Transformers (Skybound Entertainment)

Transformers is an ongoing line of American comic books published by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment, being based on the toy line of the same name by Hasbro and Takara Tomy.

Transformers
Cover A for Transformers (2023) issue #1.
Publication information
Publisher	Skybound Entertainment (Image Comics)
Genre	Science fiction
Publication date	October 4, 2023 – present
Editor(s)	Ben Abernathy Sean Mackiewicz

It is a successor of IDW Publishing's previous relaunch of Transformers comics.^[1]

Publication history

After IDW Publishing lost the licenses to produce Transformers and G.I. Joe comics by the end of 2022,^[2] Hasbro announced in June 2023 that Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics, would acquire those licenses.^[3]

During San Diego Comic-Con 2023, it was revealed that Skybound has plans to reprint both the Marvel and IDW comics based on Transformers, with more info set to release later.^[4]

In April 2025, Skybound opened a crowdfunding project on Kickstarter to release volumes 1–4 of the Transformers Compendium Set, which include the original comic series from the Marvel era.^[5] The project was successfully funded in 2 minutes.^[6]

Energon Universe series

Main article: Energon Universe

Premise

When Autobots and Decepticons travel from Cybertron to Earth, their war changes humanity's fate, and only Optimus Prime can save them.^[1]

Overview

Title	Issue(s)	Writer(s)	Artist(s)	Colorist(s)	Premiere date
Transformers	1–	Daniel Warren Johnson (1–24)[7] Robert Kirkman (25–)[8]	Jorge Corona Jason Howard Daniel Warren Johnson[7] Ludo Lullabi Dan Mora[8]	Adriano Lucas Mike Spicer Sarah Stern	October 4, 2023[9]
Energon Universe 2024 Special	One-shot	Daniel Warren Johnson Robert Kirkman Joshua Williamson	Lorenzo De Felici Ryan Ottley Jason Howard	Annalisa Leoni Matheus Lopes Mike Spicer	May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[10][11]
Energon Universe 2025 Special			Conor Hughes Daniel Warren Johnson Andrea Milana	Patricio Depelche Lee Loughridge Mike Spicer	May 3, 2025 (Free Comic Book Day)

Skybound's first Transformers comic is set in the Energon Universe, being initially written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson, and colored by Mike Spicer, and debuted on October 4, 2023.^[9]

Johnson said, “To my readers, retailers, and fellow Transformers fans: get ready! I’ve only been drawing Optimus Prime and the rest of this amazing cast since I was in first grade. This is a dream project for me, and I’m so glad to be adding a new chapter to the decades long celebration of robots turning into cars. Also, cab-over trucks are so fun to draw!”^[9]

In June 2023, Skybound announced that the main roster of Autobots features Optimus Prime, Arcee, Cliffjumper, Wheeljack and Ratchet,^[12][13] while the main roster of Decepticons features Starscream, Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble and Skywarp.^[14][15]

In January 2024, it was announced that Jorge Corona would serve as the new artist of the series starting with issue 7, with Johnson staying as writer for the series.^[16]

In August 2024, Johnson confirmed that his run will feature 24 issues in total.^[7]

In June 2025, Void Rivals writer and Energon Universe showrunner Robert Kirkman, alongside artist Dan Mora, announced they will become the new leading team, starting from issue #25 on October 8, 2025.^[8]

