Optimus Prime, family, and tough choices (Skybound Transformers 12 | Image Comics 2024)

[@JCoolPlays]

“Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?” “You’ll never stop at one”

[@RetroRadianceLight]

"I'll take you all on!"

[@actionman9451]

@@JCoolPlays nice 👌

[@actionman9451]

@@RetroRadianceLight Bayverse Prime was one of the best Primes.

[@Ares99999]

The thing is, Elita was already making the wrong decisions when we met her, as she sacrificed 3 Autobots to save 1. It makes me wonder how many times she’s led people under her command to their demise, accepting larger losses than what was gained with concerning detachment. I felt her being willing to scour a planet of life to temporarily revitalize a world that, in its current condition, would use the energy to continue to fight, not rebuild, is consistent with Elita’s character: gains made meaningless because of what was lost for them.

[@DeltaTrion]

"Complicated and messy", what a wonderful way to explain so many of the characters here. Not in a bad way, but explaining how well they have been written. The rift between Optimus and Elita growing so large in issue 12 is a testament that DWJ isn't afraid to tell real stories with real characters while also giving us some fun moments in between. Some of the ideas DWJ is leading to reminds me of the IDW comics, wherein after the war is over, Prime realizes that he is and will always be a symbol of war. Perhaps we aren't there just yet, but it does seem like Optimus left his home because of what he stood for, albeit, accidentally.

[@Moonbase3]

Good call on the IDW connection! It does feel sort of similar... The whole thing with Optimus talking about looking at his reflection and seeing what he's fighting against lends itself to the IDW OP angle really well...

[@SheerAntAttack]

DeltaTrion and MoonBase3 Collab when?

[@DeltaTrion]

@@SheerAntAttack 😉

[@SheerAntAttack]

@@DeltaTrion LESSSSGOOOO

[@deniseg9210]

If Optimus and his team try to return to Cybertron they’ll have to definitely watch their backs. Not just for Decepticons but for the Autobots still on Cybertron because Elita will definitely have told them what Optimus did and likely didn’t paint his actions in the best light and most Autobots on Cybertron are probably gonna want to rip Optimus's Spark out of his chest.

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, I can't imagine he would be very popular on Cybertron right now...

[@CrimsonKnight79]

Hmmm I dunno why, but it takes me back to a TF:DOTM animation of a deleted scene, more pacifically this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3XcZ5irib2Cd8ksi=CATQI-_HY-eO0D5q

[@oofjeff3735]

I'm confused

[@estebangutierrezmoreno9078]

But the only witnesses to that were Clif and Elita One, and they both stayed on Earth

[@deniseg9210]

@@estebangutierrezmoreno9078 no they didn’t. They’re both still on Cybertron.

[@JohnWilliams-wl9px]

Morons: “Paragons are boring characters! Everything must be grey!!!” DWJ: “HOLD MY ENERGON!!!” Shockwave panel thing. It felt like we were meant to at least get a SFX effect intern then, or a flash.

[@seanmccarthy8755]

I'm guessing in arc 3, a lot of those people who say "paragons are boring" are going to say "bring back the Optimus of the first arc!" given what looks to be an internal power struggle for Optimus' soul that looks to be coming in the future issues.

[@laisphinto6372]

i just wish people should note that not ONLY optimus prime is noble elita suppose to just like him but comics is obsessed with grimdark fembots ...

[@kingcamelot1395]

Without paragons, we can't appreciate the grey.

[@jackgrove4621]

"we must treat earth as though we were forged here" optimus prime. Frankly i hope omega supreme or the aerial bots come in at some point to take some of the pressure off the autobots so they can have a breather soon.

[@Moonbase3]

They could really use the backup!

[@arvinrufo7061]

​@@Moonbase3They're gonna need a LOT of Energon to revive the remaining Autobots on the Ark.

