Hey folks, Crooker here once again for another review of Skybound’s ongoing Transformers series. This is issue #26, written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by the one and only Dan Mora. God, what a treat of a creative team, eh? Still can hardly believe we’re this lucky. Anywho, let’s get going and talk about this comic, shall we?
This is a very Kirkman issue. I know that sounds obvious, but we are still in that adjustment period between writers, and the last issue felt like a deliberate attempt to transition writing styles in a subtle way. Now of course, we’re in more familiar Kirkman territory, with a lot of setup for future events and the long game fully in effect, much like how he wrote Invincible, or currently does Void Rivals (which I also review – hint, hint). One thing that feels like it’s being carried over from DWJ is how much of a crowd pleaser the book is trying to be, bringing in familiar but fresh-to-comics ideas like the hint towards an honest attempt at Nemesis Prime on the printed page – OUTSIDE Japan! Now THAT is cool, if that truly is what Kirkman’s doing with Miles Mayhem, which if he is, would make this version extremely similar to the version of Nemesis from Transformers: Prime, at least I presume. Now that’s how you build hype for a follow-up to the intense, explosive Megatron story line. Really cool stuff, very excited to see more.
Image/Skybound
Aside from that, we get plenty of other hints at whats to come, like further connective tissue between G.I. Joe’s General Flagg and Thundercracker’s fear of Cobra-La implying we’re finally getting around to further utilizing this whole “shared universe” concept two whole years in. Well, better late than never, at least. Also, the genuine defection of Thundercracker from the Decepticons? Didn’t expect that, but given his character history in the previous few comic iterations of the brand, not unfounded. As a fan of ol’ Crackhead, I’m super down for giving the usual Starscream redemption arc to him instead, and fully committing to him being an Autobot instead of just a defected neutral. Though, this is Kirkman… hmm. Keep your eye on him, might be too good to be true.
Image/Skybound
Dan Mora’s art is, to use a word, stunning. But you already knew that; you’re a smart cookie, and I like that about you, dear reader. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you aren’t a clever one. Anyways, what can you really say? It’s Dan friggin’ Mora! His gorgeous pencils dance across the page, creating what feels like definitive work for any book he’s ever drawn. While his robots have been subject to much debate in the Transformers fandom space, it’s hard for this particular fan to feel anything but stunned (though obviously not very silent). Theres a level of expression and texture to Mora’s transformers that makes them feel like the cartoon models could really exist, here, in the real world, without losing any of their cartoony charm. The man’s a miracle worker, all I’m saying. This is also the best that any Earth environments or human citizens have ever looked in a Transformers comic, bar none. That’s why you get the guy with the Superman background. Speaking of, his Spike looks like the spitting image of Jon Kent’s Superboy. Funny, that.
Image/Skybound
Transformers #26 is a slam dunk. Kirkman firmly takes the reins in this one, establishing himself as an independent and equal force to what DWJ had to offer, commanding these characters and this world with a practiced expertise that tells you that he’s pulling out all the stops and doing anything but phoning it in. You can really tell he cares about putting all his skill into this one, and the results show on the page. Between a writer this dedicated to living up to a run that legendary, and the current best artist the industry can hire, the book is in very safe hands.
Can you believe I forgot to mention Shredhead’s back?
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