Plot

Issue	Written by	Drawn by	Colored by	Publication date
Volume 1: "Robots in Disguise"
01	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	October 7, 2023
In the town of Farmingham, Spike Witwicky finds his father Sparky asleep in a local veterans' bar. After a short argument, Sparky's coworker Davey picks him up while Spike leaves with his girlfriend Carly. The two climb a nearby mountain to discuss their futures when an earthquake sends them plummeting into the mountain, and they find themselves inside an enormous crashed spaceship. The Cybertronian Jetfire arrives from deep space[a] and activates the ship's computer, Teletraan 1, to repair his fallen friends. Upon being rebuilt, Starscream kills the nearby Bumblebee and guns down Jetfire, but is stopped by Optimus Prime. Teletraan 1 randomly reactivates more Autobots and Decepticons, including Skywarp, Ratchet, and Soundwave, and Optimus is pinned down while mourning Bumblebee. After Spike and Carly help him break free, Optimus destroys Ravage and Teletraan 1, fleeing with them, Ratchet, and the bodies of several other Autobots. Jetfire uses the last of his strength to deter the pursuing Starscream and Skywarp, who are forced to turn back from a lack of Energon. Spike leads the Autobots to an abandoned quarry where Jetfire dies, while Soundwave requests that Starscream gather energy and raw materials to fix Teletraan 1. As Sparky and Davey finish their shift at a local power plant, Starscream arrives and kills Davey.
02	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	November 7, 2023
Optimus and Spike connect with each other over their names, families, and homes – in particular, Optimus tells Spike about how a vicious civil war consumed his homeworld of Cybertron, prompting him and a team of Autobots to flee aboard the Ark. However, the Decepticons and their leader Megatron attacked them, with the Ark crash-landing on Earth during the battle. The newly repaired Cliffjumper arrives and brings them back to the quarry, where Ratchet informs them that both they and the Decepticons are critically low on Energon. Skywarp, Starscream, and Soundwave arrive at the power plant with technology from the Ark to convert the plant's energy into Energon, where Starscream kills a police officer as Soundwave intercepts a U.S. military transmission requesting air support. An amused Starscream destroys the fighter jet and kills its pilot, but its passenger manages to escape. Sparky flees in the chaos as the Autobots realize the plant is under attack, and Optimus and Spike leave to investigate despite Ratchet's protests. Carly returns home to find an armed Sparky barricaded inside, who informs her that Davey, her father, is dead.
03	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	December 6, 2023
Carly realizes that Starscream was responsible for killing her father as she and Sparky are ambushed by Laserbeak. Cliffjumper saves them, but Sparky shoots him before fleeing with Carly. Starscream and Soundwave send Skywarp to deal with the humans as they bicker over repairing Teletraan 1, while Sparky and Carly arrive at the veterans' bar, already fortified by a local militia. Cliffjumper arrives and is shot again before Carly can explain, giving Skywarp the opportunity to attack them. Carly distracts the Decepticon long enough for Optimus to arrive and subdue him; however, Sparky and the militia severely injure Optimus' right arm with a bazooka. As the humans renew their attack on all three Cybertronians, Spike is shot in the crossfire, and Optimus rips off his injured arm to beat Skywarp into submission. The Autobot leader picks up the wounded Spike and asks Sparky to help him save his son.
04	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	January 10, 2024
Ratchet receives a call for help from Optimus and Sparky, and Starscream leaves the severely damaged Skywarp behind to pursue the Autobots. However, Carly and Cliffjumper ambush him, and he contacts Soundwave for backup as the Autobots escape. Optimus and Cliffjumper arrive at Farmingham Hospital and are attacked by Soundwave, Laserbeak, and Rumble as Spike is rushed inside. Starscream arrives and destroys the hospital's power generators, but Ratchet and the freshly repaired Jazz force the Decepticons to retreat. Optimus uses the Matrix of Leadership to reactivate the hospital as Starscream and Soundwave return to the Ark and rip the injured Skywarp apart to repair Teletraan 1. Jazz shuts down again, having used up the last of their Energon, and Ratchet berates Optimus for prioritizing the humans' safety over the Autobots' survival. Optimus reluctantly accepts Ratchet and Sparky's ideas to regain a foothold as Cliffjumper comforts a grief-stricken Carly, revealing that Starscream also killed his family on Cybertron during the war. Starscream gloats over successfully reactivating Teletraan 1 as Optimus rallies the Autobots and humans, having replaced his missing right arm with Megatron's.
05	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	February 14, 2024
