Transformers Site Articles News on Seibertron.com

Seibertron.com Transformers Weekly Photo Challenge # 9: Evolution

Date: Saturday, December 12th 2015 5:40am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Contests
Posted by: no-one | Credit(s): carytheone

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Views: 40,175

Howdy fellow Seibertronians and welcome to this week's much belated Transformers photo challenge.

In this week's challenge we will be exploring the evolution of Transformers. Over last thirty years or so, the Transformers brand has gone through quite a lot of changes. Those changes have been represented in the various TV series, movies, comic books and of course the many, many different toys. This is a brand and more importantly a toy-line that is continuously transformering (you knew it was coming) and re-inventing itself.

This is not just a G1 vs "X" challenge. You can use what inspired Transformers, RID2015, Combiner Wars or anything in-between. You can focus on series, transformation techniques, gimmicks or showcase a single character. Take your time, think about it; you've got two weeks, wow us! I'll throw out a couple keywords to try and help inspire: evolution, flux, begin again, renew, reformat.

This challenge will run from today 12/11/15 to 12/27/15, which is the Sunday after Christmas (just in case anyone gets some fun new toys they wanna share).

As usual, submission post please use TFPC #9 in the subject line. Non submitters, please feel free to join in on the conversation. Multiple submissions are always welcomed and encouraged!

And remember to keep your browsers pointed to Seibertron.com for the latest Transformer news, the largest Transformers galleries and the most Transformers fun you can have this side of a space bridge.

Seibertron.com Creative Round-Up - December 6th, 2015

Date: Sunday, December 6th 2015 3:23am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 74,633

Wassup, Seibertronians of many forms, shapes, and alt-modes! It's the weekend in most parts of the world, and here in the Energon Pub we've been collecting the weird and wonderful work of the Transtopia dwellers, from customs to art, from fiction to comics, from photos to paintjobs, via digibashes, mash-ups, builds, and models. Want to find out what people have been up to? Keep on reading, and let them know what you like! Next time, it'll almost be Christmas...


CUSTOMIZATIONS

Megatronformayor - FOC Bruticus | BW Polar Claw | BW Rattrap








NeonPrime - Death Rattle the Hearse




Kanrabat - Spaceship Optimus




StrykerTyger - Autobot Fastraker




thisisshaz - Oversized Optimus Prime




BUILDING BOTS

Mythic_Gears - Lego Transformers Models




FAN ART

Noideaforaname - Barricade




M3Gr1ml0ck - Untold Marvels | Solaris






Bryan Sevilla - Gears




Klejpull - Artwork




Schlumpy - Rampage




Demonology7789 - Art




FAN-FICTION

Verno - Transformers: Unity


PHOTO BLITZ

leokearon - Digibashes




keelo1027 - Pics | Cooking with Grimlock






MadeusPrime - Invasion of the Daleks

IDW The Transformers #48 Review

Date: Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 1:17am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Views: 45,805

Synopsis
CONQUERORS, part 3! It all comes down to this… the fate of the AUTOBOTS, the survival of the human race, and the existence of a post-war CYBERTRON depends on the two greatest heroes in TRANSFORMERS history: BUSTER the dog and D.0.C. the drone.



Story

We've had two parts of this new storyline already in the ongoing The Transformers series from IDW Publishing, and John Barber has chosen to take a peculiar type of break while not putting anything on hold. At all. But how does the strange POV issue work, you might ask? Find out some thoughts below.



It's impossible to escape the similarities with the Eisner-winning Fraction/Aja Hawkeye issue of Pizza Dog with this chapter of The Transformers series, and for a comics fan, this works suprisingly well without falling too much into heavy-handed homage. (Much like Redemption and Fury Road, really.)



Having two points of view, undoubtedly, helps the narrative to flow, and switches between two characters that have found their way into the fandom and the new followers of the series. Buster, as an Earth dweller close to Thundercracker, and D.O.C. as a Cybertronian AI close to the Autobots do both bring a new perspective on the characters surrounding the otherwise main cast.



Which leads quite nicely to the crux of the story, really, and something that I am obviously not going to spoil here, but has a lot to do with several theories that many fans have been speculating on for a while now, revolving around long-established lore and recent developments in ..well, everything.


Art

I have to commend Griffith on the clear work on an otherwise extremely hard script to master in terms of layout. The smaller amount of dialogue and narration means that most of the story has to be told with the visual component of the medium, and he does a stellar job with the frames and angles from both character perspectives.