[@albernardi8]

People have been calling Skybound Optimus the best Prime we’ve had since G1, but I think this issue was what he needed to prove that. It’s been a trend these last few years to not know what to do with these paragon characters, which lead to things like dictator Superman, Nazi Captain America (still salty about that one), and war criminal Optimus Prime. This series thus far has been a rejection of that, Optimus has been a stalwart paragon from the first issue. Instead of throwing out his moral center, Johnson legitimately challenges it. Elita is in a position where she’s not right, but she ain’t wrong if ya follow me. In the end, Prime makes what I consider to be the morally correct choice, he maintains his morality, but at the cost of his friendship with Elita and perhaps even his home. His burden was always the heaviest to bear, and we see that play out in issue 12. And best of all, Elita isn’t a strawman, so in future we can still use this issue to legitimately challenge Optimus’s decision. It’s brilliant. Simply brilliant. I usually leave some quippy comment under these videos but this time I just have to say that this was your finest video yet, MB3. The more serious, somber but still precisely detailed analysis was the perfect choice for this issue. It’s so refreshing to have someone analyze comics as works of art, talking about themes and lessons. These videos, especially this one, feel like they have a deeper respect and appreciation for the medium than pretty much any others I’ve ever seen. Also the VHS intro is sick as hell by the way!

[@Moonbase3]

Thank you, my friend! Very appreciative of your continued support and thoughtful comments. I'm completely following you with your assessment of Elita and I'm with you 100%. She's definitely not a straw man - there are some very compelling and sympathetic aspects to some of the things she says and does...and that just makes the overall story stronger as a result. And thank you for the kind words on the video. I feel a little more proud of this one than the others, so it means a lot!

[@Moonbase3]

@@albernardi8 Also, Al, do you have anything anywhere where you muse about/review comics or anything? I know you're involved in an EU book club, just wondering if you have anything else for comics specifically. I'd be interested in seeing more of your thoughts!

[@albernardi8]

@@Moonbase3 Yes! Well, sort of. I have my own channel, but at the moment it only has a single video. It was 2/22/22 and I couldn’t let that pass without doing something Two-Face related, so I whipped up a video in about 6 hours and posted it just before midnight 😂. The channel is @ArchivePanic, and I’ve been thinking about giving it another go but we’ll see. I have some ideas. In the meantime another one of my friends from the book club has started a second Star Wars book club where we’ll talk about both novels and comics! His channel @MagnenoAlexWilkins and it’s the Legends Wayback Machine. Our next stream will be the opening arc of the original Marvel comics. I intend to appear on that very frequently, especially for the comic streams.

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks, man! And nice work on the Two Face vid. I'll keep an eye out for future appearances! Very intrigued by the coverage of the Marvel Years you'll be working on...

[@jackgrove4621]

Unnecessarily violent yes but bay verse optimus is not just someone who throws away his morals. It is a realistic take. You look at only him and not what is around him. The battle with bone crusher was surrounded by civilians. Optimus had to take him out. What is stopping sentinel from doing more harm if optimus spares him. So many human lives were lost because of sentinal. The fallen, He literally tried to drain our sun. It would create the batman loop if prime spared his enemies that kill on mass. If the decepticons were not slaughtering so many people, I would agree with you.

[@lizerdspherex]

I just want to give Optimus a hug.

[@kickbrosmasher5155]

Honestly, Optimus has made the best choice in that situation with Elita because she was going to drain all life on earth into Energon so destroying it was the best choice

[@mcpics4448]

Stuck in a rock and a hard place with the choice he had with Cybertron and man Noble heart pick the most difficult choice. Also the whole blackout to have Optimus destroying Shockwave head really show how the war is taking a toll on him or theoretically has that megatron arm is influence(ie like liquid to ocelot in metal gear) if they decide to go with a weird direction there

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, I'm definitely wondering if there's something going on there with the arm or if it's just a coincidence...

[@actionman9451]

I suppose the way Optimus saw it was that Cybertron was too far gone, the planet would be too inhospitable for them not to mention unstable because of all the damage the planet has taken from the war and the surviving Autobots would be given constant reminders of the war and those lost not to mention resources would be hard to come by. They were struggling to find enough Energon to leave Cybertron during the war so that problem would be even worse. Even at the end of the war and they did return to Cybertron it would take thousands upon thousands of years to fully repair the planet. It’s just not feasible especially with how little supplies the Autobots have. Prime knows this and deep down so does she but she doesn’t want to admit it. Prime and a lot of the other Autobots are probably tired of fighting too why stay on a dying planet when you could start again on a peaceful planet living in peace with the humans. I can see why she’s hurt by Primes choices it’s like if this was the outcome why did we fight in the first place? Why did they all need to die if this was the end goal?

