TRANSFORMERS #20, by Image Comics & Skybound on 5/14/25, unleashes Megatron on the squabbling Decepticons to consolidate power, establish his rule, and prepare for war.
Credits:
- Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Artist: Jorge Corona
- Colorist: Mike Spicer
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: May 14, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of TRANSFORMERS #20:
Recap:
When we last left the robots in disguise in Transformers #19, we learned about the torture Megatron endured at the hands of a race of aliens when he was a young leader. After innumerable trials, Megatron won the gift of evolution that allowed him to transform into a fusion cannon AND a tank.
Plot Analysis:
In Transformers #20, Megatron asserts his dominance. After the Autobots fled in issue #19, the Decepticons remained behind in the broken heart of Seattle to regroup. Astrotrain attacked Megatron for revenge over his lost love and long imprisonment in Nemesis. Megatron defeats Astrotrain easily and orders his allies back to the shelter in the Cybertron shard resting in the Pacific Ocean.
Elsewhere, Spike and Optimus Prime bond over the passing of Spike’s father inside the All-Spark Matrix. Optimus is troubled by his recent outbursts of anger and his lack of progress in ridding the Earth of his enemies. Suddenly, Silverbolt arrives, carrying the Jetfire, who can’t transform out of his plane form. Inside the Ark, Optimus lifts Silverbolt’s spirits by showing him that all the AerialBots have been revived.
On Cybertron, Cliffjumper asks Shredhead if he has any memories from the spark remnants used to create him. He doesn’t, but he senses a friend of Cliffjumper’s is in trouble and needs help. The two Autobots head off to rescue her.
The issue ends at the Cybertron shard, where Megatron restores Starscream’s body so he can pummel him down again. Then, he transforms into a fusion cannon in Starscream’s beaten hand to force him to destroy Astrotrain for his defiance.
First Impressions:
Never let it be said that Megatron is the best of the worst. Writer Daniel Warren Johnson builds on the last issue’s backstory to capitalize on Megatron’s powerhouse status as he systematically eliminates anyone who stands in his way.
Artwork and Presentation:
Jorge Corona returns to the title after a one-issue break to present a Megatron who is menacing, brutal, and gleeful in the execution of his torture. Corona’s inks are richly detailed, the character designs are perfect matches for the source material, and the visual drama is sky-high.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Transformers fans have been waiting for Megatron to make his grand entrance into the series, and Daniel Warren Johnson does NOT disappoint. Megatron lives up to his reputation in the best (and worst) way, which automatically creates an air of anticipation for what will happen when the Decepticons inevitably attack the Ark.
The Negatives:
Nope. Nada. Nothing. There’s not a blessed thing wrong with this comic. You’d be hard-pressed to find a significant flaw in either the writing or the art.
Big Picture:
Series Continuity:
When will the Transformers cross over with G.I. Joe? TBD. The Energon G.I. Joe title and Void Rivals grow closer to the Transformers by having familiar characters show up with increasing regularity, but it’s unclear when a crossover will take place.
Final Thoughts:
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TRANSFORMERS #20 is a blast (literally) when Megtron moves to take back control of the Decepticons. Daniel Warren Johnson’s hard-hitting script shows you exactly why Megatron is a brutal, merciless leader, and Jorge Corona’s detailed, visually engaging art is fantastic.
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