WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #8

The Decepticons have a new recruit in the latest issue of Transformers, and he could prove to be an even bigger problem for Megatron than Optimus Prime. Astrotrain makes his Energon Universe debut in Transformers #8, and the powerful Decepticon Triple Changer is looking for revenge against Megatron.

Coming from the creative team of Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooton, Transformers #8 sees Soundwave leading the Decepticons to the bottom of the ocean to retrieve their warship, the Nemesis. After excavating the ship, Soundwave leads his troops in, whereupon they hear a loud banging.

After opening the prison hold, the Decepticons are besieged by Astrotrain, who wants to know where Megatron is. Soundwave manages to calm him down by making a promise: “When we find him, I swear. Megatron will be yours. To do with as you will.”

Astrotrain Is Back, And He Wants Revenge On Megatron

Astrotrain is an interesting character to debut at this stage in the Energon Universe. As one of the first Triple Changers, Astrotrain transforms (appropriately enough) into both a space-shuttle and a locomotive train. Released in the second year of the original G1 toys, Astrotrain is one of the most powerful Transformers around, and is always looking to acquire more power. At one point in the original continuity, Astrotrain assembles an entire army of drones made from human-built trains he later dubs the “Astroforce,” In the Energon Universe, Astrotrain must have run afoul of Megatron somehow, which led to his imprisonment on the Nemesis.

Megatron recently broke free after being imprisoned by the secret society, Cobra-La, so Astrotrain may get a chance to enact his vengeance. The Decepticons have been playing musical chairs with their leadership lately, as Soundwave recently took over the role following Starscream’s disastrous run. The FCBD Energon Universe Special revealed that Starscream was responsible for Megatron being separated from the others in the first place, so the true leader of the Decepticons is looking to settle his own score now that he’s gained his freedom once more. Soundwave seems willing to throw Megatron under the bus to gain the favor of Astrotrain, so it will be interesting to see what happens when he’s confronted.

Will Megatron Be Able To Win Decepticon Leadership Back From Soundwave?

However it all plays out, the creators have set up several interesting directions for the story to take. Megatron wants vengeance on Starscream, Astrotrain wants vengeance on Megatron and Soundwave seems coolly detached from it all, biding his time for the Decepticons to win the Cybertronian War once and for all. The arrival of Astrotrain is just the latest shocking development in the Energon Universe, and Transformers fans won’t want to miss an issue to see which characters show up next.