The same perspectives are maintained, solidly, throughout their different takes in the book, by the magnificently subtle (though not that much once you realise) colour palettes and coding for the two. In the case of Buster in particular, Josh Perez' chromatic contrasts and blending of greys is just really well done, and makes the foreground even more prominent and incisive.



Also to be commended is the work of letterer Tom B. Long, as Buster and D.O.C. occupy two very different styles of font, tone and voice, which are worked incredibly well with a truly complex script for human dialogue during the Buster segments. The covers, on the other hand, have very little to do with the issue, though are pretty excellent in both the Archie tribute by Andy Pepoy and the Alex Milne/Perez triumphant Starscream (thumbnailed).


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Is the reveal present at the end of the book that surprising? No, not really, not at this point in the series. Is it pleasing? Yes, actually. It's brought about in a satisfying manner, with some good power and attention grabs, and a sustained if lighthearted narrative throughout the whole issue.



The real treat, however, is how the book looks, from the layouts and art to the colours and lettering. Griffith, Perez and Long work wonders together to really convey the multiple angles and pairs of eyes/optics through which we're looking at this small world growing bigger and smaller in equal measure. If you take anything from this, it's a treat for your own image processors.

Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys Updated

Date: Saturday, November 28th 2015 12:30pm CST
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

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Views: 106,429

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Editor's note: this list has been updated as of 17/08/2017

Top 5 Best Ironhide Transformers Toys


With us finally getting a Masterpiece Ironhide, I thought it would be a good time to look at all the good Ironhide toys we have had in the past. What is funny about Ironhide is that his initial figure is one of the most unappealing to a Transformers fan (especially a child). The toy itself doesn't have a head. Instead, it has a weird face on a sticker stuck on a seat behind his windshield. This is of course because he is a re-purposed figure from a line where little figures would pilot these mecha toys but while this is fun for toy history buffs, it is a weak consolation to a kid who just sees a toy which looks nothing like he does on the show. His next few toys were also pretty bad and he still doesn't have a decent classics-styled toy to this day. However, he does have some good toys under his diaper belt and here they are:

5. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Recon Ironhide

Oh man, would you look at this thing! It is bad to the bone. While people have a problem with the Ironhide Voyager mold, I never found it that bad. It definitely gave us a more complex toy. I always preferred the versions which hid his arms and this is one of them. The full load of weapons could hide anything, just look at the pictures below. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger's Commando in toy form. Plus, this was the very first toy to integrate the c-clip system where you could clip on new guns to different toys (like clipping Generations Darkmount's guns onto Generations deluxe Warpath).
Plus, his front bumper becomes a crossbow







4. Transformers Dark of the Moon Leader Ironhide

I really like this toy. Sure, it is easier than every other movie leader since Revenge of the Fallen, but I am not complaining about being able to go from one beautiful looking truck mode to an amazing looking robot quickly. He is by far the best looking movie Ironhide to have next to any leader Optimus Prime on your movie shelf and he has some great gimmicks. He has two sets of guns that can pop up while in truck mode (and end up being deployable from his robot arms) and some hidden armament in his legs, including a really sweet knife when he likes to get up close and personal. Along with that he has his big leader electronics gimmick (is it normal that I miss those?) where his chest open up to reveal a giant cannon barrel which spins and lights up. While he has some negative points, the only one that bothers me aside from the obvious undercarriage kibble is that the truck sides just bunch up under his robot arms. It isn't the prettiest sight but it does add some much needed bulk. While people can dislike movie figures all they want, I feel nostalgic for nice hefty Transformers Leader figures who had a bunch of fun electronics and sublime detail. I mean think about it, you get fully retractable weapons in both bot and alt mode, a gun and big knife hidden in a leg scabbard ala Robocop, great paint apps for a retail release and a battle mask!






3. Transformers Prime: Cyberverse Ironhide

This is fun design, incorporating Ironhide into the Prime line and aesthetic. This design is actually phenomenal since it brings so much together at once. He is a great amalgamation of the G1 and movie look in a more animated aesthetic with the headsculpt and clear chest (G1 cues) working with the pickup truck alt mode and dual cannons (from the Bay films). Also I would like to point out brilliant the transformation is. While the Arms Micron deluxe Ironhide relied on a fake chest, the Cyberverse version actually has the truck's windshield be the robot's chest. It is impressive to see great alt mode integration on a toy which has so much new details in robot mode. Remember when I spoke of an animated aesthetic? This toy's amalgamation (along with the deluxe) also references a shelved design for Animated Ironhide who was supposed to join Optimus Prime on earth and have an earth mode. That is a lot going on for such a little fella.








