STORMBRINGER #2!!!

[Metal Vendetta]

Behold, through the wonder of cut 'n' paste, my Strombringer #2 review from IDW...
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Well the second part of this series from TF dream-team Furman/Fiueroa/Burcham (props also due to Robbins/Ryall and Taylor, of course) certainly doesn't disappoint. While #1 set up the situation and introduced us to the "big bad" of Thunderwing, this issue heightens the anticipation by showing us the Autobots' reaction to leaning of the events.

Optimus Prime is worried. So worried that he decides to pull the Wreckers from the very front lines of Varas Centralus and have them rendez-vous with him back at Cybertron. Here we get to see the Wreckers doing what they do best, and Roadbuster in particular is fantastic. The way he hands Springer the communicator while still firing with the other hand is sublime, and on the next page, where we can only see his chest head and left arm, I'll bet as many trilitres of energon as anyone can match that he's switched his BFG to the other hand and is still blasting away. Roadbuster is awesome. We see the other Wreckers - Sandstorm, Broadside, Whirl, Twin Twist, Topspin - only in more background roles, but hey, who cares? That's Scoop! With a speaking part! Does this mean he's been seconded to the Wreckers from Bluestreak's unit, or is he a paid-up member of the team? Will he be going to Cybertron with them, and if so, is he the redshirt of the bunch? As ever, Simon's G2esque mixing up of characters reaps great dividends dramatically.

That's also evident in Oppy Prime's team. When Dogfight gives Prime his "very excited to be here" routine, alarm bells certainly began ringing faint echoes of Hot Shots! - I get the feeling that the bubbly rookie might as well be called Deadmeat from here on in...still, it's great to see him (and Gunrunner! GUNNNNNRUNNNNNEEEERRR!!!!! TWO ISSUES IN A ROW!!!) getting some page-time, and maybe they'll see some action in the next two issues even if it does end with them being slaughtered horribly by Thunderwing.

Elsewhere, Afterburner and Nosecone managed to escape just in the nick of time before the Calibi Yau was nuked but run into trouble when they encounter a bunch of Centurion drones. I got all excited when I read that, but then realised that I was actually thinking of Guardian drones, which would make more sense as opposed to the Professor Morris-controlled III (or was it RAAT?) robot. I guess it makes sense for a new reader to see Centurion = threat, as opposed to Guardian = protector, which is how I imagine the editorial meeting went, though of course Guardian would have been a great Marvel UK reference. Still, these things look great - Don's come up with a really menacing look for them, and when they spot the hapless Technobots it's a great Terminator-style moment. There's a ship flying over them as well, it doesn't look like Thunderwing. I wonder perhaps if there's another faction to be revealled here, or if perhaps they're Autobot drones on a search-and-rescue...

Finally we get to see another Decepticon unit, commanded (apparently) by Darkwing. This is presumably the Nebulos infiltration unit, and they include Thrust, Skullcruncher, Ruckus, Dreadwind, Darkwing and Crankcase. And a little purple dude who I just can't place, though he looks kinda Pretendery. Again, I wouldn't put bets on any of these surviving for long, though for sentimental reasons I hope Dreadwind, Darkwing and Thrust get away. Of course, the final splash page moves the story very nicely into another gear. Essentially, everything seems to have gone to he ll in a handbasket. I expect casualties. Next issue.

And I haven't even touched on my favourite scene this issue. The Prime/Springer conversation - Prime/Megatron flashback is worth the cover price alone. In fact I could go on listing great moments of this comic until I run out of superlatives - the Xantium is glorious, Phase Sixty certainly raised a smile, Bludgeon's face is superb, Optimus Prime just looks magnificent in every panel and Thunderwing is fab (and pretty scary, though do I detect shades of DH 3.0 in there? Both are referred to as the "entity", both are brought online and sent off on grand destruction, both have someone else's will imprinted on them...okay, I'll stop now).

So, bad things about the issue?

I'm a little worried by the reference to Primacron, though judging by the rest of the series the chances of Simon writing a Unicron-creating space-goblin into the script are zero. So really not that worried, I suppose.

Nebulans. Green-skinned Nebulans. But who's to say that they won't all be completely annihilated in the next issue when the big bad gets down and dirty? Here's hoping.

9/10. Must Try Harder.

[snarl]

*****.

I phoned FP today to find out if they had it in and they 'didn't know' so I went to the shoe shop instead.

I want this ******* thing in my ******* hands right ******* now!

I need to hustle up an idea that allows me to get over their asap as part of work...

[Metal Vendetta]

Go to Orbital. Ch+ Road, by Centrepoint. They have loads. 5 min walk from FP.

[snarl]

I will do that. I was on feckin tott crt. road as well and was considering having a dip in...

Do they have issue 2 of Evolutions yet?

[Metal Vendetta]

Nah, just Stormbringer.

But it is so worth it.

[Yaya]

Simon......

TWO FOR TWO, BABY!

What can I say? Every once in a while, a legend of old graces us with some flashes of brilliance, and Simon does just that for the second time with this outstanding issue.

But before getting to the story, I have to commend Don and Josh on what I feel is, artistically, the best Transformers comic we have had in many a year. Don, your pencilling in this issue is gorgeous, and the coloring of Josh supplements it perfectly. I have not seen work this good since Don's Sunstorm issues for DW. If ever there was an example to follow for those artists who are inclined to tackle Transformers, let this issue serve as the standard of how a TF comic should look.

Back to the story, its really what TF fans, particularly those who enjoyed Furmans run on Marvel UK and US, have been looking for. A huge cast with some obscure characters finally being brought forward again, like Dogfight, Scoop, and Ruckus. With Jetfire, the Wreckers, Prime, Megs, Bludgeon, etc., what's there not to like about the cast?

Its one thing to show a character here and there for a panel or two, and then never see them again. But here, with the Technobots for example, we are allowed to care about these characters who are actually given a chance to develop.

The story remains shrouded in mystery, which I feel is a strong point. Better to slowly unravel things here and keep the reader guessing. It makes for a much more exciting read.

A solid "A" comic, almost flawless in every way I can think of.

Strong, strong work guys.

[Shanti418]

Yeah, it's basically orgasmic goodness permeating every panel of every page. Let the Transfans Religion Wars cease. Don is God.

[BB Shockwave]

Finally we get to see another Decepticon unit, commanded (apparently) by Darkwing. This is presumably the Nebulos infiltration unit, and they include Thrust, Skullcruncher, Ruckus, Dreadwind, Darkwing and Crankcase. And a little purple dude who I just can't place, though he looks kinda Pretendery.

Haven' read the issue yet, but from the context - and the presence of Gunrunner - I'd say it could be Roadgrabber, the Con pretender vehicle from 1988. He's all purple with a black head and a yellow face.

Man, can't wait to read it... though if Bluestreak has an unit, the Bots must be really down on officiers... Nebulos is propably gonna stay intact, as Simon said there'd be more about the planet in the future.

My only question is... now that we've seen Thunderwing, he doesn't look like the Con on the cover Magnus and the Headmasters are fighting... then who's that bloke? My money is on Roadblock... would be nice, he's much neglected potential.

[snarl]

If you've the same version as me, Thunderwing's on the cover of issue 2 - he's the dude surrounded by the bright light between Megs and Prime.

I liked this muchly - went a lot of places, I like the scope of it so far.

Looks like it's going to go off next issue!

[Shanti418]

btw: Thunderwing looks like Energon Megatron, IMO

[snarl]

I think he looks like RID Megatron?

[Best First]

i should not have read this topic, but i did, and i am spaffing my pants in anticipation of getting this.

[Ozz]

i should not have read this topic, but i did, and i am spaffing my pants in anticipation of getting this.

You got it easy, I'm still wainting for Infiltration #6 and Stormbringer #1.

[Denyer]

Do they have issue 2 of Evolutions yet?

Expected for 16th.

[Best First]

i should not have read this topic, but i did, and i am spaffing my pants in anticipation of getting this.

