Tag Archives: transformers: optimus prime

Review: Transformers: Optimus Prime #11

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With Optimus Prime embroiled in the First Strike event, the Autobots on Earth set off on a mission to find one of their own-before anti-Cybertronian humans get to him first!

With war raging on Cybertron, the Transformers on Earth are cut off and their leader Optimus is away. Transformers: Optimus #11 allows us to focus on some of the other Transformers who don’t get much of a focus. It’s a great issue in that way. And what the issue does really well is that it brings out the various personalities allowing the characters to clash as they figure out what they should do with a void in leadership. There’s emotion here as many of the members let out their opinions without filters.

But what John Barber does that’s impressive is he uses the issue to question Oprimus Prime and the Transformers leadership itself. Through the varied characters focused on we get a cross section of opinions about Optimus and even the concept of the Primes. It’s an interesting read the lays things out as far as the various beliefs that are held and also the conflict between them. All of this is done in a simple story that’s all about searching for a missing Autobot.

The art by Kei Zama is solid. As usual, the Transformers look great that matches the solid read. In this issue there’s diverse settings, characters, it just shifts a lot. Zama is able to deliver it all so that it all looks great and consistent. No matter if it’s a small Mexican town or a high tech facility, it all works well and even the high tech guns in the hands of humans don’t look out of place.

A great issue that’ll get you to think about the Primes and the role of Optimus. All of that’s done without Optimus present. The comic is engaging and shows that IDW’s line of Transformers comics are more than meets the eye.

Story: John Barber Art: Kei Zama
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Transformers: Optimus #10

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When Optimus Prime of Alpha Trion, the ancient sage reveals a tale of Cybertron’s earliest days, when the original Thirteen Primes united the world. Optimus Prime meets with Alpha Trion, the ancient sage, who reveals a tale of Cybertron’s earliest days, when the original Thirteen Primes united the world.

After last month’s near perfect issue that featured the death of a character in a beyond touching story, this month takes a very different route. In a tale told by Alpha Trion we’re told the story of the uniting of the Cybertronian tribes and the beginning of the Autobot sigil.

Transformers: Optimus Prime #10 we get an allegory heard by Pyra Magma, Optimus, and Starscream as Earth meets to elect its leader who will represent it before the Council of Worlds. It’s a prequel story to the currently ongoing First Strike event but the majority of the content stands on its own.

Written by John Barber we get an allegory, something IDW Publishing‘s Transformers comics excel in and even after reading this story I debate the lesson within. Part of me says to not believe false gods and religion as an opiate of the masses, part of me thinks “fake news,” part of me is that this is a story to shed light on the nature of Arcee and Galvatron, and part of me thinks this is a text to read again and again and really think about. Barber again shows Transformers has morphed into something that’s more than giant robots beating each other up.

The art by Livio Ramondelli and Kei Zama is stunning helped by the colors of Ramondelli and Josh Brucham. At times Ramondelli’s art and colors is dark and hard to make out but here it’s just nailed in every sense with each character standing out in their own way and everyone being unique with tons of personality. The mix of a primitive world with cybernetic beings too is fascinating and visually unique in so many ways.

Transformers: Optimus Prime #10 continues to show that IDW’s Transformers comics are so much more than people give them credit for and deliver commentary and lessons regularly like the best sci-fi does. A layered story and issue that’ll leave you pondering its meaning for some time to come.

Story: John Barber Art: Livio Ramondelli and Kei Zama
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.55 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Transformers: Optimus Prime #10

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Transformers: Optimus Prime #10

John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli & Kei Zama (a) • Kei Zama (c)

THE RETURN OF GALVATRON THE BARBARIAN! Optimus Prime meets with Alpha Trion, the ancient sage, who reveals a tale of Cybertron’s earliest days, when the original Thirteen Primes united the world. But even then, the warrior known as Galvatron was a wild card… shaping the future in unexpected ways.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Review: Transformers: Optimus Prime #9

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A Junkion machine finally gives long-injured Sideswipe a new lease on life! But when his brother goes missing, Sideswipe and Arcee return to Cybertron-and nothing will be the same between them ever again.

Comics can be entertaining and at the same time they can also provide an emotional cathartic release touching us deeply and in a way that get us to reflect on life in general. Transformers: Optimus Prime #9 is one of those comics where the life of Sidewipe is explored and we say good-bye to a long time friend.

Injured, the series for a few issues has been exploring the possibility of saving Sideswipe through Junkion technology and here we get our answer that is a truly deep comic that explores end of life care and letting go. Yes, Transformers explores a real world issue that will likely impact us all one day and does so in a respectful way that had me choking up. While not a super front and center character Sideswipe is one that I’ve felt like I’ve known for 30 years.

Writer John Barber mines a familiar trope but does it in a way that you’re well into the comic before you figure out what’s going on which then delivers the emotional gut punch. While hoping for the best we’re presented with the worst and get to see the emotional impact of difficult decisions as well as touching good-byes.

The art by Kei Zama is fantastic and IDW has done an amazing job of keeping a consistent look for their various comics that while each has a unique spin generally it all is coherent and looks similar. Here the story flows in a way that the art feels like it adds to the emotional journey.

Once again, Transformers has explored a real world topic in a way that you rarely see in comics and provides a touching comic honoring a character that has been around for decades. Like so many issues before, Transformers: Optimus Prime #9 once again shows why these characters are more than meets the eye.

Story: John Barber Art: Kei Zama
Story: 10 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: Transformers: Optimus Prime #9

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Transformers: Optimus Prime #9

John Barber (w) • Kei Zama (a & c)

THE LIFE OF SIDESWIPE! A Junkion machine finally gives long-injured Sideswipe a new lease on life! But when his brother goes missing, Sideswipe and Arcee return to Cybertron—and nothing will be the same between them ever again.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Preview: Transformers: Optimus Prime #6

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Transformers: Optimus Prime #6

John Barber (w) • Kei Zama (a & c)

“NEW CYBERTRON”—CONCLUSION! As the Junkions reveal their ultimate plan, Optimus Prime makes a decision that will define the relationship between Earth and Cybertron for all time… but will Arcee be able to live with the fallout?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Preview: Transformers: Optimus Prime #5

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Transformers: Optimus Prime #5

John Barber (w) • Kei Zama (a & c)

NEW CYBERTRON! It’s battleground: Earth once more, as the uneasy peace between Optimus’ forces, the Junkions, and G.I. Joe collapses amidst betrayals and subterfuge. Will Optimus Prime and Pyra Magna be able to put aside their differences—or is war really the only way forward?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

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