Transformers Ongoing #1
It’s been three years since the devastating events of All Hail Megatron. The Earth has been rebuilt, the AUTOBOTS are in hiding, and the next great era in the Transformers saga is about to begin! This is IDW’s biggest book of the year – the launch of the first ongoing Transformers title in five years!
Transformers Ongoing #1 Covers and Images
Transformers Ongoing #1 Release Info
Publisher | IDW |
Type | Comic Book |
Series | Transformers Volume 1 |
Release Status | Released |
Year | 2009 |
Release Date | November 2009 |
Transformers Ongoing #1 Print Data
Has Exclusive? | Yes |
Exclusive Description | Graham Crackers Comics, New Dimension Comics |
Incentive Description | Transformers Ongoing #1 featured two incentive covers. One copy of the Tim Doyle "Change" cover was provided for every ten copies order through Diamond Comic Distributors, while a copy of the "Art of Trevor Hutchison" book was provided for every twenty books ordered through Diamond. |
Total # of Covers | 7 |
Transformers Ongoing #1 Artists, Writers and More
Cover A | (Artist: Don Figueroa) (Colorist: J. Brown) |
Cover B | (Artist: Don Figueroa) (Colorist: J. Brown) |
Cover RI (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: Tim Doyle) |
The Art of Trevor Hutchison (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: Trevor Hutchison) |
Cover RE - Graham Cracker Comics Exclusive | (Artist: Don Figueroa) |
Cover RE - New Dimension Comics Exclusive | (Artist: Don Figueroa) |
Second Printing | (Artist: Don Figueroa) |
Hundred Penny Press Cover | (Artist: Don Figueroa) (Colorist: J. Brown) |
Artist | Don Figueroa |
Colorist | J. Brown |
Letters | Chris Mowry |
Writer | Mike Costa |
Editor | Andy Schmidt |
Transformers Ongoing #1 Synopsis
Synopsis Submitted By: Tim Formas
In narrative, Optimus Prime recalls the events that took place in All Hail Megatron in which the war that destroyed Cybertron almost destroyed Earth. He further reveals that the Autobots have been in hiding in public (in vehicle form) and living underground for the two years following the All Hail Megatron final battle. Unable to assist in the rebuilding effort, the Autobots hold out hope that something horrible doesn’t happen…
A power station near Milan, New Mexico is attacked by the Decepticon Breakdown, who is seeking Energon. At Skywatch mission command, Major Spike Witwicky is notified by a subordinate of the attack. In a speech to his attack team, he reiterates that the mission of Skywatch is to capture every Transformer invader on the planet. While Breakdown vents his frustration that humans can’t generate Energon, Skywatch military jets arrive. Four members in mechanized crash suits jump out of the jets and attempt to subdue Breakdown.
In their police car disguises, Prowl and Streetwise comment how efficient the humans have become at capturing Transformers. Through their conversation, they also confirm that the crash suits worn by the humans are powered by Energon taken from capture Transformers. As Prowl and Streetwise converse, the Skywatch forces fire a capsule that attaches to Breakdown’s chest and causes him to transform to vehicle mode and become inactive. As the Skywatch jets seem to aim their particle cannons at the inactivated Breakdown, an appalled Prowl (who believes no Transformer should be executed in that fashion) transforms to robot mode to try and stop the attack. Back at Skywatch mission command, Spike is elated that they were able to coerce another Transformer to come out of hiding. He then orders his Beta Team to attack Prowl, who promptly hit Prowl with another inhibitor. Spike orders his Alpha team to power off the cannons on the aircraft and return to base. Skywatch informs the local police force that the inhibitors shut down the higher function of the robots and turn them into regular vehicles “with surprisingly good handling”. As Prowl is loaded onto a truck and a Skywatch soldier drives off with Breakdown, Streetwise calls in to Blaster that he is returning to base to for debriefing.
