Transformers #35 Review – On A Mission To Save Shredhead

Transformers #35 (Image Comics, 8/12/26): Writer Robert Kirkman & Artist Jason Howard find Wheeljack racing to save Shredhead, while Thudercracker and the Aerialbots search for the entrance to a hidden base. Fans of the series will love the increased merge with G.I. Joe, but the issue lacks focus. Verdict: Still one of Image’s strongest titles.

• Writer: Robert Kirkman
• Artist: Jason Howard
• Colorist: Mike Spicer
• Letterer: Rus Wooton
• Cover Artist: David Nakayama (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: August 12, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Transformers #35:

First Impressions:

I liked all the individual pieces of this issue. What I don’t like is that Robert Kirkman and a growing number of comic creators for the Big 3 have fallen into this habit of writing scripts with three, four, or five subplots happening all at once. The pieces are good. The lack of focus is not.

Recap:

In Transformers #34, General Flagg introduced Optimus to the wild and wacky Dr. Henri Arkeville in the shadowy Shadow Watch base. Meanwhile, Thundercracker enlisted the Aerialbots for a secret mission, and Shredhead and Cliffjumper battled Bruticus.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

In Transformers #35, the round-the-world tour continues at a brisk pace. Wheeljack continues working in the Shard to perfect a Cybertronian exo-suit, presumably for human usage. He doesn’t realize that a heavily damaged and maniacal Starscream crossed the ocean to get to the Shard and is actively trying to break in.

Elsewhere, Optimus finds Cliffjumper trying to keep Shredhead alive after the battle with Bruticus and the supposed death of Onslaught. General Flagg offers several helicopter transports to get Shredhead and Wheeljack to Shadow Watch for repairs. When all parties converge on the base, Wheeljack is shocked to learn that Dr. Arkeville stabilized Shredhead with parts from a deceased Decepticon, much to Wheeljack’s disgust.

In the frosty North, Thundercracker leads the Aerialbots to the spot where he expects to find a cave or hidden entrance. When they reach the general area, they decide to split up for the search. On his own, Thundercracker is ambushed by Skywarp. During the battle, Thundercracker sets off an avalanche. When the combatants shake off the snow and prepare to continue the battle, a squad of Cobra-La soldiers emerges from hiding to join in.

How is the story in Transformers #35?

Read the description above. Then, take a breath and read it again. The individual pieces are fine to good to great. Dr. Arkeville’s conflict with Wheeljack shows promise. Wheeljack’s experiments are intriguing. Thundercracker’s drive to prove himself, which leads to a surprising crossover with Cobra-La, is a “whoa” moment. The negative with all that positive is that it’s too much too fast all at once. What is the main thread? Where should you be paying attention now, versus what’s a setup for later? Who’s the focal character and what’s the journey they’re on?

You’re getting a lot of darts being thrown at the dart board. They’re cool darts, but they’re scattered and disjointed. Because that scattering takes over, you don’t get a sense of direction or purpose, and no subplot gets enough time to breathe and take on weight. It’s as if Kirkman took the erroneous but often-used line about “ongoing comics are just like daytime soap operas” too seriously.

How is the art in Transformers #35?

Jason Howard does a splendid job giving each panel a sense of drama and energy. From the fights to the flights and even to the tense conversations, nobody looks static or flat. To be fair, the stylistic charm of Daniel Warren Johnson, followed by Jorge Corona, is missed, but Howard is taking up the mantle handily.

Characters

Two characters carry the potential growth and emotional depth of the issue. Wheeljack’s experiments in the beginning give you the impression he may have gone off the rails, mentally speaking, but not enough that anyone has noticed yet. Additionally, Thundercracker’s obsessive need to prove himself worthy of the Autobots’ trust makes him fascinatingly reckless.

Originality & Concept Execution

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s tough to tell if the comic is original and executes on that originality well because you don’t know what’s important. In every story, there should be one big idea – a central message or thought that forms the foundation of your story. Here, Kirkman has no big idea or central message because everyone is running in different directions.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Excellent art
• Wheeljack may be going nuts
• Last page cameo is a “whoa” moment

Room for Improvement

• The plot is scattered
• There’s no core theme, idea, or message
• Skywarp comes out of nowhere

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 0.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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Transformers #35 continues to deliver a multitude of surprises, but at the expense of clarity and depth. Robert Kirkman’s script gives you all the Transformers you can handle, and Jason Howard’s artwork is aces, but the multiple threads are so scattered that it almost becomes noise.

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