Since 2005 IDW Publishing has excelled with their Transformers comics. Using the characters and concepts of the classic Generation 1 canon as a base, these comics take the classic characters and concepts. While there are new ideas throughout, it still stays true to what makes Transformers such as love franchise. I would even argue that they’re far superior to the Michael Bay movies.
However, with multiple series, dozens of one-shots, different timelines, and so many characters, IDW’s Transformers comics can appear to be an impenetrable wall. But it doesn’t have to be!
To help make sense of the world’s most loved robots, I have put together the Transformers Chronological Reading Order Checklist. In it, I’ve put together a reading list in chronological order of events in the Transformers comics. Well, it’s actually two lists. I’ve broken it into single issues and collected editions to give different readers different options.
Table of contents
- Which comics does the reading order include?
- Do I have to read everything?
- What’s the difference between Phase 1, 2, and 3?
- Where can I find these comics?
- PSA: IDW is losing the Transformers license
- Transformers Reading Order (Issues)
- Collected Edition Reading Order
- The IDW Collection
- How About The 2019 Series?
But before we dive into the reading orders, here a few questions answered for clarity.
Which comics does the reading order include?
IDW has done a lot of different types of Transformers comics, but the ones I am focusing on are the ones that are part of the IDW 2005 continuity. So this means comics such as Regeneration One, Transformers Vs G.I Joe, Marvel/Dreamwave reprints or anything that ties into movies/TV shows are not included in this.
Do I have to read everything?
No.
If you don’t want to you don’t have to. I have listed everything for those who are interested in reading everything. For those who don’t want to take the plunge into the entire run then you can start anywhere you see a bold issue. These are intended to be jumping on points.
What’s the difference between Phase 1, 2, and 3?
There are three distinct phases in IDW’s Transformers comics.
- Phase 1 is mostly based on Earth and is concerned with the war between the Autobots and Decepticons.
- Phase 2 is based on Cybertron and focuses on what happens when the war between the Autobots and Decepticons has ended.
- Phase 3 is is a mixture of action Cybertron and Earth. One of it’s distinct features is that it crosses overt with a number of Hasbro properties.
Where can I find these comics?
IDW’s Transformers comics can be found at any good comic book store as well as on Amazon/Kindle, eBay, and Google Play. You can find out more about where you can buy comics in this handy guide.
PSA: IDW no longer has the Transformers license
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter in January 2022, IDW will lose the license to Transformers (as well as G.I. Joe) at the end of 2022. This means there will be no new Transformers comics and collections from the publisher from 2023 onwards from the publisher.
IDW’s Transformers comics/collected editions will start to be hard to come by for those who prefer to read in print as everything goes into an “out of print” status. The back issue bins and eBay will become the go-to place for finding the comics you need.
2023 Update: Image Comics imprint Skybound has picked up the licence for Transformers and G.I. Joe and will being publishing stories in October, 2023, as part of the Energon Universe.
At this moment, there’s no indication if Skybound will reprint any of the IDW material or bring it to digital. I’ll update this section if there is any new news on this.
Transformers Reading Order (Issues)
Below is a reading order for all of the comics for the Transformers 2005 continuity broken down by single issues. This is the best way to read everything if you’re the kind of person who wants to read everything in its entirety.
This is broken up into the different phases (1-3) and then by different parts of those phases to distinguish the crossovers.
Jump to: Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3
Phase 1
This is where it all begins! As I mentioned before, Phase 1 mostly consists of the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth, although there are some stories set in the early days of the conflict on Cybertron.
In the early days, IDW released the Transformers comics in range of miniseries which built up on each other. These were then supplemented by various one-shots which gave the spotlight to a particular character.
Megatron Origin #1
Megatron Origin #2
Megatron Origin #3
Megatron Origin #4
Autocracy/Monstsrosity/Primacy
This trio of miniseries are set millions of years in past at the start of the war and follow after the events of Megatron Origins. These series were originally digital-first and were later released in print.
Spotlight: Orion Pax
Note: Spotlight: Orion Pax is part of the Dark Prelude of the Dark Cybertron crossover. It fits here in the chronological reading order.
