#especially earthspark and idw

[haifischkivenchy]

white flag .. by dido.... what. why are they everywhere im not even joking anymore

[transingthoseformers]

One of my favorite ways to think about Earthspark Tarn is that he doesn't get that 13 issue buffer of learning Megatron defected before meeting Megatron again in person

Noononono I want him to find out Megatron defected straight from Megatron's mouth in a clusterfuck of a post war interaction

[bluecookiesabi]

I'm holding you guys all at gunpoint. Whatever you do. Do NOT treat my boy Prowl badly no matter what happens with him in Earthspark. I saw how you guys treated IDW Prowl!

[cosmics-beings]

Can I ask your opinion on what you personally think a good redemption arc for Megatron would be? I agree with your opinion of IDW/ES’s attempts because it really feels like something is…missing.

this is kinda critical, and it may be strange coming from me because over the past year I've tended to be soft on megatron but I've also been looking at characters with a more critical lens....so if hardcore megatron critique offends you then just look over. also...these are MY opinions.

What is missing is actual accountability, because in none of Megatrons redemption arcs does he ever actually take accountability, at least not in a way, IMO, that does anything for the narrative or holds him accountable.

There’s a lot of things that could’ve been done different. while I don’t really agree with how things are going in ES in regards to his character, what I do like is that Megatron’s past actions are finally coming back to get him. And by that, I mean that all the Decepticons have practically turned their back on him, which I love. And it also shows the organization can and in some cases should exist without him. I think what I didn’t like about ES, is that his redemption fell flat because he didn’t really understand a lot of what he did wrong. Meaning that, yes he was very sympathetic about being a warlord, and causing war and stuff. we even saw how much he cared about the deceptions and how angry he’d get when he thought that Optimus was working with GHOST to subdue the cons.

However, Megatron’s care for the Decepticons in ES is very very conditional. Meaning that if any Con had an issue with I’m, or literally wasn’t worshipping his feet or seeing him as a leader, he was prone to violence. This was shown with the Seekers AND Soundwave especially Soundwave — whom his peaceful facade broke the minute Soundwave held him accountable.

So I can’t say I completely hate ES, because it shows the flaws in taking a war lord and trying to make him a family grandpa, when he hasn’t really, truly been held accountable. But that’s also the thing that kinda makes me not like his redemption arc in ES. He is free, with the Autobots, with the Maltos, while his people are not. AND YES, for whatever reason, Megatron betrayed them. Maybe Megaton thought he was doing the right thing, maybe he thought it was saving the Decepticons, regardless it was still a bad look imo.

I hope ES points that out, how hypocritical he is, how the Deceptions don’t really want him as a leader because of that. 

IDW/Lost Light...

I love the Lost light, and i have a soft spot for LL Megs, but I really don't think Megatron deserved a lot of the nuance and care he got, when other characters had to suffer and didn't really get that. LIKE soundwave and other cons/ex-cons also deserved that nuance and love he got.

I think what i really hated however is how Megatron's presence on the Lost Light overshined a lot of the other characters. There was this need to push an unneeded redemption to the point that other people's narratives were overlooked. Rodimus suffered MASSIVELY for this, and he became an addition to Megatron' s arc, wherein he still had so much more growing to do. Now his character is solely tied to megatron and to me at least, it's kinda annoying. He deserves to exist outside of megatron but because there was a need for redemption for Megatron, he doesn't get that.

The relationship between Magnus and Rodimus, which needed to be highlighted, was HEAVILY destroyed because the narrative wanted Megatron to be the main character. And Roddy's trauma with being a prime was essentially downplayed.

I think that Megatron probably should've fought Unicron with the others in the end. And similar to starscream and soundwave, i think death, certain death would've been a great redemption for him. I'm not saying he can't be on the lost light for a while but essentially he wasn't held accountable for anything he did. he got therapy, he got a family, and he also got to leave to go to the functions universe and live a life he wanted.

and yeah maybe he gets executed, but there is also another megatron who was created with another LL, who doesn't get that, and he gets to be free and happy, while trillions are still dead because of him.

I don't think he actually got a redemption arc in the LL simply because he wasn't held accountable for anything. He got a very compelling, sympathetic story that i guess worked...

but i never saw it as redemption because he never was truly truly held accountable for what he did.

that's just my opinion. all of this is just my opinion so you don't have to agree with my takes!

