Transformers/Ghostbusters #4 review

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The team-up of the century takes place as Optimus Prime battles alongside the Ghostbusters in the unlikeliest of places: Long Island City, Queens. The question of how Starscream escaped his containment unit is answered and a new evil arrives. Writer Erik Burnham and artist Dan Schoening’s Transformers/Ghostbusters crossover shifts into high gear with some cool action and even bigger surprises. Will the Autobots finally vanquish the Decepticon Starscream once and for all?

The Writing

The last book ended leaving us with the burning question: Where did Starscream go and how did he escape? Transformers/Ghostbusters #4 answers that question and it’s simple: he wasn’t working alone. We find out that Starscream was working in cahoots with an extraterrestrial being who calls himself Kremzeek. (You might remember him as one of the most annoying characters to grace the G1 cartoon.) Kremzeek’s plan is to lure Optimus Prime to Earth in hopes of finding the AllSpark.

Predating Cybertron itself, the AllSpark is single handily responsible for Cybertron and its constituents, the Transformers — both Autobots and Decepticons. Burnham proves this issue why he’s been the perfect person to intertwine these two iconic franchises. While most of this issue involves the Autobots and Ghostbusters trying to figure out how Starscream escaped it slowly builds to a climactic showdown that is truly worth the cover price. One of the best things I continue to love about this series is how human Burnham makes the Autobots feel emotive despite their metal exteriors.

The Art

This issue Schoening widens the panels a bit moving the Transformers from the Ghostbusters firehouse to their warehouse facility in Red Hook. It’s an ingenious move which gives readers a chance to watch both sets of heroes in a more open environment, allowing not just more space on the page for the Transformers to operate but one which opens up the dialogue as well. This allows us to get cool moments like Optimus transforming or Ectotron trying out a proton pack that Ray custom designs for he and Optimus. Truly one of coolest moments of his artwork this issue is watching Optimus and Ectotron fire up their Ghostbusting gear alongside Ray, Egon, and the rest of the crew during the final battle segment.

One to Go

With one last issue for this series, it looks like Transformers/Ghostbusters will go out with quite a bang. Burnham and Schoening continue to tell a solid story with all the witty dialogue, action and intensity that made us love the Transformers and Ghostbusters cartoons/films so much. You definitely want to check out this latest issue. Be sure to download or pick up this issue at your local comic shop this week.