Infiltration #3

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:42 am

Well I have a few gripes* with this one but overall it's good. I won't spoil it yet but it's worth noting (UKers) that I got this today - usually I have to wait until Thursday to get new stuff. If that's IDW's doing, then

*inking and colouring, generally.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:57 am

Lucky sod.

I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy yet.

Metal Vendetta wrote:Well I have a few gripes, inking and colouring, generally.

Oh noes... it sounds pretty much like what last issues problems was.

I woulda thought it was just a case of getting warm in the shoes.. Anybody know why Beast Wars doesn't seem to have this problem, or atleast on a to me not noticeable scale?

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:07 pm

Predabot wrote:Anybody know why Beast Wars doesn't seem to have this problem, or atleast on a to me not noticeable scale?

Josh?

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:32 pm

Yeah, it's not just MV's copy. A couple of pages...some issues with the colourist here, or whomever it was that figured they could just use solid blacks on areas with multiple surfaces and contours. Colouring is a bit off in places too.
What's weird is that the issue doesn't repeat...one scene, Prowl's head is shadowed exactly like a bad US comic circa 1983 but then there's two other instances where Ratchet and Ironhide are shadowed in a nifty fashion. Dud panels rather than dud talent. I rather like the entire art style on the whole.

That may sound like a big gripe, but it's not, really. It's about the only negative thing I have to say. This is another good issue, quality and pace of events just keeps rising with every installment IMHO.

B-Bee is a classic VW, but has a redesigned robot mode. Nice.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 1:26 pm

hopeflly get mine from Stevo Baxo tomorro.

Post by **Denyer** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:37 pm

Aye. I'm hearing very encouraging things so far, though.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:39 pm

This issue was solid...not as enjoyable as #2 for some reason, but I liked it. Although I am definitely not digging the Gundam legs everyone has.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:11 pm

Had the same gripes about the coloring, but overall, another well done issue. Pacing is just a tad bit slow for my likings, but still, a very strong showing by IDW thus far after four issues.

Most surprising to me is the control and measured pacing of Furman's writing thus far. Now I know there are those here that worship Simon, but to be honest, after his Marvel run, I really felt his writing had suffered, perhaps he was running out of ideas.

But his writing on Infiltration has not been sloppy in the least bit. Good to see.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:43 pm

no one here 'worship's Simon', why do have such difficulty understanding this?

Post by **Denyer** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:25 pm

Yaya wrote:after his Marvel run

His work for both branches of Marvel isn't exactly all peaches and cream.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:50 pm

Time Wars Conclusion: 5

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:31 am

Best First wrote:Time Wars Conclusion: 5

That doesnt make sense - it suggests its average, clearly not, art work alone would be 5.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:38 am

Best First wrote:no one here 'worship's Simon', why do have such difficulty understanding this?

What? No raging Furmanites here?

Sigh.

One less controversial discussion.

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:40 am

It's average. That's the wrap-up. The ultimate pay-off for Target, Legacy of Unicron, Fallen Angel and lots of other stories. Everyone melts back into the shadows. Next issue: Underbase, part one.

The stuff before it is good fun, though.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:15 am

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:no one here 'worship's Simon', why do have such difficulty understanding this?
What? No raging Furmanites here?

Sigh.

One less controversial discussion.

maybe if you just ascribe a rabid liking of someone to people and then argue with them on that basis despite the fact its evidently not true in irritating fashion that ultimatly only demeans your own points?

what?

oh.

oh, and the timewars score is for the story, so quoting the artwork at me is, huh, irrelevant. The artwork is notably better than the story.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:55 am

I loved Time Wars. Thought it was the best of all the UK stuff, actually, reading it at 22. It may have been the art.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:29 am

Yeah, so moving on from the pish about Furman worship and the eternal 5/6 discussion, on rereading the issue still holds up for me. Liking the crackle between the characters, and it's nice not to be able to tell exactly where a TF story is going for once. I do like the mysterious angle.

It's a well-pitched story, I'd have to say. Sure, everything is treated as new (the mystery approach does keep it fresh), but there are still things old-skoolers will catch, like "Finklerock"...the page with Ironhide, whilst set-up in the story, will surely resonate more with fans who know and appreciate the character's 'default' personality.

Other little details in the names/locations/visuals are neat. No idea how everyone else is percieving this, but at this stage I'd have to say that for me, this reimagining of the TFs is a technical success.
Looking foward to the next ish.

Post by **snarl** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:46 am

The cock at my local shop said it wasn't on the week's release list and he didn't expect it for 2 weeks - this was on Monday.

Div.

Going FP this lunchtime then.

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:34 pm

Arrived earlier, and this is absolutely chock full of things I appreciated. Verity in Pat Lee distortion-vision on the cam. A little hint of psychopathy in Sunstreaker's dialogue. "Why are we here?" The very real sense of danger accompanying the Decepticons, the cinematic moment with Ironhide, Bumblebee living up to his spy credentials (and manifesting as a woman), Bruce Campbell running an auto-lot...

Unlike some, I'm not bothered by the colouring -- the only time I did a double-take was when Prowl has a light source right behind his head, and it fits. Use of washed colour in low-lighting situations (Autobot base, the garage in earlier issues) is something comics companies often don't bother with, as they want everything bright and shiny for the entire duration.

The last couple of issues have been one extended "wow" moment. Fingers crossed it'll stay like that.

Post by **snarl** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:14 pm

Yeah, I thought it was groovy as well.

Thought the art was great throughout, totally agree about the Prowl inking moment - he's feeling kinda sinister, he's definitely being an arse at the moment!

I also think the way all the holograms have a big fake grin is a bit sinister.

