As the Autobots regroup and try to bring more of their comrades back to life, newly appointed Decepticon leader Soundwave takes his forces to the seas. With Spike healing and Carly at odds with the Autobot’s decision to spare Starscream, the Decepticons discover a long-lost ally at the bottom of the depths. Barely surviving their previous battle by the skins of their teeth, the upcoming conflict between Autobots and Decepticons has quickly escalated. Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona force the two sides to make difficult decisions in Transformers #8 that will significantly impact the Energon Universe.

Adding more stakes to the second arc, introducing Astrotrain and the reappearance of Shockwave adds more heavyweights to the Decepticon side and further ties the series into the Energon Universe. Considering Astrotrain being the Cybertronian that Soundwave and his crew rescued, it served as a welcome surprise addition for the cast. The reveal of Megatron being the person who locked him away in the cell of the crashed ship contributes to the history of the Transformers and the characters. The conversation between Soundwave and Astrotrain also highlights the difference in leadership styles between him and Starscream, as the former takes a more tactical and logical long-term strategy approach for having the Decepticons conquer Earth. 

The intertwining relationship between Autobots and humans is further explored and blurred. After Sparky sacrifices his life to bring Optimus back to life, the Autobot leader dreams and has memories of Spike growing up. Optimus becomes a surrogate father to Spike, and his goal of protecting Earth becomes even more personal. Similarly, Arcee decides to take Carly on as her Iron Apprentice, a bond meant initially for two Cybertronians where Carly will be the first human to be a part of one. Mirroring Arcee’s previous bond with Ultra Magnus, her desire to mentor Carly derives from not wanting to honor his memory but to protect her, too; Johnson’s decision to further push the bonds between humans and Autobots into familiar territory demonstrates a way for Cybertron to live on without the need to take over the planet like the Decepticons. These relationships showcase the opposing ideologies while showcasing Optimus’s desire for peace and to prevent any more losses. 

Corona’s interiors continue to shine as he captures the magic and ideal memories of Gen 1. The Transformers have never looked better and paired with his eye for dramatic action and nailing the smaller emotional moments. He understands how to make a Transformers book sing while making it his own. Mike Spicer’s colors make Corona’s art sing with bringing that 80s color palette. Paired with Rus Wooton’s expressive lettering, every creative element stands out. The book’s visuals have never been stronger.

Transformers #8 is another win for this super-strong comic book series. As Johnson and Corona widen the net of characters and expand on the mythology thoughtfully, the issue proves that the series keeps gaining steam. Johnson and Corona prove to be a winning team as they explore the beloved franchise and understand the crucial emotional core that lies in the center of it.

Story: Daniel Warren Johnson Art: Jorge Corona
Color: Mike Spicer Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 9.6 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Read

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