REVOLUTION is over-but the danger to Earth is just beginning. As OPTIMUS PRIME pulls Earth into the larger universe, he's painted a target on Earth... and a new alien incursion begins when a corkscrew shaped craft drills into our world!
• The next evolution of TRANSFORMERS is here!
• OPTIMUS PRIME's past on CYBERTRON haunts his present on Earth!
• Amazing artist Kei Zama (Scarlett Witch) makes her debut with veteran writer John Barber (Transformers)!
OPTIMUS PRIME #1 is a great introduction to the beginning of a new crossover comic book series. It explores the identity of the titular Autobot leader, introduces a new batch of inexperienced Autobots who see him as a messianic figure, and explores how the past is connected to the present. While the plot is a bit predictable, there's no denying the layer of social commentary that's underneath it and the cliffhanger sets up for something bigger. I'm looking forward to seeing how the other Hasbro comics tie into the bigger at story large when issue #2 rolls out next month. Read Full Review
The former Robots in Disguise was an underrated comic, but one with a deserved reputation as a workhorse for the brand. Optimus Prime brings John Barber's skills as a writer to a comic with a much stronger artistic identity. Well handled questions of political morality and an ambiguous sense of who has the greater good in mind make for a strong continuation of the Transformers story while Barber and Zama provide a welcoming, if not necessarily easy, point of entry for new readers. With a striking look and thoughtful characters, Optimus Prime #1 is a pretty fantastic debut and one that deserves a look from fans and new readers alike. Read Full Review
Optimus Prime#1 is structured in a way that honors the backstories fans have followed, but reduces the barrier to entry for casual fans of the franchise. This is a successful start to a new and exciting series for this long running franchise. Read Full Review
An issue that's clearly aiming for an audience of established Transformers fans and nailing it completely. Read Full Review
I can say Kei Zama is an artist to keep an eye on. For one thing, Zama's art is adept at capturing the grit in the Orion Pax flashback sequences. Barber definitely set up a tough look at what life would be like as a cop on Cybertron and Zama is up to the task. As Barber's tone shifts just enough for the slightly lighter in tone modern day scenes, the style Zama uses adjusts with it. The Pax scenes are darker and the art reflects it, then you get a slightly more animated style for the modern day. It also helps that the colorist, Josh Burcham, is great with making the colors work for this too. As Zama's art adjusts, so goes the coloring, heavier shadows for the Pax flashbacks, with a lighter touch for the modern day. It works on both levels. Read Full Review
Optimus Prime is both a strong showcase for the popular hero and a decent jumping-on point for lapsed Transformers fans. John Barber keeps this issue accessible despite a dense script, and Prime's current and past struggles make for engaging reading. Kei Zama's art is equally appealing, despite the sometimes wonky coloring style. Read Full Review
This is a great issue to jump on, even though the writing is clearly targeted towards the established fanbase. It's easy enough for new readers to not feel overwhelming. The political side of this series is going to be in spotlight, no doubt. Art is good enough but requires improved coloring. Read Full Review
Story wise, if you don't have an in-depth amount of knowledge about the world of Cybertron and all things alien-robot, this comic is a great place to start. I didn't have much knowledge of this particular world myself, though while reading it, I was able to reconnect some story pieces that were a little blurry or missing. The first issue bounces back between Prime's flashbacks, (specifically four million years ago) and his life on Earth now trying to protect the ‘fleshies' (humans) from harm against ruthless enemies, (among these enemies being the ever power-hungry Megatron). Read Full Review
For anyone looking for a place to jump onto the IDW comics, Transformers: Optimus Prime #1 is definitely a good place for fans of the franchise. Barber writes his characters well, putting them much more in line with their common interpretations and actually giving them an arc than more recent Transformers media. If you wanted some depth in Prime or a piece of Transformers, this is it. Read Full Review
Optimus Prime #1 is a heavy chew, which can be both good and bad. This is not a #1 designed for a casual Transformers fan who recognizes the iconic Prime in any way, but for someone who is relatively current with the ongoing Transformers books there is quite a bit offered here. Im going to give it a few more shots to see where the creative teamtakes the political aspects of this tale, at the very least. Read Full Review
Barber returns to form after a very disappointing Revolution event that needlessly bogged down the Transformers universe by gluing it together to other Hasbro franchises (ROM, GI Joe, Action Man, MASK). If this comic can stay focused solely in the Transformers universe, this will be a solid series.
Unfortunately, this also has the same problem as its sister series Lost Light/MTMTE, you need a lot of heavy knowledge of the previous series to fully enjoy (and understand) the contents of the comic.
Glad to get back on track after Revolution. A solid continuation of Robots in Disguise.
So, are faceplates in style now? I demand to know what the deal is with the faceplate! I like the artwork, although there is the occasional element that isn't clear: Aileron gets mad at humans behind her for reasons that I'm unsure of. The reveal at the end has me excited.
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