Transformers: Worst Bot Ever - Meet Ballpoint

by Brian "Smitty" Smith, Marz Jr. (illustrator)

The Decepticons are known for being bad...but Ballpoint is truly the worst—the biggest failure of them all. After the latest attempt to take down the Autobots goes horribly wrong, he’s kicked out of the Decepticons, for good!
Will Ballpoint be able to prove his worth by defeating the Autobots all by himself? Or will he keep failing and find that being the “best” is More than Meets the Eye?
BRIAN “SMITTY” SMITH (Pea, Bee, and Jay) and MARZ JR. introduce middle-grade readers to the misadventures of the bot who is mightier than the sword in WORST BOT EVER—MEET BALLPOINT.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

96 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"Everyone deserves a chance to shine, Ballpoint. When the opportunity arises, I'm certain your spark will burn brightly." -- Optimus Prime, Autobot leader

"You really think so?" -- Ballpoint

Likely composed to appeal to both Generation-X (who may fondly remember the old 'Generation One' animated series of 1984-1987) plus their young offspring, Smitty's Transformers: Worst Bot Ever - Meet Ballpoint is a book intended for a family audience. Focusing on a minuscule Transformer with some often grandiose ideas named Ballpoint - yes, he is a fountain pen, while his towering fellow Autobots and/or Decepticons are cars, trucks, aircraft, and other robotic objects - this illustrated story follows his attempts to gain favor with the villainous Megatron. It's a humorous and sometimes heartwarming tale about finding a place in the world, not giving up (but yet also tempered with being realistic about a situation), and throwing in with a tribe that accepts you for exactly who you are. *I received an ARC (from the writer himself!) at the June 2025 American Library Association conference / exhibition in Philadelphia, and this is a 'buddy read' with my fellow attendee Jen.*😊

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun quick read. It will definitely speak to the age eight crowd.

Shout out to my fellow Buddy Reader and one of my ALA Philly companions Scott for encouraging me to Buddy Read this one.

3, one I will recommend to our younger crowd at the store, stars.

[Larakaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

some good clean fun with adorkable drawings.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ballpoint is the cutest little mischief making transformer in the history of Cybertron, I love him.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably would have gotten more out of it if I knew more about the transformers story, but I still enjoyed it! pretty cute and fun. thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is aimed at young readers, I feel like a lot of reviews don't seem to understand that.

This is silly, goofy, and sweet. This is also has a lot of fandom specific humor (the "adult jokes" if you will). The art style is so cute! The cassettes killed me.

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute story!

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an original Transformers fan, this book was squarely in my wheelhouse. It's a satire whose canvas is a warped version of the original TV series. There are lots of jokes about original series characters played out through the machinations of the Decepticons against the Autobots, all while essentially staying true to the original storyline.

I literally laughed out loud several times, and the story even has an upliftingessage about being yourself and finding the people who respect you for who you are.

There are goofy jokes for younger readers, and in-jokes for older readers, making this a fun one for parents who want to share a story with their kids.

[Adelaide Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished 9/11/25 - Finally, I got to read the complete volume! This may seem silly and unserious--which it 100% is--but the humor pokes fun at thoughtful observations and inside jokes that only a Transformers fan can really appreciate (some of my favorites being Soundwave as a confused parent of twins and the goofy absurdity of Starscream's antics the G1 cartoon that fits perfectly here). But even if you don't know much about Transformers, there are some honestly hilarious and adorable moments throughout this comic that genuinely made me laugh out loud.

Wholesome, hilarious, and completely digestible for all ages. A definite recommend from me.

[Raven Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read via an online reader copy. I am a fan of the old Transformer cartoon of the 1980s. I never got into the other shows or movies, but an occasional story/graphic novel is not off the table. This book is not for the sophisticated reader, but the one that loves a good, goofy story. It is slapstick as a ballpoint -robot pen tries to impress his fellow Transformers (first Deceptacons, then Autobots) with their not so brave or impressive deeds. But of course, there is a place for him in the ranks of the good-guys because everyone has a talent, even if they are a "just" a pen.

[Reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know I love a new spin on the Transformers, and this book was good, clean fun. I enjoyed the art style and the writer's ability to boil down various characters to their base roles in the setting; Megatron is angry, Optimus is hopeful, Soundwave is a dad, etc...

I've got to give special mention to the personification of the Lambros; Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. Two loveable "he hit me first" type twins.

There's no great morale to this story except don't work with dickheads. I could say it could carry a greater message for the youth its aimed at but I think that's plenty important.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this comic on Free Comic Book Day. I liked it! It's pretty middle ground. It's good. It's definitely not bad. I really enjoy this little guy and how delusional he is. I would like to see more of him. I would hope that he would get some growth in the comic, but I'm not really sure where it's going story wise. Or if it will become a serious comic or stay silly. My prediction is the latter. Definitely perfect for a kid wanting to dip their toes into transformer comics.

[Anthony Wendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for young readers who are lovers of Transformers. The book even includes a reading guide at the back filled with questions about the book. Basically a parents could give this to a kid on summer vacation and they would talk about it together and they would be working on their reading comprehension without even realizing it. It's a nice little of extra material and I will probably be buying a copy for my young niece and nephew to read.

[Tara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! I love it!
Great comic for upper elementary through middle school (or farther it's really funny) for anyone looking for a laugh.
All the names might get confusing if they aren't a huge transformers fan, but the characters are drawn so well that I doubt that would be an issue. Great read!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it. definitely for kids but it also had me laughing through the whole thing.

[Markus Seaberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was silly and awesome at the same time.

[Jacob Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up a free advanced copy at a convention - black and white illustrations save for the first few pages.

Predictable but cute. I’m not even a huge Transformers fan and I got suckered into this.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I really know enough about the Transformers to fully follow this, but it was very funny and cute, and the art is great.

Thanks to Image for the ARC!

[Oakdoorframe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this really funny. Ballpoint is so cute.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5

[Myles Gerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun (and funny) story about the worst Decepticon out there. A transforming ball point pen who talks a big game but is the complete opposite. I had a LOT of fun with this.

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and silly story about a braggart of a tiny bot who wants to be taken seriously and respected.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read for all ages!!!

[Deli Dally · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

Absolutely adorable, no notes

[Library Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for kids and Transformer Fans for a fast palate cleanser.