Transformers #32 marks a major chapter for the Autobots in the Energon Universe. It will be the first time we will see how an Elita-Prime-led Autobots will operate. Elita-Prime already made a strong statement with how she took over leadership from Optimus Prime back in Transformers #30. We already know that Elita-Prime has set the Autobots mission to focus on Cybertron rather than Earth. What will this mean for the future of this Energon Universe series? Let’s find out with Transformers #32.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Jason Howard
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
TRANSFORMERS #32 SOLICITATION
“Elita returns to Cybertron with a surprising new Autobot team – and their first mission is to defeat the Decepticons led by Shockwave. Can an unexpected weapon turn the tide in their favor?” – Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
REVIEW
Taking the focus away from Earth and showing us what is happening on Cybertron made Transformers #32 feel distinct from what we normally get. There has been such a focus on the Autobots on Earth that we normally get from Transformers. This adds to how big of a statement it is for Elita-Prime to takeover leadership of the Autobots. She is showing she is not just talk. She is going to take action in order for the Autobots to succeed in their mission to take back Cybertron.
War on Cybertron
With the focus being on Cybertron there is a distinct tone taken with the war between the Autobots and Decepticons here. We’ve seen big battles between both sides before. But this time it felt different because it is on Cybertron.
With the change in setting it was great seeing how much trust Robert Kirkman had in Jason Howard to put over this new direction for the Autobots. Howard captures how even with the planet being all tech it has a life of its own. There is no sense that we are just seeing this soulless place because its machine. There is a sense that things are alive even with how much of the planet has been destroyed by the war between the Autobots and Decepticons.
Capturing the unique setting that Cybertron is added to the intensity of the big battle we get in Transformers #32. Things are as personal as ever as both sides want to claim ultimate victory. Because of that Kirkman and Howard are able to lean even more into the different levels of desperation each character feels as they fight.
Elita-Prime Establishing Her Leadership
With Transformers #32 being the first time we are getting a look at what the Autobots look like under Elita-Prime’s leadership there was a long ride on this issue. We need to see how she is not only establishing herself as a leader but also doing so in a way that shows its permanent. This should not be perceived as a temporary status quo shift.
Luckily, Kirkman and Howard knew the assignment because we get a wide view of how different Elita-Prime is from Optimus Prime. She isn’t looking to just follow in her predecessors’ footsteps. She is looking to surpass it through her vision of how the Autobots are to defeat the Decepticons and take back Cybertron.
We get a great look at that with how she constantly pushes through the overwhelming odds. She does things that show she is someone the rest of the Autobots can put behind their hope. The second half of Transformers #32 is an incredible showcase of what makes Elita-Prime a badass character to lead the Autobots.
Decepticons Response to New Autobots
While the focus is certainly on Elita-Prime and the Autobots, we can’t forget about the Decepticons. Even though the Autobots have a renewed spark with a new leader it does not take away from the fact the Decepticons still have the upper hand. The current state of Cybertron shows that and is driven home with how overwhelming the Decepticons’ numbers are.
Because of that, even with Elita-Prime’s amazing showing in the second half of the issue, you know that Shockwave and the Decepticons will have a response. The question will be what that response will be. They have so many advantages in this battle.
It’ll also be interesting to see how the Decepticons deal with an Autobots squad led by a leader that is willing to be more aggressive. They have been so used to fighting against an Optimus Prime-led Autobots. The game has changed as shown by Transformers #32.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Transformers #32 does an excellent comic book to firmly establish who the Autobots are under Elita-Prime’s leadership. The focus being on the current state of Cybertron gave a completely different feel to what we’ve gotten for most of this series so far. The change in setting helped emphasize what Elita-Prime is looking to do as the Autobots new leader. That leads to creating yet more things to be excited about seeing play out in this series.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
Check out the full preview of Transformers #32 by clicking here.
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