REVIEW: ‘Transformers Galaxies,’ Issue #1

Transformers Galaxies #1 is published by IDW Publishing, written by Tyler Bleszinski, with art by Livio Ramondelli, and letters by Tom B. Long. Transformers Galaxies is an anthology comic series that acts as a spin-off of IDW Publishing’s new 2019 Transformers comic book series. It will feature other characters and stories existing outside of the 2019 Transformers storyline, and often centering on those stories occurring in other parts of the galaxy, away from Cybertron. The first number of issues are planned to focus on the creation of the Constructicons.

In Transformers Galaxies #1, following the War Against the Threefold Spark, the great cities of Cybertron lay in ruins. In this disarray, however, new Cybertronians are forged—the Constructicons—for the purpose of rebuilding and creating a new Cybertron. Newly forged and lacking any hesitancy or fear of innovation, the Constructicons are ready to devote their lives wholly to making Cybertron grander and better than ever before. But, after devoting their efforts to bettering Cybertron and the lives of its inhabitants, why are they stuck on a different planet; why has Cybertron shunned them? And how do they plan to get back into the good graces of their fellow Cybertronians?

As mentioned, Transformers Galaxies #1 focuses on the well-known group of transformers known as the Constructicons. In this first issue, we’re introduced to this unruly bunch of bots—Hook, Scrapper, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Bonecrusher, and Long Haul—and find out when and why they were forged. So, if you’re not familiar with the Constructicons from past Transformers media, this issue does well in introducing each character, describing their original roles, and expanding upon their very dissonant personalities without being overbearing. So, if you’re unfamiliar with this group, you’ll get to know them from their very beginnings.

Now, the Constructicons have always been an unruly, quirky bunch. And I’m glad to say that this comes through well in this issue. The dialogue suits the characters and reflects their personalities well. This issue captures their good-willed banter and also relays the team cohesion that they have. Overall, Bleszinski definitely does these characters justice.

This issue also explains that the Constructicons were not originally a combiner or gestalt team—a group of transformers that can combine to create a much larger, stronger mech. So through this issue, we not only get to see how the Constructicons became a gestalt team but also how they learned to cope with sharing a single consciousness. We get to see the turbulent learning process these mechs went through to be able to control their combiner mode. Although the reader may be familiar with combiner teams, they still may be surprised by this issue. Transformers Galaxies #1 introduces a troubling history that the Constructicons have to contend with the hard way. And I guarantee you’ll feel bad for this loveable bunch of bots.

The art, by Ramondelli, is quite appealing. The style of coloring is one I haven’t encountered before and I can see how some may not find it visually appealing. However, I think it fits the issue well. It engenders an unrefined grit to it that I think really suits the Constructicons well. The lettering, by Long, doesn’t clog the panels and allows for easy transitions between speech bubbles. Overall, the pages of this issue are well-done, visually appealing, and don’t detract from the story.

Personally, I think this is a wonderful start to this series. I was a bit wary when I heard that the series was going to start out highlighting the Constructicons, but my fears have certainly been assuaged. The only downside to this series is that I have to wait a month to get my hands on the next issue. 

Transformers Galaxies #1 is available now wherever comic books are sold.