The Transformers: Hearts of Steel staunch ally of Muldoon after the Decepticons betray him. Only four Autobots were mentioned by name in the series: Bumblebee, Ironhide (in the TPB when he gives his name it was changed to Sideswipe) and Optimus Prime although he did not appear, though others are recognizable as G1 Generation 1 characters, introduced as toys in 1984. The opposite is true for the Decepticons, with many being named. Others are left unnamed but are recognizable such as Ravage. In addition to their original alternate modes as fantasy beasts, the Transformers later adopt alternate modes appropriate to the era in which they
The Transformers (IDW Publishing) Maximo also made their first appearance in the "First Strike" and "Till All Are One" series respectively. Furman also expressed interest in re-inventing Japanese-exclusive characters and female Transformers, exploring the challenge of rationalizing sex/gender in giant robots. Furman addressed the issue of gender in Transformers in a "Spotlight" issue on Arcee, rationalizing them as a failed attempt to introduce gender into the Transformer race by Jhiaxus. Elita One and a few other female Transformers later appeared in the "Megatron Origin" mini-series. The miniseries titled "" (which is the finale of IDW's "Transformers" comics) started being published on May 5, 2018.