Spoilers for “Transformers” volume 1 follow.
I interviewed Mr. Kirkman earlier this year and asked him about his experiences simultaneously writing “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible” for 15 years. The two series have vastly different settings (zombie apocalypse versus superhero coming-of-age) but, expectedly, similar writing styles. One commonality is that character death can happen brutally and unexpectedly, and no one is safe.
If there’s one criticism that Daniel Warren Johnson’s “Transformers” has gotten (at least from hardcore fans), it’s that the writing is too trigger-happy. Characters, even big ones, can and do die a lot. In the very first issue, the Decepticon Starscream kills Bumblebee, the second most famous Autobot after Optimus Prime.
Skybound Entertainment
In issue #3, the Decepticon Skywarp takes a nasty beating fighting Optimus. That’s bad luck for him, because among the Decepticons, survival of the fittest reigns, and Starscream and Soundwave really need some spare parts.
Skybound Entertainment
There’s been plenty more character deaths since, but I won’t spoil those. This doesn’t really bother me, though. “Transformers” is a war story — a robot war, but still a war. Death can and should happen. Now that Kirkman is taking over the comic, it hit me how Johnson is writing “Transformers” a lot like “The Walking Dead.” Important characters die because they need to; it reinforces Optimus’ struggle with being a good person leading others in a cruel world, which is the same struggle Rick Grimes had throughout “The Walking Dead.”
The “Transformers” character I’m most excited to see Kirkman write is the Decepticon Thundercracker. Why? He’s the one Decepticon with a conscience. He’s discomfited by the others’ sadism, takes no pleasure in massacring humans, and when he learns Starscream and Soundwave trashed Skywarp, not the Autobots, he deserts. Thundercracker could be on the path to redemption, but that happening in Johnson’s (presumably) packed next three issues is unlikely. But it could when Kirkman takes over; it would be similar to Omni-Man and the Viltrumites’ arc in “Invincible,” where alien invaders awaken their (for lack of a better term) humanity.
I’ve been a “Transformers” fan since I was a little kid. Following Johnson’s “Transformers” comic month to month has been the most exciting and satisfying experience I’ve had with these robots since watching new “Transformers: Prime” episodes in middle school. I’m not the biggest fan of “it makes me feel like a kid again” as praise, but “Transformers” is a franchise I’m comfortable saying that about: The characters are literally kids’ toys, after all. Daniel Warren Johnson understands most of the fun about “Transformers” is slamming the toys together, and I think Robert Kirkman does, too.
The next issue of “Transformers,” #22, releases on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The first 21 “Transformers” issues can be purchased physically and digitally.