COUNTDOWN: 8 noteworthy moments from Skybound’s Transformers #28

We’re four issues deep into the new creative era of Skybound’s Transformers, and the direction of the series is becoming clearer with each chapter.

Kirkman and Mora continue to build on the foundations laid during Daniel Warren Johnson’s run whilst adding their own distinct flavour to proceedings, and issue #28 delivers plenty to unpack — psychotic breakdowns, brutal deaths, new allegiances, and the escalating threat of a particular M.A.S.K. villain. Here are the eight biggest talking points!

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

#8: Megatron’s psychosis

We begin by catching up with the Decepticons after last issue’s rather odd cliffhanger, which saw Megatron inexplicably incapacitated mid-scene. Here, it’s revealed that he’s suffering from some form of psychosis, calling out to Dezimir — the Quintesson who imprisoned him during the flashback events of #19 — and demanding he “stop the trials.”

The other Decepticons are naturally confused, having no idea who Dezimir is or what their leader is talking about. They attempt to restrain him, but he easily swats them around until, just as suddenly, he regains composure as though nothing has happened.

At this point, a newly freed Skywarp arrives, having been repaired by the Autobots last issue. Megatron asks where he’s been, though one wonders why he’s perhaps not more startled by his troop’s sudden reemergence. In any case, Skywarp mentions that Soundwave is still being held captive, at which point Megatron declares they should mount an attack immediately — leaving his troops looking rather perplexed about everything they’ve just witnessed.

It’s fair to say Megatron doesn’t seem in sound mind here, though it’s currently unclear if this is due to some outside effect by the Quintessons (or someone else), or if it’s all in his head. Nor do we know how the events of his past and the Dark Matrix will play into the ongoing plot at this time. One to watch.

#7: Arcee’s trials

Next, we catch up with the Autobots as Arcee undergoes some visions of her own — though in this case, it’s a planned event. She’s completing a mental quest in an effort to become the Autobots’ new Magnus, after Ultra Magnus nominated her for the responsibility last issue.

We see that externally, she’s hooked up to Ultra Magnus by a series of wires, as he explains to Optimus Prime that as the new Magnus, Arcee will be the first line of defence — leading the charge, sustaining the most damage, protecting their troops, and ensuring they’re always battle-ready and well-trained.

It’s clear in this context that “Magnus” is some sort of military rank or role — effectively a commander in the Autobot army. This is a rather new take on the lore. Even if “Ultra Magnus” became something of a figurehead in the IDW comics, it was a very different setup to what’s implied here.

What does leave me slightly baffled is the implication that Ultra Magnus must have a different name, as “Magnus” is evidently a title. If Arcee is to become Arcee Magnus, does that mean his name is just “Ultra”? Or did he adopt a new name entirely? We may never know.

In any case, Optimus expresses some concern with the changing of the guard, saying that Magnus is typically a title carried for life, and he encourages his friend to reconsider.

#6: Soundwave and Thundercracker

We then cut to a brief interlude as Thundercracker visits Soundwave whilst he’s in the Autobots’ holding cells. Soundwave admonishes his former Decepticon comrade for siding with the Autobots, calling him a betrayer and a disgrace.

Thundercracker gives a thoughtful response, saying there will come a time when Soundwave is asked to do something he disagrees with, or something happens to someone he cares about, and he’ll finally see how callous the Decepticons truly are.

The words clearly hit home, leaving Soundwave thinking back to Ravage being injured as Thundercracker walks away. It’s a brief but effective scene that continues to build on the schism forming between the two factions — and within individual characters themselves.

#5: Mayhem! 

Next, we catch up with General Flagg and Miles Mayhem, the latter of whom was arrested last time and is currently being marched off for imprisonment. However, he surprises everyone by activating a hidden battle mask (right? We surely saw this coming!) and firing corrosive acid at Flagg’s troops, which melts them in a quite horrifying scene.

