Another month, another knockout issue of Skybound’s Transformers by writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson and colorist Mike Spicer. At this point it’s pretty safe to say this comic has solidified itself as a success by this issue, with three straight months of near-perfect issues of comics and a massively positive reception. I’m very happy to say it doesn’t look like the quality is slowing down any time soon.
Every time I think Johnson couldn’t hype me up any more than he already has, he turns around and punches me in the face with utter awe and excitement. Between the heavy emotional beats of last issue being continued on and even given an even harder punch to the gut, I haven’t felt this emotionally invested in a comic in ages. The writing here is just sublime, the heart and soul of what every character is about is bared fully and confidently, unapologetically who they are at their core without a feeling of tinkering about with characterization for the sake of making some kind of unique stamp. Johnson’s stamp is the authenticity on display, the sheer love of who these characters are in their most distilled, pure form. I’ve compared this book to the original Marvel series before, but it really does remind me of that book in that regard, a Transformers story defined by the most core, essential elements present from the start.
Skybound
Not to say the new elements don’t work either, like the reinvention of classic human characters Spike, Sparkplug and Carly being almost completely new takes from the ground up, but it’s the core aspects of the Transformers themselves that are most important. When I talk about characters truly being their best most honest selves, at the end of the day I am mostly setting my gaze on Prime. Though that’s because he has served as the dual-protagonist of this opening story alongside Spike, the two connecting and growing to understand each other over the course of these past issues. The both of them display a great deal of heroism and selflessness, a willingness to put it all on the line for the sake of saving a life, even if it’s one they barely know or understand. They’re compassionate people, loving people, from completely different walks of life, something this issue continues to emphasize with Spike’s heroic intervention and critical injury resulting from it. An absolutely heart-wrenching callback to the deer in the previous issue showing the real depth of Optimus’ regret and compassion truly moved me. Johnson just gets this character, man, almost better than any writer I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen and read a LOT of Transformers, believe you me.
Skybound
And how can I not gush about this artwork? Through this book introducing me to his work, I’ve gone and looked at some of Johnson’s other series and have become a massive fan of his talent. This is what I’d consider the “final form” of what comics can do as a storytelling medium, in the visual sense anyway. The energy and emotion that flows from every single beautiful page (expertly coloured by Spicer), integrating sound and vocal effects directly into the art like the crackle of Optimus’ iconic energon axe being literally formed from the swishing, crackling energy coming off of it… just, god, that’s so brilliant. Even if Johnson’s artwork isn’t your particular cup of tea, it’s hard to deny he’s really mastered the visual language of comics, making for one of the most delightful visual treats I’ve ever read, up there with Ken Ishikawa’s Getter Robo Saga and Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball.
Skybound
The fight pacing is also just brilliant, the high-octane visual splendor of Do A Powerbomb mixing in perfectly with over-the-top mecha-fight goodness. Even the incorporation of vehicle modes directly into the action is great, and something I realize is seldom utilized in most Transformers media. And really, can it get any more metal then Optimus friggin’ Prime TEARING OFF HIS INJURED OWN ARM to beat somebody with? Piccolo, eat your heart out.
With a franchise like Transformers, reinvention has always been key to its survival and success, but it’s sometimes important to really, truly go back to the start and remind people what it was about something that made it what it would become. G1 reinvention is the bogeyman amongst a lot of Transformers fans, but a distillation this honest with characterization we haven’t seen since the rootwater days… it reminds me of why this franchise connected with people at all. Heroic Autobots, evil Decepticons, epic stories, heartwarming moments, simple joys, deep sadness. This book is pure Transformers, right down to its spark.
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