The Transformers’ return to comics – courtesy of Daniel Warren Johnson and Skybound Entertainment – has been a smash success so far, as the Energon Universe successfully reboots the Robots in Disguise for a new generation. In charting the future, the franchise has looked to the past for inspiration, and the summary for Transformers #6 recalls a famous line from 1986’s Transformers: The Movie that promises the death of a major character.
“One shall stand. One shall fall,” is the immortal line spoken by Optimus Prime in the ’86 movie, right before he fights Megatron to the death in an unforgettable battle. Now, the solicitation for Transformers #6 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooten quotes the line directly, while also promising that “someone isn’t going to survive.”
Transformers #6 (2024) | |
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| Release Date: | March 13, 2024 |
| Writer: | Daniel Warren Johnson |
| Artist: | Daniel Warren Johnson |
| Colorist: | Mike Spicer |
ONE WILL STAND, ONE WILL FALL. The Autobots vs. The Decepticons. This is it. And someone isn’t going to survive. | |
Johnson and Spicer’s cover for the sixth issue depicts Spike Witwicky’s father Sparkplug standing atop a damaged Optimus Prime with a machine gun, hinting that it will be the Autobot leader himself who falls in the issue. This would be in-keeping with the references to the ’86 movie thus far, as Robert Kirkman and company have acknowledged the influence of the animated classic.
Transformers Invokes Famous ’86 Movie Death
The Issue’s Summary Claims “One Will Stand, One Will Fall”
Johnson has excelled in depicting the robot-on-robot action thus far, and Transformers #6 promises the biggest showdown yet between the Autobots and Decepticons. While the cover and solicitations are strongly hinting that Optimus Prime will be the one to fall, it is worth remembering that the Energon Universe is built on subverting expectations. From the unexpected appearance of Jetfire in Void Rivals #1 to the shocking death of Bumblebee in the first issue of Transformers, Skybound’s new publishing initiative has been built on surprising the audience at every turn. Just because the solicits for March’s Transformers #6 seem to setting up the death of Prime, that doesn’t necessarily mean that will be exactly how the issue plays out.
Which Character Will Die In Transformers #6?
Bumblebee’s Death Proves Anyone Can Fall
All of which begs the question: if not Prime, then which character will be the one to perish? It’s possible that one of the other Autobots could fall, as the death of Bumblebee in the first issue attests that even the biggest stars can fall. It’s also entirely possible that a Decepticon could be the one to bite the dust. Skywarp was left wrecked after his brutal fight with Optimus Prime in Transformers #3, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility the Decepticon won’t recover from his injuries. Also, given that the return of Megatron is also being teased, it’s possible that Starscream could be the one to take the fall after Megatron takes back his rightful place as leader.
Of course, it’s most likely that one of the human characters won’t make it out alive. Spike was injured in the third issue, so it’s possible the Energon Universe could be setting up a major swerve by killing off its main human character. And there’s always the likelihood that it could be Sparkplug Witwicky who takes the fall, given his prominence on the cover and his characterization thus far as a broken shell of a man just barely holding it together. Sparky sacrificing himself to save his son and the other Autobots would make for a fitting end to his arc, and set up the idea of the Autobots essentially ‘adopting’ Spike. Of course, in the Energon Universe era of Transformers, only one thing is for certain: fans should expect the unexpected.
Transformers #6 is on sale March 13, 2024 from Skybound Entertainment
