Hello everyone and welcome to Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer, issue 12 of Skybound. Has it been a year already? Time flies. But wow, this is a fantastic issue to close out the first year of Skybound Transformers. Can you believe how quickly we got here? There’s been a ton of great storytelling and this issue is an explosive climax to close out this year’s saga. Transform, roll out and join me below to find out how and why!
First, wow. A whole new level of high-octane action, heart-pounding drama, shocking and jaw-dropping character beats… wow. I was really moved. This issue had possibly some of the most heartbreaking moments on a story and character level, and I was really happy with how it played out. Once again, we have a great issue-defining Optimus Prime scene (his first appearance in several issues, in fact!), highlighting Prime’s best Superman-esque traits.
Prime can generally draw a lot of parallels with Superman, but this issue brought them to the forefront of my mind. Honestly, this issue ended Man of Steel in a way that didn’t immediately leave me depressed, lethargic, or disheartened by the story and the central character. That’s probably the best compliment I can come up with. It’s not unusual for Prime to have a desire to leave his failure on Cybertron behind and choose to support and protect life on Earth. This is very similar to the idea of ”Krypton had a chance” in MoS (incidentally, I think Superman’s desire to let Krypton go was actually well emphasized in the movie). I also really like the subtle undertones here.
Skybound
Prime makes a bold choice to save the planet, rejecting a way that could restore his world. But at what cost? Because the Autobots are heroes, even superheroes in their own way. And thankfully, Johnson seems to understand them as such. Also, the blink-and-you-miss-it symbolism of Prime’s right hand (now borrowed from Megatron) transforming into a demonic, claw-like hand with some truly horrifying imagery in his brief hallucination had me salivating with all that could be thematically implied. If this were an in-depth analysis rather than a simple review, I could have spent thousands of words on this issue alone, just on Optimus’ scene and how it builds on what we know about this version of the character.
Also, sorry to all you Optimus/Elita-1 fans, but I don’t think this will satisfy you. Or maybe it will. I don’t know how you cut bread with this stuff. Go nuts.
Skybound
Corona’s art is truly at its apex here. The symbolism, emotion and raw, unbridled energy are perfect on every level. I love what Corona and Spicer have been doing together since their creative pivot. Their work blends beautifully, producing dynamic, vibrant pencil drawings with amazing explosions of color. I mentioned above the quick, effective symbolic touches from Prime’s hand, but the entire scene is filled with breathtaking tension while Optimus… er… “destroys” Shockwave. It’s nerve-wracking.
Skybound
Transformers #12 is an issue that makes me think and appreciate. I love that Optimus is portrayed as a warm-hearted pacifist, like Superman, who will not sacrifice the pain of others for any gain. That is the character. The first of the two years Johnson promised for this book has certainly been a huge success. A planetary, emotionally resonant huge success. At this point, I’m sad to hear that he only has enough fuel left to continue this book for another year, but I’m glad he worked for it. This book definitely won’t be the same without him. I can only hope that the second year of Skybound Transformers will be as action-packed, gripping, moving, and heartwarming as this year. And when I can’t cover anymore, I will. I pray for another year of great stories.
Transformers #12 Review
Transformers #12
Skybound Transformers’ fantastic first year comes to an incredibly satisfying climax, with Johnson once again reminding us why Optimus Prime and his Autobots are not just the good guys, but true heroes… Until They All Come Together!
Heartwarming, captivating character portrayals
The stakes, both physical and mental, are higher than ever before.
The most dynamic, expressive and brilliant art in Transformers history.
