Transformers #5 (2019) Comic Review: Propaganda, Mysteries, and Fan Service

Welcome back to Shocknaue Entertainment News for another dive into the world of comics. Following up on previous reviews, this week we’re looking at the fifth issue of the 2019 Transformers comic series. As promised, there will be no spoilers for Endgame or Game of Thrones here. However, small spoilers for this specific comic issue will follow.

This issue is packed with developments, revealing a few more pieces of the larger puzzle. The story picks up with Megatron recording a propaganda message, shedding more light on the grievances of the Ascenticons. With palpable sarcasm, he discusses Nominus Prime and the current state of Cybertronian society, where peace is supposedly achieved through stability and security. This new era means no more colonies and a significant reduction in the forging of new Cybertronians. Megatron sneers about the necessity to “hoard energon. We must never, ever, risk shortages again.” That emphasis on “again” is particularly striking, hinting at past events that created this energon-conscious society.

The style of Megatron’s speech, with its repeated references to chains and links, felt perhaps a little too intentionally dramatic, maybe not landing with the intended menace. It’s clear he’s against the current policy that Cybertronians “must not antagonize other lifeforms,” and he’s certainly not thrilled about sharing Cybertron with organics. Witnessing Cybertronians coexisting with non-robots is both strange and somewhat delightful. In one scene, small organics were perched on a Cybertronian’s shoulders – did anyone else daydream about living with Transformers and catching a ride on their shoulders when they weren’t in alt-mode? Just me?

Meanwhile, the search continues for the individual who threw a bomb at Megatron. My initial suspicion remains an inside job – perhaps Megatron orchestrated it himself to stir up unrest. We also see one Cybertronian attempt to switch sides, and their identity is definitely not who I would have expected. The issue concludes with a pretty significant cliffhanger. It could be a false cliffhanger, the kind where the next issue opens with a reveal that nothing truly happened, but I hope the series wouldn’t resort to that five issues in. If they did do what I think they did, then wow, that escalated quickly. So now I’m torn on what I want the outcome to be.

Now that it’s been a month since the previous issue, I feel comfortable mentioning this spoiler: Cyclonus is shown talking to horribly mangled dead Cybertronians in the desert, and we still don’t know what this means. A panel from issue #4 featuring this was shown in the “previouslys” section at the start of this issue but wasn’t addressed again. I desperately need to know if Cyclonus is simply losing his mind (the most likely scenario) or if ghost Transformers are a possibility (less likely, but undeniably cool).

Art and Visuals

The artwork in Transformers #5 continues to impress with contributions from multiple talented artists, each bringing their unique style to different sections of the story.

I’m still genuinely enjoying Angel Hernandez’s distinct style. His strong lines and effective use of space contribute significantly to the visual storytelling. I also think the facial expressions are showing improvement with each issue, adding more depth to the characters’ emotions. The notable exception, for me, is Rubble; there’s a slight lack of expression across all of Hernandez’s faces in general, but with Rubble, it feels particularly blank. This makes it challenging for me to connect emotionally with that specific character through the art. For more on the broader franchise, you might be interested in exploring more about the live-action films like transformers 3.

Sara Pitre-Durocher returned for five pages in this issue, and there’s little new I can say about her work that hasn’t been said countless times before: it is simply beautiful. Her panels are consistently stunning and visually rich.

Anna Malkova handled the art for the first few pages of the issue. I found her contributions to be decently executed, maintaining a consistent visual quality with the rest of the book.

One thing I will say, however, is that the Prowl fan base (and yes, that is absolutely a thing) must be going absolutely wild after this issue. Not only does Malkova’s art show us Prowl feeding his pet pterodactyl – yes, Prowl has a pet! – but we are also treated to a striking image of Prowl looking directly at the reader with a sultry gaze and saying, “Come on, beautiful.” This moment felt like the most blatant piece of fan service seen in the new series so far, completely unashamed. And honestly? I highly approve. It’s a memorable moment that definitely caters to a segment of the readership. Fans of the live-action movies might also recognize actors involved with the franchise, such as those whose films are featured, for example, more on mark wahlberg movies can be found elsewhere on the site.

Megatron delivering propaganda speech in Transformers #5 comic

The issue continues to explore the complex political landscape of Cybertron. Discussions about the limitations imposed by Nominus Prime’s regime and the simmering discontent among factions like the Ascenticons highlight the underlying tensions that are building towards potential conflict. Megatron’s manipulative use of propaganda serves to exacerbate these divisions, painting his faction as the true saviors of Cybertron while portraying the current leadership as weak and misguided. These themes resonate throughout the narrative, providing a strong political backbone to the action and character developments. Exploring the broader history of characters and voice actors in the franchise can also be interesting, for instance, hugo weaving has been a significant part of the movie universe.

Two Transformers characters in dialogue in a panel from Transformers #5 comic

The bomb plot adds a layer of intrigue, turning the political drama into a potential thriller. The investigation into the attack raises questions about who would benefit most from such chaos and whether the threat comes from within or outside the Ascenticon movement. The character switching sides is a bold move that promises to shake up the dynamics and allegiances we’ve seen established so far in the series. Combined with the unresolved mystery of Cyclonus’s interactions with the dead, Transformers #5 keeps the reader guessing on multiple fronts. For fans interested in the movie series chronology, details on entries like transformers 4 are readily available.

Prowl looking directly at the reader with his pet pterodactyl perched on his shoulder in Transformers #5 comic

Overall, Transformers #5 delivers on several fronts. It progresses the main plot surrounding the political tensions and the bomb investigation, deepens character mysteries like Cyclonus’s strange affliction, and showcases diverse artistic talents. The Prowl moment is a fun highlight that caters directly to the fans. While the cliffhanger’s true nature remains to be seen in the next issue, this installment provides plenty to keep readers engaged and looking forward to what comes next in the IDW continuity. Fans of the wider universe might want to check out the latest movie news, including details on transformers rise of the beasts.