Transformers Dark of the Moon Prequel Preview

Fans of the Transformers film franchise won’t have to wait until this summer to get their fix. The first issue in a four part prequel comic book series, Transformers: Rising Storm, was released this week. MTV.com has an exclusive preview with several images.

Transformers: Rising Storm takes place immediately before the events in the upcoming third film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The cover features a silhouette of Shockwave, who will be the primary villain in the third film. The comic is being released concurrently with another four part prequel comic, Transformers: Foundation, which is set a long time before the events of all three films. The remaining three parts of both comics will be released once a month through May 2011.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon will be released in theaters in 2D, 3D and IMAX on July 1, 2011. Director Michael Bay and stars Shia LaBoeuf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro will all be returning for what’s rumored to be the final installment in the franchise, although the box office take will ultimately decide its fate. Megan Fox will not be reprising her role as Mikaela from the first two films. Newcomer Rosie Huntington-Whitely joins the cast as Carly instead.