Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer; David Nakayama; Derek Chew; Pye Parr; Jason Howard & Annalisa Leoni; Jason Howard; Jimbo Salgado; Tiago Da Silva; Freely Abrigo; Mico Suayan; Len Nicholas
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Ashby Florence
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 11, 2025
While Soundwave welcomes the return of the king, Megatron’s return displeases Starscream, and Astrotrain finally gets his shot at revenge. As Megatron consolidates his forces, Wheeljack revives more Autobots. Conscientious objector Beachcomber helps by rescuing a lost but not forgotten comrade. Which side can win the Energon race and rebuild a superior force first? Where did the US military take Ultra Magnus and Carly? And how is Cliffjumper enjoying life on Cybertron? Let's recharge our Energon batteries, leap into Transformers #21, and find out!
Story
When the US military traps Ultra Magnus like Cobra Commander trapped Megatron, a shellshocked chaplain may wonder if something in Saint John’s Revelations refers to the Autobot. But his superiors have plans for their alien visitor. Megatron and his lieutenants Soundwave and Starscream want the Ark for themselves, but Optimus Prime is determined to stop them. Still, Optimus' history of violence worries him. And while Wheeljack rebuilds their forces, others beside Megatron and Optimus hunger to make their Ark their home.
Transformers #21 is an immersive read. The fast-paced plot is rich in drama. Points of view switch between Ultra Magnus, Megatron, Optimus Prime, and Elita One. Daniel Warren Johnson's story primarily concerns Megatron's renewed assault on the Ark. While Megatron, Elita One, and General Flagg demonstrate their hunger for power, Optimus suffers from its corrupting influence.
Art
A Human chaplain clutches his Bible as he beholds an enormous alien robot. As Blue Streak studies the computer monitor, he seems afraid to turn and face Elita-One. Cliffjumper shows Shredhead a hologram in a teaching moment evoking Bumblebee and Rubble. While navigating switchbacks along a sheer face, Megatron transforms into a gun for Starscream to wield. Jorge Corona's portraits of the Autobots and Decepticons' dilemmas recall the history of the fan-favorite franchise.
Mike Spicer contributes a series of limited color schemes that enhance the energy and drama surging through Transformers #21. One striking contrast is between the purple and gray Cybertronian night and the green and blue of a sunny day in Washington. Yet red, blue, and purple surround Optimus Prime when Wheeljack studies his leader. The nonviolent but no less invasive moment evokes Starscream attacking Soundwave at Megatron's feet.
Rus Wooton fills the Transformers' rectangular white balloons with italicized black words, while General Flagg speaks words of indifference into round dialogue balloons. The letters' size and spacing enlarge or reduce to convey loud and soft voices. While sound effects help us hear Megatron shift into dominating gun mode, immense words dominate panels as the war for Earth continues in Transformers #21. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
The fight to increase one's strength may seem a worthy goal. But an abundance of power can prevent us from attaining our ambitions. As Humans and Cybertronians seek power for its own sake, a US chaplain and Optimus Prime experience its corrupting influence. And then there’s the smallest Autobot, who, like a diminutive Jedi, reminds us that big things can come in small packages in Transformers #21.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
No comments:
Post a Comment