When Hasbro wanted to launch their Transformers toyline in 1984, they turmned to Marvel Comics to devise a mythology as well as names for the characters (the majority of which came from series writer Bob Budiansky who also wrote the character bios for the toy boxes). Initially, the story was set to take place in the mainstream Marvel Universe (Earth-616) with Nick Fury and Joe Robertson making cameos and Spider-Man teaming up with the Autobots for a whole issue. Eventually, the series would move out of Marvel continuity and be considered an alternate universe, retroactively referred to as Earth-91274.
I’ve also covered the Marvel UK continuity (Earth-120185) which gave us the character Death’s Head who would eventually make his way to mainstream Marvel’s Earth-616 continuity bringing it all full circle. See our Transformers: The Marvel UK Years Reading Order for more!
To find out a little more about how Transformers came to be at Marvel Comics in the ‘80s, see our JIM SHOOTER INTERVIEW!
Return to our CHARACTER READING ORDER INDEX for more chronological guides!
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Chronology: Every appearance of the Transformers from this period is included in chronological order, laying out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Did we miss something? Let us know!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the stories:
- Transformers #1-12
- Headmasters #1
- Transformers #13-23
- Headmasters #2
- Transformers: The Movie #1-3
- G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1
- Transformers #24
- G.I.Joe and the Transformers #2
- Transformers #25-26
- G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3-4
- Transformers #27-31
- Transformers #33-34
- Transformers #32, 35-37
- Headmasters #3-4
- Transformers #38-42
- Transformers #43
- Transformers #44-80
- Transformers: Generation 2 – Halloween Special Edition
- G.I.Joe #138-140
- Transformers: Generation 2 #1
- G.I.Joe #141-142
- Transformers: Generation 2 #2-12
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers #1-4 (1984-1985) The war between the Transformers spreads when their world, Cybertron, is loosed from its orbit and heads into an asteroid field; a band of Autobots destroy the field, but are attacked by Decepticons and crash their ship, the Ark, on planet Earth; four million years later, the Ark awakens and rebuilds and revives both groups, enabling them to transform into Earth vehicles in order to remain in disguise; the Autobots befriend Buster Witwicky; the Decepticons steal a nuclear power plant and turn it into a headquarters; the Autobots receive help from Spider-Man in rescuing Buster’s father from the Decepticons; the Autobots final victory is reversed by the arrival of the revived Decepticon Shockwave… 1st appearance: Autobots (Bluestreak, Brawn, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Hound, Ironhide, Jazz, Mirage, Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack & Windcharger), the Decepticons (Buzzsaw, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Megatron, Ravage, Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass & Viewfinder), Rumble, Shockwave, Skywarp, Soundwave, Starscream & Thundercracker), Buster Witwicky, Sparkplug Witwicky, Jessie, O, the Ark, Cybertron, Earth-91274 (and its versions of Dum Dum Dugan, Nick Fury, Joe Robertson, SHIELD, Spider-Man/Peter Parker, the Daily Bugle, the Savage Land) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #5-12 (1985-1986) The Decepticons commandeer GB Blackrock‘s hi-tech oil platform, crippling his employee, Josie Beller; Shockwave takes over leadership of the Decepticons by defeating Megatron; Shockwave uses the separated head of Optimus Prime which contains the power of the Matrix to give life to the Constructicons; Josie Beller transforms herself into Circuit Breaker in her quest for revenge against the Transformers; the only surviving Autobot, Ratchet, makes a deal with Megatron and frees the Dinobots from the Savage Land; Optimus Prime passes the power of the Matrix to Buster, leaving Shockwave’s newest creation Jetfire as just a mindless drone; Optimus Prime returns and reunites with the revived. 1st appearance: Bomber Bill, Jetfire, the Constructicons (Bonecrusher, Hook, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Scavenger & Scrapper combine to form Devastator), GB Blackrock, Circuit Breaker/ Josie Beller | |
