Free Comic Book Day 2025 has come and gone, and there was a lot to be said about the releases. While many publishers put out teasers and reprints, Image/Skybound continued the trend of a full-fledged original story, in fact, three stories which continue where the main lines have left off and a glimpse into what is coming in the near future. I present to you a review of the Eneron Universe 2025 Special.
The first story kicks off where G.I. Joe #6 ends, as Clutch rides off to clear his head after being a Cobra spy for some time. As he rides off, his military jeep suddenly buckles and shuffles, revealing to be the missing Autobot Hound. As the Cybertronian demands answers about how Clutch came to possess Energon, but in the frantic moment, he opens fire in a futile effort. After tensions calm, the two broker a truce and hash things out like the honorable soldiers they are, admitting their emotional struggles through their respective bouts of war. Hound tells Clutch how he fell to Earth. This is an important facet as we are now seeing more Transformers who did not necessarily crash land on the Ark, but who have been presumed missing or dead. First Beachcomber, now Hound. This means more could be on the way to replenish the ranks of the dwindling Autobot numbers on Earth.
Clutch brings it back to his story, the involvement of Destro and the ultimate formation of the organization, Cobra. Very solid pivot, as the parallel lines with story arcs between Transformers and G.I. Joe gradually weaves around each other, now this confirms the addition of a Transformer as part of the main cast of characters in a Joe comic. This segues into the Cobra side of the story, as Destro continues to take out his frustrations of being lied to and dismissed repeatedly by Cobra Commander. As they begin their regroup, we return to the Everglades where a number of Cobra soldiers seem to be at the mercy of some unknown assailants. It is soon revealed to be the Dreadnoks, specifically Buzzer who enacts some revenge on his clan being used as pawns and eliminated as such. However, their deaths may have been inaccurately reported.
The big reveal is the first appearance of Matt Trakker of M.A.S.K. As the two seek shelter to heal from their respective wounds, Clutch finds Trakker in a remote area. This came from out-of-nowhere and now begins the anticipating question if M.A.S.K will be incorporated into the Energon Universe.
The next story is a lighthearted venture for Autobot Jazz and some comrades as they seem to enjoy their own brand of music production. As on Cybertron his passion might have been pushed aside to focus attention on the war, his introduction to it on Earth, has been, well, “music to his audio receptors.” What I like most about this story is simply showing how one’s creative passion remains intact and can be brought out by the simplest of experiences. It adds another layer of humanity to our Autobot heroes.
The final story is short, but a doozy. We are introduced to a certain rhyming Autobot who rallies fellow prisoners on the Quintesson planet of Quintessa for a daring escape. As the Quintessons review their dilemma featured in the pages of Void Rivals, they dismissively send the Sharkticons to deal with the prison break.
However, as the Quintessons evaluate the progression of the discoveries made by the Agorrians and Zertorians, they grow increasingly concerned about the recent reveal of Zertra Trion, the ancient Cybertronian seemingly tasked with keeping a being known as Goliant imprisoned within the Sacred Ring, which also keeps these two worlds apart. The Quintessons grow increasingly anxious these discoveries will undermine their ultimate plans for conquest. They want Goliant for themselves. The concluding panel shows the judges unanimously agreeing to begin preparations for one thing and one thing only.
WAR!
The Sharkticons break off and return to their masters, leaving Wheelie and the other prisoners free to escape. Seeing as Void Rivals now feature Hot Rod and Springer, it would lead to reason their partner from the original cartoon would also join them in the near future, so one should expect Wheelie to somehow find his way there.
