40 years ago, American audiences were introduced to the Transformers, as Hasbro acquired the rights to produce the fabled toys here after they were originally introduced in Japan.
Today, Hasbro & Image Comics are developing a shared universe that also includes G. I. Joe and Robert Kirkman's latest, Void Rivals.
Transformers leads off the Energon Universe 2024 Special, written by Daniel Warren Johnson & illustrated by Ryan Ottley. Unlike the average, creator owned Image title, there's no coarse language, largely because Hasbro won't allow it, since it's being marketed not just to teenagers, but pre-teens as well. Older fans can probably picture Optimus Prime still with the voice of actor Peter Cullen, who's still going strong 40 years after that first Transformers cartoon here in the US.
Your actual mileage may vary.
Void Rivals gets just a measly 6 pages by comparison, and this is the new kid on the block, by comparison. I don't have high hopes for the Energon line to survive, but Kirkman's books do tend to have a long shelf life (i.e.The Walking Dead, Invincible), so this could outlive its initial directives.
Over in G. I. Joe, one of Cobra's long time lieutenants, the Baroness, is being recruited to join the Joes. Joshua Williamson's excerpt gets 8 pages. I think I know how this is going to go. Can you say, "Trojan horse"?
Overall rating: B-.
Hellboy is back, but a story written, but not drawn, by series creator Mike Mignola, hits different. Mark Laszlo's cleaner style aspires to have a Silver Age vibe, but falls short. I'm not a fan of Stranger Things, which acts as the backup feature here. I haven't seen Jonathan Case's work (related to Richard Case,perhaps?), but it, too, tries for that Silver Age vibe.
Overall rating: B.
Disney Junior is no longer available on Spectrum Cable, and you'd have to have Disney+ just to access any of their shows. That said, the 2nd annual Spidey & His Amazing Friends entry presents a seemingly reformed Rhino as a supporting character. A character change waaaaaaaaaaaay overdue, in this writer's opinion. Seeing Rhino & Hulk play home run derby is one of the highlights.
Rating: A.
While Marvel has a full line of Star Wars books for teens & up, Dark Horse has Young Jedi Adventures for the elementary school set. An entertaining primer to warm the kiddo's up for the core line as they get older.
I don't recommend Plants vs. Zombies, though.
Overall rating: B--.
Speaking of Star Wars, Marvel's core title continues the company's tradition, dating back to the original series in the 70's & 80's, with the franchise, and the ads are inviting new readers to check out as much of the line as their hearts & wallets desire.
Rating: B.
To close this edition, John Patrick Green's InvestiGators are back with a preview of Class Action, a graphic novel due from First Second Press in September. Delightful fun for the kiddo's. I'm just surprised no one's tried to adapt this into a cartoon for streaming. Yeah, Netflix, I'm looking at you.
Rating: A.
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