleased to being woken up. "What do you waaant?" This supercomputer is so whiny.

The truth of this world is kind of absurd. But, they live in a world with giant robots that can turn into boom boxes, and tentacle aliens obsessed with courtroom roleplay. They live in a absurd world, what can I say?

The Zertonian Rebels now have the schematics for power generators. Which now means, the balance of power on this planet is upset. War be coming.

"I return now, to the hollow comfort of oblivion" Oh, this supercomputer is going through it's goth phase. It all makes sense now.

"Arise...Solila...PRIME!" Okay, not really, but...kinda. Solila now has technomancy powers. In a world that's made of metal and wires. In other words, she's kind of overpowered now.

Hot Rod and Springer are planning to try and leave once they get some Energon for the road. Yeah....that's probably not going to happen before the war breaks out, I'd reckon.

Oh and hey! Solila and Darak reunite thanks to Solila's new powers! What a heartfelt reunion! Too bad Darak's dad orders him to kill this intruder. Yeah...that's going to go well for him, after Solila's upgrade, I'm sure. He seems to take using the Handroid personally. I guess I'd be pretty protective of my hands, too, so I can't blame him.

 

[Swerve]

Free Comicbook Day is here

Spoiler: Spoiler

well the Energon Fre comic book day special is out and we get.....Matt Tracker from mask...Buzzer has a chainsaw hand like Ash from Evil Dead...Wheelie is on Quintessa....some good Hound stuff, but how many bots got dropped out of that ship when they crashed?.

 

[Swerve]

A lot of great stuff

Spoiler

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Ooh,

Spoiler

Cybertronic Spree

!

 

[#1 Signal Lancer Fan]

New to the forums,

Energon Universe has quickly become one of my favorite Transformers continuities. Usually, I don't go crazy for G1-adjacent stories. I like when the brand does something new and interesting. But the characters in this comic run have been so well-written and interesting. Skybound's Optimus Prime is my absolute favorite take on the character, which is not something that I say lightly.

Void Rivals has been pretty solid too. I've been enjoying the mystery of it. Outside of Cobra Commander, I haven't read any of the G.I. Joe comics because I've never really cared much about G.I. Joe.

Very excited to read the special and the new Transformers release tomorrow.

 

[Rhinox]

The GI Joe book is good. And it goes nicely with the Transformers book. I'm enjoying the world they're building.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

One thing I liked about IDW1 was that, to me, it didn't feel G1.

There were certainly elements of G1 there, don't get me wrong, it was the core of it, but it felt more like an Ultimate universe concept or something, just grabbing stuff from all over the Transformers franchise.

Sort of like how different incarnations of Batman are similar, but different. Or other heroes and comic stuff. Or like how the Mario and Sonic movies are a lot like their game counterparts, but still just that much different, without going full-blown 1993 Super Mario Bros. with it.

 

[#1 Signal Lancer Fan]

Just read issue 20

Good stuff

 

[#1 Signal Lancer Fan]

For fun, I've been keeping track of the current status of all known Transformers in the Energon Universe since the story began. As of this week's issue, the 2025 special, and Void Rivals 18, here's the updated list (spoilers of course):

Spoiler: Spoiler: List of the current status of all Transformers

Alive and Active on Earth:

Autobots:

• Optimus Prime
• Wheeljack
• Jazz
• Trailbreaker
• Arcee
• Beachcomber
• The Aerialbots

Decepticons:

• Megatron
• Laserbeak
• Soundwave
• Ravage
• Rumble
• The Constructicons/Devastator
• The Combaticons/Bruticus

G.I. Joe:

• Hound

Alive and active off-world

Autobots:

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

Decepticons:

• Hotlink (Cybertron)

Alive and Inactive

Autobots:

• Jetfire (Trapped in alt-mode)
• Ultra Magnus (captured by G.I. Joe)

Decepticons:

• Skywarp (Merged with Teletraan-1)
• Thundercracker (Seeking a way to free Skywarp)
• Starscream (Captured by Megatron)

Other:

• Zerta Trion (Inside the Sacred Ring)
• Alpha Trion (Location/status unknown)
• The Ancient/Omega Supreme (Location/status unknown)
• Dezimir (Location/Status unknown)
• Wheelie (In a Quintesson prison)

Offline, presumed alive

Autobots:

• Prowl
• Windcharger
• Ironhide

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

Autobots:

• Bumblebee
• Ratchet
• Brawn
• Huffer
• Kup

Decepticons:

• Reflector
• Frenzy
• Shockwave
• Genvo
• Thrust
• Ratbat
• Ramjet
• Bitstream
• Carnivac
• Astrotrain

Other:

• Machanokoar

 

[Glitch]

Spoiler

I've a inkling this version of Megatron is evil.

 

[#1 Signal Lancer Fan]

Spoiler

I've a inkling this version of Megatron is evil.

Spoiler

I'm really enjoying this version of Megatron. He's merciless, but also seems very supportive of his loyal followers. He's not just abusing his subordinates like Megatrons of the past, only the ones who betray him. It also says a lot that he prioritized healing Starscream so he could punish him over healing himself.

I also really like the angle they're taking with his gun mode. I've never been a fan of gun mode Megatron because he requires someone else to wield him, but this is a very interesting twist on that.

 

[ZakuConvoy]

The Energon Universe 2025 Special (paid retail version) and Transformers #20 are both out!

Let's start with the Energon Universe Special, since that actually came out a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pick up the Free Comic Book Day version of this comic. I went to FCBD at my local shop a *little* later than I guess I should have and paid for it...literally. Still, I guess it's a good thing Skybound's doing these retail versions of the comic. I've been trying to avoid spoilers ever since. I'm just glad to finally have the issue in-hand.

And this was a fun issue. Almost necessary reading for GI Joe. Because, otherwise, I would think people would get a little confused about what happened to that cliffhanger. And this DOES tease a potentially big event coming up. So, yeah, this is a good issue to pick up. Even better if you got the FCBD version.

Most people got this for FCBD. But, I'd say it's worth buying, too, if you missed it. Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself *le sigh*.

Spoiler

Turns out that WAS a grenade in Clutch's duffel bag, and he wasn't happy to see Hound at all!

Hound claims he wasn't trying to be threatening, but I don't know if I buy that. You're a 20 foot tall robot grilling a guy for information at night. What did you EXPECT to happen?!

Good thing Clutch knows a good repair guy. Matt Trakker! M-m-m-MASK is b-b-b-back! You can't keep MASK down, no matter how much logic and reason says otherwise! The song's just too catchy to let this franchise die for long! We might just get Skybound's version of the expanded Hasbroverse yet!

Ravage is here, too! Man...he JUST got repaired. Soundwave's gonna be so peeved!

Good thing Matt knows how to repair alien technology...somehow. And Clutch and Hound seem to be pretty buddy-buddy after this whole experience.

And another return. The Dreadnoks are coming! GROOVY!



Okay. "Jazz discovers jazz" is a cute idea for a story. This isn't the most substantial story. But, it's a fun little page-filler.

I...guess I can see this group forming a rock band together. It just feels a little weird that they have time for rock and roll, when they're likely in the middle of a war.

They dropped Jazz from their band?! That's like...dropping Gene Simmons from KISS or something. You don't DO that! It'll just backfire in their face. And thinking about it...I think ALL these guys do get MAJOR karmic backlash from this. Almost disproportionately so. All their bad luck is because of THIS event!

I do kind of feel for Jazz, here. Searching for a place to belong. But...Optimus has a point. Basically, "get back to work".



And the final story sees the most epic return of all...WHEELIE! Your cries have been answered!

I don't know if this story would actually make sense for anyone who hasn't been reading Void Rivals. They're using a lot of vague terminology, here.

Apparently, the Quintessons don't even WANT dumb, old Cybertron back! They got a better toy anyway! Nyah!

