Transformers: Unicron
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| The name or term "Unicron" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Unicron (disambiguation). |
Transformers: Unicron is a six part, biweekly crossover miniseries[1] by IDW Publishing which debuted in May 2018 with issue #0 available as part of the Free Comic Book Day promotion. The third part of a loose trilogy that began with 2016's Revolution and continued with 2017's First Strike, the series serves as the grand finale to the 2005 IDW continuity in advance of the 2019 reboot, introducing Unicron as the ultimate threat to the Hasbro Universe.
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Unicron
Backup strips
Optimus Prime tie-ins
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Contents |
Buildup
When Simon Furman was first brought aboard to pitch his vision of IDW's then-nascent Transformers mythos, he explicitly chose to eschew the traditional Primus and Unicron mythology that he himself had put forth during his run on the original Marvel comic, due in part to the oversaturation of the concept in the then-concurrent Unicron Trilogy. Though no concrete origin was put forth for the Cybertronian species in the IDW universe, various authors would occasionally reference the creator gods as abstract religious beliefs rather than concrete deities—Unicron, specifically was never addressed by name, only fleetingly referred to as the "opposite" of Primus, who himself was not conclusively confirmed to exist.
In 2011, when figuring out there'd be an Autobot schism for 'phase two' to produce two comics, John Barber and James Roberts figured out a major threat would bring everyone together and considered using Unicron. They felt they weren't keen on using him... yet.[2]
In 2017, IDW began a ramp-up of the mythos as the Hasbro Universe took shape; issue #10 of Optimus Prime would provide the most definite look into Cybertron's past, establishing a group of mythical Titans as warriors who had once battled against Primus's "opposite". Finally, in October of that year, Unicron made his first physical appearance on the final page of First Strike, having been awakened by Cybertron itself after exposure to the magical powers of the Talisman.
Overview
Unicron picks up in the immediate aftermath of "The Falling"; following the events of Joe Colton's invasion of Cybertron and the subsequent clash between Iacon and New Prysmos, the mysterious Talisman has successfully awoken Unicron, who begins an attack on the galaxy by devouring the scattered Cybertronian colonies. This monstrous attack has been orchestrated by "Onyx Prime"—now revealed as Shockwave—in a gambit eons in the making; by unleashing Unicron to destroy Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave reasons, then he can rebuild Cybertronian society anew on Earth.
Optimus Prime leads a force to Rom's homeworld of Elonia to try and evacuate the planet, discovering that each world has been targeted by Shockwave's old Regenesis project as part of his time-travelling exploits as Onyx Prime. Though Elonia is safely evacuated, the planet is not so lucky and is unceremoniously swallowed by Unicron. A subsequent attempt at stopping Unicron over the planet Caminus sees Prime and a small group of allies unsuccessfully try to destroy the monster from within, though they discover an ancient relic in the process: a ruined Omega Sentinel robot. On returning to Cybertron, Bumblebee links with Omega Supreme to learn the full story behind Unicron's creation: eons ago, during the reign of the Thirteen Primes, "Onyx Prime" and his retinue led a colonization mission to the planet Antilla, the first planet to be colonized by the Cybertronian race. The native species fought back against Cybertron's imperialism, and a desperate scientist created a doomsday weapon designed to wreak ultimate vengeance upon Cybertron: the Talisman itself, the device twisting the fabric of reality to create Unicron and the monstrous Dire Wraiths.
This respite is short-lived, however; having devoured twelve of the colonies, Unicron—having merged with the Titan Nemesis—approaches Cybertron in his new robot mode, intent on finishing the planet. Having double-crossed Starscream's "Decepticon Vengeance Division", Shockwave's lackey Bludgeon leads the mutated Decepticons and the bestial Maximals into an orbital dogfight over Cybertron, successfully destroying Carcer and Elita One with it. Though the Cybertronians fight their hardest, they are unable to prevent Unicron from beginning his attack on their homeworld.
Salvation comes from an unexpected source: the Spectral Knights of New Prysmos are capable of using their own magic to activate the Talisman, projecting a beam of energy which teleports the population of Iacon to Earth, with Blurr sacrificing himself to save as many people as possible before Unicron rips the planet in half.
Regrouping on Earth, Shockwave begins his final plan to transform Toronto into the capital of his "New Cybertron," believing that Unicron was felled by the Talisman when the Decepticon scientist tricked it into eating Cybertron. Little does he suspect that his plan has failed, and that Unicron now approaches Earth supported by Bludgeon and the Maximals, having turned on their former master for manipulating them over millennia.
Elsewhere on Earth, heroes and villains unite as Unicron's approach causes havoc, and as the Maximals descend on Earth to find and destroy the Talisman Optimus hatches a risky plan, recruiting Arcee and the three Seekers for a mission to activate the Talisman in the heart of Unicron and destroy the monster from within. Events culminate in a massive battle for Earth as heroes and villains from across the Hasbro Universe join forces to repel the Maximal invasion, and as the battle reaches its zenith Starscream sacrifices himself to bring the Talisman online.
Within the black hole heart of Unicron, Optimus is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, willingly throwing himself into infraspace in the hopes of bringing Unicron down from within. Bolstered by Soundwave's own suicide play, tapping into the afterlife to bolster Optimus with the souls of the departed, Optimus relies on their faith in him as he confronts the vengeful specter of Unicron's creator, eventually convincing the alien to let go of his hurt and move on. Renouncing his title as Prime, recognizing that the title was flawed from the start, the alien and Orion Pax die together, collapsing Unicron into a new black hole and ending the threat for good.
In the aftermath, the characters take stock of their victory; Shockwave is arrested by Prowl and brought into custody, Slide learns to let go of her anger at the Prime, Pyra Magna steps up to lead the Cybertronian refugees on Earth, and the Cybertronian species, freed from their dark past at last, settle into life on their new homeworld: Earth.
Creative team
The series is written by John Barber, with art by Alex Milne, and colors by both Sebastian Cheng and David García Cruz.[3] Sara Pitre-Durocher, Andrew Griffith and Kei Zama provided art in addition to Milne for the series' double-size final issue, which also featured coloring by Joana Lafuente. Six connecting B-covers were done by Transformers veteran James Raiz.
Collections
- Transformers: Unicron (April 2, 2019) ISBN 1684054230 / ISBN 9781684054237
- Collects the Free Comic Book Day issue #0 and Unicron issues #1–6.
- Bonus material includes covers from each issue, as well as Hasbroverse backup comics and creator interviews originally published in the series' single issues.
- Trade paperback format.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 88: Unicron (August 26, 2020)
- Collects Unicron issues #0–6, Optimus Prime #25, and Lost Light #25.
- Bonus material includes a cover gallery, the Hasbroverse backup comics and creator interviews, and an intro by Simon Furman.
- Hardcover format.
Unicron – cover art by Andrew Griffith and Thomas Deer
The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 88: Unicron – cover art by Dreamwave and Alex Milne
Notes
- The series was originally solicited as Transformers: Unicron: The Darkest Hour. It was also initially scheduled biweekly from July to September, but delays forced the last issue to be rescheduled for October, with it finally seeing release in November.
