Transformers #1 (2023) Recap Review | The Energon Universe Void Rivals and GI Joe Comics

Weekly Roundup | DC and Marvel Comics July 2017 Solicitations

DC Comics July 2017 Solicitations
DC Comics begins its July Solicitations with Dark Days: The Casting follows The Forge in June leading to August’s Dark Nights: Metal and its spin-off Dark Matter. DC Comics’ Dark Matter which is an artist-centric approach series drawn by today’s best artists including Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, and John Romita Jr. who also drawn The Forge and The Casting. The first appearance of the characters in Dark Matter could be in both the Forge and the Casting. 

DC Comics Pull List

Dark Days: The Forge (June) and Dark Days: The Casting (July) First appearance of new characters.

Marvel Comics begins its July Solicitations with Secret Empire while also promoting the 10 issue maxi series Generations for August and September. Clearly DC has a better publishing strategy because it focuses on new ideas rather than consolidating old ones. However Marvel is releasing Marvel Legacy #1 one shot similar to DC Rebirth #1 where some of the titles will return to their original numbering.

                                                                                              

Generations: The Best starring Wolverine and All-New Wolverine Written by Tom Taylor Art by Ramon Rosanas 
Generations: The Americas starring Steve Rogers: Captain America and Sam Wilson: Captain America Written by Nick Spencer Art by Paul Renaud  
Generations: The Bravest starring Captain Mar-Vell and Captain Marvel Written by Margie Stohl Art by Brent Schoonover
Generations: The Thunder starring The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar
Generations: The Strongest starring Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome Hulk Written by Greg Pak
Generations: The Archers starring Hawkeyes, Clint Barton and Kate Bishop Written by Kelly Thompson
Generations: The Iron starring Iron Man and Ironheart Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Marco Rudy
Generations: The Marvels starring Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel Written by G. Willow Wilson
Generations: The Spiders starring Peter Parker: Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Spider-Man Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by Ramon Perez
Generations: The Phoenix starring The Phoenix and Jean Grey Written by Cullen Bunn

 

Marvel Comics Pull List: Secret Empire Last mega event till 2019.

In 2016 IDW Publishing released Revolution which brought various Hasbro properties together including Transformers, G.I Joe, and MASK. They are competing with both DC and Marvel which also have shared universes. The purpose of a shared universe is basically multiplying and maximize sales towards the target audience. One reader would buy two books within a shared universe to complete the story rather than one.

Next week: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Review

Devil Comics Review | Revolution [2016]

The Transformers came to Earth seeking Ore-13 which is refined into Energon. During All Hail Megatron, the Decepticons ruled the world until Optimus came back and left again. Then the world was distracted with Cobra until Optimus Prime returned in All Hail Optimus. However admitting Earth into the Council of Worlds made Earth a target for other aliens including Rom and the Micronauts. G.I. Joe discovers the Ore-13 is becoming unstable which could turn the world into a nuclear inferno. They turned to Director Miles Manheim (Mayhem) to disrupt Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime draws the same conclusion with the Ore-13 however G.I. Joe launches a strike against the Transformers. 

After the explosion of Mount Olympus due to Ore-13, everyone is on high alert from Action Man, G.I. Joe, and the Transformers. Arcee and Jazz are attacked by G.I Joe until Optimus Prime arrives to stop the fight however it escalates. Rom arrives and kills Joe Colton and the Transformers are blamed as war is declared by G.I. Joe. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | The Transformers: Titans Return One-Shot [2016]

Following Combiner Wars, Hasbro decided to build a deeper Transformers universe with The Prime Wars Trilogy beginning with Titans Return and ending in early 2018. Sentinel Prime is considered the first Decepticon who stood up to Megatron. He was considered a hero by the Autobots. Back on Earth Optimus Prime arrives on Autobot City AKA Metroplex. On Cybertron Ironhide faces Sentinel Prime who finds Autobots collaborating with Decepticons after millions of years. He heads towards the space bridge to Earth. The story continues within the Transformers series.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5 

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Devil Comics Review | Transformers Deviations #1 One-Shot [2016]

Hype

Transformers: Deviations is a What if? story which tells us a tale of a world in the multiverse where Optimus Prime did not die at the hands of Megatron in the Transformers The Movie back in 1986. In the movie Hot Rod interfered between the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron resulting in Prime dying and giving the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus. Later the Matrix is picked up by Hot Rod and he is transformed into Rodimus Prime.

Rehash

The issue begins with the Decepticons attacking Fortress Maximus and Prime faces Megatron. Hot Rod is held down by Kupp so he does not interfere with the battle between Prime and Megatron. In this version Prime kills Megatron and the Decepticons retreat with their new leader Starscream. Later the Autobots head towards Cybertron’s moons lead by Prime and Ultra Magnus on separate ships.

