IDW Publishing launch their first story arc after winning the license to tell stories featuring Hasbro’s Transformers. Writer Simon Furman returns to the characters to begin an entirely new version of the saga of the Cybertronians and their galaxy-spanning war. Furman made a name for himself writing the characters for Marvel UK in the 1980s and wrapped up the Marvel US version of the series in the ‘90s.
Despite Furman’s history with the plethora of characters from this universe, some readers felt the human-centric story featuring in the Transformers: Infiltration mini-series was a little lacking in pace. So Furman followed up with Transformers: Stormbringer which ups the action and lets us know the state of the Transformers’ home planet of Cybertron. Despite running consecutively, these two stories actually overlap as conveyed in this reading order. And if you feel those initial audience reactions were on the money, hang in there! IDW gave us, by far, the greatest interpretation of the Transformers. This is a series that’s well worth sticking with!
Major Crossover: The initial Transformers storyline from IDW features two overlapping mini-series, as well as the first Transformers Spotlight one-shot issue which relates directly to events in these titles.
Must-Reads: In the Full Reading Order and the Fallout section, story arcs/issues marked with a ✔ are essential reading.
Spoilers: The issue descriptions and fallout section contain spoilers, so be warned!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1
- Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-2
- Transformers: Stormbringer #1-2
- Transformers: Infiltration #3
- Transformers: Stormbringer #3
- Transformers: Infiltration #4-5
- Transformers: Stormbringer #4
- Transformers: Infiltration #6
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1 On Cybertron, six hundred thousand years ago, the Decepticon scientist Shockwave began the Regenesis Program to create a new source of energy and save his dying, war-torn world. After seeding other planets with Energon catalysts, Shockwave waited. He visited one world, Earth, during the Ice Age to plunder his new Energon Ore. Seeking revenge after an earlier defeat, Grimlock lead his Dynobots to Earth with new alt modes based on the planet’s extinct dinosaurs. Shockwave overcame the Dynobots once again, initiatiating Grimlock’s programmed back-up plan as their ship, the Skyfire, blasts a volcano, bathing them all in lava. On Cybertron, Megatron ordered Bludgeon to learn what the missing Shockwave was working on. Now, in 2006, the Decepticon scientist is discovered by archaeologists… 1st appearance: Dynobots (Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop), Shockwave, Clive Goring |
| Transformers: Infiltration #0 Runaway Verity Carlo steals tech from a sleeping stranger on an interstate bus. She hitches a ride with Hunter O’Nion, a teenager looking into the existence of giant robots in the Arizona Desert. A military jet without a pilot destroys Hunter’s car, though he and Verity escape. An ambulance arrives, fires a laser at the jet and encourages them to get in… 1st appearance: Autobots (unnamed – Ratchet (unnamed)), Decepticons (unnamed), Runamuck (cameo), Runabout (cameo), Starscream (shadow), Thundercracker), Verity Carlo, Hunter O’Nion, Stoker (unnamed) |
| Transformers: Infiltration #1 The strange ambulance driver dissuades two sports cars and from pursuing them using the ambulance’s various weapons systems. They escape the jet Thundercracker and Verity directs them to a garage run by contact Jimmy Pink. Hunter figures the device Verity stole is the reason they’re being chased and the ambulance is a robot. The Decepticon sports cars attack the garage in robot forms… 1st appearance: Prowl (voice), Jimmy Pink |
| Transformers: Infiltration #2 The ambulance Ratchet transforms to robot mode, takes out Runamuck and Runabout and transforms back, escaping with his human allies. They escape the pursuing ‘Cons and join three more Autobots – Ironhide, Prowl and Sunstreaker – who fend off Thundercracker but place Ratchet under arrest. In the desert, the man Verity stole the device from is found dead and reported back to his employer… 1st appearance: Ironhide, Prowl (full), Sunstreaker, Blitzwing (shadow), Abraham Dante (unnamed), Machination (unnamed) |
