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The Transformers Compendium
Transformers Compendium Vol. 2
ADVANCE SOLICIT THE END OF THE ICONIC ORIGINAL ERA OF TRANSFORMERS IS HERE! The looming threat of Unicron is ever present as both Decepticons and Autobots spread their forces across the galaxy in search of their last hope, the Creation Matrix. But when that hope grows dimmer, Optimus Prime makes the greatest sacrifice of all... Collected in compendium format for the first time ever, these iconic TRANSFORMERS stories are perfect for fans new and old. Collects THE TRANSFORMERS #47-80, THE MOVIE #1-3, TRANSFORMERS GENERATION 2 #1-12
Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
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About the author
Bob Budiansky
314 books8 followers American comic book writer, editor, and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel's Transformers comic. He also created the Marvel character Sleepwalker and wrote all 33 issues of that comic.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 19, 2026
I've written about the Transformers Marvel Comics run elsewhere. See: here and here.
This compendium contains the second half of the Marvel run, as well as all of the Generation 2 run and the Transformers Movie comic adaptation.
It's just as big as Volume 1. It has the same issues with paper, printing, and durability as the first volume.
I wanted this volume for the Underbase saga. I was 12 when issue 50 was published. At the time, I thought I had all of the preceding issues. (Turns out I was missing the second issue in the saga.)
At the time, the Underbase saga blew my mind. I absolutely loved it- so much so that I wore the cover off at least one of the issues.
Today? It's underwhelming. That particular plot's been done better many times, in many places by better writers, artists, and directors. But for 12 year old me- it introduced the idea of a compelling multi-episode plot arc that incorporated a diverse cast of competing characters. It's nothing to write home about now, but at 12? It was amazing.
The rest is much the same. Amazing, even compelling at the time, but today underwhelms.
Don't buy expecting it to be something that it isn't.
UPDATE. I wrote the review above before I finished the entire volume. Now that I've finished the entire 80 issue original Gen 1 run AND the 12 issue Gen 2 run, I have thoughts:
1. Generation 2 was better than it should have been. The art was much improved over Gen 1 as was the overall plot. I attribute the improvement to the fact that Generation 2 merchandise flopped. There was no Generation 2 equivalent of the original animated series, and thus nothing to drive sales of Gen. 2 toys. Generation 1 was constantly pivoting to include new toy gimmicks- the Headmasters, the Pretenders, and all the other poor quality late 80s/ early 90s generation 1 toys. This was most obvious in the original animated series, but it also happened in the gen. 1 comic.
2. Even with the improvements, generation 2 still isn't remarkable. It's still Optimus, Megatron, and Starscream repeating the same plot points from generation 1.
3. And because it was the 90s, and because the writers knew their ever-shrinking audience was growing up, they tried to go in a grimdark/ gritty direction. The bad guys are now morally ambiguous- they view themselves as superior to all other lifeforms, no hate or revenge, and conduct themselves as such. Optimus questions himself and his drive to protect all life- is he really as good as he thinks he is? And Megatron's a tank.
4. Generation 2 incorporates GI Joe as part of the universe which was cool- but then doesn't do much with it. I suspect the GI Joe side of things was shown in their comics, but I'm not interested enough to check.
5. The Witwicky family never gets a satisfactory resolution. After issue 50 in generation 1, there are a couple of panels writing out Buster and Sparkplug. Spike's presence continues for a bit because of Fortress Maximus. Generation 2 kills Max and Spike off early on. I wish that one of the conclusions- either Gen 1 or Gen 2- had done something to wrap up the story between the Autobots and the Witwickys. I wanted to see Buster say goodbye to Bumblebee, or maybe see Optimus thank the Witwickys for their assistance. But all we get is a couple panels in Gen 1 and then Spike's death in Gen 2. I believe Bumblebee appears in Gen 2, but doesn't have any dialogue.
I'm glad to be done with the Transformers. It's taken 40+ years for me to get here. I guess it was worth it.
This compendium contains the second half of the Marvel run, as well as all of the Generation 2 run and the Transformers Movie comic adaptation.
It's just as big as Volume 1. It has the same issues with paper, printing, and durability as the first volume.
I wanted this volume for the Underbase saga. I was 12 when issue 50 was published. At the time, I thought I had all of the preceding issues. (Turns out I was missing the second issue in the saga.)
At the time, the Underbase saga blew my mind. I absolutely loved it- so much so that I wore the cover off at least one of the issues.
Today? It's underwhelming. That particular plot's been done better many times, in many places by better writers, artists, and directors. But for 12 year old me- it introduced the idea of a compelling multi-episode plot arc that incorporated a diverse cast of competing characters. It's nothing to write home about now, but at 12? It was amazing.
The rest is much the same. Amazing, even compelling at the time, but today underwhelms.
Don't buy expecting it to be something that it isn't.
