REVIEW: 'Transformers' #3 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer

 

TRANSFORMERS #3 

Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson

Artist: Mike Spicer, Daniel Warren Johnson

Letters: Rus Wooton

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: December 6, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

THE BIGGEST LAUNCH OF THE YEAR CONTINUES HERE!

Outnumbered and overpowered, it's time for the Autobots to stand their ground, as Optimus Prime goes toe to toe with Skywarp!

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

Fans of Daniel Warren Johnson already know he brings a unique energy and heart to his stories and that is never more appropriate than issue three of 'Transformers.' His art style and eye for action are unrivaled in comics. You know you're getting something special when you pick up a DWJ comic. And paired with Mike Spicer's brilliant vibrant coloring, they've made this series a can't-miss event. Issue three demonstrates why with an action-packed throwdown between Optimus Prime and Skywarp along with an undercurrent of emotional anxiety between humans, 'Transformers' is everything fans wanted and more. 

It's easy to get caught up in the visual splendor of the issue with its mixture of dramatic close-ups, scratchy lines, wrestling-inspired fight moves, or detailed destruction. But it's the emotional weight of the characters that are the glue that keeps the story together. Whether it's Carly's inability to grieve in the heat of battle or Spike's concern for Prime or Sparky's misguided attempt to gather the militia to fight back the robots, 'Transformers' #3 is teeming with a highly charged undercurrent of fear, pain, compassion, and anxiety. And DWJ handles it all with a well-paced precision that doesn't sacrifice a thing. 

Spicer's colors are vital to differentiate the characters from the action. Sometimes there's so much going on and so much detail provided, Spicer cuts through the mayhem with perfectly contrasting colors that add depth, separation, and character. There's a frenzy at work but Johnson and Spicer find the right balance to prevent from panels being muddled and instead create explosive images of color and action. 

'Transformers' continues to wow with one jaw-dropping issue after another. This time it's an all-out battle that's exhilarating and harrowing. The series has lived up to the hype and more.