(AUG-2013) Energon Era Comic - Reviews and Favourites

Following on from the massive surge in momentum of Armada, Hasbro (with Takara) had the second chapter of the "Unicron Trilogy" released right at the end of 2003, just as the 20th Anniversary of Transformers was about to begin.

Details of this series can be read up here.

Just like during Armada, Energon saw a minicomic packed with the toys, plus a comic series by Dreamwave that actually followed on from their Armada comic (from issue 19). Unfortunately, Dreamwave folded while the Energon comic was in mid-production, leaving a lot of loose ends.


If you have the comics, have a refresher read and tell us a bit about them.

Are they worth buying after all this time, and what is good or bad about them.

Are there any specific issues or stories you'd recommend to others?

How do they compare to the current era of Transformers comics?

I find it hard to appraise the Energon comics as the series was prematurely finished due to Dreamwave going belly up. It did show some promise with the Armada kids being adults and what not, and Overrun connecting with Cybertron etc. -- but yeah... shame it got cancelled. Wasn't a huge fan of the artwork though. Everything looked too chunky -- typical of Dreamwave.

For those who were following the Dreamwave Energon comic up until it's untimely demise, it's probably worth reading on the Tfwiki (or the original source - Furman's blog somewhere), what the remaining 6 issues would have had in them, to wrap up the story... or at least, how it led into the Cybertron segment, as Furman had planned for the comic to have like the cartoon - a black-hole plot device bridging the two series.

Are they worth buying after all this time, and what is good or bad about them.
If you want to see examples of story telling from the era that are, if not brilliant, at least certainly better than the cartoon then give the comics a go. A few insights into some characters that are definetly worth a read are contained within.


Are there any specific issues or stories you'd recommend to others?
While I can't remember specific issues, there were some storylines that stick in the mind.
*Scorponok revitalizing the Decepticon cause, offing Starscream in the process (opening the way for him to come back as a ghost). Scorponok & his Terrocons attacking a construction site on earth was very good, showing the immensity of his ground-based alt form. Also the showing of Scorponok as a troop leader from the early days of the war was well done, and got to showcase a few Armada figures that never made the cartoon or Armada comic like Predacon.
*The Omnicons vs Snowcat. I just love the Snowcat toy so it was great to see it used in a senario where his alt-mode provided a huge tactical advantage.
*The 'Summer Spectacular' story where Snowcat, Sharkticon & Slugslinger all try to get the plans for Omega Supreme is well worth a rad.


How do they compare to the current era of Transformers comics?
I thought given the briefness of the run they did a good job :)