Spotlight: Blurr
Autocracy #1
Autocracy #2
Autocracy #3
Autocracy #4
Autocracy #5
Autocracy #6
Autocracy #7
Autocracy #8
Autocracy #9
Autocracy #10
Autocracy #11
Autocracy #12
Spotlight: Wheelie
Monstrosity #1
Note: Monstrosity was originally 12 digital chapters and was then collected into 4 print comics. I have included the print comics in this list.
Monstrosity #2
Monstrosity #3
Monstrosity #4
Primacy #1
Primacy #2
Primacy #3
Primacy #4
Spotlight: Thundercracker
Note: Spotlight: Thundercracker is part of the Dark Prelude of the Dark Cybertron crossover. It fits here in the chronological reading order.
Spotlight: Cliffjumper
Spotlight: Shockwave
Spotlight: Hot Rod
ROM vs Transformers – Shining Armor #1
ROM vs Transformers – Shining Armor #2
ROM vs Transformers – Shining Armor #3
ROM vs Transformers – Shining Armor #4
ROM vs Transformers – Shining Armor #5
Note: ROM vs Transformers was published during Phase 3 of the Transformers comics but fits here chronologically.
Hearts of Steel #1
Hearts of Steel #2
Hearts of Steel #3
Hearts of Steel #4
Infestation 2 #1
Infestation 2 #2
Spotlight: Sixshot
Infiltration #0
Infiltration #1
Infiltration #2
Infiltration #3
Infiltration #4
Infiltration #5
Infiltration #6
Stormbringer #1
Stormbringer #2
Stormbringer #3
Stormbringer #4
Spotlight: Soundwave
Spotlight: Kup
Spotlight: Nightbeat
New Avengers/Transformers #1
New Avengers/Transformers #2
New Avengers/Transformers #3
New Avengers/Transformers #4
Note: This was a collaborative crossover between Marvel and IDW during a time when both the Transformers and New Avengers series were red hot. Due to licensing issues, this one can be hard to come by.
Escalation #1
Spotlight: Ultra Magnus
Escalation #2
Escalation #3
Escalation #4
Escalation #5
Escalation #6
Spotlight: Ramjet
Spotlight: Optimus Prime
Spotlight: Galvatron
Spotlight: Blaster
Spotlight: Arcee
Devastation #1
Devastation #2
Devastation #3
Devastation #4
Devastation #5
Devastation #6
Spotlight: Grimlock
Spotlight: Cyclonus
Spotlight: Hardhead
Spotlight: Doubledealer
Spotlight: Sideswipe
Maximum Dinobots #1
Maximum Dinobots #2
Maximum Dinobots #3
Maximum Dinobots #4
Maximum Dinobots #5
Spotlight: Metroplex
Spotlight: Drift
Spotlight: Jazz
Spotlight: Mirage
Drift #1
Drift #2
Drift #3
Drift #4
All Hail Megatron
All Hail Megatron is set a year after the previously listed comics in which the Megatron and the Decepticons have won the battle on Earth. No Megatron rules the Earth and who is going to stop him?
This is a good jumping on point if you do not want to read the previously listed comics.
All Hail Megatron #1
All Hail Megatron #2
All Hail Megatron #3
All Hail Megatron #4
All Hail Megatron #5
All Hail Megatron #6
All Hail Megatron #7
All Hail Megatron #8
All Hail Megatron #9
All Hail Megatron #10
All Hail Megatron #11
All Hail Megatron #12
All Hail Megatron #13
All Hail Megatron #14
All Hail Megatron #15
All Hail Megatron #16
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Transformers Ongoing
Set three years after the conclusion of All Hail Megatron, this ongoing series (and it’s supplemental miniseries) is another good jumping on point.
The Transformers (2009 series) #1
The Transformers (2009 series) #2
The Transformers (2009 series) #3
The Transformers (2009 series) #4
Bumblebee #1
Bumblebee #2
Bumblebee #3
Bumblebee #4
The Transformers (2009 series) #5
The Transformers (2009 series) #6
Last Stand of the Wreckers #1
Last Stand of the Wreckers #2
Last Stand of the Wreckers #3
Last Stand of the Wreckers #4
Last Stand of the Wreckers #5
Spotlight: Prowl
Infestation #1
Infestation #2
The Transformers (2009 series) #7
The Transformers (2009 series) #8
The Transformers (2009 series) #9
The Transformers (2009 series) #10
The Transformers (2009 series) #11
The Transformers (2009 series) #12
The Transformers (2009 series) #13
Spotlight: Megatron
Note: Spotlight: Megatron is part of the Dark Prelude of the Dark Cybertron crossover. It fits here in the chronological reading order.
