BotTalk Reviews

How do you propose I get to the comic store this week? On My ROLLER SKATES??? The bold new era for the Autobots and this book continues! 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-fourth issue, we meet Doctor Henri Arkeville, Thundercracker and the Aerialbots set out on a quest, and Shredhead and Cliffjumper bite off more than they can chew! Doctor Arkeville? Really? Yep! Kirkman’s appreciation for the Sunbow cartoon continues as he formally introduces Doctor Arkeville into the story, and much like Miles Mayhem, he just has to take a swing at General Flagg! Flagg’s in an ornery mood after learning that Optimus gave up the Matrix and is a less powerful ally now, so he doesn’t take kindly to being attacked. He still offers Arkeville Mayhem’...

Skuxxoid takes lead! That’s right, in issue # 31 of Skuxxo- I mean, 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. In this thirty-first issue, Conor Hughes returns on pencils as Kirkman brings us another chapter in the life (or lives) of everyone’s favorite ancillary character Skuxxoid! Oh yeah, I memba that guy! Right?! Kirkman seems to have a real fondness for Skuxxoid, developing a whole subplot focused on him yet seemingly unconnected so far to the main goings-on of thi...

The Worst Bot Ever Returns?? Yep! Writer Brian Smith and artist Marz Jr. continue the story of Ballpoint, a tiny Decepticon that turns into a pen! Except now he’s joined the Autobots and thanks to an accident involving Wheeljack’s new invention, he’s swapped bodies with the REAL Worst Bot EVER… MEGATRON! Oh right. Yeah, “Bot Swap” is another extra-sized, lighthearted tale in the vein of the first Worst Bot Ever release. The art and story are a little more cartoon-y and not to be taken that seriously, but there’s some entertaining stuff and fun to be had. This instalment kind of reminded me of the episode of Justice League Unlimited where Flash swapped brains with Lex Luthor. Both Ballpoint and Megatron have to deal with being in each other’s bodies and bases… with amusing results on both ends! Writer Brian Smith gets to continue his jokes about Rumble and Frenzy and their own identity crisis, as well as some other funny references that longtime Transformers fans will notice. Otherwise,...

Changes! The bold new era for the Autobots and this book continues! 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-third issue, Elita Prime and the Autobots on Cybertron regroup, while the Autobots on Earth adjust to their new status quo. Optimus in particular must get used to not being as powerful as he used to be when he had the Matrix. And aboard the Nemesis, something stirs… Stirs? Sure! The Nemesis is underwater, after all! This is mostly a setup issue establishing the current workings of the Autobots on both planets and the Decepticons on Earth. The Earthbound Autobots are furthering their relationship with the humans, the Earthbound Decepticons are still wondering what the hell is going on with Megatron inside his “cocoon”, and the A...

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...

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 ...

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...