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Thanks to SyFy wire, we have our very first preview for the upcoming Transformers: Galaxies comic! This 12 issue run will focus on several different characters in small split up arcs. The first features the most famous of the combiner teams: the Constructicons, who combine to form Devastator!

We begin this preview with a look at the Constructicons on a desolate planet, building a city that reminds them of home, and attempting to finish it so they can go home. We get some nice moments between Scrapper and Hook during this intro, before flashing back to the beginning of the Constructicon's lives.

You can check out the preview below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below! And stay tuned for more Galaxies themed updates in the near future!

People are gonna complain but Livio’s art is looking pretty good here.

Randomhero wrote:People are gonna complain but Livio’s art is looking pretty good here.

I really like it too, he has shown consistent improvement with his artwork and it looks nice

This looks interesting, especially reading the solicitations for November. However, I can't find the link to preorder the book on Comixology.

Livio's the perfect choice; he's been doing the widescreen landscapes since he started, and his bots look gorgeous. Look at that Wheeljack! I'm so looking forward to this - have loved the Constructicons since forever!

A brief editorial note: while most of our comics reviews are published just around an issue's day of release, IDW Publishing provided Seibertron.com with an advanced review copy of this book. The release date for this comic book is September 25th, 2019.


The first expansion of IDW Publishing's 2019 relaunch is set to arrive soon with Transfomers: Galaxies #1 providing a first look into both the Constructicons as well as this new ongoing anthology series. Many readers dissatisfied with the pacing of Transformers "bold new era" have found themselves already looking for something else new for a monthly Transformers comic fix. Will this first four issue arc fill this need for Transformers fans? In a word, yes. Read on to find out more!


One of the primary challenges in creating a combiner team is clearly defining each character within the team while not relying on shallow archetypes to prop up a member or three. With limited page space as an additional challenge, Galaxies takes an approach here that provides the basics of each member in a no-nonsense head shot sequence that's great for those not already generally familiar with the Constructicons. The basics are more-or-less faithful to their original incarnations, but it's a smart move to present said basics close to the start as new readers are less likely to have familiarity with a 35 year old cartoon with each passing day.


Hook and Scrapper are the stars of the first issue and are no doubt the characters with the most depth realized after 20 pages. Their interactions and conversations also help build up the definition of one another and I was left with a sense that these two have been very close for a very long time. Contrasting actions and reactions leave the reader with a clear idea of who these two are and what their place is within the larger unit that is the Constructicons. Long Haul and Bonecrusher have supplementary moments as well that provide substance to their personalities, leaving Mixmaster and Scavenger to fight for panels and dialogue. While these two aren't totally ignored by any means, there's not much to them here yet, but what is provided is enough to give me faith that this is merely a consequence of this being one issue out of four rather than an indication of what to expect in the future.


One thing that may be daunting to new readers is that this is part of a wider universe, regardless of the fact that said wider universe is only 11 issues and four months deep at the moment. These fears can thankfully be disregarded. While characters already seen in Transformers do appear, the nature of their presentation within this story is handled in a way that requires absolutely zero prior knowledge of their other exploits. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Termagax's prior appearances are enhanced and now mean more to me than they did upon my initial readings of her chat with Megatron over in Transformers #8. The interplay between the books is subtle enough that it manages to have importance while not at all being an obstacle to a new reader's enjoyment of the story.


Listeners of our Twincast Podcast interview with writer Tyler Bleszinski and artist Livio Ramondelli will recall their mention of the collaborative process used to bring this story to life. This really shows throughout with both the layouts and actions shown in the artwork supplementing the dialogue and vice versa. I can say without hesitation that Galaxies #1 is up there with Ramondelli's best work on Transformers and might possibly be his finest hour to date. While the sense of scale, lighting and coloring are what readers have come to expect, much of the line work is extremely crisp and suits these characters appropriately. The facial expressions are spot on, even on characters like Scrapper and Wheeljack without a true "mouth" to supplement their emotion. The letter work from Tom B. Long is exemplary as always, with a particular sequence featuring all six Constructicons on the page simultaneously using a dash of color within the speech bubbles to help the dialogue and art with their clear conveyance of precisely who's doing the speaking.

