Lyles Movie Files
transformers 22 review - covers
Comic Book

Transformers 22 review – Image Comics 7/9/25

Jeffrey Lyles , , , , , , , , , ,

Transformers 22 continues the build to the two-year anniversary and the final installment for writer Daniel Warren Johnson and artist Jorge Corona.

Megatron and the Decepticons’ latest attack left Optimus Prime and the Autobots battered and barely holding on. After destroying one of the combiners that comprised Superion, the Aerialbots can only get their allies so far away from their pursuers. That makes Transformers 22 as good a time as any for the Autobots to finally receive some help from the humans they’ve been beaten, maimed and killed to protect.

Jonson has not made this ride easy for the Autobots. The victories have been in short supply for Optimus and his small band of survivors. Transformers 22 felt like a bit of a turning point as the Autobots actually get some help. It’s not reinforcements to their numbers necessarily, but a means of which to regroup and rest before this brewing next major battle.

Megatron and Soundwave uncover something Optimus left behind early on in the series, showing Johnson isn’t afraid to use Transformers 22 as a means of calling back to an incident from the earliest issues.

MORE:

Johnson also pays off a long brewing subplot back on Cybertron as Elita-1 has found a means to send Cliffjumper back to Earth. With a new powerful ally in Shredhead alongside her and Bluestreak, Elita-1 can afford to send Cliffjumper to Prime and the Earth-bound Autobots. This subplot plays out in the manner fans might have hoped though there are still a few surprises left.

In the other subplot, General Flagg tries to convince Carly to share as much information as she knows on how to stop the Transformers. He’s not interested in the Autobots/Decepticons conflict — he just needs to learn how to stop them. Meanwhile, Doc is questioning his choices as soldiers torture the captive Ultra Magnus. There are so many ways this storyline could end…and potentially spill into at least one other title.

Frustrated with the lack of success in tracking down the Autobots, Megatron decides to take the initiative by leading another full-on Decepticon onslaught with Devastator and Bruticus leading the charge. Johnson came up with a clever approach to utilize two Combiners by quickly fostering a rivalry between the two. It’s too bad Superion is somewhat limited now as that is even less of a fair fight now.

transformers 22 variant a

As usual, Corona delivers big time on the epic nature of this series. The Combiners’ path of destruction is frightening to behold as they are towering menaces. Despite the large scale Decepticons, Corona is equally adept at conveying the emotions of the various characters from Doc’s sense of remorse to Starscream’s glee at raining terror on the humans and Optimus’ exhaustion in fighting this seemingly unwinnable battle.

Mike Spicer’s bombastic colors also help to give Transformers 22 a big-time showdown feel. The stark reds, oranges and blues are used to great effect similar to letterer Rus Wooton weaving art with his sound effect fonts.

Transformers 22 definitely puts the Autobots in their familiar unenviable role of being bruised and battered with little hope left while the Decepticons are on the offensive yet again. Johnson hasn’t given the Autobots much to celebrate and if anything else, the clock is looking increasingly like their darkest hour is almost up.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: Image Comics 

Liked what you read with Transformers 22? It’s time to get your pre-order in for Transformers Vol. 4: Conquer and Control trade paperback on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

lylesmoviefiles