Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Transformers #13Surprisingly, I actually feel bad about Star Scream now one of the most popular villains of all Transformers tradition. Typically, Starscream is the second-in-command and aerial commander of Megatron’s Decepticon Seekers. However, he is generally depicted as incredibly disloyal, often trying to sabotage and backstab Megatron to take his place and gain even greater personal power. That being said, Starscream’s new origins have just been revealed, and I can’t believe I now have any sympathy for this classic. Transformers enemy.
In previous continuities, Starscream is often quite slimy, even before joining the Decepticons. However, the new Energon Universe reveals alternate origins in the story of Daniel Warren Johnson Transformers #13. In the present, Starscream is terrible at leading the Decepticons in Megatron’s absence. Case in point, he viciously kicked Soundwave’s Ravage minicon, which came back to bite him with Soundwave beating and nearly killing Starscream before taking control. However, this new issue confirms that Starscream was once much kinder. Formerly known as Ulchtar, I was completely blindsided by this cartographer whose darkness only emerged after the loss of his friends during the Great Cybertron War.:
With Jetfire having just left Cybertron to find a way to save his planet without war, Ulchtar losing his other friend during a firefight between the Autobots and Decepticons was naturally very painful. As such, it’s no wonder Ulchtar eventually chooses the side of the Decepticons, especially with the revelation that it was none other than Optimus Prime who killed Genvo.. Additionally, the fact that Genvo is a Decepticon likely influenced Ulchtar’s decision, especially when Megatron finds his future second-in-command in the rubble.
Ulchtar lost everything when Megatron found him
Lost and in need of a purpose
I found this new first meeting between Megatron and Starscream to be quite fascinating and unique.. Completely directionless and purposeless, Ulchtar still lacks the drive or treacherous ambition for which he is known as Starscream. Instead, he is tragically mourning the loss of his friend who chose a side when he did not, as his clan had until now been neutral in the Great War.
This is something Megatron himself takes great advantage of. Having already inspired Genvo to take up arms for his cause in the past, Megatron also offers Ulchtar a place at his side, offering him a way forward beyond his pain (however dark it may be).. As such, I find this new origin to be both surprising and brilliant.
The current relationship between Starscream and Megatron has not yet been fully defined in the canon of the new Energon Universe. After all, Megatron is missing (having been held captive by GI Joe’s Cobra Commander). However, I can easily imagine Ulchtar perhaps growing bitter towards his new commander as his dark ambitions grow, gradually turning him into the character Starscream fans are most familiar with in the present.
Starscream was born out of desperation and revenge
It makes me think about what could have been…
Simply put, Starscream was born from a dark combination of sadness, despair, and a desire for revenge fueled by Megatron himself, having transformed to literally put a gun in Ulchtar’s hand. As such, it’s a tragically genius new origin for the classic Transformers villain, one that surprisingly made me more of a Starscream sympathizer than I ever thought I would be. That said, it also makes me wonder what could have been. Seeing as how neutral Ulchtar was at the time, perhaps Starscream could have become a truly great Autobot if the tragic circumstances had been different.
Transformers #13 is on sale now at Skybound & Image Comics.