The Transformers (2009 series) #14
The Transformers (2009 series) #15
The Transformers (2009 series) #16
The Transformers (2009 series) #17
The Transformers (2009 series) #18
Ironhide #1
Ironhide #2
Ironhide #3
Ironhide #4
The Transformers (2009 series) #19
The Transformers (2009 series) #20
Heart of Darkness #1
Heart of Darkness #2
Heart of Darkness #3
Heart of Darkness #4
The Transformers (2009 series) #21
The Transformers (2009 series) #22
The Transformers (2009 series) #23
The Transformers (2009 series) #24
The Transformers (2009 series) #25
The Transformers (2009 series) #26
The Transformers (2009 series) #27
The Transformers (2009 series) #28
The Transformers (2009 series) #29
Spotlight: Bumblebee
Note: Spotlight: Bumblebee is part of the Dark Prelude of the Dark Cybertron crossover. It fits here in the chronological reading order.
The Transformers (2009 series) #30
The Transformers (2009 series) #31
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Phase 2
We have now entered Phase 2 of the Transformers comics! The war is over and it’s time to return to Cybertron and rebuild society.
More Than Meets The Eye/Robots In Disguise
With the war over the surviving Transformers return to Cybertron to rebuild society, but just because the war is over doesn’t mean that there isn’t any conflict.
This era of Transformers comics kicks off with an introductory one-shot that helps you get up to speed then pushes the story forward. Going forward the Transformers comics are primary broken up into two ongoing series More Than Meets The Eye and Robots In Disguise. The latter focuses on dealing with what is happening on post-war Cybertron. The former focuses on the crew of The Lost Light, who are on a quest to find the mythical Knights of Cybertron.
Chris Sims of Comics Alliance has done fantastic series of write-ups on this era of comics called The Transformed Man. It’s definitely worth the read if you have the time.
Death of Optimus Prime
More Than Meets The Eye #1
More Than Meets The Eye #2
More Than Meets The Eye #3
Robots In Disguise #1
Robots In Disguise #2
Robots In Disguise #3
More Than Meets The Eye #4
More Than Meets The Eye #5
Robots In Disguise #4
Robots In Disguise #5
Spotlight: Trailcutter
Spotlight: Hoist
Note: Spotlight: Trailcutter and Spotlight: Hoist are part of the Dark Prelude of the Dark Cybertron crossover. It fits here in the chronological reading order.
More Than Meets The Eye #6
More Than Meets The Eye Annual 2012
More Than Meets The Eye #7
More Than Meets The Eye #8
Robots In Disguise #6
Robots In Disguise #7
Robots In Disguise #8
Robots In Disguise #9
Robots In Disguise #10
More Than Meets The Eye #9
More Than Meets The Eye #10
More Than Meets The Eye #11
More Than Meets The Eye #12
More Than Meets The Eye #13
Robots In Disguise Annual 2012
Robots In Disguise #11
Robots In Disguise #12
Robots In Disguise #13
Robots In Disguise #14
Robots In Disguise #15
Robots In Disguise #16
More Than Meets The Eye #14
More Than Meets The Eye #15
Robots In Disguise #17
Robots In Disguise #18
Robots In Disguise #19
Robots In Disguise #20
More Than Meets The Eye #16
More Than Meets The Eye #17
More Than Meets The Eye #18
More Than Meets The Eye #19
More Than Meets The Eye #20
More Than Meets The Eye #21
More Than Meets The Eye #22
Robots In Disguise #21
Robots In Disguise #22
Dark Cybertron
The first crossover between More Than Meets The Eye and Robots In Disguise. This comic book event has a specific reading order, which can be found below.
Part 1: Dark Cybertron #1
Part 2: More Than Meets The Eye #23
Part 3: Robots In Disguise #23
Part 4: More Than Meets The Eye #24
Part 5: Robots In Disguise #24
Part 6: More Than Meets The Eye #25
Part 7: Robots In Disguise #25
Part 8: More Than Meets The Eye #26
Part 9: Robots In Disguise #26
Part 10: More Than Meets The Eye #27
Part 11: Robots In Disguise #27
Part 12: Dark Cybertron: Finale
Post Dark Cybertron
Read on to find out what you should read after the Dark Cybertron event.
