The Transformers franchise has been an iconic staple of pop culture for forty years, debuting in 1984. The story of the war between the heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons has long enjoyed an enduring popularity among fans. This popularity has manifested itself in the form of multiple cartoon series, movies, video games, and comic books, each of which adds to the overall mythology and legacy of the franchise.

franchise has undergone multiple continuities over the years, with each new take on the story introducing brand-new characters. Many of these new characters become beloved additions to the franchise, embedding themselves into the lore and mythology to return time and time again in new series. While these newcomers from the comics may not have debuted alongside franchise mainstays like Optimus Prime and Megatron, they are no less adored and valued. Here are some of the best Bots that debuted over the decades, bringing a renaissance of fun to the franchise.

10 Straxus

Debuted in Transformers #17 by Bob Budiansky and Don Perlin, Published by Marvel Comics in 1986

First appearing as a part of Marvel Comics' Transformers series, Straxus is a Decepticon warlord who remained on Cybertron after Megatron and his forces left for Earth. Known for his brutality, Straxus would rule over Cybertron, sending Autobots, Neutrals, and even fellow Decepticons into his smelting pools where their metal could be reused by him and his men. Learning that Megatron and his forces were on Earth, Straxus would begin construction of a Space Bridge to Earth, before ultimately being killed by Blaster.

Despite Straxus's small role in the Marvel Comics run, he remains a standout for his brutality, demonstrating a cruelty befitting of the Decepticon cause. His brief tenure in the comics cements him as a mad tyrant and a particularly fearsome foe for the Autobots who remained on Cybertron. While Straxus would make other minor appearances over the course of the franchise's history, his brief run in Marvel Comics' Transformers remains not only his greatest showing, but also among the book's darkest moments, demonstrating a willingness to go places the 1984 cartoon series would never go and showing the horrors of the war in all their brutal detail.

9 Impactor

Debuted in Transformers #78 by Simon Furman and Jeff Anderson, Published by Marvel UK in 1986

Debuting within the pages of Marvel UK's Transformers stories, Impactor was initially depicted as the leader of the Wreckers, an Autobot Commando unit. He's characterized by his gruff, no-nonsense attitude, as well as a willingness to dedicate himself to his fellow troops instead of his superiors. Tragically, Impactor was gunned down by Macabre, sacrificing himself to save Emirate Xaaron and naming Springer as his successor with his dying words.

Impactor's legacy does not end here, as he was brought back by disgraced Autobot scientist Flame as a zombie, before sacrificing himself once more to save Cybertron. In IDW's first Transformers continuity, Impactor was introduced to a brand-new audience, playing a pivotal role in the Wreckers Saga. The Wreckers themselves have also become a staple of Transformers lore, demonstrating the staying power of the team and their iconic leader.

8 Primus

Debuted in Transformers #60 by Simon Furman and Jose Delbo, Published by Marvel Comics in 1989

While the 1984 cartoon series posited that Cybertronians were built by the Quintessons, the Marvel Comics series introduced Primus, the creator of all Cybertronians. Created to do battle against Unicron, the pair's battles would cause galactic devastation, resulting in Primus and Unicron materializing in the physical world, and Primus would, in turn, become the planet Cybertron. Primus would create the Cybertronian race, as well as bestowing the Creation Matrix upon the leader of this new race so they could create new Cybertronians.

No addition to Transformers lore has been quite as influential as Primus, as the story of Primus being the creator of all Cybertronian life has overtaken the Quintesson origin in most continuities. As a result, Primus has become a staple of the franchise's backstory, changing the origin of Cybertron and its inhabitants for the better. IDW's continuity would introduce its own take on Primus through Rung, a cybertronian therapist who would be revealed to be the reincarnation of Primus. The enduring presence of Primus within different Transformers continuities demonstrates how important the character has become to the franchise.

7 The Fallen

Debuted in Transformers: The War Within: The Dark Ages #1 by Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman, Published by Dreamwave Comics in 2003

The Fallen, otherwise known as Megatronus Prime, would make his debut in the pages of Dreamwave Comics' Transformers continuity in 2003. Here, it is revealed that The Fallen was one of the first thirteen Cybertronians created by Primus, and The Fallen's purpose was to oversee entropy, creation, and destruction. But The Fallen grew obsessed with destruction, eventually becoming a herald of Unicron. Primus would seal The Fallen away, but he would return during the war on Cybertron, with him plotting to bring about the return of Unicron.

The Thirteen Primes, including Megatronus Prime, play a key role in the backstory of the 2023 film Transformers One.

The Fallen would prove to become a fan-favorite character quickly, with his ties to Unicron and his burning visage rendering him a memorable character within the fandom. Beyond his debut in the Dreamwave Continuity, The Fallen would make his cinematic debut in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Later on, the mythology of The Fallen as well as the original thirteen Cybertronians, later established as the Thirteen Primes, would be expanded upon in both the Aligned Continuity's Covenant of Primus, and IDW's 2005 Continuity. The Fallen's addition to the franchise remains the most important contribution from Dreamwave Comics' continuity, as well as its most celebrated.

6 Drift

Debuted in Transformers: All Hail Megatron #5 by Shane McCarthy, Guido Guidi, and Casey Coller, Published by IDW Comics in 2008

Drift made his debut in the pages of the All Hail Megatron storyline as one of the crewmates of Hot Rod's spaceship, the Trion. However, Drift's backstory would reveal that he once went by the name of Deadlock, and served as one of the Decepticons' deadliest marauders. During the war, Drift would renounce his allegiance to the Decepticons, training with Wing in Crystal City and abandoning his guns for swords as a neutral Cybertronian before ing the Autobots. When the war ended, and all Cybertronians returned to Cybertron, Drift ed with Hot Rod, now calling himself Rodimus, and the rest of his crew on the Lost Light in search of the long-lost Knights of Cybertron.