[@SwizzPrime]

Volume 2 was just a home run for me. It just kept testing Optimus’s character and who he is and how far he was willing to go for earth. Great video as always dude!

[@mr.end-game711]

Elita-1 has been broken by the war and Optimus choosing Earth must have hurt her more than anything. Really looking forward to how this climax will effect the rest of the universe not doubt Hawk, Flagg Golobulus and all the world governments noticed Cybertron in the sky. I feel like Jetfire was kinda forgotten about after the crash, I hope he made it out. Shame we didn't get to see Bruticus but hopefully we will see him latter down the line.

[@dubuyajay9964]

What was he to do? Someone had to go to get more Energon for the dying world.

[@Moonbase3]

Not that we can fully trust the covers, but the standard cover for issue 15 shows Bruticus, so fingers crossed...

[@bluesoystercultist7164]

Right call on Prime's part, that energon was no different from cartel blood money, it was made from the lives ans suffering of innocent souls

[@daothucanh9621]

Blowing off those energon doesn't bring back those lives either, at least use what Shockwave have produced could have helped the surviving Autobots for a little longer. I doubt the IRL government once they seize cartel blood money will just vaporize them like that, instead those money should be used to rebuid things, compensate for people or their family members who suffer under the cartel's hands or something like that. Honestly Prime and Elita should have gone for a middle ground there. Destroy the harvesting machine (or whatever its name is) on Earth to stop it from further damaging Earth, but use the Energon produced to help the resistance on Cybertron or something. Destroy the Energon help almost no one

[@lorenzo.desoche]

Linkin Park’s What I’ve Done fits this issue very well

[@calamityknyte]

And New Divide.

[@rwberger6]

Skybound Optimus really needs a hug.

[@lillardevans9412]

Here’s the thing with Prime: his morals & morality are the reason he’s not so hardened like everyone else around him! That energon from Shockwave was made from the lives of the innocent! Elita’s not wrong, but she’s not right either! She wants to JUSTIFIABLY genocide all life on Earth! But Optimus is doing everything possible to SAVE Earth! All it would to do is PROLONG the war, and the casualties would only GET WORSE! Everyone is making decisions based on two emotions: RAGE and FEAR! And Optimus REFUSES to let them compromise who he is, and DOES NOT believe in the ends justify the means. It’s TOO SIMPLE. The EASY WAY out, and Prime knows NOTHING in war is THAT SIMPLE. Prime feels guilt all the human lives lost in bringing THEIR WAR to Earth’s doorstep. A war that’s NOT humanity’s responsibility to fight! Hence he makes the HARD decision that NO ONE wants to make. He believes in doing what is right, CONSEQUENCES BE DAMNED! He KNOWS that most people won’t like his decision, that he essentially took the HARDEST PATH. …But it’s the RIGHT path, because NOT EVERYONE can OR will carry the heavy burden needed to walk that path. Optimus Prime saw the situation as this: the difference between what IT IS…and what others WANT IT TO BE. It’s the difference between WANT and NEED…and Optimus knows they are SIMILAR…but NOT the same thing. For want is a DESIRE, an EMOTION…need is a NECESSITY, a REQUIREMENT. The dysfunction that is making the war unwinable, is what’s killing Cybertron. Taking Shockwave’s energon and that of Earth’s would not only MAKE NO DIFFERENCE, it would also only delay and prolong the inevitable. Like putting a bandaid on a stab wound, the planet would die EVEN IF the Autobots were to win. Because he didn’t cast aside his morals to achieve victory, Prime sees the bigger picture, and knows that to set this right…it must come at a heavy price. For Optimus, ending the war ISN’T enough. He wants to END the dysfunction and break the cycle of violence, ALL OF IT. To take a quote from Game Of Thrones: “He wants to break the wheel”.

[@DoctorErika]

it's like a canon even for the relationship between elita and optimus will never last and something tragic happens

[@zetaTF]

I did not see that twist with Elita coming. It makes sense, but it also adds a layer of vulnerability to her character for the first time. That last-ditch effort to save Cybertron, and Prime having to make the hard decisions, is phenomenal-it really showcases DWJ's understanding of who Prime is at his core. And while Shockwave gets taken out brutally, it raises some interesting questions about how Prime is being affected by Sparkplug's sacrifice. And how that is slowly affecting Prime throughout this journey. The next and final arc DWJ will be writing will be bitter sweet but I'm looking forward to seeing how it's resolved and also who the next villain will be to parallel our hero's journey. Arc 1 was Starscream. Arc 2 was Shockwave. Maybe Arc 3 will be Soundwave or maybe even Megatron? Time will tell. Solid video as always!

