WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #17The cast of Skybound Entertainment's Transformers comic series just expanded, as the Energon Universe continuity debuts a brand-new Autobot: Shredhead. The latest original character to come from the rebooted franchise makes his glorious debut in Transformers #17, and from his initial appearance, it is possible that he just might be the most metal Transformer of all time.

Transformers #17 – written by Daniel Warren Johnson, with art by Jorge Corona – catches up with the Autobot faction on Cybertron. Fans will that Cliffjumper was left behind on Cybertron following the battle with Shockwave. While there, Cliff meets up with the ragtag Autobot resistance, and is able to recover what’s left of the sparks from his fallen clan.

Cliffjumper explains that there is enough left over to create an entirely new Transformer to the Autobot ranks. As such, he wants to take them to the Well of Sparks, a place where new Transformers are born.

Shredhead Is The Newest Autobot Warrior To Debut In The Transformers' Energon Universe Canon

Transformers #17 – Written By Daniel Warren Johnson; Art By Jorge Corona; Color By Mike Spicer; Lettering By Rus Wooton​​​​

Given that the Well is located in Decepticon territory, the Autobots have to fight their way behind enemy lines. They manage to fight their way through, and Cliff takes his clan’s former Sparks to the Well to create a new bot. When the Well requests a secondary form, Cliffjumper provides the wreckage of human ally Carly’s damaged van. The Well of Sparks then creates a new Transformer from these pieces. As he steps through the smoke, Cliffjumper asks the new bot who they are, and a new Autobot emerges proclaiming his name as Shredhead.

With his massive energy sword and hulking appearance, Shredhead makes quite the first impression with his debut this issue. The design by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson is heavy metal perfection, with the added cherry on top being the fact that Shredhead is based on Carly’s van, which was adorned with artwork that the Autobot’s human ally designed herself. The painted lightning bolt across his chest gives Shredhead his own distinct appearance, so it will be exciting to see how the rest of Carly’s artwork fits into the new Autobot’s design when he is seen in full.

The Energon Universe Continues To Be Among The Hottest Franchise IP In Comics Right Now

Shredhead Is A Signifier Of The Continuity's Exciting Upgrades To Transformers Lore

The Energon Universe previously debuted an all-new character a few issues back with the appearance of the Decepticon Genvo, but he was also killed off in the same issue. Hopefully, Shredhead sticks around for a little while longer. Daniel Warren Johnson expresses his excitement for the new character in the letters page, stating how the character came about due to Johnson’s love of playing guitar. Whether or not Shredhead is powerful enough to turn the tide of battle in the Autobot/Decepticon war in the Energon Universe, he looks to be a major player in the Transformers franchise moving forward.

Transformers #17 is available now from Skybound Entertainment