TRANSFORMERS #1, from Image Comics on 10/4/23, begins a new era for the warring factions of Cybertron when two friends on a hiking trip discover something odd buried in the side of a mountain.
The Details
- Written by: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Art by: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Colors by: Mike Spicer
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: October 4, 2023
Is TRANSFORMERS #1 Good?
Honestly, TRANSFORMERS #1 is one of our most anticipated comics of the year. When Image/Skybound announced it picked up the licensing rights, we had an inkling that the Hasbro lines were a passion acquisition for Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint, so let’s just say expectations were high. Fortunately, those expectations have been met and exceeded.
Daniel Warren Johnson’s script centers on a slightly more mature version of the classic introduction to Transformers lore. The basic premise is still the same – Spike finds a ship buried in a mountain containing the dormant bodies of Decepticon and Autobot Transformers. The disturbance signals an awakening and reconfiguration into familiar vehicles. Glorious action and excitement ensue.
The difference in this case is the inclusion of a tragic backstory to Spike’s home life and a more realistic treatment of humans by the Decepticons. Specifically, Starscream isn’t above using his size and strength to test the limits of human fragility, so just know this series may be a little rougher than the original cartoon.
What’s great about TRANSFORMERS #1? Johnson understood the homework assignment and earned extra credit for the delivery. The story feels familiar enough to please Gen 1 fans, but there are enough tweaks to give the story a modern freshness and edge. The serious themes surrounding Spike’s family elevate the human element of the story rather than using Spike as a convenient prop to act as the audience surrogate. And the Transformers battles are first-rate.
What’s not so great about TRANSFORMERS #1? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This issue is as close to a perfect adaptation as you can get.
How’s the art? Somebody give Daniel Warren Johnson all the Eisners already. Johnson’s trademark grittiness is on full display with the human characters, but the Transformers are spot-on. It’s the perfect blend of an artist’s unique style integrated with a faithful style adjustment to honor the source material, and it looks amazing.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s TRANSFORMERS #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with an introduction to Spike. The teenager has dreams of going to college and becoming an astronaut. Spike’s father, Sparky, isn’t against his son making something of himself, but father and son are at odds with themselves and each other over the death of Spike’s brother, Jimmy, in a war.
Later, Spike and his galpal Carly go hiking in the mountains for a little stargazing – one of Spike’s favorite pastimes. Suddenly, their hike causes the two to tumble from a mysterious tremor, and they find themselves inside a massive spaceship. Spike gingerly approaches a room with a light source, where he finds a group of giant robots lying on the floor.
We conclude the issue with an awakening and reconfiguration, an old battle reconvening, and a deadly search for energy.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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TRANSFORMERS #1 is everything a Transformers fan could want from a reboot and more. Daniel Warren Johnson’s writing and art give the property a fresh take while remaining faithful to the source material, which is all any Transformers fan could ask for.
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