TRANSFORMERS ENERGON #20

Cover Date: February 2004
Story: Simon Furman
Pencils: Guido Guidi
Inks: Elaine To / Ferd Poblete
Lettering: Ben Lee
Setting: Exploratory Excavation/Drilling Operation, Western Australia, Earth. Alterenergy Mobile Command, The High Halls, Cybertron.

Plot Summary:
The Terrocons assault a mining operation on Earth, declaring the planet and its resources their property. Among the fleeing inhabitants of the area is Kicker, who can't believe that he used to call this area "the dullest place on Earth."

In space, Carlos broadcasts the images of the attack to the Alterenergy Mobile Command Center, where Rad and Dr. Jones watch in astonishment. Dr. Jones worries about the safety of his son while Rad explains to him just who the attackers are. Carlos interrupts by saying that the Australian air force is on its way to stop the Terrorcons. The jets pass by a group of protesters led by Alexis. Kicker comes upon them, telling them to disperse, but is knocked unconscious by Battle Ravage, who has been chasing him. Alexis goes to rescue him, but also comes under attack by the Terrorcon. Back at Alterenergy, Rad assures Dr. Jones that he will rescue Kicker, and heads off.

The Australian Air Force attacks the Terrorcons, and are soundly defeated. Soon afterward, Tidal Wave and Insecticon arrive, and Scorponok orders them to begin harvesting the Energon. Meanwhile, as Battle Ravage attempts to grab both Kicker and Alexis, Alexis takes out a flash gun and fires at Battle Ravage's face at point blank range, blinding him long enough for her and Kicker to get away. In space, Carlos sends a signal to Cybertron. On Cybertron, the High Council continues to debate the claims of Optimus Prime that Megatron is still alive, and that Scorponok is heading to Earth. Although the council doubts his claims, they cannot ignore the apparent threat, so they allow Prime to go to Earth on the condition that he go alone. As he explains this to his troops, Cybertron comes under attack by the Heralds of Unicron, saying that "the end of days are upon you."

Transformers/Humans Featured (in rough order of appearance):
Kicker, Battle Ravage, Scorponok, Cruellock, Divebomb, Carlos, Rad, Dr. Jones, Alexis, Tidal Wave, Insecticon, Powerlinx Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Powerlinx Jetfire, Inferno, Ironhide, Airazor, Cheetor, Rhinox, Terrorsaur.

Other Notes:
The bike that Kicker rides in this issue is quite similar to Energon High Wire. We learn that Kicker's real name is "Chad". According to Carlos, it has been "ten years, two months, three days and some odd hours" since the events of Armada #3. Battle Ravage seems to suffer the same weakness as his G1 predecessor: sensitivity to bright lights. Jetfire, along with Optimus Prime, still is in his Powerlinx colors. One of the busts that Optimus knocks down looks like the Gobot Leader-1.

Review: The issue can be compared to Armada #3 in terms of story: Too much time being focused on the human side of the equation with very little focus on the Transformers. Still, unlike Armada #3, there is enough going on that is positive to negate this. (Unlike Armada #3, you get the feeling that the narrative is still going on despite a decreased focus on it.) Still, I do think it wasn't a great idea to have the events on Cybertron take place on the last five pages of the issues, not the events of the Terrorcon attack randomly dispersed throughout the issue, so I hope that we spend more time focusing on these events in #21. Overall, the issue is a good read, despite the flaws that it has. I would recommend it, even if you didn't get Energon #19.

Review by Bombshell