Meet Ballpoint!

	{{#if: "You don’t understand! I was gonna write ‘mightier than the sword’ at the end, honest!" \|; "You don’t understand! I was gonna write ‘mightier than the sword’ at the end, honest!"}}}}
	"Meet Ballpoint!" {{#if: \| {{#if: \|; (')}} {{#if:\|; ""}}}}
Publisher	Image Comics; Skybound Comet}}
Published by	}}
Imprint	}}
Published in	}}
First published	July 9, 2025}}
Shipping date	}}
On-sale date	}}
Cover date	}}
Credits	}}
By	}}
Manga	}}
Manga by	}}
Original story	}}
Story & art by	}}
Story and color art	}}
Story	}}
Story by	}}
Story consultants	}}
Story concept	}}
Screenplay by	}}
Screenplay	}}
Adaptation by	}}
Adapted by	}}
Adaptation	}}
Based on	}}
Writer	}}
Writers	}}
Writing	}}
Written by	Brian "Smitty" Smith}}
Written & art	}}
Plotter	}}
Plotters	}}
Plot	}}
Plot by	}}
Plot/Script	}}
Scripter	}}
Scripters	}}
Script	}}
Scripting	}}
Script by	}}
Script and art	}}
Sript [sic] consultant	}}
Translation by	}}
Artist	}}
Comic artist	}}
Artists	}}
Art	}}
Art by	Marz Jr.}}
Additional art by	}}
Flashback art by	}}
Art assistant	}}
Art assist by	}}
Line-art	}}
Line-art by	}}
Line art by	}}
Penciller	}}
Pencillers	}}
Penciler	}}
Pencilers	}}
Pencil art	}}
Pencils	}}
Pencils by	}}
Penciled by	}}
Penciling	}}
Guest penciler	}}
Layouts	}}
Pencil breakdowns	}}
Breakdowns	}}
Breakdowns by	}}
Illustration	}}
Illustrations	}}
Illustrator	}}
Illustrated by	}}
Illustration by	}}
Illustrations by	}}
Finished pencils	}}
Finishes	}}
Finished art	}}
Finishes by	}}
Inker	}}
Guest inker	}}
Inkers	}}
Inks	}}
Inks by	}}
Ink finishes	}}
Ink assist by	}}
Additional inks	}}
Inking	}}
Backgrounds	}}
Backgrounds by	}}
Colorist	}}
Colorists	}}
Colourist	}}
Colourists	}}
Color	}}
Colors	}}
Color art	}}
Colour	}}
Colours	}}
Colored by	}}
Color by	}}
Colors by	Marz Jr.}}
Color art by	}}
Colors assist by	}}
Color assists	}}
Color assistance by	}}
Additional colors	}}
Additional colors by	}}
Color assist by	}}
Colour/Computer FX	}}
Computer coloring/effects	}}
Color Reconstruction	}}
Flats	}}
Flats by	}}
MTMTE Profiles	}}
Letterer	}}
Letterers	}}
Lettering	}}
Letters	}}
Letters by	Marz Jr.}}
Lettered by	}}
Lettering\|Production	}}
To}}	}}
Collaborators	}}
Contributors	}}
Editor	Alex Antone}}
Editors	}}
Editing	}}
Edits by	}}
Compiled and Edited by	}}
Original series editor	}}
Original Edits by	}}
Deputy editor	}}
Assistant editor	}}
s}}	}}
Editorial Assistance; provided by	}}
Senior editor	}}
Associate editor	}}
Story consultant	}}
Project manager	}}
Production by	Richard Mercado}}
Designer	}}
Design by	Andres Juarez}}
Designed by	}}
Design/editorial	}}
Book design by	}}
Collection designer	}}
Collection editor	}}
Collection Edits by	}}
Graphic design	}}
Graphic design by	}}
Collection Design by	}}
/ Layout}}	}}
Contributing editors	}}
s}}	}}
Managing editor	}}
Editor-in-chief\|Editor in chief}}	}}
Editorial consultant	}}
Dinosaur consultant	}}
Publishing manager	}}
Cover	}}
ist}}{{#if: \| by}}	}}
and Elements }}by	}}
Inside cover	}}
Apologies to	}}
Continuity	Generation 1 continuity family}}
Chronology	}}
ISBN	ISBN 1534327991 / ISBN 978-1534327993}}
TPB ISBN	ISBN }}
UPC	}}
Page count	}}
Price	}}
Packaged with	}}
Printed in	}}
Animation	}}
Music	}}