Optimus and Sparky connect over their wartime experiences as the Decepticons use Teletraan 1 to repair and revive Thundercracker, Frenzy, and Reflector. Thundercracker is horrified to see Skywarp disassembled and integrated into the computer's systems, but Starscream assures him he sacrificed himself for the greater good. The Decepticons leave to find the Autobots as Sparky, Ratchet, and a newly reactivated Wheeljack (albeit only his upper half) finish building a water turbine to convert the local dam's power into Energon. They revive Arcee before the Decepticons attack, and Optimus single-handedly kills Reflector and Frenzy and injures Starscream with Megatron's arm-mounted fusion cannon. The Decepticons retreat after destroying the turbine, and the Autobots decide to press their advantage and pursue their enemies, with Sparky accompanying Optimus and Cliffjumper secretly bringing Carly along. However, they are beset by the revived Constructicons upon arriving at the Ark, and Starscream orders them to combine into Devastator.
06	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	March 13, 2024
The Autobots manage to fend off Devastator long enough to escape into the Ark, but Ratchet loses a leg and Optimus is mortally wounded. Cliffjumper and Carly sneak into the Autobot ship through another route and encounter Starscream while Devastator begins digging into the mountain. As the Autobots despair, Sparky sacrifices himself to the Matrix of Leadership to repair Optimus, who promises to protect Spike and Earth in his honor. The Autobot leader attacks Devastator with his blaster and Megatron's cannon as Carly and Cliffjumper manage to subdue Starscream; however, Cliffjumper hesitates to deliver the killing blow, and Starscream seizes the opportunity to try and crush Carly. She is only saved when Optimus suplexes Devastator off the mountain, injuring Starscream as he falls. The Constructicons decombine and retreat with Starscream, and Soundwave rejects Optimus' peace offering before leaving with Thundercracker. At the hospital, Spike awakens and asks where his father is.
Volume 2: "Transport to Oblivion"
07	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	April 10, 2024
On Cybertron, an Autobot squad is killed while storming a Decepticon fortress; their leader, Elita One, manages to break in and finds an Autobot prisoner stripped down to a near-skeletal pile of parts. On Earth, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Henry Harrison is ordered to investigate reports of giant robots as Soundwave challenges Starscream for leadership of the Decepticons. Starscream protests but refuses to yield, and Soundwave mortally wounds him in the resulting duel. He disposes of Starscream's body and promises the remaining Decepticons they will rebuild together. At the Ark, Carly bonds with Arcee over target practice, who tells her how she was trained by the great Autobot warrior Ultra Magnus after her family died in the war. As they shoot, Cliffjumper confides in Jazz about his strained relationship with Carly after failing to kill Starscream, while a recovering Spike declines to speak with Optimus and Ratchet. As they return to the Ark, Optimus is suddenly overcome by a mysterious vision of himself holding a baby human. Wheeljack informs them that the Skywarp-controlled Teletraan 1 is refusing to repair any more Autobots, and Optimus suggests creating an aerial transport out of Jetfire's remains.
08	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	May 8, 2024
Carly brings Spike to a lake for some fresh air, where they grieve the deaths of their fathers. Elita promises to kill the prisoner herself rather than face recapture as Soundwave and Thundercracker sink the Henry Harrison. Thundercracker allows the ship's crew to escape, but Soundwave refuses to risk detection and reluctantly kills them. Still angry with Cliffjumper, Carly threatens to destroy Skywarp's remains with a missile launcher, not realizing it would destroy Teletaan 1 as well. Arcee deflects her accidental shot, and Skywarp fully repairs Wheeljack's legs in gratitude; a furious Carly storms off and later confesses to Arcee that she doesn't understand why the Autobots don't act like the powerful warriors she sees them as. As Arcee consoles her, Ratchet revives Jetfire, albeit blinded and immobile in his alternate shuttle mode. On the ocean floor, the Constructicons use the Henry Harrison’s nuclear reactor to partially reactivate the Nemesis, the Decepticon ship that pursued the Ark to Earth. They find the imprisoned Astrotrain inside, who agrees to help once Soundwave promises he can kill Megatron. The Autobots detect the Decepticon activity and depart with Jetfire, leaving Carly, Arcee, and Wheeljack behind, as Soundwave makes contact with Shockwave on Cybertron.
09	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	June 12, 2024
