Five Page Preview of Transformers: King Grimlock #1

Given all the stories about heroes being transported to other worlds, it was only a matter of time before this reached the planet Cybertron and the Transformers, and with today's release of Transformers: King Grimlock #1 we've arrived at this eventuality. On paper, the basic pitch is one hell of a concept, but is the execution any good?

Mostly yes, read on for more.


If you check out the preview pages for the issue, you'll see a decent amount of robots doing things on Cybertron. While that might seem off given the basic concept here, what's in that preview is all there is to the setup. Following along with Grimlock directly helps provide just the right amount of tonal whiplash which would be expected when jumping from Cybertron to a feudal world of swords and (presumably) sorcery. In other words, the basic setup is simple but effective.


Most of the book follows Grimlock's interactions with human characters in this new world of Menonia he's found himself in, building his character while allowing others to provide the exposition which, for the most part, doesn't feel too forced. Steve Orlando does spend some time with an antagonist that's laden with proper nouns and jargon that border dangerously close to confusing, but I suppose that lends a bit more realism to the context of how it's presented. Realism though, do we need that here?


Agustin Padilla handles the line art pretty well throughout, and you may remember this is not a first attempt at a dinobot story, as Padilla also drew plenty during the brief run of Beast Hunters comics. The art shines most in the sections showing humans and more natural-feeling environments, though Grimlock is still ever-present and most of the time his depiction is crisp and scaled appropriately next to those he's interacting with. There's an attempt at a transformation sequence which I appreciate, but it doesn't really land and it left me feeling like an attempt was being made at showing something the artist really didn't want to draw. Again though, the art is usually pretty good and never worse than acceptable through most of the book and a paper copy is probably going to look even better, especially considering it has multiple two-page layouts which shine in only the monthly stapled floppy book format. Someone should really find a way to fix how those read in trade form, especially in the hardbacks, but I digress.

Jeremy Colwell's colors are superb in communicating the tone of the story, as Cybertron's typical hues give way to a natural look that makes Grimlock feel appropriately alien in his new environment. Color is also used well for the presumable villain of the story, or at least it definitely gave him an appropriately over-the-top-in-an-unlikeable-way vibe. Jake M. Wood takes good care on letter duty, with usual Transformers editor David Mariotte handling the reins on that side of things. This section of the review's gone on for so long that some brevity feels required, so as always, remember that you can find all the cover images and full credits for the issue through our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers: King Grimlock #1.


Transformers: King Grimlock #1 does exactly what it needs to do - it sets up the story, introduces us to our main characters and begins to define them in the context of the plot's central conflict. It's a quick read for sure, relying on action and spectacle instead of heavy doses of dialogue. First issues are tough for me though because even if the initial taste is good they typically don't have enough to really savor, which is definitely something I felt on this one, but as the picture above this paragraph alludes to I still had a smile on my face by the end. King Grimlock is off to a very good start and is likely to bring some measure of joy to your day if you pick it up, so my recommendation is to do so.

For the score below, this was a rare time that I wanted to do something like a 3¾, but let's avoid breaking the scale and just round up.



Look out for this issue today, August 4th, where you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.

Seems vaguely familiar...

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Madman%27s_Paradise

o.supreme wrote:Seems vaguely familiar...

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Madman%27s_Paradise

A certain reviewer (me) quite literally forgot that episode existed. I'll go hide in shame now

ScottyP wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Seems vaguely familiar...

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Madman%27s_Paradise

A certain reviewer (me) quite literally forgot that episode existed. I'll go hide in shame now

No shame at all. It's all good. . It's just that in this day and age, when some younger fans are more reluctant to watch the original series (even though its literally Free on Tubi, as are many other Transformers series), it would be nice to know the inspiration of where it came from. I know it's not often done, but new takes on original series episodes is a fun idea.

The G1 cartoon isn't free everywhere though. It might only be free in a handful of countries, officially.

Anyway, this seems like a good, "What if?" story. I mean, who hasn't ever imagined the dinobots in Skyrim, or something similar?

Yeah, Sauron, how's that ring and your armies working out now, Mate? You can build another tower out of all the bricks you've just sh*t...

I understand that physical media is very expensive in Japan. I'm not sure what streaming services are readily available. it would seem logical that Transformers would be available somehow, even if on a fairly inexpensive platform, but I can't say for sure.

I personally try to own every TF series I can on physical media, even the ones I don't particularly care for. But again i know that's just me. I know it's always been a sticking point between myself, and younger fans, but i think everyone should at least research the history of any franchise they gain interest in.

Things like Godzilla, Ultraman, Marvel and DC comics existed before I was born, and I very much enjoy researching the history of those franchises and reading/consuming older media as well as current. (so as to not just limit it to Transformers).

Dr. Who on the other hand.... I've been reluctant to jump into for that very reason. I would want to start from the beginning, but unfortunately I hear much of that franchises oldest shows are lost to time.

I'm waiting for the trade if it sounds good, but so far it sounds good!

Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long for someone to spin this idea into a miniseries. As pointed out, someone looked at that G1 episode and thought "I'm going to do better then that. ." (Which wouldn't take much).

I'm guessing though that this isn't sharing continuity with anything else IDW is doing. Probably for the best.

o.supreme wrote:Dr. Who on the other hand.... I've been reluctant to jump into for that very reason. I would want to start from the beginning, but unfortunately I hear much of that franchises oldest shows are lost to time.

The BBC Dr Who team have been doing a great job with making old Who accessible. Due to having the audio of the episodes (thanks to the fans recording it off the TV) they've been animating old episodes, using the cleaned up audio. They've used this method a lot now, even having Adventures which are a mixture of actual footage and animation, such as in William Hartnell's last adventure, The Tenth Planet (first appearance of the Cybermen).

A point worth considering though, is that due to the episodic nature of the show back then, it doesn't matter if you miss some adventures as there is very, very, little continuity. Fans didn't even learn more about the doctor's people till Patrick Troughton's last adventure, The War Games.

If you want to start your Dr who adventure, stop by the Dr who thread in the general forum.

Someone should really find a way to fix how those read in trade form, especially in the hardbacks, but I digress.

Amen! I primarily read comics in that form, and it can get quite annoying when some of the best art is left disappearing into the seam between pages. Maybe this is a common complain in the comics-reading community, but, as a more casual reader, it was good to see someone else mention the issue (no pun intended).

If you ask me, the first three letters of 'King Grimlock' aren't printed: numbers 6, 21 and 3 in the alphabet.

Not that anyone's on pins and needles for it, but the review for this will be up sometime in the next several days. IDW forgot to upload the preview pages and review samples to their media server last week and I didn't even get to read it until grabbing my physical copy yesterday.

Super short thoughts: Story's shaping up well! Art's hit or miss, some weird perspective/proportions in parts of 2.

From what I have been able to gather, the 2nd issue sounded really fun. I wait for trades, and at the moment I intend to get this on trade, but I try to get a lot of info before I read the whole thing. I love this Grimlock just stomping around a magic land

After a week with no new Transformers comics, this week brings us two books from two mini-series, one of these being Transformers: King Grimlock #3. IDW Publishing has provided the usual five page preview of this upcoming issue as Grimlock's adventures in another world continue.

(W) Steve Orlando (A) Agustin Padilla (CA) Bryan Lee
King Grimlock rampages on! Confronted by the ghoulish host of the Red Wizard's Army, Grimlock leads a band of villagers into a war against their ruler. But all is not what it seems near the Red Wizard's compound. Will Grimlock lead them to freedom... or destruction?!

Check out the preview below and be sure to pick this issue up tomorrow at your local comic shop, through a licensed digital comics retailer, or via the Seibertron.com eBay store.

Grimlock's adventure in Menonia continues with today's release of Transformers: King Grimlock #3 from IDW Publishing, and they've turned in a swiftly-read action comic that's indicative of everything this series has been so far. If you enjoyed the first two issues, you'll enjoy this too, though there are some shakier bits this time around. Read on to learn more, or skip to the end and look at the score blindly. It's your robot adventure.


