What do you think?
Rate this book
Transformers (2023) (Single Issues)
Transformers #1 Second Printing CVR D Larosa Var
SERIES PREMIERE THE ALL NEW TRANSFORMERS ERA STARTS HERE! Superstar creator DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON (DO A POWERBOMB, Wonder Dead Earth), alongside ENERGON UNIVERSE showrunner ROBERT KIRKMAN (VOID RIVALS, INVINCIBLE), reimagines Hasbro’s robots in disguise for a brand-new generation. Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime. Discover THE TRANSFORMERS like you’ve never seen them before!
32 pages, Comic
Published January 1, 2023
59 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Warren Johnson
165 books392 followersDaniel Warren Johnson is a Chicago-based comic book writer, artist, and illustrator. He's worked on titles for most major publishers, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image. His current series with Skybound/Image Comics is EXTREMITY, a sci-fi/fantasy title he is writing and drawing, and continues to update his webcomic Space-Mullet in his spare time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 24, 2023
great first issue
I was shocked by the ending. A little more gritty than I was expecting, which is great. Good retelling of the classic G1 beginnings. Transformers OGs and new fans alike will appreciate this first issue. Off to a good start.
I was shocked by the ending. A little more gritty than I was expecting, which is great. Good retelling of the classic G1 beginnings. Transformers OGs and new fans alike will appreciate this first issue. Off to a good start.
October 11, 2023
Really good start!
August 2, 2024
5tes Buch des Energon Universe, Teil 1 der Transformers. Ohne viel Vorspiel geraten zwei Jugendliche von einem Berg in eine Höhle in der der Krieg zwischen den Transformers nach der Wiedereinschaltung direkt losgeht. Optimus Prime und die Autobots können fliehen, während die Decepticons sich auf die Suche nach mehr Energon machen müssen.
Einfacherer, klassischer Zeichenstil, der hier sehr gut passt.
Ich bin weiterhin nachhaltig begeistert.
Einfacherer, klassischer Zeichenstil, der hier sehr gut passt.
Ich bin weiterhin nachhaltig begeistert.
August 27, 2024
The copy I have is what Midtown Comics considers "Cover O" for the Third Printing from December 2023. I guess, at the time, my LCS didn't have newer printings of other back-issues, or I'm silly because it looks like #3 was the newest in that month so I would not have been too far behind to just temporarily skip #2, or else I was uncertain I'd enjoy a comic based on G1 Transformers because I initially grew up with Beast Wars.
Anyway, this was cool as fuck. Daniel Warren Johnson is both writer and artist, which gives this a sort of "auteur" leg-up over other Western comics, bringing things a bit closer to standards I expect through having read so much more manga. G1 designs remain pretty toyetic and possibly very true to original toys or something; the Starscream looks quite close to the little $8 one I bought from Target a year or so ago, complete with jet-guns hanging off his robot form's shoulders.
There is a bit of human stuff here, as one expects from modern Transformers (or which is probably standard for anything outside the Canadian CGI shows...). We have a boy called Spike, who is most likely Spike Witwicky, though his surname hasn't been confirmed yet. He has a rather thicc girlfriend, I guess. There's some drama with his dad and presumably a dead astronaut uncle or someone. But we get more robot page-time overall, I think. Optimus, Jetfire, and Ratchet versus Starscream, Soundwave, and Skywarp. Soundwave also has Ravage. Bumblebee is nearby and gets shot in the face by Starscream before coming back online, so he's either dead or will revive as a mute (as is to be expected). Megatron is almost mentioned. Nothing too wild yet, as we have a lot of big names, so time will tell who else will join. I know Arcee appears on some covers. I hope we get Dinobots.