[your-royals]

So more thoughts trying to stop from spam posting( spoilers)

I saw someone point out the factor that Megatron originally was having all this character development basically and that it just got thrown at the window with Starscream but I think there's somewhat

this is highly my opinion don't take it into full consideration but I remember when the first few episodes at the beginning of the Season where Megatron was giving Bumblebee advice very old advice on how to help Terrence and

get them to listen to him and you can see that he wasn't fully out of his old ways like he's still trying to change and it's kind of hard to do so and mind you they were in a 4 million year war and they've been out of it for like almost a few decades and time works differently for the Transformers compared to how time works for humans

but in my opinion, it makes sense for him to immediately attack Starscream and the way he described him to Optimus and everyone else that Starscream is a threat

And they're right start scream is a threat he is intelligent but it's the thing of his ego getting in the way of all that and trying back when they had a war was always to overthrow Megatron and make everyone under his rule instead of Megatron

Like everyone that had a bit and trait that they had during the war still on in their lives that they're trying trying to overcome them basically and a lot of them is topped on with new PTSD new triggers new a lot of things that make them reignite that they're not changed like they're trying to back away from that but they're not that level yet

So it makes sense for him to immediately in my opinion attack Starscream because you can see Starscream is still and willing to leave people behind to save his own skid plates

And basically in the first few episodes he still has those traits of being the warlord in Tyrant that Megatron is known for literally during the training course episode he went and on about talking how he would show his dominance basically he literally has a move called the turbo twister while he was on the call with Bumblebee and even bumblebee got immediately terrified and Megatron is doing this all with the grin on his face that you see in the picture on the top of this post

, and in the IDW comics he was on the Lost lights for a year almost 2 years and he was still having all those traits of being the warlord Tyrant like it was a cycle he couldn't get out of and it took 800 years over 800 years mind you for him to somewhat straighten up and not show that many traits as he once had before

So it makes sense in my opinion that he would immediately text Starscream the way he did and it makes sense to another point where he stopped immediately when hashtag told him to do so

I'm not going to try to say that Starscream was always the bad guy but he was always a bit antagonizing in the beginning but aggressively got worse along with his need to get rid of Megatron because of Megatron putting an impressing all that abuse into him over time

Another factor I would like to point out is Megatron was a gladiator Way Before the War I don't know if it was the same in this iteration cuz we have yet to actually be filled in on all the origin points of this story for spark but and the IDW version and it almost every other version he was part of the lower class Society of Cybertron which was the worst place to be they were very suppressed and didn't have the necessary resources to go on and most of them will be doing the dirty work for the lowest amount of pay and insurance of resources

But in the IDW version of specifically you actually do get a more inside story for megatrons pass and why he's kind of like the way he is his actions are not excusable but there are understandable why he did so but in the IDW version he was a minor where they were treated like absolute garbage and the worst conditions ever and they were living around unmarked Graves and also being taken away from their jobs at that point and not being compensated for their work or everything

Even with most of these reasons if you want the full story I highly recommend you go watch a few Megatron IDW videos cuz it will fill you in more than I can at the moment

,, it was basically an endless cycle of people and stealing abuse and neglect into others making them worser of why they are and why they act the Pacific way they do cuz you got to keep in mind of the two main questions" why are they acting like this" and "what caused this"

I may have got a little point in my bad but basically what I'm saying is that they didn't write throw it out the window they may have seem like they thrown out all Megatron's character development and just one fail swoop but in my opinion they did not they kept in character with him that he just got out of 4 million war and he's been in a strict routine and it's kind of hard to break out of it even within a few Decades of years

And again he stopped immediately after hashtag told him to do so like he didn't push her out of the way he didn't yell at her he didn't do any of that yes he may have immediately went to go attack Starscream because star screams a threat but also cuz it was such a routine for him to do so.

In the end, you can also see in the episode of the dweller he did manage to have somewhat of a decent conversation with Starscream and it was nothing hard she was just trying to reach out to Starscream there was no more fighting until the finale episode where started screen was protecting twitch and Megatron was being mind controlled but

they still managed to keep in tune with his actual character in the episode of dweller in my opinion of the fact that he is trying to change and he is on somewhat a decent path to his newer self

(But don't take this all into consideration this is generally my opinion and I'm sorry if it's really long and I might be spam posting for a while I just can't help it after those amazing episodes that I was just watched and I was right I was not emotionally prepared and I am highly apologetic for any grammar's errors and misspell and thank you for listening or reading my ramble))):)

[mincedpeaches]

between tfp, idw, and now earthspark influences I love how tf artists tend to conglomerate their megs & op designs these days. by which I mean the waists are snatched and the tits are huge. I love it here.

[keferon]

Okay so I know this is probably a much less emotionally significant detail but that TFA-adjacent Swindle comic made me think, the height thing must be so weird, right? Like one day Swindle's this tiny little goblin man and then suddenly Blurr barely comes up to his waist. And it'd be especially jarring since IDW was probably the first time Blurr got close to a version of him. And then you have people like Windblade, who don't even exist at all in a lot of those universes... Which is even more disorienting because Blurr was genuinely starring to believe this was the last loop. He wasn't prepared for everything to change again this time

Blurr knows G1 Swindle who is just regular sized and then he meets IDW Swindle who is a bit of a gnome and huh??? Oh okay that's kinda funny.

Animated Sindle with all his guns and gadgets would actually be terrifying.

