Spoilers for Transformers: Last Bot Standing by IDW PublishingIn one of the most incredible power upgrades a Transformer has ever had, Hot Rod recently gained a Super Saiyan-like form to save a planet from destruction. In Transformers: Last Bot Standing, the Autobot nearly died against violent Cybertronians looking to use the extremely dangerous Energon resource inside the planet to keep themselves alive as they faced extinction. However, after being exposed to the Energon himself, Hot Rod emerged in his ultimate form to save the day.
Transformers: Last Bot Standing is a recently concluded Transformers comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing, serving as the chronological last story of the popular franchise. Set thousands of years in the future, the story, by Nick Roche and E.J. Su, starred Hot Rod (Rodimus) as he protects a planet from the last-surviving Cybertronians. Steeljaw and Sharpclaw were among those looking to harvest the Energon as fuel to keep the Cybertronian race alive. With Hot Rod knowing that taking the resource would annihilate the alien planet Donnokt, he took a brave final stand against them. On the brink of defeat after Steeljaw decides he's going to blow up the world since he can't win, Hot Rod receives a Super Saiyan-like upgrade after being powered up by the Energon.
Hot Rod's Ultimate Form Is His Most Powerful Form Yet
When Hot Rod emerges from the Energon, the Transformers fuel gives him an upgrade that's straight out of Dragon Ball Z. Not only are Rodimus' wounds healed in his ultimate form, but he has yellow energy pulsing from his metal frame that makes him unstoppable. After Steeljaw continues to threaten Donnokt and is about to kill a human boy, Shib, Rodimus uses his new powers to send a blast of energy that blows his fellow Cybertronian's head clean off - ending the conflict with a powerful takedown.
While Steeljaw's mission became less sympathetic as the comic ended, part of what gave Transformers: Last Bot Standing such storytelling depth was his role as a tragic villain. Facing extinction, he wanted to ensure the Cybertronians would continue on, no matter the cost. However, Hot Rod understood the Cybertronian's race's time had passed, as it couldn't be saved at the expense of others, especially since it had already survived for millions of years.
In the end, Hot Rod used his ultimate form and effectively went Super Saiyan to save a world from destruction. His power upgrade ensured that the planet and its people would survive the final battle of the Cybertronians - even if it meant an end to his race as a whole. Transformers: Last Bot Standing is in comic book stores now.