Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Norgal the warrior beheading a monster
Animated Shows The studio behind Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX almost made the perfect fantasy anime, but only 2 minutes of it exist
GamesRadar+ logo beside the words 'New Lego' and the Ocarina of Time Final Battle set against a green background
Toys & Collectibles Smart Play might be the most talked-about new Lego sets in March 2026, but I think this Zelda set has them beat
The GamesRadar+ logo surrounded by Nerf blasters on a wooden table
Toys & Collectibles The best Nerf blasters in 2026
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves Browt already has quite the fan following despite agreement that the grass starter is kinda ugly
The giant robot villain of Netflix's War Machine charging up an energy blast
Sci-Fi Movies The first trailer for Netflix's War Machine channels Predator vibes as Reacher star takes on an unstoppable killer robot
Pombon in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
Pokemon As Pokemon Winds and Waves' Pombon quickly racks up fans, everyone hopes the fiery Pomeranian can avoid a starter curse
Hoppers
Animated Movies Bonkers beaver comedy Hoppers earns Pixar's highest Rotten Tomatoes score in almost 10 years
Pombon in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves' best 'mon looks awfully like another creature collector's pomeranian and even the devs noticed
Godzilla in Godzilla Minus One
Sci-Fi Movies The 10 best sci-fi movies on Netflix to watch right now
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky teaser
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders fans suspect the new Arc from the roadmap is hiding in plain sight in the Shrouded Sky teaser
Mabel and King George in Pixar's Hoppers
Animated Movies Hoppers director Daniel Chong says his "chaotic, unhinged" Pixar movie took inspiration from Avatar and Studio Ghibli
A legion of different incarnations of Brainiac
DC Movies James Gunn explains his comic influences for Man of Tomorrow's Brainiac, including the classic story he's not adapting
Pikachu Puppetronic and Hatchin' Yoshi, divided by a white diagonal line
Toys & Collectibles To hell with Furby and Butt Face, these Yoshi and Pikachu animatronics were the best thing about New York Toy Fair
Two turtles rock out with 80s-style instruments
Tabletop Gaming I was skeptical about MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but a surprising connection to the arcade games may have won me over
Spider-Man swinging through New York City
Marvel Comics Marvel brings back the most prolific Spider-Man comic writer of all time to revive Brand New Day before Spider-Man 4
  1. Comics
  2. Image Comics

Transformers officially introduces its "Worst Bot Ever", who turns into a ballpoint pen

News
By George Marston published 12 August 2024

Meet Ballpoint, the worst Transformer ever, who turns into a pen

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint
(Image credit: Skybound Comet)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Between the Autobots and Decepticons, there are Transformers who can turn into almost anything, from dinosaurs, to tanks, to cassette tapes and beyond. And now, there's a Decepticon who will have to try and make a name for himself with perhaps the most benign transformation yet: a ballpoint pen.

Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint is a new YA/Middle Grade original graphic novel which puts it all right out there in the title - Ballpoint is a Transformer who turns into a pen and he's the worst. 

Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint

(Image credit: Skybound Comet)

"The Decepticons are known for being bad...but Ballpoint is truly the worst –the biggest failure of them all. After the latest attempt to take down the Autobots goes horribly wrong, he's kicked out of the Decepticons, for good!" reads Skybound Comet's description of the OGN. "Will Ballpoint be able to prove his worth by defeating the Autobots all by himself? Or will he keep failing and find that being the “best” is...More than Meets the Eye?"

You may like
  • Transformers How to watch the Transformers movies in order (release date and chronological)
  • Nightcrawler, Jubilee, Gambit, Wolverine, Phoenix, and Rogue leaping into action X-Men Annual #1 turns the team into sentient drawings to battle a villain who controls "imagination itself"
  • Fugitoid carrying a large bag on his back After 42 years, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' oldest allies gets a fresh start for his Mutant Mayhem debut

It's honestly a pretty funny concept, and the Transformers franchise has always had its share of comedy, so it seems like a match made in heaven for a YA OGN.

Speaking of which, Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint will be the first release from Skybound Comet, Skybound Entertainment's new young reader focused imprint. It also marks the first in a series of original graphic novels created by writer Brian 'Smitty' Smith and artist Marz Jr.