I accidentally double-dipped with this issue, as I forgot I owned it, and bought another variant cover recently. It's Cover D, which looks pretty cool, so whatever. But, because of this, I feel I should not collect the trades because then I'd have this first issue three times, so I'll continue grabbing more floppies, I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Anyway, this was cool as fuck. Daniel Warren Johnson is both writer and artist, which gives this a sort of "auteur" leg-up over other Western comics, bringing things a bit closer to standards I expect through having read so much more manga. G1 designs remain pretty toyetic and possibly very true to original toys or something; the Starscream looks quite close to the little $8 one I bought from Target a year or so ago, complete with jet-guns hanging off his robot form's shoulders.
There is a bit of human stuff here, as one expects from modern Transformers (or which is probably standard for anything outside the Canadian CGI shows...). We have a boy called Spike, who is most likely Spike Witwicky, though his surname hasn't been confirmed yet. He has a rather thicc girlfriend, I guess. There's some drama with his dad and presumably a dead astronaut uncle or someone. But we get more robot page-time overall, I think. Optimus, Jetfire, and Ratchet versus Starscream, Soundwave, and Skywarp. Soundwave also has Ravage. Bumblebee is nearby and gets shot in the face by Starscream before coming back online, so he's either dead or will revive as a mute (as is to be expected). Megatron is almost mentioned. Nothing too wild yet, as we have a lot of big names, so time will tell who else will join. I know Arcee appears on some covers. I hope we get Dinobots.
I accidentally double-dipped with this issue, as I forgot I owned it, and bought another variant cover recently. It's Cover D, which looks pretty cool, so whatever. But, because of this, I feel I should not collect the trades because then I'd have this first issue three times, so I'll continue grabbing more floppies, I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2024
Count me in! I am a GI Joe fan and my son is a Transformer fan. We buy our favorite titles and read each others comics (I read his Transformers issues and I give him my Duke and Cobra Commander issues.
February 25, 2025
Oh man this is sooooo cool!
My family got this for me from the Transformers Shop in Battersea and it has a cool variant cover.
I just want more. I'll put this and the Jetfire volume on my birthday list.
My family got this for me from the Transformers Shop in Battersea and it has a cool variant cover.
I just want more. I'll put this and the Jetfire volume on my birthday list.
October 26, 2023
Okay okay okay. Here me out. I don't really like Transformers. I tried to get into them in the past (my ex LOVED them) but it wasn't really my thing. Normally, I'd be a MLP or JEM girl. But y'all... This is Daniel Warren Mother Freaking Johnson we are talking about here! I had to give it a spin. And OMG IM GLAD I DID! WTF man?! You got me invested in a story about Robots In Disguise?! Damn! This is gonna be a fun one I can already tell.
February 1, 2025
Very very cool! Spicer’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and pay homage to the aesthetics of the OG runs with sophisticated and fresh paneling. Must read physically! DWJ’s writing is perfect! Great human story of grief paired with cyber civil war!
January 21, 2024
I'm always gonna be a big kid. This first issue was another great start to an old iconic childhood favorite. Never have the Decepticons seemed more vile. Cannot wait to continue on this journey.
July 7, 2024
GameStop Exclusive :) It always feels nostalgic reading an actual paper comic. 🙌 I need to do more of this.
February 16, 2024
DWJ te quiero.
October 13, 2023
A couple of stargazing-loving kids witness a spaceship crash-land into the side of a mountain. Inside? Buncha “dead” robots! What the Shia LaBeef’s going on?!
Image/Skybound picked up the Transformers licence from IDW and this is the first comic in their new line (there was a Transformer cameo in Void Rivals #1 but one scene doesn’t make that a “secret” Transformers comic). So how was Transformers #1? Not great - didn’t transform my feelings about these talking toys.
Like most kids, I had some Transformers toys and I probably saw snippets of one of the cartoons, but I was never a huge fan so I don’t have a whole lot of nostalgia for the brand. Still, I heard a lot of praise about the IDW Transformers comics so I tried James Roberts’ More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 1 and… yikes. The less said about that failed experiment the better!
Still, Daniel Warren Johson’s take is more accessible than Roberts’. I recognised a couple of the more famous bots (OPTIMUUUUUUSSSS!) and they do indeed transform from robots into trucks and planes. Johnson works in his love of wrestling by having Optimus introduced by clotheslining a robot and then suplexing it! The art is fine - they sure do look like giant robots.
