Transformers transform into cool things, right? Sports cars, jets, guns, dinosaurs, and even ballpoint pens.
That last one may have turned down the cool factor just a bit, and writer Brian “Smitty” Smith and artist Marz Jr. run with concept as they explore the life of a misfit robot in their new original graphic novel, Transformers: Worst Bot Ever-Meet Ballpoint.
We spoke to Smith and Marz Jr. all about their tale featuring the excommunicated Decepticon (yup, not even on the right side) in this exclusive interview with the creators.
Describe the origins of Transformers: Worst Bot Ever?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: I was approached by Skybound to try and tackle a middle grade Optimus Prime OGN, but piggybacked the Ballpoint story thinking there’s no way they’ll actually go for it lol!
Marz Jr.: For the design aspect, it started from a pen that I found in my drawer! I did my best to keep in mind the physical restraints if he were an actual Transformer… like if Hasbro made a toy… that would be a dream come true!
The Transformers have been around for decades, but you get to take a fully comedic approach to the material in the new graphic novel. How did the material and your senses of humor blend in the story?
Smith: There’s a ton of big personalities on both the Autobot and Decepticon teams, we just dialed the characters up to eleven for maximum humor output!
Marz Jr.: I think it’s fun to spoof a beloved classic like Transformers! We mostly played to the characters’ stereotypes, just amplified them! I’m a big fan of the Muppets and silly, goofy movies like Austin Powers! I love how Mike Myers exaggerated all the stereotypes of a classic spy movie. Years ago, I took improv classes with UCB, and one thing they would say is to play stupidity to the height of your intelligence. One of my favorite movies and a big influence on me is Steve Martin’s The Jerk.
How did your art style lend itself to the story?
Marz Jr.: I like to think that I have a fun, nostalgic style and I have been loving the Transformers since I was a kid. I wanted to pay homage to the original G1 Classics! The cartoon dominated my afternoons as a kid!
What was it like working together?
Smith: It’s been a blast working together, Marz’s visuals perfectly capture the zany-ness of this oddball facet of the Transformers universe.
Marz Jr.: Smitty crafted a really fun story, which was a blast to draw!
Besides Ballpoint, which character in the story did you have the most fun with?
Smith: Soundwave for sure. I often think what the living arrangement is like inside his chest with all of those tenants.
Marz Jr.: Gnaw, the Sharkticon was fun to draw! I kind of imagined him like a little puppy following Starscream around.
Will we see more of Ballpoint in the future?
Smith: Fingers crossed!
Marz Jr.: Hopefully!
Future work/projects?
Smith: A few things in the works but nothing I can spoil yet!
Marz Jr.: Excited to draw more transforming pen stories! Wink wink. Also, sometime in 2026, I’ll be doing a YA book with my buddy Lee Loughridge for Comixology.
Transformers: Worst Bot Ever-Meet Ballpoint OGN is currently available at your local comic shop or bookstore.
