During an AMA last year, writer Daniel Warren Johnson was asked how long he would write Transformers. He confirmed that issue No. 24 would be his last issue, saying, “when I make anything, writing, drawing, or both, I only know how to go 110 percent. So all that to say, I'm killing myself and can only go for so long.” Replacing him and artist Jorge Corona are writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible and The Walking Dead) and artist Dan Mora (Superman and Absolute Power). A dynamic duo that people love. However, how would it compare to the perfection of the previous team?
If I’m being honest, I was concerned. Yes, Robert Kirkman has more than proven himself to be an elite writer, and Dan Mora is beloved by everyone who's seen his work. Nevertheless, I loved Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona's run on this story. Their storytelling and action (complete with wrestling moves) were flawless. How can someone improve on that? Well, one issue in and you can see that the Autobots and Decepticons are in good hands.
Transformers No. 25 creative team
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artists: Jorge Corona and Dan Mora
- Colors: Mike Spicer
Megatron: Voice of a tyrant
The end of issue No. 24 of Transformers concluded on a positive note. With the help of Shredhead, Optimus Prime defeated Megatron and protected the people of Earth from the Decepticons. Robert Kirkman’s first issue then began with Megatron brutally berating his subordinates. However, he motivated them enough to get them ready to fight back. How does he do that? With the quote, "Peace through tyranny." This was a heck of a moment that will come back into play throughout the series.
Megatron was always a brutal character, but this was something else. He didn’t just give a speech. It was a declaration very much like a dictator and an abusive parent. He called his followers weak, told them they lost their fire, and more. But then he tells them that they can be better. Some call it brutal honesty, but these are the tactics of a tyrant, and they worked. Things like this put Megatron among the best characters of the year.
The Autobots on Earth and beyond
The Autobots are licking their wounds and helping clean up when the U.S. Government shows up. I immediately smelled trouble, but none was found. Not only was this somewhat altruistic, Optimus is given two of his friends back into his care and access to enough Energon to heal his team. But a new player enters with the U.S. Government, and you can tell he doesn’t have their best interests in mind.
Meanwhile, on Cybertron, Elita-1 is furious that Cliffjumper threw Shredhead into the portal when they needed help on Cybertron. As much as Cliffjumper and another Autobot tried to justify it, Elita-1 didn’t want to hear it. The issue ends with her declaring Optimus Prime an enemy for abandoning them.
So, not only does Optimus Prime have to worry about the Decepticons and the U.S. Government on Earth, but he also has former allies turned enemies that he’s unaware of. And Elita-1 isn’t just some random Autobot. She’s fierce, determined, and a believer in her cause. So, she’ll fight Optimus with everything she has. And since readers know he won’t fight a fellow Autobot, something major has to happen for her to stop beating on him. It will likely be Cliffjumper jumping in the way as she's about to deliver the final blow.
I can’t wait to see where all of this goes, and trust this writer when he says there will be more to report on from Kirkman and Mora’s Transformers.