But before Megatron kidnapped Spider-Man, Marvel Comics released the first Transformers comic series in 1984 and crossed fan favorite characters over into a world that’s more than meets the eye. Originally intended to take place in Marvel’s Main Continuity, characters like Spider-Man in his Black Suit would work alongside Gears to dispatch Ravage and save Buster Witwicky while Shockwave and the Dinobots would battle in the Savage Lands, *the home of Ka-Zar and the X-Men villain Sauron.* While we’d see less direct references to the Marvel Universe after the first few issues of The Transformers, the Marvel UK series would introduce the bounty hunter, Death’s Head. A “Freelance Peace keeping agent”, he’d hunt down the likes of Galavatron and Rodimus Prime, be flung through space and time with Doctor Who, and attempt to hunt down Superheroes such as Cyclops, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Darkhawk.

*But this wouldn’t be the last time the Marvel Universe crossed over with the Robots In Disguise.* Taking place in Marvel’s 616 Universe, 2007’s New Avengers / Transformers mini-series would see the Avengers and Autobots teaming up to stop the Decepticons. Following Megatron’s forced takeover of Latveria, kidnapping Spider-Man and, ousting Doctor Doom from his throne; Optimus Prime, Iron Man, and the New Avengers would attempt to put a stop the Decepticon’s plan.

Originally melding with Marvel’s Main Continuity, the Transformers comics kicked off with unforgettable crossovers: Spider-Man in his black suit teamed up with Gears to battle Ravage, and Shockwave clashed with the Dinobots in the Savage Lands, a domain familiar to Ka-Zar and X-Men’s Sauron. Although direct Marvel Universe references dwindled after the initial issues, the Marvel UK Transformers series kept the crossover spirit alive by introducing Death’s Head, a ‘Freelance Peace-Keeping Agent.’ This unique bounty hunter chased Transformers across the galaxy, tangled with Doctor Who, and even faced Marvel superheroes like Cyclops and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

But the interaction between Marvel and the Robots In Disguise didn’t stop there. In 2007, the New Avengers/Transformers mini-series set in Marvel’s 616 Universe showcased a collaboration between the Avengers and Autobots to thwart the Decepticons. With Megatron seizing control of Latveria, Spider-Man’s abduction, and Doctor Doom’s displacement, Optimus Prime and the Avengers rallied to counter the Decepticon menace. This crossover legacy, initiated with the first Transformers comic in 1984, continues to blend the iconic with the unexpected, proving the universe is indeed, more than meets the eye.