[@Moonbase3]

I agree with everything you've written here. And I think you're spot on with the villains in the arcs. Really seems like we're working up the boss ladder to Megatron!

[@하늘-p7l]

Are we not going to mention how cute it was Optimus carrying cliffjumper like bruh, sooo cute, also great video too!

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks! And yeah, later I realized the thing with Cliffjumper kinda reminded me of Outback and Prime in TFUK 😁

[@seanmccarthy8755]

R.I.P., Carly's badass van. I'm holding out for both Cliffjumper and Jetfire. Both have been through the wringer, and deserve to at least live to see another arc or (hopefully) few. I was happy to see DWJ bring Carly back from the brink in the past two issues. She received a lot of flack for the way she shunned and chastised Cliffjumper for not killing Starscream, but in issue #11, she showed an immediate reaction of horror and regret for her actions when she heard that Cliffjumper was captured. And in this issue, she sacrificed one of the only things that she had left to save Cliffjumper. I'm hoping they will continue to be a great pair for the rest of DWJ's run.

[@Moonbase3]

RIP the van!!!! I agree with you completely, it was an absolute relief to see Carly come back to something resembling her old self from earlier on in the book. I was enjoying Dark Carly (despite the pain from the cold shoulder towards Cliff), but it was nice seeing her snap out of it. I'm really curious to see where DWJ takes the character from here.

[@alaskandrugstore3223]

I love how these comics have given us a flawed but noble optimus without having him be too stoic or a borderline war criminal. Maybe you can do a character analysis on Optimus in the future? Love your vids man.

[@waterking74]

I like the art-styles dedication for adding dust particles and broken bits.

[@Moonbase3]

I'm a big fan of that as well.

[@tbx12frnku22]

Absolutely loving the more in-dpeth analytical type if style you went for this video, it fits the conclusion of the 2nd Arc. These comics started releasing at a time when I was both, feeling pulled into the franchise because of the characters and overall ideas the stories *could* tell, but also kind of disappointed with the *actual* stories we were getting (mostly in the big screen with the release of ROTB). I was instantly and completely intruiged and fascinated with the story DWJ was presenting, the feelings of family, the relationships between transformers and humans and how, even if unlikely at first sight, how we are much more similar than we might think. I'm absolutely adoring how introspective and surprisingly complex the story has been so far and I can't wait to see how it evolves.

[@Moonbase3]

Well said. There's a lot of thoughtful and deeply moving choices in this comic. Cannot wait to see what DWJ has in store!

[@drbladerunner]

Excellent breakdown of the characters, art, and story. Looking forward to reading this fresh take on the classic tale of Good Vs. Evil 👏

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks! It's a really good read! I'm having a lot of fun with it. :)

[@BonazaiGirl]

I believe Skybound’s Transformers does the reconstruction of Optimus Prime similar to the way that My Adventures With Superman does with, well, Superman. Paragon characters can be done right without being boring, especially if you make them human in their suffering (which is ironic since they’re both aliens). They’re not perfect, they make mistakes, and they get caught up in situations where their characters are pushed to the brink and they’re forced to make hard calls and yet they still stay true to their character. Of course, Optimus’s situation is more dire and the tone of Transformers Energon in contrast to MAWS is strictly darker in tone, but nonetheless, their noble character stands out in a way that is appreciated after having their characters become less like their characters (i.e. Bayverse Optimus and Injustice Supes)

[@Moonbase3]

Well said! I definitely think this Optimus is an example of a Paragon character done right. The fact that he feels the weight of his decisions and wrestles with them rather than feeling 100% justified is a big part of what makes him compelling to me.

