Optimus Prime is poised to face his greatest challenge yet in Skybound’s Transformers series, and the Autobots may not stand with him this time. The solicits for August’s Transformers #11 promise cataclysmic events on both Earth and Cybertron, with the Autobot leader standing out as the only one who can save them all, as the Energon Universe saga continues to level up in intensity.

Transformers #11 promises to be the most dramatic installment of the ongoing series yet. Prime and his small band of Autobots stranded on Earth have managed to score a major victory over the Decepticons, taking back the wreckage of the Ark in recent issues. It sounds like the good times may be coming to an end, however, as the arrival of Shockwave could spell doom for the good guys.

With the solicits hinting that some of the Autobots may not be on Optimus’ side, it could wind up being the fight of Prime’s life.

Previews For Transformers #11 Suggest A Turning Point For Optimus Prime

The Autobot Leader Faces Uncertain Loyalties

So far, the Autobots who are currently active in Skybound’s Transformers series are Optimus Prime, Cliffjumper, Jazz, Arcee and Wheeljack. There has also been a Cybertronian subplot following Elita-1, who has been depicted recovering the remnants of Ultra Magnus from a Decepticon stronghold. With Hot Rod and Springer set to feature in the pages of another Energon Universe title, Void Rivals, the Autobot ranks continue to fill out, and it’s interesting to learn that not all of them will necessarily be following Optimus Prime blindly in upcoming issues.

The added wrinkle of the Autobots losing faith in Prime is just another example of the creative team’s mastery of comic book storytelling, keeping stakes high for the characters to add an extra layer of depth to all the giant robots fighting each other. The defining characteristic of Prime throughout all the various Transformers continuities is his unerring leadership, so the fact that one or more of the Autobots might lose faith (or even possibly betray him) is somewhat alarming. With both factions fighting over the scarce resource of Energon, it’s easy to see how some of Prime’s warriors might start second-guessing their leader.

The Fate of Two Worlds Rest In Optimus Prime’s Hands

Cybertron & Earth Depend On Him

The Autobots are united under Prime’s leadership, but it’s also important to note that they are currently scattered across the galaxy. With some like Elita-1 left behind to fight the good fight on Cybertron and others like Hot Rod and Springer searching elsewhere, that makes Prime’s job of holding them all together even more difficult. While readers can assume that Optimus Prime and his Autobots will ultimately prevail over the Decepticons, there’s no telling what they’ll have to sacrifice along the way, making this an excellent time to be a Transformers fan.