On covers, there are six available but most folks will only have two choices, those being the Livio Ramondelli A Cover featured in this review's news story thumbnail and the Nick Roche and Josh Burcham B Cover. George Caltsoudas provides a highly stylized 10 copy incentive cover with Casey Coller and Burcham chipping in with a tougher to get 25 copy incentive cover. Retailer exclusives are out in force as well, with both still available for preorder as of this writing! For the Clayton Crain Scorpion Comics exclusive click here, or look here for the Torpedo Comics Livio Ramondelli exclusive. Both are limited to 500 copies. As always, you can also find all the cover images, full credits for the issue and a list of all the characters that appear in the book through our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers: Galaxies #1.


Transformers: Galaxies #1 does most everything that a first issue can do and does it well. An easy introduction to the characters provides an accessible path into this new Transformers universe and the final page hook (no pun intended) throws a curve ball that makes you want to read more without feeling dishonest or random. While I did find one page featuring Termagax and Wheeljack a bit slow its place in the issue is still deserving and it helped to clarify their perspectives on the other events witnessed. The fact that Scavenger really doesn't get much characterization keeps me from putting a perfect score on this one, but that's probably due to the fact that it's a first issue and my generally being stingy with said perfect scores moreso than anything else.

Transformers: Galaxies #1 is the finest work delivered so far in IDW's Transformers relaunch and provides great entertainment for both old-timers and anyone brand new to these comics. Look out for this issue on September 25th where you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.

I guess if you want to build a new comics continuity, you'd better hit up the Constructicons, eh?

I’m so excited for this. Great review ScottyP thanks!
I think you really cemented what I’ve been hoping this title will be like, what it will bring and offer for TF fans.

Another win in a Golden Lagoon of a year for fanformers.

I'm looking forward to this, especially after the disappointment of the "bold" new book. I also like the combiner teams and their concept, and would love an immersive story about what makes a team like that work. I was hoping we would get that with TAAO, but that was also a disappointment. I don't care for this style of art, it's too flat and void of emotion, but I'm willing to get past it if the story is worth it. Hopefully it is.

Archforce wrote:I guess if you want to build a new comics continuity, you'd better hit up the Constructicons, eh?

They should use this in marketing for the series

ScottyP wrote:

Archforce wrote:I guess if you want to build a new comics continuity, you'd better hit up the Constructicons, eh?

They should use this in marketing for the series

I mean, it makes sense given the context, but the Constructicons are so overexposed. I'm a fan of villains, of the Decepticons and outside of their one scene in The Movie, I don't like them. They are just so dull, so one note (like most of the exclusive Earth-based bots). I am optimistic I may be proved wrong in this iteration.


IDWverse started with Monstructor. A completely out of left field decision and I think the overall mythology of Gestalts was enhanced by the basis for the technology being one of the more "bestial" combiner teams. Obviously the rest of them were pretty screwed over by subsequent runs EG Ironhide landing a one hit KO against Bruticus - The noted strongest of the Gestalts - was laughably ridiculous.

Just in from Mr. Alex Milne's Twitter is the always welcoming crisply drawn lines of a squad of Decepticons. But wait, not just any squad of 'Cons, that green and purple tells us very distinctly who this team is - the Constructicons! This is Mr. Milne's cover for issue #2 of Transformers Galaxies which apparently he was just given the go ahead to post from IDW. Here's from the post:
"I got the go ahead from @IDWPublishingto post my cover to Transformers Galaxies issue 2. Amazing colors by @dyemooch who always impresses me with what he can pull off.
This was a fun cover to do of these swell guys :p #Transformers #IDW #TFGalaxies"

Issue 2 is due out October 30th. Make sure to get out to your comic shop and reserve your copy today!

Enjoy the view and share your thoughts on this highly expected title in the forums. And as always stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news!

Milne does the absolute best covers. I love his style

Me too. According to his Twitter his doctors are telling him he's had a heart attack at some point (?!?) Like unbeknownst to him. I'd noticed he kept posting about health issues with his left shoulder or something like that for about the last month and sheeeeesh I did not see that coming.

Hey Fanformers out there if you dig on Mr. Milne's art keep the good Transformers mojo going his way he could use it right now.

