Transformers #33: Are We Our Best Selves?

Transformers as a franchise has had an ever-present message that you should always try to be the best you that you can be. That when all bets are off, you can rise to the occasion. Whether it be Rodimus as leader or the Dinobots’ sacrifice to save the future, someone always rises to the occasion.

In the case of Bumblebee, he was given a task, and seemingly failed. He failed as a mentor. He allowed his student, this new soul brought forth into the universe, to be snuffed out unceremoniously. 

Transformers #33 brings all of Bumblebee’s struggle to the forefront of the story. Last we saw our little yellow friend, he had joined up with Swindle to escape prison and hunt down Barricade. One of the bots responsible for the death of his mentee. Rubble. Now, it seems he’s on a rescue mission instead.

Intermixed with Bumblebee’s struggle is the continuing antics of Skywarp, which started at the end of the previous issue. Where he seemed to escape from some sort of quantum-realm type dimension. How did he get there? No idea. Though I imagine that will be answered soon enough.

This issue continues to show off Brian Ruckley’s aptitude for jumping between different stories. You never really get lost despite the constant back and forth between plotlines. Each one is distinct in its purpose. Some are character driven, others meant to set up future plot developments. Either way, I’m on the train, not sure where I’m going, and wholly okay with it.

CAUTION: spoilers ahead!

I mentioned before that Bumblebee’s struggles were brought to the forefront of the story for this issue. And they very much were.

Bumblebee, unexpectedly, finally gets his chance to face down Barricade. He has a chance to fully avenge the death of Rubble. The fix what he’s done.

But he doesn’t. 

This whole issue is about what we teach others. How we shape the world of those we teach and those we interact with. It’s about how we aspire to be our best selves, and that’s all we can try to do.

So that’s what Bumblebee does. He tries to be his best self, letting Barricade go. Bee knows killing him won’t bring Rubble back. He knows that people had faith in him to do right by his mentee. So it’s time he did his best to do right by everyone who had faith in him.

This issue was a major turning point for Bumblebee as a character, who has been heavily revenge driven for a better part of the series. I’m excited to see where things go with his character arc.