A Hasbro comic event kicks off in First Strike #1! A new era of peace is dawning as Earth formally joins the Cybertronian Council of Worlds. That is… until Baron Ironblood joins Destro, Storm Shadow and other nefarious villains in a terrorist attack on Iacon! As chaos takes hold on Cybertron, it will be left to Scarlett and the rest of G.I. Joe on Earth to discover the true purpose behind the attack before both worlds descend into all-out-war!

I’m a fan of IDW’s Transformers as the series is so much more than giant robots. While that’s a part of it politics and social issues run deep and are explored in a mature way. Recently IDW and Hasbro have brought together their various properties for a shared universe creating every kids’ dream.

First Strike #1 kicks off the Hasbro-verse’s second event with a focus on Transformers and G.I. Joe. Earth has been brought into the Council of Worlds and this issue has a reprsentative meeting their Cybertronian counterparts. During  a diplomatic meeting a terrorist attack strikes Iacon.

For those who may not have been reading the various series leading into this, writers Mairghread Scott and David Rodriguez do an excellent job of catching you up. The issue feels like a big budget film with a political undertaking. In my opinion that’s one of its strengths. There’s action, but the fact that springs out of a real place and not just some simple scheme or conflict adds maturity to the concept. We learn why that action takes place giving depth and reason to the attackers that has us sympathize in some way. Add in betrayal and you have an emotional ride on top of everything else.

The art by Max Dunbar is solid seamlessly blending the different characters and concepts in a way that it all works. Another thing that IDW has pulledoff really well. As a consequence the idea of giant robots next to humans on an alien world doesn’t look so silly and in fact feels as natural as can be. The art too works bridging distinctive looks we find in the variouse series featuring these characters. Above all, it just looks cool, lets face it. The comic visually delivers on what we dreamed up as kids.

Ultimately, First Strike #1 delivers popcorn entertainment with a political background showing these toys and their comics are more than meets the eye.

Story: Mairghread Scott and David Rodriguez Art: Max Dunbar Cover: Freddie E. Williams II
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.05 Overall: 8.20 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review