Skybound’s TRANSFORMERS #7 hits stands soon, and The Illuminerdi has your review of the newest issue!
Okay, I’m sure by now a lot of you are wondering when we’re going to rebrand The Illuminerdi into the internet’s foremost Transformers fansite. Sadly, today isn’t that day. However, Transformers fans will stay winning with the new issue of Skybound Entertainment’s best-selling comics, TRANSFORMERS #7.
For fans of the franchise, Skybound’s new take on the Transformers lore has turned a lot of heads with its explosive and brutal re-entry into the world of Hasbro’s most popular toy franchise. Initially conceived by Robert Kirkman of Invincible and The Walking Dead fame, Skybound’s ENERGON UNIVERSE is steadily building its own unique place within the pantheon of Transformers and G.I. Joe lore, with the first arc of their Transformers series concluding in February with the release of TRANSFORMERS #6. So, let’s give everyone a recap of the first arc before diving into the events of TRANSFORMERS #7.
TRANSFORMERS ARC 1 RECAP
Skybound’s comic series really kicked off with a bang as the Autobot/Decepticon Civil War reignited on Earth thanks to the events of VOID RIVALS #1. Optimus Prime and his Autobots wake up on a world they are entirely unfamiliar with to find Bumblebee and Jetfire dead and the Decepticons, led by Starscream, out for energon. Caught between the two warring factions are Spike Witwicky and his girlfriend Carly.
With both sides fighting for Energy to revive their fallen brethren and the Autobots steadily becoming appreciative of the world they are now forced to call home, Optimus Prime and the Autobots resolve to defend the planet as well as their new allies from the Decepticons’ attacks, which led to the self-sacrifice of Spike Witwicky’s father as he gave his life to enter the Matrix and revive Optimus Prime. However, Cliffjumper decides to spare Starscream’s life, driving a wedge between him and Carly. Optimus and the Autobots resolve to defend the planet, leading into the next arc.
The issue opens with something the fans have wanted to see for a fairly long time: scenes of the War on Cybertron. Warpath, Huffer, Kup, and Elita-1 are under heavy attack by Decepticons. Elita-1 is trying to save someone who was captured by the Decepticons. Meanwhile, on Earth, the remaining Decepticons have united for one goal: removing Starscream from power. The lecherous psychopath finds himself on the wrong side of Soundwave’s fists as a battle for leadership unfolds.
Back on the Ark, Optimus struggles to reconcile the fact that Sparkplug sacrificed himself to give Optimus a fighting chance against Devastator. Arcee, however, is attempting to connect with Carly who, following Cliffjumper’s act of mercy against Starscream, has become preoccupied with revenge. Wheeljack, however, is struggling to get the Ark back up and running to revive the rest of the Autobots. Optimus charges Wheeljack with continuing his work, with plans to continue to go after the Decepticons.
TRANSFORMERS ISSUE #7 REVIEW
After getting through the first arc with a majority of the fans still hesitant to jump on board, TRANSFORMERS #7 is finally ready to roll out with the rest of the story. The characters are established, the stakes are set, and we’re finally able to get past the pilot and into the main bulk of the storytelling.
This issue adds the new addition to the art team of Jorge Corona and the new editor Ben Abernathy to the series going forward. The art stays remarkably similar to the first arc’s run, so fans of the run won’t have to worry too much about the drastic change between art styles this soon into the comic’s run.
As far as the story goes, fans of the franchise will be happy to finally return to Cybertron with even more legacy characters. But don’t get too attached as they won’t be in the issue for long. Here’s hoping for further appearances of these legacy characters in future installments of the series. Along with that, hints at the aftermath of Sparkplug’s decisions and their effect on Optimus paint a path forward that is sure to be an interesting aspect of the lore of the Matrix.
All in all, TRANSFORMERS #7 is a great continuation of the previous arc, both continuing story threads from the last arc while introducing intriguing story beats to explore in the near future.
RATING: 8/10
RELATED: TRANSFORMERS 40th Anniversary Event Coming to Cinemas in May
You can purchase your own copy of TRANSFORMERS #7 in stores and digital retailers today!
About Transformers
Release Date: October 4, 2023 (Issue #1)
Written By: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artwork: Daniel Warren Johnson
Publisher: Skybound Entertainment
Synopsis: Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. Humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime and the Autobots.
What do you think about Skybound’s Transformers? Let us know on X (Formerly Twitter) by going to @The_Illuminerdi!
