Transformers #11
Recap
Only Optimus Prime can save Earth and Cybertron.
But will all of the Autobots stand with him?
Review
Transformers #11 sees the Autobots regrouping after the capture of Cliffjumper and Jazz, preparing to strike back. Meanwhile, the Decepticons start learning how ruthless Shockwave truly is, as Soundwave and his friends learn that their fallen comrades will not be repaired as anticipated. Beachcomber and Spike watch this all from a distant island as the book transitions back into the broader discussion of war, conflict, and the best way to resolve things, even when that means fighting. This all coalesces into the Autobot’s siege of the Decepticon fortress, as the tension builds up to next issue’s dramatic finale of the second arc.
The pathos behind this series has been one of the most powerful elements. It turns out that seeing giant robots punch one another is only part of the puzzle for this series’ longevity, with the other part being the relatable, real world consequences that the characters face. One of the biggest themes of this whole series has been the futility of war, deciding when it is best to stop fighting, and when it is appropriate to be fighting at all. Daniel Warren Johnson really strikes a personal cord with this comic, attacking all sides of the argument in a way that requires the reader to come to their own conclusions about the subject matter. This is pathos at its finest, allowing this run of the Transformers to really stand out amongst all of the great runs that have come before. These are still the characters that fans have grown up with, but their views on the world, the conflict around them, and each other are what really tie this all together.
Although the two do not interact in this issue, this conflict can really be shown as the dichotomy between Elita-1 and Beachcomber’s views. Elita-1 never left Cybertron, having been a part of this conflict since the get-go. She has never seen a semblance of peace and knows the true horrors that the Decepticons, especially Shockwave, are able to bring. On the flip side is Beachcomber, who had an opportunity to escape the conflict, and used it to get to know himself better, while also seeing the conflict in a more gray tone than that black-and-white, good versus evil narrative. This is such a great way to propose this narrative, showing that Johnson is killing it in the writing game.
Jorge Corona still is absolutely killing it with the art, drawing some of the best looking Transformers in recent memory. The heartbreak and despair on the character’s faces really comes through, showing how human these giant, alien robots are. Corona captures the amazing action of the series while also making these characters easy to care about but showing them expressing emotion like any other sentient being. This is such a beautiful book to read, and Corona captures every single level of nuance to make it so fun to be a part of.
Final Thoughts
Transformers #11 is a fun book that delves deeper into the effects of war, conscientious objection, and the nature of humanity.
Transformers #11: Time To Save Our Friends
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10