Transformers #3 Review

 

Writer & Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson

Colorist: Mike Spicer

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Taurin Clarke; Orlando Arocena; Matias Bergara; Nick Dragotta

Publisher: Image

Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 6, 2023

 

Starscream killed Sparky’s friend Davy. When Carly returns home, Sparky breaks the news. Then robots tear into Carly's home. Is this the end of Carly and Sparky? Let's leap into Transformers #3 and find out!

 

Story

Sparky Witwicky knows war. He's been a soldier. Now he's fighting on his home soil: not against human invaders, but Space Invaders! Clad in his old helmet and uniform, with the memory of a robot squeezing his friend with its giant metal fingers, Sparky ignores Carly's protests. Months of alcohol-induced haze over Jimmy's fiery demise spark the fog of interstellar war. So when Cliffjumper saves the humans from Laserbeak, Sparky doesn’t distinguish. All robots are foes!

 

At the Ark, Starscream grows impatient. Soundwave must repair Teletraan One and awaken his Decepticon army. While Starscream dreams of crushing the remaining Autobots, Sparky and Carly arrive at Danny's bar. Fellow regular Jerry has been busy. He saw the spaceship land, remember? Hearing the explosions, Jerry raised a band of brothers. The motley crew sports weapons you can't buy at your local gun shop.

 

Daniel Warren Johnson slots a full magazine of high-caliber story-ammo into Transformers #3. Optimus Prime's last memories were of Megatron attacking him. But Big M's not around, and Starscream attacks anyone who dares to utter Megatron's name. Is Starscream just desperate to impress his fellow Decepticons, or is more going on in the Decepticon's fragile mind?

 

As for the human adults, Skywarp utters the phrase that resonates. “They’re not just weak! They’re stupid!” It’s hard to argue with him. War veterans know that relationships can change quickly on the battlefield, with friends becoming foes and vice versa. Thankfully, the children—Spike and Carly—are more discerning. Sparky Witwicky’s inability to accept the evidence of his eyes—that some giant robots are trying to protect the humans—seems straight out of Man Of Steel. But then, Optimus Prime and Superman both wear red, white, and blue, don't they?

 

Throughout Transformers #3, Optimus Prime strives to protect the humans from the Decepticons. What Starscream gleefully did to Bumblebee parallels what Optimus inadvertently did to a deer. The Autobot leader bonded with Spike over the loss of family. The Decepticons shattered Cybertron. He won’t let them destroy Spike’s too!

 

 

Art

Harried humans hurry through panel-packed pages that trade in carnage and chaos. Transformers destroy homes and buildings as they battle each other. The local VFW seems a haven for veterans like Sparky Witwicky. While most characters show determination and excitement, Danny provokes a chuckle. The bartender's expression suggests he's heard too many alcohol-inflated tales. Still, even if he's a reluctant believer, he quietly straps on his gear when Jerry and his pals appear.

 

Mike Spicer's vibrant coloring accentuates Daniel Warren Johnson's art in Transformers #3. Autobots and Decepticons suplex opponents and employ other wrestling maneuvers. Optimus Prime pulls off a Fast And Furious attack worthy of a double-page spread. The way he summons a ball of fire that transforms into a glowing axe also impresses. The final beatdown isn’t something most Humans would do and evokes a tough-talking cliché. But then, Transformers are robots. Optimus can rebuild.

 

The Transformers italicized uppercase dialogue may stress the eyes, but Rus Wooton’s sound effects are among the most impressive examples of the letterer’s art you’ll see in comics. Thanks to Skybound and Image Comics for providing a copy for review and sewing double-page scenes together to convey pivotal scenes.

 

Final Thoughts

Fears of alien invasion blind small-town heroes to potential allies and endanger the innocent. While Cliffjumper gets no respect in Transformers #3, the diminutive Autobot’s humor and determination provide the sparkle Bumblebee might have ignited. Alas, poor Bumblebee.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.