Oh wait and then there's Earthspark Swindle and WfC Swindle:D Those two are pretty much regular sized too

Also it would be so so weird and confusing for him. seeing 100000 versions of Bumblebee and only..like...five? Of Windblade haha

[cluescorner]

The Council of Optimuses: Pleasant, generally positive, they exiled Bayverse a while ago but they still check in once in a while to make sure he's ok/out of curiosity, Earthspark enables One's 'I can fix him' delusion to the point that Prime is falling into it too, IDW does NOT want to add to the delusion pile so he shuts up, Cyberverse kinda doesn't want to be at this meeting it feels too much like a party, IDW keeps making calls to somebody but he won't tell anyone who, they used to have 'bring your Bumblebee to work day' but Skybound had a breakdown over it so they can't do that anymore, everybody is suspicious of Skybound's new arm but the only person who actually brought it up was Bayverse whose solution was 'kill him' so now everybody thinks they are getting paranoid and should maybe start seeing a therapist (they should start seeing therapists, but they ARE right about the arm).

The Council of Megatrons: They are having a great time even if it looks horrible from the outside looking in, Prime constantly wants to fight IDW for his spot as the strongest Megatron but IDW is not about that, they tried to kick out Earthspark but he somehow keeps getting in (IDW leaves the door open), One has like 5 devils on his shoulder telling him to escalate and two fallen angels who are desperately trying to get across that maybe total destruction isn't the move, IDW is trying to hide his redemption arc in order to keep the situation under control (only Earthspark is aware of it, though Skybound has his suspicions), Cyberverse always tries to kill the others to take over their universes and it's the highlight of everybody's month, Bayverse is mocked for being killed by Optimus but secretly everybody is kinda jealous about it (Prime especially), one time an unidentified Starscream (it was Animated) broke in and it was on sight (he got away because every Megatron wanted to be the one who killed him and they fought each other over it), IDW keeps taking calls from somebody but he won't tell anyone who, Skybound can listen in on his Optimus's meetings due to being his arm and reports back, there is an ongoing debate about whether Galvatrons should be included.

Inspired by @jyang030107 's art of ES and IDW Megs advising their One counterpart.

[zeropro]

The way you drew Bee and Starscream together was just so ahahjshshfhgj

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Starbee ship or just your personal ideas on how you think the two would interact with each other! :D

It’s still amazing to me that folks would be interested in my opinions haha.

I actually don’t think I ship starscream romantically with anyone, but I have a fondness for starbee cuz bumblebee (specifically the one from earthspark who was a millennial and also a dad and so out of his depth but just wanted to do a good job aah) was my first transformers blorbo and so seeing my blorbos stand next to each other sparks joy.

the fun thing about bee and starscream is bumblebee embodies the autobot ideal and is basically optimus’ sidekick, while starscream embodies the decepticon ideal and is megatron’s sidekick, so even in continuities where they don’t have any sort of interactment theres still this cosmic parallel between them

I think as much as I like seeing starscream suffer, I think I especially like when other characters witness that suffering, and bee is such a good kid it’s easy to imagine someone like him could feel sympathetic to anyone, even someone as awful as starscream

i think thats why i like the idea of idw 2005’s starbee so much. I havent actually gotten to the part of the comic where bumblebee’s ghost haunts starscream yet, but idw’s bumblebee has so much baggage, almost as much as starscream! he’s so tired, he’s held leadership and felt like he’s failed and struggles with other people not seeing him the way he wants them to, just like starscream. and starscream, the bot with the most to hide, being watched 24/7 by someone he doesnt even think is real. like the potential is so juicy with them! I want them to be friends, I want them to be soft with each other, and I want to watch them struggle to get there. I don’t need to see them kiss or cuddle, I’m not really into that stuff, but I want starscream to struggle and for bee to see that and for someone to care.

thanks for the ask!

[cyberrose2001]

Universe crossover. TFP, Bayverse, G1, Earthspark, IDW, etc.

All the Primes going for you, especially if they catch a glimpse of that bright, glowing womb tat. A soft, squishy human, AND the mate of an alternate version of themselves?

Basically;

TFP OP: This is my mate.

The other Optimi: OUR mate-

Ohhh yeaaaahhh and then they all have a freaky gang bang hell yeaaaahhh who's going to get the human pregnant first

Wait HAHAHA TF:One Optimus standing next to them like:

[yuukirita]

Just saw your A Small Bot and A Small Change ending and it was beautiful and bittersweet sad at the same time due to the events of the war still happening, even though sadly it was expected. Especially the parts of how Cliffjumper and Bee's relationship and bond deteriorated and forced each other to ignore it due to the war and factions, especially Cliff's hate for the deceptions. It took both to take out one of their horns to finally see eye to eye and for their bond to be lit again. Reminds me of Bee and Breakdown from EarthSpark.

That thought made me want for a scenario where during or at the end of the Earth war and Cybertron rebirth both spark brothers are forced or accidentally in a situation where they let out their feelings and see each other's points of view, like Bee's belief that the deceptions also fight for freedom and not all of them are bad and Cliff hatred towards the faction due to the acts they committed to accomplish it and friends he lost. And it could drive their wish for peace even further.

