Words and story by Joseph England

Part 1 Art/Letters/Part 3 colour assist/layout by Jim Stafford

Part 2 art Ashley Hivick

Part 3 art by Nate Phoenix

Part 4 art/part 3 colour/ink assist by Gavin Spence

Part 2-4 letters by Andrew Turnbull

Cover by David Cousens

Under attack from the Predators, Thunderclash, leader of the Turbomasters, does what he does best: heroism. But this heroism leaves him trapped on Earth, in a very surprising new shape and with some even more surprising new allies.

Some of the biggest talents in Transformers fandom have combined here to produce something truly special. Produced to help raise funds for Toy-Fu, Thunderclash Goes Bananas does the same level of impossible heroism as its lead. England’s script smartly takes the relentless heroism of its lead and places it against the brutal pragmatism of an ape colony and the performative brutality of his foes. It’s smart stuff, fast paced and grounded, the story gives the distinctly knightly Thunderclash some people to defend and some lessons to learn. England cleverly wraps the dynamics of the Silverback family around Thunderclash’s complex relationship with his not-quite boyfriend and definite second in command Boss (Transformers names are a whole thing). It’s kind and fragile and honest and fans of the More Than Meets The Eye/Lost Light series will find this to be a familiar tune played very well.

The art is a joy too. Ashley Hivick and Nate Phoenix especially do lovely, rounded and kinetic work that emphasizes how expressive the characters are at the same time as staying true to their designs. Its a tough line to hit but they and the other artists do throughout.

Verdict: Thunderclash Goes Bananas is the best £5 you’ll spend on comics this week. It’s fun and sweet, it’s for a good cause and it features one of the autobots’ best in one of his finest, and most simian, hours. 9/10

Alasdair Stuart

https://ko-fi.com/thunderclashgoesbananas/shop