2. Transformers Animated Ironhide (Armorhide)

This is a near flawless toy. I find it absolutely brilliant how the cartoon made it that both Ironhide and Ratchet share the same basic mold (which has been the case since 1984) but since Ratchet is now on earth and has an earth vehicle mode, you end up with two visually different characters. The toys do that well. Sure, there is a Ratchet who shares the same mold as this toy but I love how Ironhide makes the mold his own (as he always has). The perfect toon accurate headsculpt really helps. The design of this toy is incredible since it was made after the stylistic cartoon character models were done and it imitates that style perfectly. Also, through this mold, you get one of the most creative designs for a cybertronian vehicle. I love how they were thinking outside the box for this one, giving it almost an animal look (like a tortoise) adding some sentience and otherworldly functionality to the vehicle mode. The weapon storage in vehicle mode is also perfectly executed with simplicity and helps fill out the look of the vehicle. It's a smart design that looks just like the cartoon and has great nods to the G1 character. Sounds like pure win in my book.







1. Transformers Masterpiece Ironhide

When was the last time we found a decent representation of G1 Ironhide in stores? Never. Look at this list, it's either animated, movie or a mix of both. But nothing even close to G1. No vans of any kind. And that's because there really hasn't been much aside from the forthcoming honourable mention. But we finally got Ironhide in all hi glory in this Masterpiece offering. I seriously do not care what nitpicks any fan may have, this toy is better than anything I could have dreamed. The Transformation is one of the best Takara ever designed and it is a true spectacle to see that van shape into this robot before your very eyes. I always thought that to have the look of the show, we would need a fake chest, no way around it. But I am proven wrong. The alt mode integration is spot on, no extraneous kibble (aside from some wheels, though they might anatomically represent something related to the bot mode, up to you) and more accessories than you would ever need. Plus, all those accessories come in that sled, bringing a magnificent homage to the G1 toy (along with other neat homages like that G1 face in can mode). I can't speak highly of this toy enough.




















Honourable mentions: My lists usually always look at toys that were released at retail, especially since I care more for the toy itself and thus the mold as opposed to the character it represents. In this case though, the character it represents is a big deal and Ironhide is no stranger to redecos since that is what he started as. So I will include his Botcon 2005 Exclusive toy here, even though I am not a big fan of the mold itself. Fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade says it best:

Sabrblade wrote:It's still arguably the best Classics-style Ironhide toy there is in terms of resembling the character and [is] a good toy overall.

IDW Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #1 Review

Date: Wednesday, November 25th 2015 2:20am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Views: 45,248

Synopsis
THE WRECKERS RETURN! Somebody’s kidnapped PROWL… but does anybody want him back? A lifetime of messing with everybody’s lives comes around to haunt him. Fortunately, he’s always got a plan. In this case… the one team of brutal, broken heroes… the WRECKERS!



Story

It has taken some time to convince Nick Roche and the editorial team over at IDW to bring a bunch of clutch munching piston-lickers back to the stage - but years later, here we are again, sans James Roberts, looking at a very different status quo, a similar roster of names and faces, and a much, much darker (if possible) storyline.



We start from where we left in Last Stand, with the passing of time having passed, and done its thing, Springer still in a coma, Impactor and whatever is left of the Wreckers trying to find their place in the new reality of Cybertron and the Council of Worlds. The transition is seamless, in accounting for the time that sits between the two stories.



We also identify the two majorly major players of the story - from this point, at least - in Verity Carlo and Kup, two people who have all the reasons to dislike Prowl, with a passion, though not necessarily with the knowledge to do so especially in Kup's case.



One concern I do have, though it has been addressed by Roche and IDW more in general, is to do with the exact placing of this story. There are significant scenes with the Ark that do not coincide with The Transformers #47, and something seems to have shifted in Prowl's disappearance, too. That said, in John Barber we trust.


Art

The visual team, linework and layouts at least, is still concentrated in the hands and floppy hair of Roche himself, and he brings, in my opinion, something quite different to the previous Wreckers outing in Last Stand, and something perhaps more fitting to the tone he has set for his own story this time round. That, and a combination of some really dynamic work in the layouts.



A tone, of course, that has been perfectly captured and even enhanced in the chromatic wonders of Josh Burcham, who delivers a variety of lonelinesses depending on the scenes, characters, and environments. Blending a very dirty, gritty colouring and lighting for indoor conversations, and cold colours for outdoors Nome, the isolation is palpable.