Do the random robots Wheelie frees look familiar to anyone else? They're probably just made up for this special. But, I have this odd, nagging feeling I've seen them somewhere before. I don't know why.

We get a interesting little lore-nugget. The Quintessons want the Goliant back because it's their only defense against...something. It COULD be the same "something" we saw hinted back in Transformers #19. The Quintesson's mysterious master. (Which I think could be Primacron.) Or maybe it's Unicron, which feels like the more likely scenario. This universe DOES love the cartoon. It feels inevitable that Skybound will do something with Unicron, eventually.

Anyway...time for the Quintesson War! Okay, this could be fun. Although, they only mention it happening in Void Rivals. I'm not sure if this will end up spilling into ALL the books, or not.

And I'm still not convinced Skuxxoid's actually dead. They keep bringing him up too much.

And now, Transformers #20!

And yeah, this was a good issue. It actually felt like a lot happened, here. I think from here on out, it's going to be pretty high-octane until the end of DWJ's run. Good stuff!

Spoiler

If you were wondering...yes, Megatron CAN take a train to the chest. I'm glad we finally got a answer to that long-running fan question.

Also, Megatron can beat a triple-changer literally one-handed. I'll admit, that's kind of an impressive feat.

Ultra Magnus's day is going...about as well as any day goes for Ultra Magnus, really. This is kind of par for the course for him, really. Poor guy. Even when he catches a break, it just ends up exploding in his hands.

Do we know this Chaplain? He MIGHT be from GI Joe. But, I have a feeling he's new.

So, Optimus can't actually hear the voices of the previous Matrix-Bearers in this continuity. That's...potentially interesting. That might be a hint about something, or it could just be a clarification, I'm not sure.

The Aerialbots are...surprisingly touchy-feely. That's a interesting new interpretation for them. I guess it's probably to show why they're so good at being a combiner?

Skywarp is not happy about still being a part of this wall. I don't know why. It seems like a perfectly nice wall.

I wonder if Shredhead will ever get any of his old memories back? They seem to be teasing the possibility. Back when he was...whoever. And Shredhead is ready for a roadtrip! Time to DRIVE all the way back to Earth. Wait....

Huh. "Titans" are being called "Ancients", here. I wonder why the change? Hasbro seemed to be adopting the "Titan" term across all the various media, even if it did originate with IDW (I think). I get it does get across the idea that beings like Omega Supreme are old in a way that "Titan" doesn't.

And now for the BIG SHOW of this issue. Megatron heals Starscream...just as a excuse to pound him into the dirt! He's had it coming! It is pretty brutal, though. Mind controlling him against his will again is almost worse than the beating. I was kind of wondering if Megatron was going to heal him again, just to have another round of "fun", but I guess that's enough Energon wasted for one day.

Apparently, Megatron's gun mode isn't as strong without his other arm. I guess that makes sense. Though...there IS a repair module RIGHT THERE. But, the letters page does sort of explain that Megatron isn't healing himself right away as some sort of "honor" thing. He won't repair himself, until ALL his other soldiers are repaired first. I guess that's a convenient enough excuse. I think DWJ just likes drawing the cable-eyes. To be fair, it IS a pretty memorable look.

 

[#1 Signal Lancer Fan]

Spoiler

Huh. "Titans" are being called "Ancients", here. I wonder why the change? Hasbro seemed to be adopting the "Titan" term across all the various media, even if it did originate with IDW (I think). I get it does get across the idea that beings like Omega Supreme are old in a way that "Titan" doesn't.

Spoiler

One thing to note here is that Omega Supreme is not usually a Titan, but a Guardian/Sentinel. Titans are usually a term saved for city formers like Metroplex.
I'd be interested to know what the deal is with these Ancients. It could be that Ancients are a category, with Guardians/Sentinels and Titans falling within the category, or it could be this continuities term for the Guardians/Sentinels. We have seen in Cobra Commander that there are/were other Guardians/Sentinels other than Omega Supreme for what that means.