IDW Publishing has given us incredible Transformers series over the years. Thanks to IDW, we’ve gotten unimaginable crossovers like Transformers/Back to the Future, Transformers/Terminator, and even Transformers/My Little Pony. Writer/artist Nick Roche continues IDW’s exceptional storytelling with his latest entry into the Transformers Universe with Transformers: Last Bot Standing. Alongside illustrator E. J. Su, Roche presents readers with a first issue that’s interesting, surprising, and will leave you wanting more. The war for Cybertron is long over in the series, but who is the last remaining Cybertronian left? You’ll have to read it to find out for sure.
Transformers: Last Bot Standing #1 takes readers to the planet Donnokt during the beginning of what looks like their industrial revolution, where machines are slowly taking precedence over the old fashioned methods of transporting things like medicine and goods in an old school carriage with horses. The story follows a young woman named Shib who doesn’t like the change that faster mechanical devices are bringing to their town and fears it may put her and her brothers out of business. But when an unknown robotic stranger emerges, those will be the least of Shibs troubles.
Transformers: Last Bot Standing #1 keeps you in suspense to the bitter end to reveal who seemingly is the last bot. Overall, the issue does an excellent job of not only building towards the climactic ending, but wastes little time introducing the story’s human counterparts. However, the most intriguing part that will leave readers scratching their heads comes near the book’s end and will have many riddled with even more questions.
When it comes to the art, the first half of the book boasts solid pencil work that makes you think of the wild wild west in Back to the Future 3, where Marty walked around looking like Clint Eastwood. However, the action gets kicked into high gear during the book’s second half, where things escalate quickly. The illustrations bring hard-hitting, in-your-face action and sell Roche and Su’s story. Colorist Rebecca Nalty adds the finishing touch with her perfect combination of ridged color choices, making the action pop right off the page.
Transformers: Last Bot Standing #1 delivers a thrilling first issue that will make you come back for the next. The book has a great introduction and smooth pacing, and the anticipation of the reveal is worth the wait.
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