Transformers: Infiltration

Transformers IDW #3

by Simon Furman, E.J. Su (Illustrator)

Earth: 2006, and the fate of the planet is already sealed, its destiny decided... by the marauding mechanical beings known as Decepticons. In their way stand an embattled crew of seven hardy Autobot warriors, sworn to prevent the impending Armageddon at any cost, and an unlikely trio of human misfits, pulled kicking and screaming into a hitherto hidden world of pain and hurt. The can of worms is open, the genie out of bottle... and nothing will ever be the same again

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, 21st Century, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Simon Christopher Francis Furman is a British comic book writer who is best known for his work on Hasbro/Tomy's Transformers franchise, starting with writing Marvel's initial comic book to promote the toyline worldwide, as well as foundations for both Dreamwave Production's and IDW Publishing's takes on the Generation 1 minifranchise.

Reviews

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing introduction to the IDW Transformers series, with some great and expressive artwork, and an intriguing plotline that shows just how much intimidating the villains are.

[Orion W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty great book. The designs of the Autobots and the Decepticons. I also like Optimus Prime's and Megatron's epic arrivals on Earth. Though it wasn't the best Transformers book but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. I like also how it built on the characters. I'm a die hard Transformers fan anyways.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this run was so much fun to read!! i love verity carlo, and these issues also made me love ratchet even more—he cares so much for the humans, and just wants to protect them. the megatron jumpscare in issue #4 was definitely unexpected, but i think it also made prowl’s comment of Earth becoming the new frontline all the more ominous.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The transformers start off their adventure on earth, a just fine story of Megatron coming back to rule the Decepticons and Optimus Prime (in the final panel) coming to save humanity. Sets up a worldwide battle between the good and bad guys. A simplistic story with somewhat boring characters (although I think a young reader would have fun with this). Not for me but not all bad!

[Terry Mcginnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is where it all starts for the IDW relaunch of Transformers comics. I've been eyeing this for years, and finally decided to begin. One of my initial hurdles was the kid-like art, causing me to think this was be very cartoonish with young reader accessibility. Not the case. Though the art appears to capture the look of Generation 1 toons and comics, the content is geared towards older audiences and becomes violent and serious near the end. There are 3 primary humans, developed very well character-wise, and only a small number of Autobots and Decepticons. There is also a short battle between Megatron and Starscream (of course!) and ends with an inevitable appearance by a special Autobot. Overall, I can't wait to continue this relaunch and am excited for what I've heard are great stories to follow this initial volume. 4 stars!

[Casey Millington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transformers: Infiltration is a fun introduction to the start of what would later become the 2005 IDW Continuity. It is a great story that follows a commonly-seen development of a group of young, misfit, humans thrusted into the middle of the ongoing war between the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth. Featuring a fairly tame cast of characters, both human and Cybertronian, the plot of the graphic novel explores the embattled Autobots and frantic actions of the Decepticons without the iron fist of Megatron. The artwork is as impressive as it is colourful, and the detailed G1-centric designs is perfectly captured throughout the graphic novel.

[Kin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to some of the cast of characters, pretty good little beginning to the IDW story with some hard hitting moments sprinkled in. All supported by fantastic art.

While this isn't the best Transformers comic Ive read but its very far from the worst.

Looking forward to continuing the line :)

[SparrowReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a solid introduction to the continuity and the franchise.

Infiltration is a relatively straightforward story and it draws on familiar parts of the series - robots in disguise hiding on Earth who come into contact with a small group of teenagers as they try to reckon with the more powerful but fractious Decepticon forces. If you’ve been with this franchise a while, this will likely seem familiar.

I think the human characters have potential, though the dialogue is stilted, and I like the disguise portion of the story and the way it is played for humour, especially Ratchet’s unsubtle nature. I thought the art was consistent. Honestly, I have nothing very negative to say, but it didn't make a massive impac on me, either. Furman’s dialogue is definitely a hang-up, even if it doesn’t kill the characters for me, and although his prose narration is quite melodramatic I believe that matches the tone here.

Also: an excellent intro for Megatron.

[Matthew Barbeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got the whole run of Transformers IDW comics just waiting to be read. I lost interest back in the day around the end of MTMTE, but can't really pinpoint why. It's my intention this year to start making a dent in that backlist and make some headway.

