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THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

Marvel Comics
(1984-1994)
Japanese
Manga
Other Books
and Titles
Titan Books
(2001-2010)
Club/Con
(2001-2016)
Dreamwave
(2002-2004)
Devil's Due
(2003-2007)
IDW Publishing
(2005-now)

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMICS FROM IDW PUBLISHING

Transformers: The Animated Movie

| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | TPB | PREVIEWS |

Transformers: The Animated Movie #1

Originally released on 25th October 2006.

Written by Bob Budiansky.

Art by Don Figueroa.

Colours by Josh Burcham.

Letters by Robbie Robbins.

Design and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Edited by Chris Ryall.

$3.99 cover price, choice of covers.

Synopsis: The mechanoid inhabitants of an unnamed planet find their daily routine interrupted by the arrival of a planet-sized mechanical sphere which they recognize as Unicron, the Planet-Eater. At least one ship appears to escape from the planet as chunks of its surface begin to be drawn into Unicron’s maw. Cut to the moons of Cybertron, where narration explains that the Autobots are headquartered and making preparations to free the planet from the dominion of the Decepticons. Autobot leader Optimus Prime orders the launch of a shuttle to Earth, on a run to retrieve Energon Cubes to power their attack. But Decepticon spy Laserbeak reports the mission to the leader of the Decepticons, Megatron. Megatron and an assault force take control of the Autobot shuttle, killing the Autobots Ironhide, Ratchet, Brawn, and Prowl in the process.

The Decepticon plan to infiltrate Autobot City through this shuttle is stopped just short of its goal, thanks to the observational skills of the young human Daniel, son of Autobot ally Spike, and the Autobot Hot Rod. The Decepticons nevertheless launch an assault on the city, which leads to injuries on both sides as the attack continues into the following morning. Just as the Decepticons have penetrated the city, Optimus Prime arrives with reinforcements. While the Dinobots attack the Decepticon gestalt warrior Devastator, Prime plows a path through much of the rest of the Decepticon force en route to a showdown with Megatron. Both leaders are severely damaged in their battle; Megatron uses a hidden laser pistol, and the well-meaning interference of Hot Rod, to deliver one more blow to Prime. But Prime manages to muster up the strength for one last swing at Megatron, knocking him several stories down over the edge of the damaged city. The Decepticons retreat at the fall of their leader; but the surviving Autobots soon learn that their own commander was fatally wounded. The issue ends as Prime mysteriously declares “…soon… I shall be… …one with the Matrix!”

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Unicron, Arblus, Kranix, Ironhide (destroyed), Optimus Prime, Jazz (on monitor), Bumblebee, Spike, Cliffjumper (face in monitor), Prowl (destroyed), Laserbeak, Shockwave, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ratchet (destroyed), Scavenger, Brawn (destroyed), Daniel, Hot Rod, Kup, Huffer, Scrapper, Bombshell, Thundercracker, Kickback, Shrapnel, Skywarp, Long Haul, Perceptor, Blurr, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, Springer, Blaster, Rumble, Ravage, Ratbat, Frenzy, Eject, Rewind, Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Blitzwing, Wheeljack (apparently destroyed), Windcharger (apparently destroyed), Devastator, Astrotrain, Grimlock, Swoop, Snarl, Sludge, Slag, Hound, Sunstreaker, Thrust.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by LKW, Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Transformers: The Animated Movie #2

Originally released on 22nd November 2006.

Written by Bob Budiansky.

Art by Don Figueroa.

Colours by Josh Burcham.

Letters by Robbie Robbins.

Design by Neil Uyetake.

Edited by Chris Ryall.

$3.99 cover price, choice of covers.

Synopsis: Optimus Prime lies dying, following the events of the previous issue. He names Ultra Magnus as the new Autobot leader, despite Magnus’ protestations of unworthiness, and presents to him the Matrix of Leadership. Prime says that one day an Autobot will use the Matrix to “light our darkest hour”. He then dies, to the distress of all witnesses… including Unicron, who has observed this scene by tapping into Autobot City’s video system.

Meanwhile, Megatron has not died, but he and several other wounded Decepticons are cast out of Decepticon escape vessel Astrotrain, ostensibly to increase the chances of the rest of the party to return to Cybertron. Starscream makes a bid for leadership, which is challenged by both the Constructicons and Soundwave, leading to an eruption of fighting between the opposing sides. Unicron greets the adrift Megatron, persuading him to become his agent and destroy the Autobot Matrix. Unicron unleashes his power on Megatron, creating a being he dubs “Galvatron”. The other abandoned Decepticons are also used as the base material for several Unicron-designed Decepticons: Cyclonus, Scourge, the Sweeps, and Cyclonus’ armada. Given a new spacecraft by Unicron, these new/old Decepticons return to Cybertron just in time to obliterate Starscream at his coronation and take control of the rest of the Decepticon forces.

Unicron arrives in Cybertron’s system and promptly attacks the two Autobot moonbases. Jazz and Cliffjumper get a distress call out to Autobot City, but their escape craft is pulled into Unicron’s maw. Bumblebee and Spike’s message to Earth from Moonbase 2 is cut off, and the moon apparently explodes. Galvatron is enraged at Unicron’s attack on what he considers his property, but Unicron demonstrates the ability to inflict pain on Galvatron even from a distance, prompting Galvatron to obey his order to attack Ultra Magnus’ Autobots.

Galvatron’s force arrives just as the Autobots are preparing to leave for Cybertron. The Autobots manage to lift off, but the Decepticons catch up with them in space. The shuttle carrying Hot Rod, Kup, and the Dinobots crashes; Ultra Magnus orders the emergency separation of the cabin section of his ship.

The Decepticons are fooled by the destruction of the abandoned portion of the spacecraft, but Unicron uses his long-distance torture to summon Galvatron back to him. Ultra Magnus’ group sets course for the Planet of Junk, seeking a place to make repairs. Meanwhile, Hot Rod, separated from his disintegrating shuttle, falls into a yellow ocean populated by mechanical animals.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Perceptor, Optimus Prime (destroyed), Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, Daniel, Arcee, Kup, Blurr, Unicron, Astrotrain, Starscream (destroyed), Soundwave, Hook, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Scrapper, Mixmaster, Blitzwing, Bombshell (used by Unicron as the basis for a new warrior and essentially destroyed), Kickback (used by Unicron, essentially destroyed), Thundercracker (used by Unicron, essentially destroyed), Shrapnel (used by Unicron, essentially destroyed), Megatron (used by Unicron, debatably destroyed), Rumble, Frenzy, Devestator, Laserbeak, Skywarp (used by Unicron, essentially destroyed), Galvatron, Scourge, the Sweeps (two visible), Cyclonus, Cyclonus’ “armada”, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Blaster, Spike, Bumblebee, Springer, Swoop, Grimlock, Snarl, Sludge, Slag.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by LKW, Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Transformers: The Animated Movie #3

Originally released on 13th December 2006.

Written by Bob Budiansky.

Art by Don Figueroa.

Colours by Josh Burcham.

Letters by Robbie Robbins.

Design and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Edited by Chris Ryall.

$3.99 cover price, choice of covers.

Synopsis: Hot Rod finds himself alone at the bottom of a yellow ocean, attacked by mechanical sea creatures. Freeing himself, he follows Kup’s cries for help, rescuing him from a gigantic mechanical squid. Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus’ shuttle crash-lands on the Planet of Junk. The crew set out to make repairs, but are observed by an apparently hostile Wreck-Gar and his fellow Junkions.

Hot Rod and the repaired Kup set out across the surface of their planet, but are stopped by first a lagoon and then a group of alligator-like mechanical guards. An orange robot witnesses their capture. They are imprisoned by the Quintessons, observing their execution-based judicial system on the way to their cell. They encounter Kranix, captured after escaping Unicron’s destruction of his planet. The Autobots gain some information from Kranix, but are unable to prevent his fatal judgement by the Quintessons and their pit of Sharkticons. Elsewhere on the planet, the Dinobots have been fruitlessly searching for the two Autobots. Wheelie, the robot who observed the capture of Hot Rod and Kup, points them in the right direction.

Galvatron arrives at Unicron, protesting that he has done as Unicron asked. Unicron corrects him, informing him of the survival of Ultra Magnus and the Autobot Matrix, noting that “the Matrix is the one power in the universe… that can threaten me” and charging Galvatron with destroying it. The Autobots on the Planet of Junk have been busy working on the repair of their shuttle; but the ship is promptly destroyed upon the arrival of the Decepticons. Ultra Magnus orders the Autobots to flee while he tries to use the Matrix to defeat the Decepticons. Failing, he is blown apart by the Sweeps. Galvatron gloats that he will use the Matrix to enslave Unicron, to Unicron’s roaring displeasure.