During Starcream’s coronation, Unicron arrives to convince him to destroy the Matrix of Leadership. Starscream agrees to join Unicron in exchange for a new and stronger Decepticon body. Starscream becomes Megascream and attacks the autobots before retreating to deal with Unicron who attacked one of Cybertron’s moons. Ultra Magnus’ ship lands on Junkion and Prime and his crew search for them. Prime discovers the threat of Unicron however he becomes injuried while facing Megascream. The Matrix of Leadership falls upon Hot Rod and he destroys Megascream and Unicron. 

Feedback

The Transformers one-shot is priced at $4.99 and reading it felt like watching another version of the movie. It was really engaging and brought back memories of the original movie. This is one of the most enjoyable Transformers books IDW Publishing has released. Hopefully they can keep up the momentum in the crowded comic market.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

E49: G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra #1 | Star Trek / Planet of the Apes #2 | The Transformers: Punishment Reviews [Devil Comics Entertainment]

The new Snake Eyes limited series sees one of our favorite G.I. Joe characters working for Cobra. Snake Eyes returns after being presumed dead and rescues Destro from his imprisonment. They reunite with Cobra and later Destro has a mission for Snake Eyes which involves him tracking down the son of the original Cobra Commander, Billy. Next issue will see Snake Eyes rival Storm Shadow enter the fray. The issue had twenty pages of story with five pages devoted to Destro’s childhood which need not be relevant to the main story. Overall it was a simple short plot kicking off the series and worthy of a B rating. 

The second issue of Star Trek/Planet of the Apes brings the crew of the Enterprise in contact with Colonel George Taylor who wants to use Kirk’s crew and ship to overthrow the apes. Kirk refuses but Taylor has other plans as he takes Chekov’s communicator and runs off into the woods. The second issue picks up the pace however the ending falls flat as the reader is asked “What can Taylor do with a communicator?”  This is a B rated issue. 

Transformers: Punishment begins with Decepticons being murdered as Starscream investigates. Optimus Prime returns to Cybertron and discovers the murders. As more murders occur Optimus Prime suspects the Firecons are involved so the Transformers go after them. After they are stopped more murders occur and this time it’s the Autobots. Now the Dinobots are targeted and Optimus Prime catches the Transformer red handed. Transformers: Punishment was marketed as a prelude to the upcoming Combiner Wars event which continues in both the Transformers #39 and the Transformers: Windblade series. Overall the issue raises more questions than answers in the end which will hopefully gets answered in Combiner Wars event. This is issue is B rated for plotting and story.

The Transformers: Punishment [2015] by John Barber | Livio Ramondelli

Transformers: Punishment sets the stage for the Combiner Wars as Optimus Prime and Windblade search for a Decepticon killer. Transformers: Punishment begins with Decepticons being murdered as Starscream investigates. Optimus Prime returns to Cybertron and discovers the murders. As more murders occur Optimus Prime suspects the Firecons are involved so the Transformers go after them. After they are stopped more murders occur and this time it’s the Autobots. Now the Dinobots are targeted and Optimus Prime catches the Transformer red handed. Transformers: Punishment was marketed as a prelude to the upcoming Combiner Wars event which continues in both the Transformers #39 and the Transformers: Windblade series. Overall the issue raises more questions than answers in the end which will hopefully gets answered in Combiner Wars event. This is issue is B rated for plotting and story.

Film Review: Transformers: Age of Extinction [2014]

Transformers Age of Extinction opens up with dinosaurs begin exterminated in the past before moving the story to the present. The movie takes everything from the previous series and moves the story forward. We are reminded of the events for Transformers Dark of the Moon where the city of Chicago and the rest of the world were attacked. Moving to the present Mark Wahlberg finds a truck to use as however soon discovers it’s a Transformer Optimus Prime. Meanwhile the US government is tracking down the last of the transformers using Lockdown. Lockdown is tracking down all the Autobots and Decepticons. Now he wants Optimus Prime captured so he can bring him in to his masters who are likely the Quintessons.

The humans have started building their own robots using old spare parts from the captured Autobots and Decepticons. They build Galvatron however its only Megatron reborn. In exchange for Optimus Prime, Lockdown promises a seed which will help the humans build more Transformers however Galvatron wants the seed to build his new army of Decepticons. Overall the new Transformers Trilogy will eventually lead to the origin of the Transformers, the introduction of the Quintessons, and finally Unicron. The acting is over done however that's what you expect from a Michael Bay directed film to showcase the character's emotions. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Dark Cybertron TPB [2013-2014]

      

      

      

      

TRANSFORMERS: DARK CYBERTRON TRADE PAPERBACK

As Bubblebee attempted to unify Cybertron, Starscream took over after Chaos Theory as Orion Pax and Rodiumus travel to the Dead Universe to stop Jhiaxus. Jhiaxus is Shockwave’s mentor and resides in the Dead Universe. Meanwhile Shockwave has built an eons-long plan that will fuse the Dead Universe with the Golden Age of Cybertron leading to the prophecy of Dark Cybertron. 

