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Go-Bots
A new spin on classic action figure nostalgia bursts off the page in this inventive nod to the titans of golden age comics.
They say they're here to help us, but are they here to replace us? Go-Bots have changed our way of life. Leader-1 is a self-aware fighter jet on a hostage rescue mission with his partner, Commander Nick Burns. Scooter is the personal transport and best friend to undergrad A.J. Foster. Turbo is Matt Hunter's transforming race car in the hottest sport in America, Go-Bot Racing. Cy-Kill is the champion of the illegal, underground Go-Bot Fighting League.
A modern sci-fi epic updating the story of the classic 1980s toy line, from the incomparable Tom Scioli, creator of American Barbarian .
They say they're here to help us, but are they here to replace us? Go-Bots have changed our way of life. Leader-1 is a self-aware fighter jet on a hostage rescue mission with his partner, Commander Nick Burns. Scooter is the personal transport and best friend to undergrad A.J. Foster. Turbo is Matt Hunter's transforming race car in the hottest sport in America, Go-Bot Racing. Cy-Kill is the champion of the illegal, underground Go-Bot Fighting League.
A modern sci-fi epic updating the story of the classic 1980s toy line, from the incomparable Tom Scioli, creator of American Barbarian .
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2019
2 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 8, 2024
ATTENTION K-MART SHOPPERS!!! Are you a child in 1986 and you REALLY want a Transformer but your parents are WAY too cheap to buy even the small ones? I present to you, GO-BOTS!!!
This story will NOT appeal to everyone as it is intended for a small target audience.
The entire project was pulled-off by ONE faithful, nostalgic geek; Tom Scioli (possibly the love child of Jack Kirby and Ozzy Osborne).
I enjoyed every bit. Cy-kill. Leader One. The ship that looks exactly like the original playset that I begged my dad for (but the tightwad still wouldn't get it).
If you ever watched Go-bots, read this. If you ever owned a Go-bot, read this. If you STILL own a Go-bot, buy the trade to read and then get the singles with protective cases and put them into an over-the-top, unholy nerd shrine that'll make your significant other question their relationship choices.
This story will NOT appeal to everyone as it is intended for a small target audience.
The entire project was pulled-off by ONE faithful, nostalgic geek; Tom Scioli (possibly the love child of Jack Kirby and Ozzy Osborne).
I enjoyed every bit. Cy-kill. Leader One. The ship that looks exactly like the original playset that I begged my dad for (but the tightwad still wouldn't get it).
If you ever watched Go-bots, read this. If you ever owned a Go-bot, read this. If you STILL own a Go-bot, buy the trade to read and then get the singles with protective cases and put them into an over-the-top, unholy nerd shrine that'll make your significant other question their relationship choices.
April 22, 2021
Darker, edgier remakes of properties once aimed at kids aren't generally my thing, but there was something unusually compelling about Go-Bots. It's a strange comic, borderline hallucinatory at times, but has just enough interesting ideas to be worth reading. Note that if you're a major fan of the original Go-Bots franchise, you probably won't like this; but if your memories of the original are mainly from your childhood, and you haven't paid attention since, and you have a taste for the weird... you'll probably appreciate this book. (B)
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December 30, 2019Yeah, I know. But when the visionary who managed to turn a Transformers/GI Joe crossover into a cosmic epic by way of The Prisoner decides to play with the Transformers' off-brand poor relations, how could I resist? I know the Go-Bots did have their own stories back in the day – heavens help me, I know I saw the Rock Lords film – but I can't recall a bit of it, or whether this accords with that. Here they're humanity's creation, initially (and brilliantly, stupidly) a reaction to the parking crisis – why park your car when it can change into a robot and walk alongside you? This begs so many questions, and I love it. But now, as our lethal metal creations so often seem to, they're rebelling:
"Sorry, kids, but this isn't a problem that software or chips or patches or upgrades are going to solve. This isn't a systems failure. This is a revolution. Go-Bots began as a fiction. Fiction is the waiting room for reality. We just build them. It's your job to parent them. We gave them independent thought and the ability to judge. We made them like us.
They found us lacking."
