The Transformers: Evolutions is the title of what was intended to be several separate comic book miniseries published by IDW Publishing, following the same idea of DC Comics' Elseworlds series. Each series would create a new continuity in a different time era during which the Transformers would exist. As of 2007, only one series has been produced: "Hearts of Steel", which is set in the United States during the Industrial Revolution. The rest of the series was likely canceled due to poor sales.
Plot[]
The story begins with the Autobots and Decepticons waging war on Earth around the time of a previous ice age. No explanation is given how they arrived on Earth, but their alternate modes are metallic fantasy beasts. The freezing temperatures and lack of energy forces both sides to take shelter and lie dormant for eons. The Autobots retreat to a cave while the Decepticons are later seen underwater.
At some point during the Industrial Revolution, noise outside their cave awakens the Autobot Bumblebee. He ventures outside the cave to discover the planet's new dominant species — man, and that they have developed steam powered technology and the capacity to build railroads. He observes some men, featuring the famous John Henry enjoying the labor of driving spikes into the ground for a new railroad. Bumblebee changes his alternate form to be a steam-powered spike driver and helps the humans who are unaware of his true robotic nature.