Stargrave wrote:Me too. According to his Twitter his doctors are telling him he's had a heart attack at some point (?!?) Like unbeknownst to him. I'd noticed he kept posting about health issues with his left shoulder or something like that for about the last month and sheeeeesh I did not see that coming.

Hey Fanformers out there if you dig on Mr. Milne's art keep the good Transformers mojo going his way he could use it right now.

I've been seeing that too, his health is not that good

A brand new Transformers comic book anthology series from IDW Publishing, Transformers: Galaxies launches today. Issue #1 brings the beginning chapter of a four-part story written by Tyler Bleszinski with art by Livio Ramondelli, and this first segment's all about the Constructicons: Bonecrusher, Hook, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Scavenger and Scrapper. While related to and set in the same universe as IDW's other ongoing Transformers series, stories in Galaxies can stand alone similarly to the Spotlight series from the previous continuity.

Is it any good? We thought so and you can check out our review here, with a quick look around the web at other Transformers fan sites and comic book review sites showing we're not alone in our praise!

To purchase the book, make a trip to your local comic shop or purchase your favorite cover (some quantities limited) through the Seibertron.com eBay store using the links below:

If you still need more, below is a five-page preview of the issue provided by IDW Publishing. As the credits page below isn't cooperating, look here for all creator credits for this issue.


Keep it here at Seibertron.com for all the latest Transformers news and more about Galaxies and other Transformers comics as the series continues!

Question. When talking about purchasing comics, how come you guys never put a link to comixology in the news posts?

Ironhidensh wrote:Question. When talking about purchasing comics, how come you guys never put a link to comixology in the news posts?

For this one, the honest truth is that it didn't cross my mind

Really enjoyed issue 1.

They already did more justice for the constructicons than the entire cast of the main ongoing in this issue.

also, Finally, Abominus makes it back to a comic!

How this book made me feel can be summed up in one word.

Sad.

That is what I took from this book.

I guess it's because we jump back and forth between past and present with Hook and Scrapper reminiscing, clearly wanting to go home to Cybertron.

The reminiscing did a great job of establishing their origin, young characters, full of life and hope, suddenly thrust together (literally), clearly leaving them a little traumatised.

Whatever happened to bring them to Mayalx will hopefully be told, but I already get the impression the ruling party have shifted them out of the way, probably out of fear of what they can do.

Definitely piqued my interest more than the current series and already has done a great job of giving a new look at the Constructicons.

A last little tidbit of news from the #NYCC2019 is the generous reveals for the upcoming creators and covers for Transformers Galaxies #'s 5-12! These were revealed during the IDW panel and later posted to IDW's Editor David Mariotte's Twitter account over the weekend of the #NYCC2019. Below are the tweets that he issued along with the cover images revealed during the panel. There are stories with Cliffjumper, Arcee, Greenlight, their mentee Gauge, and Ultra Magnus on the way, all set in the current War for Cybertron continuity. If the first issue of Galaxies is any indication we're going to be seeing fun and interesting new angles of the current IDW Transformers continuity. Enjoy!



Are you gearing up for Galaxies? How long will Cliffjumper survive this time? Will we see Arcee's War for Cybertron toy mold? Let us know in the forums and as always stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news!

All 3 of those covers look pretty great! I love the cliffjumper one

Thanks to iTunes we have a three page preview for the highly anticipated upcoming IDW Transformers Galaxies Issue #2 written by Tyler Bleszinski with art by Livio Ramondelli. This issue features the cover Insecticon fans have been buzzing over for weeks, the three original Insecticons feeding on...bits. Yikes! From the look of the preview pages we're getting to see even more detailed aspects of the jade giant's gestalt personality resonating through the individual Constructicons. Here's the publisher description:

"Transformers Galaxies #2
Tyler Bleszinski & Livio Ramondelli

Pre-Order
Expected Oct 30, 2019
$3.99
“CONSTRUCTICONS RISING,” PART 2! The Constructicons are training—they know their time is coming. They’re almost ready to stand at their once glorious height. They just need a sign and some energon. When a mysterious benefactor arrives promising to provide both, how can the Constructicons resist?"

Enjoy the view and share your thoughts in the forum. As always stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news!

I'm getting this purely for Bonecrusher's action film bad guy lines. This actually looks awesome!

Bonecrusher's into some kinky stuff. Properly villainous, dig it.