It and the unexplored plot seeds made us wonder how things turn out for the characters during the fall and rebirth of Cybertron after and during the war on Earth ,I thought about something like TF IDW but someone said this story is linking up best with TF Cyberverse, especially with the episode of Megatron Is My Hero where amnesiac Bee was acquainted with Meg, and a hint of TF Prime due to dark energon form Unicron, but if they were actually close the agnst and heartbreak would be worse like in the Mute Bumblebee au fic.

That made me even more worried, especially because i loved the scenes where Optimus and Megatron fight over Bee and act like overprotective parents, especially since to Megatron Bee is like the last good thing he has left and fears things wil end up like with Orion, especially if Bee becomes disillusioned with Megatron's inmortal fire for love of war and his hatred as time passes by the time Cybertron it's destroyed and the war reaches Earth and the use on Unicron's dark energon corruption or becomes tired of the (pointless) fighting and short periods of unsuccessful peace talks, especially due to things between him and Cliff.

It also broke how Cliffjumper and Bee forced themselves to ignore each other and their bond because of their sides and Cliff's hate towards Deceptions. It took them to cut one of their horns for their bond to reignite again.

The only thing i became curious about the ending of this fic is these:

What's more likely that could have become of Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Megatron and his generals, Optimus, and their relationship with each other at the end of these events of the war and Cybertron rebirth? What things didn't change but which did besides being less hatred after everything was seemingly over?

Oh boi- another rant. Lemme get my glasses for this one. Oh that's a lot of words- a loooot.

So first of- love the rant. I love rants. It's glorious. You have a lot of feelings :D

Secondly, While I'm not going to make a full on series follow up on A small change a small bot- I am going to write in that au again. But not before I'm done with Second Chance, Second Bee. Because I can't work on two big projects at a time. Anyhow- just saying that cuz I love how much you wonder about the stuff that happens in between and after. Very fun :D

Then, for your actual question, I dunno. I have ideas, of course. But if I didn't write it, it ain't canon. Anything you come up with has just as much validity as what might say.

But I can give u that At the very end. Megs and OP are gone. At least in my brain, Hot rod becomes leader of the autobots and Bee of the decepticons (probably, Idk) :D

I'm not sure if this is satisfying to you. But it's all I got :D HAVE A GOOD DAY!

[vynxwave]

Share your thoughts on MegaSound? It was one of my first Transformers ships and even though it's not a rarepair or anything it's oddly less popular than I'd expect, and I don't see a lot of analysis of what their relationship is actually like in various canons

I'd love to! Yeah, finding out it's not as popular as I thought was surprising. With Soundwave often depicted as loyal to Megatron, I really would've thought it'd be more popular than it is. You're definitely right about there being a lack of analyses on their relationship, so I think I'll eventually make a post analyzing their relationship in various canons. For this post I'll be going over how I see MegaSound (and from what parts of canon I derive it from) and sharing thoughts about its (lack of) popularity/prevalence.

Here I'll note the basis of canon I ship them from across various continuities where they have a positive relationship*:

Megatron likes monologuing in Soundwave's presence and talking with him (Dreamwave Generation 1 (2002) #4, Megatron Origin #4, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22, Prime). Considering Soundwave's continued steadfast loyalty, I'd reckon he likes hearing him talk/plan.

Soundwave is Megatron's confidant (War Within #2, Prime, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #17, IDW 2019)

The both care for each other's continued functioning (Soundwave does so consistently in loyalist depictions, and for Megatron it depends on the continuity/writer but is often true of him too (though, Soundwave doesn't get injured often); [specifics cited later in this post])

Soundwave's loyalty even extends to when Megatron loses his marbles (WFC: Kingdom E03, Galvatron in Sunbow G1 S3E14 & Headmasters E02 & E04), but his loyalty does not extend to Megatron defecting from the Decepticons (IDW Dark Cybertron, EarthSpark) due to Soundwave's loyalty to the Decepticon Cause.

Dreamwave Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's character bio written from Megatron's perspective expressing his uncertainty of whether he can risk lending his trust and friendship to Soundwave is one of my favorite things with them.

(*this mostly excludes where Soundwave's characterized as a self-serving opportunist and where Megatron treats him as just another subordinate)

My MegaSound Thoughts

(Preface: Inspiration taken from all over, but classic Decepticon Cause and they're both as evil as typical. I ship them in various canons but here I describe a broad overview of ways I interpret this pairing and what aspects I'm interested in. I tried to avoid citing Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic depictions for the most part, but he often has a lot of character I like in them xD.)

For me their ship is built upon their longstanding mutual trust, respect, and reliability; especially compounded with the fact many of their comrades' loyalty is prone to wavering from time to time (whereas Soundwave has continuously stuck by his side). I also like to focus on Soundwave's staunch loyalty to and belief in Megatron and the Cause he embodies — and, importantly, Megatron's recognition of this.