{{#if: Worst Bot Ever - Meet Ballpoint!.jpg | {{#if: Image Comics
Skybound Comet | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: July 9, 2025 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Brian "Smitty" Smith | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Marz Jr. | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Marz Jr. | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Marz Jr. | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Alex Antone | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Richard Mercado | {{#if: | {{#if: Andres Juarez | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Generation 1 continuity family | {{#if: | {{#if: ISBN 1534327991 / ISBN 978-1534327993 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: |

{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

After being kicked out of the Decepticons, Ballpoint decides to win their favor by destroying all the Autobots single-handedly.

Synopsis

Chapter 1

Cybertron. Home of the Transformers. The Autobots and Decepticons have been engaged in war over the planet's Energon reserves for centuries. And the Decepticon war effort is running smoothly thanks entirely to Ballpoint, "The PEN who's mightier than the SWORD!" He's an incredible fighter, spy, tactician, pilot, mechanic, and Megatron's best friend. When the Autobots departed Cybertron aboard the Ark, the Decepticons followed and boarded the vessel, before crash landing on Earth. It was Ballpoint who brought everyone back online, with the other Decepticons singing his praises all along the way...

Ballpoint's story to his best friend, the blender, is interrupted by Starscream, who sneeringly informs Ballpoint and "Smoothie" that not only is none of that true, they didn't even know Ballpoint was aboard the Nemesis when they departed Cybertron. Their discussion is interrupted once more by an announcement over the loudspeaker: Megatron is about to give a briefing. The Decepticons assemble in the throne room, with Starscream taking from Ballpoint the report on the solar farm they're about to raid, warning the diminutive Decepticon that he better not have messed it up. Shockwave rushes past, holding a piece of paper, which Ballpoint interprets as the cyclops wanting an autograph, and happily obliges. Shockwave flicks Ballpoint across the room.

Chapter 2

Megatron demands Shockwave hand over his report on Autobot activity near their target, but finds it illegible due to Ballpoint autographing over it. Starscream seizes the opportunity to suck up to his leader, and proudly inserts the Floppy disk Ballpoint compiled for him. To everyone's horror, it begins playing a homemade music video featuring Ballpoint's sick moves. Megatron declares everyone incompetent, but reveals he anticipated this and gathered all the intel himself. The Decepticons all hitch a ride on Starscream (plus Laserbeak grabs Gnaw) and depart for the solar farm.

Arriving, Ballpoint asks Megatron what his assignment is. Megatron, unsure who Ballpoint is, asks Shockwave if he's capable. The answer is no, so Megatron orders Shockwave to kill him if he gets in the way. Shockwave tells Ballpoint to monitor the energy output and keep a lookout for those pesky Autobots.

As the Decepticons siphon Energon from the solar farm, Ballpoint begins telling his story to the computer display he's been tasked with watching, and gets so engrossed in it that he completely fails to notice the Autobots arriving. The Autobots thoroughly trounce the Decepticons, with Optimus Prime in particular plowing into Megatron as Starscream leaps out of the way. Megatron orders a retreat, at which point our hero finally notices what's going on and joins his brethren in running away.

