Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer; Karen S. Darboe; Caspar Wijngaard; Taurin Clarke; Mike Del Mundo; John Giang; Tiago Da Silva; Alex Milne; Redcode; Jonboy Meyers; John Gallagher; Livio Ramondelli; Adam Gorham
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 10, 2024
Optimus Prime’s advance on the Ark succeeded. Yet defeating Devastator and sending the Decepticons packing came at a terrible price. Can Optimus parlay his victory into an Autobot conquest? Let’s recharge our Energon batteries, leap into Transformers #7, and follow Sparky's transformative journey!
Story
While Daniel Warren Johnson opens with a rescue mission on Cybertron and the mobilization of the U.S. Navy, the spark that kickstarts his story is Soundwave's challenge. The quiet and composed Decepticon has had enough. Starscream treated his troops like pawns and rewarded the survivors with the ignominy of defeat. Now, it's time to reassess their strategy. Perhaps a change of leadership is called for?
While the Decepticons resolve dissent through confrontation, the Autobots seek to heal their wounds in Transformers #7. Cliffjumper had Starscream in his sites, yet couldn’t kill the Decepticon that murdered Carly's father. Sparky gave his life to heal Optimus Prime, yet Spike can barely look at Optimus. Optimus Prime feels guilty over the whole affair. Still, Spike would be dead if not for Optimus' sacrifice in the hospital. Relationships can get complicated at the best of times. It's hard to forgive and forget when people are in the trenches and hungry for justice. Or should I say revenge?
Daniel Warren Johnson packs this issue with talking points. Thankfully, he doesn't stint on the action. In some ways, Transformers #7 resembles the second issue. Only this time out, Cliffjumper, Carly, Spike, and Optimus are all hurting. Although he puts a brave face on it, Optimus knows he—and his people—must get their act together. He may not know what’s happening with the Decepticons, but his brief exchange with Soundwave helped him realize what readers likely suspect: that the quiet and composed Decepticon is the real threat to the Autobot cause.
At least, until Mega--
Oops! Sorry, Starscream! What was I thinking?
Art
Fire burns amid a maze of raised metal panels on Cybertron. Huffer, Elita, Kup, and Warpath shoot at their pursuers as they advance through a firestorm toward their objective. Overwhelming odds exact an explosive toll, and victory yields less than Elita hoped.
While fighters streak overhead, the Captain of an aircraft carrier receives a phone call on the bridge. He returns the receiver to the cradle on a packed control bank. A handswidth away sits a framed photograph of his family.
A new artist often brings a bold new vision to a series. While readers will spot minor differences in Transformers #7, Jorge Corona puts the fans first with his seamless takeover. Corona captures Soundwave’s determination, Starscream’s paper-thin bravery, Carly’s simmering anger, and Arcee’s hesitation to intrude on the girl’s trauma. Corona blurs characters less than Johnson while conveying the speed, violence, and fury of battle. While portraying the size differentials between the Autobots and their squishy Human companions, compositions reinforce their unity of need and purpose.
Mike Spicer paints Cybertron with bright pastels that fade to blue, green, and gray indoors. He colors the mountains orange and the smoke-choked air gray to enliven Soundwave’s meeting in an active volcano. The pink of Arcee’s armor and Carly’s sweater underline similarities in their tragic pasts. A vision in pink and blue sends Optimus careening offroad.
Rus Wooten portrays Human speech with large-size black letters in white dialogue balloons. Transformers use italicized black letters in rectangular balloons with lightning bolt arrows. Vibrant and abrasive sound effects infuse a taut contest for leadership, while immense red chants surround the victor in Transformers #7.
Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
While war rages on Cybertron, the Decepticon and Autobot battles escalate their conflict on Earth even as both sides struggle to rebuild in Transformers #7.
Rating 9.6/10
For six more covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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