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Transformers (2023)

Transformers, Vol. 3: Combiner Chaos

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The Eisner Award-winning series from DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON and JORGE CORONA fights on as the war for Cybertron leaves the fate of the universe in the balance.
The war for Cybertron has forever changed the fate of two worlds.
As the Autobots recover from the stunning events of the last volume, the Deceptions fracture even further without their leader, and humanity suffers the consequences...

Collects TRANSFORMERS #13-18 and a story from ENERGON UNIVERSE 2024 SPECIAL.

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2025

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About the author

Daniel Warren Johnson

179 books477 followers
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.

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5 stars
447 (36%)
4 stars
530 (43%)
3 stars
216 (17%)
2 stars
31 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
Profile Image for Urbon Adamsson.
2,422 reviews139 followers
June 18, 2025
EN Another strong entry in this series.

While the Autobots are still licking their wounds, the Decepticons are tearing each other apart in a struggle for leadership—creating the perfect opportunity for a shift in momentum.

New characters enter the scene, and one long-awaited fan-favorite finally makes their debut.

This continues to be a fantastic series!

--

PT Mais uma entrada sólida nesta série.

Enquanto os Autobots ainda lambem as feridas, os Decepticons lutam entre si pelo controlo da liderança — criando a oportunidade perfeita para mudar o rumo dos acontecimentos.

Novas personagens entram em cena, e uma figura muito aguardada pelos fãs faz finalmente a sua estreia.

Esta continua a ser uma série fantástica!
Profile Image for Sean Gibson.
Author 7 books6,170 followers
June 12, 2025
This is turning out to be a really fun (and incredibly violent) series.
Profile Image for Oscar.
1,049 reviews56 followers
July 30, 2025
Lots of action!
Profile Image for Rory Wilding.
843 reviews32 followers
May 20, 2025
During the first twelve issues of Daniel Warren Johnson’s excellent Transformers run, the Autobots and the Decepticons continue their never-ending war on Earth, with the latter group has been in shambles with frequent changes of leadership. From Starscream to Shockwave, the Decepticons seem lost without the one who started it all, Megatron, who hasn’t appeared in the series so far... until now.

Apart from the Cobra Commander miniseries, we actually see what happens to Megatron during a story from Energon Universe 2024 Special which opens this volume. With art by Invincible’s Ryan Ottley, who brings his own visual flair to the brutal action between the Transformers as well as other aspects of the Energon Universe, this story serves as a nice prelude that fills in the gaps.

Considering the last time we saw Starscream was him getting the shit kicked out of him by Soundwave, the first two issues (drawn by Jason Howard) here showcase the aftermath where he is left broken. Beginning with two issues that serve more as a side-story, we see a tragic origin in how Starscream – formerly known as Ulchtar – who, along with his friend Genvo, suddenly find themselves in a war where death is knocking at their door. Coinciding with the Cybertron flashbacks, we see Starcream in the present day being reconstructed by a bunch of humans with their own evil scheme to use the former Decepticon leader.

Starscream has always been my favourite Transformer as he is an ego-defined lackey with ambitions that he can be a better leader than Megatron. There have been some incarnations that have leaned towards a tragic angle for the character, and Johnson really showcases that as his participation in the war forces him to do horrible things under the leadership of Megatron. Although Megatron transforming into a handgun for Starscream to hold has always been silly, Johnson recontextualizes this so that Starcream is forced to become an executioner. The flashbacks are more engaging than what is happening in the present day that has a shoehorned G.I. Joe tie-in, despite the fantastic art by Jason Howard who captures a lot of the same aesthetics that this series has established.

As Starscream finds a big piece of Cybertron that crashed into Earth in the previous volume, he also discovers the chained-up Astrotrain and the Combaticons. After killing the humans that were trying to control him, though he does spare the cat, Starscream forms his own team of Deceptions and get revenge on Soundwave and Co. You do see what the Autobots have been doing as they are split off into three different groups such as Arcee, Beachcomber and their human allies Spike and Carly are trying to find the PTSD-driven Ultra Magnus, whilst Cliffjumper finds himself with the dishevelled resistance on Cybertron. While there is some compelling characterisation going on in these subplots, the overall package can feel unfocused and lacks that clear drive of the previous volumes.

