WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #12
The latest Energon Universe Transformers ends with a shocking turn, as Elita-One betrays the Autobots on Earth, in a subversion of her traditional role that will have major ramifications for the future of the franchise. Though Optimus Prime and his allies defeated Shockwave, it was a Pyrrhic victory, as they were left no time to celebrate by Elita-One's unexpected actions.
Transformers #12 – written by Daniel Warren Johnson, with art by Jorge Corona – brings the current conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, led by Shockwave, to a fair definitive end. While the Autobots are victorious, Optimus Prime winds up facing a major personal betrayal from his old friend, Elita-One.
The Energon Universe has so far been an exciting reinvention of Transformers, but while it has offered twists on classic lore and character dynamics before, this is the most shocking yet.
Elita-One Betrays Optimus Prime, In A Transformers Twist No One Predicted
Transformers #12 – Written By Daniel Warren Johnson; Art By Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer & Rus Wooton
Transformers #12 is an action-packed climax to Daniel Warren Johnson's second arc on the series, but the real emotional centerpiece of the issue comes with Elita-One's betrayal. Before that, in an intense fight scene, Optimus kills Shockwave upon crossing the bridge from Earth to Cybertron, ed by Elita-One to rescue Cliffjumper and attempt to close the bridge once and for all. Prime previously instructed Elita to place charges at the bridge to close the portal for good, but his ally reveals at the climactic moment that she never followed his command.
Elita-One’s perspective ultimately isn’t all that different from Shockwave’s, making this a morally complex dynamic that the series can build on in subsequent stories.
As Transformers #12 makes clear, Elita quickly became frustrated with Prime’s affection towards the Earth, as she wanted to use the Energon gathered from the planet’s sea life to help the Autobots on Cybertron. Prime refuses to place one world’s needs before another, which causes Elita to question his true loyalties. While she certainly has a valid point, Elita-One’s perspective ultimately isn’t all that different from Shockwave’s, making this a morally complex dynamic that the series can build on in subsequent stories.
Optimus Prime Makes A Fateful Choice – And It Costs Him His Closest Ally
The Autobots Divided
By refusing to use the Energon harvested from the blood of innocent creatures, Prime makes a firm decision in Transformers #12, which ultimately causes the schism with his old friend and ally. Elita-One has been questioning Prime’s leadership since making her debut in the Energon Universe series, making this a strong character choice, overall. Because she bore witness to centuries of warfare on Cybertron, Elita’s point-of-view has been corrupted, causing her to view Optimus Prime leaving Cybertron as a betrayal to the Autobot cause.
The New Transformers Continuity Is Testing Optimus Prime's Leadership Like Never Before
Skybound's Transformers #11 is set to raise the stakes in the Energon Universe, as Optimus Prime faces uncertain loyalty among the Autobots.
Although Elita doesn’t plant the charges on the have on the Energon Universe remains to be seen, but more pressing is Elita-One’s betrayal of Optimus Prime. Fans will have to keep reading the Energon Universe Transformers title to find out what happens next.
Transformers #12 is available now from Skybound Entertainment.
Transformers (2023)
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