| ✔ | Headmasters #1 (1987) Fortress Maximus leads a band of Autobots away from warring Cybertron to the peaceful planet Nebulos; the Nebulans are divided as to the robots’ intentions; the Autobots offer their heads and guns as a sign of peace. 1st appearance: Fortress Maximus, Blurr, Brainstorm, Chromedome, Cross-Hairs, Hardhead, Highbrow, Hot Rod, Kup, Pointblank, Sureshot, the Monsterbots (Doublecross, Grotesque & Repugnus), the Technobots (Nosecone, Scattershot & Strafe), Skorponok, Skullcrusher, Slugslinger, Triggerhappy, the Nebulans (Duros, Galan, Gort, Krunk & Lord Zarak), Steelheaven, Nebulos | HEADMASTERS |
| ✔ | Transformers #13-14 (1986) Wheeljack introduces five more Autobots into the team’s ranks; Jetfire is given an Autobot insignia; Bumblebee leads the new recruits to a rock concert that threatens to expose the Cybertronians’ existence on Earth. 1st appearance: Grapple, Hoist, Skids, Smokescreen, Tracks, Walter Barnett, Forrest Forsythe, Intelligence and Information Institute, Energon Cubes | |
| Woman’s Day, December issue (1985) The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas – Bumblebee leads the new recruits on a mission to stop Soundwave from using an energy siphon to steal electricity. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #15-16 (1986) The US Government employ a Marvel Comics writer to masquerade as the mastermind behind the Transformers to prevent the public from panicking about invading aliens; ‘Robot Master’ becomes a pawn of Megatron; Shockwave attempts to kidnap Bumblebee. 1st appearance: Robot Master/Donny Finkleberg |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers #17-23 (1986) Back on Cybertron, Blaster ignores Perceptor‘s orders and goes on a solo mission to rescue Scout from Lord Straxus; Blaster learns Straxus is building a Space Bridge to Earth to take over the planet; Blaster’s band of Autobots cross the Space Bridge to Earth; Grapple builds Omega Supreme to defend the Ark; Shockwave concedes leadership to Megatron; Robot Master escapes the Decepticons; Circuit Breaker leads RAAT against the Transformers; the Autobots and Decepticons build new combiner teams. 1st appearance: Beachcomber, Blaster, Cosmos, Omega Supreme, Perceptor, Powerglide, Scrounge, Seaspray, Warpath, the Aerialbots (Air Raid, Fireflight, Silverbolt, Skydive & Slingshot who combine to form Superion), Dirge, Ramjet, Straxus, Thrust, the Battlechargers (Runabout & Runamuck), the Insecticons (Bombshell, Kickback & Shrapnel), the Stunticons (Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, Motormater and Wild Rider who combine to form Menasor), Jake Dalrymple, RAAT/Rapid Anti-Robot Assault Team | |
| ✔ | Headmasters #2 (1987) The Nebulan Lord Zarak summons Skorponok‘s Decepticons to Nebulos; the good Nebulans become partners for the Autobots, going through a process that allows them to transform into their heads; the evil Nebulans do the same for the Decepticons. 1st appearance: Apeface, Blot, Cyclonus, Mindwipe, Misfire & Snapdragon, Arcana, Graz, Llyra, Spasma, Stylor, Vorath, Headmasters | HEADMASTERS |
| Transformers: The Movie #1-3 (1986-1987) Adaptation of the animated film, set in the future of the animated series’ continuity. | ||
| ✔ | G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1 (pp.1-19) (1986) Transformers #24 (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1 (pp.20-24) (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #2 (1986) Transformers #25 (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3 (pp.1-6) (1986) Transformers #26 (pp.1-19) (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3 (pp.7-8) (1986) Transformers #26 (pp.10-22) (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3 (pp.9-23) (1986) G.I.Joe and the Transformers #4 (1986) The Decepticons and the terrorist group Cobra both try to steal the mobile power station, Alpha; anti-terror unit G.I.Joe destroy; Optimus Prime and Megatron face each other in battle in a computer game; Optimus Prime wins, but admits defeat for allowing the computer-generated innocents to die in order to achieve his victory; Cobra and the Decepticons form an alliance; without Optimus Prime to challenge him, Megatron goes mad and destroys the Space Bridge and himself; Optimus Prime’s body is launched into space; the Mechanic uses Ratchet’s tools to break into the Ark; G.I.Joe’s Mainframe helps Ratchet rebuild Bumblebee as Goldug; the Autobots and G.I.Joe join forces with Cobra to defeat the Decepticons. 