IDW Transformers #32 Review

Rodimus Prime wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Plenty to digest, sure. But it's not really as dynamic or interesting as it could or should be. I dug out and re-read issue one, the other day. In comparison to Infiltration #1, it really lacks a visual punch.

So would that be the fault of the writer for not setting/describing the scene well enough or the illustrator for not executing said description?

Weird that today was the first time a reply alert for this thread appeared

Not knowing the illustrator's prior work, if they are new to the business or not. If it is the former, I would put it down to a lack of story boarding/scene setting by the writer.

I've just read this issue and actually enjoyed it.
The alternate world/future piqued my curiosity. Interesting to see Skywarp as an army builder though it's a shame the exclusivity of his Siege mold prohibits picking up a few of the figures.

Nice to see Powerglide make an albeit short appearance and Black Jack among the rebels.

I like Flatline's portrayal so far. He's not a stereotypical, sadistic, evil doctor. He seems to care about his patients.

Not a fan of Exarchon so far but that's because I don't like seeing Megatron enthralled.

I liked the mention of Nucleon and it's effects on Bumblebee's rebels as I loved the Actionmasters growing up.

It's a shame the reviewer didn't enjoy the issue but each to their own.

I say this as someone who reads the wiki entries just to keep up, I have no interest in actually buying the main book (except the annual, I will discuss after this), I like the sounds of Exarchon. And that twist from the end sounds great. Exarchon is a breathe of fresh air that was needed, a real threat and a unique one at that. I like the idea of him being the true big bad and not Megatron, especially since Megatron kinda really sucks.

Now, the annual: I actually bought the annual, courtesy of Seibs, and it's my first actual book I bought of the new continuity. I plan to get Galaxies 1-6, but I'm still salty they didn't do those 6 together in a trade and bundled them with 6 other issues from the ongoing or something like that.

anyway, annual: I got it because Lodestar is cool, Milne was on art, Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Dirge, and Airachnid were antagonists, and Computron at long last shows up in something! I will admit, I liked the story, and I really did like the Technobots. The 1 thing I didn't like was the pacing: the fight between Lodestar and Vigilem was hardly a fight, and Computron appeared but barely. It feels like those big moments got less screen time then they should have.

Outside of that, I enjoyed it. I will enjoy reading it some more too

ScottyP wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Plenty to digest, sure. But it's not really as dynamic or interesting as it could or should be. I dug out and re-read issue one, the other day. In comparison to Infiltration #1, it really lacks a visual punch.

So would that be the fault of the writer for not setting/describing the scene well enough or the illustrator for not executing said description?

Weird that today was the first time a reply alert for this thread appeared

Not knowing the illustrator's prior work, if they are new to the business or not. If it is the former, I would put it down to a lack of story boarding/scene setting by the writer.

I know nothing if Angel Hernandez's career before Transformers, but TF 2019 #1 was his first work for TFs. He peaks early, goes away for a long time, then returns to draw the end of 31 and most of 32.

His parts of 32 are a sloppy mess. Spotlight: Thundercracker level bad art. Heart of Darkness level bad. Lumpy characters in wonky settings participating in clumsy action.

That's the weird thing about this series almost everyone involved has very little experiences in the comic realm. Hernandez probably having the most working for DC, then IDW starting with Star Trek and now TF. Next being Ruckley who wrote a handful of books for IDW before TF. Last but not least being Malkova with the TF series being her first ever work in comics.

commander shockwav wrote:Okay, I haven't really read anything since the Lost Light stuff.

Tell me what you think is worth reading since then. Because I know most of it is probably fluff and am looking for something with some substance. I'm partial to the US/UK Marvel run and most of IDW's stuff up to the Lost Light.

Read issues 1-6 of Galaxies and the 2021 annual. those are the good stories so far

I found this issue to be a definite step up from the last issue. It was a joy to read rather than a chore. Issue 33 is a simple and humorous read with a seemingly important character moment for a particular character.