What Transformers still seems to come down to though is “good” robots fightin’ “bad” robots and that’s not interesting enough for me. Perhaps a more compelling storyline will emerge over the course of the series but, going by my experiences with Johnson’s previous books, I highly doubt that - I think it’ll end up being a slightly less stupid comics version of the Michael Bay movies. It may have switched publishers and creative teams but one thing hasn’t changed: Transformers still isn’t for me!
Image/Skybound picked up the Transformers licence from IDW and this is the first comic in their new line (there was a Transformer cameo in Void Rivals #1 but one scene doesn’t make that a “secret” Transformers comic). So how was Transformers #1? Not great - didn’t transform my feelings about these talking toys.
Like most kids, I had some Transformers toys and I probably saw snippets of one of the cartoons, but I was never a huge fan so I don’t have a whole lot of nostalgia for the brand. Still, I heard a lot of praise about the IDW Transformers comics so I tried James Roberts’ More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 1 and… yikes. The less said about that failed experiment the better!
Still, Daniel Warren Johson’s take is more accessible than Roberts’. I recognised a couple of the more famous bots (OPTIMUUUUUUSSSS!) and they do indeed transform from robots into trucks and planes. Johnson works in his love of wrestling by having Optimus introduced by clotheslining a robot and then suplexing it! The art is fine - they sure do look like giant robots.
What Transformers still seems to come down to though is “good” robots fightin’ “bad” robots and that’s not interesting enough for me. Perhaps a more compelling storyline will emerge over the course of the series but, going by my experiences with Johnson’s previous books, I highly doubt that - I think it’ll end up being a slightly less stupid comics version of the Michael Bay movies. It may have switched publishers and creative teams but one thing hasn’t changed: Transformers still isn’t for me!
October 23, 2023
Transformers is back in comics, and in a big way. Superstar creator in waiting, Daniel Warren Johnson, known for award winning and critically acclaimed work such as Do A Powerbomb and Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, drives most of the creative spark of this story engine; writing, penciling and inking, with frequent collaborator Mike Spicer handling the color art. I say superstar in waiting, but this project could cement his status as a superstar creator, seeing that the first print run of this issue has sold out.
Johnson credits his original 1984 Optimus Prime toy and the Marvel Transformer comic books for the impetus for the first steps in becoming a comic book artist. To paraphrase the man as he wrote in the afterword to his first issue, if he can draw Optimus Prime, he can draw anything.
The Generation One (this is a Transformer fandom term that covers the first era of the toyline) influence is obvious. The first issue is a remix of the first few episodes of the original animated series as I remember it. In that story, the Transformers, both Autobots and Decepticons were revived by Teletran-1 after hibernating in dormancy for millions of years.
Using Jetfire, and giving the scientist a key role in reviving their fellow Cybertronians is an inspired choice, giving the character more agency. Jetfire also connects this comic with the greater Energon Universe after cameoing in Void Rivals #1, the Robert Kirkman penned series that started it all.
Like the cartoon, Spike and his father are around, providing the human drama and perspective alongside the giant robot action scenes.
This is a great first issue. It scratches the Transformers itch I had since the end of the adventures of the Lost Light and left this reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next issue.
Johnson credits his original 1984 Optimus Prime toy and the Marvel Transformer comic books for the impetus for the first steps in becoming a comic book artist. To paraphrase the man as he wrote in the afterword to his first issue, if he can draw Optimus Prime, he can draw anything.
The Generation One (this is a Transformer fandom term that covers the first era of the toyline) influence is obvious. The first issue is a remix of the first few episodes of the original animated series as I remember it. In that story, the Transformers, both Autobots and Decepticons were revived by Teletran-1 after hibernating in dormancy for millions of years.
Using Jetfire, and giving the scientist a key role in reviving their fellow Cybertronians is an inspired choice, giving the character more agency. Jetfire also connects this comic with the greater Energon Universe after cameoing in Void Rivals #1, the Robert Kirkman penned series that started it all.
