Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies

Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies is an American comic book limited series written by Simon Furman, drawn by Guido Guidi and published by IDW Publishing. Based on the Transformers franchise by Hasbro, the series is meant to be a prequel to the continuity established on both the original comic book by Marvel Comics, and the alternate comic book by Marvel UK.[1][2]

Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies
Publication information
PublisherIDW Publishing
FormatLimited series
GenreScience fiction
Publication dateAugust 21, 2019 – October 28, 2020
No. of issues4 (plus issue #0)
Creative team
Written bySimon Furman
Penciller(s)Guido Guidi
Letterer(s)Tom B. Long
Colorist(s)John-Paul Bove
Editor(s)Riley Farmer
David Mariotte
Tom Waltz

Plot edit

As the Cybertronian Civil War rages between Optimus Prime's Autobots and Megatron's Decepticons, Shockwave has encountered a new obstacle to the Decepticons' victory and subjugation of the planet: Megatron himself! As Optimus and his recruits take off to stop an even deadlier threat–an asteroid belt powerful enough to destroy the metal world–Megatron leads a team of Decepticons after in hot pursuit! But what other motivations does Prime have for this mission? How does it benefit Shockwave's goals? And what does it all have to do with a secret on Earth in the eleventh century?[2]

The story is narrated from the viewpoint of Punch a.k.a. Counterpunch, an Autobot infiltrated as a Decepticon.[1]

Publication history edit

In 2019, IDW Publishing originally released the miniseries Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies miniseries written by veteran Transformers writer and co-creator Simon Furman, drawn by Guido Guidi and colored by John-Paul Bove.[2]

The series a prequel to the original comic book series published by Marvel Comics, intended to be fuse its continuity with the alternate Marvel UK series.[1][3]

Issues edit

Issue Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Letterer(s) Publication date
#0 Simon Furman Guido Guidi John-Paul Bove Tom B. Long August 21, 2019
#1 July 15, 2020
#2 August 19, 2020
#3 September 2, 2020
#4 October 28, 2020

Reception edit

The initial issues received mostly positive reviews, with Ricky Church of Flickering Myth praising the writing and art,[4][5] while Alexander Jones of Multiversity Comics says issue #0 is "a joyous exploration into the history of the Transformers."[6] At ComicBook.com, Jamie Lovett wrote that as the series went on, it lost some of the charm it started with,[7] feeling that it was a "love letter to the original Transformers comics" and "not meant to bring in new readers." Lovett gave high praise to the detailed artwork, which was true to the original comics.[8]

Issue Publication date Rating Reviews Reference
#0 August 21, 2019 7.6/10 3 [9]
#1 July 15, 2020 5 [10]
#2 August 19, 2020 7.7/10 3 [11]
#3 September 2, 2020 4.0/10 1 [12]
#4 October 28, 2020 6.0/10 [13]
Overall 6.6/10 13 [14]

Collected editions edit

Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies
  • Transformers '84 #0
  • Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #1–4
  • Bonus material
February 17, 2021 1684057256, 978-1684057252

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Spry, Jeff (2019-08-14). "Optimus Prime attacks an asteroid belt in sneak peek at new Transformers '84 #0 prequel". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  2. ^ a b c "Behind the Scenes of Transformers '84 Comic Book Miniseries". Hasbro Pulse. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  3. ^ Spry, Jeff (2020-05-22). "Simon Furman breaks down 'bot battles in IDW's new Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #1". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  4. ^ "Comic Book Review – Transformers '84 #0". Flickering Myth. 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  5. ^ "Comic Book Reviews – Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #1". Flickering Myth. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  6. ^ ""Transformers '84" #0". Multiversity Comics. 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  7. ^ Lovett, Jamie (September 2, 2020). "Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 9/2/2020". ComicBook.com. CBS Interactive.
  8. ^ Lovett, Jamie (October 28, 2020). "Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 10/28/2020". ComicBook.com. CBS Interactive.
  9. ^ "Transformers '84 #0 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  11. ^ "Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  12. ^ "Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  13. ^ "Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  14. ^ "Transformers '84 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-07.