Transformers: Unicron

Transformers: Unicron
Cover art for issue #0 drawn by Sara Pitre-Durocher.
Publication information
Publisher	IDW Publishing Hasbro, Inc.
Schedule	Bi-weekly
Format	Limited series
Genre	Science fiction
Publication date	May 5 – October 24, 2018
No. of issues	0-6
Main character(s)	Hasbro Comic Book Universe
Creative team
Written by	John Barber
Artist(s)	Alex Milne
Colorist(s)	Sebastian Cheng

Transformers: Unicron is a science fiction comic book limited series presented by IDW Publishing, in collaboration with Hasbro. The series is being written by John Barber, with art from penciller Alex Milne and colorist Sebastian Cheng. Issue #0 was published during Free Comic Book Day (May 5, 2018) before running from July to October 2018, featuring crossovers with the ongoing series Optimus Prime and Transformers: Lost Light.^[1]

The series introduces Unicron into the Hasbro Comic Book Universe following the events of First Strike. The character had previously appeared on the Marvel comic book and the "Unicron Trilogy" anime series (Armada, Energon and Cybertron), specifically the comics version of the series produced by the defunct publisher Dreamwave Productions.

This series marks the conclusion of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe, in advance of a forthcoming reboot.^[2][3]

Plot

When Cybertron was invaded by human forces, Merklynn tried using the Talisman to transform the planet into a new version of Prysmos, but those actions caused Cybertron itself to send a message that awakened Unicron as a side effect.^[4][5] Meanwhile, Shockwave revealed himself to be alive, having been sent back in time and taken the mantle of "Onyx Prime" to manipulate many events in the past in order to be prepared for Unicron's arrival.^[6]

Following his awakening, Unicron started attacking Elonia, the home planet of the Solstar Order. In a desperate attempt to save Elonia, Rom the Space Knight joins forces with the Autobots, with Wheeljack devising a plan to teleport everyone on Cybertron, but the signal of the Titan Emissary is interfering. Optimus Prime, Arcee and Rom deduce that Elonia is infected with Ore-12, one of the Regenesis Ores created by Shockwave for the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy.^[7] After Arcee killed Emissary, Wheeljack teleports everyone back to Cybertron, but at the cost of him being left behind when Elonia was totally consumed. Windblade contacts the Autobots and informs them about Unicron destroying Cybertron's colonies; Optimus is aware that Earth could become a potential target. Meanwhile, Unicron completely consumes the colony of Eukaris.^[8]

As Unicron approaches to consume Caminus, Optimus and his allies battle the Maximals, Shockwave's former allies, to get get inside Unicron's system and investigate more about it, only to find the body of an Omega Sentinel, leading them to question everything they believed and denied about their origins. When Unicron starts consuming Caminus, the Mistress of Flame sacrifies herself against the Maximals so her people can escape to Cybertron. Back on Cybertron, Starscream and Shockwave discuss how to use the poisoned Energon supplies to destroy Unicron, while Optimus and Windblade conclude that only Cybertron and Carcer remain before Unicron destroys Earth. In that moment, Starscream takes advantage to broadcast a message proclaiming himself the "savior" of Cybertron. Following Elonia's destruction, Rom tries to convince the survival Space Knights not to surrender.^[9]

As Optimus and Strascream argue each other about how they could save Cybertron, Bludgeon and Liege Maximo reveal themselves to being sided with Unicron, betraying the Decepticon Vengeance Division. Bumblebee accidentally connects himself with the comatose Omega Supreme, who reveals him that an ancient planet was ravaged by war, and a scientist created a doomsday device that gave birth to Unicron, alongside other repercussions like Prysmos' destruction and the Dire Wraiths' mutation. With Omega Supreme dying in the process, Bumblebee realises that in order to destroy Unicron, all Transformers must die. Back on Earth, Scarlett and her G.I. Joes are under attack by the Maximals, only to be saved by Snake Eyes and Skywarp.^[10]

Arcee recognizes that planet from Bumblebee's vision as Antilla, where Shockwave intended to invade, but following that planet's desctruction, they found that same Antillian weapon (later dubbed as "The Talisman") to poison Cybertron at purpose and destroy Unicron. Optimus deduced that Unicron was created to bring retribution against all Transformers for their previous sins. While Windblade has her own plan, Unicron destroys the colony of Carcer, killing everyone on board, except for Elita One and Victorion. When Strascream decides to flee the planet, Soundwave and the citizens don't allow it. Back on Earth, the reunited M.A.S.K. team attempts rescuing a few civilians from a building under fire.^[11]

Windblade informs the Visionaries that everyone should abandon Cybertron. The Talisman's magic transporting everyone around the planet before Unicron destroys it by ripping it in two. Back on Earth, most of the people are transported from Cybertron, with Shockwave reappears in Toronto, Canada, taking the opportunity to create his own Decepticon empire, but Bludgeon switches loyalties to Unicron by attacking the Decepticons' Sanctuary Station. Shockwave deduces that Unicron is alive due to the Talisman being removed; it resides in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border in Central Africa. After the attack against the Peaceful Revolution, Prowl radios Optimus to alert him to Unicron's approach, and the latter vows that he will find a way to save the Earth. Back on Microspace, the Micronauts receive a visit from their leader Oz Rael, who warns them about Unicron attacking Earth.^[12]

References