I really miss good Transformers fiction. All of the animated and movie stuff we've gotten over the last two decades has been... less than enjoyable.

This kicks off a new genesis of the Transformers - one where thye truly are robots in disguise, trying to stay hidden. Going back over this book was like a nice warm hug, or sitting down for coffee with an old friend.

This might be the best opening to Transformers fiction ever written, with a nice cast of characters that deviate a little from the norm.

I can't wait to delve into more.

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent reboot of the Transformers concept, really emphasizing the "robots in disguise" and "alien invasion" motifs, while still staying true to the spirit of the Generation One era. It even has some appealing human characters, and a genuinely menacing Megatron. Definitely recommended for Transformers fans, and I suspect it'd be a great way for new fans to check out the franchise as well. (A-)

[James Taber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole thing started a couple of years ago. Bear with me.

My friend, we'll call her T. (though, to be honest, "friend" might be a bit presumptuous) had a reading suggestion for me. IDW's first run on the Transformers property was ending, they were getting ready for a continuity reset. Knowing this, and knowing that T. was a huge Transformers fan, I asked her where I should start if I wanted to get into the comics.

She suggested I begin with the series More Than Meets the Eye because, to paraphrase, everyone was expecting a 6 or a 7 but the creative team decided to turn in a 10. Plus, there was a sale on Comixology.

So I bought it, added it to my "to read" pile, and started working my way towards it. Then a year ago, Humble Bundle offered the (near) complete run of IDW's 2005 Transformers continuity. Curious about whether it was worth it, I started reading the first volume of MTMTE.

After a few pages, I closed it, rushed to my computer, and bought the whole run from HB. It was that good, and I decided I didn't want to risk missing out on something great.

Now I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm only starting to read it now. In my defense, the easiest format to use was CBZ, and I had to download Moon+ Reader and then catalog the issues myself, which involved a lot of Transformers Wiki magic to determine a suitable reading order. Not that it took me a year to do that, but it took me a while to have enough free time and the will to follow through.

Now I'm in, and it's a strong start. Infiltration does an excellent job of giving us enough information to keep us hooked and reading, while withholding just the right amount to keep us guessing. I don't know anything about the cartoons, I've only seen the movies once each, so I'm jumping into this as a complete Transformers novice.

Join me in this odyssey. I promise that future reviews will be much shorter and easier to digest, unless I get super involved and emotional.

So they'll actually probably be long. Sorry.

[Reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking back on this run through the lens of modern Transformers media, you could pass it by thinking it's just another generic G1 revival. But it's so much more than that.

Furman proves he never lost it as he gets his feet under what makes Transformers the Transformers. That's the Robots in DISGUISE part. Where Furman brings in aspects of secrecy and espionage that is so often absent in Transformers media. I dare say he drew inspiration from the notion that G1 was a cold war metaphor where the good guys were the proud U S of A and the villains were those scheming commies. In this, the Decepticons MO is to destabilise planets so their resources could be coopted into the war effort.

The only thing that holds this run back is the over involvement of human characters. I know through enough reading that they all come good and become very serious characters in the IDW continuity, but their introduction doesn't quite stick the landing. It's known that large parts of the TF community don't particularly care for the fleshy ones.

Furman is still the best out there. IDW were right to put him in the driver seat nearly 20 years after his start as a TF:UK writer.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good! It's not without its flaws, but it's so dramatically much better than the preceding stories in the phase one collection, and it's one of the more entertaining comics of any kind that I've read recently, so I have to give it a rare five stars. Classic characters, on Earth, interacting with the human world, rather than just random stories about alien beings on alien worlds, where their mechanical nature is essentially irrelevant. Excellent.

This is the first Transformers story I've read that feels true to what we enjoyed in G1, just updated a little and aimed at an older audience—which is exactly what these should be. I just hope I can continue this storyline without having to wade through too much more boring outer space nonsense that doesn't take proper advantage of the basic premise of these characters.

"Now reap the whirlwind!"