1st appearance: Protectobots (Blades, First Aid, Groove, Hotspot & Street Wise combine to form Defensor), the Combaticons (Blast Off, Brawl, Onslaught, Swindle & Vortex combine to form Bruticus), the Predacons (Dive Bomb, Headstrong, Rampage, Razorclaw & Tantrum combine to form Predaking), the Mechanic/Nestor Forbes), Ethan Zachary, Decepticon Island New identity: Bumblebee as Goldbug | G.I.JOE VS THE TRANSFORMERS |
| ✔ | Transformers #27-31 (1987) The Dinobots defeat Trypticon, inspiring the Autobots to accept Grimlock as their new leader; Blaster and Goldbug become friends, clashing with the Mechanic and the machine-devouring Scraplets; Goldbug joins the Throttlebots; the Decepticons take control of GB Blackrock. 1st appearance: Throttlebots (Chase, Freeway, Rollbar, Searchlight & Wide Load), Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Octane, Ratbat, Trypticon, Wipe-Out, Triple Changers, Charlie Fong, Scraplets New identity: Cobra Island as Decepticon Island | |
| Transformers #33-34 (1987) First US appearance of Earth-120185; reprint of the ‘Man of Iron’ storyline from Marvel UK’s Transformers series. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers #32, 35-36 (1987-1988) Grimlock sends the Protectobots to apprehend Blaster and Goldbug, labelling them as traitors for opposing his leadership; Blaster saves a group of kids and convinces the Protectobots to let him go free; the Ark is repaired and Grimlock launches it into space in pursuit of Blaster; Wheeljack summons Sky Lynx to Earth to help the Autobots overthrow Grimlock. 1st appearance: Sandstorm (artist’s error), Sky Lynx, Twin Twist (artist’s error) and the Spacehikers (Jed Lindley, Robin Lindley, Allan Silver, Sammy Wainwright & Daisy) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #37 (1988) Headmasters #3-4 (1987-1988) Transformers #38 (1988) The Intelligence & Information Institute capture the Throttlebots and destroy their bodies; their minds are transferred to toy cars; Goldbug sends a distress signal into space; more Nebulans volunteer to ally with the Autobots, becoming transforming guns, while the Decepticons do the same with the evil Nebulans; Fortress Maximus picks up Goldbug’s distress signal from Earth; the Headmasters and Targetmasters arrive on Earth; Galen sacrifices himself to save Spike Witwicky; Spike is chosen to become Fortress Maximus’ head. 1st appearance: Afterburner & Lightspeed (who combine with the other Technobots to become Computron), Cutthroat, Hun-Grr, Rippersnapper & Sinner-Twin (who combine the other Terrorcons to become Abominus), Cerebros, Weirdwolf, Scourge, Aimless, Blowpipe, Caliburst, Fracas, Haywire, Monzo, Nightstick, Peacemaker, Pinpointer, Recoil, Sparks, Spoilsport, Targetmasters, Spike Witwicky | HEADMASTERS |
| ✔ | Transformers #39-42 (1988) Fortress Maximus locates Decepticon Island which launches into space; Ratbat takes full control of the Decepticons; Ethan Zachary reveals how he saved Optimus Prime’s mind on a floppy disc; Skorponok disguises some of his warriors by giving them an organic outer shell, creating the Pretenders; the Autobots create their own; Goldbug and Fortress Maximus locate the Ark and butt heads with Grimlock over Autobot leadership; Blaster faces Grimlock in a showdown; Goldbug leads a team of Autobots Nebulos where Optimus Prime is reborn as a Powermaster. 1st appearance: Broadside (artist’s error), Cloudburst, Getaway, Groundbreaker, Joyride, Landmine, Outback (artist’s error), Sky High, Slapdash, Splashdown, Waverider, Bomb-Burst, Bugly, Darkwing & Dreadwind (who combine to form Dreadwing), Finback, Iguanus, Skullgrin, Submarauder, HiQ, Hi-Test, Hotwire, Lube, Rev, Throttle, Powermasters, Pretenders | |
