Skybound Entertainment's reboot of the Transformers comic book series has been a massive success. Set in the publisher's "Energon Universe," the series features several iconic Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime, Jetfire, and others. However, some heroic Cybertronians have yet to make their debut.
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In Generation 1 alone, several classic Autobots became fan-favorite characters. Conversely, other timelines had their own unique good guys who were just as beloved by fans. By introducing these characters into the next chapters of the Energon Universe, Skybound can cement them all as worthwhile Autobots and make certain characters more mainstream than ever.
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Updated on October 20, 2024 by Timothy Blake Donohoo: Skybound's Energon Universe has been a massive success, with the series of ongoing titles successfully reintroducing the Transformers and G.I. Joe brands to comic books. Several classic Transformers have been introduced in the shared universe, but there are just as many Autobots in particular that could still be featured. From Generation 1 to other continuities, these robots in disguise are perfect for keeping the Energon Universe fresh.
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15 Goldbug Can Restore an Iconic Autobot
Despite the character's popularity, Bumblebee was shockingly killed off in the first issue of Skybound's Transformers. However, this doesn't have to be the end for the heroic Autobot, especially given his place in the franchise. The Energon comics could reintroduce him through one of his overlooked incarnations.
Goldbug | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Volkswagen Beetle |
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Goldbug was an upgraded form of Bumblebee seen in the classic Transformers animated series, comic books, and toyline. He hasn't been used much in modern media, but given that Bumblebee is otherwise indisposed in the new comics, his upgraded form will go down easily with readers. This way, the iconic Autobot can still be around while embracing a new (yet old) form.
14 Hot Shot Can Be the Anti-Bumblebee
While Bumblebee is usually fiercely loyal to Optimus Prime, Hot Shot is the opposite. The Autobot was introduced in the Unicron Trilogy anime and was meant to be Bumblebee's first new incarnation. Beyond his yellow color scheme, he's quite different due to his headstrong, impetuous nature.
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Hot Shot | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: Armada |
Alternate Mode | Audi TT |
This can be utilized if he's introduced in the Energon Universe comic books. Prime can chide him for not listening to orders, all while Hot Shot feels that Prime would rather be dealing with Bumblebee. Doing this would provide great character development while introducing an Autobot beyond the cast of G1.
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13 Broadside Has Never Been a Major Autobot
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Broadside is an Autobot Triple-Changer, but this hasn't afforded him much popularity. Overshadowed by Sandstorm and especially Springer, he had few appearances in the classic Transformers cartoon and comic books. This is despite his ability to turn into two alternate modes, one of which is a massive aircraft carrier that sometimes gives him a similarly large robot mode.
Broadside | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Aircraft carrier/Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker jet |
In the few times he's characterized, Broadside is portrayed as somewhat unlucky and cantankerous in terms of his demeanor. This could be used in the Energon Universe, making him an Autobot who dislikes his job and even disagrees with Optimus Prime. Likewise, his gigantic frame and alternate mode would make him an essential defense against the Decepticons, proving that he's perhaps one of Prime's strongest soldiers.
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12 Signal Lancer Can Become More Than a Joke
Signal Lancer was seen in the anime Transformers: Cybertron, but he wasn't a main part of the series. He was only seen at the show's end, having otherwise been seen in his unconventional alternate mode. In the series finale, he finally transformed into robot mode, showcasing that he was more of a robot in disguise than any other Autobot.
Signal Lancer | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: Cybertron |
Alternate Mode | Traffic light |
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Since then, Signal Lancer has been a fan favorite despite how little he's been seen. Thus, there's a lot of room to do different things with him, as he's never been particularly well-defined. Signal Lancer might be a sort of "backup" Autobot in the Energon Universe that's called in to aid Optimus Prime and look out for any Decepticon activity. However, he might not be great on the battlefield.
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11 Seaspray Can Be a Salty Autobot Sailor
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In the classic Generation 1 cartoon, Seaspray was mostly featured in Season 2 of the show as a gargle-voiced Mini-Bot, usually paling around with Bumblebee, Powerglide, Warpath, and Cosmos. One notable episode had him falling in love with a mermaid, reflecting his passion for anything involving the seas. The Marvel comic books didn't do much to develop him further, so this remains his most iconic characterization.