This issue does its job well and manages to squeeze in a smattering of humor. It delivers a story about a rescue mission that also helps set up the next arc of the series. We also get a glimpse of what it is like in occupied Iacon, well at least for the decepticons anyway. This issue like many in the past has a lot of enjoyable character moments. Charger and Firebeast were a personal highlight for me. That is not to say this issue’s plot is perfect though, as the emotional moments in this issue lack depth.

You can find full credits for Transformers #33 in our Vector Sigma Database entry for this issue




The art for this issue is done by Bethany McGuire-Smith. McGuire-Smith illustrates a myriad of emotive faces and competent action scenes. McGuire-Smith’s art is competent and well done and suits this issue well. There are a lot of interesting illustrations in this issue such as bots dancing and wrestling. David Garcia Cruz’s colors compliment McGuire-Smith’s art well. Jake Wood’s lettering is on point as per usual.



Overall, this issue is very well rounded with competent art and a nicely structured story. While this issue won’t win any awards, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but there are a few things that hold it back from soaring to above average heights, such as emotional moments that lack feeling.



This issue is out today, and 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.

As of tomorrow we'll have hit Transformers #34 in IDW's new-ish Transformers comic continuity and this time around it looks like we'll be catching up with Termagax, Landmine and Geomotus for the first time in months, at least if this five page preview is anything to go on. The publisher's synopsis for this issue says:

(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Winston Chan
"Sea of Rust," part one! Megatron has learned that his former mentor, Termagax, holds a key artifact that could tip the scales of the war firmly in the Decepticons' favor, eliminating the Autobots once and for all. The first order of business, of course, is finding Termagax's House, a mobile building on the run. And as tensions erupt between Megatron's Decepticons and his old mentor, the Autobots put themselves in the crossfire!

You can check out the five page preview provided by IDW Publishing below.

ScottyP wrote:Wingstun calls the blue one Space Case, then they mention Nacelle, then "Space Case" transforms and looks like Nacelle. Huh?

Don’t worry Scotty that got me as well.

Randomhero wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Wingstun calls the blue one Space Case, then they mention Nacelle, then "Space Case" transforms and looks like Nacelle. Huh?

No he turns into a seeker that shares G2 space case’s colors even down to his yellow/orange missiles. Not that hard to follow but I guess if you’re reading it to find something to complain about…

ED71CA67-4F66-4527-A023-5FBDB657C95B.jpeg

Guys will find anything to gripe about in the comics

To be fair both Nacelle and Space Case share the same colors.

Issue #34 kicks off the new Sea of Rust story arc and this issue like many others in this series is heavy on the dialogue but has a decent mix of action thrown in. The writing for this issue is on par with Ruckley’s previous outings. The art in this issue as per usual is done by Anna Malkova who brings her characteristic flare and competence in the art department.

Now let’s dive into the writing of this issue. There is no denying that Ruckley is very passionate about this series unfortunately that does not seem to have translated into reader passion. However, personally I enjoyed this issue. Is the story groundbreaking? No, but I had fun reading and that is what matters. Ruckley has definitely gotten better at bouncing back and forth between the different groups of this series. We pick up with Prime, Megatron, Shockwave as well as the Insectiacons, and it will be interesting to see how everything plays into this arc. This balance was missing from earlier issues. Termagax has lot of potential and hopefully this arc delivers on that. She also gives weird vibes like she cannot be completely trusted. The way Skywarp is written makes him feel like Loki from the MCU, but he didn’t feel quite all there.

You can find full credits for Transformers #34 in our Vector Sigma Database entry for this issue

The standout of this issue has to be the art Malkova continues to deliver. Her splash pages this issue are spectacular and some of the best moments in the book. The art overall is just really fun in this issue. Malkova is just superb at facial expressions. Both David Garcia Cruz and Evan Gauntt’s colors complement Malkova’s art incredibly well. They truly bring out the best in each other. No complaints with Jake Wood’s Lettering either.


Overall, I had a splendid time reading this book and the art is just fantastic. However, that does not mean this book is great. It is an okay story with superb art, but that being said I like this book and I am interested to see where this arc is going. Hopefully we will finally see some progress in this series or at the very least some combiner goodness.


This issue is out today, and 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.