Marvel released the first TRANSFORMER comic book on May 29, 1984 with the Hasbro toys having hit U.S. store shelves earlier that month.
With this series now being 40 years old, let’s go back and take a look.
I don’t have all 80 issues, but here’s what I have.
#1 and #2
As seen on the cover, originally this was to be a four-issue limited series.
Also, notice the months on the covers are September and November. Back then, the date on the cover was three months ahead of when the issue actually came out. So, #1 was a June release, and #2 hit in August. (Though #1 hit stands on May 29, Marvel considered it a part of their June release schedule.)
#3 and #4
A Spider-Man cameo in #3 connected the robots in disguise to the Marvel Universe. Coming out in October, #3 was the first issue to be released following the September launch of the Transformer cartoons on television.
#4 came out in December and ended with a surprise announcement that the series had been promoted to a monthly ongoing.
By the end of 1984, TRANSFORMERS had become the undisputed hottest toy line of the year.
There was a two month break following #4, and then in March ‘85 the monthly rollout began with #5.
#5-12 (March-October 1985)
#13-16 (November 1985 – February 1986)
#17-18 (March – April 1986)
#19-26 (May-December 1986)
#27-28 (January – February 1987)
#29-36 (March – October 1987)
#37-44 (November 1987 – June 1988)
#45-50 (July – December 1988) and #56-57 (June – July 1989) I’m missing #51-55.
#58-60 (August-October 1989)
#61 (November 1989)
#62 (December 1989) and #71-72 (September – October 1990). I’m missing #63-70.
#75 (January 1991). I’m missing #73-74.
#76 (February 1991), #78 (April 1991), and series finale #80 (June 1991.) I’m missing #77 and #79.
Notice that by the time the series ended, Marvel had transitioned to the month on the cover only being one month ahead of the actual release date instead of three months ahead.
Also, the cover of the final issue states: “#80 in a four-issue limited series,” reminding us that this had originally been planned as a miniseries.
It’s a great time to revisit these issues as the series turns 40 years old.
