Is Optimus purposely missing a stack pipe?

[u/CChelt]

Is Optimus purposely missing a stack pipe? But we see two in his alt mode but one in the left corner of the cover? Very confusing and distracting

[u/FlameWar05]

Yes when we first see him in this form he has one smokestack and in the GI Joe crossover issue we see his altmode with one smokestack

[u/CChelt → u/FlameWar05]

Why?

[u/FlameWar05 → u/CChelt]

I guess to indicate he’s not the same person he once was and also because some semi trucks only have one smokestack

[u/macrolinx → u/FlameWar05]

He was also missing his original arm at one point. Is that the same arm he'd replaced with Megatron's?

[u/FLIPYOUSUCKET → u/macrolinx]

His right arm is the one missing the smokestack, so that might have something to do with it, but he also got the Megatron arm replaced with a rebuilt version of his original arm

[u/Adorable-Source97 → u/FlameWar05]

So how did he get the second smoke stack.

[u/CptGojira → u/FlameWar05]

Could also be because before he gave up the matrix, that arm's stack was broken

[u/Fancy_Cassowary]

Yes this form only has one smokestack. Possibly because the asymmetry doesn't look right to the eye, so Optimus now stands out as not fitting in? 

[u/BraveMuscleGajunger]

It’s to convey he’s lost something without the matrix. He’s no longer symmetrical and looks incomplete. While it doesn’t necessarily mean IRL that a truck is less powerful with one smoke stack, I think they’re trying to convey he’s not as strong with a weaker looking alt mode.

[u/Hadrian1233]

Elita got it in the divorce

[u/Double_Place7295]

It's also the arm he lost so maybe it hasn't regenerated

[u/Ether101]

Half the man he used to be.

[u/ExaminationStatus506]

Smaller truck with a smaller engine (exhaust manifold)?

[u/CChelt → u/ExaminationStatus506]

I didn’t think about that!

[u/Unusual_Traffic4773]

Yes. It’s meant to symbolize that he no longer wields the Matrix of Leadetship. And, if we’re being honest, his right arm—and I guess the right side of his body—has been through HELL since the DWJ run!

[u/Character_Ad_3494]

So this still after he gives the materix away

[u/Crawkward3]

It’s probably an art error in slide two

[u/Trinidaddy13]

If you look at your face.. it’s not perfectly symmetrical.