Seaspray | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Winchester class SR.N6 |
In the Energon Universe, Seapspray can be a staunch sailor who protects the seas on Earth from pollution and Decepticons. He might also work alongside G.I. Joe members, such as Shipwreck, in aquatic storylines, further connecting the Energon Universe. Thankfully, the comics won't feature his infamous G1 voice, making him much more tolerable than in the cartoon.
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10 Sideways Can Recreate His Iconic Transformers: Armada Storyline
In the Unicron Trilogy series Transformers: Armada, Sideways stood out for several reasons. A purple motorcycle Transformer, his alternate mode made him somewhat unique amid the trucks, sports cars, and military vehicles seen in the series. He was also an update on the Headmaster concept, with his Mini-Con partners Rook and Crosswise transforming into his robot-mode head.
Sideways | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: Armada |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian motorcycle |
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Initially a loyal Autobot who helps Optimus Prime's cause quite a bit, Sideways soon betrays the team and reveals that he's a Decepticon. This, too, is a ruse, with the Cybertronian not even being a true Headmaster and actually being a servant of Unicron. Using Sideways in the same way in the Energon Universe would be a great way to introduce all of these concepts while having chief character development amid the Autobot team.
9 Roadbuster Is One of the Most Iconic Yet Overlooked Wreckers
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Roadbuster is both an obscure G1 Autobot and a fan-favorite due to his presence as a member of the Autobot strikeforce known as the Wreckers. Part of his obscurity is due to his action figure being originally made by Takatoku Toys, who also made the Jetfire figure (which explains why a transforming Valkyrie VF-1 was never seen in the toy line for the Robotech cartoon franchise). A later addition to the Generation 1 toy line and never seen in the cartoon or even the G1 Transformers anime, he was mostly developed in the Marvel UK Transformers comic books. Usually heavily armed and especially powerful, Roadbuster's rough and tumble nature makes him similar to characters such as Ironhide and some versions of Bulkhead.
Roadbuster | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian jeep |
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The more violent aspects of the Energon Universe are a great place to feature Roadbuster, as he might enact the kind of merciless aggression on the Decepticons as they do on everyone else. This could put him at odds with Optimus Prime, who might worry that the war has hardened the Autobots too much. Most importantly, Roadbuster's presence could see an Energon Universe Wreckers introduced, especially since Springer has already been featured in the sister series Void Rivals.
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8 Grandus Is the Most Unknown Titan Transformer
The Titan Transformers are some of the biggest Cybertronians of them all, towering over the Combiners and smaller compared to Unicron and Primus. Examples include Fortress Maximus, Metroplex, Scorponok, Trypticon and Omega Supreme. The latter has been introduced in the Energon Universe in a minor role, but another big-time character can eclipse him.
Grandus | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian aircraft carrier/battle station |
Grandus was from the Japanese Transformers G1 media, with the rotund city-bot being notably bulkier than his predecessor. Since then, he's had almost no major appearances and has remained unknown to all but the most hardcore fans. Simply acting as the base of the Autobots in his previous stories, Grandus in the Energon Universe might be an Earth-made base Transformer that cements the unity between the Autobots and the human military. It would definitely be his biggest push yet and might inspire a modern toy.
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7 Wheelie Might Be Redeemed In the Energon Universe
Wheelie is one of the franchise's most controversial and despised Transformers, namely for his portrayal in The Transformers: The Movie. His high-pitched voice and speaking only in rhymes made him incredibly annoying. Making matters worse, he and Daniel Witwicky replaced Bumblebee and Spike Witwicky as the audience inserts for the third season of The Transformers.
Wheelie | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers: The Movie |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian car |
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Wheelie can be introduced into the Energon Universe differently, namely by having him ditch the rhyming. He might work best as a guest star in the comic book Void Rivals, an original series set in the Energon Universe. Known for his survivalist persona, this might work well given the somewhat violent tone of the titles so far, redeeming a hated Autobot in the process.
6 Bluestreak Is an Underrated G1 Icon
Prowl was one of the first Autobots seen in the original Generation 1 incarnation of Transformers, with his face serving as the inspiration for the design of the Autobot logo. Much less important, however, was Bluestreak, who was merely a silver and black "repaint" of Prowl. He had little characterization in the G1 cartoon or comics, but he might be able to surpass Prowl in one way.