For Megatron I like to think about what valuing someone in such a way means to a tyrant whose sights are set on control, destruction, and personal power.

I think Soundwave's competence, strength, devotion, skills, and intelligence would all be appealing to Megatron. Soundwave, with said qualities, has made himself indispensable to the Decepticons, and therefore indispensable to Megatron himself.

Perhaps one reason Megatron is drawn to Soundwave would be for the steadfast security he provides (compared to the unreliability/treachery of others).

Though, with Megatron being surrounded by the infighting/treachery of Decepticons, I think it would be natural for him to sometimes be uncertain of whether his closeness with Soundwave is as safe/secure as it seems (inspired by Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6's Soundwave bio written from Megatron's perspective) due to how much sensitive information and vulnerability Soundwave's been trusted with. But any such feared betrayal would not come to pass, because Soundwave sides with him, including in his times of need.

All I've written so far assumes a wishy-washy loyalty in Megatron's other followers; for where he has other loyalists, perhaps Soundwave is just one of his oldest followers (Sunbow G1 "War Dawn", Dreamwave G1 (2004) #10, IDW 2019, Prime S1E26) and his loyalty is ultimately tried and true.

Time and time again, Soundwave is shown to care about Megatron's continued functioning/well-being (Sunbow G1 "MTMTE, Part 3" [Soundwave warning Megatron of Starscream's attack], Transformers: The Movie, War Within #6, Prime, All Hail Megatron #13, Fall of Cybertron [saddened at Megatron's death & later rebuilds him], Retribution ["And if it turned out he couldn’t save Megatron, Soundwave knew what his duty demanded. / Vengeance on everybody involved."], Transformers vs. The Terminator #2 [Soundwave repairs Megatron's optic], WFC: Kingdom E03).

In cases where Soundwave has been injured/killed, this has often been true of Megatron too (Transformers (2009) #17 [this & AHM #13 were both written by Costa — making this mutual care of each other's continued functioning intentional, I presume], Prime S2E14, Headmasters E02 & E04 if including Galvatron, WFC: Kingdom E03 [where Dinobot downs Soundwave then Megatron comes swinging]).

For Soundwave I first want to detail the basis of his character as I think it's important to recognize his beliefs and personality. His personality and how much is shown ultimately depends on the continuity and writer; and varies depending on if the writer favors the Marvel UK G1 Soundwave (self-serving opportunist) or the Sunbow G1 Soundwave (loyalist) depiction.

Soundwave believes himself to be superior to others (to other lifeforms, to Autobots, and even to fellow Decepticons) and it's not just a cool line, but an actual sentiment/belief he holds (Transformers: The Movie, Spotlight: Soundwave, Revolutionaries #3, Skybound Transformers #7, Animated S1E10 Sound and Fury), and it is continuously embodied in his actions and loyalty to the Decepticon Cause (conquest & domination). Following this, Megatron's ideals of Decepticon superiority must appeal to Soundwave greatly — as a result, their vision of the future and values are quite similar.

Soundwave has (well, if the continuity depicts it) a negative reputation among other Decepticons, with others actually being aware of his monitoring and subsequent reporting to Megatron (Prime S1E13 [among other episodes], implied in Robots in Disguise (2012) #11... I think, Earth Wars: Sea Phantom: "[...] The walls have audio receptors, if you know what I mean." / Coelagon: "Yeah, Soundwave has the place wired for sound.", Sunbow G1 "Countdown to Extinction" & "The Golden Lagoon"). Instead of such a reputation being a negative for Soundwave, it is something he has intentionally fostered for indirect power and control over the other Decepticons; and by doing this he's made Megatron hold him in high esteem (Prime, Dreamwave More Than Meets the Eye #6 [Soundwave's Bio], All Hail Megatron #10) and positioned himself securely in the Decepticon's upper ranks.

In line with his beliefs of superiority, Soundwave personality-wise is quite confident and secure. This is also true of his standing with Megatron (for reasons described above).

Following Soundwave's colder depictions, perhaps one of the bots he finds himself the most "warm" to or emotionally responsive to is Megatron, even if he may not express this the same way most others might (but I'd think Megatron would understand it, due to his perceptiveness and having known him a long time).

With Soundwave generally not being much of a conversationalist, I'd think Megatron easily makes up for this with all his talking and monologuing (they are so [eloquent] yapper x listener to me). Given Soundwave's continued loyalty, I'd like to think he quite likes hearing Megatron's voice and his ideas/plans; for Megatron I'd like to think he enjoys an intelligent and receptive audience and finds it in Soundwave (who gets to hear his words/plans unfiltered from the manipulative rhetoric he gives others), and likes Soundwave's encouragement and amoral pragmatism. As Megatron's confidant, Soundwave gets to hear him at his most honest (Dreamwave War Within #2, IDW Primacy #4, Prime).

I like to think about how them both being evil impacts what activities they find enjoyable. Moments in various canons that come to mind: All Hail Megatron #1 (where Megatron's like "Soundwave, if you will?" then >:D when Soundwave diverts the missiles), Prime S2E22 ("You should have seen Optimus Prime's face when his precious Star Saber shattered like glass [...]"), and Retribution Ch. 9 (where Soundwave really wants to show Megatron a playback of him and Ravage interrogating/torturing Decepticon traitor Axer for information that Megatron wanted). Could sharing the joy of violence be an evil love language xD?

For angst I think there's a lot of potential based in EarthSpark or Headmasters (the same is true of IDW 2005, though I won't be expanding on it here).

For EarthSpark there's S1E08 0:24 & 2:30 plus a sentence from the guidebook: "Soundwave believes that anyone who defects from the Decepticons is a traitor, and he considers Megatron the worst traitor of all!" Based on their interactions and dialogue (S1E08 Decoy "Don't make this personal, Soundwave." "It already is."), it's apparent that they used to be close before Megatron switched sides; and Soundwave's feelings impact Megatron a lot! Soundwave's recording calling out his hypocrisy invokes such a rage in him; and Soundwave calling him a traitor disheartens him, making him lower his cannon (and he would've been blasted had Optimus not intervened)!

For Headmasters Soundwave/Soundblaster would witness how much Galvatron differs from Megatron — how insane he's become, but also how distant he's become from him. (The Headmasters E04 & E10)

In general, I think there could be angst found in Megatron's favorite trope: getting put out of commission for a duration of time. Or, that trope could be bestowed upon Soundwave for a change xD (like in Transformers (2009) #17). Exploring the consequences of Megatron's hubris or lust for power could be fun too.

Favorite Moments in Various Canons

Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's bio:

[From the Datatracks of Megatron, Decepticon Leader] What is more valuable to a commander, loyalty or reliability? Loyalty is a luxury, but reliability is a necessity for effective military operations. Soundwave exemplifies the latter while projecting as much as the former as realistically possible. He is an indispensable lieutenant and a fierce warrior, with seemingly unshakeable loyalty to me and our cause. When I enter into combat with Soundwave beside me, I am assured that he will perform his role unerringly. I am, however, well aware of his blackmailing of other Decepticons and the fearsome retribution he takes on any who attempt cross him, safe in the knowledge that he is virtually untouchable in his current position. His flaunting of his role have caused many to turn against him, which has only strengthened his need for my favor and implicit protection. Thus far, Soundwave has been utterly faithful to my commands and risked his own life on my behalf several times. But is he only biding his time until his own power base is secure enough? Many great commanders have been undone by trust and friendship in the past… can I afford to extend these to even my most capable solider?

Dreamwave War Within #6 & Generation 1 (2004) #10 (Also, throughout Dreamwave's run Soundwave is actually visibly by Megatron's side, which I think is a pretty neat detail)

All Hail Megatron #13 & Transformers (2007) #17

I enjoyed their dynamic in IDW 2019 because of how visibly instrumental Soundwave is to the Decepticon's rise, and his subsequent importance to Megatron. (#5) (#16) (#26)

Soundwave's sheer nonchalance at getting yelled at/scolded by Megatron who was breaking things in rage (#11) was so funny to me... Soundwave knows he's too important.

In Fall of Cybertron (37:15) Soundwave reaches out sadly to Megatron's hand sticking out from beneath rubble (thanks to Megatron's hubris getting himself scrapped)

In WFC: Kingdom E03 Soundwave is concerned about Megatron and tries to caution/advise him, but it goes unheeded.

The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan: nearly every time Soundwave and Megatron talk... ["Lord Megatron, I'm glad you're unharmed!], ["This is how a subordinate should behave!"], ["No, don't apologize. You are not to blame"], ["..."], ["high price"], [deferring to Soundwave's judgement]

I haven't actually watched Robots in Disguise (2015), but its portrayal of Soundwave's devoutness is pretty cool... specifically in S3E21 Collateral Damage what he says at the timestamp 5:49:

Soundwave: "[...] when [the transgalactic beacon generator is] activated at the highest point in the city it would transmit a signal strong enough to summon Megatron back to Earth." Sideswipe: "[...] but that much radiation won't just call Megatron it'll—" Soundwave: "—devastate the city, then spread to eradicate all life on Earth. Incidental collateral damage."

I don't know how to describe how much I love the coldness/callousness in his inconsideration for an entire planet, all for the sole purpose of getting Megatron back.

(Lack of) Popularity

I've thought about the reasons for the ship's lack of popularity/prevalence. The one that jumps out the most to me is that there's a lack of in-depth exploration into their relationship in canon despite their constant proximity and importance to each other — as in, plots hardly ever test/strain/strengthen their relationship (to elaborate, there's rarely tension between them, and when there is it's minor and carries no meaningful weight).

Well, IDW 2005 did do some things with their relationship, but it didn't feel as in-depth as other relationships because their backstory together (which occurred in phase 1 with Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic characterization) was recontextualized/retconned for phase 2's Decepticon Cause of equality origin and was there to ultimately serve their subsequent (and separate) becoming betterish arcs relevant to that origin, and then they never got a proper reconciliation together; post-Dark Cybertron Soundwave continued to keep Megatron in mind, whereas Megatron (iirc) doesn't ever think about him in any noteworthy way. (Elaboration/analysis of this will be in whenever I make that analysis post, although trying to analyze IDW 2005 is kind of a headache for me.)

Rarely does Megatron communicate how he feels about Soundwave to him beyond his usefulness/function (e.g. Megatron praising Soundwave in Prime and Sunbow G1). There's IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22 ("Ours, Soundwave. The world shall be ours." is a cool line that expresses Megatron wanting to conquer Cybertron with Soundwave, but this scene is a retcon & flashback — it only serves phase 2 Soundwave's arc in the present).

That's not to say Megatron never expresses any thoughts/feelings about Soundwave, of course (various episodes of Prime, Headmasters E02 ["Soundwave! NGHAAAHHHHH" — Galvatron after witnessing him explode], probably some moments from The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan).

The most explicit of Megatron recognizing Soundwave's importance to him I can think of off of the top of my head is Primacy #2.

Obviously with this post, I think a lot about their relationship can be inferred from the way they interact and talk regardless of how much or little Megatron directly expresses to him. (With this post being for the purpose of shipping, all I mention here is through a shipping potential lens xD).

Perhaps another reason for this ship's lack of popularity, related to the first, is maybe Soundwave is broadly thought of as just a loyalist without knowledge of his other qualities and so people don't think it's interesting? (I could say more on this, but I'll end this post here.)

[catthepillarr]

your prowl art gives me sm life I rlly love how u draw him.

how did u start liking prowl and which continuity of him do u like the most?

Thank you!

I think my prowl addiction started when I read this cool fanfic (that I unfortunately don't remember the name of) and thought he sounded like an interesting character, so I just started reading about him lol.

I think I like the IDW version of him the most. Personally I haven't finished all the comics and my memory is really bad but I think reading through the Wreckers saga and some of RiD helps?? I'm trying to reread everything in chronological order so my memory is kinda fuzzy..

I think I resonated with IDW prowl's character pretty deeply (still do) and I guess it made me feel less bad about myself especially when I was at rock-bottom haha (relax, I don't flip tables)

I like drawing Earthspark prowl the most, though

He's just a little guy(:

[magicalcelestialgem]

So, I have been wanting to do this idea for a while now. Hell, I’ve already gotten started on drawing a little piece (that is slow-going because LAWD Optimus is hard, especially when you never drew his other versions). And it’s MegOp related.

All the OPs who were once lovers to their Megatrons meet up and pretty much chat, hang out, console each other over their exes.

And eventually, they welcome a new member (TFOne) to the club. TFOne Op just went through the breakup/divorce and is getting comforted by the other OPs.

Current members of the club:

IDW

Prime

Cyberverse

Earthspark

One (newest member)

Who else will be added, I do not know.

And before you ask, did I plan a Megatron version. Yes, I planned a Megatron version.

[blueikeproductions]

The Trigger collab animation came out and it’s the best thing Transformers has done in the current decade.

Truly a love letter to Transformers from G1 to EarthSpark, it squeezes in everything it possibly can from most media. However the catch is that it’s only animated media and the live action movies, the comics (any assorted manga, Marvel, Dreamwave, IDW & Skybound) aren’t referenced, while some Japanese exclusive stuff gets a lil’ bit more attention (understandable since it’s, y’know, Japanese fans being nostalgic about the anime they grew up with).

Transformers Go, Q-Transformers, and the Beast Wars anime got particular attention.

This shot of Liger Megatron and Green Lion Lio Convoy is especially cool.

I think initially I was expecting a Trigger animated greatest hits from select moments from each show, and while they still technically do that in spots…

It’s mostly a mega crossover with different characters interacting otherwise.

And it’s all the better for it.

I mean where else are you gonna find TFA Optimus about to smash Masterforce Overlord’s face in?

There’s no real narrative, it’s just random cool shots though the closest thing to a framing device is the PV opening with Vector Prime looking down on Cybertron across all time lines.

Regarding EarthSpark’s contributions to the short, they’re minimal. The Terrans and Mandroid don’t appear at all, which is a little bizarre.

ES Megatron appears among the other Decepticon leaders instead of being with ES Optimus on the Autobot leader side.

You’d think Mandroid would be there next to BWII Galvatron instead, but I guess not. Sadly they omitted RiD15 Steeljaw too, instead using RiD15 Megatronus Prime’s floating head.

SatAM Robotnik voice: Ah well, life is not perfect.

The main ES rep are the Maltos.

This just reinforces ES needed to be 2D, because they actually look good. Roche’s style doesn’t work in 3D.

Anyway the human cast they chose for this final shot amuses me.

Love seeing my favorite Clays being included. The lack of RiD Steeljaw (G1 Steeljaw did appear with Lio Junior and RiD15 Aerobolt though) is forgiven.

Anyhow, the specific use of the Clays, the (S3) Witwickys, the Maltos and the Onishis (this is especially funny since Koji’s mom never met her universe’s Optimus) is somehow very random, but also kinda appropriate. Like I get Spike and Dot’s families, since it serves as bookends, but the Clays and Onishis still feel a bit random. Still, including both Robots in Disguise families is a nice touch in my book!

The short ends with a different bookend as mentioned.

What starts out as G1 Prime & Megs transitions to ES Prime & Megs shaking hands. The old with the current series. It works~! I admit I’m surprised they didn’t include TFONE somehow. I know it’s technically not out yet, but there’s enough material to have had Orion and D-16 have some kind of tussle. It would’ve been an interesting way to tie it into the above scene and this one:

When it comes to general rep, the stuff that gets the most focus is G1, Beast Wars, Animated, & Galaxy Force. Cyberverse doesn’t really get anything beyond the leader shot, but there is this awesome but very random shot of Croaton over looking Holi’s Rescue Patrol walking on a beach littered with the dead bodies of the generic Decepticons from “War Dawn”.

Sucks to be you guys.

It also occurs to me the Rescue Bots cartoons appear to be omitted along with BotBots, but that might partly be due to them not having Japanese releases? I’m not sure, but it’s funny how Q-Transformers is acknowledged of all things, but not Heatwave or Burgertron. Maaaaybe that’s for the best on the later…

Still the PV is a blast and is pry the most earnest passion project that GETS Transformers vs what we’ve been getting post Aligned cartoon wise.

I still hope this leads to a proper TF anime series made by Trigger, like what happened with Gridman. We need a return to good 2D animated TF shows and not more CGI slop like WFC or S2 ES. That Beast Wars and Machines are still superior despite being retro by today’s standards says something…

The catch however is the original video is region locked…

but some fans have ripped it and posted it on their YT:

So go check it out while you can! It’s pure Energon-y goodness!

[birdmitosis]

What are your opinions on selfcest?

(I need to answer so many asks in my inbox... I'm sorry this is late! I will be late again/some more!!)

But I really wanted to finally get around to this one because I actually have some very specific thoughts on selfcest, which is that I feel like it would be... not necessarily "more liked," because people like what they like and are into what they're into, people are squicked by what they're squicked by, etc... but seen as less scandalous if it didn't have "-cest" as part of the name.

To elaborate, I don't think it has any similarities to incest unless the specific individual characters in question outright do think of their "other selves" in a familial way. In many cases this just isn't the case, however -- the relationship doesn't map that way in canon itself, or the other selves are totally noncanonical in the first place. I can think of some exceptions (Galerians, where almost all the clones of one particular person think of one another as siblings, including the one who was raised separately and didn't know about any of that so doesn't feel a sibling bond with them but they still seem to consider him one) but in many cases, that's just not what's going on. It's clones, or a changeling, or a time loop, or a multiverse, or something else where the canon doesn't portray them as feeling any sort of familial bond -- and where sometimes the canon actually outright makes a point to show or talk about how different they are.

And to explain even further... I think my view on selfcest is influenced by the fact that for a couple of decades now, my views on selfhood have been such that... I don't think "self"cest inherently feels self enough to feel offputting to me, either. Yes, you can have situations where someone looks at a clone or alternate universe version of themself and goes "that's 100% me" in a way that never really treats the other like their own person, and in that case it wouldn't appeal to me... But even since I was a teenager, I've always considered that if one person was suddenly two people, the second person unavoidably becomes their own person from the moment of separation, the moment either of them says or does anything that starts to develop them in a different direction from the other. And a lot of the time "selfs" in selfcest are even more different than that: Think of the Spider-Verse movies, for instance, or the possible interactions between a Transformer and their alternate universe selves if you crossed some of the cartoons and comics together. Pavitr Prabhakar and Peter B. Parker just do not feel like the same person; neither do EarthSpark Arcee and Transformers Animated Arcee and IDW comics Arcee.

TL;DR though, uh, I have to assume you're asking me because of Slay the Princess. 😅 In which case that was a really long and roundabout way of saying... Honestly, I don't even think "selfcest" applies in STP. (Mostly, at least.) While the voices are all parts of the Long Quiet (and the vessels are all parts of the Shifting Mound), they are different enough people that they necessitate their own names, they have different relationships with one another, they disagree with one another to the point of dislike at times, their actions if they could act on their own would be VERY different, and especially once they have their own bodies I just don't register them as the same person anymore. And I truly think the game backs me up on this, because... the Shifting Mound and the Long Quiet also used to be the same being originally. Go back far enough and arguably any ship that isn't the Narrator/one of the other characters is selfcest! But it so doesn't feel that way to me, not even to the extent that most people mean it.

I have the occasional selfcest ship, but long story short, voices shipping and vessel shipping doesn't actually feel like selfcest to me at all* if that makes sense.