Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Vol. 2

Transformers (2023) #3-4

by Daniel Warren Johnson

The war between Autobots and Decepticons comes to a head in this stunning deluxe hardcover of the Eisner Award-winning TRANSFORMERS!

THE WAR FOR CYBERTRON WILL BE FOUGHT ON EARTH!

As the Autobots recover from the latest attack, the Decepticons fracture even further. But when two armies of Decepticons go to war, humanity suffers the consequences.

Can Optimus Prime protect Earth in their time of greatest need? Or will the return of Megatron guarantee Decepticon victory?

Explore the unforgettable next chapter of the Eisner Award-winning series from critically acclaimed creative team Daniel Warren Johnson (Do A Powerbomb), Jorge Corona (Middlewest), Ludo Lullabi (Ghost Pepper), Jason Howard, and Mike Spicer in this beautiful deluxe hardcover.

Collects TRANSFORMERS #13-24, stories from Energon Universe Special 2024 & 2025.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2026

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

[Sembray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having adored the first edition, I was eagerly waiting for the follow-up and it's every bit as brilliant. It maintains everything that was incredible about the first volume: fantastic characters (even my boy Starscream gets his own backstory), stunning art with some amazing page spreads, a surprisingly moving and emotional plot and a wonderful blend of references for established fans and new and exciting ideas. This marks the end of Daniel Warren Johnson's run and regardless of how the future issues turn out he and all the artists deserve enormous credit for crafting possibly the finest Transformers media I've yet encountered.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"My lord, our Deceptions warriors fought valiantly. We are victorious."

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved re-reading the last of DWJ's run all together in this collected format. Seeing the build up of the series so far and all it built up to, especially in the moments of issues 23 and 24, it was like experiencing them for the first time again and it gets me hyped every time.

It's been several months now since Kirkman took over and while I still love the series and interested to see whats next, there was always something special about what Johnson and Corona built together that gets me emotional every time I read it.

(I had to get the Ultra Magnus variant cover because he has some of my favourite moments in this book ❤️)

[Langston Lardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This transformers run just doesn’t miss. Book is so good that even the backstories/side stories are great. Once again the artwork is beautiful with kickass moments and battles. All the bots look great and the human characters / moments are once again strong. Spike, Carly, and even Sparky are great characters. Star scream as depth that I love, Cliff jumper is still great, Optimus is a gentle badass, and every single other transformer here is just awesome. I can’t praise this series enough.

[Jarred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Tight story, fast paced with emotional gut punches. While art gets traded off to another artist, Daniel Warren Johnson is still lead on story/script, so there is clear continuity to past issues written/drawn by him. It wraps most things up by the end, so volume 1 and this one (2) can serve as a nice stand alone if you don’t want to get too deep into the comic run (or other properties like gi Joe or void rivals, this stands alone without relying on any crossovers. Highly recommend.

[Nick Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as much fun as the first volume. It wasn’t until the trials that the story really kicked off for me. I found it sluggish, and sometimes confusing in the first half. If the book started at that point, I would consider it a thrill ride, but instead, it just feels uneven to me instead. 3.5/5

[Matt Quann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maaaaaaaan.

The hype is well-earned. A perfectly fun war story with giant robots. I liked the last volume, but this one ruled. The art throughout the series has been stellar.

I’ll read more with the next deluxe volume in 2027!

[Ossie VV · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Small, Yes.. But still Mighty.”-Optimus Prime

[Jeff Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still the best thing in the Energon universe. Can’t wait to see what Kirkman brings to this comic which I believe is the next arc.

[Phillip Murrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good action with consequences but I have concerns with the overall changes in the Energon Universe, especially with G. I. Joe. Surprisingly, Void Rivals is so far the best.