Like the cartoon, Spike and his father are around, providing the human drama and perspective alongside the giant robot action scenes.
This is a great first issue. It scratches the Transformers itch I had since the end of the adventures of the Lost Light and left this reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next issue.
December 28, 2024
For someone with rather limited background with transformers (I remember the live action movies somewhat familiarly, one of the games on PS2 and a handful of cartoons from my childhood) I feel like this is a solid and easy jumping on point. Daniel Warren Johnson’s writing is fun and sometimes comedic, his artwork is expressive, busy and punchy. Mike Spicer is on colours and does an excellent job I must say of colouring over DWJ’s art.
This is my second reread of this issue, I originally read the first three, added the title to my pull list. Now I’ve got a total of 15 issues to burn through until I read the next wave, I’ve been storing these upon a new release and every time I’m amazed by the beautiful covers. I believe this issue is on its tenth, maybe even eleventh printing by now so if that convinces you it’s worth picking up, it’s good to know it’s been that well loved.
This is my second reread of this issue, I originally read the first three, added the title to my pull list. Now I’ve got a total of 15 issues to burn through until I read the next wave, I’ve been storing these upon a new release and every time I’m amazed by the beautiful covers. I believe this issue is on its tenth, maybe even eleventh printing by now so if that convinces you it’s worth picking up, it’s good to know it’s been that well loved.
October 13, 2023
El deseo de que Daniel Warren Johnson ilustre cualquier franquicia y personaje del cómic y audiovisual posible sigue en buen puerto con esta nueva cabecera de Transformers en el ambicioso plan de nuevo Universo Compartido de licencias de Hasbro amparado por Robert Kirkman y su Skybound.
Tanto en la parte gráfica como en la argumental, Warren Johnson tiene el corazón bien puesto con estos personajes. En este nuevo marco de la eterna guerra trasladada de Cybertron que vuelve a estrellarse en nuestro planeta. Con nuevos personajes humanos que podrán ser aliados de los Autobots para poder tomar cartas en el asunto cuando los Decepticons pongan en peligro su seguridad.
Desde luego, es el mejor momento para leer algo de Transformers.
Tanto en la parte gráfica como en la argumental, Warren Johnson tiene el corazón bien puesto con estos personajes. En este nuevo marco de la eterna guerra trasladada de Cybertron que vuelve a estrellarse en nuestro planeta. Con nuevos personajes humanos que podrán ser aliados de los Autobots para poder tomar cartas en el asunto cuando los Decepticons pongan en peligro su seguridad.
Desde luego, es el mejor momento para leer algo de Transformers.
October 16, 2024
La edición es el volumen 1. (2024)
Llevaba meses picado con poder leermelo y entender el revuelo y vaya sorpresa mas acojonante.
Para empezar es el mejor relato de transformers; el de la guerra civil, la necesidad de paz y la inmigración son conceptos clave para la realización de la historia.
Para seguir su cast de humanos es cercano y tengo ganas de saber más de ellos, es normal que la escena del ciervo sea lo mas repetido al hablar de esta obra porque literalmente te deja ver los engranajes y usos que se van a hacer dentro de la misma.
El dibujo y color es una completa maravilla y si esto hubiera llegado de manera mensual a españa me hubiera enganchado de una.
Recomendadísima lectura y buen ganador de los eisner otorgados.
Llevaba meses picado con poder leermelo y entender el revuelo y vaya sorpresa mas acojonante.
Para empezar es el mejor relato de transformers; el de la guerra civil, la necesidad de paz y la inmigración son conceptos clave para la realización de la historia.
Para seguir su cast de humanos es cercano y tengo ganas de saber más de ellos, es normal que la escena del ciervo sea lo mas repetido al hablar de esta obra porque literalmente te deja ver los engranajes y usos que se van a hacer dentro de la misma.
El dibujo y color es una completa maravilla y si esto hubiera llegado de manera mensual a españa me hubiera enganchado de una.
