In this review of Transformers #27, the Autobots gain a new member, Ultra Magnus prepares a new successor and it appears that General Flagg just might be aware of Miles Mayhem’s machinations.
Transformers #27
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Dan Mora
Main Cover: David Nakayama
Variant Covers: Daniel Warren Johnson, Lorenzo De Felici, Dan Mora, Jorge Corona
Page Count: 36 Pages
Release Date: December 10, 2023
This review contains spoilers
Transformers #27 begins inside the Autobot Ark as Brawl rages over the crumpled form of Bumblebee (who was mortally wounded by Starscream). Trailbreaker keeps it real for Brawl, admitting that Bumblebee’s spark might be beyond repair. Jetfire arrives, reminding the pair that Starscream was once a force for good, (and this was after Starscream nearly killed him too). Bulkhead pops in looking to celebrate and receives a stark reminder from the fallen Autobots lying in the makeshift tomb.
Just outside, Spike and Carly take a few quiet moments to make tentative dinner plans, but are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of General Flagg. Flagg is then confronted by the recently recovered Ultra Magnus about the military’s experiments they performed on Magnus when they found him damaged and deactivated. Flagg sets Magnus straight telling the Autobot that after the devastation by the Decepticons, all alien robots were considered suspect until they realized some were not conquerors.
Elsewhere, the Combaticons salvage synthetic Energon from a processing facility while using the human workers as target practice. The newly repaired Skywarp arrives and joins in. In the woods near the Ark, Thundercracker admits to Optimus Prime that while he still has loyalty to the Decepticons, he is uncomfortable with their penchant for collateral damage.
Later in the Shadow Watch underground base, General Flagg finally has it out with Miles Mayhem who has begun his own sinister experiments (not to mention murdering some underlings). Outraged, Mayhem lunges at Flagg, but the good general incapacitates Mayhem with a few slick moves and has him detained.
Back at the Ark, Optimus proposes using Teletraan-1 to revive the fallen Decepticons, but both Perceptor and the newly minted Autobot Thundercracker dismiss the idea outright as dangerous. Outside, Magnus puts Sideswipe and Blaster through combat training (and get their tailpipes whipped by a bot just out of a coma). Arcee arrives and Magnus taps her as his replacement (Arcee Magnus?)
Transformers #27 ends with Optimus suddenly changing his mind and pledging to rid Earth of all Decepticons. Meanwhile back on Cybertron, Cliffjumper goes on a salvage run and is studied from a distance by a damaged and vengeful Shockwave.
Analysis
Transformers #27 limits the robot battle action while moving multiple characters into new positions on the game board, as new series writer Robert Kirkman ramps up the next phase of his story. Changes come hard and fast as General Flagg loses patience with the duplicitous Miles Mayhem, signaling that Mayhem’s machinations may align with the Decepticons before too long (he’s not gonna just stay locked up).
Optimus Prime’s wild 180 degree turn from reviving injured Decepticons to pledging to kick all of them off Earth (in the same issue) indicates that Kirkman is fast-tracking. Thundercracker’s shift to Autobot status was telegraphed last issue, but it could lead to interesting conflicts down the road (how will TC feel about battling his former brothers-in-arms?) Meanwhile, the casual cruelty of Decepticon Skywarp and the Combaticons is put on full display as they ransack an Energon processing facility.
General Flagg remains the best series contribution from Kirkman, as the leader of Shadow Watch calls things as he sees them and even admits his own errors. Flagg’s brisk patter continues to be a delight with every new interaction. Also, Flagg’ is on the move from arriving at the Ark and subsequently returning to Shadow Watch within a few pages.
Ultra Magnus’ PTSD from his time as an unwilling (and unconscious) test subject for Shadow Watch explains his reasoning behind stepping down from his leadership role (although he wiped the floor with Blaster and Sideswipe in training). Transformers #27 is also the issue of pregnant pauses as several characters are rendered speechless throughout the story. Whether intentional or coincidental, it is an interesting choice.
From his enthusiastic responses in the Transformers letters column, Kirkman is fully dedicated to this series and is clearly excited for what is ion store for readers in upcoming issues. The quiet moment between Thundercracker and Optimus is a nice touch, but TC hasn’t fully cut ties from his former allies, he simply objects to their excessive cruelty (at his point).
Artist Dan Mora continues to work his magic on the robots in disguise, whether in the few action set pieces, or the various talking heads scenes, Mora’s art ripples with energy (except for that weak punch Mayhem threw at Flagg). The final shots of the commanding Optimus Prime, and the crouching Shockwave are stunning though, as is Thundercracker’s updated look, complete with the “Little Red Head” Autobot logo.
Final Thoughts
Transformers #27 slows the pace, makes a few surprising character changes and sets up for the next big thing. Not as dynamic as the previous two issues, but still well worth picking up for the art alone.
