Summary

• The Energon Universe in Transformers has been a smash success, with fan excitement at an all-time high.
• Jetfire is a key Transformer in the Energon Universe, awakening the fallen bots on Earth and taking on a significant role in the storyline.
• Bumblebee's shocking death proves that no one is safe in the Energon Universe, adding depth and unpredictability to the story.

Warning: contains spoilers for Transformers #1!The Energon Universe era of the Transformers is here, and fan excitement is at an all-time high. With the surprise appearance of Jetfire in Void Rivals, Robert Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment pulled off the impossible and gave fans a genuine surprise in the comics world, and the Energon Universe has been a smash success as a result.

Fans were anxious to learn which Transformers would be showing up in their new self-titled series since it was announced over the summer, and with the release of Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers #1, now they have an answer. In addition to a few surprise appearances in Void Rivals, a grand total of sixteen Autobots and Decepticons have shown up in the new continuity so far. From featured appearances to background cameos, here are all the Transformers who have appeared on in the Energon Universe so far:

15 Jetfire

The Energon Universe's First Transformer

It all started with his surprise appearance at the end of Void Rivals #1 (Robert Kirkman, Matheus Lopes, Lorenzo De Felici), as Jetfire is awakened on a distant moon by the stranded pilots Darak and Solila. Jetfire’s story continues in Transformers #1, where he successfully reactivates his comatose comrades who crashed on Earth centuries earlier. Unaware that war had broken out between the Autobots and Decepticons, he is shot point-blank by the revived Starscream, eventually succumbing to his wound at issue’s end. Whether or not Jetfire is truly dead remains to be seen, but he’s probably the most important Transformer in the Energon Universe, as he is the one to reawaken the fallen bots on Earth.

14 Shockwave

The Decepticons' Ruler on Cybertron

Before the release of Transformers #1, one more Transformer appeared in the pages of Void Rivals. Shockwave showed up in the fourth issue of that series, revealing that he had been left in control of the Decepticons on Cybertron. It was a brief appearance, but significant nonetheless, as it established that the Decepticons won the war on Cybertron, leaving Optimus Prime and his Autobots to flee their planet in search of the dwindling resource Energon.

13 Optimus Prime

The Autobots' Leader Is On A Losing Streak

Even though fans' first glimpse of him was when he was comatose, Optimus Prime still made his debut Energon Universe appearance on the very first page of Transformers #1. After being reawakened, Prime finds himself in the fight for his life against Starscream and the rest of the Decepticons. The Prime seen in the Energon Universe thus far is a somber figure, crushed by the weight of responsibility on his shoulders but fighting on nonetheless. It will be intriguing seeing how Optimus Prime and his Autobots fight for their very survival in a world where they utterly failed against the Decepticons.

12 Bumblebee

A Shocking Death Kicks Off the Reboot

One of the most popular characters in all Transformers media, the Energon Universe pulls a massive swerve by having Bumblebee killed almost immediately after his comatose body appeared on-. It’s a shocking death, and one that shakes Optimus and the rest of the Autobots to their very core. Bumblebee’s death is more than just cheap shock value, however, as it shows that no one is safe in the Enegon Universe. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Bumblebee could be resurrected at some point in the future, but for now, the Energon Universe is doing without one of the franchise’s most popular characters.

11 Starscream

The Decepticons' Leader on Earth, But Where Is Megatron?

Given that his first act is to coldly murder Bumblebee, the Starscream seen in the Energon Universe thus has established himself as a formidable foe. Having taken over leadership of his fellow Decepticons, Starscream finds himself not quite up to the task. Although he’s a fearsome warrior, he’s not the best at making the Decepticons fall in line, and shows a definite lack of awareness of his subordinates’ needs. As such, Transformers is teasing fans as to whether Starscream will rise to the task of leading the Decepticons against the Autobots, or crumble beneath the responsibility. And that’s before taking into consideration that Megatron could be out there somewhere, ready to take back his rightful place as leader…

10 Jazz

Jazz Is Still Comatose, But He's In Play

After Bumblebee is killed by Starscream, a comatose Jazz almost gets the same treatment before he is saved by the newly-revived Optimus Prime. After that, Jazz’s body is presumably loaded up with the rest of the Autobots into Prime’s trailer, as he makes a desperate escape from the Decepticons' attack. The previously-announced line-up of Autobots makes no mention of Jazz, but it’s likely that the most stylish and musically-inclined Autobot of them all could make a full appearance before all is said and done.

9 Ratchet

The Transformers' Medic Is One of Optimus Prime's Initial Team

As the Autobots' chief medic, Ratchet is perhaps the best choice to be revived following Optimus Prime. Given that Prime eventually destroys Teletraan I (the Ark’s supercomputer, capable of repairing and reviving any Transformer), it’s a good thing the Autobots have Ratchet around to repair them going forward. Aside from his healing abilities, Ratchet is a valuable ally on the battlefield, as well. No matter what, Ratchet never gives up, which will come in handy in the renewed war on Earth between the Autobots and Decepticons.

8 Skywarp

The Decepticons Rule the Skies

As one of three Decepticon jet fighters, it’s understandable that Skywarp would be revived so soon after Starsceam. A terror of the skies in his own right, Skywarp is made even more formidable thanks to his ability to teleport to any location. Skywarp s Starscream as soon as he’s revived, laying into Optimus Prime and Ratchet straight away. With two of the sky brothers in their ranks, the Decepticons already have air dominance, and Skywarp’s loyalty to Starscream only makes him all the more dangerous.

7 Soundwave

Soundwave Ensures the Decepticons Have More Raw Power

Following Starscream’s revival, Soundwave is the next Decepticon to enter the fray. Starscream couldn’t have picked a better partner to bring back, as Soundwave is one of the most powerful Decepticons warriors. Soundwave immediately makes himself useful and barrages Optimus Prime and Ratchet with a missile attack, before siccing his mini-cassette Ravage on a helpless Prime. In the newly refreshed war between the Autobots and Decepticons, Soundwave is a heavy hitter.

6 Reflector & Thundercracker

Optimus Prime Kept These Decepticons Off the Board

Reflector and Thundercracker almost get revived before Optimus Prime makes the snap decision to destroy Teletraan I, thus preventing it from reviving any more Decepticons to the fray (and also sacrificing possible Autobots for his own side.) It’s probably a good thing, too, as Thundercracker would complete the unholy trilogy of Decepticon jet-fighters along with his sky brothers Starscream and Skywarp. Reflector is actually three separate bots - Spectro, Spyglass and Viewfinder - who combine into a single lens camera. Obsessed with observing others and a master at espionage and infiltration, Reflector's absence suggests Optimus made the right decision.