COUNTDOWN: 8 noteworthy moments from Skybound’s Transformers #22

After last issue’s rather grim turn, Skybound’s Transformers is back for #22, and dare we say things feel a smidge more hopeful this time?

OK, it’s all relative, of course – it is still a pretty gritty book, all told – but there were at least some flashes of optimism here and plenty to discuss besides. So let’s get to it!

WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS ahead! Check out our previous parts here.

#8: Humans to the rescue

This issue picks up directly after the last and a gravely wounded Superion carrying the Autobots to safety following their battle with the Decepticons. Now missing an arm, the massive combiner says he must land immediately, which happens most unceremoniously. Optimus Prime laments their current situation, while also acknowledging the state of the Aerialbots as they mourn their fallen team member, Slingshot. However, Wheeljack states they must press on right before a convoy of trucks suddenly arrives on the scene and surprises them. Although Wheeljack is initially worried that they will be attacked again, it turns out to be Dr Lio (who was first introduced in #4 when Prime used the Matrix to bring the power back on at the damaged hospital) and the militia from Farmingham who the Autobots have also previously encountered, and they’re here to help! They start loading our heroes onto their trucks to take them to safety, in what represents a very welcome change of pace (and mood) for this book overall. We’ve already seen humans attempting to take on the Autobots in misguided ways, thanks to their not understanding the difference between the good guys and the Decepticons. Still, at this point, our heroes could use a break, and indeed a little help.

#7: Cliff’s curveball

The action then returns to Cybertron, where we again pick up pretty directly from last issue as Elita-1 catches up with Shredhead and Cliffjumper to inform them of her plan to send one lonely warrior to Earth to retrieve Optimus Prime and jumpstart the war effort on their home planet. There’s just one catch: Cliffjumper is as surprised as we are to discover that it’s he, and not the newly minted Shredhead, who has been chosen for this particular mission! Evidently, they are far too powerful to let go of, which is something Cliff agrees on, as he also realises his friend is the best possible option to help save Carly. So, as they’re supposed to be saying their goodbyes, he pulls a switcheroo and launches Shredhead through the portal instead, much to Elita’s chagrin! She is simply seething with anger and brands Cliff as a traitor, ordering him to be taken away in chains. It’s fair to say we all expected Shredhead to be the one making this trip, but perhaps not in such a dramatic fashion! Meanwhile, major props have to be given to the art in this section, and in particular Mike Spicer’s ever-gorgeous colours – Cybertron has rarely looked more vibrant!

#6: The hospital

Back on Earth, the humans take the Autobots to what remains of the damaged hospital, which has been set up with a large triage centre of sorts. Prime laments that their presence will put their human allies in jeopardy, but Wheeljack insists they need the help. It is then revealed by Dr Lio that the coastguard has retrieved Ratchet’s body from the ocean, and Prime is immediately struck with severe grief. It’s enough to make him collapse, the Matrix falling from his chest as he goes, as his body succumbs to the damage he has sustained and the infection he suffered by having Megatron’s arm attached, and Wheeljack and the other Autobots rush to his aid. Spike asks if Prime is going to die, and with a sombre tone, Wheeljack confirms that he will! There’s a genuine poignancy to this moment, which is perhaps only somewhat undercut by how similar a beat it feels to the events of #6 after Optimus was injured by Devastator (to say nothing of the many times we’ve seen the character actually die in other Transformers fiction). In an unintentionally bizarre meta moment, Jazz even alludes to it all by saying they “can’t go through this again” as Prime offers up possession of the Matrix. Fortunately, however, all is not lost…

#5: Matrix magic

After Wheeljack confirms that the problem is the Matrix not recharging, Spike begins to take action by stepping into it in much the same manner as his dad did back in #6 (really, the whole set-up here is too similar not to be an intentionally on-the-nose parallel to those earlier events!). As he puts his hand through the Matrix’s centre, Prime is aghast and immediately jumps up and grabs his human friend’s other arm to stop him. Except that something strange happens and both Optimus and Spike’s eyes glow blue, and the Autobot awakens to find himself now inside the legendary Hall of the Primes! It’s a striking moment for many reasons (not least of which seems to be an allusion to the 13 Primes), and I must admit that as Spike was about to sacrifice himself, I let out a distinct shout of “Nooo!” while reading. We don’t know precisely what is happening, but Optimus has journeyed inside the Matrix somehow, thanks to a connection with Spike, and one presumes he will receive the help he needs in the next issue. Also of note is how he appears to have yellow eyes in his vision, which made this reader immediately recall his classic Marvel comics appearance somewhat.