| Transformers: Infiltration #3 (pp.1-12) Aboard Ark-19, at the bottom of Lake Michigan, Ratchet warns his fellow Autobots that Megatron is likely to descend on Earth. Ironhide sends a message to Optimus Prime… 1st appearance: Bumblebee, Jazz, Wheeljack |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #1 At Thunderhead Pass on the war-torn and uninhabitable Cybertron, Jetfire and the Technobots locate traces of Energon below the planet’s surface. Impossible as it seems, they come under attack from foes in light-warping armour. Jetfire wakes in a chamber where he sees Decepticons worshipping a statue of Thunderwing. Optimus Prime receives news of the Deception infiltration on Earth. 1st appearance: Bluster (cameo), Bomb-Burst (camouflaged), Bludgeon (camouflaged), Bluestreak (cameo), Crosshairs (cameo), Downshift (cameo), Finback (camouflaged), Groundbreaker (cameo), Gunrunner (cameo), Iguanus (camouflaged), Jetfire, Kick-Off (cameo), Mixmaster (cameo), Omega Supreme (cameo), Overdrive (cameo), Perceptor (cameo), Pincher (cameo), Searchlight, Siren (cameo), Skullgrin (camouflaged), Soundwave (cameo), Swerve (cameo), Technobots (Afterburner, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Scattershot, Strafe), Thunderwing (obscured), Matrix of Leadership (cameo), Cybertron |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #2 Years ago, Thunderwing tried to warn the scientists of both warring factions that Cybertron was in danger due to the effects of the war. Jetfire was among those who didn’t listen. Bludgeon and his allies experiment on the fallen Technobots to continue the work Thunderwing started. Optimus Prime sends the Wreckers to Thunderhead Pass. On the planet Nebulos, a Decepticon Infiltration Unit witnesses the arrival of Thunderwing himself… 1st appearance: Bomb-Burst (full), Backstreet, Bludgeon (full), Bluestreak (full), Centurion Droid, Crankcase, Crosshairs (full), Darkwing, Dogfight, Dreadwind, Finback (full), Iguanus (full), Nebulans, Override (cameo), Pincher (full), Roadgrabber, Ruckus, Skullcruncher, Skullgrin (full), Sureshot, Thrust, Thunderwing (full), Wreckers (Broadside, Roadblock, Sandstorm (cameo), Scoop, Springer, Topspin, Twist Twist, Whirl (cameo)), the Xantium, Nebulos |
| Transformers: Infiltration #3 (pp.13-22) Against Prowl’s orders, Ratchet, Bumblebee and the three humans head to the abandoned Deception base in Nebraska. Elsewhere, in their vehicle modes, the Decepticons publicly destroy evidence that pertains to their existence. Their leader Starscream orders them to destroy their old Nebraska base next… 1st appearance: Blitzwing (full), Skywarp, Starscream (full), Lindy Simmons |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #3 (pp.1-15) Thunderwing wipes out every living thing on Nebulos. The Decepticon Infiltration Unit decide to stop him. On Cybertron, Bludgeon prepares to repeat the process that created Thunderwing, developing Bio-Cybernetic Exo-Shells for himself and his allies. Optimus Prime and the Wreckers come to the Technobots’ aid, taking out Blugeon’s Centurion Drones… 1st appearance: Sandstorm (full), Whirl (full) |
| Transformers: Infiltration #4 (pp.1-11) In Dallas, the Machination gather to discuss the suspected robot infiltration. In Nebraska, Verity, Hunter and Jimmy sneak into the abandoned Decepticon base. Verity finds pods containing human corpses. 1st appearance: Abraham Dante (full, named), Mr Drake, Mr Jolly, the Machination (named), Miss Svenson |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #3 (pp.12-21) On Nebulos, Thunderwing annihilates the Decepticons. Darkwing and Dreadwind flee. On Cybertron, psychic backlash from Bludgeon’s own exo-shell defeats him before the Wreckers can. 1st appearance: Razorclaw, Predacons |
| Transformers: Infiltration #4 (pp.16-21) In Nebraska, Blitzwing and Skywarp attack Ratchet and Bumblebee outside the base… |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #3 (pp.21-22) Jetfire turns off Thunderwing’s Axis-Cradle in the hope of shutting him down, but it just stops them from controlling him and causes him make his way back to Cybertron. On Earth, Megatron orders Razorclaw and his Predacons to destroy Thunderwing, even if it also means Cybertron’s destruction… |
| Transformers: Infiltration #4 (pp.21-22) Verity ventures deep into the base and finds Megatron at the command console… 1st appearance: Megatron, Abraham Dante (full, named), Mr Drake, Mr Jolly, the Machination (named), Miss Svenson |