UPDATE. I wrote the review above before I finished the entire volume. Now that I've finished the entire 80 issue original Gen 1 run AND the 12 issue Gen 2 run, I have thoughts:
1. Generation 2 was better than it should have been. The art was much improved over Gen 1 as was the overall plot. I attribute the improvement to the fact that Generation 2 merchandise flopped. There was no Generation 2 equivalent of the original animated series, and thus nothing to drive sales of Gen. 2 toys. Generation 1 was constantly pivoting to include new toy gimmicks- the Headmasters, the Pretenders, and all the other poor quality late 80s/ early 90s generation 1 toys. This was most obvious in the original animated series, but it also happened in the gen. 1 comic.
2. Even with the improvements, generation 2 still isn't remarkable. It's still Optimus, Megatron, and Starscream repeating the same plot points from generation 1.
3. And because it was the 90s, and because the writers knew their ever-shrinking audience was growing up, they tried to go in a grimdark/ gritty direction. The bad guys are now morally ambiguous- they view themselves as superior to all other lifeforms, no hate or revenge, and conduct themselves as such. Optimus questions himself and his drive to protect all life- is he really as good as he thinks he is? And Megatron's a tank.
4. Generation 2 incorporates GI Joe as part of the universe which was cool- but then doesn't do much with it. I suspect the GI Joe side of things was shown in their comics, but I'm not interested enough to check.
5. The Witwicky family never gets a satisfactory resolution. After issue 50 in generation 1, there are a couple of panels writing out Buster and Sparkplug. Spike's presence continues for a bit because of Fortress Maximus. Generation 2 kills Max and Spike off early on. I wish that one of the conclusions- either Gen 1 or Gen 2- had done something to wrap up the story between the Autobots and the Witwickys. I wanted to see Buster say goodbye to Bumblebee, or maybe see Optimus thank the Witwickys for their assistance. But all we get is a couple panels in Gen 1 and then Spike's death in Gen 2. I believe Bumblebee appears in Gen 2, but doesn't have any dialogue.
I'm glad to be done with the Transformers. It's taken 40+ years for me to get here. I guess it was worth it.
January 26, 2026
I’ll always maintain that the year long run by Furman, Wildman and Baskerville is the best transformers comic run ever, and some of the best 1990s comics ever. So distinctive, evocative, brooding and politically astute in their way.
This compendium puts that whole run together for the first time, on beautiful pulpy paper, with reprinted covers as well. You also get the later Generation 2 run that I used to think was amazing as a kid but has lost some luster since (still some wonderfully big ideas - cybertronian imperialism, etc). More unpleasant, you have to get through Bob Budiansky’s final issues which are trash, unreadable toy tie-in schlock.
If you get this book, skip those issues, and settle in for the grandeur of the Furman run.
This compendium puts that whole run together for the first time, on beautiful pulpy paper, with reprinted covers as well. You also get the later Generation 2 run that I used to think was amazing as a kid but has lost some luster since (still some wonderfully big ideas - cybertronian imperialism, etc). More unpleasant, you have to get through Bob Budiansky’s final issues which are trash, unreadable toy tie-in schlock.
If you get this book, skip those issues, and settle in for the grandeur of the Furman run.
November 9, 2025
This was not very good. The animated show was superior to the original comic in every way; therefore, the animated continuity is the real one! Of course, this definitively means RUMBLE IS BLUE FRENZY IS RED. The only reason this gets two stars is because of Issue 50! Starscream is my favorite character, so seeing him dominate all was a treat. I was five or six when I saw the original animated movie when it came out. Unlike many, I loved all the deaths EXCEPT for Starscream. What he did in issue 50 made the movie tame. The rest of this compendium just gets worse. Real characters leave and are replaced with the likes of Octopunch and Fangry; Decepticons that don't even look like robots. Just re-watch the original show.
September 29, 2025
better than vol 1 because (I suspect) the waning popularity of the toys & cartoon let the writers tell stories without flooding the pages with new characters every month. And Gen 2 seems to be a standalone epic!
I have far less nostalgia for these books (I stopped reading circa issue 51 as a child) but I came away impressed.
I have far less nostalgia for these books (I stopped reading circa issue 51 as a child) but I came away impressed.
December 6, 2025
Rating: 2.8
This is better than the first compendium as a whole, mostly thanks to the issues written by Simon Furman. If the first stories keep the childish and almost nonsensical plots that plagued the previous collection, the new writer manages to give a grittier and more mature tone to the series. The second generation series is very "exxxtreme 90s" in style, and a bit contrived and confusing, but enjoyable in its sheer violence and action, the movie adaptation is, as one could easily guess, quite useless.
This is better than the first compendium as a whole, mostly thanks to the issues written by Simon Furman. If the first stories keep the childish and almost nonsensical plots that plagued the previous collection, the new writer manages to give a grittier and more mature tone to the series. The second generation series is very "exxxtreme 90s" in style, and a bit contrived and confusing, but enjoyable in its sheer violence and action, the movie adaptation is, as one could easily guess, quite useless.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews