Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer; Karl Kerschl; Jay Anacleto & Romulo Fajardo Jr; Homare; Raymond Gay; Bjorn Barends; Jimbo Salgado; Jackie Mar; Mike Choi; John Giang; Jeffrey Edwards; Ryan Miller; Raymund Bermudez; Tiago Da Silva; Livio Ramondelli; Frederic Pham Chuong; Tyler Kirkham
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Ashby Florence
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 12, 2025
The Autobots on Earth are in disarray. While Beachcomber and Arcee search for “that Magnus guy,” Bruticus and Devastator destroy Wheeljack’s device to revive his friends. But the Decepticons also struggle. Soundwave and Starscream lead two competing factions, and both hate each other.
The Autobots on Cybertron are in disarray. No resistant group coordinates with another. Elita One sought a great leader to unite them, but Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime failed her. Can the Autobots on either planet get their acts together? Or will they vanish like Starscream’s cat? Let's recharge our Energon batteries, leap into Transformers #17, and discover the Autobots’ transformative journey!
Story
Centuries of warfare have traumatized the Cybertronians. Optimus Prime suffers from PTSD, and Elita One has lost hope. After killing and torturing the Autobots, the Decepticons turn on each other. Neither side recognizes the value of compassion or the sanctity of an individual spark. As Thundercracker seeks to heal a Decepticon with a broken body, Arcee, Beachcomber, Spike, and Carly search for an Autobot with a shattered mind.
Wheeljack doesn't trust his leader. He begs Optimus to return to the Ark for evaluation. But the torrent Optimus Prime unleashed is carrying Bruticus and Devastator toward Seattle. Optimus Prime knows he is unstable. He remembers demolishing a tank when the Humans he tried to rescue in Tacoma attacked him. Still, Optimus Prime risks his life to help the tiny, squishy Humans before attending to his needs in Transformers #17.
Elita One risked her life to accompany Cliffjumper to the burial ground of his clan. Now, he wants to venture deeper into enemy territory. She would have followed Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime without hesitation. Cliffjumper’s ambitious plan could extinguish her entire resistance group. Elita One must decide if she can follow the unproven Autobot into danger in Daniel Warren Johnson's story. Especially when he intends to abandon Cybertron and return to Earth the first chance he gets.
Art
Thundercracker flies to the Ark in Transformers #17. He skids to a stop in the orange-brown interior. His vibrant blue body consorts with the blue display screens surrounding Skywarp. Thundercracker yanks on the green cables binding his friend. But Skywarp’s orange visor glows as he tells Thundercracker to stop. Mike Spicer lavishes a loaded palette on Jorge Corona’s portrayal of Arcee, Beachcomber, Carly, and Spike surfing on a moonlit night. Yet they find Ultra Magnus kneeling before a fortress out of Planet Of The Apes.
Blades is the most confident Autobot on Cybertron in Transformers #17. Even Cliffjumper grimaces as he makes his proposal. Yellow-orange fire surrounds Elita One when claws grasp her arms. Yet surrounded by blue, green, and purple, the air fills with lines and dots of color as humming fills the hall.
While Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer show yellow-orange smoke rising above Seattle, Rus Wooton fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters and the Transformers' rectangular ones with italicized words. Soundwave speaks yellow words into blue rectangular balloons as Bruticus and Devastator continue their kaiju clash. The letters grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and never shrink as inked Humans race through the burning streets. Sound effects help us hear explosions, forcefields, and crashing as Autobots become Rescue Bots. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
While a revelation brings serenity, hiding from danger leads to misery. As a hero puts aside his needs to protect others, others fight to create a new beginning in Transformers #17.
Rating 9.4/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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