Ricky Church reviews Transformers ’84 #0…
With the 35th anniversary of The Transformers soon approaching, IDW is celebrating the franchise’s longevity through the Transformers/Ghostbusters crossover and Transformers ’84 #0, a prequel to the first issue of Marvel Comics’ original Transformers series that helped start it all. Writer Simon Furman returns to the franchise he helped create in the comic medium for this special issue, crafting some interesting backstory to the Autobot and Decepticons’ arrival to Earth and the motivations of Optimus Prime. With art from Guido Guidi, it acts as a nice look back to Transformers‘ beginnings and just how starkly different the comic series was in tone compared to the animated series.
The one notable aspect to Transformers ’84 #0 is its non-linear structure. The issue is split between two different points in time that alternate between the other. One point takes place on Cybertron just prior to the Ark’s launch, containing Prime and most of the original Generation 1 characters, while the other follows thousands or millions of years after as Autobots and Decepticons search medieval Earth for the lost Autobot ship. Furman balances the jumps between time frames fairly well as he explores Prime’s preparations for their space mission while placing most of the action on Earth between a small group of Autobots and Decepticons with Vikings and Englishmen caught in the middle. Furman also uses the chance to explore some lingering questions from the original series like how an Autobot shuttle ended up beneath an English castle and more of Cybertron’s physical and societal instability. It opens up a bit more of the story for the original comics, especially when it comes to Prime’s reasoning for placing the Ark’s mission such a high priority.
Optimus Prime is remembered from his Generation 1 persona as an honourable, friendly and idealized leader most bots will follow no matter what. While that is still true for the original comics, he’s a bit more of a pragmatist, something Transformers ’84 #0 examines. Furman focuses on the ‘heavy lies head’ angle of Optimus’ status as a leader and the difficult choices he’s forced to make in the war for the sake of the greater good, namely revealing he had his Decepticon double agent leak the Ark’s mission to Megatron as a desperate bid to trap himself and Megatron offworld forever and end the war. It’s a pretty cold and calculated look move from Optimus and one that is taken further when Counterpunch is tasked by Optimus to ensure nobody ever finds the remains of the Ark, necessitating his actions on Earth. Despite the differences in characterization between the comics and G1, Furman’s writing of Optimus works as a leader viewing his sacrifice as a good means to an end to defeat Megatron (though aside from them waking up and reigniting the war millions of years later, readers of the original run will know Prime’s plan had some severe unintended consequences for Cybertron in their absence).
It is perfectly apt for a comic with ’84 in the title to have art mimicking the style and tone of 80s comics. Guido Guidi has a history of being able to emulate other artists styles very well and his skill is on display as he recreates the 80s Transformers comic pretty faithfully with his character designs as well as the style at the time. From the characters original comic book looks and colouring to the rougher illustrations, including the grainy look of old comics in some panels, this issue is a total throwback to 80s comics. Guidi displays a good sense of movement with the characters throughout the issue, especially during the battle scenes on Earth, but even Optimus walking with other Autobots is great to look at. Not only does he look splendid, but Guidi captures the weariness he feels towards the war and the burden of leadership on him pretty well. As for the fight scenes, Guidi’s imagery is quite kinetic with how much happens in a panel, but it’s still very easy to follow. John-Paul Bove’s colours also mimic the 80s style and compliment Guidi’s illustrations very well, creating a vibrant-looking comic with a lot of variety in Bove’s use of colours.
Transformers ’84 #0 works as a great throwback to the original series that both new readers and older fans can enjoy and appreciate. Furman’s use of the non-linear story and his examination of the war’s effects on the characters is one of the shining points of the issue. Guidi’s artwork is quite evocative of the 80s era and he pays homage to the original comics very well in his presentation. It is a worthy celebration of the original comics and enough to pique the interests of any new readers of this continuity to go back and check out the series that helped begin it all.
Rating: 8/10
Ricky Church
