Transformers has been a franchise that I’ve grown up with. Though the way I’ve experienced the franchise has been through the TV shows and movies. I’ve never tried any of the Transformers comic books. Now with Image Comics and Skybound getting the license for Transformers I thought this would be a good time to start with the franchise’s comic books. The way the Transformers new Energon Universe started in Void Rivals added to the intrigue. We got an early copy of the new Transformers #1 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer. Find out how it turned out with our advance review of Transformers #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer & Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
SOLICITATION
“THE ALL-NEW TRANSFORMERS ERA STARTS HERE!
Superstar creator DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON (DO A POWERBOMB, WONDER WOMAN: DEAD EARTH), alongside ENERGON UNIVERSE showrunner ROBERT KIRKMAN (VOID RIVALS, INVINCIBLE), reimagines Hasbro’s robots in disguise for a brand-new generation.
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies-the Decepticons.
As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
Discover THE TRANSFORMERS like you’ve never seen them before!” – Skybound & Image Comics
REVIEW
Transformers #1 is exactly what it promised to be. Daniel Warren Johnson shows his understanding of power of how to utilize the nostalgia as part of a narrative device. At the same time, Johnson is not reliant on that as he delivers something that is new and exciting with Transformers #1.
Right from the beginning Johnson establishes a tone where the reader will be discovering a new Transformers story. There are a lot of familiar elements from previous Transformers entries but this is still its own thing. Which does create an aura of familiarity that is soon thrown out of whack as Johnson delivers one surprise after another that leaves your mouth agape in shock.
What’s most surprising is how adult the direction for this new Transformers series takes. There is a feeling where the handcuffs have been taken off. We see a new take on the rivalry between the Autobots and Decepticons we haven’t seen before. That’s where the utilization of nostalgia is at its best.
Because just as you think you know what certain characters would do, a new wrinkle thrown in. In those moments Johnson makes sure that the decisions still line up who the characters have historically been. With how Johnson handles things you end Transformers #1 trusting that he understands the franchise and the possibilities the new Energon Universe opened.
Johnson’s artwork, along with Mike Spicer’s coloring, is equally as impressive. While Johnson has a grounded art style it fits with the tone he is going for the story. While a grounded art style Johnson makes sure the Autobots and Decepticons have plenty of detail. The detail to their designs helps them standout eve more to the Earth setting they are in. The action we get in Transformers #1 is also a good tease for the scale of battles fans should expect from the series.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Transformers #1 delivers an exciting new beginning for the franchise. Daniel Warren Johnson honors what has come before, while tapping into a sense of wonder by all the possibilities created by the Energon Universe. This excitement is increased by where the Autobots and Decepticons are left by the end of this first issue. It all results in Transformers #1 being a must-read comic book.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
You can check out a preview of Transformers #1 along with a look at all its other variant covers by clicking here.