Review: Transformers Galaxies #7

The Transformers comics have grown with complexity as the IDW line continues to expand. The Transformers have been through a lot and there are a lot of characters to balance. So a true jumping on point is absolutely necessary to a series like this. There could be no better jumping on point then this issue for fans that want to step into the IDW Transformers Universe.

Writer Sam Maggs introduces us to the Transformers world through the eyes of a very different character. Curate Gauge is a young female bot who has been raised in a strict society of worship and devotion towards Primus.

The Reversionist’s worship the chosen Plenary of Primus known as the Heretech. They reside on a shop which serves as a monastery and see Cybertron as a perverse society which forgets the teaching of order even while ironically surrounding Primus himself. Gauge“s mentor, Accelerator, worries about her apparent inattentive nature. Accelerator doesn“t realize Gauge has a very different perspective than the rest of the Reversionist’s and is working to crack a code that others cannot see.

His search brings him to The Plenary himself, and Heretech quickly punished Gauge. This causes Gauge to see Heretech as a false prophet, feeling that the creator would never leave such an unfeeling emissary. Which in turn leaves her questioning Primus himself. These doubts give her a new clarity and she is now able to read the coded messages. After a search and a chase she finds Arcee and Greenlight imprisoned in the depths of the planet.

The writing here by Sam Maggs is superior with clear storytelling, well developed characterization and deep issues of blind faith and the desire to apply logic upon that faith. It provides easy access to new readers as Gauge is discovering the Transformers and their story and universe with newly opened eyes.

The art by Beth McGuire-Smith and colors by Josh Burcham are deceptively simple. Each page focuses on Gauge above all and the colors and art keep focus on that character and his awakening. There is a great deal of care and thought put into the visual journey of this issue which represents the journey of Gauge“s mind. The color palette is kept simple to convey the simple uniformity of the Reversionist perspective. It will be interesting to see how this alters as Gauge has opened her eyes and enters the world of Cybertron and the Transformers we know.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 4.3 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.6 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.5 of 5 stars

Writer: Sam Maggs
Art: Beth McGuire-Smith
Colors: Josh Burcham
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.