Random Happenstance

Even though I jumped off when Lost Light ended and the continuity rebooted, I still kind of need to get a copy of Fate of Cybertron, the last issue of IDW's Transformers publishing, which ran various series from 2005 to 2022. I think that's the last one, maybe: as so often happens, the numbering gets a bit iffy after a while. Today's book was from very close to that end, though: From 2022, Transformers: War's End #1, written by Brian Ruckley, art by Jack Lawrence, inks by Matt Froese. 

As occasionally happens, since they had reams of characters to choose from, this one opens with a small band of Autobots not particularly familiar to me; which always feels like the opening of a horror movie that ends badly. Despite a number of other things going on, they've been tasked with investigating Cybertron's Sonic Canyons, watching out for the return of Exarchon. He was a relatively new character, but felt like he was taking the role Shockwave might've before: a new party entering the field, as a possible spoiler. And Exarchon has Shockwave on his side, by promising him all the science; while his other potential recruit Skywarp decides he's heard that sales pitch before, and bails. 

I kinda think the previous continuity took a more nuanced approach to Megatron, whereas he was more just the bad guy again here; but by this point in the series he was really close to taking all of Cybertron. For what that was worth, since the planet was crawling with rust worms and Insecticons; but he was so close and not about to let Exarchon step on his moment. Old soldier Cyclonus warns the Decepticons, largely because he doesn't think he can kill Exarchon himself, since he had the ability to impose his "spark" over others and taking them over. Soundwave and Starscream are forced to agree they might need to do something there; with Starscream framing it as a politically savvy move: be the noble leader that stopped the foreign threat of Exarchon, whether or not it actually existed... 

Meanwhile, the Autobot crew--which includes the obscure yet distinctive Zetar, a guy with a drill on his head--had been chased all over the place, but could now be cornered by Deathsaurus. Which is a terrible name, feels like that should be "Deathasaurus."