6/12/2026: Kirkman's run is not that bad

There's a lot of talk in transformers spaces about how terrible Robert Kirkman is handling his run of the Transformers Skybound Energon Universe comics. And, as much as I jokingly curse and make fun of Kirkman's writing(partly because I heard the Invincible comics were mid too), he's not actually that bad of a writer. Kirkman is medicore, that's for sure, but he's not bad. DWJ was better, true but we have Robert Kirkman now. Before I get into the meats and beans of this talk, I'd like to provide a disclaimer:

This is my first time writing out my thoughts about Transformers(or something I'm obessesed with) ever. Not even on my own private time have I done something like this, so my analyisis skills may be lacking if you regularly consume media opinion pieces or essays. I'm also typing this directly into Nekoweb's sandbox so there may be grammar or spelling mistakes

So far, Kirkman has written 8 skybound issues and overall they aren't unremarkable. Kirkman utilizes his speciality; shockvalue right out the get-go with Trailbreaker's death in #28 which my little moneky brain enjoyed. It didn't seem as out of character as it did for others it seems. Maybe the excitment with which Megatron killed and ate Trailbreaker was off but otherwise, the act of eating an enemey was an probably a twisted honor of sorts. I have no doubt we'll get more moments like this in coming issues.

Now a big gripe I had with Kirkman was his handling of Elita Prime. I don't mind the idea but how we got there was just SO out of character for her. Elita would not fight Optimus like that nor would she tear the matrix from his chest! I know Kirkman loves intesnity but sometimes tension is more effective. If I were to re-write this scene, I would still have Elita come back to Earth, confront Optimus and bitch him out. Maybe even yell at him for Cliffjumper did and how he damned them all. Basically reiterate some of the conversations they had in previous issues but way more angerily. She calls OP a bad leader and a traitor to their race and OP just sits and takes it. Then he opens his chest and is like: "Elita, do you truly believe I'm an unfit leader?" and she's a little taken aback but says: "Yeah. You kind of are." and he takes the matrix out and she's like: "wtf what are you doing". He explains that the true leader should bear the matrix and not him and she's right. Elita is hesitant but takes it, then goes to let the rest of the autobots know about the transfer in power. All the same bots leave except for Jazz because WHY THE HELL WOULD HE LEAVE??? I'm crine. Arcee Magnus is confused and angry on why Magnus is leaving and he tells her that one Magnus must protect Cybertron and one must protect Earth. Boom. End of issue.

Now if we ignore that absolute fumble by Kirkman, the stuff that follows isn't all that bad. The conversation Duke and OP have in GI joe is actually pretty good. I liked issue 32 in regards to the Cybertron crew. I think Elita acted way more in character here and I lovedd the Matrix sword and how she mentions the light is small but mighty. Optimus' matrix power was to heal figurativly and literally it seemed and it was powerful because he held a lot of hope(the light), but since Elita is jaded and a bit tunnel visioned, her hope/light is small and manifest as the Star Saber. I liked that a lot. In the next issue which came out recently(#33), Kirkman continued to do well with the cybertron crew and gave us an update on the Earth crew. I thought Spike's voice over/journal entry was kind of wonky but it's passable; a nitpick more than anything. Arcee Magnus being super tough was a little jarring but asssuming she's still angry at Elita, it's not that crazy. Plus she's a Magnus now so maybe she's trying to take her job extra serious. Optimus/Orion's characterization was fire like it had been and Wheeljack's shenagins were thoroughly enjoyable.Before I touch on the big reveal at the end of #33 though I want to talk about Shorb.

Shockwave being alive and stupid as hell looking is awesome, actually. It's ridiculous but it taps into his g1 characterization which is refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I love IDW1 Shockwave but his characterization is so prevelent in fandom that seeing this over-the-top villian Shockwave is a welcome change. His dialouge was so good/accurate I heard it in his g1 voice.

Back to #33, we find out Shockwave isn't the only one still alive; Starscream is also alive. I think we were all expecting this to happen but it's still suprising. I don't know where Kirkman is gonna go with this but I hope he'll be able to tie up some of the loose ends DJW made when rushing Starscream's arc in his run. Maybe we'll get more of Starscream's internal struggle outside of Megatron's control explaining why he suddenly became "good" again when he saw Omega Supreme in issue 24(one of the major gripes I had with DJW).

All in all, I think Kirkman is doing alright. He had an okay start that dipped so drastically I couldn't read 30 without groaning, but mangaged to pick himself up again and lock tf in. I have hope for Kirkman but honestly, who knows? Maybe this will age horribly and Kirkman will dip farther than he had before. At least we're getting a show out of this.

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