Review: ‘Transformers’ #6 May Be Big On Action, But Nuance Suffers As A Result

Like with recent issues of Daniel Warren Johnson‘s Transformers, this sixth issue is focused on action, action, action as the first story arc of this new run comes to a close. But, unlike previous installments, this one seemed to be off somewhat in its pacing. In between the battling of the bots we have a sacrifice that, for me at least, had very little impact. Partly because it felt too contrived and partly because it seemed crammed into an already busy issue with no real consideration of the layout of what should have been a highly emotional moment.

The choice of presenting this supposedly dramatic moment over two pages cramped with panels just failed to land. Deaths in comics — while never permanent — are at least usually presented as big, brash events, with a layout to match. Think of the death of Superman, Marvel Girl, and one of my particular favourites, the traitorous Terra in Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3, and you get the idea. It’s all in the scripting and the presentation. The death in this issue is almost throwaway, even though in this particular character’s sacrifice, Optimus Prime gets to live. A robot who has had his fair share of knockdowns throughout this story arc. Another problem I have with this finale. 

Maybe I’m just suffering from fatigue. After all, this whole run so far has delivered the requisite big-scale action fans expect, even bigger this issue with the inclusion of the gigantic Devastator. Warren Johnson’s art once again crackles with energy, dramatic set-pieces and bombastic lettering that helps set the fast-pace of this final chapter, but in doing so — and with so many combatants now involved — something of the more personal is lost in the melee. A disappointing ending to an otherwise excellent new take on an old favourite.

Transformers #6 is out now from Skybound/Image Comics