My latest Comics Candy review column is now live over on Totalscifionline.com. For my thoughts (and occasional rants) on ten choice titbits from the January shipping comic titles, click here. Just missing the cut (only because I didn’t get a chance to pick up a copy in time) was Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1 (IDW), but I just couldn’t let it go un-hailed. So, here’s a slight addendum to this month’s Comics Candy:
For those of you not in the know, the Wreckers are the kick-ass commandos of Transformers, and writer/artist Nick Roche (ably assisted by co-writer James Roberts) turns in a cracking first issue of their all-new headlining series. Roche certainly knows his Transformers (the more obscure the better) and in amongst more familiar faces there are a host of bit part players given a rare shot at renown or infamy. Lively and witty dialog/banter and neatly executed action setpieces combine to make a thoroughly polished and entertaining read that both perfectly captures the feel of this reimagined IDW-Transformers universe and includes its share of homages to earlier incarnations of the team (most notably the inclusion of UK-created/non-toy character Impactor). It might be a little daunting for anyone new to Transformers, as we’re well and truly cast in at the deep end here, but for those au fait with the robots in disguise this is a highly rewarding experience, one of the best Transformers comics for some while, and it looks stunning. Highly recommended.
simon furman 
I will butt in, pushing random people aside and spilling their drinks, to say that I’m totally new to TFs, but picked up Wreckers the other day– and if I were anyone new considering picking this up– Do it. Don’t be terrified by the fact that it’s not all about the “regulars” like Bee or something… it’s really good, the art is great, and having a few unfamiliar faces didn’t detract from it at all. Now I just have some new names to learn!! =)
I’m sure I wasn’t alone in feeling that the lack of Transformers material in your Comics Candy column to date was the Beast Wars Ironhide in the room 🙂
Glad you liked the issue. Please come back to writing Gen 1 Mr. Furman!!
So happy to see Impactor back after all these years. The first TF comics I ever got was Target 2006 (and stayed with the title until it went to black and white). Simon, I always figured that you didn’t bring him back because of some weird ownership issue that kept him from returning. Who “owns” Impactor?
Hasbro owns everything that premiered in the Transformers comic. Thus they do own Impactor.
They DON’T own Death’s Head or Circuit Breaker because they premiered in other comics.
I’m usually pretty suspect of any TF comic not written by yourself, Simon. I associate your writing with Transformers so readily, and I trust you to craft a fantastic story. Always have.
I’ve got to say, though, Nick and James absolutely knocked me for six with this issue. Distinct characters, action which made sense, obscurity which longtime fans (especially UK-based) will appreciate… Even the humour was used in the right context. Loved it. I actually picked it up based on Kieron Gillen’s Twitter post about Impactor. Right there and then, I got in the car and set out to buy this comic.