The Nemesis activates a space bridge that connects Earth and Cybertron, and Jetfire crashes on the ocean floor from the energy surge. The Constructicons attack the Autobots as Shockwave arrives on Earth and kills Ratchet. Optimus and Shockwave battle as the Farmingham militia confronts Wheeljack and Arcee on their way back to the dam to repair the turbine, but Carly convinces them to stand down. Astrotrain threatens to destroy the hospital if Spike does not surrender, and he leaves with the Decepticon as Elita and the Autobot prisoner escape through the space bridge portal and arrive on Earth as well. They are pursued by the Combaticons, but only Onslaught makes it through before Elita destroys the portal, bisecting Brawl. Elita forces Optimus to retreat with the prisoner while Shockwave captures the injured Cliffjumper and Jazz and orders the Decepticons to repair the space bridge. As Astrotrain prepares to deliver Spike to Soundwave and Shockwave, he is shot down by Beachcomber.
10	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	July 10, 2024
Beachcomber chains up Astrotrain and tells Spike his story: millions of years ago, when the Ark and Nemesis crashlanded on Earth, Beachcomber was thrown away from the battle and landed on the Moon. He hitched a ride to Earth on the Apollo 11 return flight eons later, entranced by the planet's natural beauty, and discovered the crashed Ark while exploring. However, he chose not to reactivate his fellow Autobots, fearing their war would inevitably destroy Earth. Astrotrain brags that Shockwave plans to strip Earth's natural resources to save Cybertron, but the pacifistic Beachcomber refuses to join the fighting. On the Nemesis, Shockwave is distracted by a pod of humpback whales outside the ship while chiding Soundwave's attempt to repair Ravage; however, rather than appreciating their organic beauty, Shockwave activates a machine that kills the whales and converts their remains into Energon. Optimus and Elita return to the dam, where Arcee recognizes the prisoner as Ultra Magnus, and a distraught Wheeljack leaves after hearing of Ratchet's death. As Elita confronts Optimus over abandoning Cybertron to the Decepticons, Shockwave tortures Cliffjumper and Jazz while Thundercracker privately confides in Soundwave about his doubts. Although Soundwave also has reservations, he maintains the Decepticons need Shockwave to succeed and denies a request to rescue Skywarp from the Ark. Using the energy gathered, Shockwave reactivates the space bridge and transports Cybertron itself into Earth's orbit.
11	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	August 14, 2024
As Beachcomber investigates the natural disturbances caused by Cybertron's arrival, a guilt-ridden Arcee apologizes to an unconscious Magnus for failing him. Wheeljack suggests postponing Magnus' extensive repairs and reviving more Autobots instead, but he awakens and begs to join the fight. Shockwave again dismisses Soundwave's concern for Ravage and returns to Cybertron, ordering the other Combaticons to defend their side of the space bridge. The Autobots deduce that destroying the Nemesis will sever the connection between Earth and Cybertron, but Elita balks at the idea of rescuing Cliffjumper and Jazz over toppling Shockwave's control of Cybertron, especially with his new stores of Energon. Using Teletraan 1, now fully integrated with Skywarp's teleportation abilities, Optimus, Elita, and Arcee teleport onto the Nemesis and split up; Elita plants enough explosives to destroy the ship while Optimus and Arcee ambush Shockwave to rescue Cliffjumper and Jazz. As Spike urges Beachcomber to reconsider his neutrality, Optimus stops Arcee from giving in to her rage and killing the Decepticon scientist. However, Shockwave uses the moment of hesitation to take Cliffjumper hostage and order the Constructicons to combine into Devastator. Wheeljack and a freshly repaired Magnus arrive as backup, but Magnus panics upon seeing Shockwave again and flees.
12	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	September 11, 2024
Without Ultra Magnus, the Autobots are quickly pushed back, but Carly teleports her van into the midst of the chaos to save Cliffjumper; however, Devastator smashes the van and throws it and Cliffjumper back through the space bridge portal. The other Autobots target Devastator until he falls and crushes part of the Nemesis, disconnecting Cybertron from Earth. Shockwave flees through the still-active portal to gather reinforcements, but Optimus follows him and takes down Swindle, Vortex, and Blast Off. Another vision of the human baby overtakes him as he pins Shockwave down, but the vision shifts into a nightmare as the baby becomes trapped in a sea of wires, and Optimus crushes Shockwave's head. Elita approves of the ruthless action and stops a horrified Optimus as he and Cliffjumper attempt to return to Earth. She reveals she never planted the charges on the Nemesis and urges him to stay on Cybertron and continue harvesting energy from Earth to win the war. Optimus refuses to sacrifice Earth and destroys the Energon reserves, severing the connection and blasting him and a large chunk of Cybertron back into Earth's atmosphere. Beachcomber saves Optimus as the piece of Cybertron falls into the ocean.
