Transformers #28: The Power Within

Transformers #28 continues to establish the new status quo for these characters following the creative team shift a few issues ago. While the Decepticons under Megatron continue planning their campaign of destruction, the Autobots under Optimus finally find some levity, choosing to go on the offensive for what feels like the first time in this run. As the story unfolds, major changes occur within the ranks, as Arcee takes on a huge new responsibility and Decepticon loyalty is put to the test.

Whereas the previous few issues have felt somewhat haphazard and directionless, Transformers #28 is focused and concise. There was a great deal of groundwork for writer Robert Kirkman and artist Dan Mora to cover when they took over the reins with Transformers #25, but it often felt as though they were trying to tell twenty-five issues’ worth of story in only a couple of installments. With this issue, however, the series finally seems to have settled into a rhythm, allowing the creators to tell the story they want to tell while delivering strong character moments similar to those that defined the previous creative team’s success.

The crux of this narrative revolves around the Autobots’ newfound drive to rebuild and gain the upper hand. This push is spearheaded by Arcee’s character-defining transformation into Arcee Magnus after Ultra Magnus bestows the power upon her. It is a significant change for one of the few female characters in Transformers lore, promising to grant her greater agency alongside an impressive power upgrade. When combined with the ongoing Elita-1 storyline on Cybertron, it clearly demonstrates this creative team’s commitment to giving the franchise’s female characters more meaningful roles.

Another standout element of the issue is Megatron’s portrayal. This chapter offers a sharp and effective examination of who he is at his core. Early on, Megatron suffers a haunting bout of PTSD that underscores the events that shaped him into the monster he has become. By the issue’s conclusion, readers witness Megatron at his most ruthless and terrifying. Altogether, it serves as an excellent exploration of the character and reinforces why he remains such a formidable adversary.