"It's been awesome bringing Ballpoint to life," says Brian 'Smitty' Smith in a statement accompanying the announcement. "Getting to add a brand-new character to the Transformers universe is a once in a lifetime opportunity!” 

"I've been obsessed with Transformers since I was a kid," adds Marz Jr. "The 1986 animated movie blew my mind! I've tried to put that magic and love into each page." 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint goes on sale in July 2025.

Ballpoint may be the worst Transformer ever, but these are the 25 best Autobots of all time.

George Marston
George Marston
Social Links Navigation
Entertainment Writer

I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011, and now I'm the Entertainment Writer at GamesRadar+. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)

Read more
Transformers
How to watch the Transformers movies in order (release date and chronological)
 
 
Nightcrawler, Jubilee, Gambit, Wolverine, Phoenix, and Rogue leaping into action
X-Men Annual #1 turns the team into sentient drawings to battle a villain who controls "imagination itself"
 
 
Fugitoid carrying a large bag on his back
After 42 years, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' oldest allies gets a fresh start for his Mutant Mayhem debut
 
 
GI Joe #1 cover art
Paramount hire Chronicle scribe Max Landis to write a new GI Joe script
 
 
Pikachu Puppetronic and Hatchin' Yoshi, divided by a white diagonal line
To hell with Furby and Butt Face, these Yoshi and Pikachu animatronics were the best thing about New York Toy Fair
 
 
Norgal the warrior beheading a monster
The studio behind Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX almost made the perfect fantasy anime, but only 2 minutes of it exist
 
 
Latest in Image Comics
Transformers #19 cover by Tom Reilly
Three classic '80s cartoon franchises will crossover this spring as Transformers, GI Joe, and MASK collide in the Energon Universe
 
 
Transformers #25
The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is taking over Transformers with plans to "methodically" expand the Energon Universe, but don't worry about buying "567 monthly titles" to keep up: "We're not looking to blow up anyone's budget"
 
 
Ballpoint side-by-side with Megatron
Decepticon leader Megatron becomes the Worst Bot Ever as he does a Freaky Friday mind-swap with Ballpoint, the Transformer who is literally just a pen
 
 
A pair of alien hunters square off with a monstrous beast
The Walking Dead creator explains the creative process that led him to chart new territory in an alien fantasy epic: "I was trying to get out of the way as much as possible"
 
 
Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1
Todd McFarlane is close to signing "A-list" director for Spawn movie
 
 
Transformers #25
The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is taking over Transformers, and he's bringing DC's best artist with him
 
 
Latest in News
Yuta getting ready to attack in Jujutsu Kaisen season 3
Jujutsu Kaisen actor offers perfect response to why AI should stay out of anime
 
 
Pickmon
Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs"
 
 
Life is Strange
Join Chloe and Max on a "fiery weekend" for a better glimpse into Life is Strange: Reunion at the Future Games Show this week
 
 
Mortal Kombat movie
Mortal Kombat 2 star joins in with Street Fighter movie beef after Game Awards dig because he "loves a good rivalry"
 
 
Mackenyu as Zoro in One Piece season 2
One Piece season 2 actor Mackenyu says he learned Roronoa Zoro's 15-minute 1 vs 100 fight in just 6 hours
 
 
Fujino and Kyomoto eating in Look Back
Live-action adaptation of Chainsaw Man creator's Look Back will escape Japanese cinemas and come to the west
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Virtual Boy for Switch 2 sitting on coffee table with TV in backdrop displaying Wario Land gameplay.
    1
    I respect the Virtual Boy as a collectable Switch 2 gadget, but it’s not exactly a retro console remake
  2. 2
    Bizarre Lineage codes (March 2026) for free Stat Point Essence, Rare Chests, and more
  3. 3
    The Thrustmaster T248R is making me question where a sim racing wheel with no direct drive and no modular wheelbase fits in the market in 2026
  4. 4
    These Mario Day-inspired Switch 2 accessories will power up your console more than a super star
  5. 5
    Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs," saying "they didn't even try to change something and make it a bit less obvious"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...