Transformers #25

Transformers (2023) (Single Issues)

by Robert Kirkman, Dan Mora (Artist), Jorge Corona (Artist)

NEW ARC  
 
ROBERT KIRKMAN AND DAN MORA START A NEW ERA WITH AN OVERSIZED ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! 
  
The Energon Universe will never be the same as the Autobots and Decepticons kick off the most surprising new chapter in their war on Earth. 
  
Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots must join forces with unlikely allies in order to protect their adopted planet. But Prime’s next challenge lies closer to home than he ever imagined. 
  
And what is the fate of the Decepticons? 
  
The creative dream team of Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited, Superman) kick off the new direction for TRANSFORMERS that will be More Than Meets The Eye!

Genres: Comics

Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.

Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.

In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to miss DWJ on Transformers but Robert Kirkman is keen on continuing Johnson's story threads. Also, DWJ is still cranking out the covers, which are my preferred choice when picking out a copy for myself, but the Cover A by David Nakayama is nice as well.

I think I'm going to enjoy Dan Mora's art. His dynamic style is looking good on the Cybertronian form.

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Transformers #25 — a fantastic kickoff to the new arc. The cover absolutely pops, and the interiors deliver clean, dynamic robot designs with sharp layouts and a great balance between action and character moments. There’s even a surprise debut that hints at bigger things coming. If this pace keeps up, the next stretch of Transformers is going to be a blast.

[Aidan]

I must be cursed. Transformers comics are finally mainstream popular, written and drawn by mainstream talent, but we got two authors in a row who have consistently sat outside my taste. The art is still great, Mora’s hard angles and expressive faces and body language give the impression that he was made for this.

I wanted to be open minded with this reboot taking more influence from the original show than the original comics, but a return to a simplistic good v evil story (and a foregrounding of 🤢human characters) after the murky moral intrigue and expansive world building of the 2005-2018 IDW continuity is a major drop off for me. I miss James Roberts and Nick Roche, but it seems like I’m the only one.

[Bella Morteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome. I loved it. Although not a big fan of the new art style that they’re trying out but I still love it regardless. What I’m very surprised is that Elita-1 has officially turn her back on Optimus, seeing him as an enemy and going solo. Although I’m very upset that she is turning her back on Optimus, but I understand why she’s doing this. He did took a huge chunk of the Autobots to Earth and essentially abandoned Elita and her troops, fighting more for humanity than Cybertron. 😢

[Jonathan Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirk an doesn't disappoint

I admit. I was nervous when I heard Kirk man was taking over for DWJ but I am glad to say I was not disappointed. This issue had surprises I did not see coming and the characters are well portrayed. I enjoyed the read and look forward to the rest of this journey.

[Chris Loan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to this new era!
I loved how the art shifted between the Autobots and Decepticons. And speaking of that shift, I loved the classic homage with the logos. I’m excited to see this new direction with Kirkman and Mora go!

[Craig Schorling · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the incredible DWJ run Kirkman steps in. This immediately felt great. Mora's art is great as to be eexpected and the story is moving forward in an interesting and believable way. The final page ramps things up. Hate having to wait for more.

[Wm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought I was going to drop the series with Johnson's exit, but I wholeheartedly approve of Kirkman's depiction of Megatron as 100% fash trash.

And with Optimus Prime's hopeful but foolhardy naïvety, I can't not follow to see if he's still alright.

[Dingleberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't like the art switch at all. From the last issue it would seem like there wasn't a huge battle at all only a few from both sides even look like they have been put through the ringer.  Everyone looks too spotless in comparison to the last issue.

[Susan :3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting…

I am kind of skeptical but I am interested to see how this run turns with Robert Kirkman at the helm.

Since Elita-1 considers Prime a enemy now, are Elita and Optimus gonna fight?

[Justin Littlebrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's to a new beginning.

I'm looking forward to a new phase of these books where the Autobots are agreed on to be by on the side of humanity.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm excited to see where it goes. Kirkman didnt disappoint!

[rocco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg the art style is GORGEOUS. this new arc looks promising. I'm not sure who the military people are but they're probably gi Joe related

[Luc Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

was definitely very worried about new kirkman/mora takeover but i really like the new look and the new writing seems promising! intrigued!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Mora's art, bright colors help the bots stand out more. Also some old faces returning, if you're a fan of Animated or Prime you'll be very happy here.

[Andy Waldron · Rating 4 out of 5]

that dinobots tease got me all prickly hot

[Max Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m really going to miss Jorge Corona’s art but i’m looking forward to this next arc

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the new art. Wasn't expecting that surprise character but now I'm excited. Can see where this might go and am looking forward to it.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Flagship of the Energon Universe! To me, this series is amazing! 5/5

[Spacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

**SPOILERS AHEAD**!!

I'm gonna try to keep this simple but the drop in writing quality was SO bad that I was physically shocked and had to check to see if Warren-Johnsons run had come to an end already. The characters talk like they were trying to reintroduce themselves to complete strangers and Optimus was like a completely different character, losing any of the gentle strength and understated wisdom that Warren built up to be replaced with stilted...everything.

The writing was bad enough that I had to stop reading multiple times through to liveblog to my friends. From Megatron rushing to introduce a good 10 or so Decepticons in their first panels complete with zingers such as "Mixmaster, the only thing you've been mixing lately is disappointment!", to the use of that poorly written little girl to try and drum up some of the heart the comic has so far been known for, and to the M.A.S.K inclusion, this comic felt like it was rushing to set itself up.

I have no clue if this was a demand from higher ups because they keep trying to slip in old properties to jingle their vintage IP's until one sticks with new readers, but the introduction of M.A.S.K had me almost put the comic down. Genuinely, who cares about M.A.S.K?? No ones touched the IP in years for a reason. I love 80s schmaltz more then the next guy, but you can't show me a character named Miles Mayhem working for the US government and dissecting beloved character Bulkhead in a dank basement and not have me call a snake a snake- there's no way he's not going to cause problems for everyone involved for the rest of this story arc. Maybe it was supposed to be a surprise to modern readers and a treat for those who grew up with the show, but I don't think a lot of people are rooting for the Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem to take up staring roles and ample screen time in future issues of Transformers. I could be totally wrong about that, but I fear I'm not. It's a sign to me that Kirkman's writing is going to have trouble setting up anything that genuinely surprises the reader.

I love Transformers to the point of being a walking encyclopedia of "fun facts" and have gained an accidental catchphrase with how often I say "not to bring transformers into this, but-", so please know I speak on this from a place of love, especially reading how excited Kirkman is to be doing a Transformers run. I would die of excitement if I was in his position myself, but and I'm sure he's had ideas about where he wants this to go for years now, and I love and respect that he's such a huge fan, but at the risk of sounding a bit mean, I would not have guessed he was a fan from how poorly this was written. I haven't read Issue 26 yet despite having kept up with the series monthly and calling the release "Transformers Day" since about Issue 5, but I'm not looking forward to it.

I /genuinely/ hope that I have something nicer to say next issue because I would love for Kirkman to come into his own and write the story he's been so excited to tell, not just for the readers but for himself. I just can't believe no one else has anything to say about the quality drop between issues 24 and 25, because it's evident from the first pages that the characters have shifted away from themselves. Actually, I just looked it up and this is the guy who wrote *Invincible* and not a green author, what HAPPENED man???

The art is gorgeous though, of course, if not a bit of a shocking departure from the messy Pen and paper style that's been emblematic of the series so far. I'll need to sit with it for another issue to see if I'm going to like it as much, but it's absolutely beautiful and Dan Mora is a real talent!