Transformers #22: Dichotomy

Transformers #22 continues to raise the stakes as Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona’s run approaches its final issue. The last issue saw Optimus come to the realization that the severed arm of Megatron he had co-opted at the beginning of the series was corrupting him, forcing him to have his friends and soldiers blow it off his body, fatally damaging him. This issue shows the consequences of that action, with the Matrix of Leadership now refusing to bond with Optimus’s corrupted body, leaving the Autobots as helpless as they are leaderless.

One of the core tenets of this series has been seeing Optimus interact with humanity, deciding that protecting life is of greater importance than continuing the futile war that began on Cybertron. In Transformers #22, that goodwill finally pays off as the humans come to the Autobots’ rescue, attempting to hide them from the Decepticon forces. This payoff feels very warranted, with over twenty issues of content preceding it that showcase how strong these bonds have become as the Autobots are continuously beaten down.

This issue also does a fantastic job of continuing to explore Megatron’s flipped perspective while reminding readers why he is a leader in the first place. This brings him back to the now-famous panel from the first arc that saw Optimus accidentally stepping on a deer, teaching him how precious life is and how it is now his responsibility to protect those weaker than himself. Megatron had a warped perspective on this recreated scene, using the fragility of the deer as a driving force for his belief that only the strong should endure. This single scene explains the dichotomy between Optimus and Megatron in a way that is more succinct and clear than has ever been done before.

The other major character in this series operating across the galaxy is Cliffjumper, who was trapped on Cybertron after Shockwave failed to destroy Earth earlier in the series. Here, Cliffjumper is given the choice of returning to Earth. This moment feels like a full-circle arc for the character, as he finally comes to terms with his actions and does what he feels is best to save his friends. Cliffjumper is the sleeper-hit character of this series, and every depiction of him showcases how well Johnson understands the character, using him as a way to discuss humanity persevering during times of crisis.

The final moments of the issue see the characters head off to a location that fans of the live-action movies will applaud as the final battle approaches. With only two issues left, readers will really be able to feel the full weight of the conflict coming to a head. There’s no telling how this run will conclude, but in Johnson and Corona’s hands, it is bound to be as awesome as it is heartfelt.