TRANSFORMERS #4, by Image Comics on 1/10/24, measures the wages of war as Optimus scrambles to get Spike medical attention, but Starscream intends to make sure that doesn’t happen.
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: $3.99
- Release date: January 10, 2024
Is TRANSFORMERS #4 Good?
There’s no point in writing, drawing, and publishing a Transformers comic if you don’t have at least one moment to grab your attention. Thankfully for Transformers fans, Daniel Warren Johnson gives you several in TRANSFORMERS #4. Hang on to your Energon Cubes, Kiddos!
When last we left the Autobots and Decepticons, Optimus ripped off his damaged arm to beat Skywarp to a pulp. Carly and Cliffjumper teamed up to escape the melee, and Spike got caught in the crossfire between Transformers and trigger-happy humans.
Now, Optimus races to a hospital to get Spike medical attention. Starscream intercepts to spoil Optimus’s mission, but Ratchet temporarily revives an Autobot ally to even the odds. Ultimately, the Autobots and Decepticons retreat to tend their wounds and take drastic steps to prepare for the next round of battle.
How drastic can giant robots get? Let’s just say both teams resort to a form of cannibalism that looks pretty rough for the Decepticons and surprisingly awesome for the Autobots. No spoilers here on this point, but Optimus deals with his missing arm in a way you’ll never see coming.
What’s great about TRANSFORMERS #4? It’s cool moment after cool moment after cool moment. Admittedly, the issue is heavy on action and light on plot, but even Soundwave points out Starscream’s lack of planning, prompting the Decepticons to reassess. With a single line of dialog, Johnson makes the thin plot now seem intentional for the story.
What’s not so great about TRANSFORMERS #4? Johnson may have turned the tables on criticisms of a “thin plot,” but the plot is still pretty thin after four issues. Cool moments aren’t enough to guarantee a loyal readership.
How’s the art? The art is peak Daniel Warren Johnson with emotional facial acting, dramatic panels that stop just short of shredding a guitar riff, and most importantly, art that communicates part of the story.
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 #4 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our TRANSFORMERS #3 review to find out how Spike got wounded.
We begin with Starscream questioning a severely damaged Skywarp about Optimus Prime’s whereabouts. When he has the intel, Starscream flies off with the promise of returning to lend Skywarp aid.
Optimus Prime barrels down the highway toward the local hospital to get Spike’s medical attention. Starscream quickly catches up and lands for an attack, but suddenly, Cliffjumper sideswipes Starscream, giving Optimus a window to run the Decepticon down.
Optimus barely makes it to a hospital emergency entrance for the doctors to take Spike in when the hospital is attacked by Soundwave and his pets. We conclude the issue with an exchange of power, a familiar replacement part, and scrap.
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 #4 delivers fast-paced action and cool wow moments to make every page turn worth the cover price. Daniel Warren Johnson’s “realistic” approach to Transformers on Earth reads like a gripping war story, and Johnson’s eye for dramatic panels hits with impact every time.
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