The Energon Universe era of staying pretty true to the G1 era of the Robots in Disguise. Yet the series is teasing that a brand-new character is about to enter the rebooted continuity, giving readers further cause to keep up to date with one of the hottest series running in comics today.
As first revealed on Skybound’s Instagram page, the preview for Transformers #17 – written by Daniel Warren Johnson, with aet by Jorge Corona – the preview catches readers up with Arcee, Beachcomber and their human companions Spike and Carly, all of whom are searching for the lost Autobot Ultra Magnus.
The group ultimately finds Magnus, who was previously revived for the Autobots’ battle against Shockwave. While his body was repaired, the damage ran deeper than the Autobots thought, and Ultra Magnus fled the scene before the battle even began.
Publisher Skybound Entertainment Teases A New "Transformers" Character Is Set To Debut In The Energon Universe
Transformers #17 – Written By Daniel Warren Johnson, Art By Jorge Corona; Color By Mike Spicer; Lettering By Rus Wooton
While little is known about the new character, another subplot in Transformers has been setting up the debut of a new Autobot. Cliffjumper found himself back on Cybertron after the Autobots’ battle with Shockwave, where the young warrior has aligned himself with fellow Autobots Elita-One, Bluestreak and Blurr. Cliff heads to his old home on Cybertron, which was previously destroyed by the Decepticons. Cliff finds a Spark canister containing pieces of his old friends, and while he states it would be impossible to bring them all back, he does think he can use these pieces to create “something new.”
A new character named Genvo appeared last year in the flashback to Starscream’s origin on Cybertron, although he was killed off soon after making his debut.
While the preview doesn’t provide any further hints as to who this new character is, it’s still pretty exciting to see the creative team continue many of the story threads they have in motion. There’s a lot of history between Arcee and her former mentor Ultra Magnus, who was captured by the Decepticons on Cybertron and subjected to years of torture at the hands of Shockwave. Magnus was rescued by Elita-One on Cybertron, and the two were able to escape to Earth when the Decepticons opened a portal between the two worlds.
The Return Of Ultra Magnus & The Introduction Of A New Autobot Are Among "Transformers" Most Exciting Ongoing Plot Threads
Transformers #17 – Available February 12, 2025 From Skybound Entertainment; Transformers #18 – Available March 12, 2025
Ultra Magnus’ trauma is one of many exciting story threads playing out in the pages of Transformers. And while his old student Arcee may be able to help the veteran Autobot warrior come back from the brink, there is still the the Energon Universe’s biggest title remains a must-read every month.
Source: Skybound Entertainment, Instagram
Transformers #17 will be available February 12, 2025 from Skybound Entertainment.

Transformers (2023)
- Writer
- Daniel Warren Johnson
- Penciler
- Daniel Warren Johnson
- Colorist
- Mike Spicer
- Letterer
- Rus Wooton
- Publisher(s)
- Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment
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.