Hometown pride and a love of giant alien robots that disguise themselves as everyday machinery are behind the latest Transformers comic book cover available only in Dartmouth, N.S.

Darryl Wall, owner of Giant Robot Comics, is selling a Transformers comic with an exclusive Nova Scotia cover for the fourth year in a row. The latest one features the Halifax Public Gardens.

"Because we're Giant Robot Comics," Wall said, as way of explanation. "People expect us to do something robot related."

Darryl Wall, who owns Giant Robot Comics, is selling Tranformers Revolution #1 with a special Nova Scotia-themed cover. (Submitted by Darryl Wall)

Transformers Revolution #1 goes on sale globally on Wednesday, but only 1,200 of them will have the special Public Gardens cover.

Wall said the comic's publisher, IDW Publishing, makes it easy to get custom cover art designed.

The first custom cover issue was Transformers: Regeneration One, which featured 'the evil Decepticons in front of Citadel Hill.' (Submitted by Darryl Wall)

Comic book artist Casey Coller, who lives in Massachusetts, has drawn each cover for Giant Robot Comics.

Past locations featured the "evil" Decepticons in front of Citadel Hill, "heroic" Autobots in front of the Macdonald Bridge, and last year's battle at the Peggys Cove lighthouse.

This year, Wall let the fans pick the location: in front of the wrought-iron gates of the Halifax Public Gardens.

"Every year we've been trying to find a new spot for the Transformers to live. This year we decided to run a contest to see where people wanted to see them," said Wall.

About 100 people took part, suggesting the ferry terminals on either side of the harbour, outside of Scotiabank Centre, and near the waterfront. Ultimately, Public Gardens won.

The second cover was designed for Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Issue 33. (Submitted by Darryl Wall)

Showcasing past and present

Wall said this latest cover is an homage to the original 1986 movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Wall asked that the new female character named Windblade be added to the design.

"So, showcasing those two things: the past and the present of Transformers," said Wall.

Autobots and Decepticons are seen battling at Peggys Cove in Nova Scotia in a previous Transformers cover. (Submitted by Darryl Wall)