More Than Meets The Eye #28
More Than Meets The Eye #29
More Than Meets The Eye #30
More Than Meets The Eye #31
More Than Meets The Eye #32
Robots In Disguise #28
Robots In Disguise #29
Robots In Disguise #30
Robots In Disguise #31
Robots In Disguise #32
Windblade (2014 series) #1
Windblade (2014 series) #2
Windblade (2014 series) #3
Windblade (2014 series) #4
More Than Meets The Eye #33
More Than Meets The Eye #34
More Than Meets The Eye #35
More Than Meets The Eye #36
More Than Meets The Eye #37
More Than Meets The Eye #38
Robots In Disguise #33
Robots In Disguise #34
From issue #35 onwards, Robots In Disguise has been renamed The Transformers so the comic does not get confused with a toyline and animated series that was set to be released in 2015.
As there is an earlier comic book series with the same name, I have dubbed this The Transformers (2014 series).
The Transformers (2014 series) #35
The Transformers (2014 series) #36
The Transformers (2014 series) #37
The Transformers (2014 series) #38
More Than Meets The Eye #39
More Than Meets The Eye #40
Drift – Empire of Stone #1
Drift – Empire of Stone #2
Drift – Empire of Stone #3
Drift – Empire of Stone #4
Punishment
The More Than Meets The Eye #41
The More Than Meets The Eye #42
The More Than Meets The Eye #43
The More Than Meets The Eye #44
Combiner Wars
Another Phase 2 crossover which involves Transformers (formally known as Robots In Disguise) and Windblade.
Opening Salvo: The Transformers (2014 series) #39
Part 1: Windblade (2015 series) #1
Part 2: The Transformers (2014 series) #40
Part 13 Windblade (2015 series) #2
Part 4: The Transformers (2014 series) #41
Part 5: Windblade (2015 series) #3
Epilogue: The Transformers (2014 series) #42
Epilogue: Windblade (2015 series) #4
Post Combiner Wars
The Transformers (2014 series) #43
The Transformers (2014 series) #44
Combiner Hunters
Windblade (2015 series) #4
Windblade (2015 series) #5
Windblade (2015 series) #6
Windblade (2015 series) #7
Sins of the Wreckers #1
Sins of the Wreckers #2
Sins of the Wreckers #3
Sins of the Wreckers #4
Sins of the Wreckers #5
More Than Meets The Eye #45
More Than Meets The Eye #46
More Than Meets The Eye #47
More Than Meets The Eye #48
More Than Meets The Eye #49
Transformers #45
Holiday Special
Redemption
The Transformers (2014 series) #45
The Transformers (2014 series) #46
The Transformers (2014 series) #47
The Transformers (2014 series) #48
The Transformers (2014 series) #49
The Transformers (2014 series) #50
Till All Are One #1
Till All Are One #2
Till All Are One #3
Till All Are One #4
The Transformers (2014 series) #51
The Transformers (2014 series) #52
The Transformers (2014 series) #53
The Transformers (2014 series) #54
The Transformers (2014 series) #55
More Than Meets The Eye #50
More Than Meets The Eye #51
More Than Meets The Eye #52
More Than Meets The Eye #53
More Than Meets The Eye #54
More Than Meets The Eye #55
Titans Return
Another Phase 2 crossover, this time between The Transformers (2014 series) and More Than Meets The Eye. Take a look at the reading order below.
Part 1: Titans Return
Part 2: The Transformers (2014 series) #56
Part 3 The Transformers (2014 series) #57
Part 4: More Than Meets The Eye #56
Part 5: More Than Meets The Eye #57
NOTE: Revolution (see below) takes place between these issues.
Part 6: Till All Are One #5
Part 7: Till All Are One #6
Part 8: Till All Are One #7
Part 9: Till All Are One #8
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Phase 3
The final phase of the 2005 continuity sees a whole new slate of Transformers comics and has them interact with other Hasbro properties.
Revolution
Revolution is a comic book crossover which not only involves The Transformers but all of the other Hasbro properties that IDW has. This includes series such as G.I Joe, Micronauts, ROM and others. This story has ramifications for the Transformers comics and will launch new comics in its conclusion.
