There are Autobots, Decepticoncs, and then there is Unicron: the planet-sized Transformer who can transform into a planet in order to devour others, and made his debut in 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie. And after a brief delay, Unicron has officially returned to Transformers lore, and his presence gives the Energon Universe its greatest danger yet.

In Void Rivals #12, written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Lorenzo Di Felici, series protagonists Darak and Solia part ways to go on their own separate journeys. During their goodbyes, they press the Energon Ports on their heads against one another. As this happens, the scene cuts to the Sacred Ring, revealing a spiked planet with green eyes surrounded in darkness

While he appears to slowly wake up inside the Sacred Ring, Darak and Solia pulling away drains him of his energy. This small tease not only hints at the threats the Energon Universe will see in the future, but also raises questions about the nature of the Sacred Ring.

Unicron Remains The Greatest Threat To The Transformers

Unicron’s presence sets up the Energon Universe for a truly cataclysmic threat in the future. Across various interpretations of Transformers, Unicron himself has served as the ultimate villain of the series, trumping Megatron himself in of scope and danger. On multiple occasions, the Autobots and Decepticons find themselves forced to work together to stop Unicron, cementing his status as the greatest threat to the Transformers. When Unicron breaks free of the Sacred Ring, his presence will undoubtedly force the heroes and villains of the Energon Universe to work together if they want to survive.

Unicron Connects Agorrians & Zertonians To The Cybertronians

The presence of Unicron within the Sacred Ring also raises further questions as to not only the nature of Cybertronians in the Energon Universe, but also to the history of the Agorrians and Zertonians. The conflict between the groups is perpetuated in order to keep a being known as Goliant from awakening. Since Goliant may be Unicron, evidenced by the similarities between them, this connection raises more questions about how these two factions are connected to Cybertronians.

The introduction of Unicron heralds a grim struggle for not only Darak and Solia, but also for every character in the Energon Universe. Whatever his ultimate role will be within Void Rivals, what remains abundantly clear is that his presence indicates a larger threat looming in the background across the Energon Universe. When Unicron awakens, it will certainly be the darkest hour.

Void Rivals #12 is available now from Image Comics.