Recomendadísima lectura y buen ganador de los eisner otorgados.
July 14, 2024
A great reinvention of the mythos of the Transformers. Starscream along with the rest of the Decepticons are truly intimidating and Optimus and his fellow Autobots are as heroic as ever, espically Optimus Prime. This is how you write a younger Optimus. Insted of making him hate the humans( as seen in "Rise of the Beasts"), he protects the humans at all costs and is more then willing to give up his life for his fellow soldiers. The plot itself is very run of the mill for Transformers as it is basically the exact same plot as Generation 1's first story arc, it stands out with it's higly developed characters. A truly fun read and a great kickoff to Skybound's Energon Universe.
October 11, 2023
This is a lot better than the previous #1 relaunch of Transformers under IDW in my opinion. That new continuity didn't hold my attention very well, but I was hooked on this single issue the entire time.
The comic has the perfect tone for Transformers. It manages to be fun while also being able to be emotionally stimulating and have stakes. Too much Transformers media fails this balance but it is perfect here.
I really look forward to what this re-imagining of the G1 continuity cluster will bring. It certainly feels like there's passion here and I intend to stick with it as long as I can.
The comic has the perfect tone for Transformers. It manages to be fun while also being able to be emotionally stimulating and have stakes. Too much Transformers media fails this balance but it is perfect here.
I really look forward to what this re-imagining of the G1 continuity cluster will bring. It certainly feels like there's passion here and I intend to stick with it as long as I can.
November 9, 2023
Great start!
I was reading Transformers as long as I can remember reading, I grew up with MARVEL UK, came of age with G2, was running comic stores when Dreamwave launched, and when IDW and IDW 2.0 launched.
This is my favourite first issue of a Transformers series in the history of the brand, it has been a long time since we've had a G1-esque tabula rasa. I've enjoyed the soft launch with Void Rivals and look forward to seeing where the Skybound Energon Universe takes us. Highly recommended.
I was reading Transformers as long as I can remember reading, I grew up with MARVEL UK, came of age with G2, was running comic stores when Dreamwave launched, and when IDW and IDW 2.0 launched.
This is my favourite first issue of a Transformers series in the history of the brand, it has been a long time since we've had a G1-esque tabula rasa. I've enjoyed the soft launch with Void Rivals and look forward to seeing where the Skybound Energon Universe takes us. Highly recommended.
April 24, 2024
Trying way too hard to be brutal, shocking, and gritty. This new direction is not at all what I read Transformers for. The old comic run had its fair share of violence too but these new comics just feel like they are trying to shove it in your face and say "We are going to be grown-up and ultra violent now so deal with it!"
Maybe I'm in the minority but having read several issues now, I can't say I love it. I'm still reading the issues out of curiosity of what might happen next but not out of my general love for the Transformers franchise.
Maybe I'm in the minority but having read several issues now, I can't say I love it. I'm still reading the issues out of curiosity of what might happen next but not out of my general love for the Transformers franchise.
November 3, 2023
I'm curious
I must admit the art is somewhat amateurish its distracting but I'm a Transformers fan so I bought this entry issue out of curiosity to see where this story is going. I prefer the Michel Bay movie design yet I'm willing to overlook that for nostalgia sake of the series in this case. If the story continues for a couple more issues to hold my interest. I may consider buying only for a conclusion cause I hate incomplete comics.
I must admit the art is somewhat amateurish its distracting but I'm a Transformers fan so I bought this entry issue out of curiosity to see where this story is going. I prefer the Michel Bay movie design yet I'm willing to overlook that for nostalgia sake of the series in this case. If the story continues for a couple more issues to hold my interest. I may consider buying only for a conclusion cause I hate incomplete comics.
November 16, 2023
Though not a Transformers fan, the hype reached me via a certain comic review channel on a YouTube in particular to jump on this and I always found it hard to tell these robots apart. Still, Johnson’s enthusiasm exudes off the page as we are reintroduced to these bots that s change into vehicles.
