Since 2005 IDW Publishing has excelled with their Transformers comics. Using the concepts the classic Generation 1 canon as their base, IDW took the classic characters and concepts and made it their own while still staying true to what makes Transformers so good. I would even argue that they’re far superior to the Michael Bay movies.
But with multiple series, dozens of one-shots, different timelines and so many transformable 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, actually it’s two lists. I’ve broken it up by the single issues and then by collected editions for those who prefer reading in that format.
But before we dive into the lists, 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 Generation 1 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 Is The Difference Between Phase 1 and 2?
There are two 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.
Where Can I Find These Comics?
Transformers comics can be found at any good comic book store as well as on Comixology, eBay, and Google Play. You can find out more about where you can buy comics in this handy guide.
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 Notes
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
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
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
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
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
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 #1
The Transformers #2
The Transformers #3
The Transformers #4
Bumblebee #1
Bumblebee #2
Bumblebee #3
Bumblebee #4
The Transformers #5
The Transformers #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 #7
The Transformers #8
The Transformers #9
The Transformers #10
The Transformers #11
The Transformers #12
The Transformers #13
Megatron: Spotlight
The Transformers #14
The Transformers #15
The Transformers #16
The Transformers #17
The Transformers #18
Ironhide #1
Ironhide #2
Ironhide #3
Ironhide #4
The Transformers #19
The Transformers #20
Heart of Darkness #1
Heart of Darkness #2
Heart of Darkness #3
Heart of Darkness #4
The Transformers #21
The Transformers #22
The Transformers #23
The Transformers #24
The Transformers #25
The Transformers #26
The Transformers #27
The Transformers #28
The Transformers #29
Spotlight: Bumblebee
The Transformers #30
The Transformers #31
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
More Than Meets the Eye #6
More Than Meets the Eye Annual
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
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.
Dark Cybertron #1 – Part 1
More Than Meets the Eye #23 – Part 2
Robots in Disguise #23 – Part 3
More Than Meets the Eye #24 – Part 4
Robots in Disguise #24 – Part 5
More Than Meets the Eye #25 – Part 6
Robots in Disguise #25 – Part 7
More Than Meets the Eye #26 – Part 8
Robots in Disguise #26 – Part 9
More Than Meets the Eye #27 – Part 10
Robots in Disguise #27 – Part 11
Dark Cybertron Finale – Part 12
Post Dark Cybertron
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 #1
Windblade #2
Windblade #3
Windblade #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
Transformers #35 (NOTE: Formally known as Robots in Disguise)
Transformers #36
Transformers #37
Transformers #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
More Than Meets the Eye #41
More Than Meets the Eye #42
More Than Meets the Eye #43
More Than Meets the Eye #44
Combiner Wars
Another Phase 2 crossover which involves Transformers (formally known as Robots In Disguise) and Windblade.
The Transformers #39 – Opening Salvo
Windblade (volume 2) #1 – Part 1
The Transformers #40 – Part 2
Windblade (volume 2) #2 – Part 3
The Transformers #41 – Part 4
Windblade (volume 2) #3 – Part 5
Transformers #42 – Epilogue
Windblade (volume 2) #4 – Epilogue
Post Combiner Wars
Transformers #43
Transformers #44
Combiner Hunters
Windblade (volume 2) #4
Windblade (volume 2) #5
Windblade (volume 2) #6
Windblade (volume 2) #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
Transformers #45
Transformers #46
Transformers #47
Transformers #48
Transformers #49
Transformers #50
Till All Are One #1
Till All Are One #2
Till All Are One #3
Till All Are One #4
Transformers #51
Transformers #52
Transformers #53
Transformers #54
Transformers #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
Titans Return – Part 1
The Transformers #56 – Part 2
The Transformers #57 – Part 3
More Than Meets the Eye #56 – Part 4
More Than Meets the Eye #57 – Part 5
NOTE: Revolution (see below) takes place between these issues.
Till All Are One #5 – Part 6
Till All Are One #6 – Part 7
Till All Are One #7 – Part 8
Till All Are One #8 – Part 9
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.
Post Revolution
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
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
Til All Are One Annual
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
Lost Light #19
Lost Light #20
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.
Transformers Unicron #0
Transformers Unicron #1
Optimus Prime #21
Lost Light #21
Transformers Unicron #2
Optimus Prime #22
Lost Light #22
Transformers Unicron #3
Optimus Prime #23
Lost Light #23
Transformers Unicron #4
Optimus Prime #24
Lost Light #24
Transformers Unicron #5
Transformers Unicron #6
Optimus Prime #25
Lost Light #25
Collected Editions
If you prefer reading your comics in collected editions then I’ve put together a reading order for you too! The way this has been put together is by putting together with the fewest in print collections available.
Phase 1 Collected Editions
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 1
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 2
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 3
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 5
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 6
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 7
Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 8
The Transformers: The IDW Collection Compendium Volume 1 also exists which covers roughly the same comics as Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume 1-2.
If you want a more affordable collection, which collections a big batch of comics then the Transformers Phase One Omnibus will give you a good taste of these comics.
Phase 2 Collected Editions
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 1
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 2
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 3
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 4
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 5
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 6
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 7
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 8
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 9
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 10
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 11
Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2 Volume 12
Till All Are One Volume 2
Hasbro: Revolution
Revolutionaries Volume 1
Revolutionaries Volume 2
Optimus Prime Volume 1
Optimus Prime Volume 2
Lost Light Volume 1
Till All Are One Volume 3
Lost Light Volume 2
Hasbro: First Strike
Optimus Prime Volume 3
Lost Light Volume 3
Transformers vs Visionaries
Optimus Prime Volume 4
Lost Light Volume 4
Transformers: Unicron
Optimus Prime Volume 5
Lost Light Volume 5
Note: IDW Publishing is still rolling out volumes of Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase 2. These will replace smaller collections when they become available.