| Transformers: Infiltration #5 Skywarp and Blitzwing weaken the ground above the Nebraskan base. The ceiling collapses on Megatron. Verity narrowly escapes, rejoining her friends and the Autobots as the base completely collapses. Megatron rips up through the ground and annihilates Blitzwing and Skywarp for their betrayal. But now he wants to face their leader! In Oregon, Starscream’s search for Ore-13 is successful. They might now be too powerful for the Autobots to stop… 1st appearance: Astrotrain, Ore-13 |
| Transformers: Stormbringer #4 Thunderwing returns to Cybertron and cuts loose. The Wreckers try to stop him, but Thunderwing destroys Twin Twist and Pointblank. The Predacons join the fight, along with the recalibrated Centurions. But Optimus Prime gets the final shot as Thunderwing burns out on the very same ‘Ultra-Energon’ Bludgeon used to repower him. Jetfire discovers files pertaining to the new Energon and a programme called Regenesis that links back to planet Earth. Optimus and his crew set a course for Earth… 1st appearance: Barrage, Blast-Off, Carnivac, Divebomb, Headstrong, Override (full), Quake, Rampage, Spinister, Tantrum, Triggerhappy, Windsweeper |
| Transformers: Infiltration #6 Amped up on Ore-13, Starscream and his treacherous crew attack Megatron. But the Decepticon leader shrugs off the assault. The Autobots arrive in time to see Megatron blast Starscream through the chest. Realising they’re vastly outmatched, the Autobots return to base where Optimus Prime is waiting… 1st appearance: Optimus Prime |
| Must Reads | Issue & Fallout | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers Spotlight: Sixshot #1 (2006) What happens in Phase 6 of the Decepticons’ infiltration protocols is revealed. Transformers Spotlight: Soundwave #1 (2007) The truth behind one of the conspiracy theories Hunter O’Nion has been investigating is confirmed as fact when a flashback story reveals a clash between Soundwave and Bludgeon at Mount St Helens in 1984. | ESCALATION |
| Transformers Spotlight: Nightbeat #1 (2006) It’s revealed that Ark-19 is named after the original Autobot ship that was first launched 6.2 million meta-cycles ago by Nova Prime. | ESCALATION | |
| ✔ | Transformers: Escalation #1-6 (2006-2007) The Decepticons move their plans for Earth to the next phase, leading to a clash with the Autobots; the Machination make their move against the Cybertronians; the existence of Skywatch – a group directly opposed to the Machination – is revealed; Skywatch take over the dig that unearthed Shockwave and the Dinobots; the reason why the Decepticons are holding human corpses is explained; Blitzwing and Skywarp are reactivated. | ESCALATION |
| ✔ | Transformers Spotlight: Galvatron #1 (2007) Galvatron steals Thunderwing’s body. | DEVASTATION |
| Transformers Spotlight: Blaster #1 (2008) The Autobots aboard the Orbital Command Hub discover Blaster is alive, apparently disproving Blaster’s earlier cameo. | DEVASTATION | |
| ✔ | Transformers: Devastation #1-6 (2007-2008) Megatron puts his final plan for Earth into action; Astrotrain reactivates Starscream; Hunter O’Nion is forced by the Machination to go through their Headmaster process, becoming the head of Sunstreaker; Abraham Dante undergoes the Headmaster process, becoming the head of Skorponok. | DEVASTATION |
| ✔ | Transformers Spotlight: Cyclonus #1 (2008) The Wreckers are sent on a mission to eliminate Thunderwing once again, in order to disable the Nega-Core. Transformers Spotlight: Sideswipe #1 (2008) Galvatron reanimates Thunderwing and employs him as a guard for Jhiaxus’ Nega-Core. | REVELATION |
| ✔ | Transformers: Maximum Dinobots #1-5 (2008-2009) The long-standing feud between the Dynobots and Shockwave is revealed; the Dynobots also learn Grimlock’s mission to Earth during the Ice Age was unsanctioned and illegal and that they had no idea he’d set the Skyfire to bury them in lava if the mission failed; the Machination are shut down. |
| Must Reads | Issue & Fallout | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers: All Hail Megatron #12 (2009) Starscream regains leadership of the Decepticons; the damage done to Hunter O’Nion during the Headmaster process eventually results in his death. | ALL HAIL MEGATRON |
| Transformers: All Hail Megatron #16 (2009) Thrust is revealed to have escaped Thunderwing’s wrath on Nebulos. | ||
| Transformers #7 (2010) Darkwing and Dreadwind resurface, answering Starscream’s call to all Decepticons to rally together under his new leadership; Dreadwind is killed for trying to take too much Energon. | ||
| Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #7 (2012) Crankcase is revealed to have survived his encounter with Thunderwing and become a member of the Scavengers. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers: Robots in Disguise #8 (2012) The Dynobots become known as the Dinobots with no explanation. | |
| ✔ | Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #9-11 (2012) The origin of Shockwave is revealed; Ratchet’s past reckless behaviour is expended on when it’s revealed he once tried to steal the Matrix of Leadership. | |
| ✔ | Transformers: Robots in Disguise #17 (2013) Shockwave’s initial experiments under the tutelage of Jhiaxus that set him on the path to the Regenesis Program are revealed. | DARK PRELUDE |
| ✔ | Transformers: Dark Cybertron #1 (2013) Shockwave finally puts his Regenesis Program into action. | DARK CYBERTRON |
| ✔ | Transformers: Robots in Disguise #34 (2014) It’s revealed that Shockwave seeded each of the worlds that he believed the First Thirteen Primes had gone to. | |
| Transformers #35 (2014) The death of Hunter O’Nion pushes Jimmy Pink into joining Spike Witwicky’s outlaw anti-Cybertronian task force. | DAYS OF DECEPTION | |
| Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #45 (2015) Skullcruncher is revealed to have survived his encounter with Thunderwing and become a stand-up comedian. | ||
| ✔ | Revolutionaries #5 (2017) Shockwave’s other activities on Earth during the Ice Age are revealed. | REVOLUTIONARIES |
| Revolutionaries #7 (2017) Bludgeon and his cult’s further activities on Earth in the 1980s are expanded on. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers: Requiem for the Wreckers Annual 2018 (2018) After years of adventures alongside the Autobots, Verity Carlo finally returns home to her family. | |
| ✔ | Free Comic Book Day – Transformers: Unicron #0 (2018) The monstrous Unicron begins devouring worlds seeded with Shockwave’s ores, leading it on a path towards Earth. | UNICRON |
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Transformers: The IDW Collection vol.1 | Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-6 Transformers: Megatron Origin #1-4 Transformers Spotlight: Blurr #1 Transformers Spotlight: Cliffjumper #1 Transformers Spotlight: Hot Rod #1 Transformers Spotlight: Nightbeat #1 Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1 Transformers Spotlight: Soundwave #1 |
| Transformers: The IDW Collection vol.2 | Transformers: Escalation #1-6 Transformers Spotlight: Kup #1 Transformers Spotlight: Mirage #1 Transformers Spotlight: Optimus Prime #1 Transformers Spotlight: Ramjet #1 Transformers Spotlight: Sixshot #1 Transformers Spotlight: Ultra Magnus #1 Transformers: Stormbringer #1-4 |
| Transformers: Infiltration | Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-6 |
| Transformers: Stormbringer | Transformers: Stormbringer #1-4 |
| Transformers: The Premiere Collection vol.1 | Transformers: Escalation #1-6 Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-6 Transformers Spotlight: Hot Rod #1 Transformers Spotlight: Nightbeat #1 Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1 Transformers Spotlight: Sixshot #1 Transformers Spotlight: Ultra Magnus #1 Transformers: Stormbringer #1-4 |
| Transformers: Phase One Omnibus | Transformers: Devastation #1-6 Transformers: Escalation #1-6 Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-6 |
| Transformers: The IDW Compendium vol.1 | Transformers: Escalation #1-6 Transformers: Infiltration #0, 1-6 Transformers: Megatron Origin #1-4 Transformers Spotlight: Blurr #1 Transformers Spotlight: Cliffjumper #1 Transformers Spotlight: Hot Rod #1 Transformers Spotlight: Kup #1 Transformers Spotlight: Mirage #1 Transformers Spotlight: Nightbeat #1 Transformers Spotlight: Optimus Prime #1 Transformers Spotlight: Ramjet #1 Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1 Transformers Spotlight: Sixshot #1 Transformers Spotlight: Soundwave #1 Transformers Spotlight: Ultra Magnus #1 Transformers: Stormbringer #1-4 |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Transformers Spotlight vol.1 Transformers Spotlight Omnibus vol.1 Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman | Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave #1 |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2024
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