Advance Review: Transformers #1

Image seem to have run the gauntlet in the way that they produce books. Firstly, breaking from Marvel, the original 7 took to doing the things they knew, for the the most part. Then when substance starting making a comeback over style, they diversified away from superheroes and into a true Indie creator format. Now, it seems with the launch of Void Rivals and the Energon Universe, Image are taking a leaf from companies such as Dark Horse, Dynamite and IDW with a range of licensed books, building on what was hinted at in the last Transformers movie itself; a shared universe!

You all know the story. A civil war on Cybertron sees the Autobots on a mission to locate energon. They are ambushed by the Decepticons, crash on earth and lay dormant, until Teletraan One is restarted, giving each side the ability to hide in plain sight on this new world, free to continue their civil war! Nothing new there then, so it belabours the question, does a new Transformer book actually contain more than meets the eye?

Daniel Warren Johnson clearly recognises the benefit of not messing with the basic premise of the mythos. After all, with battle lines so clearly defined, previous comics along with the cartoon, are pretty much instruction manuals on how to play with the toys. Still this book is no carbon copy of the original; there are modernisations, an increased human cast and human frailties is a couple. Throw in the mix a couple of surprise guests and a couple of obvious omissions and you have a first issue that should intrigue both new and returning readers. This then is the fine line that Johnson will have to tread; how to keep the faith of established fans and how to engage with a new wave, of fans mainly from the successful(?) movie franchise. The script works well enough; we get the requisite introductions though exposition does raise its head. Here it is needed informing of changes and current situations, being the first book its requirement is totally understandable.

Johnson also provides the art for the book. Bearing in mind, being in the UK, I was lucky enough to enjoy the Marvel American books along with the Transformers fomo Marvel UK which featured more realistic to the toys art. Here, the art is more US than UK for the most part. Unlike the movies, thankfully, the robots are recognisable from Prime to Soundwave (the coolest of the Decepticons, live with it Megatron!) and a host of other characters including Bumblebee, Ratchet and Starscream. Johnson’s art is quite heavy, with a scratchy style of inks. Whilst the robots look well in profile and overall shape, poses and facial elements can be lost. Johnson seems to be inspired by the 80’s cartoon show, for which I have no complaints. Mike Spicer’s colour scheme is darker than you may expect, across a variety of locations, complementing the heavy pencils and inks. I have an advance copy, therefore there is no letterer credited (if only letterers got cover credits), so I am unsure who added an uneven font. I am not sure if that is meant as an affectation to convey the robotic voices. There are a range of covers to choose from; as I don’t have a preference, its buyers choice

Given that Transformers have been steered by Marvel, Marvel UK and IDW Publishing I wasn’t sure there was anything else left to do or say about them. I am glad that I was wrong, given that this book piqued my interest with its idiosyncrasies, in its “not quite what you expect” nature.

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written & art by; Daniel Warren Johnson
Colors by; Mike Spicer
Letterer: ???
Published by; Image Comics

Transformers #1 is due to “roll out” on 4th October.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network