Today marks the 25th anniversary since the first Transformers comic was published by Marvel in the US.

The comic was initially devised as a limited edition bi-monthly series in 1984, but its staggering success meant it ended up being published every month until 1991. The comic established much of the mythology and continuity that would carry on through the franchise over successive years.

The Transformers Universe comic is currently published by Titan Comics.

Simon Furman, one of the best known Transformers comic writers, told Total Sci-Fi why Transformers has remained so popular over the past 25 years:

"Apart from just plainly being a very cool concept - robots that turn into cars and jets and weapons and more with, accordingly, double the play value for kids - Transformers itself has this ability to transform, to reinvent itself.

“From the classic 80s versions of the characters to Beast Wars to the movie universe and beyond, Transformers is always keeping pace with each successive generation of kids, and many of those kids stay engrossed and excited by Transformers all the way into adulthood. Why? Because of the amount of detailed and loving background work and story content that goes into each reinvention, both from Hasbro and the creators involved in comics, animation and movies. There's a real three-dimensional nature to both the characters and the world(s) they inhabit.

“Back when we doing the UK Transformers comic in the 80s, my approach was never to write down to kids or pull punches with the nature and reach of the stories we were telling. Our audience responded very positively to that, and it's another part of why, I think, those young fans kept reading, watching and enjoying Transformers as they grew up. I still try bring those 'adult' sensibilities to my Transformers work today, because the movies have brought another new generation of kids into the fold and my aim is to keep them reading!"

Visit the Transformers Universe comic website at: http://titanmagazines.co.uk/app?service=external/Product&sp=l919