Enjoying it though. Just a bit peeved as I bought the cover with jazz and Blitzwing scuffing, guess that is next issue.

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:19 pm

It does seem a slightly odd choice. I've been getting the Raiz covers, but might have to pick up a Wildman one again for the Blitzwing-as-tank...

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:32 pm

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:no one here 'worship's Simon', why do have such difficulty understanding this?
What? No raging Furmanites here?

Sigh.

One less controversial discussion.

How dare you defile the name of Furman by mentioning it?!?

We'll blow you to kingdom come!

Baka baka!

Ahem... Just kidding.

I'm a hard-core Furman fan and yet I'll be the first to admit that his novels suck. Yes that means Alignment too...

Back on topic, I like how he has restarted the whole TF story again. It srts out slow, but I don't mind the pace. As long as IDW won't force a writer into rushing a story, like DW did with their first GI-Joe crossover.

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:04 pm

BB Shockwave wrote: I'll be the first to admit that his novels suck.

Mag Six is pretty good. Although... novels?

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:08 pm

Text stories, I mean.

I mean, "Another time and place" ? Duh.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:41 pm

There we go.

Got my hands on a copy now. The inking and colouring issues is still there, personally I think the inking-issues is mostly contained to background-details.

The issue itself is really quite good, it's beginning to pick up the pace now, with some lovely destruction of fleshling property, and the reveal that Transformers seems to be activated in rather big bathches, presumably with similar designs, wich makes rather much sence. BUT, the coolest part of the issue is the revelation that Bumblebees holo-matter disguise is that of a woman!

I see much possibility of humour and hilarity to ensue from this.

John Rauch, that does the colours, seems to be in an experimental period, and I don't think these experiments of his are working. His other work so far has been rather good.

http://www.pensnpixels.com/9-volt2/john ... 82512a15d4

If E.J sees this, or someone that frequents the IDW-boards feel like it, please ask him why Rauch is doing so many freaky experiments. (they actually share a homepage, 9Volts)

Post by **Denyer** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:10 pm

I don't mind the colouring, but Rauch has done better work elsewhere -- he seems to be slacking a bit on TFs.

He also seems to have a style of deliberately limiting his palette. Whilst I agree bright colours don't always suit, allowing more colours per page would allow for worthwhile extra detail.

I'd like Su to get the best, y'know? Because I think some of the crits heading his way are actually to do with the colouring.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:19 pm

Finally read it today, my thoughts...

-Story is shaping up great! Simon knows how to build up the suspense... When Infiltration started, I wasn't really curious about where the story is going, but now I am.

-Great character moments from my favourite Autobot, Prowl. Especially when he says he'll only bother Prime when it's absolutely necessary--- Old loyal Prowl. Bumblebee is the same old, and that one-page with Ironhide waiting silently... Classic. Furman never really gave Ironhide a character in Marvel, he was doing the 'veteran' thing in TWW, but it seems he's making him the silent bodyguard of Prime he should be according to his tech spec.
That's what I like in Furman's writing, how he can define a character with such small things. Same with Sunstreaker...

-Ratchet.

Very, very cool. Makes me feel like reading 'Back from the dead' again.. was quite a while ago we actually read something worthwhile about the Doc? I like his eagerness to save lives and yet how he is not totally sure about himself.

-Cons - not much, but the whole 'Next?' thing with Skywarp and Blitzy was building up nicely to that last page... the cons now seem actually a threateneing force, especially with what Ratchet said about their methods and the 6 phases...

-The humans - I'm getting to actually like them. Glad they don't get as much focus as before, that's as many pages as they deserve.

-Art - I for one find it great, and don't have problems with the coloring...

-My gripes? The Gundam legs... I hate them with a passion. Why does everyone has to have them? And the redesigns aren't that great either. PLus, the transformations are... well, I'll never buy that Blitzwing can transform from such a blocky tank into a such sleek jet. In fact, his tarnsformations art is really bad. I've seen Jose Delbo do better ones...

All in all, can't wait for 4. - and I wouldn't be suprised if it turns out Screamer is forming a splinter group, and Megs will only appear briefly in the last issue.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:51 pm

Got it. Loved it. I think Infiltration is what we have all been waiting for-- rather than the rampant fanwank and revisionism of DW, it moves the TFs forward, challenging our conceptions of Transformers in a way that hasn't been done since BW and G2.

Furman's writing is funnier and sharper than ever. "We laugh in the face of danger! Did I really say that?" He's got an ear for snappy dialogue that was missing most of the time at DW. Once again, like G2, he has totally rebooted the concept and transformed our understanding. The guy needs to be kept off a leash.

Inking and coloring are a bit pants... Loving EJ Su's art, though. I think he paces and blocks the characters much better than Figueroa and a lot of DW artists did. He actually tells a story instead of delivering a dozen pages of pinups. He has an expressive, moving style that reminds me of Wildman's glory days. (Now if only Geoff Senior and Derek Yaniger would get back on the bandwagon) And I like most of the new bodies. Don't know about Ironhide's Gundam legs, as someone said. Love especially the fact that Bumblebee is not a new bug. Classic V-dub style kicks butt.

I have not been so continually exicted about a TF comic since I was fourteen. I love this series.

Dead Head · Post by **Dead Head** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:08 pm

BB Shockwave wrote: -My gripes? The Gundam legs... I hate them with a passion. Why does everyone has to have them?

Agreed.

That aside, Furman + Su are coming up with the goods so far (and by extension, Ryall and the rest of IDW).

Post by **Denyer** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:22 pm

They're not Gundam -- just working bipedal legs, and humans had them a couple of million years beforehand.