| Transformers #43 (1988) Adaptation of the ‘Big Broadcast of 2006’ episode of the Transformers animated series, featuring Galvatron and Rodimus Prime. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #44-50 (1988-1989) Circuit Breaker returns to hunt the Transformers; the Z Foundation hires mercenaries to hunt the Autobots; the Decepticons turn their island headquarters into a holiday destination for humans; Starscream returns and obtains the immensely powerful Underbase, leading to an alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons to oppose him; the Underbase ultimately overwhelms Starscream. 1st appearance: Mini-Cassette Combiners (Grand Slam & Raindance combine to form Slamdance), the Triggerbots (Backstreet, Dogfight & Override), the Sparkabots (Fizzle, Guzzle & Sizzle), Fangry, Horri-Bull, Squeezeplay, the Firecons (Cindersaur, Flamefeather & Sparkstalker), the Seacons (Nautilator, Overbite, Seawing, Skalor, Snaptrap & Tentakil combine to for Piranacon), the Triggercons (Crankcase, Ruckus & Windsweeper), Brisko, Kreb & Lokos |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers #51-55 (1989) Spike Witwicky quits his role as the head of Fortress Maximus; the Autobot Pretenders clash with Dreadwing, the metal-eating Mechannibals and the female warrior Shandikar; the Micromasters battle it out in the wrestling ring in order to save New York City. 1st appearance: Off Road Patrol (Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain & Tote), the Race Car Patrol (Free Wheeler, Roadhandler, Swindler & Tailspin), Carnivac, Snarler, the Air Strike Patrol (Nightflight, Storm Cloud, Tailwind & Whisper), Micromasters, Pretender Beasts, Mechannibals | |
| ✔ | Transformers #56-61 (1989) Megatron returns and manipulates Ratchet into resurrecting Starscream as a Pretender; Ratchet brings Bumblebee, Grimlock and Jazz back to life as Pretenders; Megatron’s fortress is destroyed, taking Megatron and Ratchet with it; Optimus Prime and Skorponok to go war; the Transformers meet their god, Primus, and learn of his opposite, Unicron. 1st appearance: Landfill, Quickmix, Scoop, Xaaron, the Rescue Patrol (Fixit, Red Hot, Seawatch & Stakeout), Bludgeon, Octopunch, Stranglehold, the Sports Car Patrol (Blackjack, Detour, Hyperdrive & Road Hugger), Keeper, Boomer, Flintlock, Holepunch, Ricochet, Silencer, Tracer, Primus, Unicron and James Campbell First full appearance: Creation Matrix | |
| ✔ | Transformers #62-66 (1990) The Transformers begin the search across space for the Creation Matrix; Thunderwing makes his move against Optimus Prime to become the ultimate power in the universe. 1st appearance: Doubleheader, Hosehead, Longtooth, Needlenose, Nightbeat, Pincher, Siren, Galvatron, Spinister, Thunderwing, Hairsplitter, Lug, Muzzle, Quig, Singe, Sunbeam, Zigzag, Hook, Line, Sinker, the Dark Matrix, the Deathbringer, the Matrixspawn | |
| ✔ | Transformers #67-72 (1990) Unicron locates Galvatron (a rebuilt and reformatted Megatron from a future timeline) to act as his agent in the present; the Autobots join forces with Circuit Breaker and her NeoKnights; Megatron and Ratchet make a disturbing return. 1st appearance: Chainclaw, Crossblades, Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, the Pretender Monsters (Birdbrain, Bristleback, Icepick, Scowl & Wildfly), NeoKnights (Dynamo/Hector Dialonzo, Rapture/Katrina Vestosky, Thunderpunch/Lee Gruber) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #73-80 (1990-1991) Civil war breaks out among the Decepticons with Skorponok and Shockwave vying for control; the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to defend Cybertron from Unicron; Megatron faces his future self; Spike Witwicky learns of the Last Autobot; the fate of Cybertron is revealed. 1st appearance: Quake, Treadshot, Heater, Tiptop, the Last Autobot | |
| Transformers: Generation 2 – Halloween Special Edition (1993) G.I.Joe #138-140 (1993) Transformers: Generation 2 #1 (1993) G.I.Joe #141-142 (1993) Transformers: Generation 2 #2 (1993) Megatron returns and is rebuilt by Cobra, forming an uneasy alliance; the Autobots return to Earth and join forces with G.I.Joe to bring Megatron’s initial rampage to an end. 1st appearance: Jhiaxus, Rook | WAR WITHOUT END | |
