Transformers’ Beast Wars Comic Has More Complex Villains Than TV Show

Warning: spoilers ahead for Transformers: Beast Wars #9!

The Predacon Skold from the Transformers: Beast Wars comic never appeared in the TV show, but she’s a vital addition to the story, proving to be far more complex than any of the other evil Transformers – even Blackarachnia and Dinobot. Both are known primarily for how they defected from the Predacons to join the Maximals. In the comics, Dinobot’s personal interpretation of honor conflicted too much with Megatron’s overall philosophical outlook and leadership style, while TV’s Blackarachnia eventually leaves as a result of her feelings for Silverbolt.

The comics recently suggested that Skold could surpass Terrorsaur, a prospect that compels Terrorsaur to brutally ridicule Skold to prevent her from realizing her true power. But as the series continues to flesh out her character, Skold is evolving into a much more dynamic villain who possesses more sides to her than meet the eye. First is her true passion for the arts, as revealed in Transformers: Beast Wars#9 by writer Erik Burnham and artist Josh Burcham. As a Predacon this is unacceptable, and many of her kind mock her for this.

Second, she is incredibly loyal to those who exhibit kindness towards her. This deepens her commitment to Predacon leader Megatron, but ultimately also drives her to betray him. Megatron showed her the ultimate form of respect when he condemned how others treat her and gave her an avenue through which to direct her frustrations. But when she helps the Maximal Razorbeast emerge from his stasis pod, she automatically imprints on him because he immediately thanks and refers to her as “friend.” As a result, when he’s fatally wounded she actually gives him over to the Maximals to ensure his survival. Her choice is predicated on the fact that they will give him more of a chance than the Predacons, who would most likely dispose of him after learning how easily he was defeated in battle.

When she drops Razorbeast off, Skold is approached by the Predacon traitor Dinobot, noting how she’s speaking forcibly for the first time as opposed to how she normally stammers and whispers. Dinobot attributes this to how the toxicity of the Predacon environment has adverse effects on her mannerisms and suggests she defect. Skold, however, reacts aggressively, saying that she will always know her place with the Predacons as opposed to the Maximals, who only put on a kind face to hide their true selves.

All of this portrays Skold in a very complex light, more so than Dinobot’s obsession and devotion to honor and Blackarachnia’s choice between her lust for ultimate power and eventual embrace of love. Skold is able to betray Megatron, who was the first to validate her passions, by essentially giving his enemy a new warrior because Razorbeast called her his friend. And yet, she won’t leave Megatron even though her staying with the Predacons is actively harming her, attributing her decision to at least knowing how the Predacons actually feel about her.

It’s clear the Beast Wars villain Skold holds friendship in high regard, even more so than kindness, despite the fact she greatly values those who treat her with respect. She also sees worth in truthfulness, and would rather be treated with contempt than kindness if that’s how her peers really feel about her. Skold’s Transformers: Beast Wars ideals are strong enough to compel her to betray the Predacons for a friend but never to leave them, establishing that while the conquest-obsessed robots are villains, they’re not without significant nuance, making their battles with the Maximals far more complex than in the original show.

About The Author