Volume 3: "Combiner Chaos"
2024 Special	Robert Kirkman	Ryan Ottley	Mike Spicer	May 4, 2024
As the Ark crashlands on Earth, Megatron tears through the Autobots aboard and kills Brawn during the battle. Optimus engages him in a fury, slicing off Megatron's right arm and kicking him out of the ship. Although Megatron orders Starscream to save him, he blasts Megatron away to seize control of the Decepticons, sending him falling to the planet below. Much later, Megatron awakens inside the underground laboratories of Cobra-La, now missing an eye and his other arm[b]. He breaks free of his restraints and kills one of the scientists, but allows the other to live in exchange for the return of his left arm. Cobra-La's ruler Golobulus breaches the laboratory with a massive army and orders them to destroy Megatron. Although the Decepticon leader kills many Cobra-La warriors and creatures, including Golobulus' enormous war beast, Golobulus himself manages to stab out his remaining eye. Blinded, Megatron flees and bursts out into a snowy mountainous wasteland, where he swears vengeance on Starscream.
13	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jason Howard	Mike Spicer	October 13, 2024
Starscream, mangled and mortally wounded after his duel with Soundwave, flashes back to his past on Cybertron: Ulchtar and his two friends Genvo and Jetfire spent a last night together before the latter's departure. Genvo urged Ulchtar and Jetfire to join his faction of the burgeoning civil war, but Jetfire refused and vowed to find a peaceful solution to Cybertron's energy crisis while off-world. The enormous Guardian robot Omega Supreme suddenly flew overhead, and Ulchtar decided to detonate a small ammunition depot to get their attention. The plan worked, and the gigantic Cybertronian waved at the three before departing. Sometime later, after Jetfire also left Cybertron, Ulchtar's lab was destroyed in the crossfire of a sudden attack. An injured Genvo died in his arms, and Ulchtar believed the Autobots were responsible. Megatron, the leader of Genvo's faction, recruited Ulchtar and offered him the power to destroy his enemies; Ulchtar agreed and renamed himself Starscream after Genvo's last words. Although Starscream awakens to find his legs melted off in a pool of lava, he quickly falls unconscious again as a team of M.A.R.S. Industries salvage operatives claim his body.
14	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jason Howard	Mike Spicer	November 13, 2024
Starscream awakens to find the M.A.R.S. team – commanding officer Horton and privates Razz, Martin, and Clayton – has crudely grafted his upper body onto the top of their H.I.S.S. tank, complete with a remote control. Although enraged at his humiliating situation, he begrudgingly agrees to work with the humans after Horton reveals they planted explosives inside his body. Starscream and the M.A.R.S. team discover the chained Astrotrain, who agrees to join them if Starscream delivers on Soundwave's promise to kill Megatron. The conversation is interrupted as the piece of Cybertron falls into the ocean, creating a tidal wave; Starscream and Astrotrain attempt to flee, but Horton forces the Decepticons to save the M.A.R.S. team as well. Astrotrain also rescues the Combaticons from the devastation as Horton is knocked unconscious, and he awakens to find that Starscream has repaired Brawl and tricked Razz into removing the explosives. Starscream kills Razz, Clayton, and Horton but spares Martin and Razz's pet cat as he vows revenge on Soundwave.
15	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	December 11, 2024
To attract the Autobots' attention, Soundwave and the Decepticons destroy the city of Tacoma, Washington; although Thundercracker complies, he is wracked with guilt and allows a group of humans to escape. As Arcee, Carly, Spike, and Beachcomber leave the Ark to find Ultra Magnus, Cliffjumper awakens on Cybertron and reunites with fellow Autobots Bluestreak, Warpath, and Blurr. Optimus, Wheeljack, and Jazz also leave to investigate the Decepticon attack on Tacoma, theorizing that the Matrix, potentially influenced by Sparky's sacrifice, is causing Optimus' mysterious visions. The three Autobots arrive at Tacoma but are driven away by the survivors and first responders, and Optimus rips a tank apart as he is overtaken by another nightmarish vision of the baby, now grown into a child, trapped in a heap of wires. Watching from afar, Soundwave resolves to ambush their enemies later before sending Laserbeak on a secret mission. Meanwhile, Cliffjumper is disturbed as the Autobots cannibalize the Decepticon Ramjet for his Energon as he encounters Elita again. After returning to the dam, Optimus' team revives Trailbreaker and is attacked by both Starscream and Soundwave's Decepticons. To their shock, however, Starscream completely ignores them, ordering the Combaticons to combine into Bruticus and destroy Soundwave.