Back at the Autobot base, Wheeljack reports that they just had a breakthrough the previous day with technology to interact the inhibitors. He confirms that, with Jetfire’s help, all of the Autobots can be outfitted with the technology within the next day. Optimus Prime then orders the Autobots at the base to start reporting to Wheeljack’s lab that night. Hot Rod disagrees with the order, believing that the humans will reverse engineer the Autobot upgrade. He vents further, stating that the Autobots have lost many in the two years since the final battles with the Decepticons and wonders why they are still remaining on Earth. Optimus answers Hot Rod by stating that they cannot leave as long as it is possible for the Decepticons to return to Earth and harm the humans. Hot Rod still is not satisfied, believing Megatron is dead and that there is no chance the remaining Decepticons can put up a fight on Earth. He believes that Optimus has a need to stay on Earth because he has the basic need to protect something. As he continues to verbally attack Optimus, Ironhide steps in and berates Hot Rod for being way out of line. Hot Rod then suggests that they raid the Skywatch staging area and recover Prowl (Hot Rod also confirms Windcharger, Gears, and several other unnamed Transformers are being held by Skywatch). Begrudgingly, Optimus allows Hot Rod to form a team to head to the Skywatch base to gather information and free Prowl without firing on the humans. Optimus then asks Ironhide to go with Hot Rod to ensure that Hot Rod follows orders.
Unfortunately, things don’t happen as expected at the Skywatch holding cells. Using Prowl as bait, Skywatch is waiting for the Autobots to attempt to free their comrade. As the small group of Autobots (including Hot Rod, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Mirage) attempt to escape with Prowl, Skywatch soldiers begin to panic as they discover their inhibitors are now ineffective due to the new Autobot technology. The Skywatch soldiers man their cannons and take aim at Hot Rod. Ironhide jumps in front of Hot Rod at the last second and takes a fatal hit to the chest.
Back at the Autobot base, Optimus Prime mourns for his old friend and believes that this harsh lesson has finally guided him to do the right thing. During a vigil for Ironhide, Optimus informs the Autobots that he is no longer able to make efficient judgment in the battle against the human and does not deserve the responsibility to do so. He then removes himself as active commander of the Autobots.
Without naming a successor, Optimus Prime leaves the Autobot base. In vehicle mode, he drives to the Skywatch base and surrenders as a gesture he hopes will bring peace between the Autobots and the humans.
Transformers Ongoing #1 Review
Review Submitted By: Tim Formas
Transformers #1 has been one of the most anticipated Transformers comics to be released since the sudden closure of Dreamwave Production in 2005, due in part to both the absence of an ongoing series and the mass advertisement provided by IDW for the inaugural issue. This issue also features the premiere of well-known and popular Transformers artist Don Figueroa’s new style of Transformers design. Part of the IDW promotional campaign featured two previews which fans widely assumed was the beginning and end of the issue. Those who have read the previews will be happy to know that these previews are Pages 4 through 11 and 21 through 23 of the issue, so there is plenty of material before, in-between, and after to surprise you.
Likely in an effort to provide new readers a sense of comfort, the story entirely takes place on Earth and has a moderate human element. However, the writer (Mike Costa) has taken the story a bit further than what we have seen in the past. Costa has written a story in which the humans have created a defense plan that allows them to effectively battle against an opponent many times their size. No longer are the humans just a tool to be upstaged by giant robots.
Overall, the issue has a strong beginning and end. While the opening features a classic Optimus Prime narration that fills in the gaps since All Hail Megatron, the last pages provide shocking results for two long-time fan favorites. The rest of the issue is simply material used to advance to the two shocking end results and set up the basis for the ongoing series.
Like much of Don Figueroa’s art, the level of design is top notch. Don’s talent for drawing human characters has definitely increased over the years, and it definitely shows in this issue. The new designs take inspiration from the live-action movie, from the overall design down to features like faces. The new Transformers faces are very human-like in design and drastic compared to the faces that long-time fans are familiar with. While the design is highly detail and looks great, many of the faces of the Transformers look very similar now and thus some of the facial individuality fans are used to are gone. It will be interesting to see if this new style of design will last, dependent upon fan feedback.
That fan feedback may ultimately determine the outcome of this ongoing series. While new fans may be completely accepting of any changes to the design of the Transformers, changes in character behavior, or the premise, long-time comic or Transformers fans are likely to be vocal about the changes presented. If long-time comic fans can adapt to the various changes in addition to tweaks by IDW, the sky is the limit for this comic series.
Overall Rating: 4
Transformers Ongoing #1 Additional Info
Transformers Ongoing #1 was re-issued in February 2011 as part of IDW Publishing's "Hundred Penny Press" series. The re-issued comic sells for 100 pennies...or $1.