You got it easy, I'm still wainting for Infiltration #6 and Stormbringer #1.

ok, you win.

sorry dude.

but er Stormbringer 2 is really really really really really bloody good if that helps.

hmm.

Yes, that was the tits. So much crammed in, so much goodness, such a great cast and such great charachterisation hanging off almost every scene and word.

and the art was amazing.

Great stuff.

Is the Xantium based on anything by the way? Or is it just Don having fun? It lookied like Topspin's gun emplacement could transform as well...

Elements of Tankor in the Centurion drones.

smashing.

[Metal Vendetta]

Finally we get to see another Decepticon unit, commanded (apparently) by Darkwing. This is presumably the Nebulos infiltration unit, and they include Thrust, Skullcruncher, Ruckus, Dreadwind, Darkwing and Crankcase. And a little purple dude who I just can't place, though he looks kinda Pretendery.

Haven' read the issue yet, but from the context - and the presence of Gunrunner - I'd say it could be Roadgrabber, the Con pretender vehicle from 1988. He's all purple with a black head and a yellow face.

That makes much sense. I have his car, though I don't have Roadgrabber himself.

I didn't notice (but it was mentioned over at IDW) how sweet Prime's battle accessories were.

[spiderfrommars]

What a wonderful issue. Best TF issues I've read in ages.

Before Don's art was always technically great, but now it has character too.

And I love the sheer scale of the story. Its such a treat seeing the massive threat the cons pose. Nebulos is in the same trouble as Earth, and Varas is a pretty shocking example of what could lie ahead for Earth.

The battling on Varas was so G2, it was lovely.

There's a lot of fan service, what with Thunderwing, Bludgeon, Wreckers, Centurions and so on, but I'm not actually arsed about that (though The Wreckers getting called in was done in a very cool way). Its more the fact that everything has been turned on its head. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if Cybertron is destroyed at the end of this, though that would take serious balls on the writer's part.

Didn't expect Thunderwing to be up and running so quick either. Its nice that the story is moving so quickly.

9/10.

[Aardvark]

I bought this the day after it came but hey…I’m lazy…

First Thoughts

The peak of IDW’s output.

The Writing

The story was superb; dark, exciting, intriguing, self-contained… There was a tremendous amount of “content”. There’s so much going on and yet none of it seems rushed or needless. It seems as though Simon had a lot of fun with this issue, trying out different styles and ideas. And it’s the amalgamation of these ideas that make Stormbringer such an enjoyable read.

The dialogue managed to be both slick and snappy as well as being believable. Springer received some good characterisation, reminiscent of his Marvel counterpart sans the self-doubt. Roadbuster and Springer having a casual conversation in the middle of a war zone brought a smile to my face. I loved the flow of the conversation…reminded me of Pulp Fiction <.< . There’s a lot of potential for Springer and Roadbuster to develop into a cool double act. Now on the subject of Roadbuster, I was kind of hoping he’d be leader of the Wreckers. Nevertheless, I do hope he receives some characterisation and doesn’t just fade into the background.

Now some people may think that Bludgeon is a cold, emotionless, "death machine"; He isn’t just your run-of-the-mill killbot nor is he a cartoonish super villain. There’s much more to the character. He clearly blames Jetfire (He even says so!) for what happened. It’s not their respective factions that fuel their hatred for one another. Yet, Bludgeon wants Jetfire to see the things the way he does and I think he actually respects Jetfire. The animosity between the two characters made for excellent reading. Very well written and surprisingly subtle, considering the chaotic pace of the issue.

It’s a testament to great writing when I find myself caring about Afterburner and Nosecone The manic pace added to the drama and excitement and Simon conveyed a real sense of desperation.