Back on the Quintessons’ planet, Kup and Hot Rod are judged and dropped into the Sharkticon pool. Transforming, they propel themselves out of the pit by creating a whirlpool. Crushing more Sharkticons in both car and robot modes, the Autobots still appear to be doomed by the sheer number of Sharkticons until the timely arrival of the Dinobots turns the tide. Wheelie points out a ship which they can use to escape the planet. Back on the Planet of Junk, the Autobots barely absorb the sight of Ultra Magnus’ remains before they are attacked by the Junkions. The conflict is halted by the arrival of the Autobots in the Quintesson ship and by Hot Rod’s use of the “universal greeting”. Wreck-Gar and his Junkions are able to repair Ultra Magnus despite his seemingly fatal dismemberment, but the Autobots’ joy is tempered by the news that their Matrix of Leadership is gone.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Hot Rod, Kup, Springer, Blurr, Daniel, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, Wreck-Gar, unnamed Junkions, Quintesson sentries (“Alligatorcons”), Wheelie, Quintesson court personnel, the Quintesson imperial magistrate, Sharkticons, Kranix, Sludge, Grimlock, Swoop, Slag, Snarl, Unicron, Galvatron, Perceptor, Scavenger, Long Haul, Cyclonus, the Sweeps.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by LKW, Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Transformers: The Animated Movie #4

Originally released on 31st January 2007.

Written by Bob Budiansky.

Art by Don Figueroa.

Colours by Josh Burcham.

Colour assists by Tim Barnett, Rob Ruffolo, Robby Musso, Matt Moylan, Evan Gauntt and Mark Bristow.

Design and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Edited by Chris Ryall.

$3.99 cover price, choice of covers.

Synopsis: Ultra Magnus tells the Autobots of the loss of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership to Galvatron. Learning from Wreck-Gar that Galvatron was going to Unicron, Hot Rod declares that they must destroy Unicron. The Junkions enthusiastically agree to help, unveiling a spacecraft which had been hidden underneath the surface of Junk. Taking both the Junk ship and the Quintesson vessel, the Autobots and their new allies head off.

Meanwhile, Galvatron threatens Unicron with the Matrix, but is unable to use it against the planetoid creature. In retribution, Unicron transforms, into an enormous robot mode, and begins assaulting Cybertron. Shockwave leads a Decepticon counter-attack, but the effort is as ineffectual as Galvatron’s blasts at Unicron’s face. Unicron seizes Galvatron and drops him into his mouth.

The Autobots and Junkions arrive, and attempt their own attack on the gigantic robot. The Autobot ship crashes through Unicron’s left eye, dropping Hot Rod, Kup, Springer, Arcee, and Daniel into the middle of the monster automaton. Hot Rod is caught on a spike, getting separated from the others, and finds the Matrix… and Galvatron. Galvatron begins to propose an alliance; but another mental attack from Unicron causes him to fire upon Hot Rod instead. The other Autobots inside of Unicron are menaced by an internal defense system of pursuing pincers, and a flood, which separates Daniel from the group. He is washed into the chamber holding Unicron’s “digestive operations”, where he finds and is able to save his father, Spike, and Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, and Jazz, from being smelted in a gigantic vat of acid.

After a scuffle, Galvatron is finally able to grab Hot Rod, beginning to crush his neck even as Unicron crushes the Junkion ship. But as he is being choked, Hot Rod is brought into contact with the Autobot Matrix. He grows and is transformed into the being which the disembodied voice of Optimus Prime dubs “Rodimus Prime”. Rodimus Prime quickly overpowers Galvatron, hurtling him out of Unicron and off into space. He then opens the Matrix, unleashing an explosion of energy which begins to destroy Unicron from the inside out. Rodimus Prime finds the reunited Autobots and humans, moments after the two groups had found each other, and leads them out of Unicron’s right eye just before the gigantic creature explodes. The Autobots gather on the battered-but-intact Cybertron, declaring the start of a new age, as the shattered head of Unicron begins to orbit the planet.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Daniel, Wreck-Gar, Ultra Magnus, Snarl, Arcee, Grimlock, Kup, Hot Rod (changed into Rodimus Prime), Sludge, Springer, Slag, various Junkions, Unicron (destroyed), Galvatron, Shockwave (possibly destroyed), Reflector, Thrust (possibly destroyed), Dirge (possibly destroyed), Ramjet (possibly destroyed), Perceptor, Swoop, Spike, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Jazz, Rodimus Prime, Optimus Prime (voice only).

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by LKW, Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Transformers: The Animated Movie TPB

Released 9th May 2007.

$17.99 list price.

Reprints issues #1-4 of The Animated Movie.


Publisher solicitation: Before the release of the all-new, live-action "Transformers" movie next summer, take an extended look back at the classic animated 1986 "Transformers: The Movie". Joining present-day TF legend, artist Don Figueroa, is returning writer and fellow TF master Bob Budiansky, the man responsible for some of the most beloved '80s "Transformers" comics. Together, they present this four-part adaptation, adding in extra scenes and little touches for fans of all ages.

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