Transformers #28 Comic Book Review

I was admittedly a bit concerned when Robert Kirkman took over writing Skybound's Transformers series in the Energon universe after the departure of Daniel Warren Johnson, but alas, those fears have abated. The Kirkman and Dan Mora team brings their A game to our beloved Transformers series, albeit with some casualties.

For starters, I was elated to see Mirage on the cover of Transformers issue 28 alongside Bulkhead. Mirage was my first Transformer toy way back in 1985 or so. That little blue and white transforming robot sports car won many a battle in the never-ending conflict between Autobots and Decepticons and G.I. Joe and Ewoks and Thundercats and Battle Beasts and Stormtroopers (I mashed up all of my toy conflicts.)

I am pleased to say that Mirage makes it through this issue unscathed. Some other Autobots, however, are not so lucky...

The issue starts with Megatron beating the crap out of his own Decepticons, like usual. After a mysterious cosmic purple ray thing mind melts him in the previous issue, and then lets go, he's particularly irritable and pounds Rumble and some Constructicons into the dirt. Skywarp returns with news of Soundwave's capture, and Megatron, thirsty for vengeance and robot blood, immediately wants to strike back.

I particularly like the look on Rumble's face during this moment. If ever a robot said "Are you #$&^@! kidding me!?", Mora captures it perfectly.

Then, Transformers fans get a huge bit of fan service with Arcee receiving her Magnus upgrade. Ultra Magnus was always pretty cool, but Arcee is way more awesome, and I'm excited to see her (can robots even be a sex?) get extra super battle armor and a giant rifle strapped to her back. I assume we'll see that in action soon.

Transformers 28 bounces around to a few different plots, including Miles Mayhem from M.A.S.K. breaking free of General Flagg and his men after stealing Optimus Prime's transforming technology or whatever.

Spike and Carly have a moment. The Autobots regroup. And Trailbreaker admires nature. Trailbreaker probably should have paid more attention to any dangers that might have been lurking around him.

When I was a kid, I melted a bunch of G.I. Joes with a soldering iron. I wonder if Robert Kirkman did the same thing with his Transformers and if he had a grudge against Trailbreaker for some reason.

I have to hand it to the Transformers team; if they wanted to portray Megatron as a bad guy, like a REALLY BAD GUY, they did it. Megatron not only comes across as evil, but also as a completely unhinged and deranged maniac. Optime, Arcee Magnus, and Mirage have their work cut out for them. Now, if only Grimlock could provide some backup (I can't wait to read the letters column in a few issues.)

Dan Mora and Mike Spicer light up every page with gorgeous, explosive artwork that does the Transformers series justice. They've managed to keep the Daniel Warren Johnson style going, for the most part, and I like it. Dan Mora is incredibly talented at drawing not just the robots, but also the people, vehicles, and backgrounds as well, and all with personality. It's a great-looking book, and the pacing is excellent. The colors absolutely pop... like Trailbreaker 🙁