Incredible Change-Bots

A 2007 graphic novel written by Jeffrey Brown, published by Top Shelf Publications.

After depleting their planet of energy, two warring factions of transforming robots, one led by a robot who turns into a truck with a trailer, the other led by one who turns into a pistol, take their war to Earth and wind up involving humans into their war. Sound familiar?

Half love letter, half parody of 1980s Merchandise-Driven Giant Robot franchises (primarily Transformers Generation 1, naturally). Expect extensive Lampshade Hanging of... pretty much everything from the source material.


 * Exactly What It Says on the Tin: Many of the Change-Bots' names.
 * Expy: Most of the cast are expies for various Transformers. Big Rig as Optimus Prime and Shootertron for Megatron are probably the most obvious, but we also have Balls the Golf Cart as Bumblebee and Microwave for Soundwave.
 * Heroic Sociopath: The Awesomebots, more or less.
 * Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy: Shootertron actually forces his troops to go to target practice and lecture them on the importance of aiming. Then there's the Change-Bot who covers his optics in combat...
 * Punny Name: Most of the names, at least those that aren't exactly what they say on the tin.
 * Rule of Funny
 * What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?: The Awesomebots vs. the Fantasticons.