Warning: Spoilers for Transformers #13Starscream’s new origin story is revealed in the Energon Universe's Transformers lore, and with it comes the hidden meaning of his name. While Starscream drifts in and out of consciousness, his mind takes him back to Cybertron and the days before the war - and to the moments that ultimately shaped him into Starscream.

Transformers #13 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jason Howard, Mike Spicer, and Rus Wooton follows up with Starscream after his devastating fight against Soundwave in issue #7 of the series, weakened by his devastating beating at Soundwave’s hands. His unconscious flashbacks not only give much needed insight into Starscream’s origin, but also create an image of what Cybertron looked like before the war.

In addition, the scenes explain how certain characters ended up where they were. But these flashbacks also reveal surprising details about these characters, setting them in unexpected directions before they eventually become their most familiar selves. They also serve to make the Energon Universe feel larger, as these flashbacks introduce more characters from the larger Transformers series.

Transformers Reveals that "Starscream" Is Actually an Ultra-Dark Codename

Starscream’s Updated Origin, Explained

Within the issue's flashbacks, Starscream is revealed to have been originally named Ulchtar. He was a scientist on Cybertron and was initially neutral in the early days of the war. He and his friends Jetfire and Genvo, the latter of whom already with the Decepticons, set out to see Omega Supreme fly overhead. Ulchtar sets off a stockpile of munitions in order to be seen by Omega Supreme, who responds by waving to Ulchtar and his friends. Shortly after, Jetfire leaves in search of more Energon to save Cybertron.

He says that his name is Starscream, cementing his role as a new member of the Decepticon Order and showcasing the first step Starscream takes towards villainy.

The flashback jumps forward in time, as Ulchtar and his lab are caught in the crossfire between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Genvo evacuates his friend to safety only to be shot and killed himself by Optimus Prime. As Genvo lies dying, Ulchtar is found by Megatron, who persuades Ulchtar to the Decepticons. When Megatron asks what his name is, Ulchtar’s eyes turn from blue to red, and he says that his name is Starscream, cementing his role as a new member of the Decepticon Order and showcasing the first step Starscream takes towards villainy.

The Meaning of Starscream’s Name Makes Him an Even Better Character

Starscream's Past Adds to His Present

While Genvo dies, he recalls seeing Omega Supreme above Cybertron and Ulchtar’s response of firing off munitions to be seen by the Guardian Robot. Genvo says to Ulchtar, “You screamed the stars into seeing us” before ing. From here, Ulchtar repurposes his best friend’s dying words into a new name for himself, and with it a brand-new identity as Starscream, officially leaving behind his old life as Ulchtar and his hesitancy to the war alongside that old life and name.

For even more Energon Universe goodness, check out Skybound's interconnected series, especially Void Rivals by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici and the G.I. Joe reboot by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly. G.I. Joe #1 is available November 13th, 2024 from Skybound.

Taking on the name Starscream serves many purposes for him, too. It not only constantly reminds him of his departed friend, but it also reminds him of what he can do. And as long as he is thinking of Genvo’s last words, he’ll also always that it was the Autobots who killed him, constantly reigniting Starscream’s anger towards them and his devotion to the cause. Finally, the new name represents a tragedy, as Starscream has taken what was meant to be a joyous moment between him and his friends and turned it into something to mourn.

Starscream Has Many Different Origins in Different Iterations of Transformers Lore

Which Origin Is the Best?

Multiple Transformers continuities have given their own origin stories to Starscream, especially in comics. The Marvel Transformers series characterized Starscream as the head of a criminal organization before a war between two city-states led to Megatron founding the Decepticons, with Starscream being among the first . The Dreamwave Comics continuity envisions Starscream as a former scientist who went into gladiatorial combat before ing Megatron. Finally, both IDW’s 2005 continuity and its 2019 reboot write Starscream as a contemptible politician even before ing the Decepticons.

The Energon Universe’s origin story for Starscream, while taking some elements from the 1984 cartoon, such as his past as a scientist and his friendship with Jetfire, differs from the other origins by ultimately making him a sympathetic character. Rather than a hardened criminal, a gladiator, or an amoral politician, this version of Starscream was a gentle soul before he got involved in the fighting. Comparing his behavior in these flashbacks to how he behaves in the present day also makes it clear that the war has changed him for the worse.

Starscream’s new origin story is a change of pace for the treasonous Decepticon, painting him as a tragic figure before the outbreak of the war and as someone who lost close friends to it. These changes help humanize Starscream, a character who has rarely been seen in a sympathetic light. Moreover, they also turn his story into a tragedy, showing that he becomes representative of the same violence which took Genvo’s life, with Starscream himself being corrupted by the war into a darker figure in Transformers lore.

Transformers #13 is available now from Skybound.