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, 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 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

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.
• 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.

Covers

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

Japanese reprints

The Japanese reprints has been published from Hero-X, translated by Yousuke Ishikawa. Unlike the IDW version, it is recording four episodes at a time. UK version cover gallery, a part of the 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.

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