While Drift initially enjoyed a rocky reception from the fanbase, he eventually grew into a fan favorite. His dark past as a Decepticon, as well as his samurai-inspired design, also helped to endear him, to the point where Drift has since appeared in multiple films and cartoons following his comic book debut. His appearance in More Than Meets The Eye remains the character's greatest moment, as James Roberts' pen helped Drift truly come into his own as a character.

5 Tarn

Debuted in Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #7 by James Roberts and Alex Milne, Published by IDW Comics in 2012

The brutal Decepticon known as Tarn first appeared within IDW's continuity, introduced as the leader of the Decepticon Justice Division. Alongside his teammates, each of whom renamed themselves after the first five cities to fall to the Decepticons, the D.J.D. tasked themselves with hunting down those whom they had deemed troublesome to the Decepticon Cause and executing them to show what happens when Decepticons refuse to stay the course. Tarn became an obsessive follower of Megatron throughout the war, to the point of treating everything Megatron said like scripture.

A reimagined version of Tarn would appear in the Transformers: Cyberverse animated series, rewritten as a Decepticon super soldier and without the rest of the Decepticon Justice Division.

While all the Decepticon Justice Division have made an impression, Tarn remains their most famous member. From his sleek design and iconic mask to his eloquence being a facade for his sadism, Tarn stood out as not only the most beloved member of the group, but also as one of the most iconic original characters created by IDW. Tarn and the D.J.D. represent a dark but necessary aspect of IDW's Transformers run, showing just how far the consequences of the war reached, and how Megatron's past will always haunt him.

4 Windblade

Debuted in Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #26 by James Roberts, John Barber, James Raiz, Atilio Rojo, and Livio Ramondelli, Published by IDW Comics in 2014

Making her big debut in IDW's Dark Cybertron crossover event, Windblade was depicted as a Cityspeaker from the colony of Caminus, who could use her abilities to speak with giant Cybertronians such as Metroplex. She arrived on Cybertron in order to secure energy for Caminus, promising to repair Metroplex in return. Her dealings with Cybertron's postwar government would see her forced into the political arena with Starscream, who was the leader of the planet, before striking out on her own and becoming Cybertron's new leader.

Windblade is a special character in the eyes of the fandom, as her design and many of her character traits are the result of a poll held to create a new character for the franchise's 30th anniversary. As such, Windblade quickly became a mainstay of the franchise, jumping from the comics to the cartoons, as well as playing an important role in IDW's 2019 reboot of the series. Windblade is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Transformers, and how, even after thirty years, it still has new characters ing the series.

3 Nautica

Debuted in Transformers: Robots in Disguise #25 by John Barber, James Roberts, James Raiz, Atilio Rojo, and Livio Ramondelli, Published by IDW Comics in 2014

Like Windblade, Nautica made her debut in IDW's Dark Cybertron event, before quickly ing the cast of Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. Within that book, she would become a part of the Lost Light Crew on their mission to find the Knights of Cybertron. Nautica would serve as one of the ship's engineers, specializing in quantum engineering. As a part of the Lost Light, she would enjoy a close bond with Skids, as well as being a vital member of the crew.

Nautica quickly became a fan favorite, with her upbeat personality endearing her to readers. Her desire to learn more about the universe also gave her a unique trait among the Lost Light's crew, helping to further set her apart and feel more unique, especially as the book would bring on more iconic mainstays of the franchise to the crew alongside her, such as Megatron. She would play a role in IDW's 2019 reboot of Transformers as well, proving that, while new, Nautica certainly has staying power.

2 Nyx

Debuted in Transformers: Beast Wars #1 by Erik Burnham and Josh Burcham, Published by IDW Comics in 2021

A new Maximal created for IDW's take on the Beast Wars series, Nyx served as the pilot for Optimus Primal's crew during the series, possessing a love for the air. When the Maximals and the Predacons crashed on a new planet, Nyx would take on a fruit bat beast mode, helping aid her comrades on this strange new world. Additionally, Nyx would play a role in Dinobot's redemption arc, as saving her became the turning point that led him to the Maximals.

While IDW's Beast Wars was short-lived due to the publisher losing the license, Nyx remained an endearing addition to the Beast Wars cast. Her beast mode took elements from the original Optimus Primal toy while also taking certain elements of Nightscream from the Beast Machines cartoon, but she never felt completely referential to either. They were starting points for her to be inspired by, but she became her own character beyond those inspirations. While the future of Beast Wars within comics may be uncertain, Nyx more than deserves her place as a part of whatever the future may hold form the series.

1 Shredhead

Debuted in Transformers #17 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona, Published by Image Comics in 2025

The first new Autobot in the Energon Universe, Shredhead was created by Cliffjumper when he recovered the sparks of his fallen clan, planning to bring them to the Well of Sparks to make something new from his fallen friends. Cliffjumper, Elita-One, and her remaining troops on Cybertron made their attack on the Decepticons to distract them, while Cliffjumper used the sparks and Carly's van to create a new Autobot. Shredhead emerged from the Well of Sparks, ready to do battle against the Decepticons.

Shredhead stands out for bringing Cliffjumper's backstory of losing his clan back into focus, and combining that with his friendship with Carly to create something new. Much of the Energon Universe's Transformers series has cast the Autobots as the underdogs in their war against the Decepticons. Shredhead's introduction to The Transformers franchise offers the Autobots a new hope and creates a new character born from both the Autobots' kinship with one another and their close ties with the humans they have sworn to protect.