It’s a Combiner Wa… skirmish…scuffle?
Yup! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series, with Jorge Corona on pencils and Mike Spicer on colors!
In this twenty-first issue, Megatron leads a massive assault on the Ark, and he wants his arm back! That’s fine, because Optimus doesn’t want that smelly thing anymore anyhow! He doesn’t care HOW cool and edgy it makes him look!
What’s this about combiners then?
Well, Megatron’s got TWO to Optimus Prime’s ONE, as Superion makes his debut and immediately needs to take on both Bruticus and Devastator. That is, unless Bruticus and Devastator don’t wreck each other first! As for the rest of the excitement, Optimus finally realizes that the weird visions and violent spells he’s been having are due to Megatron’s arm! Apparently he never played Metal Gear Solid 2 and figured it out long ago like the rest of us!
A bunch of other plot points come into play, including Thundercracker’s new plan to free Skywarp from the Ark’s computer. We also check in on Ultra Magnus in G.I. Joe captivity and on Shredhead and Cliffjumper’s intent to rescue Carly. I mean… I’ve basically just told you how those plots advance, as in… not by much. At least the Thundercracker and Skywarp thing literally goes somewhere.
So… does anything major happen?
Well, yes! Of course! There’s a big fight scene for most of the issue, which culminates in the Autobots having to abandon the Ark. They suffer a casualty trying to retreat from the Decepticons, which is not surprising for this book. Also not surprising is WHICH Autobot bites it, as it seems to be a depressing trend for the guy.
I appreciate that DWJ tries to show serious stakes and consequences to war, but it just feels a bit of a waste most of the time. Guys like Ratchet, Kup, and even Carnivac were potent story engines and they’re tossed away for a shock moment (or in Carnivac’s case, I bet DWJ has no idea about the history behind that character and just used him as cannon fodder.)
Cube?
I’m running outta things to say about this book. Pretty art but weak, decompressed plotting and silly dialogue most of the time. DWJ’s run apparently concludes with this arc, so I’m kinda looking forward to seeing who takes over. Void Rivals has been a far superior entry in the Energon Universe and even handles its Transformers characters with more care.
Buy Transformers # 21 this week, and someone go tell Alpha Bravo his position has opened up again.
