My media history with Transformers did not set me up well for enjoying Transformers comic books. The 90’s Transformers animated TV series always had some cool visualizations but suffered from “Not Batman or X-Men” syndrome. Then came a flurry of Michael Bay / Shia Lebeauf action concussions, and although I’ll stand by early Shia in the first movie, it’s never a good sign when you can only tell one robot apart because he’s yellow.
The more I’ve gotten into comic books, though, the more I realized Transformers is an exciting and varied mythology, that has been handled extremely well by IDW publishing.
Below you’ll find a reading order for Transformers comics published by IDW. As always, if you have suggestions for the order, let me hear about them in the comments and I’ll take a look.
Enjoy the comics!
Updates 6/28/2021: By Peyi Olugbodi
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Transformers Comics Reading Order
The IDW Transformers Collections
While I lay out each storyline in order below, I’ll first note that IDW has several larger, hardcover collections that make the Transformers reading experience much smoother. These tend to be more expensive, but they also look great on a bookshelf and easily collect the below storylines.
I’ll list each hardcover collection prior to the trade paperbacks that contain the same storylines. Just be aware you don’t need to buy both as they overlap in collected comics.
Transformers: Infiltration through Devastation (Phase 1)
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 1
Collects: Megatron Origin #1–4, Spotlight: Blurr, Spotlight: Cliffjumper, Spotlight: Shockwave, Spotlight: Nightbeat, Spotlight: Hotrod, and Infiltration #0–6
The Transformers: Infiltration
IDW’s Transformers comics launch with a number of core mini series, and no actual long-running ongoing single comic. As a result, Phase 1 of the Transformers comic book experience is broken up across mini events like Infiltration, which runs from issues #0 to #6, before Transformers jumps to a new comic book title for the next most relevant series.
The core sequence of events for this period is Infiltration –> Escalation –> Devastation.
The Transformers: Megatron Origin
Chronologically, you can make the case for reading Megatron Origin prior to the Infiltration, as it details flashbacks to Megatron’s rise.
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 2
Collects: Stormbringer and Escalation, as well as Spotlights: Sixshot, Ultra Magnus, Kup, and Soundwave
The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Spotlight Vol. 2
The Transformers: Spotlight Vol. 3
The Transformers Spotlight series consists of a collection of one-shots highlighting individual characters in the Transformers universe.
You can skip this, pretty much without question, but I find it endlessly fascinating that Transformers crossed over with the Brian Michael Bendis New Avengers of Marvel Comics fame. This will be more interesting to those of you following along in the Complete Marvel Reading Order.
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 3
Collects: Devastation, as well as Spotlights: Galvatron, Ramjet, Wheelie, Blaster, Arcee, Grimlock, and Mirage
Revelations (The Transformers: Spotlight)
IDW Transformers After Devastation – All Hail Megatron!
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 4
Collects: Maximun Dinobots and the four-part Drift story, as well as Spotlights: Cyclonus, Hardhead, Doubledealer, Sideswipe, Drift, Metroplex, and Jazz
Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 5
Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 1
Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 2
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron, Vol. 3
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron, Vol. 4
Transformers: New Ongoing Series Launch (2010)
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 6
Collects: Transformers #1 to #6 by Mike Costa and drawn by Don Figueroa, Bumblebee #1 to #4 by Zander Cannon and Chee, Last Stand of the Wreckers by James Roberts and Nick Roche, and Prowl Spotlight
Transformers Vol. 1: For All Mankind
Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 7
Collects: Drift four-issue series, Infestation Volume 1: Transformers #1–2, and Ongoing issues #7–18
Transformers Volume 2: International Incident
Transformers, Vol. 3: Revenge of the Decepticons
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 8
Collects: “Heart of Darkness” and issues #19-31 which starts off with the “Chaos Theory” storyline and leads into the final “Chaos” arc of the ongoing series
Transformers Vol. 4: Heart of Darkness
Transformers, Vol. 5: Chaos Theory
Transformers Phase 2 – More Than Meets The Eye and Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Autocracy Trilogy
The Transformers; Autocracy Trilogy collects the Autocracy, Monstrosity, and Primacy miniseries. These were all published during Phase 2 of IDW’s Transformers comics, and although chronologically they flashback to earlier times, I prefer them at the beginning of the Phase 2 material.