Chapter 3

Back at Decepticon headquarters, Ballpoint spins a tall tale about how he was busy trouncing bigger and stronger Autobots, and it's really only thanks to him that they got out of there. This time, Starscream calls Ballpoint on his BS in front of everyone; the rank and file are angered to learn exactly what Ballpoint was doing while they were getting their asses kicked. While Starscream is pontificating about how unacceptable it is that Megatron was injured, the Decepticon leader himself enters and dresses down Starscream for his role in one of said injuries. Megatron orders Starscream to fetch him an Energon shake, and the Seeker scrambles away. Megatron then angrily questions why his minions keep failing him. All present unanimously point their fingers at...Ballpoint. Megatron seethes with anger, knocking the Energon shake out of Starscream's hands — and more importantly, Smoothie the blender, whose "death" Ballpoint mourns. Megatron, sick of the tiny bot, banishes him from the Decepticon ranks, having him thrown out to the curb with the rest of the garbage. Ballpoint brainstorms ways to get himself back in Megatron's good graces, and hits upon the idea to destroy all the Autobots by himself. Great plan!

Chapter 4

At the crash site of the Ark, the Autobots celebrate and recuperate from their latest victory. Prime laments the need for violence, Bumblebee gets repairs from Wheeljack, the Lam Bros trash-talk each other, and Jazz tries desperately to get someone to laugh at an epic quip he made during the battle. To get away from Jazz, Prowl runs off to relieve Elita-1 from watch duty. As Prowl settles in, Ballpoint tries to figure out a way to distract him, settling on ordering a whole stack of pizzas. While Prowl argues with the pizza guy, Ballpoint sneaks into the Ark, using his alternate mode to gain access to Wheeljack's office. Ballpoint first decides to try turning the Autobots against each other by leaving a fake note. Wheeljack's just happy someone fixed the printer! Next, he tries to beat up Brawn, but the Minibot doesn't even notice his attacker. After being nonchalantly stepped on by Optimus Prime, Ballpoint realizes this isn't working, and turns to psychological warfare.

Chapter 5

First, Ballpoint sneaks into Sunstreaker and Sideswipe's room and doodles mustaches and the like on their faces. They just think it's hilarious and walk into the halls laughing. Ballpoint decides enough is enough, he's going to take out the leader. He sneaks into Optimus' office and pretends to be a dentist, offering the Prime a cleaning. Prime points out that Cybertronians don't have teeth, and he himself might not even have a mouth. At that, Ballpoint gives up and comes clean, explaining who he is and why he's here. He begs not to be destroyed, only for Optimus to praise him for his bravery and offer him a chance to join them as the Decepticons begin an assault on the Ark.

Chapter 6

As Prime gears up to face Megatron, he passes Ballpoint to Bumblebee and orders them to stop Starscream from destroying the Ark. Ballpoint freaks out, believing the two of them can't possibly stand a chance against the Air Commander. Bumblebee quickly proves his new ally wrong; by grabbing onto Starscream's wing, the seeker loses his stability and begins falling to the ground. Bumblebee jumps off at the last second, but Ballpoint doesn't react in time; bouncing along with Starscream until he's thrown off and lands right between Optimus Prime and Megatron! Megatron stands triumphant over his eternal foe, and sees an opportunity: he orders Ballpoint (calling him "Felt-Tip") to finish off Prime, wanting the irony of Prime falling to the weakest and most worthless Decepticon. Prime nods to Ballpoint, giving him the courage he needs to do the right thing. He clambers up Megatron and squirts ink all over his eyes, enabling Prime to get up and send Megatron careening trough the air. Megatron wearily orders a retreat. As the defeated Decepticons fly off, the Autobots all praise Ballpoint for his contributions, with Prime giving him a brand-new Autobot Insignia.

Optimus suggests Jazz give him a tour; after bonding over Jazz's hilarious battle quips, he spots an old friend: Smoothie! Ecstatic that his best friend survived and is also an Autobot now, he runs over and hugs the Autobot's blender, to the confusion of Jazz and Bumblebee.

Back at the Decepticon base, Megatron paces angrily in front of his troops, unaware that Ballpoint has written "Space Fartts"[sic] on his butt.