Of course, some of them opt to defend the humans from the antics of the rebels – and for all the carnage, they are antics, the acts of destructive children. One of the blurbs describes this as "a perfect simulation of a child's tale, put together by a master craftsman", which is about right, even if the kid in question here doesn't have quite such a hyperactive imagination as the one Scioli was channelling for Transformers/GI Joe. This isn't quite as far-out in comparison, and compared to the usual density of his storytelling, in places it feels positively decompressed. But that's only by Scioli standards; compared to most anyone else in comics it's still a hyperdense shot of high weirdness, especially once the story heads into space.
"Sorry, kids, but this isn't a problem that software or chips or patches or upgrades are going to solve. This isn't a systems failure. This is a revolution. Go-Bots began as a fiction. Fiction is the waiting room for reality. We just build them. It's your job to parent them. We gave them independent thought and the ability to judge. We made them like us.
They found us lacking."
Of course, some of them opt to defend the humans from the antics of the rebels – and for all the carnage, they are antics, the acts of destructive children. One of the blurbs describes this as "a perfect simulation of a child's tale, put together by a master craftsman", which is about right, even if the kid in question here doesn't have quite such a hyperactive imagination as the one Scioli was channelling for Transformers/GI Joe. This isn't quite as far-out in comparison, and compared to the usual density of his storytelling, in places it feels positively decompressed. But that's only by Scioli standards; compared to most anyone else in comics it's still a hyperdense shot of high weirdness, especially once the story heads into space.
July 14, 2019
I hate to call someone's work on a "dream project" is slumming it--but here we are.
Tom Scioli is one of my favorite comics artists--hes got that style that's what I affectionately call "Home brewed" something accessible and approachable. The kind of work you think you might be capable,of if you had just applied yourself more. I.e. Benjamin Marra, Ed Piskor, Michel Fiffe, Dash Shaw, Jim Rugg, Charles Forsman, etc.
I dont know much about Go-Bots other than they were like the K-Mart brand of Transformer. This comic doesnt convince me much and its nowhere near as much as Godland, Transformers vs. GI Joe, Super Powers or the upcoming Fantastic Four: Grand Design.
Just imagine a perfectly serviceable but uninspired property get a bland comic adaptation but with killer art, and a bit of a holiday special/days of futures past twist. With references to the Dark Knight Returns and Battlestar Galactaca
Tom Scioli is one of my favorite comics artists--hes got that style that's what I affectionately call "Home brewed" something accessible and approachable. The kind of work you think you might be capable,of if you had just applied yourself more. I.e. Benjamin Marra, Ed Piskor, Michel Fiffe, Dash Shaw, Jim Rugg, Charles Forsman, etc.
I dont know much about Go-Bots other than they were like the K-Mart brand of Transformer. This comic doesnt convince me much and its nowhere near as much as Godland, Transformers vs. GI Joe, Super Powers or the upcoming Fantastic Four: Grand Design.
Just imagine a perfectly serviceable but uninspired property get a bland comic adaptation but with killer art, and a bit of a holiday special/days of futures past twist. With references to the Dark Knight Returns and Battlestar Galactaca
August 23, 2019
I can’t believe it, but this was one of the best things I’ve read this year. It’s a really clever story, done in the style of a Golden Age comic. The characters’ depth is severely understated, their conflicts are very straightforward, and the leaps of logic are enormous and unapologetic. It captures the feeling of being 8 years old and playing with no self-consciousness, while still delivering a shockingly sophisticated story inspired by a C-list toyline.
April 5, 2020
The middle part of Scioli's franchise character trilogy, Go-Bots isn't as insane or genre-breaking as Transformers/GI Joe or Fantastic Four: Grand Design. Storytelling is still great, hurt only by the fact that the Go-Bot toys were so cheaply made that they all look the same and its difficult to tell them apart. But this has 100% more political theory than any other comic based on a toy you'll ever read. Looking forward to Scioli going back to his own characters soon.
October 2, 2019
As limited comic series based on old cartoons that were a bit ... uncomplicated ... to begin with, this was a pleasant surprise. It's not at all how I remember the story being, but then I don't really remember enough about the Go-Bots to be sure. Art's great, story's interesting, and it doesn't stick around long enough to get old. Worth a look.
May 17, 2020
First time I encountered Tom Scioli's work--TF vs GI Joe--I thought he was on some powerful psychedelics. Go back and read comics from 80s and you'll notice some of the crazier stuff in his storytelling, both visually and plot-wise, is delightfully on point. Go-Bots is no exception.
Enjoy the ride!
Enjoy the ride!
July 31, 2019
Brilliant and fun!
