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Transformers IDW #18
Transformers: Bumblebee
In this first-ever Bumblebee mini-series written by Zander Cannon (Top Ten), after a shakeup in Autobot leadership, Bumblebee finds himself leading a group that believes him to be unprepared for the job. When an opportunity to radically improve the Autobot's reputation arises, he embarks on a clandestine mission for the human military to find and disable all remaining rogue robots.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2010
60 people want to read
About the author
Zander Cannon
212 books37 followersAlexander Cannon is an American cartoonist, known for his work on books such as Top 10, Smax and Kaijumax.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 2, 2019
This storyline fell pretty flat for me. Yes, Bumblebee grows into his role as a leader, but the way it happens just... Sort of is. There's nothing really to grab onto and I'm not sure what we're supposed to make of the humans in the story.
November 17, 2014
This comic actually made me ok with Bumblebee becoming a muscle car. Damn you, IDW.
September 2, 2015
I didn't expect much out of this mini-series, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it a solid read. It actually makes a decent case for Bumblebee's leadership by the end...
March 7, 2023
In the aftermath of the devastating war between Autobot and Decepticon on Earth, Optimus Prime and Hot Rod have left and Bumblebee has been elected as the unlikely leader of the remaining Autobots.
Trying to rehabilitate their relationship with humanity, Bumblebee agrees to an alliance with a Colonel of Skywatch but soon discovers that the human military organisation is more intent on controlling the Autobots than working with them. With faith in his leadership failing, Bumblebee must risk his life to free the Autobots from human control and to defeat the rogue Decepticon Skywarp.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book was that I, a lifelong fan of Bumblebee, had the initial reaction to him being leader of the Autobots of 'Seriously? Bumblebee!?'. That is absolutely in-keeping with the themes of the book though, as the Autobots who've been friends with him for millennia also doubt his ability to lead.
What I really enjoyed was that this book is a coming-of-age style story in which Bumblebee learns to be true to his own values and beliefs rather than trying to live up to the ideal set by the likes of Optimus Prime. It's a little cliché, sure, but sometimes recurring tropes are just that because they continue to resonate.
The only downside here was at the very end where Bumblebee gets a makeover to bring his look more in line with the Camaro seen in Michael Bay's (increasingly terrible) Transformers movies. It's not that I hate the Camaro version (although the classic VW is still better in my opinion), so much as the fact that it feels like a little bit of a betrayal of the journey the character goes on through the book.
The fact that he's small and his car version is not hugely impressive but he's still worthy of being the leader is the book's key theme and the introduction of the updated look feels like pandering to brand cohesion with the movies at the expense of that theme.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
Trying to rehabilitate their relationship with humanity, Bumblebee agrees to an alliance with a Colonel of Skywatch but soon discovers that the human military organisation is more intent on controlling the Autobots than working with them. With faith in his leadership failing, Bumblebee must risk his life to free the Autobots from human control and to defeat the rogue Decepticon Skywarp.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book was that I, a lifelong fan of Bumblebee, had the initial reaction to him being leader of the Autobots of 'Seriously? Bumblebee!?'. That is absolutely in-keeping with the themes of the book though, as the Autobots who've been friends with him for millennia also doubt his ability to lead.
What I really enjoyed was that this book is a coming-of-age style story in which Bumblebee learns to be true to his own values and beliefs rather than trying to live up to the ideal set by the likes of Optimus Prime. It's a little cliché, sure, but sometimes recurring tropes are just that because they continue to resonate.
The only downside here was at the very end where Bumblebee gets a makeover to bring his look more in line with the Camaro seen in Michael Bay's (increasingly terrible) Transformers movies. It's not that I hate the Camaro version (although the classic VW is still better in my opinion), so much as the fact that it feels like a little bit of a betrayal of the journey the character goes on through the book.
The fact that he's small and his car version is not hugely impressive but he's still worthy of being the leader is the book's key theme and the introduction of the updated look feels like pandering to brand cohesion with the movies at the expense of that theme.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
August 7, 2018
It's okay, but this story suffers from the same problems of many 80s comics: protagonists need to turn incredibly stupid (allowing themselves to be controlled) to create a plot to solve. It's just a bit cringe-inducing when you consider some of the other stuff IDW pumped out around the same time (i.e. Last Stand of the Wreckers).
January 3, 2021
Bee jako dowódca autobotow, daje ciekawe możliwości.
February 27, 2022
This was kind of a neat story about Bumblebee taking over as leader of the Autobots and a threat that he leads them through. good story though kind of sad in many ways.
August 29, 2025
ratchet apoyando a bee como líder es moqueantemente personal para mí
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews