Transformers #6: The Humanity In Us All

Transformers #6 concludes the first arc of this new age of Transformers within The Energon Universe. On the run from the Decepticons and without many options left, the Autobots, Carly, and Sparky make their retreat, returning to the ship where the Transformers were discovered in the first issue. With the odds stacked against them, and the Constructicons posing as the Decepticons weapons, a great sacrifice is made to ensure the tide of victory. Ideological battles aside, Daniel Warren Johnson concludes his first arc with a bang, proving that the heart of the narrative lies within the honesty and integrity of the characters, with the nonstop action and visuals making these characters look better than they ever have before.

SPOILER WARNING

Leading up to this point, Johnson took Transformers into directions that proved this series was not going to play out like it has before. With the immediate death of Bumblebee, and the sidelining of core characters like Spike, the focus was shifted over to unlikely heroes Sparky and Carly, with Cliffjumper taking over Bumblebee’s usual role. Transformers #6 plays out as a dual narrative, with the main story focusing on Optimus Prime’s goal to save his friends and the earth and the side story showing how this war has taken a toll on Carly and Cliffjumper. Johnson is able to make these plots equally compelling, with the human characters acting as excellent foils to their Autobot counterparts. 

Carly juxtaposes Cliffjumper in a way that shows both sides of the same coin. Carly has been forced into this war because of her proximity to the characters, which saw her losing her father in an earlier issue. This ever expansive war just showed up in her backyard and despite having no stake in the conflict, she fell victim to collateral damage and is motivated purely on her rage and turmoil. Cliffjumper on the other side is Cliffjumper, a younger but vastly loyal member of the Autobots who has been involved with this war since its beginning. Transformers #6 sees Cliffjumper break down at the opportunity to assassinate one of his enemies, showing the toll of war and how meaningless it has all become. Carly shows deep resentment for the Autobot, not understanding how he couldn’t pull the trigger on someone who has done such despicable things. This relationship is a core tenant of the vast complexity behind the ongoing conflict, identifying how war affects everyone in a different way. This also paints Cliffjumper in a light that is not too distant from wars in real world history, where at some point the original intentions are lost and war exists simply because it always has existed. This plotline is fascinating as it ties well thematically into what is going on over in Void Rivals. This kind of consistency works well to help establish the shared universe and create harmony amongst the publishing line.

The main plot, focusing on Optimus’s battle with the Decepticons, does an equally great job of capturing the elements that make this series unique, tying well into the whole narrative and setting this book on a unique path. With the Constructicons loose, the Autobots are forced to scramble, causing Optimus to take fatal damage. With all hope lost, Optimus chooses to let his life force go to save his friends, only for Sparky to step up and sacrifice his own life by using it to relieve the Autobot’s leader. For new readers of Transformers, it may be a little bizarre to see this happen, as not much explanation is given as to why or how Sparky knew that he would be able to give up his life force like this, but this is the kind of narrative that readers just have to go along with. If you can accept space baring, sentient robots who can transform into earth based vehicles then you can accept that Sparky’s sacrifice would work in the way it does. Nonetheless, this sacrifice leads to Optimus returning at full capacity, leading into one of the best action sequences that this series has had so far. Seeing Optimus zip around the Constructicons like a parkour expert in Johnson’s unique visual style is just breathtakingly awesome. But the real meat and potatoes behind this is the lesson that Sparky learns from Optimus, and the wisdom he then imparts onto Optimus upon his sacrifice. The final page sees Spike waking up and questioning where his dad is, leading into what promises to be a whole lot of tears and tissues from readers.

Outside of this stellar plot, worldbuilding, and character work, Johnson and colorist Mike Spicer completely knock it out of the park with the art. The action is turned up to eleven here, and this art team makes the Transformers look better than they ever have before. There’s something to be said about the way that Johnson depicts the movement of these robots, giving them a manga-like flair that would be impossible to capture in any other medium. From the dramatic facial expressions all the way down to the way that the characters physically emote, there is a clear sense of passion and depth given to every page. The page where Cliffjumper decides not to kill Starscream is especially poignant, with Johnson making the decision to black out his entire face, except for his eyes, displaying the full emotional toll that the war has taken. Much like the rest of the series, the action takes major cues from wrestling, with Optimus pulling off some quintessential moves against his larger opponents. This is emblematic of the unique ways this story is told. The next arc will see Jorge Corona take over the art with Johnson still writing, so hopefully Corona can build upon the perfect foundation that Johnson has laid.