Featured Characters

{{#if:*Silverbolt (3)

Optimus Prime (4)
Prowl (6)
Blurr (7)
Ratchet (8)
Mirage (9)
Jazz (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Bumblebee (12)
Brawn (13)
Wheeljack (22)
Sideswipe (23)
Sunstreaker (24)|

{{#if:*Silverbolt (3)

Optimus Prime (4)
Prowl (6)
Blurr (7)
Ratchet (8)
Mirage (9)
Jazz (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Bumblebee (12)
Brawn (13)
Wheeljack (22)
Sideswipe (23)
Sunstreaker (24)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
Silverbolt (3)
Optimus Prime (4)
Prowl (6)
Blurr (7)
Ratchet (8)
Mirage (9)
Jazz (10)
Elita-1 (11)
Bumblebee (12)
Brawn (13)
Wheeljack (22)
Sideswipe (23)
Sunstreaker (24) }}{{#if:*Ballpoint (1)
Starscream (2)
Megatron (5)
Shockwave (14)
Frenzy (15)
Ravage (16)
Rumble (17)
Reflector (18)
Laserbeak (19)
Soundwave (20)
Gnaw (21)|

Autobots }}{{#if:*Ballpoint (1)

Starscream (2)
Megatron (5)
Shockwave (14)
Frenzy (15)
Ravage (16)
Rumble (17)
Reflector (18)
Laserbeak (19)
Soundwave (20)
Gnaw (21)|

Decepticons }}{{#if:|

Humans }}{{#if:*Teletraan 1 (25)

"Smoothie" (26)
Pizza guy (27)|

Others }}{{#if:|

Misc }}{{#if:|

Misc }}

Ballpoint (1)
Starscream (2)
Megatron (5)
Shockwave (14)
Frenzy (15)
Ravage (16)
Rumble (17)
Reflector (18)
Laserbeak (19)
Soundwave (20)
Gnaw (21) }}{{#if:|

}}{{#if:*Teletraan 1 (25)

"Smoothie" (26)
Pizza guy (27)|

Teletraan 1 (25)
"Smoothie" (26)
Pizza guy (27) }}{{#if:|

}}{{#if:|

}}

Quotes

"The pen who's mightier than the sword! I totally coined that phrase, BTW...100% copyright Ballpoint."

—Guess who

"Perhaps you could wear name tags?"

—Even Soundwave has trouble with FIRRIB.

"How can such a miniscule [sic] creature contain so much delusion?"

—Shockwave sums up Ballpoint efficiently.

"Do not return. We will also be changing the wi-fi password."

—Soundwave gives Ballpoint the boot

Bumblebee: Can you check this out for me? I think I sprained my ankle.
Wheeljack: Wish I could help you out, Bee. I'm a mechanic, not a medic. You'll have to wait for Ratchet over there.
Bumblebee: (to himself) Seriously?!? That line will take forever! What if...?
(Transforms to vehicle mode)
Bumblebee: Uh... how about taking a look at my front wheel axle?
Wheeljack: Sure thing!

"I dunno, bro. This was a really specific order. Like, half of these have batteries on them."
"Is that even on the menu?"

—The pizza guy argues with Prowl

"UPTIMAS PRINE STINKS! LOVE BUNDLEBEAN"

—Ballpoint's planted note

"I'm Dr. Point from the dental office of Dr. Point DDS, here to discuss the state of your teeth. It seems you haven't had a cleaning in the past, let me check...several million years."

—Cut Optimus Prime some slack, "Dr. Point", everyone gets behind on appointments sometimes.

"While I can't say I agree with your plan, I'm impressed by the bravery it took to come clean. Everyone deserves a chance to shine, Ballpoint."

—Optimus Prime being Optimus Prime

Notes

A few months before the release of this graphic novel, Skybound Entertainment released the first chapter in a one-shot for Free Comic Book Day.
Backmatter for this issue includes a "How to draw" segment of, naturally, Ballpoint (narrated by stylized Autobot and Decepticon insignias referred to as 'Aurora' and 'Steve', respectively), a model sheet of (most of) the characters appearing in the book, an "About the Authors" section, and a reading guide with some critical thinking questions for the youngins, plus adverts for other graphic novels from Skybound Comet.

