Transformers #41
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Umi Miyao
In Shops: Mar 23, 2022
SRP: $3.99
In “The Landscape of Fear,” the Crystal City, last refuge of the Autobots, is under siege. But with the arrival of last-minute reinforcements, do they have what it takes to turn the tide of battle in their favor? And what of the other threats to Cybertron-Insecticlone swarms, rust worms, and a great evil reborn?!
IDW’s run with the Transformers is winding down ending at some point later this year. Who knows how things will wrap up or where the current series will go in that time. Transformers: War’s End #1 feels like it kicks off the plan to bring the current run to a close. Exarchon is back, threatening to ramp up the current war even further. His third faction looks to shake up both Decepticon and Autobot and their current war.
Written by Brian Ruckley, the series feels not so much a stand-alone read but a spin-off to the current storyline. It’s an interesting concept and story with a direction that feels a bit obvious in some ways. But, it adds a layer to the ongoing tale Ruckley has been spinning. And that’s both good and bad.
If you’ve been reading the ongoing Transformers comic series or know the lore, you’ll be able to dive into Transformers: War’s End #1 fairly easily. If you haven’t been keeping up with the ongoing comic, like me, or your eyes glaze over from the words “Three-fold Spark”, this is a tough one to get into. It’s a comic I could appreciate in its broad concepts and where things were going but the specifics and details is what lost me. There’s a lot thrown in for ongoing readers, which is totally fine. It just makes it more difficult for new readers to pick up and read this debut. It’s doable but maybe not as enjoyable if you have all of the details.
The art by Jack Lawrence is good. With ink by Matt Froese, color by John-Paul Bove and Priscilla Tramontano, and lettering by Jake M. Wood, the comic looks like the consistent style IDW has put out for some time. The action is entertaining, the characters expressive, the designs nailed down. It’s standard style with a bit more of the cartoony look the latest volume has delivered.
Transformers: War’s End #1 is good. It has me wanting to check out the second issue but also had me a little lost as to the various factions and who Exarchon is. The threat is hinted at but the case is never really made that this is a major deal that could destroy everyone. The issue really missed that throwing readers into the story instead of building up things so we have a villain to really fear.
Story: Brian Ruckley Art: Jack Lawrence
Ink: Matt Froese Color: John-Paul Bove, Priscilla Tramontano Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comixology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Transformers: War’s End #1 (of 4)
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Jack Lawrence (CA) Angel Hernandez
In Shops: Feb 16, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The Three-fold Spark has returned and nowhere on Cybertron is safe! Exarchon, who single-handedly started Cybertron’s last war, walks among the living again. Reunited with his former generals, Shockwave and Skywarp, he seeks once more to conquer Cybertron! But there may be hope… if Cyclonus can convince Megatron to work with the Autobots! The can’t miss companion to the Transformers ongoing!
Transformers #40
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Angel Hernandez
In Shops: Feb 16, 2022
SRP: $3.99
Shattered! The Autobots have withdrawn to the Crystal City and the Decepticons are at their gates! But with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee finally reunited, will this be the Autobots’ last stand or their greatest hour?! Don’t miss the other side of the epic story in this month’s Transformers: War’s End too!
Transformers Vol. 4: Declaration of War
Written by: Brian Ruckley
Art by: Anna Malkova, Bethany McGuire-Smith, Fico Ossio
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $24.99
The bold new vision of the Transformers universe continues, filled with diplomatic drama, techno-thriller twists… and giant, sentient robots! The Decepticons have officially overthrown the Senate—with the Autobots out of power and Sentinel Prime deposed, it looks like Megatron’s vision of the future will take over. But not if the new Prime can rally what’s left of Security Operations and the Senate Guard into a resistance! Meanwhile, with the Autobots and Decepticons declaring war on each other, a group of Cybertron’s top scientists and diplomats launch a plan to get those uninterested in the fighting, including the alien A’ovan refugees living on Cybertron, a way out of the devastation to come. Collects Transformers #25–30, the Valentine’s Day Special one-shot, and Transformers: Escape #1–5.
Transformers #39
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Alex Milne
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The rescue continues! Chromia has led a team deep into Decepticon controlled Iacon to rescue a captive Autobot, but how will they get out and back to Crystal City? Meanwhile, Cyclonus’s reunion with Provoke takes a new turn as a long-held secret is revealed!
Transformers Vol. 4: Declaration of War
Written by: Brian Ruckley
Art by: Anna Malkova, Bethany McGuire-Smith, Fico Ossio
In Shops: Jan 05, 2022
SRP: $24.99
The bold new vision of the Transformers universe continues, filled with diplomatic drama, techno-thriller twists… and giant, sentient robots! The Decepticons have officially overthrown the Senate—with the Autobots out of power and Sentinel Prime deposed, it looks like Megatron’s vision of the future will take over. But not if the new Prime can rally what’s left of Security Operations and the Senate Guard into a resistance! Meanwhile, with the Autobots and Decepticons declaring war on each other, a group of Cybertron’s top scientists and diplomats launch a plan to get those uninterested in the fighting, including the alien A’ovan refugees living on Cybertron, a way out of the devastation to come. Collects Transformers #25–30, the Valentine’s Day Special one-shot, and Transformers: Escape #1–5.
Transformers #38
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Alex Milne
In Shops: Dec 15, 2021
SRP: $3.99
“Darkness, Once Gazed Upon” is a rescue mission to Iacon as Arcee, Windblade, Chromia, and Smokescreen link up with two long-lost allies left in the city. Their goal: to rescue a captured Autobot general. But things are never easy when Swindle’s involved!
Transformers #37
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Aline Herzpalter Baumgartner
In Shops: Nov 24, 2021
SRP: $3.99
“War Stories.” 2000 years ago, the War of the Three-Fold Spark came to a close, ending an unprecedented era of violence on Cybertron and clearing a way for a bold new era. But two kilocycles is practically nothing to the incredibly long-lived Cybertronians, so what answers can Cyclonus and Pyra Magna find in their past to help them survive the new battles of the present?
Transformers #37
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Aline Herzpalter Baumgartner
In Shops: Nov 24, 2021
SRP: $3.99
“War Stories.” 2000 years ago, the War of the Three-Fold Spark came to a close, ending an unprecedented era of violence on Cybertron and clearing a way for a bold new era. But two kilocycles is practically nothing to the incredibly long-lived Cybertronians, so what answers can Cyclonus and Pyra Magna find in their past to help them survive the new battles of the present?