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.
Just a small observation, I believe the order for the final Unicron Saga is a little off, since Unicron #0 happens between pages 13-14 of Optimus Prime #22, and Unicron #1 happens right after it. The Unicron issues should start being read after Optimus Prime #22 I think, not before it. This is because the context for those Unicron issues are established in Optimus Prime #21 and #22, such as why Bumblebee is alive again (#21) and Optimus’ plan with Caminus that’s established in #22. Other than that, great list! This got me through the quite convoluted continuity.
Sorry! I realize that wasn’t very specific – I’m looking to just get The Transformers issues 39-42, but there doesn’t seem to be a volume anywhere with just those that I can find.
Hello,
I have the volume Windblade: The Last City, but according to the list it’s missing several parts of the Combiner Wars series. I would rather not buy the Combiner Wars books, since they also contain the Windblade Series. Do you know if there’s a way to just get the Combiner Wars issues? Thank you!
Hi there, thx for the list is completely identical to mine, im reading the serie, im really disappointed about the gender matter introduced in TF, i understand that the brand should have had a twist, too much childish the manga storyline, but the last arcs about the lost light is the straw that broke the camel’s back… in my opinion, even the odyssey about Megatron, the feelings about Ravage… and i think that’s the reason cuz they rebooted everything, hoping the new story won’t be ruined… if you happen to post the new chronological order, due to the many series they won’t to introduce, even these series will be mini-serie, A BIG THANKS!
Can I just say this list is brilliant! I am a massive fan of transformers, always have been, always will be but I have never before come across just a simple “this is the order, now READ” kind of website but that is exactly what this is! Thank you sooo much!
Doesn’t Stormbringer take place between Infiltration #5 and #6? At the end of Stormbringer, Optimus is told he has a message from the Autobots on earth, and then he goes there. At the end of Infiltration #6 Optimus is on Earth. I think it should be changed to Infiltration #1-5, Stormbringer #1-4, then Infiltration #6.
Thank you so much for this list, I’ve been going through start to finish and am blown away by how much I’ve been missing. This made it easy to know where to start and what to read when! Thank you!
I’ve been collecting up the comics sporadically for awhile (buying binges on sale) and kept accidentally getting some completely out of order. Thank you for this list, I’ve put the comics I have in order but there are a few that aren’t in the list.
If you still read this, I have a comic collected miniseries called “Police Action” but the book is Chaos. I think these might come in the issues after Heart of Darkness near the end of Phase 1? The collected mini-books are really bad about telling what issues they were originally.
Also does Regeneration One fit anywhere in these timelines?
Hi and thanks for this list. There is also the ongoing series Transformers (2019). Because I haven’t read it yet I’m not sure where is its place
Thank you for this comprehensive list! I started reading series in order and then I managed to get the IDW Phase 1 and Phase 2 collections, all 8 volumes in each, and I just started reading it that way. Even though I’m a seasoned comic guy of 43 years it was quite overwhelming to get into TF comics from IDW in early 2019 when they have been doing this property since the early 2000’s. They have done so many series and one shots, yet they all connect either directly or chronologically. I hate reading series out of order so getting all that I could only to find out I missed a series here and there, very frustrating. Once again, thank you for this list and for also having more information about these comics, like why this and why that, instead of just the issue #’s in order. Very helpful!
I feel like the reading order in the Unicron section is wrong.
Optimus Prime #21 seems to precede Unicron #0 and #1, and maybe Optimus Prime #22 and Lost Light #1 and #2 do as well.
What about All Hail Optimus?
All Hail Optimus is a story that runs through Transformers #50-55.
Hello! Where does Bumblebee Go For The Gold fit into this? Is it even canon?
It’s not part of the IDW canon and ties in with the Bumblebee: Win If You Dare graphic novel released in September 2018.
Where does Starscream: The Movie fit into this timeline? It is an IDW publication that covers a lot of important backstory.
Isn’t Autocracy only a TPB/HC? Why do you have it listed as 12 issues?
Hey Derrick, good question. It was originally released digitally as 12 issues before being collected.
Minor errors:
-Blurr starts before and ends just after Orion Pax
-Nightbeat happens just before Escalation
-Ultra Magnus coincides with Escalation #1 (though the flashbacks are to right after Soundwave)
-Sixshot takes place sometime before Infiltration
-Kup follows indirectly from Stormbringer
-ROM Annual and ROM vs TF occur in the 19th century, a few decades before Hearts of Steel
-New Avengers/Transformers occurs before or during Escalation, not after
-Mirage takes place during the timeskip between Maximum Dinobots and AHM
-Wheelie begins between Autocracy and Monstrosity (but time-travel so eh)
– Drift is set “centuries ago” according to Empire of Stone (but ends during the timeskip between AHM and TF’09)
-The flashback in Jazz is set between Shockwave and Cliffjumper (though the frame is right before AHM)
-Combiner Hunters takes place around the same time as TF’14 #44
-Till All Are One #1-4 take place during/before TF’14 #51
-Revolutionaries and the other Reconstruction series take place entirely before Optimus Prime #1
Source: TFWiki IDW Timeline
Thanks for the updates. I have made the changes to the list.
Could you please include the list of the smaller collected works?
Escalation, then devastation etc?