Transformers (2023) issue 11

Publisher	Image Comics; Skybound Entertainment
First published	August 14, 2024
Cover date	August 2024
Written by	Daniel Warren Johnson
Art by	Jorge Corona
Colors by	Mike Spicer
Letters by	Rus Wooton
Editor	Ben Abernathy
Continuity	Energon Universe

The Autobots must rescue their captured comrades from Shockwave’s clutches as the ultimate doom rains down upon them.

Synopsis

Using a high-tech surfboard, Beachcomber investigates the whirlpool created by Shockwave's attempt to bring Cybertron into Earth orbit.

Meanwhile, on the Ark, Arcee speaks to an unconcious Ultra Magnus, guilt-ridden for leaving him to be tortured by Shockwave. Elita One chastises Arcee for leaving as well, causing Arcee to deck her in anger. Witnessing this exchange, Carly asks what happened to him, leading Arcee to reveal that this is what happens to bots captured by Shockwave, meaning that Cliffjumper and Jazz are likely being tortured as they speak. The idea horrifies Carly. Optimus Prime confers with Wheeljack about Magnus’s repairs, but Wheeljack is unable to fully repair Ultra Magnus without Ratchet, and doing so would use up their remaining Energon. Wheeljack suggests that they could keep him in his current state and revive more Autobots instead, but Magnus awakens and pleads with Optimus that he wants to fight as part of this new resistance.

Aboard the Nemesis, Soundwave asks Shockwave to take Ravage back to Cybertron to be repaired, but Shockwave insists that there are more important matters to be attended to. He then returns to Cybertron himself and orders the Combaticons to ready their defenses against any potential attacks from the remaining Autobot rebels. When the Combaticons inquire about the status of Brawl and Onslaught, Shockwave brushes aside their concerns as well.

The Autobots quickly deduce that the space bridge bringing Cybertron is connected between the Nemesis and Shockwave' fortress, using that to siphon the energy collected from Earth into Energon stores in the fortress. If they can destroy the Nemesis, they can cut that connection off, but it's likely Shockwave already has enough Energon stored up to crush the remaining Autobots on Cybertron. Carly insists that their first priority should be rescuing Cliffjumper, to which Optimus agrees. However, Elita balks at this. She chastises Prime for leaving her and the rest of the Autobots alone on Cybertron for centuries and letting Shockwave's forces slowly destroy them. She does not want to risk losing their home to the Decepticons to save this new world. Optimus merely says that he is confident in their abilities and old friends. Arcee, enraged by what the Decepticons did to Magnus, prepares for battle while Carly—surprised at the turn her Iron Intercessor has taken—looks on. Elita One tells her that she is proud to see her fire returning.

The Autobots formulate a plan: using Skywarp's teleportation abilities, now connected to Teletraan I, they will teleport inside the Nemesis and use a series of explosives to destroy the Decepticon flagship, severing its space bridge connection. Carly insists on coming along, believing rescuing Cliffjumper to be her responsibility, but both Optimus and Arcee refuse, promising to bring him home for her.

Yaniger would be proud.

Beachcomber returns to where he left Spike and Astrotrain and tells Spike of what he saw. Spike asks if they should do something, but Beachcomber solemnly states that there's nothing they can do. He leaves a canister of Energon for Astrotrain before taking Spike to find another quiet part of the world to wait for the inevitable end. As they walk through the woods, Spike sees a deer and recalls when Optimus first stepped foot on the planet. Spike tells Beachcomber that while he knows the fighting is wrong, that doesn't mean they can just run away.

Aboard the Nemesis, Shockwave continues to torture Jazz and Cliffjumper, but is interrupted by the arrival of Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. As Optimus frees their comrades and Elita finishes planting the charges, Arcee threatens to execute Shockwave, but Prime stops her, fearing what might happen if she gives into her anger. Unfortunately, her hesitation gives Shockwave an opening to attack, taking Cliffjumper hostage and escaping. The Decepticon leader orders the Constructicons to form Devastator, but Optimus isn't worried: teleporting in behind them are Wheeljack and the now fully restored Ultra Magnus!

However, upon seeing Shockwave again, Magnus freezes. He can't do it. In a fit of panic, he drops his weapon and retreats, apologizing all the while. As their strongest warrior drives off, Shockwave gloats. He broke the mind of the mighty Ultra Magnus, and now he’ll break the rest of the Autobots' bodies!

