Summary

• As the Energon Universe reboot of Transformers progresses, the Decepticon Soundwave is proving to be a logical and brutal leader, contrasting to Starscream's selfish style of command.
• Transformers #8 features Soundwave leading the Decepticons, in the process making several decisions that make it clear he is more suited to the role than his rival Starscream.
• Shockwave's potential entry into the battle on Earth will shake up Decepticon leadership even further – and more pressingly, Megatron has been freed from his imprisonment, and will once more seek to take control of his forces.

WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #8As the Decepticons’ new leader in the Energon Universe continuity, Soundwave has already proven himself to be one of the all-time greats in the Transformers franchise. Whereas Starscream’s tenure as leader was marked by unprecedented brutality, Soundwave has taken a much more logical approach, and the results could spell disaster for the Autobots.

Transformers #8 features Soundwave leading the Decepticons to the high seas. After sinking an aircraft carrier, the Decepticons locate their warship Nemesis at the bottom of the ocean, and seek to retrieve it before they make their next move.

While they don’t have enough Energon to fully power the Nemesis to use as a transport, Soundwave’s primary interest is in the ship’s antenna. “It’s time to call in reinforcements,” Soundwave says, right before ing Shockwave on their homeworld of Cyberton.

Soundwave Is Quickly Proving To Have The Leadership Qualities Starscream Lacks

Transformers #8 – Written By Daniel Warren Johnson; Art By Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer & Rus Wooton

Soundwave’s...approach to leadership stands in stark contrast to Starscream, whose rule was marked entirely by selfish pettiness. Soundwave has proven to be just as brutal and ruthless as Starscream was, but every action taken thus far has been in service of a larger plan.

Shockwave was first introduced in the pages of Void Rivals, where readers learned he was left in control of Cybertron. While set in a new continuity, the Energon Universe has used the classic G1 continuity as a starting point, in which Megatron left Shockwave in power on their homeworld, while he chased the escaping Autobots led by Optimus Prime. Both the previous issue and Transformers #8 had scenes taking place on Cybertron, where readers learn that the Autobots are still fighting against Decepticon rule on their homeworld.

With Shockwave poised to enter the fray in the battle taking place on Earth, this could be the gamble the Decepticons need to wipe out the Autobots forever. Soundwave’s logical approach to leadership stands in stark contrast to Starscream, whose rule was marked entirely by selfish pettiness. Soundwave has proven to be just as brutal and ruthless as Starscream was, but every action taken thus far has been in service of a larger plan. With this kind of clear-headed leadership, Soundwave is able to see past small victories against the Autobots to instead focus on winning the war.

“Deception” is a key part of the word Decepticons, after all, and one must wonder whether Shockwave will try to seize his moment and take the leadership from Soundwave for himself.

Soundwave’s Leadership Could Pose Problems for the Autobots

Starscream would never have ed Cybtertron for additional help the way Soundwave does in Transformers #8 as his emotions prevented him from seeing the big picture. In this way, Soundwave has already undermined his competitor for the heir to Megatron's power – and in the process established himself as both one of the most competent, and most dangerous, Decepticons to have appeared in the Energon Universe so far. While the power politics among the nefarious Cybertronian faction are far from over, Soundwave has put himself in a position to emerge on top in due time.

That said, now that Megatron has broken free of his imprisonment in Cobra-La, the Decepticon leadership will be in flux once more. There is also the question of how Shockwave will react to the news that Soundwave has taken Megatron’s place. “Deception” is a key part of the word Decepticons, after all, and one must wonder whether Shockwave will try to seize his moment and take the leadership from Soundwave for himself. Plot developments like this make it a very exciting time to be a Transformers fan, as anything is possible in the new Energon Universe continuity.

Transformers #8 is available now from Skybound Entertainment.