The Transformers Classics

This article is about the later IDW reprint series. For earlier IDW reprint series, see Classic Transformers. For a list of other meanings, see Classics (disambiguation).

The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1

Beginning in 2011, IDW Publishing began a second reprinting of the Generation 1 Marvel Comics in full-color trade paperback omnibuses a year after completing their previous Classic Transformers reprint series. The difference this time being that these volumes contain all the omitted issues that were excluded from the previous release due to those issues featuring copyrighted characters such as Spider-Man or Circuit Breaker. The digital version of volume 1 sold at ComiXology did not feature the issues featuring these characters, but all other volumes released digitally have featured Circuit Breaker's issues. Due to the restoration of the missing issues, however, this results in these volumes being released in a smaller format with fewer chapters than before. In addition, the previous listed price of $19.99 of the Classic Transformers volumes has been upped to $24.99. On the plus side (depending on who you ask), these volumes have been freshly remastered and recolored. Mark W. Bellomo provides editorial content, and Guido Guidi provides new cover art.

	The Transformers Classics volumes:
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8

Restoration

The original comics featured in these volumes featured the four-color printing common to Marvel comics at the time, which used ben-day dots to create layers of color. This dotted look has been replicated in most previous reprints of these comics, including the original Transformers UK reprints, the Titan reprint volumes and all of IDW's previous reprints. For these new reprints the comics were recolored with modern digital techniques which allow them to take advantage of modern printing techniques which produce smooth colors. The new colorations were based on the original color layouts done by Nel Yomtov. (Or more accurately they're based on the original colour separations done by some anonymous old lady who didn't give a rat's head about the final product, but sure, let's blame Yomtov.)

Criticisms

left: original coloring
right: now in colors not seen used anywhere else in this book

From top to bottom: Good quality UK reprint, bad quality original US printing, horrible IDW "remaster" based on the US printing.

Considering the original Marvel prints featured huge numbers of coloring errors, printing errors and look very dated, updating the colors is a welcome, well overdue addition. The problem is that the final result leaves a lot to be desired. The new colours are inconsistent, often muddy, and in many cases add new errors where there weren't any before. Some of the problems with the new restored versions include:

• "Correction" of characters' original color schemes, including rendering Soundwave in blue instead of purple, or rendering Wheeljack with black instead of blue, etc. (Fortunately some comic original schemes like Megatron's black helmet, or Ratchet's red helmet, were left untouched.)
• Inconsistent application of new colors -- Soundwave is blue now on MOST pages, except where they forgot and left him purple.
• Introduction of new errors -- sometimes things that were colored correctly originally have been miscolored for the new editions.
• Failed attempts at correcting errors -- some attempts at correcting errors in the original coloring haven't succeeded because of problems with the original linework. Some attempts were just inept. In particular, insisting on using scans of the original US printings as a basis for the remasters, rather than the better quality UK reprints.
• Failure to pick up on errors -- a lot of errors in the original coloring simply weren't picked up on. This is especially the case when the original colour layouts mask the error in some way, like coloring part of a robot's body the same as a background element.
• Removal of original artwork -- a lot of the time when there is inked shading using Ben-Day dots this has been confused with the Ben-Day technique used to colour the original comics and the Ben-Day shading has been removed completely. This can change the tone of some of the art drastically. (Yes, that was a deliberate pun. Change the tone, get it it?)
• Generally dark and muddy printing -- while the digital versions are generally crisp and pleasant to look at, the printed versions of the restorations are very dark and sometimes muddy, making details that were crisp in the original printings seem unclear or obscured.
• Using scans from copies with smudged or damaged artwork as the basis for the remasters, and either failing to notice or fix those flaws, or fixing them in a very crude manner.
• The use of an automated text recognition software, seemingly without additional proofreading by a human, resulting in some weird random spelling errors that are unique to the IDW reprints. In particular, the letter "G" often got changed into an "S".

Covers

• 
  Volume 1
• 
  Volume 2
• 
  Volume 3
• 
  Volume 4
• 
  Volume 5
• 
  Volume 6
• 
  Volume 7
• 
  Volume 8

Japanese reprints

The Japanese reprints have been published by Hero-X and Mediaboy, translated by Yousuke Ishikawa. Unlike the English version, the Japanese version collects four issues at a time. Cover galleries for the UK version, profiles from Universe, and original commentary are also included.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 1 (February 23, 2018)

• Contains issues #1 to #4.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 2 (November 29, 2018)

• Contains issues #5 to #8, and Universe profiles: Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ravage, Soundwave, Jazz, Rumble, and Skywarp.

• The Transformers Classics Special: Headmasters (November 29, 2018)

• Contains The Transformers: Headmasters issues #1 to #4, and Universe profiles: Highbrow, Hardhead, Brainstorm, Chromedome, Mindwipe, Weirdwolf, Skullcruncher, Snapdragon, and Apeface.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 3 (February 26, 2019)

• Contains issues #9 to #12, and Universe profiles: Sideswipe, Frenzy, Starscream, Laserbeak, Prowl, Thundercracker, Buzzsaw, Ironhide, and Huffer.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 1: Encounter (March 15, 2019)

• Contains issues #1 to #4.
• Re-release due to a change in publisher. There is no change in the contents of the book except for the title.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 4 (May 31, 2019)

• Contains issues #13 to #16, and Universe profiles: Bumblebee, Sunstreaker, Cliffjumper, Brawn, Mirage, Bluestreak, Hound, and Windcharger.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 5 (June 22, 2023)

• Contains issues #17 to #24, and Universe profiles: Gears, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Shockwave, and Dinobot.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 6 (December 21, 2023)

• Contains issues #25 to #32, and Universe profiles: Constructicon, Jetfire, Grapple, Hoist, Smokescreen, Skids, Tracks, Blaster, Powerglide, Cosmos, Seaspray, Warpath, Beachcomber, Perceptor, Insecticon, and Conehead.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 7 (April 25, 2024)

• Contains issues #33 to #36, and "G.I. Joe and The Transformers" #1 - #4, Universe profiles: Omega Supreme, Aerialbot, and Stunticon.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 8 (September 18, 2024)

• Contains issues #37 to #44.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 9 (December 19, 2024)

• Contains issues #45 to #52.

• The Transformers Classics Vol. 10 (August 28, 2025)

• Contains issues #53 to #61.

Covers

• 
  Volume 1; Cover art by Yuki Ohshima.
• 
  Volume 2; Cover art by Hirofumi Ichikawa.
• 
  Headmasters; Cover art by Guido Guidi.
• 
  Volume 3; Cover art by Yoshiyuki Takani.
• 
  Volume 1 Encounter; Cover art by Yuki Ohshima.
• 
  Volume 4; Cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
• 
  Volume 5; Cover art by Andrew Griffith and Kazumasa Yasukuni.
• 
  Volume 6; Cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
• 
  Volume 7; Cover art by Nampei Kaneko.
• 
  Volume 8; Cover art by Hidetsugu Yoshioka.
• 
  Volume 9; Cover art by Ban Magami.
• 
  Volume 10; Cover art by Takeshi Nakamura.
• 
  Volume 11; Cover art by Geoff Senior.