| Transformers: Generation 2 #3-12 (1994) The war between the Autobots and Decepticons reignites, though they’re forced to join forces again when the Swarm threatens their existence. 1st appearance: Electro, Roller, Volt, Jolt, Leadfoot, Manta Ray, Mindset, Sizzle, the Laser Rods, Liege Maximo, the Swarm |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/Crossover |
| Transformers Universe #1-4 (1986-1987) Marvel Handbook-style profiles of all of the Generation One characters appearing in the Marvel Comics continuity. | |
| Secret Wars II #3 (1985) Circuit Breaker (Josie Beller) of Earth-616 makes her first and only appearance, explaining to the Beyonder her sole desire to destroy the robots that ruined her life; this appearance secured Marvel Comics’ rights to the character. | SECRET WARS II |
Possible future continuations of the original Marvel Comics/ Earth-91274 continuity as told by other publishers:
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club #12-18 (2006-2008,Fub Publications) Transformers Timelines #2 (2007, Fun Publications) Transformers Timelines TCC Special (2008, Fun Publications) Transformers Timelines: Invasion #7 (2012, Fun Publications/Diamond Edition) Transformers Timelines #7 (2012, Fun Publications) Transformers Timelines (Preview Comic) (2012, Fun Publications) Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club #49-54 (2013, Fun Publications) Transformers: Solar Requiem (2013, e-HOBBY) Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club #60-66 (2015-2016, Fun Publications) Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club #67-72 (2016, Fun Publications) These sporadic stories pick up after the final battle with Unicron, ignoring the events of Transformers: Generation 2; a number of stories featuring the ‘Classicverse’ (aka, Earth-91274) were featured in the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine (including some prose stories which aren’t listed here); these tales included the destruction of the Classicverse when it came into conflict with the Shattered Glass mirror universe. | |
| ✔ | New Avengers/Transformers #1-4 (2007, Marvel/IDW Publishing) On Earth-7642, the Avengers join forces with the Autobots when the Decepticons are manipulated by Doctor Doom (giving Spider-Man and Megatron a chance to re-enact that famous scene). |
| ✔ | Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5, 81-94, 0, 95-100 (2012-2014, IDW Publishing) The story picks up after the final battle with Unicron, ignoring the events of Transformers: Generation 2. |
| ✔ | Transformers ’84: Secrets & Lies #1-4 (2020, IDW Pubishing) An ‘untold tale’ that takes place during the original Marvel Comics’ Transformers #1 with new twists. |
See other Transformers reading orders here:
- TRANSFORMERS, 1984-1992 – The Marvel UK Years
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Classic Transformers vol.1-6 (IDW) | Transformers #1-80 Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 |
| Transformers Classics vol.1-8 (IDW) | G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 Transformers #1-80 Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Transformers Universe #1-4 |
| Transformers Compendium vol.1 (Image) | Transformers #1-44 Headmasters #1-4 |
| Transformers Compendium vol.2 (Image) | G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #139-142 Transformers #45-80 Transformers: Generation 2 #1-12 Transformers: Generation 2 Halloween Special Edition Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Transformers Universe #1-4 |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection vol.1-20 (Hachette) | Transformers #1-80 Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 |
| Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection vol.89-92 (Hachette) | G.I.Joe #138-142 G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 Transformers: Generation 2 #0-12 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 |
Reading Order ©OmniverseComicsGuide 2023
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