[@novemberprime453]

Really great analysis video. Hadn't considered the whole "dysfunctional family" aspect and I feel it really brings a new light into the story. I also really think this is my favourite way of doing a struggling Optimus, one who struggles to keep his morals in a bloody war rather than throw it all away for victory. it really harkens back to the line "He would be a more effective commander if he was more ruthless, but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime" And I'd like to mention that "burning the past and moving forward" is a very consistent theme throughout the series. Optimus using the matrix to revive the hospital when it could've been used for his Autobots, Optimus and Arcee being ashamed of the brutality they once caused. Beachcomber choosing to leave the deactivated Autobots behind, and Optimus choosing to let his world die, so that the cycle of violence will not continue. All of Optimus' actions are driven heavily by not only his heroism, but by his guilt. And it is this guilt, this constant need to move forward and set what's right, even if it might hurt others, is what will very likely put Optimus at heavy conflict with not only himself, but the people around him. We've seen him at odds with Ratchet and Elita, and how his actions have affected others like Jetfire. And I'm excited to see where things go with Optimus and his Autobots, and the fallout over such a massive decision.

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks! And I agree with you, guilt and the burden of leadership are what I consider to be major components of Prime's character. And it's something DWJ has captured really well!

[@ryanking6433]

I was eager for this video thanks moonrise

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks for watching! 🤗

[@darkroom0716]

Ayyy dig the new intro thing. Very 80s

[@Moonbase3]

Thanks! :)

[@toukendanshiwarrior2846]

I heard from twitter or reddit (I can't find it) that the chunk of Cybertron that fell onto Earth (honestly I think it should've been WAY bigger because it's a piece of a planet) is what made it to the one we currently have: Cybertron with a large missing part at the bottom. Also, just how can an explosion be so big that it tears a piece of its planet completely off??

[@Moonbase3]

I assumed that because the link keeping the portal opened was severed, the closing of the portal just hacked off that part of Cybertron, but maybe I'm wrong. But in any case, yeah, there are a few questions of physics that maybe don't add up here. 🤣

[@vontheunknown7982]

Optimus gave shockwave the same treatment Megatron tried to do to him 1:23😊

[@R.J.Productions616]

Glad someone picked up on that. Regardless if it was intentional or not to point out a potential plotline the similarities are there nonetheless

[@Moonbase3]

It's true!

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

I noticed that as well and that is an ominous foreshadowing that Optimus is slowly becoming like Megatron

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@MatthewLoh-ru1mw Probably have something deal with Megatron's arm, not only that we saw Megatron put his other arm back on.

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@MatthewLoh-ru1mw Most definitely, did you know the next issue will be about Starscream having a flashback before and before he got the name Starscream?

[@vontheunknown7982]

I just realized something what happened to jetfire body is he even somewhat alive after all this?

[@seanmccarthy8755]

I'm hoping dude's submerged. He's been through hell so far. But just by looking at the hit he took that caused him to crash (along with Cliff, Jazz, Ratchet, and Optimus), it didn't look like a fatal injury. I'm chalking this up to a writer oversight, because I don't see Optimus doing this in this series ... I was kind of disappointed that Optimus did not mention Jetfire to the others, either from whom they've lost (see Ratchet), or whom they need to rescue (Jazz and Cliff).

[@Moonbase3]

What happened to Jetfire is a great question...one that I hope is addressed at some point soon.

[@regensempai]

I also felt like there were a couple panels missing in the same places I thought it was just me lol

[@Moonbase3]

I'm right there with you. :)

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Moonbase. Thank you. This video was a fantastic recap and review of,easily, the most heartfelt issue in this series. The war is getting the better of several characters. How can alien robots feel more human than most of us. Again, incredible work. As always, I am looking forward to more issues and your take on them.

[@Moonbase3]

Thank you for the kind words and support!

[@AndrewDavis-sj6mb]

​@@Moonbase3This vid makes me truly see precisely why that bot wanted to leave his fellow Autobots sleeping and not to be awaken because then that may start the endless conflict between Autobots and Decepticons.

[@madhousestudiosdevious]

Looking back on this arc with the whole series out, I really like it. While at times I thought it was slow, those moments work to make all the characters more in depth and making their decisions have extreme impact. Optimus is the best example with him making more and more questionable decisions that even he is unsure, with this all leading up to him picking earth over Cybertron. I could see him maybe drifting away from the autobots and maybe leaving the story for a bit only to come back as a more confident and stronger leader for it.

[@Moonbase3]

Interesting idea. If you're right about that, I wonder if that would happen in DWJ's run or with whoever takes over for him...