Six million years ago Jhiaxus, Nova Prime, Galvatron, and Cyclonus travel through an anomaly to another universe called a Dead Universe. In the present Waspinator brings Titan through a space-bridge to Shockwave. Meanwhile Orion Pax meets up with Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus. On Cybertron the Titan is released as it faces off against Bubblebee and the Dinobots while Nova Prime and Galvatron are returning home. 

Orion Pax, Rodimus, and Cyclonus head toward the Dead Universe while Shockwave is communicating with both Galvatron and Nova Prime within the Dead Universe. Meanwhile on Cybertron Soundwave attacks the Autobots with Operation: Salvation. On the Lost Light the thumb of Metroplex is pointing towards a specific direction to find him. Metalhawk returns from the dead and steals Megatron away from Starscream and delivers him to Shockwave. Megatron becomes the space bridge to bring Nova Prime back from the Dead Universe while Metroplex is found.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Bubblebee and Soundwave unite against Shockwave and his Necrotitan

- Orion Pax and Rodimus are trapped by Nightbeat who is working with Nova Prime

- Metroplex has contracted the Death Plague while Nova Prime uses Kup as a space bridge

- Bubblebee rescues Megatron, Orion Pax vs. Nova Prime, and Windblade takes care of Metroplex

- Metroplex acts as a space bridge and sends the crew of the Lost Light to Cybertron

- Metroplex takes on Shockwave’s Necrotitan as Orion Pax destroys Nova Prime

- Shockwave begins his endgame using Galvatron as a link to the Dead Universe

- Shockwave kills Bubblebee as Optimus Prime returns from the Dead Universe
- Both Megatron and Optimus Prime team up to stop Shockwave 

Dark Cybertron reintroduced Transformers from across the generations including Transformers: The Movie (Kup), Beast Wars (Rattrap), Beast Machines (Tankor), and the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie (Chromia and Nautica)  acknowledging their presence in the Transformers Universe. Overall the 12-part epic is a slow burn which speeds up after part 7. However the execution of the event leaves little to the imagination. Dark Cybertron leads to the Dawn of the Autobots as Optimus Prime returns to Earth just in time for the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. The movies seem to make the comics more predictable which kills the series. The final issue has one of the worst writings imaginable. 

This trade paperback collects

Transformers: Dark Cybertron #1-2

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye: Dark Cybertron #1

Transformers: Robots in Disguise: Dark Cybertron #1

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #24-27

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #24-27

FUBAR – 1 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Robots In Disguise #22 [2013]

THE TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #22

Both Shockwave and Jhaixus are working together to bring the prophecy of Dark Cybertron into fruition. Previously Soundwave spies on Shockwave on behalf of Megatron and seize his creation for the Decepticon cause. Four million years ago Decepticons murdered the Cybertronian Senate and Soundwave made Sentor Ratbat into one of his cassettes. Megatron wanted equality for all Cybertronians and the Senate should serve not rule Cybertron. We also witness the first meeting of Ravage, Laserbreak, Buzzsaw, and Soundwave.

In the present Soundwave and his cassettes take on Shockwave. Ravage scarifices himself however he is quickly resurrected proving Shockwave has larger plans. Soundwave leaves as Shockwave raise Metroplex. The ground work is set for Dark Cybertron however like the issue before it – the story is delayed for the main event.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Robots In Disguise #21 [2013]

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #21

Both Shockwave and Jhaixus are working together to bring the prophecy of Dark Cybertron into fruition. Soundwave spies on Shockwave on behalf of Megatron and seize his creation for the Decepticon cause. The issue is a slow burn towards the Dark Cybertron storyline. This issue neither adds anything to the upcoming storyline and feels like a filler.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Monstrosity TPB [2013]

      

      

THE TRANSFORMERS: MONSTROSITY TPB

The Dynobots are trying to get off-world and stealing credits by stealing Energon. Meanwhile Scorponok who is now the leader of the Decepticons throws a wounded Megatron onto the Death-World of Junkion. Megatron rebuilds himself on the planet and finds a Quintessenton to guide him as his slave. Back on Cybertron Scorponok plans on stealing Energon from the same place as the Dynobots. Grimlock triggers the alarm which summons the Autobot Sky Lynx.

Optimus Prime is trying to unite the Cybertronians and deals with both Scorponok and the Decepticons as well as the Dynobots. Scorponok deactivates the regulator to the refinery where he was about to steal the Energon. Following the destruction a mass exodus of Cybertron begins to find more Energon. Meanwhile Megatron deals with the Sharkitcons and attempts to get off Junkion.