Unsurprisingly, Tom B. Long is taking up lettering duties, and there is nothing I have to say that the lettering doesn't do for itself. Tone aside, we get snippets into the dark humour of the book, and the dynamics established among the cast. A cast which is, for the most part, highlighted on the covers with Roche and Burcham giving a cinematographic feel to the main one, guests Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire offering a magnificent Impactor, and Alex Milne teaming up with Josh Perez for a Springer-tastic LSTOW variant (thumbnailed).


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

We've seen it with Redemption, we've seen it in recent issue of The Transformers, it has been running in the Scavengers arc, and more so in this week's release of MTMTE - the status quo for the TFverse has changed. Some characters have not. Some characters are trying to adapt. Some cannot. This is their story, as told by cruel Nick Roche.



Tight editing on the book will ensure that everything slides into place, I'm sure, removing the only major criticism I have of the issue. There are some surprisingly poignant, powerful, ominous, intriguing moments which you just need to enjoy. Make sure you take a break between this and MTMTE, too.

IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #47 Review

Date: Wednesday, November 25th 2015 1:36am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): IDW, D-Maximus_Prime

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Views: 42,458

Synopsis
FRIENDSHIP ISN'T MAGIC! TAILGATE has a choice to make—and if he had any idea what was at stake, he'd think twice before making it. The crew is ripped apart as MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE begins the sprint towards its shocking 50th issue!



Summary
For the sake of this review (and the reviewer), there will be no written summary of the book, as it is impossible to say anything without giving something away. There really is no way to make this non-spoilery. Expect pain, gut-punching, emotions, sadness, anger, love, manipulation, politics, post-war statuses, naivety, loyalty, and giant transforming robots.



However, this can be said: Roberts knows how to surprise us and keep us entertained. If you were just starting to nod off, this will snap you awake all too quickly. [Va'al says: And make sure you are ready to squirm uncomfortably at one side of the main plot, as Getaway ..gets away with a lot of morally dubious actions. The emotions in this issue run rampant, and they teeter on the brink of pure anger at times.]

Art
Artwork this week is covered by Brendan Cahill, and he really has been making some good art. With issue 40, we saw just how good he has become and how well he fits the artists for MTMTE, but it is in this issue where he really shines. His art is simply amazing and nothing is left out, no little detail. He does a fantastic job of covering all the bases and making this a great piece of art.



As usual, Joana Lafuente adds all the colors, keeping Cahill's art in keeping with the string of artists that have worked on the series so far (along Milne) and Tom B. Long brings all the magnificent lettering. This issue continues the trends of great art and magnificent artistic team. There really is nothing else to be said there.



Thoughts (SPOILERISH AHEAD!!!)

Speaking as a grown man who loves transformers and who loves a grand story: I cried this issue. Reading through this made this fan break down in tears. There are great characters, great individual stories, and a larger story that may have gone overlooked for a while that has been 2 years in the making. And it all just exploded. In a very emotional way that no one could ever have anticipated.



In a way, the opening of Sins of the Wreckers overshadows this story despite how strong and how big they both were. There was a lot of thought going into this story for some time, and it came crashing in in ways that no one could really imagine. And there are Wreckers connections that cannot be coincidence either.

In conclusion: tears, sorrow, triumph, and understanding all take center stage here. In the words of ScottyP: Crushing. This is one of the best issues to date, and that is saying something considering some of the arcs that we have already got. This is a must have, and the race to Issue 50 has begun in an all out sprint.

Creative Roundup, November 21st, 2015

Date: Sunday, November 22nd 2015 2:59am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 81,878

We told you we'd be back to regularly scheduled creative round-ups! Two weeks after our general catch-up, the boards have been humming rather than buzzing, but that will not stop us from finding out what Transtopia has been up to in that time: mods, customs, paintjobs, art, tips, tricks, photos and more - check them out below, and let the authors know you like their stuff by commenting in the original threads, too.

THE HELP DESK

Fellow Seibertronian Delta Magnus is looking for alternatives and tips for a Strongarm figure - leave your suggestions here!


