TRANSFORMERS #16, by Image Comics & Skybound on 1/8/25, commences a massive fight for supremacy when the Autobots and two Decepticon teams come to blows at the base of a dam.
Credits:
- Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Artist: Jorge Corona
- Colorist: Sarah Stern
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: January 8, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of TRANSFORMERS #16:
Recap:
When last we left the robots in disguise in Transformers #15, Optimus Prime grapples with his increasingly conflicted loyalties, whether to carry on the fight with the Autobots or to protect innocent humans pulled into the Cybetronian war on Earth. After Shockwave’s failure in Transformers #12, Soundwave waged a guerilla campaign against humans to draw the Autobots out. The issue ended with Soundwave and the Decepticons clashing with Starscream’s splinter cell and Bruticus at the dam where the Autobots set up camp.
Plot Analysis:
In Transformers #16, the Transformer-vs-Transformer battle rages. The Constructicons form into Devastator for a Kaiju-sized fight against Bruticus. The giant robots come dangerously close to damaging the dam and sending a tidal wave into the surrounding areas. Along the dam’s upper walkway, Starscream, still attached to a remote-controlled H.I.S.S. tank, comes to blows against Soundwave. Their one-on-one fight breaks up when Astrotrain rams Soundwave, and Thundercracker begins a strafing run on Starscream.
Thundercracker transforms into a robot a pummels Starscream. During their fight, Starscream taunts Thundercracker’s decision to join Soundwave when he tells his opponent that Soundwave agreed to scrap Skywarp for parts. Thundercracker reels from the revelation, but he snatches away the remote that controls Starscream’s H.I.S.S and sends him careening off the dam’s edge.
Down below, Optimus tries to stop the senseless fighting before the dam is destroyed. Suddenly, the Autobot leader is assailed by the vision of a child strapped to a mechanical device by wires. The vision’s pain causes Optimus to fire on the Bruticus and Devastator battle, but the shot goes wide and cracks the dam. A massive flood washes all combatants down the valley toward a pair of kids on bikes. Optimus can’t get to the kids in time, but they’re saved at the last instant by the newly revived Trailbreaker.
On Cybertron, Cliffjumper leads Elita-1 and Bluestreak to a former camp recently destroyed by Decepticon bombing raids. There, Cliffjumper uncovers a spark canister he hid many years ago containing spark fragments of his former allies. The issue ends with a plan to rally the fragmented Autobots on Cybertron, Beachcomber and Arcee zeroing in on Ultra Magnus, and Laserbeak locating the last hope of the Decepticons on Earth.
First Impressions:
Wow! Transformers #16 is a doozy of an issue in a good way. After a string of setup and transition issues, writer Daniel Warren Johnson cranks up the energy, urgency, and wow moments. Those transition issues were decent enough and moved the assortment of characters around on the game board, but they won’t blow your socks off. In particular, the last-page reveal marks the arrival of a Transformer whose return is long overdue.
Artwork and Presentation:
Jorge Corona continues to deliver the goods in this issue as almost every page is dedicated to big robots, some bigger than others, wailing on each other in a precarious setting. Corona plays up Warren Johnson’s mix of serious drama, over-the-top action, and a slight twist of humor with just the right delivery for a visually impactful issue.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Transformers #16 has everything fans of the series like. You get strong emotional beats, high drama, big action, forward progress in the war (maybe), and cool reveals that get you amped up for what’s coming. Not a single page or frame is wasted, and every square inch of this issue is dedicated to telling the most engaging story possible.
The Negatives:
There’s nothing to criticize in this issue beyond the odd, inconsequential nitpick. If you’re a fan of this series, everything you like about it is in Transformers #16. If you’re not a fan or have never read a Transformers comic, you could pick up this issue and jump in without too much trouble and still have a great time.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Readers who’ve enjoyed Image and Skybound’s interconnected Energon Universe may be curious to know when the teased crossover with G.I. Joe is coming. For now, the answer is TBD. The most recent issue of Void Rivals (issue #15) comes the closest as a scout mission from Cobra-La comes into contact with Skuxxoid, but that’s as close as the interconnected series has come. We’ll report the details once they’re announced.
Final Thoughts:
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TRANSFORMERS #16 delivers all the Transformers goodness you’ve loved about the series so far. You get drama, action, emotion, surprises, and wow moments aplenty. Daniel Warren Johnson capitalizes on the recent transition issues to craft a meaningful action fest, plus the last-page surprise is a game changer.
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