As much as I am always going to miss Johnson on art duties – whose work on the first six issues is exceptional – Jorge Corona successfully carries the torch of making this the most visually striking Transformers comic. While there is a busyness with the amount of stuff that Corona throws in a lot of pages, he still showcases a scrappiness and a brutality to the action sequences where you can tell the Transformers have been through a lot. You do get stunning double-page spreads that make great use of the kaiju-like battle between the two Combiners Devastator and Bruticus, the action does not negate the collateral damage to the people of Seattle, which causes Optimus Prime and his Autobots to be heroes, even if the outcome is not always pleasant.

This volume may not reach the brilliance of what came before, but still a fun continuation of what is arguably the most exciting thing currently happening in the Transformers franchise, whilst ending on a huge cliffhanger that hopefully sets the stage for an exciting final arc of Daniel Warren Johnson’s run.
Profile Image for Bill Riggs.
1,062 reviews19 followers
August 17, 2025
The series continues to thrill and amaze. This is a very action packed volume but it still throws some very emotional moments at you.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,229 followers
April 19, 2025
Transformers, Vol. 3 feels more like a breather, even though a whole lotta shit is still going down.

We’ve basically got the Autobots split into three teams, one protecting the humans (Carly gets some spotlight), Optimus off doing his own thing with another squad, and then the pink one (sorry, name’s escaping me). On top of that, we get a few badass returns that shift the tide in major ways—some revive action that’s actually pretty epic.

Meanwhile, the Decepticons are having their own little civil war, and we finally get some real backstory on Starscream. It mostly works, though yeah, it’s a bit been there, done that. And oh yeah, a major mega-villain makes a comeback, and that shit is intense. And as always, the art is FANTASTIC.

Overall, it’s clearly setting up for the final arc of Warren’s run. Still damn good stuff, just not hitting quite as hard as volumes 1 and 2. But I'm strapped in for the ride.
Profile Image for Jim Ef.
469 reviews110 followers
October 21, 2025
7.4/10
The Decepticons had the upper hand so far, but for some of them, the first thing in their mind is not to defeat the enemy, but to rule. This leads to unnecessary fractions. That is great news for the Autobots, because they sure do need the time to regroup and come up with a new plan.

As with the second volume, my only real issue, is that Carly and Spike are barely in it. Carly does have some moments here and there, but the same can't be said for Spike.
Profile Image for Sem.
634 reviews31 followers
April 4, 2025
Yes, by all means, keep introducing a bigger cast despite the fact that it's hard to tell most of them apart and there's barely any time to form emotional attachments to them. Starting to feel like I should just stop with this series, it's not working anymore for me.
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,520 reviews6,696 followers
August 8, 2025
An action-packed, metal scrapping war of the factions. I love the rock 'em sock 'em robots action, but hate the collateral damage.

Soundwave and his faction of Decepticons have declared war on the humans to flush out Optimus Prime and his remaining Autobots on Earth. Starscream is "saved" from being scrapped and has followers of his own. The remaining Autobots on Cybertron have found a glimmer of hope and are on an almost suicidal mission to see it through. All this and someone has awakened.

This book is a war on all fronts. However, it also gives a little time for the characters to get their points of view across as well. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Chris Lemmerman.
Author 8 books129 followers
May 26, 2025
Things go from bad to worse for Starscream, while the Autobots do their best regroup from their latest defeat. Meanwhile, Elita leads a new resistance on Cybertron, and the Spark starts giving Optimus some trouble, making him lose control in the middle of battles. All this, and the introduction of a new Combiner as well. Action packed, solid artwork, and some good character work for those it manages to focus on. I do worry that the cast is getting a bit too big though.
Profile Image for Cody.
207 reviews18 followers
August 15, 2025
Bold of you to introduce a handful of new characters when I really don’t give a shit about any of the ones already in the story.

Illustrations kick ass. Story is pretty bad.

Extra star because a Combiner gets RKO’d off of a skyscraper.
Profile Image for Machiavelli.
1,312 reviews37 followers
November 16, 2025
This volume starts strong. The first couple issues have a different artist, and honestly? I loved it. Big, bold visuals, lots of energy, a cleaner look— exactly the kind of momentum I want from a Transformers book. The Starscream storyline was easily the highlight for me, with a really fun mix of scheming, swagger, and chaos.

But once that early arc wrapped, the book lost some of its clarity. The art shifts again and gets noticeably more muddled — not unreadable, just less clean and less exciting. The middle section feels a bit befuddled (for lack of a better word), like it’s trying to juggle too much without the crisp storytelling of Vol. 1 or even parts of Vol. 2.

The final issue brings it back and ends things on a high note, but overall this one didn’t have the heart or momentum of the first volume.