The Megatron/Prime flashbacks have been remarkably poignant and a joy to read. What’s more, not only do they give us an insight into Cybertron’s past but we also get an insight into Optimus and Megatron’s past, which Simon can build upon in future issues. Prime’s self-doubt was quite believable and furthermore justified (And not at all like Rodimus). I know I’d think twice before blowing up my home planet…

One final point regarding the characters; it’s the little things that make a good issue great and the Decepticon infiltration unit is one of those little things. It’s good to see such a wide range of characters; we get a seeker, two Triggercons, a Headmaster, and 2 Powermasters. Oh and eh…Roadgrabber…well you can’t win ‘em all!

It had everything; an interesting plot, lots of mysteries, lot’s of action, good characterisation and it also appealed to my inner “Marvel fanboy” i.e. the Wreckers. Simon needed an elite commando unit like the Wreckers, so why not use them? It’s not as if Simon included (Well he probably couldn't...) the old, Marvel “exclusive” characters, (Impactor, Rack ‘n' Ruin…I still wuv you guys…) If they’re well written and suit the story, then who cares if they’re over-hyped. Personally, I don't think they're overused... And Scoop was in it!

Artwork

Ok, I won’t go into too much detail here; in a nutshell, the artwork rocked harder than..eh... Rockbuster (BW Neo). I knew from the first page (Nebulos is absolutely gorgeous) that this was going to be something special. Don’s designs are fantastic; Bludgeon looks great. He looks like he’s died a thousand deaths yet he still functions (No pun intended), which complements the character’s personality and certainly adds to his menace. Don’s Pretender designs are great, I just wish we could have seen a bit more of them, especially if they’re planning on upgrading to their “classic” forms.

The dead, "hollow" expression on the “sleeping” Thunderwing's face gave me the impression that he could wake up at any given moment. Absolutely brilliant and once again, added to the tension and suspense. Josh’s lush colours are wonderful. He did a fantastic job. It’s not just the Transformers that look great; Varas Centralus looks amazing as does the grim, uninviting, Cybertron. And the Centurions are quite nifty too (Even if they do look a lot like the Tankor drones). My only complaint is Dogfight’s bizarre face. Personally, I prefer the broken jaw look….

The Combination of Don’s dark, elaborate designs and Josh’s striking colours resulted in the best-looking issue thus far.

Last Words

I can’t wait for the next issue!

“Let us hope, that when one way or another, this is all over…that sentiment prevails”.


Rating: 9/10

[BB Shockwave]

Just read it - I must say, superb piece!

Some thoughts:

-Centurions look cool. And I don't think they belong to Bludgeon's cult - did you see that plane in the background behind them? Maybe some other survivors on Cybertron... Magnus maybe?

-Good characterisation for Bludgeon. I must agree, him and Jetfire make an even better couple then with Shocky in DA. I never thought I'd get used to hearing the name of Primacron 'shudder' again, but it suits the characters well!

-Prime is great again - a bit G2 brooding here, but I can understand why he didn't want to blow up the planet.

-Springer and the wreckers - I'm glad that Springer is back to his hardcore self again, he was quite indecisive in some Marvel stories, though that was understandable since he was just made into commander after Impy"s death. Love the redesigns, even Whirl is now a two-rotor copter! Springer's line "I know this is a lost cause - that's why we are here!" Is simply classic.

-Pretenders - they all look great. Really like Finback's face and the 'light-up' fangs in Iguanus' mouth, Wonder if they all can transform. Thudnerwing certainly can. And now I see that the huge jet engines on his back have those claws - I'm guessing they double as claw arms too, kinda like Energon Bulkhead's.

-Darkwing, Dreadwind. I hope one of them says 'well I told you we were doomed" in the next issue...

-Dogfight is an odd choice to say these to OP, he's supposedly a maniac fighter like Blades. But his profile also says he's inexperienced so I guess it's OK.

-Loved the interaction between the two technobots... some of my fav part of the issue. That's what Simon excels in, a few pages and we feel these characters (who got, what, 2 or 3 lines back in Marvel comics? ) as close to out hearts as say, the Combaticons. Afterburner reminds me a bit of Raphael from TMNT, dunno why but I guess his lines remind me of that type.