Transformers references

Overall, this graphic novel is a loving tribute to the original cartoon, featuring many themes from and nods to it throughout the whole story. It's deliberately goofy and campy and the action scenes are filled with cheesy quips, but more specifically:
- The basic backstory of the Ark's departure, crash, and lengthy slumber period, of course, isn't unique to the cartoon, but was prominently featured in and made famous by it.
- The stock-plot style Decepticon scheme to raid a solar farm to steal energy is typical of a G1 cartoon episode.
- The Decepticons explicitly all having to hitch a ride on Starscream and Laserbeak feels kind of like an anti-reference — in the cartoon, all Decepticons could fly in robot mode, which is evidently not the case here. The specific way this is called out feels very deliberate.
- The Decepticon base is portrayed as a big, honkin' Decepticon insignia, much like their temporary base in the episode "Enter the Nightbird."
- Soundwave generates the Energon cubes from his cassette window.
- Optimus Prime is portrayed less like the stoic demigod he's become in the 21st century and more like the friendly fatherly figure that his original cartoon counterpart was.
- Mirage turns invisible in the same way as the cartoon, creating a glowy cube around himself that makes him disappear.
- The pizza guy is dressed in the same hard hat, tan shirt, and blue pants as Spike and Sparkplug (and practically every other background human) in the cartoon (though the pizza guy does not sport the yellow boots that would complete the outfit).
- Bumblebee tries to sing along to music playing on his headphones; first singing "You got the clutch!" and then later "Dare to be brainless!" He's, of course, listening to "The Touch" and "Dare to Be Stupid", both featured in the movie.
- Optimus Prime's trailer vanishes when he turns to robot mode, and comes out of nowhere when going back to vehicle mode.
Prowl is decked out in his Marvel color scheme, with blue trim instead of his usual black.
In past stories, Laserbeak has been portrayed as both an intelligent, talking bot, and a squawking, feral animal. This comic splits the difference, and makes him into basically a parrot.
The comic makes a tongue-in-cheek reference to FIRRIB, portraying Soundwave as confusing the two! (For the record, the cassettes make it clear that for this continuity, Rumble is the blue one while Frenzy is red.)
Energon is shown to be blue, as it was portrayed in most media of the 2010s.
Elita-1 appears to take design cues from her EarthSpark counterpart.
The talking Decepticon insignia in the “How to draw” segment is named “Steve”.
While maybe not intentional, the self deprecating humour and art style bear a strong resemblance to the Transformers That Didn't Quite Make The Grade episodes of Robo-Capers from the Marvel UK Transformers comic. Specifically those from issues 88, 97 and 114.

Real-world references

"No shake for you!" shouts an indignant Megatron, co-opting the memetic catchphrase of the infamous "[[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}The Soup Nazi|{{#if:Soup Nazi|Soup Nazi|The Soup Nazi}}]]" from [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Seinfeld|{{#if:||Seinfeld}}]].
Fans have often used "LamBros" as an informal term for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe (a pun on their classic Lamborghini alt-modes), but we’re pretty sure this is the first time that term has been used in official fiction, with the brothers having pasted "LAMbros 4EVA" on the door to their quarters.
Brawn reads a workout magazine called "Muscle Bodies" that features G.I. Joe characters Roadblock and Lady Jaye on the front and back covers, respectively. The magazine even says "G.I. Joe" on the corner!

Trivia

Both Autobot and Decepticon headquarters have great big posters hanging up. The Autobot base's posters are largely motivational-type, while the Decepticon base is decorated mainly with Megatron's athletic accolades (looks like he was Cybertron's world champion thumb wrestler, 1986).
The Ancient Autobot on Shockwave's paper (or what's legible of it) seems to be just a bunch of random letters.
Prowl has a mustache.
Despite what Prime says, basically everyone with a mouth is drawn with teeth. You could argue that it's artistic license, but that doesn't hold water for Gnaw.
The character model sheet in the back includes Jetfire and Cliffjumper, neither of whom appear in the story (though Marz. Jr did draw Jetfire for one of the covers of Void Rivals issue 1's second printing), and omits Silverbolt, Blurr, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, all of whom do appear.

Search