Variant cover detail for Transformers: Regeneration One #91. Hasbro/IDW.
Transformers: Regeneration One #91, “Destiny” Part One
I don’t like where Regeneration One is going.
Really, I haven’t been entirely on board with this book since it came back from the depths of cancelled comic book purgatory, as excited as I was for it when it was announced. I think bringing the story into the present was a misstep, as opposed to having a Transformers book that picked up right where it left off in the ‘90s. With only nine issues left, my expectations for this glimpse back into the original comic book universe are quite low.
In the aftermath of Scorponok’s failed plan to remake Cybertron in his image, the Autobots are left picking up the pieces. Many of them can’t come to grips with what they did when their moral compass was removed by Scorponok, and guilt pervades this issue. It’s all very dour stuff, and I’ve come to realize that Simon Furman doesn’t have any characters in this book to lighten the mood, or really display any emotion beyond depression and/or guilt.
Hot Rod is trying to come to grips with being placed in charge, but his little trek into the bowels of Cybertron during one of the worst events to occur since Unicron’s attack leaves him in a precarious position. Meanwhile, Galvatron seeks to claim his promised bounty from the slain world destroyer. This issue specifically references the bleak alternate future story from issue 67, and that bothers me. I get that Simon Furman has always preferred to write stories about Hot Rod and Galvatron over Optimus and Megatron, but the simple fact is that these characters are less interesting.
With not much in the way of action and a story nearly devoid of friendly faces, the beginning of the end of Regeneration One looks dire. I guess the silver lining is, for better or worse, it’s almost over.