-One gripe - why are the nebulans all bald? I have a hard time imagining a bald lord Zarak. Granted, if he's in there. But I don't think the two Powermasters are charged with leading that unit (everyone who read Out to lunch knows why) so maybe -there's hoping - Scorpy is there too, only he's on holiday now. Perhaps in the next mini-series?

[spiderfrommars]

Are there any clues as to whether the 'cons on Nebulos have reformatted alt. modes?

[Best First]

Thrust, Dreadwind and Darwing look as if they may, the others i don't think so - however it may be at an early stage in the Infiltration process so maybe they have yet to be reformatted?

[BB Shockwave]

Thrust looks like he's in TWW form and the powermasters have the same transformation, though they are 'cybertron-ised' on some places (note Dreadwind's cockpit.) But the others seem to be in normal G1 shape. Which is odd for Skullcruncher - but then, Nebulos must have a native fauna, maybe he's now some Nebulan alligator.

Btw, Aardvark - I was suprised at Dogfight's face already waay back when MTMTE #2 came out. But, apparently that's how the toy looks like. In many cases (Autobot Powermasters, simple and Double Targetmasters) Marvel changed the faces a lot... I still prefer the 'Marvel' faces of Dogfight, Crankcase, Triggerhappy, Crosshairs and Getaway to the toy faces, but I'm guessing Hasbro wants the artists to stick to the toy versions.

[Best First]

i too have a fondness for the old Marvel faces, although even at the time i kind of wondered why they made the changes.

Crossheirs is well random.

[BB Shockwave]

i too have a fondness for the old Marvel faces, although even at the time i kind of wondered why they made the changes.

Crossheirs is well random.

I didn't wonder - I first saw how they looked in 1994 or so, when I looked them up on the net. 87 toys were never on sale in hungary... Until then I honestly thought these toys looked just like in the comics... frankly I still can't get over Triggerhappy's face, I really liked the old version (especially with Wildman drawing him).

Oh and Scorponok... that was another unpleasant suprise, first seeing the toy's face...

In Japan they used the toy models for the animation, hence they look like the toys in Headmasters and Masterforce... Still doesn't explain why Headstrong and Brainstorm have a face, though...

[Best First]

ha. yeah, Scops face must have been a real let down.

[sprunkner]

I just got it. Not much I can say that others haven't. Bludgeon looks awesome, Thunderwing looks awesome, Nebulos looks awesome.... awesome awesome awesome. Simon is really giving the comic fans a treat here. Not only the Wreckers, but Prime having disturbing dark visions. Heh. I'm impressed with a lot of Don's inking. He really makes things darker than we're used to. There are a few rought spots in his inks, but a lot of gorgeous ones, like the first shot of Bludgeon.

I'm impressed. This series really kicks up the intergalactic warfare notch.

[Brendocon]

I've just read it, but may need to re-read it again in conjunction with issue one when I'm both awake and not hungover, as I have little idea what's going on... all I know is I like it.

I was gonna ask who the purple guy is, but Roadgrabber makes sense.

Oddly, as much as there is physically to say Thrust, my brain (as it is at this point in a weekend) can't get past "BUT HE HAS MINDWIPE'S WINGS"...

The spot-the-TF cover is lots of fun...

[Best First]

the cover actually kind of reminds me of those glorious paintings that we used to get on the back of the boxes.

[Denyer]

Am I late for this one or early for the next?

Issue Review

Woo-ha. Things continue to move at a fair pace, packing in not one but two worlds which the Decepticons have infiltrated. Plus that whole subplot with Thunderwing and Cybertron...

There's a ton of stuff to like here, as we finally get a demonstration of things only hinted elsewhere, and the Autobot lines really seem to be stretched thin dealing with Decepticon incursions across the galaxy. Once again, the ideas and the sense of freshness are as rewarding as the immediate plot — how many fronts are out there? Have the Decepticons settled any worlds, or just broken what's left down for resources? Do the Autobots have their own mining strips on uninhabited worlds or asteroid belts? Treaties with any planets they've saved? Thus far the Transformers seem to be a leading force in the universe, and that's something I'm glad to see; back in the day they were being beaten up and dismembered by giant organics, Mecannibals, scraplets, and virtually everything else.