16	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	January 8, 2025
Cliffjumper, Elita, and Bluestreak visit what was once the home of Cliffjumper's family; he reveals that, before leaving Cybertron, he had salvaged the remains of their sparks and hidden them away, hoping to someday use them to create a new Autobot. The Constructicons merge into Devastator to counter Bruticus as the Autobots are caught in the middle of the Decepticon infighting. Starscream accidentally reveals the truth of Skywarp's "sacrifice" to Thundercracker, who throws him off the dam and flees the battle. Optimus destroys the dam with Megatron's cannon, once again overtaken by a foreign rage, and all of the Cybertronians are washed away. Trailbreaker manages to save a group of children with his force fields as Cliffjumper resolves to bring his family's sparks to the Well of All Sparks, the place where new Cybertronian life is created. Elita argues that the Well is deep in Decepticon territory, but Cliffjumper and Bluestreak believe that the possibility of creating a new Autobot warrior is worth the risk. As Carly, Spike, Arcee, and Beachcomber continue looking for Magnus, Laserbeak finally discovers the object of his own search – the wounded and blinded Megatron. Megatron connects himself to Laserbeak's eyes to see and orders him to bring him back to the Decepticons.
17	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	February 12, 2025
Thundercracker returns to the empty Ark and reunites with the imprisoned Skywarp, while Arcee, Carly, Spike, and Beachcomber find Magnus hidden away in an enormous wooden fortress within the San Juan Islands. As the Autobots on Cybertron prepare to attack, Bluestreak cuts off Elita's pessimistic rant and reminds her that, despite his long absence, Optimus managed to take down Shockwave during his brief return to Cybertron, and they need to carry the moment of hope forward by creating a new Autobot. On Earth, the Decepticons' conflict continues into the city of Seattle as Elita's team storms the Well and takes out Decepticon guards Thrust and Ratbat. Cliffjumper initiates the creation process as the battle between the Decepticons ravages Seattle, and Optimus orders the Autobots to rescue as many humans as possible. To finish the Well's creation program, Cliffjumper has Blades deposit the remains of Carly's van as an alternate mode for the new Autobot, who names themselves Shredhead.
18	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	March 12, 2025
Outside the Well, the newly-created Shredhead saves the Autobots from Decepticon reinforcements. As they marvel at the new Autobot's power, Magnus confesses to Arcee, Carly, Beachcomber, and Spike that his imprisonment and torture at Shockwave's hands still weigh heavily on him. Carly reassures him that the others share his fear, but an army of soldiers suddenly attacks the fortress, abducting Magnus and a tranquilized Carly. In Seattle, the Autobots continue protecting the humans as the Decepticons rampage through the city. Rumble manages to shoot down Starscream and Astrotrain atop a skyscraper, and both Bruticus and Devastator climb the building to reach them. At the top, Devastator throws himself and Bruticus off the skyscraper, and the impact from their fall levels a city block. Starscream and Soundwave duel again on the building's roof but are stopped by the sudden arrival of Megatron. Megatron revives Ravage with the power of his own spark, and Soundwave returns to his master's side as a horrified Optimus orders the Autobots to retreat.
Volume 4: "Conquer and Control"
19	Daniel Warren Johnson	Ludo Lullabi	Adriano Lucas	April 9, 2025
Sometime in the past, Megatron awoke on the planet Quintessa as a captive of the Quintessons. The Quintesson Prosecutor Dezimir ordered him to undergo a trial to earn his freedom, and subdued Megatron with a strange device as he was thrown into an arena. Megatron easily cleared the arena's traps and hordes of Sharkticonsm but was crushed when Dezimir summoned a gigantic monster called the Mechanokoar. A bewildered Megatron reawakened perfectly intact and was thrown back into the arena by Dezimir, where the Mechanokoar once again destroyed him. The cycle repeated hundreds of times until Megatron finally begged for mercy, and Dezimir gloated that the trial's true purpose was to show him how small he was compared to the rest of the universe. Dezimir's unseen master declared the trial over, revealing that the device controlling Megatron was a dark opposite to the Matrix of Leadership. Megatron was granted the dark Matrix's power and assumed a new form – a handheld gun that allowed him to control his wielder, which he used to overpower Dezimir and kill the Mechanokoar. With this new power, Megatron returned to Cybertron and assumed control of the Decepticons.
2025 Special	Daniel Warren Johnson	Daniel Warren Johnson	Mike Spicer	May 3, 2025
