COUNTDOWN: 10 noteworthy moments from Skybound’s Transformers #21

The latest issue of Skybound’s Transformers continues the grim and gritty tone we’ve become accustomed to throughout the series. However, the stakes are getting ever more significant as we steadily approach the upcoming #24 and the end of the current arc! With that in mind, let’s dive right in and see what went on this time.

WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS ahead!

#10: Magnus in captivity again!

This issue begins on a sombre note (the first of many!) as we check in on poor Ultra Magnus, who remains strung up in the clutches of GI Joe since being captured in #18. After a brief conversation with the sympathetic Doc, he receives a startling visit from General Flagg, who wheels in a large machine which immediately seems like bad news for the Autobot. Doc protests that their captive is essentially a prisoner of war, but Flagg shoots him down and says he is acting in the business of keeping their country safe, before turning on the machine whilst Magnus rather impotently protests… It’s all quite grim stuff, especially considering our unfortunate hero is still struggling with significant PTSD from being imprisoned by Shockwave for countless years! When will this guy catch a break?!

#9: Back on Cybertron

Back on Cybertron, Elita-1’s brigade is working on a plan to use Shockwave’s Spacebridge to go to Earth and retrieve Optimus Prime. However, Bluestreak reports that due to the other side of the connection being scattered across a body of water, it will take significantly more Energon than expected to activate; thus, they can only send one of them on the trip. Elita immediately knows who it should be, and we cut to a conversation between Cliffjumper and Shredhead, as Cliff tells his newly-formed friend all about their Earthen ally, Carly. Shreadhead is intrigued, and with Elita arriving on the scene shortly after, it’s clear who will be taking a Spacebridge trip before too long… In any case, it’s been an intriguing idea to consider the original character mingling the Earthbound Autobots ever since their debut, so we can’t wait to see how this element plays out soon.

#8: Megatron vs Starscream

Speaking of Earth, the story shifts there next as we check in on the Decepticons now under Megatron’s command. After a thoroughly brutal entrance over the last few issues, he seems to be playing to type here somewhat as he praises Soundwave for overseeing their operation in his absence, yet chides Starscream for even daring to speak in his presence, his annoyance demonstrated by a violent slap across the face. It all feels highly reminiscent of the classic Transformers cartoon in many ways, although it is dialled up to a rather intense degree here. Clearly, Starscream is helpless to resist Megatron’s abusive hold over him, which adds a new dynamic to everything we have learned of the character in this series so far.

#7: Optimus’ infection

As the Decepticons prepare to strike the Ark, we briefly cut to the Autobots as Wheeljack attempts to diagnose the ongoing issues with Optimus Prime. The Autobot leader has been having strange and increasingly disturbing visions ever since #7 (which, in real time, was released well over a year ago!), and given his ongoing violent outbursts, many of us had suspected that it was connected to his adoption of Megatron’s fusion cannon arm way back in #4. Well, here we finally get confirmation of that idea, as Wheeljack reports how the Matrix has not been charging at all since it was last used, as it’s being blocked by an infection caused by the presence of the arm. Unfortunately, before he can elaborate, we head into all-out war…

#6: Autobot/Decepticon battle

Yes, the moment we all knew was coming has finally arrived, as Megatron leads his assembled Decepticon forces against the Ark! Optimus instructs the Autobots to return fire, which they do with aplomb despite the odds being hugely stacked against them. Fortunately, they’re given a slight reprieve as Devastator and Bruticus cannot stop arguing amongst themselves, distracting their attention from the real targets in this case! However, things take a severe turn as Optimus prepares to fire his fusion cannon arm at Megatron and Starscream, but suddenly changes his aim to focus on his own troops instead, much to their horror! Meanwhile, Thundercracker decides that now is the time to rescue his fallen friend, Skywarp, who is still trapped as part of Teletraan I…

#5: Ark at that!

Yes, right as the battle reaches a crucial point, Thundercracker activates Skywarp’s teleportation ability and transports the entire Autobot base to an as-yet unknown location! This creates a massive hole in the mountain where it had been positioned, causing the Autobots to go tumbling to the bottom with a hard crash. It’s an unusual twist that we certainly didn’t see coming, despite knowing the Seeker was waiting in the wings to make his move, and is sure to have a significant impact on the following few issues. For now, though, Megatron wastes no time in attempting to press his newfound advantage, calling Bruticus and Devastator to attention and preparing to move in for the kill!

#4: Superion!

As the Decepticons prepare to mount another attack, we suddenly see the Aerialbots swoop into view to provide some assistance to their good guy comrades! Where have they been up until now? Really, it doesn’t matter, because they pull off one of the best entrances in the history of this book so far by swiftly merging into their combined Superion mode and getting a surprise drop on both Bruticus and Devastator at once! We knew we would be seeing the plane-themed Big Man soon after the Aerialbots’ introduction last issue, and it does not disappoint one bit here, with the art most definitely doing the moment justice!

#3: Arm off!

Having been given a temporary reprieve from the Decepticon onslaught, Optimus frantically tries to rip his fusion cannon arm off in fear of it taking control once more and harming those he loves. It’s a moment which recalls the awesome splash page in #3 when Prime actually did remove his own limb, but here it’s to no avail. Thus, he pleads with the Autobots that they must shoot it off instead, which they do reluctantly. Superion then swiftly arrives on the scene and scoops everyone up, saying there’s no time and they must leave immediately. It’s tense stuff that finally brings an end to one of the series’ longest ongoing threads, and although part of me wondered why they left Megatron’s arm behind for him to retrieve, it was still all suitably dramatic in the moment!

#2: Megatron made whole

In any case, Megatron does indeed get his arm back, commending Prime for being an ‘incredible warrior’ while acknowledging that he still knew there was always a weakness inside him. With the Decepticon leader now made whole once again, his power also returns to its full, meaning the Autobots are in more dire straits than we’ve arguably seen so far in this book, especially without their base. Of course, it’s not long before Megatron demonstrates how deadly he is now that he has his arm back…

#1: Aerialbot down

The most memorable part of this issue comes right at the end, as Superion flees with the Autobots riding on his shoulders, only for him to be violently shot down by Megatron in his gun mode! The blast is so powerful it rips Superion’s left arm clean off (a lot of that happening in this comic!), which then falls to the ground after converting back into Slingshot. Optimus makes an attempt to help his fallen comrade, until Wheeljack insists he is gone and that they must retreat immediately, with Superion scooping up his leader as the Autobots depart. The Decepticons then continue their approach, and Megatron crushes Slingshot’s remains under his foot, in what might be one of the most depressing ends to a comic in recent memory…

So that’s our list! Did you enjoy #21?

TTFN