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Bluestreak/Silverstreak | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Nissan 280ZX |
The Energon Universe seemingly killed Prowl off in the first issue of Transformers, but Bluestreak wasn't in that number. Like Cliffjumper has taken Bumblebee's place, Bluestreak can do the same for Prowl. This way, he finally has a definitive portrayal in modern media and is more than just a simple repaint.
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5 Windblade Is a Popular Female Autobot
Arcee is the most well-known female Transformer, and she's already appeared in the Energon Universe. One leading lady who's recently begun to give her a run for her money, however, is Windblade. Introduced in IDW's Transformers comic books, Windblade has made a major impact on the franchise. Of course, she might need a new function in the new comic book timeline.
Windblade | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: More than Meets the Eye |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian jet |
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IDW's book had Windblade as a "city speaker" who could communicate with the massive Titan Transformers. These characters have yet to be introduced so she can operate on Optimus Prime's team differently. Likewise, her Japanese-inspired appearance might be explained as Transformers having come to Earth in the past, making her a vital part of the series' mythos.
4 Bulkhead Was a Major Autobot In the 2010s
Bulkhead was the only Autobot on the main team in Transformers: Animated that didn't hail from Generation 1. Though he has a large presence and is battle-ready with a wrecking ball, he's more of a gentle giant than anything. In all of his major appearances, he's been a friendly and easygoing Autobot who's quick to make friends, especially among humans.
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Bulkhead | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: Animated |
Alternate Mode | Military truck |
This trait can be adapted to the Energon Universe, where the character might be more at home with humans than his fellow Autobots. Given his usual military vehicle alternate mode, this would fit, and Bulkhead might work alongside or as a stand-in for Hound. Likewise, potential military connections would help cement ties to G.I. Joe in the Energon Universe.
3 Sentinel Prime Can Showcase the Legacy of the Autobots
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The somewhat esoteric Sentinel Prime is usually portrayed as the predecessor of Optimus Prime, though he has several conflicting portrayals. Some iterations are that of a kind and wise Autobot leader, while others make him Optimus' rival or even a turncoat that betrays their case. Sentinel Prime can hopefully show up in the Energon Universe to be more of the former, even if it's brief.
Sentinel Prime | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Unknown (sometimes Cybertronian truck) |
This might be done through a flashback or similar plot device, showing the history of Cybertron and the Autobots. Likewise, it might illustrate how great of a commander Sentinel was, giving Optimus doubts about himself. This way, Sentinel Prime has a narrative purpose, while Optimus Prime gets key character development.
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2 Metroplex Can Be a Big Help to the Autobots
Omega Supreme was one of the first "Titan" Transformers introduced into the franchise, and he's also shown up briefly in the Energon Universe. Thus, there's a chance for similar giants to appear, especially since Omega Supreme is seemingly still on Cybertron. Given this distance, an earthbound equivalent to the massive Titan is needed to bolster the Autobots' ranks.
Metroplex | |
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First Seen In | The Transformers |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian battle station/city |
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Metroplex is the best candidate for an earthbound Autobot Titan in the Energon Universe, especially due to where he was located in Generation 1. Metroplex was one section of Autobot City, which in G1 was supposedly near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A place for the Autobots to rally themselves and safely congregate away from humans, this veritable fortress would double as the last line of defense against the Decepticons.
1 Star Saber Is One of the Most Popular Autobots In Japan
The main hero in the anime series Transformers: Victory, Star Saber was a new Autobot leader who looked more like a Gundam mobile suit than a Transformer. As a "Brainmaster," his robot mode face was made up by another, smaller robot. This true robot form involved Saber combining with the "V-Star" to become Star Saber. While this might be too complicated for the comics, the character could still have a place in the Energon Universe.
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Star Saber | |
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First Seen In | Transformers: Victory |
Alternate Mode | Cybertronian jet |
A heroic Energon Universe version of Star Saber could be an apology for the controversy IDW Publishing take on the character. This incarnation was a religious zealot who outright killed his fellow Autobots, being a far cry from his classic interpretation. Best fit for the space-based stories of Void Rivals, Star Saber's over-the-top heroism could make him a cosmic equivalent to Optimus Prime.
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Transformers
Transformersis a mediafranchiseproduced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals.
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The Transformers
Two opposing factions of transforming alien robots engage in a battle that has the fate of Earth in the balance.
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