Following a string of losses and the number of Decepticons increasing, Optimus Prime and his scrappy Autobot team do what they can to protect the fragile Earth and humanity. Armed with a new familiar arm, Prime decides to turn the tide of the centuries-old conflict by going on the offense. The treacherous Starscream resurrects one of the Autobots’ most significant threats to defeat them and conquer the Earth to become the ruler he always dreamed he would be.
Powerhouse writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson delivers another incredible issue with Transformers #5 that still contains plenty of action and heart. Immediately within the first two pages, Johnson further explores not only the commonalities of Transformers and humanity but also the shared combat experiences of Prime and Sparky Witwicky. Without any dialogue, you get a sense of the toll that war has had on these two characters and how it shapes their desire to protect humanity from the Decepticons. Again, I am glad to have an Optimus Prime who is a good man who cares about his family and the humans he meets since he understands the preciousness of life and has to carry that weight as the leader. And I am glad to have Sparky and Carly as human POV characters since the relationship between Transformers and humans is integral to the franchise. Johnson makes it a backbone to the series and helps not only build the physical stakes but the emotional investment as well.
I also enjoy how well he continually nails the characters and their dynamics. As a Starscream fan, I love seeing that cocky leader facade instantly crack when things don’t go to plan or when a Decepticon asks about Megatron. Even bits like the banter between Cliffjumper and Jazz during an intense battle reveal their relationship and the characters. Johnson utilizes character to propel the action and plot forward. Somehow, his writing only rises to a new impossible standard with each issue and translates the 1980s Generation 1 to a new audience. And the bombshell ending of this issue only makes the wait even more painful.
Along with his excellent writing, Johnson’s phenomenal art continues to shine in Transformers #5 with kinetic action and translation of the classic designs for the series. Johnson translates the scale and weight that the Transformers have in the fight scenes and the intimate scenes with Sparky and Carly. Each battle feels more akin to a skirmish than a clearcut battle due to the vehicle transformations and desperate odds. Johnson gives each punch and gunshot a deliberate and powerful impact to highlight each Transformer’s incredible power and strength. In his art lies a grit and tangibility that helps ground the robots to a sense of reality. I am all for Johnson demonstrating said power through his stylish sound effects. Frequent colorist collaborator Mike Spicer reinforces his incredible relationship with Johnson through how much the vibrant color sings in the issue. My eyes became glued onto the color palette reminiscent of the 1986 movie. Finally letterer Rus Wooton carries on the stylish lettering. I greatly appreciate the blue speech bubble and yellow text for Soundwave and the red primal growl of Starscream in the panel.
Transformers #5 rises to even higher heights as the first arc ends in the next issue. Johnson hints that the only way to beat the Decepticons is by focusing on the shared humanity between the Autobots and humans. Considering how Megatron is currently off the table, humanity has not seen the worst with what the Decepticons offer. It truly takes a miracle to improve on perfection, and Johnson already has.
Story: Daniel Warren Johnson Art: Daniel Warren Johnson
Color: Mike Spicer Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.7 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Read
Skybound provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase:TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