Story-wise, things are at the "mini-boss" stage for this mini-series, which makes sense with a couple more issues still remaining after this one. Issue 3 shows the results of Grimlock's efforts to aid the Menonians in the first two chapters, resulting in a book that's light on words and big on splash pages. While it's certainly a quick read, it never feels like space is wasted. It's clear there was some conscious decision to approach this as an action comic, so more of writer Steve Orlando's wordier areas get less page real estate than the big, flashy action scenes.


The art, with lines by Agustin Padilla and colors by Jeremy Colwell, never becomes actively bad, but there are some moments that are busy and visually confusing, at least digitally. Despite some panels and pages that might not reach their intended grasp, the flow of the action always worked for me and helped tell the story of a battle effectively, with little doubt as to what the result is. Jake M. Wood's letters didn't distract from focus on the other visuals at any point, which is another credit to the artists as it rarely looked like the bubbles were fighting to have space to exist.

Three cover options are available as usual, with the "A" cover by Bryan Lee, the "B" cover by the interior art's team of Padilla and Colwell (which serves as this review's news story's thumbnail image), and a 10-copy retailer incentive cover by Alex Milne, just in case you need more MTMTE vibes from this one. As always, remember that you can find all the cover images and full credits for the issue through our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers: King Grimlock #3.


King Grimlock is a fun series that continues to be just that with its latest issue. The art is mostly good with a few busier, rougher patches and the story continues on a predictable but logical and entertaining path. Of course, I say predictable but should mention there's a twist at the end which, while foreshadowed, maybe didn't feel super well-earned. Its worth is likely to be determined by what's done with it as the story moves towards its conclusion, so it's not really considered with much weight in the score below.



Look out for this issue today, October 13th, where you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.

o.supreme wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Seems vaguely familiar...

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Madman%27s_Paradise

A certain reviewer (me) quite literally forgot that episode existed. I'll go hide in shame now

No shame at all. It's all good. . It's just that in this day and age, when some younger fans are more reluctant to watch the original series (even though its literally Free on Tubi, as are many other Transformers series), it would be nice to know the inspiration of where it came from. I know it's not often done, but new takes on original series episodes is a fun idea.

After reading it, I don't think it's a new take. They are directly referencing that episode. This miniseries is a sequel to that G1 episode.

3 issues in and I admit, I'm still no really sure whit to make of this series. It's peculiar. I'm no a fan of the art style either. I'll finish the series but I'm no really enjoying it.

~ Grim

I received the King Grimlock trade hard cover, and finally getting to read this proper, the series is so much fun. I really enjoyed it a lot. the whole concept of a Grimlock lost in a brute land and somehow learning that brute strength isn't always the answer was great. The art did get a bit difficult at times, but I enjoyed it for the theme of the story.

It was lots of fun, worth a try by any transformers fan honestly.

Most comic versions of Grimlock have been done well, ever since G1. So I'm looking forward to reading the TPB. I didn't read the individual issues and managed to stay away from the Wiki pages, so other than what you just said in that post, I have no idea about the story at all.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:I received the King Grimlock trade hard cover, and finally getting to read this proper, the series is so much fun. I really enjoyed it a lot. the whole concept of a Grimlock lost in a brute land and somehow learning that brute strength isn't always the answer was great. The art did get a bit difficult at times, but I enjoyed it for the theme of the story.

It was lots of fun, worth a try by any transformers fan honestly.

Hopefully when I get some money and free time I'll try and track down either the single issues or a collected edition. Right now I can't.

Cyberstrike wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:I received the King Grimlock trade hard cover, and finally getting to read this proper, the series is so much fun. I really enjoyed it a lot. the whole concept of a Grimlock lost in a brute land and somehow learning that brute strength isn't always the answer was great. The art did get a bit difficult at times, but I enjoyed it for the theme of the story.

It was lots of fun, worth a try by any transformers fan honestly.

Hopefully when I get some money and free time I'll try and track down either the single issues or a collected edition. Right now I can't.

I'd get the hardcover. $25 on amazon right now, might go cheaper, and has a lot of the bonus materials