BotTalk Reviews

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...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story :  Picking up from last issue, Trakker and Scrap-Iron go at it, with Trakker driving away.  He is soon rescued by the Joes and Autobot Hound and Clutch has him fix Hound's transponder so he can contact the Autobots.  Duke, Clutch and Hound meet Optimus Prime (from Transformers (2023) #30) and he and Duke have a good talk and come to an understanding.  Meanwhile, Snow Job and Cover Girl meet up to talk about Scarlett.   Writing :  While this issue starts with some good action, that's where most of it is.  The rest is a good set up issue with getting more of Duke's motivation and more insight into Cobra.  After 2 years' worth of stories, Duke is starting to see a bigger picture and realizes what his goals are now. The end of the issue also starts to bring in more elements from the various miniseries and sets up some more stories. ...

There can be only ONE Prime! Unlike Magni, I guess! 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, with Dan Mora now on pencils and Sarah Stern on colors. In this thirtieth issue, Optimus Prime must contend with Elita-1 as she challenges his leadership of the Autobots! So they fight? A little bit. Optimus really has no quarrel with Elita, but she’s been fighting the war on Cybertron for so long that she can’t really see anything else. The entire issue is built around their conflict with no cutting away from this momentous occasion and in the end, Optimus must compromise in order to do what is best for Earth. Basically, Optimus is put in a difficult position by Elita, who is practically immovable in her views and his ultimate decision leaves the Autobots on Earth in a tighter corner than they were already. It’s a very Optimus thing to do and Kirkman doesn’t play him as indec...

War continues, next on Void Rivals! The Quintesson War continues in issue # 27 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 artist Andrei Bressan steps in along with regular colorist Patricio Delpeche to join Robert Kirkman for the third part of “Quintesson War”. In this instalment, the Quint invasion continues on both planets while Darak and Solila reunite to find a solution. Also, Cobra-La's Pythona reenters the scene and Proximus comes to an important realiz...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Andrea Milana (penciler), Lee Loughridge (colorist) Story : Zartan now believes he has all the information he needs to start finding more energon for his own purposes.  Recovering from the events of the Dreadnok War, the Joes take Autobot Hound captive as Duke is quite upset and wants answers.  Meanwhile, Matt Trakker gets a notice to meet someone.  Back at the Pitt, the Joes, thinking they'd get a little bit of time off, are quickly reassigned more missions by Hawk, including meeting up with Snow Job.  Duke gets filled in by Hound on some of the basics and that it was Decepticon Starscream who killed his friend.  Matt Trakker meets with an agent at a race track but they are interrupted by Scrap Iron. Writing : I really like how Williamson is taking Duke down this emotional path we're seeing.  As Clutch says, that's not normally him.  But Duke is in a changing world, saw his buddy die, lost Cobra Commander, almost...

Calling all Magni! There’s at least two now! 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, with Dan Mora now on pencils and Sarah Stern on colors. In this twenty-ninth issue... FIGHT! Fight? Yep, that’s about it. After Megatron’s shocking killing of Trailbreaker last issue, Optimus Prime and his boys (and girl) show up to lay the smackdown on the Decepticons. Guess they didn’t have to even roll out to find them! Kirkman takes a break from seeding plot threads to have an all-out Brawl (well, they’re not all Brawl) between the Decepticons and the Autobots for just about the entire issue! It’s a chance to showcase Dan Mora’s art as the two teams of Transformers on Earth go at it. The Decepticons have the objective of freeing Soundwave from the Ark’s prison cell, while Optimus is rightly ticked at one of his soldiers being turned into a Capri Sun by Megatron! Uh, what else? Ag...

Void Rivals Are At War! The Quintesson War continues in issue # 26 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 artist Andrei Bressan steps in along with regular colorist Patricio Delpeche to join Robert Kirkman for the second part of “Quintesson War”. Having invaded both Agorria and Zertonia, the Quintessons make their intent known to planetary leadership. While Zalilak and Proximus fight the Quints on the ground, Darak is in a spot of trouble in space. How will e...