He then summons an impressive helicopter — which M.A.S.K. fans will instantly recognise as the Switchblade! — and prepares to make his getaway, breaking his shackles and evading Flagg’s efforts easily. He climbs aboard as the helicopter transforms into a jet mode and zooms out of the area at top speed.

Flagg demands that someone summon Matt Trakker — meaning that if it wasn’t clear already, Skybound are certainly going to be making more of a thing of M.A.S.K. moving forward. It’s an exciting idea, seeing the classic ’80s property mingled with G.I. Joe and Transformers, and we’ll have to see how it plays out.

#4: Spike and Carly

Next is another single-page conversational interlude as Spike and Carly return to the Witwicky house after the madness they’ve been experiencing ever since #1 of this series. Carly is evidently going to stay with Spike after her own family home was destroyed by Laserbeak.

She mentions that Spike will soon be going to university, but he explains he’s having second thoughts, having lost his curiosity about space since meeting alien robots, and that he’s now considering a new path. What that might be, we’ll have to see, but it’s an indication that Kirkman has further plans for these human characters yet.

#3: A new Magnus!

Arcee awakes from her trials in an upgraded body, having now assumed the mantle of Magnus, and it’s quite a departure for the character! Significantly larger and seemingly more powerful, she now features an entirely overhauled design — although one with plenty of cues to her classic guise and plenty of hints towards Ultra Magnus built in, such as the antennae, shoulder rockets, and arm pylons.

Dare I say that the backpack element and the whole silhouette also put me immediately in mind of the Cybertron Thunderblast design from the mid-2000s — known as Chromia in Japan — to the point where even though we don’t yet know Arcee Magnus’ updated alternate form, I couldn’t imagine it being anything other than a boat!

Regardless, this is an interesting direction for Skybound to take the series, as it begins to branch further away from the strong classic cartoon influence often felt under Daniel Warren Johnson’s tenure.

Meanwhile, Optimus once again asserts his concerns about Ultra Magnus stepping down, asking him to stay on indefinitely in the role alongside Arcee. Ultra Magnus is hesitant but says he’ll consider it.

#2: Roll call!

Arcee Magnus is presented to the assembled troops, who marvel at her upgraded form and offer plenty of enthusiasm for her new role in their ranks. Optimus states that they’re going to canvas the local vicinity looking for signs of potential Decepticon threats, before handing over the duty of performing the roll call to Arcee, who proceeds to name-check the Autobots one by one.

It’s already proving to be an interesting cast of characters, and this section cements it, with the traditional Autobot roster mingled with oddities like Shredhead, Thundercracker, and Bulkhead. They prepare to roll out, but before the command is given, Optimus suddenly notices that one of their number is absent…

#1: Trailbreaker’s end!

We cut to Trailbreaker, who is merrily strolling through the woods admiring the gorgeous scenery of Earth, when he’s unexpectedly ambushed by Megatron! In a definite page-turn shock, the Decepticon leader forcefully grabs Trailbreaker’s head and crushes it with his hand, before ripping his body in two and gloating to his troops that this is how they should deal with Autobots.

It’s a slightly more maniacally gleeful portrayal of Megatron than I felt we were perhaps getting under Daniel Warren Johnson’s tenure. Previously, the despot at least seemed to have some sense of twisted “honour” about him, yet here he’s clearly revelling in the carnage and destruction.

In a particularly gruesome end to the issue, Megatron drinks the energy from Trailbreaker’s spark, effectively draining his life force. He claims to have granted the Autobot a “permanent death,” which is a term loaded with implication for the wider series here. We’ve seen lots of death and destruction so far, but very little of it has actually lasted, with several surprise resurrections already along the way. This new development implies there are levels of permanence to how Cybertronians can be taken offline, with the draining of the spark seemingly a definitively fatal end. It’s a brutal demonstration of the point, and a savage way to end the issue!

And that’s our breakdown of Transformers #28 — an issue packed with psychotic breakdowns, escalating threats and a brutal death. The next chapter is shaping up to be intense!

What did you make of the issue?

TTFN