Jetfire and the Autobots explore the remnants of the refinery to find survivors. The team finds raw liquid Energon. They discover the raw liquid Energon overwhelms their inhibitors reducing them into a primal state.

      

   

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- The origin of the Dynobots is told as they lost one of their own, Skar

- Jetfire and the Autobots discover Trypticon

- Megatron deals with the Terrorcons and take them with him to deal with Scorponok

- Optimus Prime decides what to do with Trypticon who is blocking the way to Energon

- The Decepticons attack as the Dynobots release their rage

- Trypticon is released by Scorponok as Optimus Prime asks Metroplex to help

- Metroplex cannot assume his true form due to the lack of Energon

- Scorponok is fed to the Terrorcons after Megatron deals with him

- Megatron arrives and both he and Grimlock are consumed by Trypticon

- Megatron and Grimlock fight Trypticon from within by destroying his resources

- The Autobots leave with the body of Optimus as Megatron takes Trypticon’s power source

This trade paperback collects

Transformers: Monstrosity #1-12

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5 

The Transformers: Robots in Disguise #19 [2013]

TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #19

The series is slowly building up to Dark Cybertron bi-monthly. Issue #17 showed the origin of Shockwave and his greatest experiment is resurrection as well as seeding 13 worlds including Earth to create new energon.This issue follows Waspinator who once controlled a Transformer Titan and Jhiaxus and Bludgeon wants to know whether he would be able to do it again.

Waspinator is being hunted by a Monstructor and Orion Pax summons a Titan on Gorlam Prime. However it was all a trick so both Jhiaxus and Bludgeon can you Waspinator to pilot the Titan on Gorlam Prime back to Cybertron to join Shockwave’s forces. The plot for Dark Cybertron is slowly coming together as the events of issue 17 are coming together. Now the story will continue in issue 21 as Shockwave plan is revealed. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Robots in Disguise #17 [2013]

THE TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #17

The origin of Shockwave is revealed. The series along with its sister series The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye is setting up for a fall event called Dark Cybertron. Shockwave hid something in Crystal City eons ago. His mentor Jhiaxus build a combiner called Monstructor who was defeated by Omega Supreme. Shockwave was a Senator and his emotions and hands were removed to be obedient however only made him selfish. The Decepticon War began for the battle of the resources on Cybertron with the death of the Senate. Shockwave seeded 13 worlds including Earth to create new energon. His greatest experiment is resurrection.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

The Transformers: Autocracy TPB [2012]

THE TRANSFORMERS: AUTOCRACY TPB

The 12-part weekly series is available digitally first before being collected in trade paperback form. The title follows Autobot Commander Orion Pax as he stops Decepticon terrorist cells. Nominus Prime was the predecessor of the current Autobot leader Zeta Prime. Soundwave recorded a meeting within the Autobot senate about a weapon which will be used to destroy the Decepticons. After escaping the senate, Orion Pax is tasked to retrieve the information and bring back Soundwave.

Soundwave is taken down by Orion however he is surrounded by the Decepticons who will not let him go unless he has a sit-down with their leader Megatron. The Autobots escape with the help of Skylynx after Megatron reveals Zeta Prime’s weapon against the Decepticons. After returning Zeta asks Orion and his team of Autobots to hunt down the rebel Transformer Hot Rod.

While chasing Hot Rod, Orion discovers the energon tanks which hold Cybertronians bled dry of their own energon supplies to power Zeta’s weapon. The Omega Destructors arrive with the vamparc weapons and Orion attempts to slow them down so Hot Rod can take his people out of the city.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Zeta defeats Orion however Megatron and his Decepticons arrive

- Orion and Megatron team up their forces to stop Zeta Prime

- Megatron finally defeat Zeta Prime then betrays Orion before taking the senate

- The Autobots are captured by the Decepticons

- A damaged Orion Pax is drawn to the Matrix of Leadership to become Optimus Prime

- The Autobots reunited with Optimus Prime as Acropolex rises to become Metroplex

- Optimus Prime uses Blaster to rally the Cybertronians against Megatron and the Decepticons

- Megatron uses the final legacy of Zeta Prime to transform his citadel into the Vamparc Annihilator

- Optimus Prime calls Metroplex to take out the Vamparc Annihilator

- Optimus Prime takes down Megatron who escapes with Soundwave and Astrotrain

- Metroplex replaces Megtron’s citadel and becomes the new capital in Iacon

- Optimus Prime foreshadows that one day Hot Rod will become a Prime (Rodimus Prime)

This paperback collects

The Transformers: Autocracy #1 – 12

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5