I was probably born 10 years too early for the actual craze of Transformers , but this wad a fun first issue and probably worth my time and money to continue.
I was probably born 10 years too early for the actual craze of Transformers , but this wad a fun first issue and probably worth my time and money to continue.
June 30, 2024
Growing up, my favorite show was Transformers, and my favorite movie was the 1986 animated Transformers movie. I lost interest with the Michael Bay movies, and thought I'd outgrown the transformers. This rekindled my love for these silly metal robots so incredibly much. I love the G1 designs, and I love what they're doing with this storyline. The violence and the drama and the stakes feel perfect, everything I would've wanted as a kid.
July 29, 2024
Certainly more than meets the eye
I enjoyed the first issue. While I thought the art style was old-fashioned, the brutality shown by the Decepticons and Autobot’s struggle for survival made it a rather engaging read from start to finish. It gives a different and more refreshing feeling than Transformers animation shows and presents a mature edge in a much better format than live-action films.
I enjoyed the first issue. While I thought the art style was old-fashioned, the brutality shown by the Decepticons and Autobot’s struggle for survival made it a rather engaging read from start to finish. It gives a different and more refreshing feeling than Transformers animation shows and presents a mature edge in a much better format than live-action films.
October 11, 2023
g1 updated for an adult audience
Frankly I’ve been impressed with modern indie comics for a while now, from boom studios power rangers, to idws tmnt. But no book has made me feel so at home and so excited than this book. A beautiful rendition of the classic g1 origin but with a more modern and adult twist that fans of the original series will love.
Frankly I’ve been impressed with modern indie comics for a while now, from boom studios power rangers, to idws tmnt. But no book has made me feel so at home and so excited than this book. A beautiful rendition of the classic g1 origin but with a more modern and adult twist that fans of the original series will love.
May 12, 2024
Like the ‘80s
This was a fun read. It was a little like the first episode of Transformers, the original cartoon. Just the first part, after that it’s pretty much new material. I enjoyed it and I’ve been following Transformers since I was a kid back in the ‘80s. The drawing and writing are excellent.
This was a fun read. It was a little like the first episode of Transformers, the original cartoon. Just the first part, after that it’s pretty much new material. I enjoyed it and I’ve been following Transformers since I was a kid back in the ‘80s. The drawing and writing are excellent.
June 5, 2024
Honestly like sitting down and watching a Saturday morning cartoon in all the best ways.
Optimus is still a paragon of all things good, he's just not afraid to suplex some Decepticons to protect it now.
The human conflicts and stories feel so real and raw grounding and meshing well with the struggles of their Autobot friends.
Also love the little G.I. Joe tie in and can't wait for vol. 2
Optimus is still a paragon of all things good, he's just not afraid to suplex some Decepticons to protect it now.
The human conflicts and stories feel so real and raw grounding and meshing well with the struggles of their Autobot friends.
Also love the little G.I. Joe tie in and can't wait for vol. 2
July 2, 2024
Daniel Warren Johnson does a fantastic job reinvigourating a what has been a stale story. The human plot does a great job grounding the entertaining alien melodrama while sprinkling a dash of commentary in there. Johnson's artwork is utterly incredible, rendering characters we've seen for decades in new ways and making moments of action incredibly dynamic
Read
October 3, 2025What a great new start!
I Loved the IDW universe, even though it had its flaws. I was sad when they lost their license and their stories ended. However, I like what Skybound is doing so far, and can't wait to read more. Check out Void Rivals as well! Original characters and interesting story so far.
I Loved the IDW universe, even though it had its flaws. I was sad when they lost their license and their stories ended. However, I like what Skybound is doing so far, and can't wait to read more. Check out Void Rivals as well! Original characters and interesting story so far.
October 11, 2023
Amazing first issue with a insane start. Fully invested into the story already. The art is amazing gives off that feeling of the nostalgic G1 bots with an explosive array of colors. Everyone really knocked it out of the park in their respective parts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews