REVIEW: ‘Transformers,’ Issue #27

Transformers #27 brings readers back to the winged moon of Cybertron after a handful of Cybertron’s greatest minds saved the moon from its destructive trajectory into the solar system’s sun. However, their victory was short-lived, and members of the Rise, a terrorist sect, have arrived to take control of the moon’s large stores of Energon. However, Wheeljack managed to escape the moon in Transformers #24, precipitating a rescue mission. But can the Autobot scientists hold off the Rise until their rescuers arrive? Transformers #27 is published by IDW Publishing, written by Brian Ruckley, with art by Fico Ossio, colors by David Garcia Cruz, and letters and design by Jake M. Wood.

Pitting a gaggle of scientists against some meathead soldiers, Transformers #27 comes with good humor despite its dire events. The moon holds a plethora of Energon, which is dreadfully needed on Cybertron. So, whoever controls the moon, controls Cybertron. The severity of what’s at stake is never forgotten in this issue. The Risers aren’t holding back their punches; they’re out to kill. And the Autobots are willing to react in kind. Life is hanging on the line. However, the dialogue offsets this with levity; the dialogue is light and witty. With big personalities clashing, there’s plenty of hilarity to be had. After the last issue, this amusement is a breath of fresh air.

In conjunction with the fun dialogue, the action is similarly enjoyable. Ossio has a way of injecting motion and speed into their fight scenes that make every dodge, punch, and throw powerful. We’ve also got a bunch of unique ‘bots at each other’s throats, old characters and new to the series. We see the likes of Astrotrain and Skylynx, two massive triplechangers. And of course, the amnesiac Smokescreen who uses, you guessed it, smokescreens to fool the Risers. Even though there’s not necessarily a lot of forward progression of the plot, the dialogue and action are a fun time and the characters selected are a good choice to create levity.

Ossio also brings emotion to every character through not just facial expressions but body behavior. The lack of definitive facial features in some of our characters, like Cosmos, doesn’t mean they’re any less emotive in the hands of Ossio. Cruz’s colors bring out the best in each panel. From the bright glow of crackling electricity and screens to the grays and deep shadows of space and the station, the backgrounds are just as interesting as the characters themselves.

There’s plenty of dialogue to go around and various modes of communication. Thankfully, Wood’s letters keep everything simplistic and easy to follow. Never do the speech bubbles overshadow the characters or action.

Overall, the gaggle of characters in Transformers #27 is a wonderful choice. Their big personalities clash and make for fun and witty dialogue along with amusing situations and exciting fight scenes. This issue brings some levity to the series, as much as possible with the dire events going on.

Transformers #27 is available now wherever comics are sold.