#4: Megatron’s philosophy

We then catch up with Megatron and the Decepticons as they pursue the Autobots. Laserbeak tracks their movements, and they come across a location where Optimus has previously been, only for it to turn out to be the site the deer from #2 is buried. Megatron is appalled at Prime’s sympathy for what he considers a pathetic life form, and tells Soundwave that it is this very sentiment which led to Cybertron’s downfall, with the Autobot afraid to make the hard choices he deems necessary. He also references the ‘gift’ he was given by the Quintessons (and their unseen master) in #19, and says it is how he will undo the ‘foolishness’ of the Autobots. It’s interesting that he also acknowledges the beauty of Earth here, which sets this iteration apart from Megatron’s classic cartoon portrayal. However, he reasserts how achieving such splendour takes sacrifice, and it seems he is set on making Prime understand his point of view by sacrificing their new home…

All in all, this was the standout scene of the issue in many ways, especially as it fleshed out the character of Megatron quite a bit and set him up in direct contrast to what we already know of Optimus Prime. Revisiting the deer was undeniably gruesome in many regards. Still, the parallels being drawn (even visually, with particular panels echoing those from #2) certainly serve to make Megatron seem particularly sinister, though still with a more discernible point of view beyond that of your typical cardboard cutout bad guy.

#3: Decepticons on the rampage!

It’s not long before Megatron makes good on his stated ambition, as he leads the Decepticons on an all-out assault on the American military and navy, destroying a fleet of aircraft carriers and planes in their wake. Whilst these scenes are brutal, showcasing a level of carnage not often seen in Transformers outside of the big-screen films, they serve to remind us how humanity has a sizeable stake in the ongoing conflict, even though they still pose no real threat to their robotic aggressors at this stage. Presumably that may change in time, with GI Joe starting to enter the fray…

#2: Magnus escapes

Speaking of which, we next check in on Carly and Ultra Magnus, both of whom are still being held captive inside a secret base whilst the former is interrogated by General Flagg. Elsewhere, Doc finally becomes fed up with watching Magnus get tortured by his colleagues and resolves to free him. He releases the Autobot’s shackles, as Magnus then begins making his swift escape from the compound, stumbling across Carly as he goes. He scoops her up and flees, finally resting to reveal he brought Doc along for the ride inside his chest, too. Doc explains he had to help because he, too, was once a captive being tortured, and Magnus seems surprised, asking how he continues going on in the face of such an experience. Doc explains that he has people who need him, who keep him going, at which point Magnus seems inspired and transforms to drive off, presumably to go and help his Autobot friends. We’ll have to see how this plays out next time!

#1: Comatose comrades

The issue ends by checking back in with Optimus and Spike, both of whom remain comatose and in a dream-like state whilst being connected to the Matrix. Dr Lio asks Wheeljack about the artefact, but the Autobot explains that they don’t understand it very well, at which point it is revealed the group is having to move out and evacuate the area. Dr Lio reveals that the government has ordered everyone to head east to Chicago to make a final stand against the Decepticons… and with just two issues left in this arc, there are still plenty of elements to resolve before that happens! Overall, though, #22 was an enjoyable read and nicely sets up the coming confrontation, as well as whatever lies beyond.

SPECIAL MENTION: the letters page

As a final point, it was amazing to see our Triple Takeover podcast mentioned on the letters page of this issue – a big thanks to Mark for the shoutout!

So that’s our list! Did you enjoy #22?

TTFN