Irvine’s presentation is highly unusual, but also highly effective. He doesn’t waste words describing what readers already have in their heads, for one thing - there’s a dearth of description, especially when it comes to the Cybertronians themselves. As well as allowing the author to incisively cut to the heart of the things that his readers bought the book for, this bold and rather clever non-device leaves interpretation wide open. If you want to picture a G1 Megatron as you read, you can; if the movie Prime’s your man, he’s the iteration that you’ll think of. This lack of description is also a great fit for Exodus’s pseudo-history-book format. Though key formative events are presented as traditional drama, much of the book provides dispassionate snapshots taken from eons of conflict. There’s a lot to cover, so inevitably Irvine doesn’t drill down too deep, focusing instead on the broad strokes.
The most notable exceptions to this are Alpha Trion’s bridging, first-person monologues. The last of “the Thirteen” [original primes] to remain on Cybertron and the custodian of the Covenant of Primus (Primus being one of the two Cybertronian gods in this continuity, his evil opposite number being Unicron), the Autobot-sympathising prime offers readers a unique perspective on the tumultuous present by virtue of his knowledge of all that’s passed and his insight into all that’s to come.
For me, though, the most interesting aspect of Exodus is the author’s portrayal of data clerk Orion Pax and underworld gladiator turned freedom fighter Megatronus. Evidently inspired by James Hill’s “State Games” strip for the 1987 annual, Irvine’s Megatron is a much more intriguing character than The Transformers’ two-dimensional villain or even the movies’ megalomaniacal monstrosity. For starters, he’s right about the political state of Cybertron - its strict caste system is oppressive, leaving the likes of him and his brothers to toil in the mines or fight in arenas for the benefit or amusement of higher-caste ’bots. More than that though, just like Hitler and countless cult of personality dictators in reality, he’s a masterful and almost hypnotic public speaker - far more persuasive than the calm librarian who would have the rank of prime thrust upon him. This makes Irvine’s Megatron a complicated and charismatic antagonist, much as he would be played in Transformers: Prime. Megatron doesn’t think he’s evil – he thinks he’s right. At times he’s almost noble; you really respect his fierce defiance and refusal to bow to supposedly superior ’bots. 
Pax is intriguingly drawn too, taking the form of a self-righteous and opinionated data clerk rather than the brash youth of “War Dawn”. Little more than a politically-sensitive, middle-caste ’bot at the book’s start, Pax’s monitoring of Megatronus’s sudden infamy in the media compels him to learn more about the gladiator’s manifesto before becoming directly involved in the beginnings of what he dubs the Autobot (“Autonomous ’bots”) movement.Together, these two brothers from different castes start a revolution, only to realise that whilst they share a vision of autonomy for all Transformers, their views on how to achieve it couldn’t be further apart. Pax’s self-styled Autobots and Megatron’s media-branded Decepticons finally splinter when, as Megatron’s finest hour is at hand, rather than grant him governance Cybertron’s ruling council anoints his most vocal supporter “Optimus Prime” instead, prompting the former gladiator to turn against the newly-minted Cybertronian leader and begin the civil war.
However, once Optimus Prime and Megatron take up arms against one another, the book suddenly becomes less interesting - its heart is clearly the foundation and destruction of their friendship. The war, whilst spectacularly drawn, offers up little that’s new; it just sees Irvine roll out a number of popular faces to take part in decisive engagements. Only Jazz and Starscream come close to their leaders in terms of exposure and development, with the black-and-white Autobot lieutenant being cast as a drinking buddy and confidante of Optimus Prime, and the self-serving Seeker brought seamlessly in line with his Transformers: Prime characterisation.
With an animated prequel to the Paramount movies in the works, there’s no telling how long The Official History of the War for Cybertron will remain “official”, or indeed how much of its content will find its way onto the silver screen, but in the meantime it remains a must-read title for any fan of modern Transformers continuities - particularly those with a fondness for Transformers: Prime or any of the “aligned” video games.
Transformers: Exodus – The Official History of the War for Cybertron is available to buy from The Book Depository for £5.89 with free delivery.