Read the Revolution Reading Order Checklist.
As Nik has pointed out in the comments, Revolution takes place in the middle Titans Return story. I’ve put it afterwards in this list for a cleaner read.
This is the third and final phase of the IDW’s Transformers comics. As part of this, there’s a greater focus on the Transformers crossing over with other Hasbro properties.
Revolutionaries #1
Revolutionaries #2
Revolutionaries #3
Revolutionaries #4
Revolutionaries #5
Revolutionaries #6
Revolutionaries #7
Revolutionaries #8
Optimus Prime #1
Optimus Prime #2
Optimus Prime #3
Optimus Prime #4
Optimus Prime #5
Optimus Prime #6
Lost Light #1
Lost Light #2
Lost Light #3
Lost Light #4
Lost Light #5
Lost Light #6
Optimus Prime #7
Optimus Prime #8
Transformers Annual 2017
Optimus Prime #9
Optimus Prime #10
Spotlight: Salvation
Til All Are One #9
Til All Are One #10
Til All Are One #11
Til All Are One #12
Til All Are One Annual 2017
Lost Light #7
Lost Light #8
Lost Light #9
Lost Light #10
Lost Light #11
Lost Light #12
First Strike
Similar to Revolution, First Strike is a Hasbro crossover which involved The Transformers, G.I. Joe and other Hasbro characters.
Hasbro: First Strike Reading Order
After First Strike
Optimus Prime #11
Optimus Prime #12
Optimus Prime #13
Optimus Prime #14
Lost Light #13
Lost Light #14
Optimus Prime Annual 2018
Transformers vs Visionaries #1
Transformers vs Visionaries #2
Transformers vs Visionaries #3
Transformers vs Visionaries #4
Transformers vs Visionaries #5
Requiem of the Wreckers
Optimus Prime #15
Optimus Prime #16
Optimus Prime #17
Optimus Prime #18
Optimus Prime #19
Optimus Prime #20
Lost Light #15
Lost Light #16
Lost Light #17
Lost Light #18
Optimus Prime #21
Lost Light #19
Lost Light #20
Lost Light #21
Lost Light #22
Lost Light #23
Lost Light #24
Transformers: Unicron
This is the final saga of IDW’s Transformers until they do something new with it. The series ends everything, while Optimus Prime and Lost Light wrap up all the threads that have been running in those series.
Optimus Prime #22
Transformers Unicron #0
Transformers Unicron #1
Transformers Unicron #2
Transformers Unicron #4
Transformers Unicron #3
Optimus Prime #23
Optimus Prime #24
Transformers Unicron #5
Transformers Unicron #6
Optimus Prime #25
Lost Light #25
Collected Edition Reading Order
I’ve put together a reading order for those who prefer to read the collected editions. Below is a list of all the collected editions you’ll need to read if you want to read all of the Transformers comics. I’ve listed the most common collection but have notes for alternative collections where possible.
Jump to: Phase 1 Collections | Phase 2 Collections | Phase 3 Collections
Phase 1 collected editions
Take a look below at all of the trade paperbacks as part of Phase 1 of the Transformers comics.
The Transformers: Megatron Origin
Collects: Megatron Origin #1-4
The Transformers: Autocracy
Collects: Autocracy #1-12
Note: The Transformers: Autocracy was also reissued in a smaller format under the name The Transformers: Rise of the Autobots.
The Transformers: Monstrosity
Collects: Monstrosity #1-4
The Transformers: Primacy
Collects: Primacy #1-4
Note: Autocracy, Monstrosity, and Primacy are also collected together in The Transformers: Autocracy Trilogy.
The Transformers: Autocracy Trilogy
Collects: Autocracy #1-12, Monstrosity #1-4, and Primacy #1-4.