Sometime in the past, Jazz was part of a band on Cybertron with Cliffjumper, Bluestreak, Arcee, and Blurr. Due to his constant improvisation and inability to stay on the beat, the other band members kicked Jazz out right before a big performance. Later that evening, Optimus found Jazz listening to strange sounds on an intergalactic radio created by Wheeljack. Entranced by the noise, which he believed to be alien music, Jazz vowed to someday find its source, but Optimus politely asked him to turn the radio off. Much later, on Earth, Jazz suddenly hears the noise again and swerves away to follow it. He and Optimus track the sound to a cocktail lounge, where Jazz discovers with delight that it belongs to a group of jazz musicians playing for the lounge's patrons.
20	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	May 14, 2025
Before Megatron can pursue the fleeing Autobots, a vengeful Astrotrain challenges him to single combat. Intent on destroying Megatron for killing his love and imprisoning him, Astrotrain is instead defeated and thrown off the skyscraper. At a secret military base, a soldier reports to Doc on a captured Ultra Magnus while the Autobots regroup at the Ark to prepare for Megatron's imminent attack. Spike finally approaches Optimus to ask what happened to his father; a guilty Optimus apologizes for not being able to save Sparky and for allowing the dark urges within his mind to control him. Spike encourages him to hold on to hope as Beachcomber and Silverbolt return to the Ark with a still-living Jetfire. Wheeljack revives the other Aerialbots – Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive, and Slingshot – with the last of their Energon, and they happily reunite with Optimus as a hidden Thundercracker watches from the shadows. Cliffjumper confides in Shredhead about his fears for Carly on Cybertron, while Megatron leads the reunified Decepticons to a stockpile of resources hidden on the piece of Cybertron in the middle of the ocean. He has Starscream fully repaired and restored, to the latter's shock, before beating him into submission again as the other Decepticons watch. Using the mental powers of his gun mode, Megatron forces Starscream to kill Astrotrain, vowing to retake his missing arm from the Autobots.
21	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	June 11, 2025
Technicians under General Flagg's supervision begin torturing Magnus, to Doc's horror, while Bluestreak and Warpath finish repairing a space bridge portal on Cybertron. However, they only have enough Energon to transport one Autobot to Earth, and Elita decides to send either Cliffjumper or Shredhead to retrieve Optimus. While running a diagnostic test on the Matrix, Wheeljack realizes that Megatron's arm is blocking the artifact's power from recharging, but the Decepticons attack the Ark before he can finish. As Bruticus and Devastator begin fighting among themselves, Optimus suddenly aims Megatron's cannon at Jazz and Wheeljack during the battle; however, Thundercracker uses Teletraan 1 to teleport himself, Skywarp, and the entire Ark away, leaving the Autobots defenseless. Megatron breaks up the squabbling Decepticon combiners, but the Aerialbots combine into Superion and give the Autobots enough time to regroup. Finally aware that Megatron's arm is corrupting him, Optimus orders his troops to shoot it off him, and the Autobots flee as Megatron reclaims and reattaches his arm. With his full strength restored, he fires a blast that severs Superion's left arm off his body. The Autobots are forced to leave the mortally wounded Slingshot at Megatron's mercy, who rips his head off and orders the Decepticons onward.
22	Daniel Warren Johnson	Jorge Corona	Mike Spicer	July 9, 2025
After the wounded Superion crashlands, a convoy of grateful humans led by Doctor Lio, the hospital director, tows the Autobots back to Farmingham. Elita orders Cliffjumper to return to Earth, but he throws Shredhead through the space bridge portal instead, and a furious Elita captures him as the portal explodes. Outside the hospital, Lio shows the Autobots Ratchet's body, retrieved from the bottom of the ocean by the Coast Guard. Still unable to access the Matrix's power, Optimus begins to succumb to the infection from Megatron's arm, but Spike offers himself as a conduit between the Autobot leader and the Matrix. Both are overcome by the artifact's power, and Optimus appears in the Hall of the Primes, an ancient repository of wisdom within the Matrix. Meanwhile, Megatron calls off the search for the Autobots and orders an attack on a large military force mobilizing nearby instead. As the Decepticons slaughter the soldiers, Flagg interrogates a belligerent Carly while Doc frees Ultra Magnus. The giant Autobot tears through the facility and escapes with Carly and Doc; when asked why he helped, Doc reveals that he was once tortured as a prisoner of war himself, and his words inspire Magnus to rejoin the fight. As he and Carly leave to find the Autobots, Lio and Wheeljack keep the comatose Optimus and Spike stable while everyone evacuates to Chicago.

Worst Bot Ever series (Skybound Comet)

In August 2024, Skybound announced a new graphic novel series titled Transformers: Worst Bot Ever for the Skybound Comet imprint for young readers.^[17]

Title	Writer(s)	Artist(s)	Release schedules
			Free Comic Book Day preview	Print edition	Digital edition
Transformers: Worst Bot Ever — Meet Ballpoint[18]	Brian “Smitty” Smith	Marz Jr.	May 3, 2025	July 9, 2025	July 22, 2025

Reprints

Title	Writer(s)	Artist(s)	Colorist(s)	Release schedule
The Transformers #1 40th Anniversary Edition	Bill Mantlo and Ralph Macchio	Frank Springer and Kim DeMulder	Nel Yomtov	August 28, 2024

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Comic	Result	Ref.
2024	Eisner Awards	Best Continuing Series	Daniel Warren Johnson	Transformers	Won	[19]
		Best Writer/Artist	Daniel Warren Johnson	Transformers	Won	[19]
	ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards	Best Artist	Jorge Corona	Transformers	Won	[20][21]

Collected editions

Energon Universe

Title	Material collected	Pages	Publication date	ISBN
Trade paperback
Transformers, Volume 1: Robots in Disguise	Transformers #1–6	136	May 7, 2024	ISBN 978-1534398177
Transformers, Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion	Transformers #7–12	128	November 26, 2024	ISBN 978-1534345270
Transformers, Volume 3: Combiner Chaos	Transformers #13–18 Energon Universe 2024 Special (Transformers story)	136	May 27, 2025	ISBN 978-1534325593
Transformers, Volume 4: Conquer and Control	Transformers #19–24 Energon Universe 2025 Special (Transformers story)	144	November 25, 2025	ISBN 978-1534332584
Deluxe
Transformers: Deluxe Edition, Book 1	Transformers #1–12	280	May 13, 2025	ISBN 978-1534328235

The Transformers Compendium

Title	Material collected	Pages	Publication date	ISBN
The Transformers Compendium, Volume 1	The Transformers #1–44 The Transformers: Headmasters #1–4	1064	April 22, 2025[22]	ISBN 978-1534373679
The Transformers Compendium, Volume 2	The Transformers #45–80 The Transformers: The Movie #1–3 Transformers: Generation 2 #1–12	1208	October 21, 2025	ISBN 978-1534331976

The Transformers UK Compendium

Title	Material collected	Pages	Publication date	ISBN
The Transformers UK Compendium, Volume 1	The Transformers UK #9–21, #29–32, #41–50, #59–65, #74–88, #96–104, #113–120, #125, #131–138 The Transformers UK AF #24–27 The Transformers UK Annual 1985/1986/1987	1064	February 24, 2026	ISBN 1534330593, 978-1534330597

See also

• Transformers comics
  • The Transformers (Marvel Comics)
  • The Transformers (IDW Publishing)

Notes

1. As depicted in Void Rivals #1.
2. As depicted in Cobra Commander #1.

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