Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound

ZakuConvoy

Well-known member
Citizen
January Solicitations are out!

And a little about them.
Looks like it's a month for battles! Place your bets, folks!

Devastator vs Bruticus! This should be fun! My money's on Bruticus. He's newer than Devastator, and I think they probably want to hype up the new guy.

Skuxxoid VS Pythona! A battle I actually didn't see coming. Now, usually, I think most people's money would be on Pythona. But, Skuxxoid seems to be Kirkman's pet character in Void Rivals. So, at the very least, I think Skuxxoid lives to see another day.

And finally, Duke VS...some guy! I don't recognize him. So...ummm...I'm gonna say it's going to be a tie. Just for variety.
 

LBD "Nytetrayn"

Broke the Matrix
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen

ZakuConvoy

Well-known member
Citizen
GI Joe #1 and Transformers #14 are both out!

Let's start with the new kid. GI Joe #1! It's been a long road getting here. And this first issue does see a lot of the different plotlines from those various miniseries all come together. All the players are on the stage, so now we can finally start the show.

Art-wise, I actually really like the style of this comic. It's got a pulpy, explosive feel to it that really seems to fit well with GI Joe. I really can't complain about the artwork.

Writing wise, this is still a bit of a reintroduction to these characters for those who didn't pick up EVERY miniseries they released. So, it's still a bit of a setup issue. But, by the end we kick off the action with explosive results.

For those wondering, there are references to the stuff that happened in recent Transformers comics...like that piece of Cybertron that's just hanging out in the Pacific. But, we don't actually do much with them this issue. So, if you don't care about GI Joe, you can comfortably skip this issue for now.

But, still, this is a perfectly solid first issue. We get a refresher on the characters. We get some action. I do feel like if you haven't been reading Skybound's other Joe comics you might be a *little* lost on a few scenes, though, since it doesn't explain every little thing. But, still, I enjoyed myself. It's worth a read.

Again, I just have to say, I really like the effect they do on the very first splash page of the issue. I don't know if it's the coloring or the textures they use or what. But, it just has a neat "3D" like look to it that I dig.

Ah, good ol' "reliable" American engineering. Always buy American when you buy your jet packs, folks!

"Meanwhile, in Springfield..." Horrible things are happening. Just horrible. Please keep Shipwreck away from here.

Cobra Commander's got himself a robot hand now! If this was the 80s CC, I would expect a few Young Frankenstein-esque running gags with this, but this version does seem to be more on the serious side.

Abu Dhabi, it's far away! Abu Dhabi, that's where you'll stay! Abu Dhabi, the place to be for any kitten who's annoying me, yeah! I'm sorry, I only know this place from Garfield and Friends.

We get a few pages of...some guy...beating up some other guys. It's pretty well done and stylish, but I have no context for any of this. I think his name is Risk and he seems to be a boxer? I think he's new? I dunno?

Duke isn't sure if this team is really coming together. And he's right. To really make this a team, I think they need to recruit a few more people with pets along with them. It's tradition.

Cover Girl changed her hair color just to annoy Clutch. That's a nice reference to the cartoon.

So, anyway, somehow part of a entire PLANET crashing into the ocean didn't make the news, because Duke acts like no one knows that a part of Cybertron is now on Earth. I mean, I know the news has been pretty busy the last few weeks but still, you'd think people would notice something like this. Anyway, part of this is being transported away so they can study it and Cobra wants to steal it.

Does anyone speak Russian? Because I have no idea what Baroness and Stalker are saying to each other. Kind of rude to not even give us a translation in captions or something. Of course, maybe it's too rude to translate? I wouldn't know.

So how long until Baroness sees Destro for the first time and it's love at first sight? I give it 3 issues.

And Rock 'N Roll gets shot by a bunch of lasers! I'm sure he's fine. He's got a parachute! Parachutes solve ALL the problems in GI Joe, in my experience

And we end the issue with the faces of a BUNCH of people who are Skybound Insiders. Anyone you know? Did you make it into the issue?

And now for Transformers #14.

This is a continuation of Starscream's story from last issue and it's actually pretty fun. It's kind of a hoot. It didn't quite go the direction I thought it might be. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say much other than that.

This isn't the most plot-heavy issue of the comic ever. But, it is a fun read. I recommend it!

Thus is born Star-Tank! Hmm...S.T.A.R. Tank? It's Starscream with a HISS Tank for legs! (Which works doubly so if you remember the old STARS club from the toys. I doubt that was intentional, but it's still neat.) That alone is worth the price of admission. Where's our toy of this Hasbro!? Actually, this would be pretty easy to kitbash...hmmm.

Starscream handles this with all the dignity and civility that we've come to expect from him.

But, honestly, he's mostly just upset that they didn't draw him right. I'm honestly not sure if that's a meta-joke or not? Honestly, I think the art has been pretty good in this comic, myself. There's always a critic.

He almost kills one of these guy's pet cat! Yes, they actually brought their pet cat into a warzone with a giant robot that they're running tests on. At least ONE team in this universe knows how to put together a proper team! Take notes GI Joe! You could learn a few things.

Apparently, this main guy's name is Horton. (He's a who?) And as far as I can tell, he's not a reference to anybody. I think he's just new?

"HMPH, well played, squishy" Ah, Starscream's already giving them nicknames. I think these guys are going to stick around for the long haul!

Meanwhile, in the past, Megatron mind controls Starscream into killing innocent civilians against his will! Harsh! And probably a bad idea, in retrospect. I guess this is what gave this version of Starscream his taste for needless violence.

Back in the now, Starscream recruits Astrotrain by promising to let him have Megatron's head. I mean, someone's got to have it, it might as well be him.

It's so weird that this huge piece of metal falling from space has such a minor impact on the planet. But, I guess it's lighter and has less mass than it looks? Maybe it has mass conversion properties like the cassettes, I dunno. I guess it just gently fluttered down from the heavens...like a giant potato chip falling from the sky.

Starscream also recruits the Combaticons. This is really turning into a adventuring party now! So, who's the wizard of the group?

"Bask in my glory, Onslaught!" You're awfully full of yourself when you're only half of your usual self there, Starscream.

Okay, maybe I was wrong about some of these Cobra guys sticking around long term. That "long haul" was about half a issue. But, at least the cat and the artist survive. Someone needs to be around to chronicle Starscream's deeds.

So, they're all united now! United by their hatred of Soundwave! Why does HIS face get to be the Decepticon Logo, anyway!? It's unfair!
 

The Phazer

Well-known member
Citizen
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There will be an exclusive cover variant of issue #1 of the TF book and a limited sketch version at the Transformers pop up store in London Battersea on the 27th. Nice cover (though that is a... very big Prime).
 
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