The Transformers: Spotlight Volume 1
Collects: Spotlight: Shockwave, Spotlight: Nightbeat, Spotlight: Hot Rod, Spotlight: Sixshot, and Spotlight: Ultra Magnus
Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
Collects: Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #1-5
The Transformers: Hearts of Steel
Collects: Hearts of Steel #1-4
Infestation 2
Collects: Infestation 2 #1-2, Infestation 2: Transformers, Infestation 2: Dungeons and Dragons, Infestation 2: Team Up, Infestation 2: TMNT, Infestation 2: G.I. Joe, and Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night
The Transformers: Infiltration
Collects: Infiltration #0-6
The Transformers: Stormbringer
Collects: Stormbringer #1-4
The Transformers: Spotlight Volume 2
Collects: Spotlight: Soundwave, Spotlight: Kup, Spotlight: Galvatron, Spotlight: Optimus Prime, and Spotlight: Ramjet
New Avengers/Transformers
Collects: New Avengers/Transformers #1-4
The Transformers: Escalation
Collects: Escalation #1-6
The Transformers: Spotlight Volume 3
Collects: Spotlight: Blaster, Spotlight: Arcee, Spotlight: Mirage, Spotlight: Grimlock, and Spotlight: Wheelie
The Transformers: Devastation
Collects: Devastation #1-6
Note: Infiltration, Escalation, and Devastation have also been collected together as part of the Transformers Phase One Omnibus.
Transformers Phase One Omnibus
Collects: Escalation #0-6, Escalation #1-6, and Devastation #1-6
The Transformers Spotlight: Revelation
Collects: Spotlight: Cyclonus, Spotlight: Hardhead, Spotlight: Doubledealer, and Spotlight: Sideswipe
The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
Collects: Maximum Dinobots #1-5
The Transformers: Drift
Collects: Drift #1-4
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 1
Collects: All Hail Megatron #1-6
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 2
Collects: All Hail Megatron #7-12
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 3
Collects: Spotlight: Blurr, Spotlight: Jazz, Spotlight: Drift, Spotlight: Cliffjumper, and Spotlight: Metroplex
The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 4
Collects: All Hail Megatron #13-16
Note: The entire All Hail Megatron was available in a single hardcover called The Complete All Hail Megatron.
The Complete All Hail Megatron
Collects: All Hail Megatron #1-16, Spotlight: Blurr, Spotlight: Jazz, Spotlight: Drift, Spotlight: Cliffjumper, and Spotlight: Metroplex
The Transformers Volume 1: For All Mankind
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #1-6
The Transformers: Bumblebee
Collects: Bumblebee #1-4
The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
Collects: The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1-5 and prose stories
Infestation Volume 1
Collects: Infestation #1, The Transformers: Infestation #1-2, and G.I. Joe: Infestation #1-2
OPTIONAL: Read Infestation Volume 2 if you want to know how it ends.
Infestation Volume 2
Collects: Infestation #2, Star Trek: Infestation, and Ghostbusters: Infestation
The Transformers Volume 2: International Incident
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #7-12
The Transformers Volume 3: Revenge of the Decepticons
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #13-18
The Transformers: Ironhide
Collects: Ironhide #1-4
The Transformers Volume 4: Heart of Darkness
Collects: Heart of Darkness #1-4
The Transformers Volume 5: Chaos Theory
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #19-23
The Transformers Volume 6: Police Action
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #25, 27, 29, and Spotlight: Prowl
The Transformers Volume 7: Chaos
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #24, 26,, 28, 30-31
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Phase 2 collected editions
Take a look below at all of the trade paperbacks as part of Phase 2 of the Transformers comics.
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 1
Collects: The Death of Optimus Prime, and More Than Meets The Eye #1-3
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 1
Collects: Robots In Disguise #1-5
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 2
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #4-8
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 2
Collects: Robots In Disguise #6-9
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 3
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #9-11 and Annual 2012
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 3
Collects: Robots In Disguise #10-11 and Annual 2012
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 4
Collects: Robots In Disguise #12-16
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 4
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #12-16
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 5
Collects: Robots In Disguise #17-22
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 5
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #17-22
The Transformers: Dark Prelude
Collects: Spotlight: Orion Pax, Spotlight: Thundercracker. Spotlight: Megatron, Spotlight: Bumblebee, Spotlight: Trailcutter, and Spotlight: Hoist
The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1
Collects: Dark Cybertron #1, More Than Meets The Eye #23-25, and Robots In Disguise #23-24
The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 2
Collects: Robots In Disguise #25-27, More Than Meets The Eye #26-27, and Dark Cybertron: Finale
Note: Dark Cybertron has been collected all together in a single hardcover.
