The fact that the Knights are being handled in a story by another writer in another book makes this very very unlikely. Also, several characters in this issue who pre-existed Shockwave's arrival were convinced of the Knights.

 

Shockwave threw Optimus into another time travel. How can he ensure that OP would act exactly as him, step by step thru 12 million years, and come back as the Arisen? As what if the singularity has a "random point" to send OP back to, say, 20 million years, then overthrown Shockwave?

 

Personally, I don't believe the singularity is going to send Optimus through time. Rather, he'll just end up in the same state of existence Bumblebee is in right now, being a sort of ghost.

 

So if Emissary (Prima's titan) crashed on ROM's homeworld, that pretty much confirms the ore created the Spaceknights, and that Elonia is a colony world. Do we have a space map of the colony planets? What if Shockwave knew Unicron was coming, but couldn't risk altering the past, so he used the colonies to slow down Unicron to give time to prepare Cybertron for... I have no clue.

 

Yeah man! You all are making great points and dissecting these issues! I have to reread them again, but you all have helped me put pieces together with this Shockwave business again hahah.

But I got to wonder....is all gonna connect in the Unicron series? 13 primes, Knight's of Cybertron, The Guiding Hand...and not to forget...Prowl's ass is still out there, and Grimlock is carrying a Decepta-baby!

I love this stuff!

 

Also, my god, Zama's art in this issue. Devastor wreaking havoc, the Nemesis blowing Metrotitan to kingdom come, the final page... I hope she continues to do work for IDW.

 

Okay, I'm not sure how I feel about this guy bringing the Thirteen together and Onyx being killed before he ever meets the other Primes... but with this universe, I'll buy it. This guy is literally the center of the IDW universe. Almost every big event in this universe surrounds him, and it's fitting he's back for the conclusion. I did laugh in both humor and genuine awe at the villain taking his mask off, here. Well played, Barber. With what happens to Optimus at the end of this issue, I think we know how he'll meet you-know-who on the other side...

 

My suspicion is still that the Grand Architect is Shockwave for the simple reason that Unicron could really slag that whole Pax Cybertronia plan that Shocky’s been spinning.

And, Prepare Confront Repel does sound like the kind of jingoistic mantra that Shockwave might bark at someone like he’d uttered the daimoku.

Now, I wanted Bluegeon to be in the service of someone else or at least the actual Onyx Prime, but I guess that leaves me to just pray for an Iron Factory Deathsaurus, since they have basically the same coloration, and Deathsy is a dapper and loving leader.

 

I don't know, Shockwave's dialogue suggests he has some sort of purpose for throwing Prime into the singularity that relates to his plan. The rather pointed references to Optimus as the Arisen (especially coming from Onyx/Shockwave) likely indicate that Optimus will, in some capacity, go back in time and play that role. My guess, however, is that after fulfilling whatever role the Arisen played in the past, Bumblebee will intervene and save him and bring him into whatever limbo he's been existing in, where they will both eventually escape the singularity.

 

In the years to come, fans will ask: Where were you when #17 and #18 hit the shelves.

Momentous!

 

There certainly is a good chance Optimus is becoming the Arisen BUT Shockwave only called him that in front of others as part of his performance, it's part of his act just like playing up the divine right of the Primes is. Once they were no longer in earshot of the populous, he consistently referred to Optimus as only "Orion" or "Old Friend"

 

Shockwave, always pulling the long con.

 

These are my favourite two things about the Shockwave reveal, particularly the second.

Man I am over the *moon* about this story. barber is amazing.

 

Dead Dreadwing's not punishing
His Gatling gun ain't 'illin'!
This Decepticon bomber's
Now a dead Transformer
He's the victim of a killin'!

Onyx came and messed things up
Caused the death of a huge bunch of robots
An explosion went boom
Sent he and Trion to their doom
Things looking bleak for the Autobots!

R.I.P. Dreadwing

Sorry, I had to. G2 forever!

 

Doubtful. They aren't rebooting the universe like Marvel and DC do. There's going to be an ending, and then a new series will start.

 

Time travel, retcons upon retcons, huge story threads being created to fix tiny continuity gaffs, and basically everything you think you know actually being wrong.

Wow, this is possibly the most John Barber story ever to have John Barbered.


Also, side note, why doesn't #18 have one of those cool silhouette covers like the rest of this storyline has had, and like the next issue seems to have?

 

Now wait for the final twist: UNICRON IS OPTIMUS PRIME!

 

Because it's an interlude rather than part 4, I believe.

 

Hm... I'll allow it.

 

So...

• HOLY EFF, SHOCKWAVE LIVES.  
• AND ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT HINGES ON PRIMES WAS ORCHESTRATED BY SHOCKWAVE.
• And...er, Optimus is in a pretty big pickle, ain't he?
• Also, anyone wondering when we'll be catching up with Prowl? Because sh*t's hitting the fan really hard and the endgame's just a while away...
• Ooh! And I literally just remembered Jazz! Is he coming around at some point?!