[@ronniec8218]

This is deep and I love it so far.

[@Its_Eli-s3i]

Its so good! I love the nuance!

[@Moonbase3]

Ditto!

[@WilliamAGould]

One of the early turning points in the Transformers Franchise was in G1 S1 Ep Ultimate Doom Part 1, when the main hero, Optimus Prime was forced to make a choice between Cybertron or Earth. Choosing Cybertron would wreck the Earth. But, not choosing Cybertron would cause Cybertron to be destroyed. Prime chose Cybertron over Earth, going against the standard hero story narrative. Thus starting to show how the franchise was more than the sum of its parts.

[@alecfigueroa5769]

I felt the same way about those “missing” panels. Corona really is top tier though.

[@JF-rh5vq]

How many issues do yall reckon this rendition will have?

[@Moonbase3]

DWJ's run will last for 24 issues. After that, it will probably depend on how the sales are doing. If it keeps selling well, it could last for a while!

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Thank you so much for reviewing this issue of Transformers. Took you long enough 😊. I see a LOT of readers/fans upset with either Optimus or Elita and the fan base is very divided over the ending of this issue

[@Moonbase3]

Sorry to keep you waiting. :)

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

@@Moonbase3 it's alright, better late than never.

[@CrimsonKnight79]

It would be a war crime if DWJ kills off Bumblebee's repla- I mean Cliffjumper for how he had lasted.

[@darkroom0716]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found Shockwave instantly transforming between panels to be a bit of a jump. I'm no comic expert but I saw it and thought "wait did I skip a panel?", it was a tad jarring. Other than that, no complaints! Skybound is definitively my new favorite Transformers comic. I'm also liking Optimus more her than I did in IDWs run. I may he misremembering as its been years, but I felt like Optimus was a lot more passive in those comics and like he just got sort of blamed for a lot of stuff he did because he had to do it. This iteration is much better and retains the "strong enough to be gentle" aspect that so many of us love about Optimus. Still waiting on a Skybound Universe Optimus toy though, with Megs arm and all... hurry up Hasbro!

[@Moonbase3]

There are things I liked about IDW Optimus, but this version lines up more with what my ideal of the character is. DWJ really knocked it out of the park when it came to Optimus. And you know that Optimus figure with a fusion cannon arm is just a matter of time! Or, at least, I hope so anyway!

[@darkroom0716]

@@Moonbase3 Same I didnt hate him but I often felt like everyone was doggin' on the top dog lol. I think I heard some 3p is working on one.

[@wayigotitfigured9800]

Very thoughtful treatise on Elita-1 and Optimus Prime. Not what I was expecting you to do, but definitely welcome and I feel, accurate. For the rest, as good as this issue is, I felt like a lot was left on the table. Neither Void Rivals nor Transformers got giant-sized 12th issues, but here it really felt like it should have been. The conflict between Shockwave and Soundwave (and Onslaught) was essentially truncated for space - or at least that's how it felt to me. No Spike or really Beachcomber (who kind of set all this in motion) - there was just some stuff left on the table. Next issue seems like a sort of segue issue, so i'm really not sure when we'll see what ended happening with Ultra Magnus. One final theory - The reason Optimus Prime killed Shockwave (and perhaps other ethical slips in issues 7-12) is that he has Megatron's arm - and it's infecting him somehow. I probably wouldn't have arrived at this as a theory if it weren't for the change in the baby Spike vision becoming twisted and evil. We shall see. Another weird thing is how NO ONE ever mentions the fact that Optimus is wearing Megatron's arm. Everybody acts like it's Tuesday.

[@Moonbase3]

Yeah, it seems like there are hints of Megatron's arm having some kind of sway over Optimus...not sure how they'd explain it - I've floated an idea about dark energon ala WFC, but I dunno. It might just be about mirror/contrasting imagery reinforcing the theme. But when you think about Optimus' eyes going purple and how Starscream has blue eyes in the preview for issue 13, it certainly seems like DWJ is hinting at some kind of corrupting influence among the Decepticons.

[@estebangutierrezmoreno9078]

Please I need clarification; Did Elita One return to Cybertron or was she also stranded on Earth? After Optimus destroyed Shockwave's collector we see that a large explosion occurs that sends him flying, like Elita and Clif, however on a next page we see that an entire fragment of the surface of Cybertron, apparently the size of a continent, teleported close enough to Earth to be attracted by its gravity. The explosion threw Optimus a great distance, large enough to leave that part of Cybertron, falling many kilometers away from the ocean surface, however it does not appear to have been an explosion powerful enough to have taken out Elita. of said fragment until reaching an area of ​​Cybertron that had not been reached by the portal, in addition to that in that same chapter it is said that the energy collector was the only thing that kept that fragment close to Earth's orbit, since teleportation had been detained, and although it is mentioned that Cybertron was returning to its place of origin, on that page it is seen that everything that had already crossed through the portal would no longer return to its original location. If the explosion had been so powerful as to propel an object out of that fragment, which he reiterated was gigantic, no one should be left alive, since it is also seen that Optimus, Elita and Clif received the shock wave fully and the three were They were relatively close. To all this we must also add the fact that Ultra Magnus is undoubtedly still on Earth, on the Autobots' Ark ship, whom Elita desperately wanted to save, so, unless I'm forgetting something, I get the impression that Elita has been stranded on planet Earth, remaining somewhere in the fragment that is now falling into the ocean, falling somewhere indeterminate. Please help me clarify this, thank you 🫂

[@Moonbase3]

What I took away from it was that the explosion shut the portal off suddenly, slicing off the remaining part of Cybertron that hadn't yet gone through the portal and causing it to tumble to Earth. I assumed Elita was thrown by the explosion to the part of Cybertron that had gone through the portal, so she wound up on Cybertron while Optimus was on the Earth side. The context of the images led me to the conclusion that she was still on Cybertron, but I have to admit, looking at it again, it is a little confusing and I could see a case being made for her being on the fragment crashing into Earth...but I think she's supposed to be on Cybertron. Hope that helps. That part is definitely a little confusing and defies realism quite a bit, so I'm just taking a guess based on the context of the images.

[@estebangutierrezmoreno9078]

@@Moonbase3 👌 Thank You

[@jaredgarcia8638]

Next to IDW, This Optimus isessentially a successor to Simon Furman's take on the character

[@BlueSanin-tb6qz]

Here's a theory; maybe megatron arm is making him lose his sense of virtud?? 1:12

[@ArcanaStorm]

What I want to know is how no one mentions Cybertron in the Joe stuff. There is no way the timeline has caught up and Cybertron was in full view of the entire western hemisphere for like a whole day. I also think the art upscaled the size of the chunk of Cybertron that fell to Earth, because if it was that big then it would have ended all life on Earth. Speaking of that, I wonder what Autobots and Decepticons made the trip to Earth with it.

[@Moonbase3]

For real. There's some timeline stuff that needs to get straightened out for sure. GI Joe is gonna look a little silly if they're running around all "there are robots in disguise out there and nobody knows about them" after this arc. Hopefully there's a plan in place. And yeah, they're playing it pretty fast and loose as far as, y'know, science and realism is concerned. I'm not sure that the funnel of water that Beachcomber pulls Optimus into at the end checks out scientifically either. 🤣

[@arvinrufo7061]

Welp. I believe that my theory of a restored Trailbreaker taking on the form of Carly's van (that I've been hinting to for a LONG TIME now) may just come to fruition...🤔

[@Moonbase3]

Hey, she's in need of a new vehicle! He could be a worthy candidate!

[@arvinrufo7061]

@@Moonbase3 THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN HINTING AT SINCE FOREVER!

[@seanmccarthy8755]

That would be sweet. That said, I can't see Trailbreaker being totally cool with Carly making Trailbreker's vehicle mode a vehicle for her art, no matter how badass that art is.

[@arvinrufo7061]

@@seanmccarthy8755 I think that may be his character arc: accepting her as a companion. And he may view it as a tactical strategy: he'd be a Robot In Disguise...🤔

[@Gaming_Helm]

Ok so I can happily admit that I was so wrong in my prediction on how this arc was going to wrap up, and that’s ok cuz it was so good 👍 When Beachcomber swooped in at the last second for the save I could hear in my head Stan Bush’s other big song Dare. Maybe it had to do with the hover board which felt like a nod to the 86 movie but I’m totally ok with this even if it’s accidental. Sweet vid bud keep em coming 👌

[@Moonbase3]

I've been wrong with so many of my predictions lol! But I always feel like what they end up doing is better than what I thought would happen, so it works out.

