Transformers #26: Across Enemy Lines

Transformers #26 picks up with Autobots Jazz, Wheeljack, and Ultra Magnus exploring the mysteriously returned Ark as the Decepticon stowaway Thundercracker emerges from the depths of the ship. What follows is a very action-heavy issue that kicks off the next chapter of the Transformers saga with a bang. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime’s newfound partnership with the humans is explored further, and we also check in on Spike and Carly as they handle the aftermath of the climactic battle in Transformers #24. All the while, Elita-1 and Cliffjumper discuss the future of the Cybertronian Autobot forces and their thoughts on Optimus’s actions on Earth.

One of the big questions following Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona’s exit from the series was what would happen to their lingering plotlines. Thankfully, Transformers #26 makes it clear that the setup in the last issue didn’t come at the expense of the previous story threads. Even though this issue primarily focuses on new developments, the lingering narratives of the Cybertronian Autobots and Spike and Carly’s Earthbound adventures still hold weight. This continuity is especially meaningful for fans invested in Cliffjumper, the breakout star of the DWJ run, who formed a significant bond with Carly and is now stuck on Cybertron, arguing with Elita about Optimus’s newfound purpose on Earth.

When it comes to the separation of forces on Earth and Cybertron, Transformers #26 does a fantastic job using a single conflict as a microcosm for the larger story. As Thundercracker attacks the Autobots aboard the Ark, it becomes clear that his anger stems from the treatment of Skywarp, who was thrust into the Ark’s computer by the Decepticons earlier in the series to help rebuild more of their soldiers. Thundercracker believes this was the Autobots’ doing, but after Optimus arrives and reveals the truth, he realizes his own teammates are to blame. This revelation leads Thundercracker to form an uneasy alliance with the Autobots, breaking down the main conflict to its most essential ideas.

Thundercracker ultimately comes to the realization that the war is futile, admitting that aligning with Optimus to save his friend was the right thing to do. This moment perfectly embodies the themes of the series, which sees the Autobots abandoning their endless war to forge a new path on Earth, mirroring Megatron and the Decepticons, who remain driven more by their hatred of the Autobots than by any real desire to reclaim Cybertron. All of this gives weight to Elita’s frustrations with Optimus, as she and a small group of Autobots are left behind to fight for Cybertron alone, only to learn that he no longer believes in the war. The issue beautifully explores these emotional, “human” moments between alien robots, one of the defining elements that has made this series such a joy to read.

Dan Mora is arguably one of the hottest artists of the past few years, and his entrance into Transformers feels like a natural fit. While DWJ and Corona brought a highly stylized look to the series, Mora’s art gives it the energy of an animated episode, especially in the way he captures character movement. He conveys incredible emotion through the characters’ faces, giving each panel a strong sense of importance. Though his approach is quite different from his predecessors’, Mora’s take is a welcome evolution that continues to elevate the series’ already excellent visual identity.