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
