COUNTDOWN: 10 noteworthy moments from Skybound’s Transformers #26

We’re back for more Skybound Transformers as we continue forward into a new era for the book!

Last time saw a fresh creative team take the reins with legends Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora on writing and pencils, respectively. There was a lot of intrigue to that inaugural issue, but how does this sophomore effort compare?

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

#10: Thundercracker vs Autobots

#26 kicks off directly from where we left the Autobots in the newly returned Ark – facing a fighting-mad Thundercracker! We had a hint that his and Skywarp’s mysterious journey may have taken them to the depths of Cobra-La, and it appears the experience was far from pleasant. The Decepticon mentions the ‘horrors’ they witnessed and begins firing on Jazz and Wheeljack before deciding he needs to retrieve his ‘brother’ from being integrated with Teletaan I finally. Skywarp protests, saying how removing him would kill him, something the Autobots also try to convey, but Thundercracker is having none of it, using his signature sonic boom attack to subdue them both. It’s not until Ultra Magnus unexpectedly arrives on the scene and manages to turn the tide, all whilst Wheeljack insists that if they had the resources to help Skywarp, they would have done. It’s an explosive opening to the issue and quickly builds momentum on several ongoing plot points, beginning all the way back in #4!

#9: That’s just Prime

The situation is ultimately resolved by the arrival of Optimus Prime on the scene as, in true Optimus fashion, he talks his adversary around with calm, rational words that cut to the core of the situation. He also explains to Thundercracker how things have changed as the Autobots now possess the resources to restore his comrade, something he promises they will gladly do. It’s a bold bit of olive-branch thinking which seems almost hard to fathom in such a heated moment, especially if one were to draw any real-world parallels by taking the temperature of our own divisions in recent times. Yet it also feels quintessentially like something the Autobot leader would do: we’ve already had some outstanding Optimus moments under Skybound’s tenure, and this issue certainly adds to the list.

#8: A new alliance

Anyway, it’s not long before Optimus’ new alliance with General Flagg is explained to the Autobots. Wheeljack is immediately on board after he sees the return of Bulkhead and Mirage’s bodies to the Ark, following which he suggests to his new comrade how the Autobots could provide further assistance in the rebuilding of Chicago, by using their technology to construct ‘something unique… with unrivalled defensive capabilities’. Did anyone else start imagining Metroplex here, or was that just us? At the very least, it will be fascinating to see what the engineer cooks up soon.

#7: Prisoner of war

As preparations begin on bringing Skywarp back to his former self, Optimus takes the time to also attempt a little diplomacy with Soundwave, who is still sitting in a holding cell after his incarceration last issue. Prime offers him some Energon and attempts to provide a tidbit of similar wisdom as worked with Thundercracker. Still, it is to no avail, as the Decepticon communicator laughs at him in his own signature style. It’s interesting to note that despite his gesture, the Autobot leader approaches with a lot more caution in this case, keeping one finger firmly on a trigger at all times. It’s clear he hopes for peace, but he’s not deluded into thinking it will all be so straightforward, either, and he’s certainly not surprised by Soundwave’s rebuff in this case.

#6: The Autobots rebuild

Meanwhile, we check back in with the rest of the Autobots, who are busy rebuilding the city of Chicago after #24’s climactic scenes. Of particular note here is the presence of Shredhead, who was conspicuously absent last time, and many of us would argue is still in dire need of fleshing out since their first appearance in #17. Sadly, we don’t get much of that here, as they are more consigned to helping clear the rubble for now, but they do at least appear to have made an impression on Spike and Carly, who describe their new comrade as “rad as heck”. One hopes that Kirkman will take the opportunity to develop this original character a little more as the run continues, as there’s only so long being the most awesome Autobot ever can continue to feel sufficient in terms of their portrayal. Still, it’s great to see them taking part in ordinary Autobot duty on Earth, and the potential for them to become a cornerstone of the book is still there, so fingers crossed!

#5: Mayhem

We then cut to Miles Mayhem – who M.A.S.K. fans will know is surely set to become the leader of the villainous Cobra! – as he studies a scan that was taken of Optimus Prime whilst he was transforming in the last issue. The implication here is that Mayhem can now use Prime’s schematics to reverse engineer his own convertible creations of some kind, which, one presumes, is really the start of incorporating a wider M.A.S.K. focus into the Energon Universe. It’s also not long before Mayhem’s true colours are revealed (as if there was any doubt) as he murders the lab tech helping him with the scans for fear of their existence being leaked back to General Flagg! How this thread might play out and how much Mayhem will continue to be part of the Transformers book remains to be seen at the moment, but no doubt we can expect to see Skybound following up in one way or another!

#4: Back on Cybertron

We then check in with the Autobot resistance on Cybertron, as the conversation between Elita-1 and Cliffjumper continues following the latter’s perceived betrayal a few issues ago. He is now being tasked with heading into Decepticon territory to retrieve the components necessary to reactivate the Space Bridge to Earth, although he points out that he will only comply so Optimus can talk some sense into Elita! Meanwhile, we get a glimpse of several Autobot bodies lying about, including bots such as Perceptor, Nautica and Cosmos, as well as Huffer and Kup, who we previously saw gunned down in #7. In an unexpected turn, Kup turns out not to be as dead as we’d imagined, despite looking distinctly worse for wear!

#3: Skywarp lives!

Also making a return from the near-grave is Skywarp, who the Autobots have sufficiently restored to complete working order using their new cache of Energon, much to Thundercracker’s delight! Optimus briefly attempts to reason with the resurrected Decepticon, but it’s of no use – Skywarp immediately begins opening fire, back to his old self and possessing no real memory of being merged with Teletraan I, despite having seemed to momentarily work in the good guys’ favour during this time. One cannot help but wonder why Wheeljack and the other brought him back online with his weapons present and activated, but hey. It’s not long before Skywarp discovers Soundwave in his cell, who instructs him to find Megatron.

#2: Seeker squabbles

Inevitably, this all leads to a confrontation between the two Seekers as Thundercracker is disgusted by his brother’s attack and his refusal to listen to reason, whilst Skywarp is equally appalled by his former comrade working alongside the Autobots, even if it was to rescue him. It’s a bitter moment that cements Thundercracker’s change of heart, which has been steadily brewing since #8 of this series, as he finally declares he is “where he belongs” and has chosen his side. From the context, this is presumably the Autobots, but it will be fascinating to see how Skybound develops the story from here!

#1: What’s up with Megatron?

The issue ends back with Megatron in the Decepticon base, as he laments their lack of Energon and berates his troops some more, before keeling over and screaming in agony. We don’t discover exactly what’s going on yet, though, and in truth, the book ends on a rather random cliffhanger in that regard, especially given there is no visual cue to indicate it’s the end of the chapter! Is this something to do with the Dark Matrix and the Quintessons? No doubt we’ll find out next time!

So that’s our list! Did you enjoy #26?

TTFN