Skybound’s “Transformers” is no aberration of history. The most famous “Transformers” stories are the cartoons and movies, but for tales that are truly more than meets the eye, you’ve gotta go with the comics.
Most of the mythology of “Transformers” comes from comic writer Simon Furman, who initially wrote fill-in issues for the UK run of Marvel’s “The Transformers” (Furman’s UK “Transformers” run includes, among other incredible moments, a “Batman: The Killing Joke” homage.) He had such a good grasp on the series that he took over the original U.S. title on issue #56.
Furman has revisited the Marvel “Transformers” universe since, penning “Transformers: Generation 2” during the 1990s and “Regeneration One” in 2012. He also kicked off IDW’s “Transformers” comics with the 2005 mini-series “The Transformers: Infiltration” (drawn by E. J. Su.)
Simon Furman’s influence on “Transformers” extends beyond his own works. The comics he wrote inspired the “Transmasters UK” fan club. Future “Transformers” writers/artists James Roberts and Nick Roche emerged from the club. Their comics at IDW, “Last Stand of the Wreckers” (co-written by the pair, drawn primarily by Roche) and “More Than Meets The Eye” (written by Roberts, drawn primarily by Alex Milne) are some of the most acclaimed “Transformers” comics.Â
Writing alongside Roberts was John Barber. He got the job from writing IDW’s “Transformers” movie tie-in comics, doing his absolute best to weave coherent lore out of the movies’ contradictory backstory. That skillset served him well again as he penned an epic across multiple successive series: “Robots In Disguise, “Transformers,” “Optimus Prime,” and finally “Transformers: Unicron.”
“Transformers” is the one nerd franchise that actually works well with a “play with my favorite action figures” approach — because the Transformers are action figures. The toys encouraged the kids to play with them to make up stories and characterizations in their heads. Writers like Roberts, Roche, and DWJ mine those childhood memories to fill in the many blanks of “Transformers.”
Take the most subversive part of the Skybound “Transformers” so far. In issue #4, Optimus replaces his destroyed right arm with Megatron’s salvaged one, fusion cannon included.
Skybound Entertainment
The decision isn’t an easy one for Optimus; the choice reflects his fears that he’s becoming no better than the Decepticons. The aesthetic mismatch also reflects how wrong it is for an instrument of destruction to be attached to Optimus Prime. DWJ is giving into his inner child’s impulses to mix-match the different parts of his favorite toys but with the refined craft of an artist. The result is the best you can hope “Transformers” to be.
“Transformers” has published 14 issues so far, with a 15th scheduled for publication on December 11, 2024. Volume 1 — “Robots in Disguise” is currently available for sale, with Volume 2 — “Transport to Oblivion” — scheduled to release on November 26, 2024.