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two Volume 1
Collects: Death of Optimus Prime, More Than Meets The Eye issues #1–5, and Robots in Disguise issues #1–6
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 1
Note that this first collection from James Roberts and Nick Roche also includes the Death of Optimus Prime one-shot.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 1
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two Volume 2
Collects: Autocracy mini-series, Spotlights: Trailcutter and Hoist, Robots In Disguise issues #7–9, More Than Meets the Eye issues #6–8, and Spotlight: Orion Pax
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 2
Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 2
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two Volume 3
Collects: “More Than Meets The Eye” #9–13 and the 2012 Annual, “Robots in Disguise” #9–11 and the 2012 Annual, plus the Thundercracker, Bumblebee, and Megatron Spotlight issues
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 3
Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 3
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two Volume 4
Collects: Monstrosity mini-series, Robots in Disguise #12–18, and More Than Meets the Eye #14–16
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 4
Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 4
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two Volume 5
Collects: Transformers: Primacy, Transformers: Robots in Disguise #19–22, and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #17–22
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 5
Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 5
Dark Cybertron Event Through Revolution
Reading Order: Dark Cybertron #1, More Than Meets the Eye #23, Robots in Disguise #23, More Than Meets the Eye #24, Robots in Disguise #24, More Than Meets the Eye #25, Robots in Disguise #25, More Than Meets the Eye #26, Robots in Disguise #26, More Than Meets the Eye #27, Robots in Disguise #27, Dark Cybertron #2
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 6
Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 6
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 7
Transformers Volume 7: Combiner Wars–First Strike
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 8
Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 9
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 10
Transformers: Till All Are One Volume 1
2016 IDW Expanded Universe
Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol 1
Transformers: Optimus Prime #1-6
John Barber, Alex Milne, Kei Zarma- 4 July 2017
Transformers: Till All Are One Vol 2
Transformers: Till All Are One #5-8
Mairghread Scott, Sara Pitre-Durocher- 1 August 2017
Revolutionaries Vol 1: Crisis Intervention
Revolutionaries #1-4
John Barber, Fico Ossio- 15 August 2017
Transformers: Lost Light Vol 1
Transformers: Lost Light #1-6
James Roberts, Jack Lawrence- 7 November 2017
Revolutionaries Vol 2: Power and Glory
Revolutionaries #5-8
John Barber, Fico Ossio- 14 November 2017
Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol 2
Transformers: Optimus Prime #7-10 and 2017 annual
John Barber, Casey Coller, Livio Ramondelli, Priscilla Tramontano, Kei Zama- 6 February 2018
Transformers/G.I. Joe First Strike
First Strike #0-6
Mairghread Scott, David Rodriguez, Max Dunbar- 20 Feb 2018
Transformers/G.I. Joe First Strike Champions
Rom #1, Transformers #1, Optimus Prime #1, Micronauts #1, G.I. Joe #1, M.A.S.K #1
Mairghread Scott, David Rodriguez- 20 Feb 2018
Transformers: Lost Light Vol 2
Transformers: Lost Light #7-12
James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Priscilla Tramontano- 27 February 2018
Rom vs Transformers: Shining Armour
Rom vs Transformers: Shining Armour #1-5
John Barber, Christos Gage, Alex Milne- 27 March 2018
Transformers: Till All Are One Vol 3
Transformers: Till All Are One #9-12 and 2017 annual
Mairghread Scott, Sara Pitre-Durocher- 11 April 2018
Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol 3
Transformers: Optimus Prime issues #11-14, Optimus Prime: First Strike #1, Transformers: First Strike #1
John Barber, Casey Coller, Priscilla Tramontano, Kei Zama- 19 June 2018
Transformers vs Visionaries #1-5
Magdalene Visaggio, Fico Ossio- 7 August 2018
Transformers: Lost Light Vol 3
Transformers: Lost Light #13-18
James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Brendan Cahill, Alex Milne, Sara Pitre-Durocher – 28 August 2018
Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol 4
Transformers: Optimus Prime #15-21
John Barber, Kei Zarma- 30 October 2018
Transformers: Lost Light Vol 4
Transformers: Lost Light #19-25
James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Brendan Cahill, Casey Coller, E.J. Su- 12 February 2019
Transformers: Optimus Prime Vol 5
Transformers: Optimus Prime #22-25, 2018 Annual
John Barber, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Andrew Griffith, Priscilla Tramontano, Kei Zama- 19 February 2019
Transformers: Unicron #0-6
John Barber, Alex Milne- 16 April 2019
I am loving these although, if the list could be updated; It would be much appreciated. I am a bit lost on what to read next. I have traveled too far down the rabbit hole to stop now.
I have read all the comics in this list here and I’m absolutely loving it, it would be mich appreciated if the list was updated as this is my very first comic book series and would love to read what happens next.
I was just about to leave a message somewhere on here about transformers comics. Specifically the Roberts and barber stuff leading to revolution. More than meets the eye is an amazing series, and has seriously interrupted my civil war 2 reading (I’m way behind now.)
Anyways, if you have never seen the original animated movie, you should. Honestly, while rewatching most of this stuff with my son, tf comes out a lot stronger than batman animated and xmen. Don’t get me wrong, when I was younger I would have disagreed. But the movie ranks up there (animation wise) with Rene laloux IMO. Maybe it’s because jlu and all that seems to overshadow batman animated?
If u are a fan of cosmic operas like annihilation or planet hulk, then starting with “death of Optimus prime” and mtmte and rid are for u
More Than Meets the Eye blew me away. I did not expect to care, and found myself falling in love with these characters and the Transformers mythology. It’s incredible comic book storytelling, although I still have a hard as hell time telling Transformers apart (my biggest knock on the art, although it’s frequently done very well).
I’ll need to check out the animated movie, that’s high praise!
To be fair, it’s not the artist’s fault.. A ton of Transformers are repaints of other Transformers. It’s part of the reason the joke comes up a few times about all the good names being taken.. also why some have stupid forms (like Ambulon, the guy who turns into a leg). It’s just how Transformers are since the entire series was designed around selling toys.. the fact that the stories have been good at times is kind of a shock..
I recently watched Beast Wars (ugg..) and it was funny how many things I was like “this is totally some weird thing they came up with to sell toys” and it was.