Still a good time — just not nearly as strong as the series’ best moments. 3.5 stars for me
Profile Image for Alex.
24 reviews
February 14, 2026
Consistently great. I miss DWJ’s artwork, I don’t think he’s drawn a chapter since volume one
Profile Image for Rick Ray.
3,549 reviews46 followers
May 18, 2025
In Vol. 2, Soundwave took over Decepticon leadership from Starscream. Under his cold, calculating leadership, the Decepticons finally seemed to take an edge over Optimus Prime's Autobots, but the heroes manage to carve out a victory over the joint alliance of Soundwave's Earth-bound robots and the Cybertronian faction led by Shockwave. A fracture has formed within the ranks of the remaining Decepticons, which a wounded Starscream is more than happy to pry open further. With this volume, we follow a civil war amongst the two emerging Decepticon factions, led by Starscream and Soundwave, respectively. Meanwhile, Cliffjumper has found himself back on Cybertron following the events of the previous volume, and is reunited with old Autobot allies. Learning that Shockwave's reign has ended on Cybertron, the Autobots rally to take control of the planet that has long been lost to them.

Combiner Chaos is a further expansion of Daniel Warren Johnson's ongoing run on the title. More characters are introduced with multiple storylines across multiple settings, which can at times feel a little too bloated. Though Johnson rightfully emphasizes the action as a key driver behind the enjoyment people have in the series, some fumbles seem more present here. The opening two issues of this arc (both illustrated by Jason Howard), depict Starscream's origin and new bid towards power. Though there are interesting ideas here, the origin story is a little too underbaked and serves little purpose towards understanding the villain. What is a bit more intriguing is the idea of a varied ideologies amidst the Decepticon ranks, something I hope is continued upon in the next arc.

Jorge Corona delivers the majority of the artwork in this arc, and he continues to deliver. The action set piece in Seattle was fantastic, and the designs of the different Transformers continue to shine. Ryan Ottley also contributes artwork in the Transformers story from the Energon Universe 2024 Special, and to no surprise, Ottley's style fits seamlessly into Johnson's brand of storytelling.
Profile Image for Kyle.
1,017 reviews30 followers
May 27, 2025
While I really enjoy the space saga they are building here, I find the artwork lacking. These characters and their warring disposition have existed for decades in comics, so the “re-telling” quality of the story is hard to get away from…. but this particular art style, which is messy and flat with a lot of unfocussed panels and heavy black ink, doesn’t help to make this retelling distinct in a good way.

3/5
Profile Image for Tim Rooney .
326 reviews8 followers
May 29, 2025
Volume 2 started to lag, and the first few chapters here are soft but it revs back up again into a frantic, frenetic meditation of war, violence, hate, and the toll it takes on even the “heroes.”
1,223 reviews7 followers
February 15, 2026
This volume is mainly for Starscream fans, with his new (and surprisingly tragic) origin story plus a new take on the classic G1 episode "Starscream's Brigade". Though there are also plenty of other interesting developments on both Earth and Cybertron. Probably the best volume yet. (B+)
Profile Image for Dylan Haysom.
21 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2026
Loving this universe.

I do prefer when the autobots are all together rather than separated, but this was still a fun read.
Profile Image for Teeth.
309 reviews33 followers
December 30, 2025
soundwave and his cassette kids. he's so single mother coded. i adore him.
Profile Image for ten thousand bees.
268 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2025
starscream do whats right kill megatron and you will be reincarnated as a lotus flower
Profile Image for Raül.
755 reviews34 followers
July 19, 2025
Reaparició del malvat per exel·lència en el món dels Transformers. Continua el bon dibuix de Jorge Corona a l'interior i de Daniel Warren Johnson a les portades, amb el color de Mike Spicer, el que dona a la sèrie la seua aparença gràfica tan especial. El guió de Warren Johnson entreté i manté l'interés, amb un equilibri entre drama i humor.
Profile Image for Andrew Golab.
56 reviews
April 20, 2026
ULTRAMAGNUS HAS PTSD WE ARE COOKING WITH FUCKING OIL DUDE.

