Summary
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #11
Ultra Magnus is back in action in Skybound’sTransformersseries, but there’s a pretty huge catch for the Autobot veteran. The Energon Universe series has beencarefully bringing classic bots back into the frayin the new continuity,making each character debut feel like an event. As such,the way in which Magnus returns may upset some longtime fans, but it is a strong evocation of where the character has been, and is going, in the new series.
Transformers#11 finds the Autobots reeling from their most recent defeat at the hands of Shockwave. The bridge the Decepticons opened between Cybertron and Earth allowed two Autobots to come through: Elita-One anda badly-damaged Ultra Magnus.
Wheeljack informs Optimus Prime that it will take most of the Energon reserves they have to fully restore Ultra Magnus, but the hardened Autobot veteran wants back in the fight. A fully-restored Ultra Magnus then joins the battle towards the end – but the result is not what the Autobots, nor long-timeTransformersfans could have anticipated.
The Energon Universe Teases the “Final Fate” Of A Fan-Favorite Autobot
The preview for Void Rivals #12 teases the “final fate” for one Autobot in particular, as the Energon Universe continues to build Transformers' lore.
Ultra Magnus' Energon Universe Return Is Subverted With A Gamechanging Turn
Transformers#11 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer and Rus Wooton
For all the exciting, dynamic robot action, Skybound’sTransformerscreative team never loses sight of the very real consequences of the story.
The scene is a triumphant moment to end the issue on, but the creative team has one more surprise in store for readers, asUltra Magnus gets one look at Shockwave on the final page, which causes him to transform and roll out in the opposite direction.The grizzled Autobot warrior leaves his allies behind on the battlefield. “Hahaha! I broke his mind!” Shockwave gloats, referring to the years he spent sadistically torturing Magnus beforehe was rescued by Elita-One. In spite of being one of the Autobots’ most legendary warriors, Magnus all but crumples at the sight of Shockwave.
It’s a shocking turn of events, but definitely in keeping with the creative team’s focus on the after-effects of trauma. The human characters have experienced this the most in the series, as both Spike andCarly have had to dealwith the loss of their fathers. Ultra Magnus may look big and tough, but he too isn’t immune to the effects of trauma. For all the exciting, dynamic robot action, Skybound’sTransformerscreative team never loses sight of the very real consequences of the story. It’s refreshing to see subjects like these handled with such care, even if they are in service of a piece of toy tie-in media.
With Ultra Magnus leaving his comrades behind on the battlefield, things aren’t looking good for Optimus Prime and the Autobots as the second arc ofTransformersdraws to a close.
Ultra Magnus Flees The Battlefield Rather Than Confront His Trauma At Shockwave’s Hands
Is The Autobot Veteran Psychologically Damaged Beyond Repair?
With Ultra Magnus leaving his comrades behind on the battlefield, things aren’t looking good for Optimus Prime and the Autobots as the second arc ofTransformersdraws to a close. WithCybertron now entering Earth’s orbitvia the space-bridge introduced several issues prior,the conclusion to the currentTransformersstory promises to be an epic resolution asTransformersenters its second year.Whatever comes next for the Robots in Disguise in the Energon Universe, Skybound has shown a willingness to surprise fans at every turn.
Transformers#11is available now from Skybound Entertainment
Transformers (2023)
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
