REVIEW: Transformers: Energon Universe # 8

Decepticon Shakeup
The action kicks off with Decepticons Soundwave and Thundercracker destroying a navy gunship for its nuclear stockpile. Their raid on the ship is swift and efficient, with the two warbots making short work of the human resistance onboard; this causes Thundercracker to take pity on the fleeing humans, allowing them to escape until Soundwave informs his underling he understands his concerns but that they cannot leave any survivors, and so ensures these brave men drown at sea. Thundercracker is obviously not thrilled by this development, but in this context, Soundwave seems to be the new commander of the Decepticon faction.

While Megatron ruled through fear and Starscream merely postured in the position, Soundwave appears to be flourishing in his new leadership role, making calculated and strategic decisions with their resources and gaining allies by leveraging others’ hate towards the former leader Megatron. Astrotrain joins Soundwave’s new Decepticon regime in exchange for revenge on Megatron, but not before taking his frustration out on poor Thundercracker, who was tossed around by the titan transformer.

Soundwave’s leadership is proven when he shows Thundercracker what he’s been plotting away at. Soundwave has located The Nemesis (the ship they came to Earth in) and plans to use nuclear power to restore energy and call for backup to, I’m assuming, Cybertron.

Cybertronian Culture
Transformers: Energon Universe introduces plenty of unique concepts, making the most of its robotic leads and their culture. For example, Arcee extends an iron apprenticeship to the spunky human side character Carly, as she’s tired of sitting on the sidelines and wants to be more proactive in avenging her fallen friends and family. Acree explains to Carly that this apprenticeship is akin to a family or clan in Cybertronian Culture, showing us how deeper bonds are forged within Transformers lore. Seeing Acree offer Carly this apprenticeship offers an exciting way to see human and machine build bonds in future issues with the promise of stronger, more active heroines.

Another thing we see is how Autobot leader Optimus Prime has to make hard decisions about how to wage war against his age-old foe, the Decepticons. One transformer had his life saved to serve as transportation to drop troops off into battle, but so little of him was left he can’t see, transform back into his robot mode nor move under his own power anymore. This is akin to having somebody trapped in a vegetative state being used as transport. At first, because he’s a plane, it dosen’t seem that bad, but then it hits you with the horror of him being a sentient being they won’t let die who is trapped in his own body.

Surprisingly Mature
From the deaths of human characters, the price of war and robotic body horror, Transformers: Energon Universe proves to tackle mature topics that make for thrilling reading. I am not what I would call a Transformers fan, but this series is making me care about these characters and the lore of their robotic race. The art and writing did such a good job sucking me into the story. I never once stopped reading until the issue’s conclusion.