Transformers #35 Review

Overview

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artist: Jason Howard

Colorist: Mike Spicer

Letterer: Rus Wooten

Cover Artist: David Nakayama

Can General Flagg's timely intervention be able to help Shredhead hold on long enough for the Autobots to pull them back from the brink of death? Optimus is still trying to find his place after passing the Matrix of Leadership to Elita-1 and Thundercracker's resolve is tested as he faces off against a bot he once called brother.

Writing

Kirkman continues to turn Transformers lore upside down and inside out in the best way possible. There are a few Transformers animated shows where Starscream is a noble warrior that flips and joins the Autobots. I always found that interesting but never felt like it was a good character choice. Starscream is sneaky, cowardly, conniving and self-serving. None of the qualities that are embodied by the Autobots. In recent issues, Kirkman takes a crack at flipping a Decepticon but instead of Starscream, it's Thundercracker and this makes MUCH more sense! Thundercracker is a character that always exhibited loyalty to the Decepticons but he always had his doubts about it. He had empathy for humans and he even defected from the Decepticons before in the IDW TF Universe. Kirkman has him joining the Aerialbots and I gotta say, it's such a cool dynamic and I am pumped to see how that found family relationship develops for him. But when Skywarp shows up, Thundercracker's loyalties are called into question.

Meanwhile, Optimus is trying to help Cliffjumper with a near-death Shredhead. The big bot that always knew the right thing to say now struggles to do so sans Matrix of Leadership. His heart's in the right place but instead of lifting and reassuring Cliff, all he manages to do is irritate him. It's an odd place for him to be and it's interesting to watch him grow into his new role.

Flagg hatches a plan to save Shredhead and Optimus agrees.

This issue had some very interesting developments and was fun to read. I am not a fan of someone just rehashing what I've already read or watched and I was afraid of this series playing it safe. It's not. It's unpredictable and that makes it so much fun! You'll have to read to see exactly what's changed but I assure you, none of it is done haphazardly. Everything is well thought out and works better than any iteration that came before. This is the ultimate Transformers and if you are a fan you NEED to be reading this.

Art

Jason Howard is one of my favorite Transformers artists! He does sucha good job of drawing robots that are undeniably alive and full of personality. Balancing that with humans and other organic aliens is something Howard has no trouble with. His detail work is incredible and I always have something to stare at when reading a comic book that he handled the art chores on. No notes.

Mike Spicer's colors has a very old school look with a modern smoothness. His colors bring me back to the 80s Marvel Comics Group Transformers series but it's just cleaner and I love it!

Final Thoughts

This issue continues the stellar Energon Universe Transformers series with the usual twists and turns we've come to expect. Kirkman obviously loves writing this series and the artwork is top notch! If you haven't been reading this, stop and ask yourself why not? I guarantee you, whatever your answer is? Unless it's financial hardship, I'm pretty sure it's going to be incorrect. Make a commitment to change that and I promise, you'll thank me when you do!

Overall Grade

9/10