COUNTDOWN: 10 noteworthy moments from Skybound’s Transformers #27

We’re three issues deep into the new creative era of Skybound’s Transformers, and this run shows no sign of taking its foot off the gas.

Kirkman and Mora continue to reshape the book’s tone in surprising ways, and issue #27 throws out a lot to unpack — returns, reveals, character turns, and more. Here are the ten biggest talking points!

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

#10: Back from the dead

One big question I’ve been pondering over the last few issues of this new Skybound era — and especially the latest chapter — is what death really means for the Autobots and Decepticons. Just last time, we learned that characters like Kup, previously thought to have been rather brutally executed way back in #7, were actually alive and… ok, not well, but certainly alive.

Fast-forward to the new issue and we see various characters making their return for different reasons, some of which only add to that confusion. First, a whole raft of resurrected Autobots have been brought back online thanks to the new resources acquired by the team, with Brawn, Bulkhead, Mirage, Sideswipe and Blaster all appearing at some point. That dramatically increases the overall cast and should give the series a very different feel moving forward.

Yet it’s Skyfire’s return to full operational status that raises the first eyebrow. He was swiftly killed in #1 (and said to be beyond repair), then brought back as a hollow shell capable only of vehicle mode in #8, only to be downed again just one chapter later. We’ve known his comrades were working on reviving him since #20, but none of those injuries are seemingly enough to take him out permanently — much like how Brawn being shot through the chest by Megatron (in the 2024 Energon Universe Special) isn’t something that can’t be undone here. Meanwhile, both Bumblebee and apparently Ratchet are essentially written off as being too far gone. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, only compounded by another very high-profile revival later on, and it leaves the sense that the stakes are not quite as deadly as they once seemed.

#9: Magnus and Flagg

One thing #27 acknowledges is the oddity of Ultra Magnus not recognising General Flagg when they crossed paths last time whilst Optimus Prime brought his new human ally back to the Ark. After all, Flagg held Magnus captive between issues #18–22 and inflicted some serious torture on him — something many readers found pretty unforgivable considering everything Magnus had already endured under Shockwave in this timeline.

So it was very strange when Magnus made no mention of having met the General previously, especially under those circumstances. That’s explained here by him attempting to deal with the matter privately. Flagg refuses to accept any culpability, writing off his actions as a necessary act of war and clarifying that he only recently learned the difference between Autobot and Decepticon. It’s the first sign of cracks in this new human/Autobot alliance, but even if the plot point doesn’t develop further, at least the Magnus inconsistency has been addressed.

#8: Skywarp returns

We next cut to the Combaticons as they attempt to loot energy supplies from a dam — very classic G1 cartoon Decepticon behaviour — only to be interrupted by Skywarp. The Seeker is freshly resurrected after the events of last issue, but there’s no explanation of how he got here or why he’s hanging out with Onslaught’s crew. He says he should head back to base to report to Megatron, which is a timely reminder that we’re also still waiting on #26’s bizarre cliffhanger, with the Decepticon leader inexplicably incapacitated. Presumably we’ll have to wait till next time to find out what that’s all about.

#7: Heart to heart

Now comes the issue’s real standout scene: Thundercracker lamenting his situation during a quiet, reflective chat to Optimus Prime in the forest. He explains that he was never on board with the cruelty shown by the Decepticons, despite believing in their overall cause, and although he accepts violence as a necessary means to an end at times, he is uncomfortable with the level of glee shown by many of his former comrades. In that sense, he and Prime are aligned — as they are in their appreciation for the majesty of their new planetary home.

It’s a fantastic scene with plenty of nuance, and the inclusion of the deer as a symbol of Earth’s beauty is a neat callback to the early events of the series, all the way back to #2. Part of me feels Thundercracker’s evolution has moved rather swiftly over the last couple of chapters, but we knew it was in motion ever since he first hesitated to murder humans back in #8.

#6: Flagg vs Mayhem

I honestly wasn’t sure if Miles Mayhem was going to make a return in this book. After all, with him having acquired full specifications of Optimus Prime’s body and transformation last time, the stage seemed set for his adventures to spin off elsewhere in the Energon Universe — especially since it surely can’t be long before we get some sort of dedicated M.A.S.K. title.

Yet we’re sticking with it here, as Kirkman goes one further and throws in a mention of classic good guy Matt Trakker, while also having Mayhem show his true colours by attempting to assault the General. It ends with him being arrested, which surely sets him up to spearhead the evil V.E.N.O.M. organisation before too long.

#5: Fallen Decepticons

Back on the subject of resurrections, we get a glimpse of some of the offline Decepticons that remain aboard the Ark, as Optimus briefly ponders whether the Autobots should attempt to repair them with their newfound resources. Strangely, it’s Thundercracker who objects here, leaving Prime to acknowledge that it’s a lost cause to project kindness onto those who have none.

Still, it’s interesting to note the status of Blitzwing and Dirge (especially given we know Thrust has been on Cybertron all this time), although Slipstream arguably stands out most of all. Alongside Bulkhead, this is a character who originated in Transformers: Animated but is now being woven back into classic G1-style storytelling. The lingering final shot of her certainly suggests it won’t be long before she reappears.

#4: A new Magnus?

After a brief training session involving the freshly revived Sideswipe and Blaster, Ultra Magnus has a candid talk with Arcee, lamenting that he no longer feels qualified to remain in his position of authority within the Autobot ranks. He cites his indecision and lingering trauma after his torment under Shockwave. Though Arcee attempts to reassure him, he states that he feels years away from being properly recovered and believes he is currently a liability, before suggesting that she succeed him… as the new Magnus!

It’s a strange development, mainly because it implies “Ultra Magnus” isn’t the character’s name but a title or rank which can be passed on (unless he’s speaking very figuratively, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in context!). Presumably it might lead to Arcee taking on more of a leadership role moving forward, but what it means for the current Magnus remains to be seen.

#3: A new Autobot!

Well, we knew it was coming, but even so, the sight of Thundercracker sporting loud and proud Autobot badges is still a strange one! True, the character aligned himself with the good guys during the IDW run, but even then he only ever removed his Decepticon symbols — he never replaced them with the red alternative.

Fortunately, some of the Autobots seem supportive of the move, with Wheeljack lending his backing. Bulkhead is more sceptical, asking whether Megatron will be joining next (ironically, considering the Decepticon leader was the one who adopted the Autobot badge during IDW!). Whatever comes of it, it’s an intriguing development for now.

#2: The (full) return of Optimus Prime!

It’s strange to consider, but it was all the way back in #3 — two full years in real time — that Optimus Prime first lost his arm, and he’s been in varying stages of disrepair ever since. True, he’s rocked Wheeljack’s makeshift replacement following #23 (complete with the ingenious girder smokestack!), but even so, it’s a treat to see him finally restored to pristine working condition here.

It certainly feels as though the Autobots are back in full fighting form now, which only makes us think something absolutely horrible must be lying in wait around the corner…

#1: Shockwave

Arriving ominously on the scene like an omen of that very dread, Shockwave becomes yet another character who simply refuses to stay in the grave. After having his head caved in by Optimus Prime back in #12, we find him here looming in the shadows of Cybertron as he spies on Cliffjumper’s reconnaissance mission into Decepticon territory to help repair the Spacebridge. Quite how he survived is up for debate, but regardless, there’s no way this is good news for the Autobots!

And that’s our breakdown of Transformers #27 — an issue packed with returns, revelations, and new directions for the series. The next chapter is shaping up to be a big one!

What did you make of the issue?

TTFN