Warning! Spoilers for Transformers #13The Energon Universe has put a fresh new spin on the classic Transformers study, but now Skybound’s shared universe is introducing new characters to the franchise. Transformers #13 features the debut appearance of a brand new DecepticonA minor character who goes on to play a pretty significant role. In fact, the new bot may be one of the most important characters in franchise history.
Transformers #13 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jason Howard, Mike Spicer and Rus Woton Flashes back to Starscream’s early days on Cybertron. Readers learn that he was once a Peaceful scientist named Ulchtar, who joins his friends Jetfire and new robot Genvo to witness the flyover of Omega Supreme.
While waiting for Omega Supreme to arrive, Genvo tells his friends about joining the Decepticons in the war that has broken out on Cybertron. His friends are not so convinced, as Jetfire plans to go to the stars to search for Energon, and Ulchtar is content to continue his work in peace.
Genvo is the first original Transformer of the Energon Universe
Friend of Starscream and original Decepticon
Despite Ulchtar’s reluctance to join, the Outbot/Decepticon war winds him up anyway. Genvo tries to save Ulchtar from being caught in a surprise attack by the Autobots, but he winds up being killed by a stray blast. with his dying words, Genvo expressed his admiration for Ulkhtar, saying that he “cried the stars in seeing us“ In reference to Ulchtar previously getting the attention of Omega Supreme when he flew over Cybertron. After Genvo dies, Ulchtar is approached by Megatron. When the Decepticon leader asks his name, Ulchtar tells him it’s Starscream.
In this way, Genvo winds up being One of the most important characters in the entire franchise. This new character not only gives Starscream his Decepticon name, but his death winds up being the entire reason Megatron’s future second-in-command joins the Decepticons in the first place. In the opening moments of Transformers #13, the readers see how peaceful and gentle Ulkhtar really was, as he even stops Genvo from chattering harmless turbosects, which is in stark contrast to the Starscream seen today, who senselessly slaughters everything in sight with little Regard.
Genvo’s friendship with Starscream is an important addition to the Energon Universe, to the point that Starscream calls out for his long-dead friend in the present day while being dragged by Mars mercenaries for scrap. To see Ulchtar before he became Starscream shows a depth to the character many fans may not have even realized was there, oddly giving a human touch to the cruel, vainglorious Decepticon seen in the present day. Whether the memory of Genvo winds up playing into Starscream’s arc remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to see where the character goes from here.
Genvo’s death leads to the birth of Starscream in the Energon Universe
New character gives Starscream his name
Genvo’s death winds up leading Starscream down a dark path And is a stark reminder of how twisted and corrupt anyone can be, given the right circumstances. Although he makes his debut and is killed in his first appearance, the “butterfly effect” of Genvo’s death winds up with huge ramifications for the entire Energon Universe. Megatron gains a valuable (if not entirely trustworthy) ally when Ulchtar/Starscream joins his ranks, and the Fear Seeker is one of the main instigators leading to the current events playing out in the Energon Universe.
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It is smart for the creative team to introduce a new character in such a way, because Genvo is not a warning cameo that serves no point in the story, but a major part of the new continuity. New characters rarely play a role of such consequence, so it’s refreshing to see that Genvo was a key player in Starscream’s origin story. It’s exciting to see the creative team introduce a new character to these Transformers franchise, with hopefully more to come in the Energon Universe.
Transformers #13 is available now from Skybound Entertainment.