Review: Transformers – Regeneration One Vol. 1 / Author: Simon Furman / Artist: Andrew Wildman / Publisher: IDW Publishing / Release Date: January 29th 2013
If you grew up in the ’80s, then there’s a good chance that you’ll have fond memories of The Transformers, a range of toys that changed from one thing to another. The cartoon and comic book series turned these complex playthings into something a bit deeper; it gave character and feeling to lumps of plastic, and brought a whole new level of fun to what was already a great idea.
One of the people who wrote these comic books back in the day was Simon Furman, and this warmly remembered writer is responsible for Transformers: Regeneration One Volume 1, the latest graphic novel in IDW’s range of nostalgia-fuelled comic books. Aimed squarely at children of the ’80s who simply got taller and broader as the years marched past, it shows that Furman hasn’t lost his touch. The Autobots are still just as heroic (and perhaps a little bit rubbish) as always, and the Decepticons are as barking mad as ever.
Ironically considering that this is mainly a book for those who look back fondly on their childhoods, Transformers: Regeneration One Volume 1 has a strong theme of responsibility and a message that one can never return the past. Change has happened to the inhabitants of Cybertron, and things have moved on a fair bit. That said, the core things that make the Transformers fun still remain. Furman hasn’t altered his style; and those who had childhood nightmares about Megatron’s tendency to do horrible things to good people will be pleased to hear that the classic villain hasn’t changed at all, though the world around him has.
In many ways, this is more of the same: the artwork feels like it’s come straight out of the ’80s and the key plots are a throwback to the more ‘classic’ storylines Marvel UK published back in the day. But so be it: this is fast food for the geek soul, rather than anything groundbreaking. Fans looking for something new in the changing robot genre should take a look at Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye instead.