CUSTOMIZATIONS

Klejpull - MTMTE Ultra Magnus Replica




Megatronformayor - AoE Grimlock | BW Scorponok | BW Airrazor | BW Terrorsaur | BW Inferno | BM Blackarachnia | BW Dinobot | G1 Dinobots | Blast Punch Optimus Primal | Optimus Minor | TM Dinobot






Kanrabat - Monster High Assimilation



BUILDING BOTS

Hellscream9999 - Lego Combiners




SHAPEWAYS STUFF

wewyllenium - Custom parts for Whirl




FAN ART

Noideaforaname - Ratbat




M3Gr1ml0ck - Untold Marvels




Bryan Sevilla - Gears




Verno - The Lost Tetralogy




SillySpringer - Bumblebee




Rattrap587 - Art




kriksix - R2D2 Transformer




PHOTO BLITZ

leokearon - Digibashes




MagnusLabel - Transformers Music Albums




keelo1027 - Pics

IDW The Transformers #47 Review

Date: Friday, November 20th 2015 8:16am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Views: 31,617

Synopsis
CONQUERORS, part 2! OPTIMUS PRIME ventures into the SEA OF RUST, looking for the truth about his role as a PRIME. Instead, he comes face-to-face with the new female combiner, VICTORION, who has some questions of her own!



Story

Of the two series from IDW Publishing running right now, The Transformers is undoubtedly the currently most interesting, maintaining a sustained and mostly narrative in a way that More Than Meets the Eye has kept subsided for a while now - and with John Barber at the helm, those narratives run deep, and way into the past.



This issue brings together several strands we have already encountered, and briskly moves them forward towards the next big step in the series - and I am seriously hooked onto what that may be - by referencing some of the older events in this incarnation of the Transformers universe, from Heart of Darkness to Dark Cybertron, via Combiner Wars.



While some of those may rest uneasy with the established readership, newcomers to the story will find them useful enough to go back and rediscover previous stories, or take the information and run with it - much like Starscream seems to do in the book. Which does not lack several wider scenes with key and major players in Cybertron's ever-changing scape, from Blackrock to Needlenose, to Soundwave and Galvatron, to all of those caught in between.



The highlight of the issue, for me at least, was the fantastic sequence with Optimus Prime and the Torchbearers/Victorion (with Aileron playing support). The voices are fresh, the interaction sparking some serious food for thought, and once more a lead into new directions yet to be explored in the series.


Art

The newest addition to the artistic team at IDW Publishing makes her second debut here, as Sara Pitre-Durocher approaches the interior artwork with a fresh brush and some excellently dynamic takes on established designs and characters. The art is clean, the stroke is fine, the layouts are pleasing...



...and Josh Perez makes sure that the transition into a new style is seamless, smooth and slick, as only Perez can do. After the alternative, pastel take on Combiner Hunters, seeing his vibrant (but also contrasting where needed, such as the Victorion scenes) work on the new lineart is a good touch.



Despite one significantly, and poignantly, silent scene, the lettering runs true all through, as Tom B. Long works once more his magic, capturing the new tones, balances and dynamics of the major players in the book. The covers are slightly different this month, featuring main art by regular Andrew Griffith and Perez, with Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente giving a scene that we never see in the book (thumbnailed), but speaks to Soundwave's plans, and Livio Ramondelli teases next week's Sins of the Wreckers debut.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Not only in The Transformers the most interesting, to me at least, of the two books right now, it is also the best example of not needing to refer, any longer, to the established Transformers lore outside of what IDW is creating. Barber, Scott, and Roberts have woven an intricate universe, and the former handles the multiple factions extremely well.



It is excellent to see that universe expand, both in-story and beyond the limits of the page, with new artist Pitre-Durocher back on interiors after her stint on Combiner Hunters. There are many many leads for the stories being told, and I, for one, cannot wait to find out more next month. It'll be a woof wait.

IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #4 Review

Date: Thursday, November 12th 2015 12:53pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): D-Maximus_Prime, IDW

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Views: 36,303

Synopsis
THE ANSWERS! BUMBLEBEE's search for the truth about the rival AUTOBOT TEAM on Earth leads TEAM BEE to a thief with deep connections… but knowing the truth may be worse than getting lied to.



Story
With Robots in Disguise now stuck in that rut between seasons show-wise, the comics are the main source of story entertainment, and Georgia Ball does not fail to impress with the finale to the first main story arc.



We finally get the showdown that the previous issues have been leading to, and in true Robots in Disguise fashion, we are not disappointed with all the little things thrown in there for our enjoyment, not to mention Sideswipe. Sideswipe definitely shows his best sides here. And yeah, he does kinda take the issue.



This issue definitely was the arc finale that we could be hoping for, and it features some of the most classic comic book endings you can find. Plus things do get a bit heated for those who like a little seriousness in your goofy, but there are jokes abounding and references that will just make you smile when you read them.

