COUNTDOWN: 25 MORE insanely awesome Marvel UK covers (part 1)

Despite the many and varied forms of Transformers media we’ve received in the decades since, the classic Marvel comic storyline continues to live rent-free inside my brain.

Why? Because it’s still one of the most epic depictions of the robots in disguise to this day, as evidenced by the wealth of fantastic cover artwork glimpsed over the 332 issues in the UK extended run. To prove that today, we’re running down 25 more insanely awesome examples on the back of our original list from a few years back.

There will be some SPOILERS ahead for the whole of the Marvel UK comic run!

#25: ISSUE #3 (Jerry Paris)

If you’re going to make a list like this, then by law, you *must* include at least one example from the legendary Jerry Paris. It’s just how it is! Last time, we gawked at the first issue’s cover, but arguably this follow-up from a couple of months later is just as outstanding. These early stories clearly played heavily into the ‘sci-fi alien robots’ trope and now seem worlds away from the tone and content we would come to expect by the time the comic had been going for several years. Still, not much in Transformers media captures the awe and sheer amazement of coming face to face with a Transformer for the first time, which is perhaps why this image feels like it was so closely homaged for the 2018 Bumblebee film.

#24: ISSUE #22 (Mark Bright)

C’mon, it had to be on here somewhere. In fact, even I was surprised that it hadn’t been included on the original list! This is arguably one of the most iconic pieces of Transformers artwork of all time, having stuck in the memories of generations of fans since it was first published. That’s no doubt also why it’s been so widely homaged over the years and remains a widespread presence on social media when posing toys and the like. What’s slightly funny about this cover, though, is how often it’s replicated without the comic series title at the top, leaving some confused as to who it is that is all dead after all!

#23: ISSUE #25 (Alan Kupperberg)

Megatron vs Shockwave is one of *the* big fights from the early days of the comic run. In many ways, it sets up the ongoing quarrels between different factions of Decepticons for the remainder of the storyline. This cover captures it beautifully, with both characters portrayed in incredible style and the scale of the action communicated by the helicopter in the foreground. You ain’t gonna believe this, indeed!

#22: ISSUE #41 (Mike Collins)

Yep, it’s the cover that gets trotted out every holiday season for a round of merriment and well-wishing online. Optimus Prime donning a Santa outfit is almost as iconic as him being adorned with Pepsi livery, which is no doubt why this cover has endured so much since it was first published. This is supposedly the loose inspiration for the new Holiday Optimus Prime toy that’s on the way soon, so how’s that for spreading a bit of cheer?

#21: ISSUE #51 (Geoff Senior)

This is a reasonably understated cover compared to some of the others on the list, but still, its colours and tone make it stand out. I love the raw power and menace emanating from Megatron’s massive frame, which is backed up by the obvious terror of the human character, Joey. The purple shading is also quite gorgeous, leaving this as a great example of UK original art showcasing the US-reprinted storyline inside this issue.

#20: ISSUE #66 (Herb Trimpe)

Herb Trimpe is a celebrated Marvel artist best known for The Incredible Hulk and for debuting Wolverine, but that doesn’t mean his time on Transformers should be any less admired! After all, this fairly brutal cover perfectly captures the perils of the smelting pool seen in this storyline, complete with nightmarish imagery aplenty. I particularly love the colour palette of this one.

#19: ISSUE #82 (Phil Gascoine)

The first of two Target: 2006 covers on this list because it’s impossible to talk about the Marvel UK run without mentioning the epic saga at least once! Still, I’m sure you’ll agree they’re justified, as shown with this detailed masterclass in how to present a new team of characters for the first time. There’s so much happening with this one, but every member of the Wreckers gets their moment to shine, leaving you keen to learn more. It wrecks and rules!

#18: ISSUE #88 (Geoff Senior)

For our second Target: 2006 cover, it’s the renowned Geoff Senior’s gorgeous portrayal of the Autobot triple changers! Rarely have Sandstorm and Broadside been so well presented in any Transformers media over the years, immediately capturing your attention in their debut storyline.

#17: ISSUE #95 (Herb Trimpe)

Another Herb Trimpe classic, another fan-favourite cover that’s been widely circulated over the years! The Battlechargers weren’t frequent mainstays in the Marvel continuity, but they certainly made a big splash in this story. The image of them defacing the Statue of Liberty is not soon forgotten, which is no doubt why it’s been homaged in more recent times.

#16: ISSUE #102 (Geoff Senior)

I genuinely believe not many Transformers storylines have suitably captured the raw power and unmatched presence of Galvatron as a force to be reckoned with. A large part of that was seeing how the present-day characters reacted to him after he time jumped from the future (on more than one occasion). This Geoff Senior epic plays up the comedic side of that, but still, the gorgeous art more than communicates just how worried the Autobots should be in reality.

#15: ISSUE #115 (Lee Sullivan)

Speaking of Galvatron, here he is causing mischief for longtime nemesis Ultra Magnus in another cover you’re not soon to forget. In fact, I can distinctly remember clapping my eyes on this one for the first time, with the abject terror on Magnus’ face instantly leaving you wanting to know more. It doesn’t matter that the bad guy in question is only presented in silhouette – you knew exactly what was going on here at first glance and that it was sure to be downright epic.

#14: ISSUE #117 (Geoff Senior)

The three characters presented here are all at their best when brought to life by Geoff Senior, which is why this cheeky cover comes together so well! The artist has a way of capturing each of them to a tee, whilst the composition is incredibly clean and easy to follow, considering how much is happening.

Be sure to join us for part 2 soon!

TTFN