WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #1
The Energon Universe era of Transformers has officially begun, as Skybound Entertainment’s new series just released its first issue. Yet many fans may be puzzled as to why there are so few actual Transformers in the new continuity. According to Transformers #1, it all comes down to a choice Optimus Prime has to make to save his Autobots.
Coming from the creative team of Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooten, Transformers #1 opens with both the Autobots and Decepticons out-of-commission following the crash of their spaceship the Ark on planet Earth centuries ago.
The recently reawakened Jetfire arrives on Earth and reactivates Teletraan I, the Ark’s computer. He then instructs it to start rebuilding his fallen comrades, the first of which is the Decepticon Starscream. Unbeknownst to Jetfire, war has broken out between the two Cybertronian factions, and Starscream immediately begins attacking the Autobots as soon as he’s reactivated.
Teletraan I Rebuilds the Fallen Decepticons in Transformers #1
Even though Autobots Optimus Prime and Ratchet are soon reactivated by Teletraan, they quickly find themselves outnumbered by Starscream and the others. Faced with limiting the number of active Transformers or being wiped out entirely by the Decepticons, Prime makes an impossible choice and decides to destroy the Ark’s computer before it can rebuild any more of their kin. “I’m sorry Teletraan,” Prime says, “But we are outnumbered and outgunned.” And with that, he destroys the remaining Cybertronians only hope for being reactivated by blasting Teletraan I with his ion blaster.
It’s an incredible moment, made all the more so by what it promises for the future of the franchise in the Energon Universe. Optimus left Cybertron with a band of Autobots to search the universe for Energon, the Transformers’ dwindling power source. They were attacked by Starscream and the Decepticons, being stranded on Earth and made comatose for the next few centuries. Now that they are finally re-awakened, they find themselves in an even more desperate situation than before. With barely enough Energon to keep themselves running, both the Autobots and the Decepticons are facing complete and total extinction. Optimus destroying Teletraan is akin to destroying his race’s last chance at survival, all in the hopes that he can save the handful of Autobots with whom he’s able to escape in the first issue.
Optimus Prime Destroys Teletraan I to Save the Autobots
All may not be lost, however. We know that Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Arcee will be appearing in later issues, so perhaps things aren’t as bleak for the Autobots as it may seem. Considering that there are hints that Earth will be a prime resource for Energon, there’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel for Prime and the others, but that also means they will be in the fight of their lives against the Decepticons over the newfound wellspring of Energon. One thing is for sure: the Energon Universe era of Transformers is off to an exciting start, and the stakes set up so far will be very interesting to watch play out over the next few months.
Transformers #1 is on sale now from Skybound Entertainment.