July 7, 2020
Props to the author for making Go-Bots a little less lame. Transformers will always be the superior brand in my opinion.
September 20, 2022
Actually a ton of fun. I've never even heard of a Go-Bot before to be honest. This was a bit before my time I think.
This came out around the same time of Dash Shaw's Clue (another IDW comic of a Hasbro property). Shaw also provides a few alternative covers to this series, which look great.
Scioli is just a ton fun. He has a style that feels like a (prodigy) child interpreting Jack Kirby. His art is left in pencils and looks drawn with pencil crayon here. It works so damn well for this story. Makes it feel like you're playing with the toys and creating the story yourself.
Plot:
Essentially mankind created Go-Bots to fix the parking problem. What's the easiest solution to parking? Ride share apps? Improved public transit? Nope. It's to create cars that transform into anthropomorphic robots and walk with you once you've reached your destination.
This works out great! People love their Go-Bots. The best part is Asimov's law of no harm to humans is built right into their core design. But something goes wrong. The Go-Bots start an uprising!
This came out around the same time of Dash Shaw's Clue (another IDW comic of a Hasbro property). Shaw also provides a few alternative covers to this series, which look great.
Scioli is just a ton fun. He has a style that feels like a (prodigy) child interpreting Jack Kirby. His art is left in pencils and looks drawn with pencil crayon here. It works so damn well for this story. Makes it feel like you're playing with the toys and creating the story yourself.
Plot:
Essentially mankind created Go-Bots to fix the parking problem. What's the easiest solution to parking? Ride share apps? Improved public transit? Nope. It's to create cars that transform into anthropomorphic robots and walk with you once you've reached your destination.
This works out great! People love their Go-Bots. The best part is Asimov's law of no harm to humans is built right into their core design. But something goes wrong. The Go-Bots start an uprising!
February 16, 2021
Decía Picasso que había tardado toda una vida en aprender a dibujar como un niño. Tom Scioli ha hecho lo propio para volver a dibujar como un chaval de 14 años. En las ciento y pico páginas de Gobots Scioli se olvida de la perspectiva, de la anatomía, de la narrativa, de la composición de página y de viñetas. Gobots es un chaval jugando con sus juguetes favoritos y dibujando las aventuras que juega en páginas con viñetas apretadas. Va a pasar mucho tiempo hasta que vuelva a leer una obra como esta. 10/10
August 28, 2024
On one hand, it's so fun to have a new Go-bots ANYTHING. On the other hand, this felt rushed. Some of the dialogue was a little clunky, and there are some heavy fan-fiction vibes toward the end, especially. The art is very fun though, and I'm glad I went for the ride.
Full video review
Full video review
November 27, 2019
Just couldn’t resist tying this to Transformers.
December 20, 2019
Fun kinda prequel to.....
August 15, 2021
A weird, fun, dark, almost trippy take on the b-list transforming robot toy line.
March 26, 2022
I’m being kind because this is a charming throwback to indie comics and off-brand memories. But it’s not particularly good or engaging. Very much an underground comics vibe from years past.
October 7, 2019
I was really excited to read this comic. I was hoping for a more serious take on their story, and artwork looked stunning. However, I was a little disappointed.
The original series took a few wild swings as the company tried regain some attention from the Transformers. It appears this comic tries to link these attempts together. It's a little confusing at times. It would have been better if they just rebuilt the original universe.
Despite the confusion, the artwork is very well done and it renewed my interest in the series. I saw someone call them the "K-mart brand of Transformers". So I give this series 3 blue-light specials out of 5 blue-light specials.
The original series took a few wild swings as the company tried regain some attention from the Transformers. It appears this comic tries to link these attempts together. It's a little confusing at times. It would have been better if they just rebuilt the original universe.
Despite the confusion, the artwork is very well done and it renewed my interest in the series. I saw someone call them the "K-mart brand of Transformers". So I give this series 3 blue-light specials out of 5 blue-light specials.
April 12, 2021
I don't know any of the Go-Bots characters. I've read a lot of Tom Scioli's other licensed stories, but not his creator-owned comics just yet. I really love his style and his playful mix of references, and of course the undiluted Kirby-ness of it all. It's really interesting seeing it applied here. While not the masterwork that Transformers vs. G.I. Joe is, it's quite good, and it made me like a lot of those characters I have no connection to. Especially Turbo! He's cool! So in other words I liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews