In this review of Transformers #36, the Autobots and Decepticons makes some unorthodox risks in an attempt to gain the upper hand in their long-running war. Meanwhile, Doctor Henri Arkville has a surefire solution to rid the planet of Decepticons forever.
Transformers #36
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Jason Howard
Main Cover: David Nakayama
Variant Covers: Daniel Warren Johnson, Jason Howard, Ito, Homare
Page Count: 36 Pages
Release Date: September 9, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Transformers #36 begins in the snowy Himalayas as the Aerialbots and Thundercracker battle the legions of Cobra-La. Skywarp had also tracked his former Decepticon ally to this location, and their squabble continues as they repel the attack (although Skywarp is only doing so out of self-defense).
Cobra-La’s forces threaten to overwhelm the Autobots even before they summon giant snake-like creatures from below. Outnumbered, the Aerialbots combine into Superion, which briefly shifts the tide, but the legions keep coming. Thundercracker implores Skywarp to help but the Decepticon bails, prompting Thundercracker and the Aerialbots to follow suit. Cobra-La decides to take a proactive approach against the invaders before they suffer another breach.
Meanwhile at Shadow Watch Base, Doctor Henti Arkville has completed his experimental (and controversial) repair of Autobot Shredhead (by scavenging parts from the Decepticon Onslaught). Beachcomber is relieved and sets out to find more missing Autobots to replenish their ranks. Arkville unveils his solution to ridding Earth of Decepticons (by strapping Onslaught to a giant rocker and sending him back to Cybertron). Optimus approves of the plan while General Flagg has some suspicions.
At the temporarily abandoned Autobot “Shard” base in the Pacific, the injured Starscream makes necessary repairs to his damaged body and stumbles onto one of Wheeljack’s secrets.
Transformers #36 ends at the Decepticon Nemesis base, as Skywarp returns with intel for Soundwave but is interrupted as something finally breaks free from Megatron’s chrysalis.
Analysis
Transformers #36 features a few wild twists starting with the Himalayan battle between the Aerialbots, Thundercracker and the Cobra-La, as the smaller, organic foot soldiers prove formidable against the larger sentient robots. Even the might of the combiner Superion offers little against such overwhelming odds. Golobulus returns (see the 2024 Cobra Commander miniseries) and looks to not just stand by and wait for the next incursion into their territory.
The grudge match between former allies Skywarp and Thundercracker continues, neither giving up ground on the subject of loyalty. Doctor Arkville’s extreme methods of removing the Decepticon threat get a thumbs-up from Optimus (who has shifted from honorable to pragmatic leadership in the wake of losing the Autobot Matrix). General Flagg’s one-liners are front and center, and he finally realizes he needs to find better scientific recruits.
Writer Robert Kirkman crafts an action-packed, compelling tale, but some of the plotting, pacing and dialogue seem off and not up to its usual high quality. What is the point of taking up an entire page featuring the Aerialbots and Thundercracker’s return to warn Optimus of a threat readers just read about? That page would have worked better as a cliffhanger from last issue rather than repeating what was already just shown.
Skywarp’s return to Nemesis Base at least serves a purpose of advancing the plot by showcasing Megatron breaking free from his chrysalis. Also, General Flagg’s repeated “We are friends, we work well together,” shtick feels forced and out of character, unless Flagg is worried about something.
While Beachcomber’s quest has promise, why make it the final page of Transformers #36 rather than earlier in the issue and end on the twist of Megatron’s impending return? Why not combine Beachcomber’s quest into one sequence rather than two?
Jason Howard’s art dazzles in the Autobot/Cobra-La battle scenes, the return of the Aerialbots to the Ark and the introduction of Superion to the fray. Howard also doesn’t hold back on the horror of the giant snow serpents or the graphic violence as Superion tears one of them apart on panel. Howard delivers a lot of energy and intensity into the art, particularly in the dramatic scenes.
Final Thoughts
Transformers #36 delivers a mostly solid issue, with a few nice moments (mostly from the art), but Robert Kirkman’s redundancy in certain sequences (and in the plot structure itself) bogs down the pacing and is a rare disappointment from this series.
