Review: Transformers vs The Terminator #3

While it would have been interesting to see the heroes we love take on The Terminator, what we have here is a well done but traditional crossover with the Autobots, Sarah Connor and The Terminator working together to take on the Decepticons.

Writers David Mariotte and John Barber give us a very traditional version of The Transformers. IDW likes to use these crossovers to give us the most classic versions of their respective properties meeting up and these Transformers are instantly recognizable as the characters we know well from the animated series. The small exceptions are the inclusion of Arcee and Velocity. It is strange that the authors chose to include female Transformers, but seemed to sideline Sarah Connor as a character by having her do a lot of talking but very little fighting.

The focus of the story is on a Decepticon attack of a Cyberdyne plant for Energon. Bumblebee and Sarah are able to find the Decepticons and call in the Autobots and Terminator to battle. The Terminator is able to help the Autobots take out some of the Decepticons, complete with some classic lines from the animated Transformers Movie. The issue ends with Starscream realizing they by destroying Cyberdyne he threatens the existence of The Terminator. It“s a circular threat but it will be interesting to see how Terminator responds.Â

This issue has strengths including clear artistic storytelling, classic characters rendered well, seeing the Autobots and Decepticons in battles right out of our childhood with The Terminator by their side. But we don“t get enough of the perspective of The Terminator or Sarah Connor. This feels too much like a Transformers comic with a few guest stars rather than a balanced crossover. Hopefully Starscream“s scheming against Terminator and Sarah Connor“s promise to bring help give these characters more focus in issues to come.

Writing: 3.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.2 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.2 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.0 of 5 stars

Writers: David Mariotte and John Barber
Art: Alex Milne
Colors: David Garcia Cruz
Publisher: IDW Publishing / Dark Horse

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.