Cybertronians and Changing Frames

An old conversation I had with a fellow Transformers fan and friend regarding how Cybertronians change their frames a lot.

Jack: "Ok, so I'm reading my MTMTE volume 1 now and I noticed something : Why does Rodimus look so different in MTMTE than in DOOP (Death Of Optimus Prime he doesn't actually die so that's false advertising)." Me: "The reason for him looking different is because of different artists. In MTMTE it's Alex Milne drawing him, while in Death of Optimus it's another artist. Every artist gives the characters their own flare.

Also, it's possible Rodimus got some upgrades to his frame prior to starting the Lost Light mission to ensure he was top notch for whatever awaited them. Given how their species is addicted to adaptability and constantly changing to better themselves (thus why Rung is so weird since he has NEVER changed from his original frame/body), it's not uncommon for them to get entire new bodies or add/replace parts on their current body. Whatever progresses them to be better at surviving, fighting, moving, processing fuel, etc. they go for. It's really the entire point of their species. So much so they adapted to change their entire physical form to a different mode to better survive in their environment/circumstance.

I do a lot of research and analyzing. I write stories myself, and also being an activist, I'm always looking more into things, analyzing, learning, and figuring things out. Hence why I can monologue so much on these things. XD

In Drift: Empire of Stone, a Decepticon speaks to Drift and Ratchet demanding to know what a Cybertronian's purpose is. He points out how they cannot biologically reproduce, so obviously they are not meant to keep their species going and raising young. Instead, all they do is adapt and fight. And given how the Galactic Council views Cybertronians as a level 10 threat (the highest out there) due to their superior adaptability for any circumstance they fall under, instantaneous shape shifting for better combat or flight response, and ability to make themselves the ultimate killing machines, it's clear that improving their own bodies is the greatest focus.

In comparison to our species, humans, adaptability and reformatting their frames and systems would be like us working out at the gym, eating healthy, and using vaccines, supplements, etc. to ensure we are fit, healthy, and strong. Given how they simply refuel on energon, oil, and occasionally grease their cogs and wash/paint, the only methods of improvement is technological advancements to their bodies.

This also just makes them scarier since they are almost impossible to kill. Wound one body, just transfer the spark and brain module to another and they are instantly back on the battlefield. Lose a limb, they can get a new one. Even cannibalizing each other is common to better themselves, whether they kill to take parts or reuse a deceased friend's corpse.

And given what happened in the latest issue of Lost Light where they took a dead Decepticon's corpse and turned it into a ship to fly home, making use out of the dead is not something their species views as terribly wrong or gross. It's just what you do when you need to survive, adapt, and build. Given how they also don't rot would make corpses be viewed very differently than how us organics view them. They just see a metal frame lacking a spark, but still can be used for other purposes.

So, long story short: They live for adapting, bettering themselves physically, and those with the newest modifications are the rich and powerful, and those who never change, like Rung, are losers. This was discussed in one issue about how status and wealth means more modifications. Almost like how "bling" and fancy cars, clothes, etc. are associated with the rich and well off in our culture/society." Lestat: "I'll assume that Kup would fall into that class of not upgrading."

Me: "Actually, he has gotten several upgrades, just not as often. In the comics you see him having to get almost completely rebuilt due to going through so much.

Megatron receives an entire new body several times throughout the comics and war, but by the time MTMTE rolls around, Megs begins to complain about being old and unable to do what he used to be able to do. In a previous issue, Ratchet discusses how a scientist discovered that Cybertronians can actually die of old age. Sparks go though a lot, especially when they are manipulated for mass displacement, receive damage, go through a lot of stress, etc. So, despite getting new bodies, they can still age since their spark, their very life force, is suffering the effects of weakening, etc. Hence why Megs, Kup, etc. are considered old and are showing signs of their age."

Jack: "But since Roddy is a major player in MTMTE I would've liked to see him upgrading himself like we saw in LL where Drift painted Rodimus" Me: "That wasn't an upgrade, simply changing his paint scheme. You don't actually see them upgrade that often. In the RID/Combiner series we see Starscream change his body at least 3 times. You see his new body, not him going through the process. The only one you really see going through a process of changing into a new frame is when Megatron arises in his new body in Spotlight: Megatron. But if you pay attention their bodies are always changing. Again, sometimes this is simply due to artists drawing them differently.

Another thing to note is when they change alt. modes. In the very first IDW comics you see Optimus on his ship looking VERY badass. Later in the same issue he looks different because he arrived on Earth and got a new alt. mode to look like a semi. This caused some physical changes to his appearance when in root mode. Simple terms: They sometimes upgrade PARTS of their body so look a LITTLE different. OR, they get a whole new updated body and look VERY different or just a little different.

OR, they get a new alt. mode and look a bit different but it's the same body."