WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Transformers #16

A Decepticon is leaving the enemy ranks in the Transformers (2023) corner of the Energon Universe, resulting in a major shake-up of the enemy Cybertronian faction. The Decepticon ranks have been in flux in recent issues of the ongoing Transformers series, as several leadership changes have resulted in differing factions forming. Now, another Decepticon exits stage left, leaving his allegiance in the Autobot/Decepticon war in question.

Coming from the creative team of Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Sarah Stern and Rus Wooton, Transformers #16 picks up the story from the previous issue, which sees Soundwave’s Decepticons squaring off against Starscream’s new faction of rebel Decepticons.

During the battle, Starscream encounters his old Sky Brother Thundercracker. Starscream calls his allegiance to Soundwave into question, revealing that the newly-elected Decepticon leader was responsible for cannibalizing his brother Skywarp for his Energon. Thundercracker transforms and leaves the battlefield, apparently leaving Soundwave’s Decepticons for good.

Thundercracker Officially Leaves The Decepticons

The Seeker’s Exit Pays Off Months of Set-up

Thundercracker’s decision to leave Soundwave is a major development for the Energon Universe, but it may not come as a surprise to longtime Transformers fans. Thundercracker has traditionally been portrayed as not nearly as bloodthirsty as his fellow Decepticon comrades, and even feels sympathy towards the humans of Earth. In the previous IDW continuity, Thundercracker grows to ire humanity so much that he became increasingly disenfranchised with his Decepticon brethren, and eventually ed with the Autobots to fight against Megatron on several occasions.

In the IDW continuity, Thundercracker grew to love humanity and the arts so much that he eventually developed aspirations to become a screenwriter. Thundercracker realized his dream by writing Last Laugh: The Life and Death of Chuckles, a biopic about G.I. Joe’s resident Hawaiian-shirt wearing operative that saw Thundercracker nominated for “Best Original Screenplay” at the Academy Awards

Thundercracker’s most recent defection in the new continuity is not only a nice way to pay homage to the recent IDW run, but it also sets up an intriguing new story for the Energon Universe Transformers. With the Decepticons on Earth currently fractured, Thundercracker’s exit leaves Transformers’ enemy faction in even further disarray, leaving them in an even more weakened state. Thundercracker would be a valuable ally as the Autobot/Decepticon war continues to rage on Earth, so it’s entirely possible that Thundercracker could switch sides to the Autobots, as his empathy for humans is certainly in line with Optimus Prime’s values.

Who Will Thundercracker Ally Himself with in the Energon Universe?

The Decepticon Could Be ing Up with the Autobots

If Skybound wanted to really surprise fans, perhaps Thundercracker could sign up with the newly-formed G.I. Joe team, which would be a nice homage to Skywarp ing the Real American Heroes in the “Scarlett’s Strike Force” era. Whoever he chooses to align himself with, Thundercracker’s decision to leave the Decepticons could be the thing that turns the tide of the Autobot/Decepticon war on Earth. But with Megatron waiting in the wings, the enemies of the Decepticons are going to need all the help they can get in the Energon Universe era of Transformers.

Transformers #16 is on sale now from Skybound Entertainment