Hello again folks, and welcome back to Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer’s Transformers, with issue #12 by Skybound! Been a year already? Time sure flies. But holy moly, is this one powerhouse of an issue to cap off this first year of Skybound Transformers. Can you believe we’ve come this far in what feels like no time at all? So much great storytelling, and this is an explosive climax to send this year of story out on. Transform, roll out, and join me below to find out the how and the why.
First of all, wow. The kinetic action on a whole new level, the gut-punching drama, the shocking, jaw dropping character beats… wow. I’m impressed, truly. This issue has probably some of the most heart-wrenching moments on a story and character level, and I’m utterly pleased with the twists and turns we got. We once again get a fantastic, issue-defining Optimus Prime scene (first one in a couple issues, actually!) that really puts into focus Prime’s best, Superman-esque traits.
A lot of Superman parallels can be drawn by Prime in general, but this issue really pulled them to the forefront of my mind. Honestly, it did the Man of Steel ending in a way that didn’t instantly make me depressed, listless, and despondent with the story and focal character, which is probably about the highest compliment I can possibly muster. It’s not an uncommon bit of characterization for Prime to hold a desire to let the failure that was Cybertron lie to rest in the past, and choose to support and protect life on Earth, very similar to the whole “Krypton had its chance” idea from MoS (Superman’s desire to let Krypton go a thing I actually do think that movie highlighted well, for the record), and I also quite enjoy it’s subtle implication here.
Skybound
Prime makes a bold choice to save Earth, reject a method that could restore his world, yes, but at what cost? Because the Autobots are heroes, superheroes in their own way, even, and thankfully Johnson seems to understand them as such. Also, Prime’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it symbolism of Prime’s right hand (the one currently being borrowed from Megatron) morphing into a demonic, claw-like one with some real horrific imagery in his brief hallucination had me salivating with all the things that could be implying thematically. If this was an in-depth analysis and not a simple review, I could spend a couple thousand words on this issue alone, just for Optimus’ scenes and how they build upon what we know about this version of the character.
Also, sorry to the Optimus/Elita-1 shippers out there, methinks this one ain’t gonna make you happy. Or maybe it will? I dunno how you slice your bread with this sorta thing, go nuts.
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The art by Corona has truly hit its peak here. The symbolism, the emotion, the raw unbridled energy is just pitch perfect on every level. I love what he and Spicer do together since the creative shift, their work blending together beautifully to give dynamic, powerful pencils that explode with amazing color. I mentioned above the quick and effective symbolic touch of Prime’s hands, but that entire scene is filled with breath-holding tension as Optimus… uh… “breaks” Shockwave. Genuinely nail-biting.
Skybound
Transformers #12 is an issue that gives me so much to think on and appreciate. I love when Optimus is written as a Superman-like, warm, pacifistic type who would never compromise the pain of others for any form of benefit. That’s the character. Johnson’s first of two promised years on this book certainly has gone out with bang; a planet-sized, emotionally resonant bang. I’m sad to hear that he only has enough gas in the can for one more straight year of this book right now, but I’m happy that we have him for this, the book certainly wont be the same without him once he’s gone. I can only hope year 2 of Skybound’s Transformers is as action-packed, gripping, emotional, and heartwarming as this one was. And I’ll be there to cover it until I just can’t cover it anymore. Here’s to another year of great stories!
‘Transformers’ #12 review
Transformers #12
A fantastic first year of Skybound’s Transformers reaches an immensely satisfying climax. Johnson reminds us once again why Optimus Prime and his Autobots are not only the good guys, but why they’re true, real heroes. ‘Till all are one!
A gut-punching, gripping bit of character work
Higher stakes than ever before, physically and emotionally
Some of the best, most dynamic and expressive art in all of Transformers history