[@Gaming_Helm]

@@Moonbase3 absolutely 💯

[@HamdiTafa]

Why isn’t there a movie about this

[@seancolleran5843]

I’m getting the feeling that perhaps Megatron’s arm is slowly corrupting Optimus. If that’s the case I wonder if he will become Nemesis Prime

[@CoolSkeleton95-t9d]

Waiting for the Ulchtar Arc!

[@Moonbase3]

Me too!

[@decisive_battle3565]

i accidentally bought the same comic but with different covers one cliff and the original cover

[@Paulies-Hideout]

Always like listening to your reviews. Mixed opinions on this one. It was good in action but I was very disappointed with how Ultra Magnus was handled. I figured Ultra Magnus would go through some PTSD Recovery and eventually confront Shockwave but that's no longer an option. He'll probably end up being a useless character which irritates me. Almost kind of tired seeing Prime wreck the entire Decepticon forces all by himself. Personally, I wish Ultra Magnus was brought back in his de-armored Albino Prime Mode as a means to conserve Energon. Prime uses his trailer for an operating/battle station where Magnus used his as Battle Armor. I'd have loved to have seen him go Albino Optimus and make use with what he has. I also wish it was him that clashed with Optimus about using the Energon to fuel Cyberton.

[@StevenJG]

The response to Elita’s characterisation and actions in this series has been divisive, but I love it. People are free to dislike it, but I definitely feel some are being far too harsh. Sort of reminds me of some people hating on Spider-Gwen after ATSV. Saying she’s as bad as the Decepticons, when this is all seemingly prepping her for some form of ‘redemption’ arc. Perhaps she’ll start to grow a fondness of Earth and humanity which will lead to her and Optimus to come to a better compromise.

[@dubuyajay9964]

I am sorry. I can't stand her. This is just another bot with her name. The other versions of Elita would not use the hardships of war to sacrifice innocent lifeforms on other worlds as an excuse for gain like the Decepticons world. This is up there with Bay turning Optimus into a villain. #NotMyElita

[@EchoCt-bg3yi]

I love the new intro man great choice makes me think of my grandparents old computer😅

[@Moonbase3]

🤣

[@asherfoxshow]

Great analysis, but I would disagree with what he said meaning he didn’t “choose to walk away from an un-winnable war” but instead chose to walk away from the dysfunctional system that created the war. His exact statement was that the numbers had dwindled to the point that they had no choice, but to leave. There’s not many ways of interpreting that beyond the war having reached a point where it was no longer tactically winnable within the current context with the previously mentioned diminished numbers. That reality was what forced him to look for alternate solutions, and his philosophical assessment was what he used to justify it. Which doesn’t mean it isn’t correct, but it was a new philosophical awareness born not of choice but necessity with their reduced numbers. The idea that he was going against an established system speaks more so as to why so many Autobots like Elia one decided to stay behind… Out of disagreement that it was on unwinnable regardless of the tactical situation. Which speaks directly to your assessment that winning the war as she defines “winning” in the context of the conflict deserves any sacrifice. Even if ultimately the sacrifices is themselves. Meaning better to fight to the death for what we want in the way we want it than to compromise our vision of Cybertron restored. Which ironically put her in the same frame as Optimus prime in this issue. She’s willing to sacrifice the lives of Cybertron to win the war how she wants to do it, Optimus, obviously an opposing viewpoint… each of which, to completely commit to, requires each party being willing to devalue the lives of either the remaining autobots on Cybertron or humans on earth whose lives hang in the balance. I never thought about his writing style being defined by establishing characters who juxtaposition with another character, with those character pairs, switching up in different parts of the story arc. Nice!

[@Moonbase3]

Very well said. Some good stuff in your comment for me to think on... Thanks!

[@Ares99999]

Their viewpoints aren’t equal. Only Elita is considering genocide. The Autobots on Cybertron CHOSE to stay. The humans on Earth made no choice to die for Cybertron.

[@AndrewDavis-sj6mb]

Elita is paranoia.

[@AndrewDavis-sj6mb]

This is a very 🤧😩 comic.

[@Moonbase3]

It really is!

[@사일러스-e3w]

Beast machines and idw publising's transformer comics,transformers animated is very worst.