I went and read the first issue.

Despite all the negative reviews, I approached it with an open mind. It didn't work, as I found it to be rather blah, particularly in comparison with a certain other IDW Transformers comic out at the same time (*coughLastStandOfTheWreckerscough*).

First off, the stated aims of this issue were to be accessible and fun. I can't comment on the first one, as I'm not unfamiliar with the IDW continuity (although I do wonder why they stuck name tags on them, instead of introducing the robots in dialogue), but fun it really wasn't. It was basically an entire issue of angst over how the human hate the Transformers and how Optimus is a crap leader etc. Not really fun, and it didn't convince me to read on beyond it.

Second, I don't feel really connected with the characters. Emotionless art aside, there's nothing that made me like a character, or really get a sense of what they stood for, or their personality. The only feelings I had were annoyance at Hot Rod suddenly becoming a rebel. While the oldest IDW comics I've properly read were the Devastation ones, I can't recall Hot Rod being like this before. Was he like this in AHM? Why does Optimus pull a BSOD after Ironhide's death? I thought he was the leader of the Autobots. He should be able to deal with that without going all depressive about it.

Third, the art. Yes, the movie/G1 hybrids don't exactly work, Hot Rod's 'NOOOOOOO' face after Ironhide gets offed says that loud and clear. While detail is nice, it's excessive here. Give me the 'liquid metal' faces from previous comics anyday.

Fourth, why is it always the humans hating all Transformers? At least someone ought to have noticed that the ones with the vaguely human face symbol are trying to help them. It's really overused.

Finally, there seems to be a disconnect between Andy Schmidt's declarations of the comic being for all ages and the actual comic. His comments at the end indicate he's trying to get a younger audience beyond the geeks who buy the comics. The very next issue features Spike leaving the house of a well-endowed woman in her underwear. Okay, Marvel had Circuit Breaker's stripperific costume, but it's not really comparable, considering how superpowered females in comics tend to be flying panty shots anyway.

Overall, I found it to be rather disappointing, which is a shame as I was looking forward to the main series, most likely because it would be better than AHM.