Though he’s a somewhat obscure Transformer by the standards of most of the main cast, Beachcomber, an OG favourite from the 80s, has returned. And he has an utterly compelling, beautiful story to tell.

It’s a real highlight of the series so far; it has to be said that the wonder and beauty of Beachcomber’s tale is definitely needed in this issue.

That’s because the rest of it feels relentlessly dark and increasingly hopeless for our Autobot heroes and their human friends, as the terrifyingly amoral Shockwave puts increasingly horrible plans into action, even to the protestation of his fellow Decepticons, who believe he’s going too far.

Daniel Warren Johnson’s run on Transformers so far is practically flawless, and he makes the melding of classic, Gen 1 Transformers with a more modern sensibility look effortless. Of course, having seen some awful Transformers comics, cartoons and live action movies over the last four decades of their existence, us Transformers fans know it’s not easy to get the balance right.

We also know it’s not easy to get the look and feel of the Transformers right, particularly in their quieter, more reflective moments, but like Warren’s script, Jorge Corona’s art seems almost effortlessly ideally suited to the material.

Though it goes to some pretty dark places, Transformers #10 has the sense not to linger on its more disturbing moments; it’s something that head of publisher Skybound, Robert Kirkman, should have learned long ago.

Still, let’s not add a negative element to this review; I remain impressed, fully engaged and ready to roll out any time with this incarnation of the Transformers, which is just about one of the most perfect ways to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Robots in Disguise so far.