I've always found the cover to be a bit odd and different from the others in the series. A gigantic Optimus Prime crushing a seeker in one hand while a partially transformed Gears flies to attack a similarly out of scale Laserbeak, and people I assume to be Sparkplug and Buster watch on. I know in that first issue they were going totally according to the toy models in the artwork but still, this one stands out.

Upon discussing this cover with someone recently, I found myself wondering if the cover was a homage to another piece of art. If that's true, I have no idea which one. Any thoughts? Was the cover based on something else, or did the artist just choose to interpret everything that way? Thanks in advance.

 

I searched google and couldn't find any interviews with him about this cover or his involvement. He is on twitter...maybe see if you can ask him yourself.

Bill Sienkiewicz (@sinKEVitch) | Twitter

 

Thanks. I will.

 

please let us know if he replies, i dont have nor will i ever use twitter

 

Absolutely. I have it but rarely use it, and have sent the question.

 

It was drawn before the cartoon was made. Transformers had yet to have its own style before the cartoon, which was a very brief period I believe. Budiansky wrote the character bios and fiction concepts himself.

 

Well that depends on when in production that cover was actually made

The first issue of the comics was released early May of 84,a bit over 5 months before the first episode aired

It’s Conceivable that the artwork for the first issue cover may have been drawn in late 83

 

As of now I have not received a reply. Obviously if that changes I will update.