Art
Priscilla Tramontano once again does not fail to make me smile, as she continues to bring her cartoony look to the book that adds so much fun to just looking at it let alone reading it. Not to mention the great faces that pop up, both funny, mean, serious, and accomplished.



Josh Burcham once again delivers brilliant coloring that keeps the scenes bright and loud, just as you would expect from this series. He also creates some pretty amazing contrasts, and he is pretty dang good at making a swamp feel…swampy.



The lettering in the issue is also spot on, but then again, when is it not with Tom B. Long working the letters? Just look at that very first picture in the review. That is all you need to know about how good the words fit the art. And we once again are treated to marvelous covers featuring our favorite Prime and Robots in Disguise characters courtesy of Tramontano and Travis Sengaus.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

This issue was a fantastic issue and one that certainly makes for a great bookend to this first story arc. One could not have asked for a better story to tell, and the entertainment value is there to hold us over for a while until the show starts back up again. And the fact that Prime and Robots in Disguise work so closely together for such a short time yet make such a big impact (and show some big impacts) makes this all the more enjoyable.



Nevertheless, Ball delivers, and we are ready to receive. Another great issue has arrived and I strongly recommend you seek this out. The whole story arc is fascinating and certainly fun, and the finale definitely is worth anyone’s time. So what are you waiting for? Rev up and Roll out!

IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #46 Review

Date: Wednesday, November 11th 2015 1:45am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al, ScottyP

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Views: 36,048

Synopsis
What does it mean to be a DECEPTICON in a postwar universe? Was MEGATRON’s rise to power the inevitable consequence of configurative determinism? Is it possible to "disprove" an ideology? Who decided that all the badges should be purple? In this issue, the Scavengers ponder at least one of these questions.



Story

First of all, a note of apology and of due credit. Life this side of the screen gets busy, and a lot of the wording and thoughts for this review are worked in tandem with ScottyP (my saviour). On the other hand, the issues getting in the way of writing the review actually feed 'nicely' into the topics of the issue itself!



Whatever lacklustre comments I made last month for the first part of this story, and of James Roberts' style in approaching it, have definitely redeemed themselves by issue #46. There is plenty of character development, plenty of plot direction, and some really good work in terms of addressing wider post-war issues for the TFverse overall, no longer limited to the other titles.



Some characters clearly stand out, in terms of how they are portrayed and their role to the story, with Krok, Fort Max and Crankcase definitely taking centre stage. The rest of the cast, though, is not set aside, and we have some excellent moments with pretty much everyone involved, through a wide range of (e)motion, too.



I do have some criticisms by the time the book comes to a close, though I will mention them more below. The standout point, if a little clunky in some of its execution, was looking at not only physical, not only theoretical, not only ideological consequences of the war - but the repercussions on the mental health of many of those who took however little a part.


Art

The visual team on this issue is gigantic, as Alex Milne prepares the pages, layouts and pencils, while Brian Shearer, John Livesay, John Wycough and Milne conjoin inking powers to bring a very different, multi-faceted look at some of the outer spaces of the Transformers universe currently explored, inwards and outwards.



Both sides of which are cleverly rendered in tone and volume by the excellent colouring, shading and hue work of Joana Lafuente, who deftly includes one of the wider-ranging palettes we had currently seen on this book, at least since the Swerve issue and Hedonia, and some seriously emotional contrasts in dark/light games.



Multiple inkers clearly (?) required multiple letterers, as regular Tom B. Long is joined by Chris Mowry - and with the Scavengers and Grimlock involved, you just know there's going to be plenty of font-based fun. And there is. The main cover also shows more of spotlight on one of the key players of the issue, as teased in #45, with Milne teaming up with Josh Perez again, as Nick Roche single-handedly Fort Maxes out for the artist edition variant (see thumbnail).


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Practically copying Scott's words now, the issue does a very good job, along with some parts of Transformers: Redemption, at dealing with the often underrepresented consequences of war, and the individual repercussions of that state. It's no longer factions of Autobot, Decepticon, colonies or unaligned, but rather those who can let go of the war and those who hang on to it desperately.



The criticism I mentioned? Other than the couple of niggles above, the conclusion feels a little too nebulous, a little too complex and too much of a stinger to a wider story that we have only really started seeing - and it felt like a kick to remind us that, yes, we are still part of a wider narrative. Some will love it, I found it a little ..whelming. That said, definitely worth the read.