Here’s a little secret about Transformers: They can’t die. After the events of Transformers #32’s “The Wrath of Grimlock”, the Autobots thought that Swoop was liquefied by the explosive effects of a high density thermo-nuclear bomb. The readers did, too.

There’s one simple word that greedy executives use when they want to repeat the commercial successes of their past. That word is “more”. Whatever they think worked last time, this time they want more. More. “War and Peace” is everything that was wrong with “Prime Directive”, but, somehow, more.

Prowl, according to the comics published by IDW thus far, is a stern Autobot, unwavering on his principles in his determination to win the war against the Decepticons. He’s not afraid to make unpopular decisions and he hates–absolutely hates–heroic grandstanding. And then there’s “Spotlight Prowl”, a one-shot that seems to focus on an altogether different character.

The are many rules, directives if you will, to follow to ensure the creation of a high quality comic book. Dreamwave’s first Transformers six-issue mini-series breaks all of these rules and more. It also breaks the brain of any reader who might dare to read all six issues in one sitting.

In many a young Transformers fan’s imagination, Bumblebee, at some point, has been promoted to Autobot leader. The smallest and cheapest Autobot, part of everyone’s collection, has been the epitome of the underdog: the nervous and shy type destined for greater things. It’s David and Goliath for today’s changing robot. And so, some 25 years later, IDW Publishing turns this platitude into a 4-issue mini-series called “Transformers: Bumblebee”.

IDW Publishing has released numerous Transformers film tie-in comics over the last couple of years, but none thus far above average. But the second of their Revenge of the Fallen prequel series stands in, pun intended, defiance of that trend.

If there’s one thing that the Transformers brand has been able to boast about these last 25 years, it is the sheer elasticity of the characters’ portrayal. From the elementary look of the 1980s cartoons and comics, the hyper-real robots of Michael Bay’s films, to the vibrant cast of Transformers: Animated (and back again), it’s as though there’s a different style for every taste. There’s always been something for everyone.

The four-issue “Alliance” mini-series bridges the gap between IDW’s own “The Reign of Starscream” series and Paramount/Dreamworks’ “Transformers Revenge of the Fallen” feature film. But that’s the problem, the story functions merely as a bridging piece and offers nothing of deeper substance.

If, while watching the end credits of Transformers (2007) and waiting for your hearing to return, you saw Starscream blasting off into space and wondered just what happened next, then the answer is to be found within the pages of “The Reign of Starscream”.

Things like “prequels” and “adaptations” usually reek of cash-ins, adding dead weight to overburdened
bandwagons. Usually. Chris Ryall joins veteran scribe Simon Furman to turn in a fast-paced script with considered depth.