I hadn’t read IDW Publishing‘s Transformers series until the first trade paperback volume came out of their ongoing, but I’m glad I did.  This is more of a grown up’s Transformers than the cartoon series I grew up with or Michael Bay’s horrific adaptations for the big screen.

The Transformers: International Incident focuses on those questions we’ve asked ourselves, like how would the world’s balance of power shift with such beings here?  The word is out of their existence of world governments are cutting deals to get an army of Cybertronian warriors of their own.  It’s a great concept that’s pulled off quite well.

As the Autobots and Skywatch come together against a common enemy, the Decepticons choose to forge their own alliance.  However, their involvement with a powerful leader could escalate tow countries into war!  Can the Autobots prevent an international incident while avoiding exposure?

It’s a great concept, and executed so well.  There’s tons of moments I didn’t expect with a hell of an ending.  If your a Transformers fan new or old, this is a definite buy and series to check out.

Plot:  Mike Costa has put together a potentially complicated story and added the popcorn fun we’d want in a comic.  There’s stuff for kids and adults alike and he’s not afraid to move cannon forward instead of lingering on what’s come before.  Rating: 8.5

Art: Art duty is split up between E.J. Su, Javier Saltares and Guido Guidi and you can’t tell who does what.  It’s seem less and looks exactly how you’d imagine it.  The art is part of what drew me to give the series a shot and it continues it’s excellence.  Rating: 8.75

Overall: This is exactly what I want in a Transformers comic book.  Characters I know in an updated setting that feels familiar but at the same time totally original.  IDW has a solid product on their hands and I can’t wait to see what’s to come and I think I might have to go back and see what’s come before.  Overall rating: 8.5

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 144 pages    Price: $19.99     Release: Out Now