Transformers: Robots In Disguise (Animated) #1 review

Thanks in part to Cartoon Network; various Hasbro Toys, as well as Rescue Bots our kids know Transformers. Well, they know that they’re aliens that came to Earth and can shift into vehicles for one purpose or another. It’s the mythos, history, vintage action figures and questionable live action films that they have yet to learn. This week they learned about the comic book version of them with Transfomers: Robots In Disguise #1, it’s an all age book that our five-year old couldn’t wait to get his hands on.

Visually, Transformers: Robots in Disguise is different from the other all age comic books that he’s read. The characters are not drawn hyper realistic, but they do have sharp edges and do not have the rounded appearance that action all age characters have.  It’s a slightly older comic look than he’s seen in Ultimate Spider-Man Magazine from Redan and on par with TMNT or Ultimate Spider-Man from Marvel.

It all starts off with a prison ship crash landing on Earth and a gaggle of Decepticons going on the loose. Cue the classic song from Saga and Team ‘Bee is pausing their training drill to chase down some of the big nasties.

All is not peaceful on Team ‘Bee though. Bumblebee is leading a team that hasn’t gelled together, doesn’t trust each other fully yet and is fraught with in-fighting.  Spinhead is on the loose, wrecking things and dividing the team as they try to reign him in. Towards the end of the fight Grimlock comes back in, drives home the Dinophile and seems to lock Spinhead down for the good guys.

It’s here that Bumblebee sees scouts from another ship who were watching the entire ordeal. Was it all a test? Is there a traitor on Team ‘Bee? That’ll be the fun for kids to figure out as they read this. Speaking of reading, the font in the comic seems a little small compared to other comics. It’s just the bifocal middle age reader you say? Judge for yourself, compare it to other comics, or at least these two panels. Kids, what their younger eyes and all, won’t mind the small print size.

Robots In Disguise is printed on really high quality paper. I mentioned this before when I reviewed an IDW Comic, like Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. It’s thicker stock than you’re used to, very glossy and holds up well to the less than discerning hands of a child. Boys or girls will like the comic, but it’s bound to attract more boys just due to the nature of its content.

There is enough action in the comic to keep kids interested and a plot that is perfect for children. It moves forward at a good pace, with content that is appropriate and something that they can relate to with issues about trust, teamwork and accomplishments.