[Nikki 🎯 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a really strong intro arc into the IDW transformers continuity. It didn't hold the readers hands as if the creative team believed the readers knew absolutely nothing about the franchise but also made it simple and explanatory enough that if the reader had never read from the series before that they'd still know what was going on. Also kudos for naming every transformer that appears on page. It's not often that that happens and its very helpful for new readers in identifying the characters. (That being said HUGE laugh at the artist accidentally drawing the same holomatter avatar for Sunstreaker and Bumblebee, the two most violently mistaken altmodes since the 2007 movie.)

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read some of the other limited series around this, but it looks like here is where the actual plot begins. It's fine! An easy introduction to a larger conflict, with fighting robots and stuff like that. There are some humans that get involved. I wasn't too excited by any of this, to be honest. Nothing stood out, and it felt like the first part of some bigger crossover or story rather than a volume that can be enjoyed on its own.

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't really work for me, reminding me of the first Michael Bay film. Hunter and Verity felt like 90s cliches, I didn't really believe any of the motivations and it was too full of explosions and splash pages for my tastes.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is OK. It's a tad bit confusing as to what's going on here as not enough info is doled out. The autobots and decepticons are lurking in plain sight. Three humans happen upon them while holding onto a macguffin that's not explained.

[David Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story to kick off IDW's reign of terror.

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introdução muito boa dos transformers mas é sem sal, Ao menos a luta final é marcante

[Luciana Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó haber leído a más transformers además de Optimus y Megatron, los dibujos y los colores de lo mejor hasta ahora

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good introduction for the reboot. The human characters were fun to follow as we got their perspective before being in on the Transformers side of it all.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

ratcheeeeeeeet *gatito saltando emocionado*

[Danyluz Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

una muy buena introducción a esta gran franquicia. con apariciones de personajes muy impactantes
fue muy rápido de leer
me encanto Ratchet

[Jacobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I give this trade 4 stars, that isn't to signify it's one of the best comics I've ever read. What it does say, though, is that for what this is it's hella fun.

Being an 80's baby I have a built in fondness for some franchises, Transformers chief among them, so this being a completely new (string free) series based on the original incarnation of the Transformers was right up my alley. The story is the same Transformers story we always get, but it was really well done. It was enjoyable enough to get me to read further into the series.

I have to say, I am a complete sucker for when the big boys (Optimus Prime and Megatron), are given the proper weight. I know the whole premise of the Transformers is completely silly, but when you get into this franchise you know that those are "the guys". The Autobots and Decepticons are going to fight forever, but the battles are always decided by Prime and MEgatron. This trade did well in getting that across. So bonus points to you IDW.

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 3 out of 5]

🚗 Issue #1 – Signals in the Dark
The war between Autobots and Decepticons has already reached Earth — but this isn’t the explosive invasion we expect. It’s quiet. Secret. Hidden.
We meet Verity Carlo, Hunter O’Nion, and Jimmy Pink — three humans caught in something far bigger than themselves. Strange cars, untraceable signals, and the sense that someone’s watching everything.

When a simple stolen PDA turns out to hold data linked to alien activity, the tension spikes. No grand battles yet — just paranoia and shadows. The Transformers are ghosts here, and Earth is their new chessboard.
This issue sets the tone: war isn’t coming. It’s already here. You just haven’t seen it yet.

[Matt Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

fully fully awesome in so many ways! brought back wonderful childhood memories. i was always a big transformers fan, but only the tv show and the toys -- i never read any of the comics until now. the artwork in this 2006 issue is amazing! the story has much smarter pacing than most of the G1 tv show episodes. and the human characters are great too. I look forward to reading the other IDW titles (then I may go back to the Dreamwave and Marvel ones :)

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new comic series based on the G1 (that's Generation 1, or the original Transformers) robots, this first volume of IDW's "Transformers" line is really cool. Awesome artwork and great storytelling combine to make this a fun read. Yes, there are some changes in character design, but they're minimal and, for the most part, good changes. The robot forms look just like we remember from the 80s.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best first volume for anyone who wants to rekindle a childhood love of Transformers. If you liked this, do yourself a favor and look up a complete reading order. This continuity has a satisfying ending, and uncountable fantastic stories in between!

[Casey West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use to read the Transformers comics as a kid and this is an awesome retelling of the G1 story. Updated but not changed. IDW did it right.

[Shannon T.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the artwork, loved the story. can't wait to read the rest.