Transformers is a series that resides in the childhood memories of many of us. The memories may be hazy, but from the first introduction to the giant shapeshifting robots in the original 1984 cartoon, every other day I would watch episodes of the classic cartoon. Love for this series has persevered to this day. 

Then one day at seven years old, I stumbled upon a VHS tape (yes I grew up with VHS) of the 1986 movie. Yeah that was a mistake, though it’s one I don’t regret. After seeing fan favorite Transformers die brutally or already dead with no fanfare, realization set in that even the seemingly invincible giant robots could die.

Kids everywhere were furious and traumatized in the ’80s when the movie first released as they saw their fan favorite bots die. Yet regardless of the initial financial consequences, the 1986 movie ended up being a much needed leap that created success for Hasbro in the long run.

If Transformers hadn’t taken the dive into a darker world by allowing their characters to die, then we wouldn’t be here discussing the newest Transformers comic by Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics. Released in October of 2023, the Skybound Transformers comic series is a darker retelling of the OG Gen One series from 1984.

While this premise isn’t unique, the way the comic tackles serious topics like PTSD, genocide, vengeance, and loss is impeccable. In one of the most beautiful comic panel sequences in Transformers comic history, Optimus Prime admires Earth’s scenery for the first time and falls in love with a planet that’s new to him. Unfortunately, he accidentally steps on a deer while he’s distracted.

Guilt-ridden over killing an innocent life, Optimus grieves this deer’s death when his human companion, Spike Witwicky, walks onto the scene and consoles the gentle giant. What really makes these panels stand out isn’t just the incredible characterization of Optimus Prime, but that just before them, Starscream is shown squishing humans with his bare hands.

While one murders with glee, another mourns the death of a forest creature he killed by mistake. Such strong parallels really showcase why we root for the Autobots, and highlight the ironic humanity that the alien machines from space show.

After constant warfare between the two factions, the Autobots are wounded and low on resources. Thanks to being stranded on an alien planet, Optimus has no choice but to use his own lifeforce to save his comrades, and the life of Spike, who was severely injured in the chaos.

Unfortunately, Optimus’ Matrix of Leadership (a powerful relic that connects him to those who came before) is too low on energy. Spike’s father, Sparkplug, however, takes a leap of faith and sacrifices himself to power the Matrix using his life force. As Sparkplug steps into the Matrix and becomes one with it, Optimus absorbs his memories and gains great power.

While the power saves the life of Spike, the memories haunt Optimus as he remembers events that he never experienced. Meanwhile, the Decepticons become fed up with Starscream, who has failed to properly lead his team in Megatron’s absence. Soundwave challenges Starscream for control, and after a ruthless beatdown, Soundwave takes the reins and proves effective.

This plot point stands out especially because Soundwave isn’t typically seen as a leader figure. Usually he hinges on Megatron’s every word, but this time he rules the Decepticons with cold efficiency and grace. Speaking of Megatron’s absence, there’s a major mystery concerning his whereabouts and fate.

The only clue given is that his severed arm was on the Autobot’s ship among all the other comatose bots onboard, but the rest of his body isn’t. This severed arm ends up saving Optimus’ life, as the fearless Autobot leader replaces his own maimed appendage with that of his ultimate rival.

While the Transformers are robots, grafting each other’s limbs onto themselves feels icky regardless, especially if you’re a longtime fan. This is not a complaint, actually this is praise. Showcasing such desperate and gruesome methods has been a staple of Transformers media.

From the Trans-Organic Dweller and Unicron’s horrific acid pits, to an undead and broken down Optimus trying to murder his former comrades, Transformers has never shied from creepy imagery.

Skybound’s and Image’s Transformers comic starts out intense, but it really picks up with its second story arc. If you’ve ever seen Transformers, then you know why they come to Earth. For those who don’t, however, the Transformers arrive on Earth because they fled their homeworld for resources. Well, that’s the short of it at least.

With Soundwave in command, the Decepticons get ahold of ample resources and find their crashed ship under the sea. Using the wreck as a base, the Decepticons make contact with their forces still on Cybertron and bolster their strength. This puts the Autobots at a huge disadvantage numbers wise, so they desperately search for a power source of their own.

Once the Autobots find one, they barely fend off a Decepticon attack and decide to go on the offensive. Oblivious to the Decepticon’s new reinforcements (Elita-One and Ultra Magnus), the Autobots attack and are overwhelmed almost immediately.

Fortunately, reinforcements of their own arrive through a portal not long after and help them retreat. Sadly, two Autobots, Cliffjumper and Jazz are left behind in the chaos. Dejected, Optimus immediately plans a rescue mission alongside his new allies and they rush the Decepticons.

The attack goes well at first, but the Decepticons surprise the Autobots by starting the process to drag Cybertron into Earth’s orbit. As Cybertron gradually comes into view, Optimus Prime is forced to make a decision; save Earth and banish Cybertron back to where it belongs, or let Cybertron stay so it can be revitalized using Earth’s resources.

Elita begs Optimus to choose Cybertron, but Optimus wouldn’t be a hero if he chose to sacrifice someone else’s home to save his own. Elita, who’s been left cold-hearted and ruthless after many years of fighting a losing battle whilst her friends died around her, grows furious at Optimus’ decision and tries to stop him from returning Cybertron back to its rightful place. She fails.

The reason why this arc hits so hard is because not only did Optimus choose to sacrifice his home to protect someone else’s, he put the future of his people in danger for humanity’s sake. It’s a heavy but noble decision, and it’s not without its consequences. Now Optimus has to live with the fact that he might have forever doomed Cybertron and his people to extinction.

This moral quandary perfectly represents Optimus as a character; a noble and selfless leader who is forced to make brutal choices and sacrifice what he loves in the name of justice. It’s a tragic story, and Skybound isn’t shying away from it.

What makes Skybound stand out, aside from its approach to mental illness and trauma, is its love for the human condition and how that extends to the Transformers in a strange way. Yes, the Transformers aren’t humans, but they have a “human” side to them, and Skybound shows that in every panel.

Everyone loves to watch giant robots fighting, but what really makes Transformers special is why they fight, and what they are outside of their battles. There are high hopes for Skybound, so give it a read.