Prime's response to Springer telling him he should consider disintegrating Cyberton is underlined by a flashback sequence immediately following, in which Megatron made the same suggestion (albeit after Thunderwing had apparently been taken down) and Prime refused to countenance it. The sequences are woven neatly so that when Prime replies to Dogfight that he hopes sentiment prevails, it's a hope that the young soldier won't regret being eager to go into battle alongside his hero, but also that Prime's hope of resolving the conflict without making what he considers to be an ultimate sacrifice is still alive.

I consider it a nice touch that Thunderwing is a zombified body without sentience (at this point at least — though I'd rather that's how things remain, there's at least a passing chance the resolution in this miniseries is going to involve what's left of Thunderwing briefly regaining faculties. Maybe I'm just too cynical about sci-fi clichés — c'mon Simon, blow the planet, wave two fingers at the status quo, you know you want to.)

Another great detail is that Prime makes slight upgrades over the course of the issue as he's preparing to head over to Cybertron, strapping additional armour over his chest plating and what look like another two energy cannons that poke out over his shoulders. Don's really going to town artistically with this series. (The Wreckers' battlecruiser, the Xantium, takes some cues from Fortress Maximus and has been mentioned to be based on one of his old Macromasters designs.) It's wonderful fanservice, without crossing the line to being fanwank because it doesn't form the meat of the story or art.

There are some production issues similar to those in the first issue with the placement of faction symbols, but altogether the art, colouring and interiors remain excellent. I do have one small nitpick other than the logos, that being that I'm a little disappointed with the cover... I got sent the regular B variant, and for some reason the coloured version of the art is relegated to the back with the original black-and-white artwork mirrored on the front. Surely burning yellows and oranges would be more likely to catch people's attention on a store shelf? No great shakes — heck, I think I ordered the wraparound from my supplier but the story's the main thing — just some constructive criticism.

In short: keep up the good work, production team, and please keep piling on the revelations.

Character Development

As well as looking suitably samurai and skeletal, Bludgeon reminds a bit of Alpha Trion with his appearance and metaphysical rambling. His plan to restore Cybertron is based on "sympathetic magic" — the notion that symbolic acts affect the empirical universe. Whilst a primitive grasp of cause and effect is common amongst humans, particularly historically, the effect is strikingly uncanny in an alien race made of what we consider technology.

Still on the subject of Bludgeon, his disrepair is a lot more evident this issue. This could reflect the singlemindedness of his efforts to revive Cybertron using Thunderwing, or that he's symbolically sacrificing non-vital parts of his armour to contribute to the process. Either or both, it all emphasises how driven and insane the character is.

Prime looks a touch disappointed at Dogfight's eagerness to head into a probable battle situation. He's very much "first amongst equals" with his command staff — he's regarded with awe and reverence by Searchlight and others, but Springer talks back to him and generally seems much more seasoned than we've seen in previous continuities. The leader of the Wreckers is also able to joke about phases of Decepticon occupation whilst laying siege to a heavily fortified bunker.

The rest of the Autobot special ops team are similarly stoic in the face of fire. Their numbers include Scoop, whilst familiar faces Roadbuster and Topspin are using hefty external weapons systems rather than their integrated weapons.

Megatron is grim and practical. He suggests nuking the planet as a precaution, warning when Prime threatens to stop him that he won't be held responsible for the outcome otherwise.

Afterburner and Nosecone seem quite inexperienced and begin to crack under the combined pressure of their shuttle exploding, the toxic smog on the planet's surface and patrols of Centurion drones.

Not much to say about the Decepticon infiltration team on Nebulos yet, except that they seem to recognise Thunderwing — or at very least that they're witnessing a huge threat.

Other gubbins here...

[Best First]

are we sure Scoop is a Wrecker and not some kind of auxilery?

he may be part of Bluestreaks squad.

wouldn't mind if he was though - be nice to have some new faces on the team.