The Best Transformers Reboot You’ve Never Heard Of
Right now, fans of the eternal battle between Autobots and Decepticons are understandably excited about the upcoming film Transformers One. That movie seems like a genuine love letter to this fictional universe that also serves as a much-needed reboot, potentially setting up future films. However, there is another Transformers reboot that not nearly enough people have heard about: the comics from Skybound Entertainment that take place in their ambitious Energon Universe along with G.I. Joe.
The Transformers/G.I. Joe Shared Universe
How do the Transformers fit into the Energon Universe, and what is that universe all about? The universe began with a comic called Void Rivals, which was written by legendary Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.
That comic helped set up the ongoing Transformers series as well as several G.I. Joe limited series that bring these real American heroes back in some unexpected ways, including the return of Cobra-La and Boy Scout Duke’s transformation into a rogue agent chasing down leads about the giant robot (Starscream, as it turns out) who killed his buddy.
A New Origin For Cobra Commander
That weird little intersection of Transformers and G.I. Joe is just an inkling of how the Energon Universe connects these two properties. For example, we find out that Cobra Commander’s rise to power is tied to the substance Energon, something he learns about (along with an entire galaxy of info) from a captured Decepticon leader. And while the individual Joe series have been very captivating (particularly the Cobra Commander and Scarlett series), the ongoing Transformers comic has been the crown jewel of the Energon Universe.
A Fantastic Comic Universe
The comic is written by Daniel Warren Johnson, someone who has proven to be a real double threat: in addition to his great writing for the series (more on this soon), he served as the artist for the first six issues. His artistic style is very kinetic, giving the various Transformers in this Energon Universe a feeling of both power (emphasized by the slightly raggedy nature of explosions and punches) and speed (with motion lines perfectly framing the clean designs).
All of the robotic heroes and villains look appropriately dirty, a griminess that serves as an excellent contrast to epic, almost operatic landscapes and other wide shots.
For New And Old Fans
For as great as Johnson’s Transformers art is (and it’s really great), it is his top-flight writing that has made this comic the beloved cornerstone of the Energon universe. He isn’t afraid to tweak major aspects of the mythology (for example, the Autobots and Decepticons have been fighting for only hundreds of years rather than millions of years), but you’ll find the characters true to form while still capable of surprising you in the best possible way.
For example, I never knew I needed to see Optimus Prime beat a bad guy with his own severed arm and then replace it with Megatron’s cannon, but that immediately became my new must-have toy. Here’s hoping that Hasbro listens and doesn’t just placate me with more Studio Series 86 figures (just kidding, guys, I also want as many of those as you can make).
Get Hyped For Transformers One
While I’m still insanely hyped for Transformers One, I think all fans of this venerable franchise need to check out Skybound’s ongoing series and the rest of the Energon Universe. This is a remarkably fresh take on the heroes and villains of your favorite ‘80s cartoons like you’ve never seen them before, one that, at its best, even exceeds what IDW comics previously did with these characters. And for any fan worried that this franchise has lost its (all) spark, these comics are certain to light your darkest hour.
