TRANSFORMERS #9 CVR A DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON, MIKE SPICER & JORGE CORONA

Transformers (2023) (Single Issues)

by Daniel Warren Johnson

The wars on Cybertron and Earth converge in ways the Autobots and Decepticons never expected…

Genres: Comics

32 pages, Comic

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Daniel 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.

Reviews

[Myles Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great issue- fantastic art once more, nice to see Spike back in his feet, and I like that the Transformers truly feel vulnerable here.

[Ryan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the conversation for best on-going series

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a brutal read as Optimus and his friends find themselves up against the combined might of Shockwave and Soundwave. Still loving the series and was nice to see some more of Spike as well.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers #9 is a heart-stopping, action-packed masterpiece that will leave you breathless! I literally felt tired after reading this! The issue delivers nearly non-stop excitement, with Johnson’s script and Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer’s visuals bringing the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons to life in glorious fashion.

The issue’s pacing is relentless, with barely a moment to catch your breath as the Autobots face off against the Decepticons after Shockwave and Soundwave open up a portal between Earth and Cybertron. Johnson's ability to maintain such a large cast of robots in disguise is stunning, with our usual suspects getting some awesome character moments and new characters on both sides being introduced into the fold. The amount of emotional punches Johnson has thrown our way throughout the series’ still young run has probably been one of the biggest surprises for me so far and this issue delivered another audible gay-gasp from me.

Beyond the Transformers, I appreciate the effort Johnson is putting into Spike and Carly’s stories to keep a human aspect at the forefront of a series that could easily devolve into a robot-only story. Spike’s selfless decision to surrender himself to the Autobots was a major moment and showed us how much he’s willing to put on the line.

Corona’s artwork is truly the star of the show. Each panel is meticulously crafted, with intricate details and dynamic layouts that propel the story off the page. I was worried how a new artist would be able to handle this series after Johnson’s artwork became a staple of this new run and have been insanely impressed with how seamlessly Corona has been able to keep things consistent while adding his own flair. Wrestling robots have never looked cooler. Seeing Optimus Prime get tombstone piledrived wasn’t something on my 2024 comics bingo card, but here we are. And boy did it look epic!! Add in Spicer’s eclectic color palette and you have the makings of some of the best visual storytelling around.

Transformers #9 is a must-read for fans of the franchise and comics in general. Johnson's passion for the series shines through on every page, even more than it has in the past, making this a truly unforgettable issue.

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

DWJ continues to plot and script this title after writing and drawing the first arc.

The second arc is quietly proving that the massive Autobots-Decepticon battle from the first arc was a mere skirmish now that the Decepticon remnants intend to escalate the Cybertronian presence on Earth.

Soundwave and his remnants contact Shockwave and establish a spacebridge between Earth and Cybertron. This totally brought the war to Earth. Optimus and strike team had their robotic behinds spanked thoroughly.
But not everything is without hope. It is because of two Autobots, Elita and Beachcomber.
I'm so excited for the next issue. This is one of the best ongoing comics this year.

[Dingleberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to dock this a star and a half for this nonsense of Rachet and Cliffjumper. Is Rachet supposed to be a pacifist in this series!? The panel of him running to save Cliff and jumping in front of him was ridiculous. Running at the enemy no gun. There was definitely a better way of him going out (him trying to take on soundwave and dying would’ve made more sense positioning wise). This is the second time Cliff has been dead to rights and somehow survived because the of the writer deeming it so. These things drive me up a wall especially when it has been great so far.

[Yasser Maniram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consistently good art, impactful stories in each issue and accurately captures the voice of various Transformers.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still such a great series! 4/5

[ComicBookCult Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loving this issue, everyone feels vulnerable, everyone feels on edge and could die at any moment. Well done.