WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #9Optimus Prime and his Autobots have suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Decepticons, as the Energon Universe era of Transformers kicks into an even higher gear than readers have become accustomed to. While the small band Cybertronians stranded on Earth have been trading blows since awakening in Transformers #1, a game-changing element introduced in the latest issue may have tipped the scales in the Decepticons’ favor.

Transformers #9 – written by Daniel Warren Johnson, with art by Jorge Corona – opens with the Decepticons establishing a bridge between Cybertron and Earth. Shockwave arrives through the new portal, and the powerful Decepticon manages to gain the upper hand on the Autobots.

Shockwave enters the scene by transforming into his alt-mode as a laser pistol. Soundwave then uses him to take aim at a helpless Cliffjumper, but Ratchet jumps in front of him at the last minute, sacrificing himself to save the younger Autobot.

Ratchet’s Sacrifice Comes As The Autobots Reach A Brutal Low Point

Transformers #9 – Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer & Rus Wooton

With Ratchet seemingly dead, the Autobots struggle to regroup against the Decepticons. Optimus then faces off against Shockwave, teasing that the two had tangled millennia ago on Cybertron. “Shall I make you cry for a second time?” taunts Optimus Prime, but he soon finds himself overwhelmed by all the Decepticons, which Shockwave uses to his advantage by putting Prime in a piledriver – keeping the pro-wrestling connection alive and well in the new Transformers. Shockwave takes the time to gloat over Prime’s comatose form, but he’s stopped from delivering the killing blow by Elita-1 arriving through the portal.

Although Elita-1 provides a last-minute save, the tide of the battle has already turned. Overrun by the Decepticons, Elita-1 takes charge and convinces Prime to “transform and roll out,” sadly leaving the wounded Jazz and Cliffjumper behind to be captured by Shockwave. It’s a shocking turn of events, and something that Prime will more than likely wrestle with in future issues. It may not be traditionally “heroic,” but Prime is a leader, and thus has to make tough decisions for the good of all.

The Autobots Losses Are Severe In The Energon Universe’s Latst Battle

Ratchet Killed; Jazz & Cliffjumper Captured

This is why Daniel Warren Johnson’s cover for Transformers #9 works so well, as Optimus Prime is quite literally carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Even though Prime was able to defeat Starscream during his brief tenure as leader of the Decepticons, the combined might of Soundwave and Shockwave proved too much for the Autobot leader. Now that Megatron has gained his freedom from Cobra-La, he’ll almost certainly be looking for a rematch, as well. With so many Transformers enemies running rampant in the Energon Universe, it’s not a great time in the Energon Universe to be one of Optimus Prime’s Autobots.