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Transformers Classics #8
Transformers: Classics Vol. 8
Volume 8 collects Transformers Universe #1–4, all character biographies from TF issues #47–49, 56–72, and 74–79, plus G.I. JOE and the Transformers #1–4. Also includes issues notes by Mark W. Bellomo.
- GenresComicsScience Fiction
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
15 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 6, 2018
Well, if you've ever doubted my geekery, just know that I read this. I'm a geek. Art is inconsistent, profiles for later characters reek of either deadlines or Budiansky running out of traits to use, although first wave characters have interesting entries.
The four-issue "GI Joe and Transformers" wraps the book. First, it makes multiple references to stories in the individual titles at the time, so it really really should have reprinted in sequence. Second, it's not particularly good in any way.
The four-issue "GI Joe and Transformers" wraps the book. First, it makes multiple references to stories in the individual titles at the time, so it really really should have reprinted in sequence. Second, it's not particularly good in any way.
February 17, 2023
This one is barely even a book, just a collection of character bios by Bob Budiansky and the crossover with G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The bios are largely irrelevant to the actual characterizations of the characters even in the Transformers comics themselves, not to mention the G1 cartoon show. It was a slog to get through them all, but I read them because I have OCD and wanted to at least be able to say that I read this whole volume in order. At least the bios featuring the characters introduced in the 1986 movie were pretty cool, and generally shorter than the others.
You'd think the crossover would at least be worth the price of admission, but not really. Duke, Optimus Prime, Cobra Commander, and Megatron are largely absent, and the subplot involving Hawk quickly falling in love with an attractive female senator is pretty pointless, as is the other subplot involved Bombshell controlling some kid's mind with one of his cerebro-shells. Really, the only thing of note that this miniseries established - unless I'm already forgetting something else - is Bumblebee's transformation into Goldbug. Oh yeah, and Optimus's funeral shows up in a panel or two, since he died in that virtual reality video game toward the end of Volume 2. Anyway, by the time I got to issue #4 of this miniseries, it was a chore to read, and it felt like the story was about twice as long as a standard comic book. (I checked - it was not.) I think Michael Higgins should've left all G.I. Joe writing duties of the time to Larry Hama. He kind of tried to follow the established continuity of both comic series at the time, but also ignored a lot of it. Oh well, it's not like the cartoon shows were big sticklers for continuity anyway. Herb Trimpe's art is pretty good, at least.
I read this volume after 1 and 2 (because of how horribly IDW has mapped the entire Marvel US series of The Transformers) in order to make more sense of Volume 3, but I seriously doubt I'll ever read it straight through again.
You'd think the crossover would at least be worth the price of admission, but not really. Duke, Optimus Prime, Cobra Commander, and Megatron are largely absent, and the subplot involving Hawk quickly falling in love with an attractive female senator is pretty pointless, as is the other subplot involved Bombshell controlling some kid's mind with one of his cerebro-shells. Really, the only thing of note that this miniseries established - unless I'm already forgetting something else - is Bumblebee's transformation into Goldbug. Oh yeah, and Optimus's funeral shows up in a panel or two, since he died in that virtual reality video game toward the end of Volume 2. Anyway, by the time I got to issue #4 of this miniseries, it was a chore to read, and it felt like the story was about twice as long as a standard comic book. (I checked - it was not.) I think Michael Higgins should've left all G.I. Joe writing duties of the time to Larry Hama. He kind of tried to follow the established continuity of both comic series at the time, but also ignored a lot of it. Oh well, it's not like the cartoon shows were big sticklers for continuity anyway. Herb Trimpe's art is pretty good, at least.
I read this volume after 1 and 2 (because of how horribly IDW has mapped the entire Marvel US series of The Transformers) in order to make more sense of Volume 3, but I seriously doubt I'll ever read it straight through again.
July 6, 2024
This collection is a bit of a mismatch. The character descriptions are nice, even if they contradict the comics and/or show. After all, did anyone ever see Ratchet party? Also, based on what I read in the comics, Megatron has plenty of weaknesses. Still, this is the highlight of the volume.
Both the four issue Headmasters and G.I. Joe stories would have been better integrated into the main volumes, which had confusing moments due to their absence. It's solid stuff, but its inclusion in an earlier volume would have gone far to reducing the confusion I felt when Scorponok and Fortress Maximus show up.
As for the stories. Well, seeing Cobra and the Joes shocked about transforming robots is ridiculous this far in the continuity. The series also underlines the problem in the comics with human weapons and technology, which are strong or weak depending on what the plot requires. Here it is very strong. Cobra and the Decepticons ally too quickly and unravel just as fast. In the end it is really more a Joe story than a Transformers one, and mostly a poor one, although it makes aspects of the main series more understandable. Otherwise, it's pretty weak with too much jammed in. A real mess of a story. As to the Headmasters, they are a concept I never liked. Here it is about as well done as it is going to be, but it still comes off as dumb.
Both the four issue Headmasters and G.I. Joe stories would have been better integrated into the main volumes, which had confusing moments due to their absence. It's solid stuff, but its inclusion in an earlier volume would have gone far to reducing the confusion I felt when Scorponok and Fortress Maximus show up.
As for the stories. Well, seeing Cobra and the Joes shocked about transforming robots is ridiculous this far in the continuity. The series also underlines the problem in the comics with human weapons and technology, which are strong or weak depending on what the plot requires. Here it is very strong. Cobra and the Decepticons ally too quickly and unravel just as fast. In the end it is really more a Joe story than a Transformers one, and mostly a poor one, although it makes aspects of the main series more understandable. Otherwise, it's pretty weak with too much jammed in. A real mess of a story. As to the Headmasters, they are a concept I never liked. Here it is about as well done as it is going to be, but it still comes off as dumb.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews