Transformers #3 (Energon Universe) - Video Review by ComicBook.beer

Transformers are more than meets the eye here on comicbook.beer, where I am taking a look at Transformers issue number three from 2023, part of the Energon Universe from Image and Skybound.

Before I dive into this, check out the cover. I know there are like six or seven covers for all of these issues these days, but I really like this one, partly because I am a huge fan of Soundwave. Who does not love Soundwave? He was like a cassette player, a little cassette robot, so you got Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble.

I had Soundwave back in the day, and it just occurred to me the other day, if Transformers were new, what would kids play with? What would Soundwave be? Even an MP3 player is pretty dated nowadays. He would be like a phone that needs updates and a streaming service. So Soundwave would march into battle, crash, break, require a software update, start playing ads, your songs would stop halfway through, and then play songs you did not even want to hear. It would be terrible. And then he would throw Soundwave out the window.

But not classic Soundwave, because cassettes are still awesome.

Here is the creative team. Sadly, we do not get any ads for Hostess fruit pies in here. How am I supposed to know what to eat? I have no idea. I have to go look at some of my classic comic books and check out what ads they have.

I should probably talk about what the new Transformers series is all about for those of you who are just diving into these videos for the first time.

Issue number three is not a continuation of the classic Marvel series or the old cartoons. It is kind of like Absolute Batman. The Energon Universe is a reimagining of the Transformers universe, but also includes other Hasbro properties like G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and Void Rivals.

The Energon Universe actually starts in Void Rivals number one, which you do not really need to read, but you should know that it features Jetfire. Jetfire is the Transformer who left Cybertron before the war started, and then he discovers the Transformers on the Ark on Earth and starts waking them up.

Where we are picking up here is that only a couple of Transformers have been reactivated because they are all short on Energon. In the first couple issues, we meet the human characters, Carly and Sparky, and Sparky’s son Spike, who is the main human character.

Carly’s dad was murdered by Starscream in the previous issue. The Decepticons track her to her house, and the humans do not know who the good robots and bad robots are. So Cliffjumper immediately takes one to the face, but he lives. He is okay.

Cliffjumper is kind of the replacement for Bumblebee in this series. Bumblebee actually gets killed in the first issue. He is dead. In fact, Starscream shoots him twice, even when he is already dead. I do think Starscream deserves a medal for that, because I hate Bumblebee. Bumblebee is like the Snarf of the Transformers.

Meanwhile, Starscream and Soundwave are fighting, the humans are caught in the middle, and Optimus Prime makes a nice appearance in this issue. The artwork steals the show here. Everything is great about this new Transformers series. I like the plot, I like the writing, and the art style is just perfect for Transformers.

I like the classic Marvel ones too, but this is modernized and different while still feeling the same, and it works really well. It is like you are playing with the toys.

Who did not smash the hell out of their Transformers? I did not have Optimus. I think I had Ramjet. I forget. He was the one with the blades and the wings. I had Shockwave, I had Soundwave. Love the Sharkticons.

Check out the art style. It is really good. The color work is incredible. There is a major moment where a character gets wounded. Do not worry, he does not die. His injury becomes an important plot point, and it is pretty important to read the earlier issues to understand what is going on.

There are action lines everywhere. Very cool. I am not going to give away the ending, but you do need to read this Transformers series. I would suggest starting from the beginning. These are in trade paperbacks now. Each one has about a six-issue story arc, and the first one sets the stage really well.

Highly recommended. Check out Transformers. Every panel is beautiful. Sadly, I do not know where my old Soundwave is anymore, but I do have this guy.

Transformers issue number three is approved by Sky Lynx.

I do not know where the base is. I found a bunch of my old ones. Sky Lynx was pretty cool.

This whole issue is basically an excuse for me to play with my toys again.

Supposed to flip up, come on, do the thing. Flip up. There you go. Definitely more than meets the eye.

Number one.