THOSE FINAL 5 PAGES HAD ME SHAKING IN MY BOOTS DUDE.
Profile Image for Will Robinson Jr..
935 reviews19 followers
September 23, 2025
Glorious!!! Man I felt like I was holding my childhood while reading this book. Compared to all the action that went down in Volume 2 this had light moments but Daniel Warren Johnson still managed to keep me on the edge of my seat every riveting moment to moment. Ryan Ottley and Jorge Corona are superstars when it comes to the artwork. The panels can't contain the action. The action is drawn with such energy. But the dialogue just fits each character like a glove. Skybound was just meant to create this universe. Both GI Joe & Transformers books are just really well done. They are giving us some of the best Saturday morning action cartoon fair in comics. DC comics & Marvel are in trouble if this is the new standard of superhero comics. The real shining star in this book is "Starscream". I have always saw him as just the one note sniveling lackey to Megatron. The stereotypical villain you love to hate but Johnson writes him with so much pathos and pizazz. There are times you really feel for everyone's favorite jet fighter transformer but you know inevitably the dude is just a bastard through and through. In a larger scale this book really highlights the chaos that is the war between two factions and the collateral damage this kind of intergalactic war is going to mean for the people of earth. When all the does is settle what does war really bring? But oir heroes can't just sit back and not do what's right. This is not made more clear then through the journey Optimus Prime is on. Everything is riding on his ability and sheer will to lead his soldier's to victory and hopefully save what's left of not just his home planet of Cybertron but our world as well. Things aren't looking to good as Megatron has step on to the scene. The book was just so much fun to read and there times I can almost here the old 80s transformers in peril theme in my head reading panel after panel. If you are not reading Transformers you are missing one of the best superhero books being published for the comic book stands today. If you are looking for more retro 80s nostalgia comic books check out these books I've read recently: Flash Gordon (2024) Vol. 1: Escape from Planet Death!, G.I. Joe: Saturday Morning Adventures #1, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures Vol. 1, X-Men Legends, Vol. 1: The Missing Links & X-Men Legends, Vol. 2: Mutant Mayhem.
Profile Image for Rose.
96 reviews20 followers
May 24, 2025
I'm going to make this review entirely about Starscream, and you can't stop me. He's the cover art of this volume. It's fine.

Number one. Ulchtar? There have always been crazy names in Transformers, but it's hilarious to me that we are giving just one (1) transformer an alien-sounding name completely divorced from the rest of the cast. And of course it's Starscream of all characters.

Number two. Loved that he saw a cat being conniving and sassy like him and immediately went I LIKE IT!

Number three. Loved when he called Soundwave a bitch.

Number four. We have to talk about the Megatron brainwashing him into being a killing machine thing. Starscream is always compelling to me throughout continuities for having aspirations of grandeur and power but being fundamentally different from Megatron. He usually is just fine with screwing other people over, but unlike Megatron, that isn't like... the end goal. With Megatron the cruelty is the point. With Starscream, he doesn't mind using cruelty if it helps him meet his goals. Which are to be important, powerful, and well-liked. Starscream is corrupt and backhanded to get to be those things!

All this to say, I was disappointed that Starscream is woobified to the point that he couldn't hurt a fly in the flashback and its only through Megatron's brainwashing he turns out the way he does. I much prefer a version that acknowledges what an awful influence Megatron's mistreatment has had on him, but that his choices and actions are still his own (okay, I'm talking about IDW).

Optimus' character struggles with a similar lack of agency driving his actions with the evil hand syndrome takeover thing but it hasn't played out enough for me to say definitively I don't like it. With all this Starscream stuff? I just don't like it.

I will keep reading the series, however, because the fights and art are appealing and it satisfies that robot boxing coach inside of me.
Profile Image for Joey Nardinelli.
982 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2025
Art is still amazing but the storytelling is slowing down a bit and not to focus too much on a character I find particularly interesting. I am surprised that the stuff with Cliffjumper and Elita back on Cybertron is actually the more interesting thread here. The stuff with Arcee and Beachcomber trying to take Carly and Spike to find Ultra Magnus feels a bit rushed and seems to have pivoted in a new direction before offering any resolutions. The PTSD flashes affecting Optimus ran through a whole volume now after appearing in the last volume, and I’m really hoping we get some actual movement in that thread in the next six issues. Looking forward to picking up my collected TPB instead of the singles soon!
Profile Image for Kate.
34 reviews
May 28, 2025
I thought this was the best instalment of the Skybound Transformers series yet! Everyone's so ridiculously overdramatic; no one talks to each other properly; everyone's so broken; and they all desperately need robot therapy.
Some really stunning parts where the page design, art and story just match up so, so perfect ✨
(Also, me main mech Megs is baaaaack!)
Enjoyed this one a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Daniel Butcher.
3,068 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2025
2.5 for me…just a lot of hitting without resolution.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews