Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Transformers #30

For decades, the Transformers franchise has revolved around the defining conflict of Autobots versus Decepticons. Now, a brand-new faction has just been formed thanks to a shocking new status quo change in the Energon Universe.

Recent events in Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora’s ongoing Transformers series have reshaped the classic Autobot/Decepticon war in some pretty big ways. Leadership has changed, loyalties have shifted, and a brand-new faction has emerged in the aftermath of the recently released Transformers #30.

Optimus Prime Is No Longer Leader Of The Autobots

As seen in Transformers #30, Elita-1 has come from Cybertron to directly challenge Optimus Prime. Elita believes the Autobots have lost focus under Optimus’ leadership and decision to stay on Earth to fight Megatron and his forces when their own home world needs protecting as well.

Claiming that Optimus Prime no longer deserves the Matrix of Leadership and the right to lead the Autobots, Elita and Optimus briefly battle before Prime chooses to give up the Matrix willingly, confirming that the Matrix itself must choose who their leader should be.

Remarkably, the Matrix chooses Elita, transforming her into Elita Prime. This means that Optimus Prime is no more, leaving simply Optimus behind, smaller and without his signature face shield. However, this new leadership change wasn’t the only thing that changed for the Autobots, as their forces have now been split into two.

Thanks To Elita Prime, Optimus Now Leads…The Not-obots?

Assuming her new command, Elita Prime wastes no time giving the Autobots their new orders.

Declaring that all Autobots must return with her to Cybertron immediately, Elita Prime makes it clear that any who choose to remain on Earth with Optimus will no longer be considered Autobots. While some obey and join the new Prime, others remain loyal to Optimus, determined to protect humanity from the cost of their war with Megatron and his Decepticons.

By defying Elita Prime’s orders, those who stay on Earth are no longer recognized as Autobots, and even have their classic insignias removed, becoming a new outcast faction Image refers to in the issue’s final pages as the “Not-obots”, though it remains to be seen if that’s actually an official name.

It’s quite an exciting status quo change, with Optimus now leading a more focused team of bots without the Matrix of Leadership backing up his authority. He’s now being followed because there are those who genuinely believe in him and his cause. Even more exciting is what may come next for Optimus and his team.

After all, their numbers have now been significantly reduced on Earth, making the odds of their success against Megatron and his Decepticons that much harder.

That said, it also means that there’s never been a better time for Optimus to finally meet Duke, as has been teased in the Energon Universe’s G.I. Joe series. Perhaps this fated meeting will finally kick off a formal alliance between these former Autobots with the Joes against the likes of both Cobra and the Decepticons.

This major status quo shift confirms that this battle that first began on Cybertron is no longer a two-sided war, not only with this third faction led by Optimus, but also when you factor in the Joes and Cobra, not to mention the events that are happening in Void Rivals and the soon-to-be-released M.A.S.K.

Clearly, the Energon Universe is continuing to expand in all kinds of exciting ways well beyond the Autobots and Decepticons.

Transformers #30 is now on sale from Skybound and Image Comics.