Featured characters

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons	Humans
Beachcomber (1) Arcee (2) Ultra Magnus (3) Elita One (4) Optimus Prime (6) Wheeljack (7) Ratchet (15) Cliffjumper (18) Jazz (19)	Soundwave (8) Shockwave (9) Ravage (10) Vortex (11) Blast Off (12) Swindle (13) Skywarp (14) Astrotrain (17) Mixmaster (18) Scrapper (19) Scavenger (20) Bonecrusher (21) Hook (22) Long Haul (23) Devastator (24)	Carly (5) Spike Witwicky (16)

Quotes

"I know how you feel, Beachcomber. It feels... 'wrong' to fight. But I don't think I have to. I just know I can't run away."

—Spike finds his resolve.

"Ratchet said I was too concerned with this world. But I brought this war to them. They need us now."
"We have our own problems, Optimus."
"That is true. But I am beginning to think we need them to survive, as well."

—Optimus Prime and Elita One talk objectives.

"HAHAHA! I broke his mind! And now I will break your bodies!"

—Shockwave celebrates over the Autobots

Notes

Continuity notes

Soundwave has been trying to repair Ravage ever since Optimus damaged him back in issue #1.
The Combaticons were shown to be defending Shockwave's fortress in issue #7.
Skywarp's willingness to help the Autobots is likely due to the combination of wanting revenge for what Soundwave and Starscream did to him back in issue #4, as well as Arcee saving him from Carly’s attack in issue #8.
Spike recalls Optimus's unfortunate encounter with another deer from issue #2.

Transformers references

Beachcomber's use of a surfboard is likely a reference to a similar scene in the Generation 1 cartoon episode “The Ultimate Doom, Part 3” - the multi-part epic this arc is largely based on - where the Autobots must surf to reach the sea funnel.
Just as in issue #9, Shockwave is shown as highly emotional, even laughing. He continues to be starkly out-of-character compared to everybody else, in a way that sure looks deliberate....

Real-world references

Shockwave's battle cry is "To me, my Decepticons!!!".

Errors

Soundwave informs Shockwave that the portal to Cybertron has been repaired. Shockwave already knows this, as last issue, he himself told Soundwave the very same thing! (And no, nothing seems to have happened to it in between issues.)
Once rebuilt, Ultra Magnus’s head antennas are now colored blue, as opposed to them being white (like his G1 Counterpart) when He is first shown in Arcee’s flashback in issue 7.

Covers (18)

Cover A: Shockwave fires on Optimus, by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
Cover B: Shockwave attacks Elita, by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer.
Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive): Connecting cover, by Karen S. Darboe.
Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Elita fires a blast, by Ludo Lullabi.
Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Shockwave stands over a fallen Optimus, by Wes Craig.
Cover F: Ultramega homage, by James Harren.
Second Printing Cover A: Onslaught, by Jason Howard.
Second Printing Cover B: Beachcomber, by Jason Howard.
Third Printing Cover: Arcee and Carly prepare for battle, by Jay Anacleto & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
The 616 Comics Cover A: by Tiago da Silva.
The 616 Comics Cover B: by Tiago da Silva.
TopShelfComic Cover A: The Decepticons, by Livio Ramondelli.
TopShelfComic Cover B: The Autobots, by Livio Ramondelli.
Carnivore Comics Cover: by Ryan G. Browne.
Encased Comics Cover: by Alessandro Micelli.
Big Time Collectibles Cover: by Ivan Tao.
Big Time Collectibles New York Comic Con 2024 Cover A: by Ivan Tao.
Big Time Collectibles New York Comic Con 2024 Cover B: by John Giang.

Reprints

Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion (November 13, 2024) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270
- Collects Transformers issues #7–12.
- Trade paperback format.
- Variant covers:
  - Direct Market Exclusive: by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. ISBN 978-1534354869
  - TopShelfComic Exclusive: by David Mack. Limited to 300 copies.
  - Verse Comics Exclusive: by Kei Zama. ISBN 978-1534326729

Transformers Deluxe Edition Book 1 (April 30, 2025) ISBN 1534328238 / ISBN 978-1534328235
- Collects Transformers issues #1–12.
- Hardcover format.
- Variant covers:
  - Bookdelivery Exclusive: by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. Limited to 200 copies. ISBN 978-1534328679
  - Direct Market Exclusive: by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. ISBN 978-1534329607
  - Hasbro Pulse Exclusive: by Tom Whalen. ISBN 978-1534398414
  - TopShelfComic Exclusive: by Marcelo Matere. Limited to 200 copies.

Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion Direct Market Exclusive – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion TopShelfComic Exclusive – cover art by David Mack
Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion Verse Comics Exclusive – cover art by Kei Zama
Deluxe Edition Book 1 – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
Deluxe Edition Book 1 Bookdelivery Exclusive – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
Deluxe Edition Book 1 Direct Market Exclusive – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
Deluxe Edition Book 1 Hasbro Pulse Exclusive – cover art by Tom Whalen
Deluxe Edition Book 1 TopShelfComic Exclusive – cover art by Marcelo Matere