It’s finally over. I realize my last review, Transformers: Unicron #6 was not very favorable, but this final, somber issue made up for it. This takes place shortly after the conclusion of the big fight. This issue reads as a eulogy, aptly so, as there is a funeral for a friend, with events taking place in past, present, and future meshed together to give us one final look at what becomes of this era of Transformers.
I will admit, this went in a direction I never imagined. The expansion of the mythos was greater than any other series. Dreamwave and Hasbro expanded with Armada, Universe, and other sublines in the early to mid-2000’s.
IDW took the Cybertronians and really expanded on any legends and tales taken at their word with no story.
Then they turned it all upside down. This final tale is the story of an Optimus who became Prime. As I said, this issue reads like a eulogy, where we see the past of Optimus shape what becomes his future. Events play out as though we relive some pivotal moments which defined his tale, and help us understand the motivations behind some the controversial decisions made to involve Earth and humans.
Kudos to Kei Zama on the ‘A’ cover. Not sure if this was intentional, but it reminds me a lot of the cover to Marvel’s Transformers #22. It’s a nice portrait with Optimus front-and-center, with all of the major characters surrounding him.
We find Earth has become a hub for all, featuring Dire Wraiths, ROM, G.I. Joe, and other characters scattered throughout the IDW stories finding their place here, one last time.
Some loose ends are tied up, interestingly one final clarification on Arcee and the use of “male” and “female” identity in IDW. Nothing really groundbreaking, but should put to rest questions about Arcee’s origins. She is also the one concluding the story, in a panel with who looks like a “G2” Sideswipe and other characters from post-G1 generations.
It’s a good, slow read, which has a satisfying conclusion on turning the final page and closing the outer cover.
I applaud the crew over at IDW for their work the past decade. I look forward to what they unveil in 2019.
The final issue of Optimus Prime is a 9-out-of-10.