The Transformers: Dark Cybertron
Collects: Dark Cybertron issue #1, More Than Meets The Eye #23-27, Robots In Disguise #23-27, and Dark Cybertron: Finale
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 6
Collects: Robots In Disguise #28-32
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 6
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye#28-33
The Transformers: Windblade
Collects: Windblade (2014 series) #1-4
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 7
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #34-38
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike
Collects: Robots In Disguise #33-34, The Transformers (2014 series) #35-38
The Transformers: Drift – Empire of Stone
Collects: Drift – Empire of Stone #1-4
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 8
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #39-44
The Transformers: Combiner Wars
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #39-41 and Windblade (2015 series) #1-3
The Transformers Volume 8
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #42-45
Windblade: Distant Stars
Collects: Windblade (2015 series) #4-7
The Transformers: Sins of the Wrecker
Collects: Sins of the Wrecker #1-5
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 9
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #45-49
The Transformers Volume 9
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #46-49
The Transformers: Till All Are One Volume 1
Collects: Till All Are One #1-4
The Transformers Volume 10
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #50-55
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 10
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #50-55
The Transformers: Titans Return
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #56-57, Titans Return one-shot, and More Than Meets The Eye #56-57
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Phase 3 collected editions
Take a look below at all of the trade paperbacks as part of Phase 3 of the Transformers comics.
Revolution
Collects: Revolution #0-5
Revolution: Transformers
Collects: Revolution: Till All Are One, Revolution: The Transformers, Revolution: More Than Meets The Eye, and The Transformers Holiday Special
The Transformers: Till All Are One Volume 2
Collects: Till All Are One #5-8
Revolutionaries Volume 1: Crisis Intervention
Collects: Revolutionaries #1-4
Revolutionaries Volume 2: Power and Glory
Collects: Revolutionaries #5-8
Transformers: Optimus Prime Volume 1
Collects: Optimus Prime #1-6
Transformers: Lost Light Volume 1
Collects: Lost Light #1-6
Transformers: Optimus Prime Volume 2
Collects: Optimus Prime #7-10 and Transformers Annual 2017
The Transformers: Till All Are One Volume 3
Collects: Till All Are One #9-12 and annual 2017
Transformers: Lost Light Volume 2
Collects: Lost Light #7-12
First Strike
Collects: First Strike #0-6
First Strike: Champions
Collects: Micronauts: First Strike, Optimus Prime: First Strike, G.I. Joe: First Strike, Rom: First Strike, Transformers: First Strike, M.A.S.K.: First Strike.
Transformers: Optimus Prime Volume 3
Collects: Optimus Prime #11-14
Transformers: Lost Light Volume 3
Collects: Lost Light #13-18
Transformers vs Visionaries
Collects: Transformers vs Visionaries #1-5
Note: Requiem of the Wreckers approximately fits here in the Transformers reading order. However, there isn’t a dedicated trade paperback for the one-shot. Instead it is available with the Wreckers limited series as Transformers: The Wreckers Saga.
Transformers: The Wreckers Saga
Collects: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1-5, Sins of the Wreckers #1-5, and Requiem of the Wreckers
Transformers: Optimus Prime Volume 4
Collects: Optimus Prime #15-21
Transformers: Optimus Prime Volume 5
Collects: Optimus Prime #22-25
Transformers Unicron
Collects: Unicron #0-6
Transformers: Lost Light Volume 4
Collects: Lost Light #19-25
The IDW Collection
Trying to track down all of the above collected editions is not an easy task! Luckily IDW has also collected their Transformers comics in nice hardcover editions known as The IDW Collection. These are collected in roughly chronological order (some may disagree with some of the placements of the comics) and are an easy way to read everything in a collected format. Again, these are grouped into the different phases.
Phase 1
These hardcovers collect all of the Transformers comics up to the end of the 2009 ongoing series.
