Transformers: Optimus Prime, Vol. 3

Transformers IDW #73

by John Barber, Guido Guidi (Illustrator), John Wycough (Illustrator)

New threats emerge, both on Cybertron and Earth, as the saga of Optimus Prime and the Autobots continues. What new future will the Transformers face?

With Optimus Prime trapped on Cybertron, embroiled in the First Strike event, the Autobots on Earth set off on a mission to find their missing friend, Jazz. But anti-Cybertronian humans are after him as well, and they're armed with Cybertronian weapons!

Then, in the wake of First Strike, Optimus ventures into the wilderness of Cybertron to search for the first new Cybertronian life to emerge in four million years! And, as if that's not enough to deal with, he soon finds himself facing off with the Dinobots, whose newest member is two miles tall and eats cities!

Collects Optimus Prime issues #11-14 and the Optimus First Strike and First Strike one-shots.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Science Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2018

Reviews

[Dave Relph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is rather slow and mediocre for the most part and inconsistent art styles throughout let it down again. The final two parts salvage this, generating some intrigue and teasing a reason to keep reading. Make no mistake though, this is by far the inferior of the two main ongoing series at the moment.

[Kavinay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cybertron parts: great.
Earth parts: do we have too?

I appreciate what Barber is trying to do, especially in regards to working in First Strike and the Hasbroverse, but it still doesn't change the fact that TF stories about TFs are far more engaging than dealing with boring Earth storylines.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half or so repeats material that was collected in Transformers/G.I. Joe: First Strike - Champions. The rest picks up a bunch of dangling plotlines, including those from Transformers: Redemption of the Dinobots, and tries to resolve them in various ways. The best section of this is Aileron leading a group of Autobots to try and find Jazz... but overall there's just a lot going on. (B)

[Andy Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Barber writes THE best comics ideas but sometimes forgets to write the comics. In early chapter pages there's on-the-nose needless exposition for those ideas where inferrence would be more powerful. In the middle, much formulaic genre padding, though its never long before a new conjuring or twist comes. The endings while decent in plot terms never seem to carry emphasis. Barber is capable of incredibly powerful story but not here. Illustration is wonderful. The welcome return of Pitre-Durocher with her clear delineation and vibrant colours; of reliable Andrew Griffith; Livio Ramondelli, whose post-tech neo-classicist fusions have an oil paint quiality.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol. 3 continues straight on from previous books with Prime and Windblade having to keep the new alliance with Earth under control while still dealing with humans who want to be in charge! :D Plot twist abound as well as surprised you will not expect! :D Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol. 3 at the same time sets up new plots and situations in great way that you will not see coming! :D Crisp High Five! :D Get it if You Can! :D

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is Optimus Prime the least engaging character in his own series? I don't lay all the blame at Barber's feet. Every incarnation of Prime since Animated has a pompous wind bag with a messiah complex. I have to assume there is some mandate from Hasbro that has led us to this point. I consistently enjoy this series anytime Prime isn't taking up space in the story.

[Christopher Colton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some long-dangling plot threads FINALLY got resolved, or at least brought back into the main story, but this volume largely felt like it was shuffling pieces around more than being a compelling narrative. And I still don't care for Livio Ramondelli's artwork.

[Isiiii · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siento que me pierdo mucho y me confunde tanto cambio de estilos de dibujo.

Pasan muchas cosas a la vez o el problema para leer es mío que me cuesta entender, o no me interesa tanto la historia(? Eso si, se vienen cosas terribles

[Adam Azoulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little confusing at first but it's smooth sailing from there.

[B.J. Fantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standout Issues: #11, #12, #13, #14, Optimus Prime: First Strike (#1)