BotTalk Reviews

Transform and Take A Stand! 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! At least for now, because this is this creative team’s penultimate issue! In this twenty-third issue, the Autobots make their last stand against a relentless Decepticon assault. Meanwhile, an unconscious Optimus Prime travels through the inside of the Matrix and meets up with an old friend. Penultimate? That’s when all the good stuff happens, right? Uh sure. The heroes are brought to their lowest point and set up for a grand climax when Optimus Prime finally returns! I mean, c’mon, you knew he was gonna eventually! I feel like most of the “penultimate” action happens off-panel, with the Decepticons running roughshod over the remaining Autobots while we’re focusing on Optimus doi...

War of the Void Rivals! War begins, here in issue # 21 of Void Rivals! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman’s sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. New ongoing artist Conor Hughes joins Kirkman and colorist Patricio Delpeche in this issue as Agorria and Zertonia stand at the brink of war! Darak and Solila’s efforts to bring forth Unity hit a big snag as Premier Zalilak returns from his spiritual sojourn and launches a full-on attack against Agorria. Meanwhile, Skuxxoid (our Skuxxoid) learns how to advance in the ran...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Raptor (Cobra Falconer) continues his attack on Cover Girl and Baroness in Paris, relating briefly his origin.  Finally, he and Major Bludd are able to capture the duo.  At the Pit (The G.I. Joe command center), Risk expresses concern that Clutch is acting off to Duke, who brushes it off.  Meanwhile, Clutch talks more with Autobot Hound and promises to help him find the Autobots and more Energon.  At a prison facility, Mercer has broken in and found a rogue M.A.R.S. agent who helped fixed up Decepticon Starscream.  Destro tells Mercer to make sure the agent doesn't share the info.  In an undisclosed location, Major Bludd tells the Baroness and Cover Girl they must fight for their freedom, ending the issue on a cliffhanger.  Writing :  Williamson has done a good job making Raptor a bit more interesting.  He keeps the bulk of ...

Transform and Rest Up! Cuz this is a slow one. 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-second issue, the Autobots recover from last issue’s clash with the Decepticons, while the ‘Cons prepare their final offensive. Also, Cliffjumper comes to a momentous decision, one that will cost him dearly! What’s Cliffjumper done now? He’s simply presented with an opportunity to give Carly the best chance at survival and takes it, even at the cost of his fellow Cybertron-bound comrades. Elita One sure ain’t happy about that and I can’t help but be amused at the irony of the word “traitor” being flung in Cliffjumper’s direction. Speaking of Carly, her and Ultra Magnus get some momentum and are headed towards the big fight by the end of this iss...

Void Rivals Clash! They do, here in issue # 20 of Void Rivals! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman’s sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. New ongoing artist Conor Hughes joins Kirkman and colorist Patricio Delpeche in this issue as Darak and Solila come to blows over what is to be done about the uniting of their peoples against the looming threat of Goliant! Dey fight? Yes, Darak and Solila have gotten conflicting information over what to do about Goliant, which leads them into combat this issue. Darak’s father, M...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letter) Story : After a training exercise at the Pitt, the Baroness wishes to have 48 hours of leave (even though she's technically a prisoner).  Clutch brings Autobot Hound into the base.  Cobra Commander and Destro look at the Transformers battle in Seattle and decide to try to retrieve whatever they can from the devastation, though Cobra Commander wants a fully functioning Cybertronian.  Baroness is allowed a leave but Cover Girl needs to go with her.  They get to know each other a bit and enjoy some time in Paris until Major Bludd sends his agents after the Baroness.   Writing : This is a good character-driven issue, especially for the Baroness and Cover Girl.  We get some background on them and they seem to really start to bond over a few shared similarities.  Cobra Commander is still cryptic with Destro but a larger picture is starting to form, c...

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 fig...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Plot : Cover Girl asks General Hawk about some files and he dismisses it and proceeds to shred them.  Elsewhere, Beach Head is tasked with retrieving an item from a rich man's home and runs into problems with another group trying to get it.  Eventually, he succeeds with some help but feels he was too "sloppy" in it.  His help was Lady Jaye and Flint, who have an offer for him.  Meanwhile. Major Bludd is upset over his troops' failure to procure the item.  Writing :  Mystery is the name of this issue.  What were in the files Hawk shredded?  What's the item Beach Head is trying to get?  Who is Major Bludd out to get?  And what are Flint and Lady Jaye up to?  Following the conclusion of the first arc, this one introduces a few Joes new to the Energon Universe.  Like before, the framework of their character is there (Beac...