It is the darkest hour for the Autobots. The Decepticons have taken the upper hand. Body counts are rising. Optimus Prime is mortally wounded. The only chance for his survival is the Matrix of Leadership. Due to Megatron’s arm, it has been infected.
Spike Witwicky has attempted to help and Optimus’ essance has now entered its’ sphere. Megatron’s forces are quickly advancing. Something has to give.
TRANSFORMERS #23 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer & Rus Wooton brings forth the pen-ultimate issue in Daniel Warren Johnson’s run.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the Autobots’ last stand.
TRANSFORMERS #22 by Daniel Warren Johnson, Jorge Corona, Mike Spicer & Rus Wooton (IMAGE COMICS/SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Take about an emotional build. Johnson spares no expense to get the audience fully wrapped around this chapter. The story is split between two very storng plots. In one corner is Megatron’s dark advancement of actions. His dialogue mirrors the intense suffering he is inflicting. It also brings back the complex, violate connection with Starscream. There is never a doubt of how the Decepticon leader thinks of the former head. It leave room for the scapegoat to be named should he lose this war.
The other and more powerful tale centers around Optimus Prime. No other element of this issue is more impactful than the human interactions. Johnson weaves in the the respect shown for rescuing them with Ultra Magnus’ rally cry. The result sets forth the last stand in style. Prime’s story is elevated within the Matrix. Readers watch as the past events come to a heartbreaking end. Seeing how the final page unfolds sets the table for an unforgettable finale. This is high level storytelling at its finest.
Corona and Spicer construct a very unstable battleground. The art locks in on Megatron’s dominant rage. It instantly creates an uneasiness with readers. Seeing the current state of Optimus Prime, the mood swings quickly to a somber tone. The panel of people paying respects strikes a deep chord. This aura carries into a close-up of humans saying “thank you” to the fallen Autobot.
The scene spills into a much needed event for Ultra Magnus. Watching his involvement thus far, the Autobot needed a spark. His body language in delivering his cry will excite readers. It is capped off with a close-up of little words. This becomes the match that lights an inferno of action. An incredible two page splash starts the final stand. Looming in the Matrix is a bittersweet rally of its’ own. The art locks in on Prime and a surprise guest coming to grips with their past. It leads into the closing pages where all bets are off. You can’t ask for a better building stage for a finale. This issue has it all!
OVERALL GRADE: 9.5
The pen-ultimate issue of DWJ’s run crashes into shops with a thunderous impact. Johnson’s powerful script checks all the needed boxes. Corona and Spicer swing huge and connect as the action explodes on the pages. “Tarnsformers” continuously raises new levels of excitement for readers. You can’t afford to miss this.
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Transformers #23. Thanks for reading!