Five Page Preview of Transformers: King Grimlock #3

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