TRANSFORMERS #9, by Image Comics & Skybound on 6/12/24, brings the smackdown to the Autobots when Soundwave opens a portal connecting Shockwave to Earth.
Credits:
- Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Artist: Jorge Corona
- Colorist: Mike Spicer
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: June 12, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of TRANSFORMERS #9:
Plot Analysis:
Get ready for the Master of Disaster when Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona bring one of the nastiest Deceptions to Earth for a beatdown of epic proportions in Transformers #9. The Autobots experience a world of hurt in this issue, and it’s amazing.
When last we left the Transformers in issue #8, the Autobots resettled into the Ark after taking it away from the Decepticons. Carly and Arcee bonded over their similar life stories, and Ratchet brought Jetfire partially back to life to act as the Autobot flying transport. Meanwhile, Soundwave led the Decepticons to locate Nemesis and refuel the crashed ship with a commandeered nuclear aircraft carrier. The villains were also surprised to learn Nemesis still contained the imprisoned Astrotrain.
In Transformers #9, Soundwave uses the technology aboard Nemesis, powered by the stolen nuclear reactor, to shoot a giant beam into space just as the Autobots aboard Jetfire reach the Decepticons’ location. The beam knocks out Jetfire, sending the plane crashing into the ocean floor, now cleared of water by the energy beam’s field.
The base of the energy beam connects to a portal ring, and the Autobots are stunned to see one of the Decepticons’ most ruthless generals, Shockwave, step through. A mighty battle commences.
Shockwave transforms into an energy blaster in Soundwave’s hands and aims at Cliffjumper. Ratchet leaps in front of the blast to protect Cliffjumper and takes the full brunt of the damage squarely in the chest. Optimus Prime leaps into the fray to prevent Cliffjumper from meeting the same fate as Ratchet.
Meanwhile, Carly rides in Arcee while Arcee and Wheeljack head to the dam to generate more power to activate more allies. They’re briefly stopped by a human blockade, but Carly leaps out to explain that not all Transformers are evil.
Elsewhere, Spike visits the doctors to find out if he’ll ever be able to walk again. Before the doctor delivers a full prognosis, Astrotrain attacks the hospital with orders to take Spike hostage. Spike surrenders himself to protect innocent lives, inciting a measure of respect in Astrotrain over Spike’s bravery.
Back on Cybertron, Elita One desperately struggles to get the nearly-dead Ultra Magnus to safety under a constant barrage of Decepticon fire. She drags his broken body through several corridors until she sees a light and heads straight for it, presuming it might be a way out of the Decepticon base. The light turns out to be the portal used by Shockwave that leads to Earth, dumping her and Ultra Magnus in the middle of Optimus’s battle with Shockwave. Before any Decepticons can follow them through, Elita destroys the portal.
Nearly surrounded, Optimus is forced to retreat with Elita and Ultra Magnus, leaving Cliffjumper and Ratchet behind. Meanwhile, Astrotrain continues his flight to deliver Spike to Shockwave for experimentation and torture. Suddenly, Astrotrain is shot out of the sky by an Autobot sent to rescue Spike – Beachcomber.
Character Development:
Daniel Warren Johnson casts nuggets and pearls in every direction to build out the characters and their interpersonal connections in a myriad of ways. Elita One joins the fight by taking the “no one left behind” approach to combat. Optimus bears an even heavier burden by being forced to abandon Cliffjumper and Ratchet. Astrotrain may or may not be second-guessing his alliances. And best of all, Shockwave enters the story like a boss.
Artwork and Presentation:
One of the big draws of this series was Daniel Warren Johnson’s signature art style, known for dynamic, impactful imagery. That said, Corona’s take on Johnson’s script is a worthy successor with epic panel compositions, outstanding action, and an all-around cool aesthetic.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Hang on to your hats. Daniel Warren Johnson delivers a breakneck script that jumps into the action from panel one and doesn’t let up until the last page. Truly, there isn’t a single panel without movement or action to get your heart rate up.
Miraculously, Johnson not only delivers a sprinting pace but also an above-average number of scenes to give readers as much story development and plot movement as possible without losing a single moment of importance. The story keeps the excitement and interest high with all the subtlety of a firehose, but it works.
Thematic Exploration:
In practical terms, there’s too much going on to pick out any one of them from this issue. If you had to pin down one concept above all others, it’s survival in the course of war as characters move from one battle to the next.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
If you’ve been wondering how this issue ties into the greater Energon Universe, so far, it doesn’t. G.I. Joe is aware of the Transformers, and that knowledge will presumably come to bear in a forthcoming crossover event. For now, Transformers is the most standalone of all the titles taking place on Earth.
Final Thoughts:
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TRANSFORMERS #9 is a drool-fest for Transformers action fans with a breakneck script, a tsunami of action and plot developments, and a visual feast from new artist Jorge Corona. Daniel Warren Johnson seems committed to giving readers a wow moment on every page, and his effort is paying off.
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