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 1
Collects: Megatron Origin #1-4, Spotlight: Blurr, Spotlight: Cliffjumper, Spotlight: Shockwave, Spotlight: Nightbeat, Spotlight: Hot Rod, Spotlight: Soundwave, and Infiltration #0–6
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 2
Collects: Stormbringer #1-4, Escalation #1-6, Spotlight: Sixshot, Spotlight: Ramjet, Spotlight: Ultra Magnus, Spotlight: Kup, Spotlight: Mirage, and Spotlight: Optimus Prime
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 3
Collects: Spotlight: Galvatron, Spotlight: Blaster, Spotlight: Arcee, New Avengers/Transformers #1-4, Devastation #1-6, Spotlight: Grimlock, and Spotlight: Wheelie
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 4
Collects: Spotlight: Cyclonus, Spotlight: Hardhead, Spotlight: Doubledealer, Spotlight: Sideswipe, Maximum Dinobots #1-5, Drift #1-4, Spotlight: Drift, Spotlight: Metroplex, and Spotlight: Jazz
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 5
Collects: All Hail Megatron #1-16
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 6
Collects: The Transformers (2009 series) #1-6, Bumblebee #1-4, Last Stand of the Wreckers #1-5, and Spotlight: Prowl
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 7
Collects: The Transformers: Infestation #1-2, The Transformers (2009 series) #7-18, and Ironhide #1-4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 8
Collects: Heart of Darkness #1-4, and The Transformers (2009 series) #19-31
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Phase 2
These hardcovers collect all of the Transformers comics from The Death of Optimus Prime to the Titans Return crossover.
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 1
Collects: The Death of Optimus Prime, More Than Meets The Eye #1-5, and Robots In Disguise #1-6
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 2
Collects: Autocracy #1-12, Spotlight: Trailcutter, Spotlight: Hoist, Robots In Disguise #7-9, More Than Meets The Eye #6-9, and Spotlight: Orion Pax
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 3
Collects: Spotlight: Thundercracker, Spotlight: Bumblebee, More Than Meets The Eye Annual 2012, Robots In Disguise Annual 2012, More Than Meets The Eye #9-13, Robots In Disguise #10-11, and Spotlight: Megatron
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 4
Collects: Monstrosity #1-12, Robots In Disguise #12-18, and More Than Meets The Eye #14-16
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 5
Collects: Primacy #1-4, Robots In Disguise #19-22, and More Than Meets The Eye #17-22
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 6
Collects: Dark Cybertron #1, More Than Meets The Eye #23-27, Robots In Disguise #23-27, Dark Cybertron Finale, and Windblade (2014 series) #1-4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 7
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #28-34 and Robots In Disguise #28-34
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 8
Collects: More Than Meets The Eye #35-40, The Transformers (2014 series) #35-38, Punishment one-shot, and Drift – Empire of Stone #1-4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 9
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #39-43, Windblade (2015 series) #1-5, and More Than Meets The Eye #41-44
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 10
Collects: Windblade (2015 series) #6-7, The Transformers (2014 series) #44-45, Combiner Hunters, Sins of the Wreckers #1-5, More Than Meets The Eye #45-49, and material from The Transformers Holiday Special
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 11
Collects: Material from The Transformers Holiday Special, Redemption, The Transformers (2014 series) #46-50, and More Than Meets The Eye #50-55
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 12
Collects: The Transformers (2014 series) #51-57, Till All Are One #1-4, Titans Return, and More Than Meets The Eye #56-57
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Phase 3
These hardcovers collect Transformers comics from Revolution onwards.
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 3 Volume 1
Collects: Revolution #0-5, The Transformers: Till All Are One: Revolution, The Transformers: Revolution, Action Man: Revolution, The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye: Revolution, The Transformers: Till All Are One #5-8, and Revolutionaries #1-4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 3 Volume 2
Collects: The Transformers: Till All Are One #9-12, Optimus Prime #1-6, and The Transformers: Lost Light #1-7
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 3 Volume 3
Collects: Revolutionaries #5-8, The Transformers: Lost Light #8-12, Optimus Prime #7-10, Transformers Annual 2017, and The Transformers: Salvation
Note: IDW Publishing is still rolling out volumes of Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 3.
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How About The 2019 Series?
In March 2019, IDW and Hasbro rebooted the Transformers comic book continuity. So far, it has been an enjoyable comics which is a good place to jump on if you look at the above and decide it’s too messy for you.
Because that series is part of a new continuity, I haven’t included it in this reading order. I suspect there will be a need for a reading order for that continuity in the future, but at the moment it’s pretty clean.
Have Your Say On The Transformers Comics!
Have you read any of the Transformers comics? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
Hi, first and foremost, I would like to say thank you to the author of this article. I have recently been trying to get into some Transformer comics with zero knowledge on comics and little knowledge on transformers. This article is such a useful tool for people like myself.
Thank you very much!