BotTalk Reviews

War ends? Next on Void Rivals! The Quintesson War comes to an end for now in issue # 30 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. Penciler Andrei Bressan and colorist Patricio Delpeche join Robert Kirkman for the sixth and final part of “Quintesson War”. In this instalment, Darak and Solila are finally reunited as the Quintesson War grinds to a halt. An even greater threat is on the horizon, so perhaps it is time to seek out new allies… So uh, who won? Oh, the Quint...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Cobra Commander admires his latest achievement and sends Destro on a mission (despite his arguing otherwise).  We get a bit more background on Risk as he, Baroness and Stalker land in Badhikistan for a mission.  The reports say it is abandoned and that the people left it because it is haunted.  They start to see strange signs but eventually run into Destro, Astoria, and Mercer, who claim to have seen things also (both sides blame each other).  After a brief tussle, all but Risk are captured by various things.  Meanwhile. Crystal Ball looks on, having captured everyone with his tech.  Writing : An interesting story and right away Williamson has made Crystal Ball a bit more interesting.  Crystal Ball was never a fan-favourite character (or toy) so it will be fun to see what he ends up doing here.  We get some classic Cobra Commande...

It’s Elita Prime Time! A bold new era for the Autobots and this book begins! Robert Kirkman, chief architect of the Energon Universe, writes the flagship Transformers title and Jason Howard takes over as regular penciler for this new story arc with Mike Spicer on colors. Howard had previously drawn issues # 13 and # 14 of this book, along with many covers. In this thirty-second issue, Elita Prime and the Autobots that chose to follow her return to Cybertron via a space bridge portal and land in enemy territory. It isn’t long before Shockwave arrives with a welcoming party for them and a huge battle erupts! Can Elita prove herself worthy of the Matrix in her first major test as the new Prime? Fighty-fighty? Oh yeah, this entire issue is a big fight between Elita and Shockwave’s forces, allowing Jason Howard to showcase his artistic chops at action scenes. Things quickly become desperate for the Autobots and Elita Prime ends up having an “Open, dammit, open!” moment with her new Matrix t...

What’s all this then? Oh, it’s just time for a Free Comic Book Day Energon Universe Special! For 2026, this edition features four tales: M.A.S.K., written by Dan Waters with art by Pye Parr. Transformers, written by Robert Kirkman, penciled by Jason Howard, and colored by Sarah Stern. Void Rivals, written by Robert Kirkman, penciled by Conor Hughes, and colored by Patricio Delpeche. G.I. Joe, written by Joshua Williamson, penciled by Tom Reilly, and colored by Lee Loughridge. Oh. Yeah, it’s the usual Free Comic Book day teases of upcoming storylines or in M.A.S.K.’s case, a new ongoing comic. Accordingly, M.A.S.K. gets the longest story that sets up the ongoing as Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem begin to assemble their teams. The Transformers tale is free of dialogue, introducing a mysterious new human character and a classic Autobot who has been absent from the Energon Universe so far. The Void Rivals tale takes place after the current “Quintesson War” arc (and annoyingly SPOILS some pl...

War continues, next on Void Rivals! The Quintesson War continues in issue # 29 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. Penciler Andrei Bressan and colorist Patricio Delpeche join Robert Kirkman for the fifth and penultimate part of “Quintesson War”. In this instalment, Darak and the Agorrians are being pushed back by the massive Quintesson Tribunal, while the war continues to be fought on other fronts by Solila, Pythona, Proximus and many others. Wait, what’s the ...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Tom Reilly (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Cover Girl, Snow Job and Frostbite are set to retrieve Scarlett from her undercover mission at the Arashikage (from her own limited series).  While there, Cobra attacks and Scarlett, Jinx, and Storm Shadow do their best to fight off the Cobra troops but heavy causalities are taken and Cobra leaves the place destroyed.  Scarlett gets extracted.   Writing :  In homage to the original issue #21 of G.I. Joe, this is mostly a silent issue.  There is just a bit of mission journal at the beginning and end of it, but the rest is free of words.  This is a good follow-up from the Scarlett miniseries though it does give enough background so those who missed it won't be too lost.  We get to see just how ruthless Cobra can be as well.   Art : This issue, being a silent issue, hinges a lot on its art.  The art is really good.  We get a ...

Megatron belongs to somebody! He does and in this issue we find out who! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, he now takes the writing reins of the flagship Transformers comic series as well. Ludo Lullabi returns on pencils with Mike Spicer on colors for this “breather” issue focused on Megatron! In this thirty-first issue, the secret of Megatron’s enforced servitude is revealed as his hidden master tightens the reins on the Decepticon leader! Has this got to do with the glow-y eyes and seizures Megs has been suffering? Yep! We finally learn who is pulling the strings of the Quintesson Dezimir who had put Megatron through those “trials” and how Megatron’s gun mode can control those who wield it. It’s a concept that has been utilized in Transformers fiction before and Kirkman looks to be offering a new spin on it. Megatron must undergo another series of trials in his own mind as his not-so-mysterious benefactor pits him against Decepticon leader...

War continues, next on Void Rivals! The Quintesson War continues in issue # 28 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. Penciler Andrei Bressan and colorist Dee Cunniffe join Robert Kirkman for the fourth part of “Quintesson War”. In this instalment, the Quint invasion continues on both Agorria and Zertonia as the Quintessons up their game and level up in response to resistance from both planets. Proximus has had his suppressed memories unlocked and Cobra-La has en...