Escalation 4

Post by **snarl** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:51 pm

Got this today, it gave me a semi.

I think next issue will achieve full wood.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:56 pm

Yeah, it was pretty sweet, with all the ass kicking action and what not.

Super sweet.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:59 pm

I read #4 last night.

One of the following is the source of the problem here:
A) The pacing of this story is still too slow
B) The problem is my perception of the pacing as being too slow

So which is it?

I just felt somewhat bored by this issue, to be honest. Yes, we have some action, but its action without real substance. The battle here is very similiar to the battle from Infiltration, with Bumblebee and Ratchet going at it with Skywarp and Blitzwing flying around. An air to ground show of firepower that wasn't anything spectacular.

The scene with Ironhide and Ratchet sneaking around the wheel outlet facility was like Jazz and Wheeljack sneaking around a similiar facility in an earlier issue.

Moreover, do I really care if Jimmy and Verity got gassed? I don't find that kind of cliffhanger too exciting.

And for the first time in a while, I thought E.J. was off his game. The pencils just weren't as clean, and the coloring was bland.

Cool to see Roller though, I will say that. And what an intro.

Overall, I give it a "C-" on my first reading. Not up to par with the previous issues, and I'm still waiting for the pace to quicken a bit.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:19 pm

Roller got Astrotrain. I will never respect Astro again.

I really liked this. I sat down and re-read all of Infiltration and Escalation so far, and they work really well in a row. Simon is definitely writing to the trades, maybe even to the eventual hardcover. I thought EJ's art was awesome, especially the splash of Megs coming down in front of Prime.

Only thing that hurt it for me was when Hot Rod screwed things up, movie-style. Okay, I know it's an easy screwup to make, but it had too many connotations.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:22 am

Uh, Blitzwing, right? Or did he mess up Astrotrain too?

Yeah, I really felt like we're getting to the payoff section of the storyline. I mean, obviously it's hard not to feel that way when Megatron does the obligatory "let's do it for the last time, Prime" stuff.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:04 pm

Yaya wrote:
Moreover, do I really care if Jimmy and Verity got gassed? I don't find that kind of cliffhanger too exciting.

Have the humans still got their share of bashers? I appreciated the cliffhanger... Furman could have gone for the easy Megs/Prime meet as the ending, but opted for the former.

I like Escalation at least twice as much as Infiltration.

Scraplet · Post by **Scraplet** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:46 pm

Great issue. My only problem with it was the space wasted repeating the Blitwing / Megatron conversation about 'taking the shot'. We were all hanging on that from the previous issue and there was no need to repeat it.

We just needed to see Blitwing lining it up and getting scorched
That would have left more space for action stuff to keep Yaya happy

BTW, what is Roller armed with? Is it Prime's normal lazer rifle?

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:53 pm

Should be. That's how the toy used to be. You'd just stick his gun into a hole on the back of Roller. Much love to Don Fig for the accuracy.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:35 pm

Uh, Ej right?

Concentrate Transfans!

I really enjoyed this, much more open, lots of particpants scrapping than before.

Prime's cold as ice use of Roller was mint, there was some real tactical jousting between the two leaders with both Prime and Megs making effective moves.

I sincerely thought Prowl was toast.

Only thing that was lame was, agree, Hot Rod fouling up.

Roll on next issue.

So, in conlusion: b) its you.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:11 pm

Best First wrote:Uh, Ej right?

Concentrate Transfans!

Hillarious

Sprunkner, I withdraw my stone throw, for I live in a glass house.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:18 pm

Best First wrote: So, in conlusion: b) its you.

From fan reaction on other boards, I would have to say I agree.

It is me.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:23 pm

Shanti418 wrote:
Best First wrote:Uh, Ej right?

Concentrate Transfans!

Hillarious

the best bit was when Dan Reed shot down Wingthing.

You nutters!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:39 pm

Really. If I were you, I'd just ditch us and go hang out on the IDW boards, where they can type without putting their foot in their keyboards.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:40 pm

they don't love me like you lot do though.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:43 pm

Transfans: Serving the Ego since 2000

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:08 pm

Best First wrote:they don't love me like you lot do though.

Yeah, plus that Commander Shockwav chap frequents there. That assh0le is everywhere.

Might want to stay here with us. Away from.....him.......

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:31 pm

uh oh... trouble in paradise.

Reply to my pm, Yaya!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:41 am

I too have a semi from this issue, and it looks like next issue will be just more fighting.

This is all good.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:53 pm

Yes, the Fractal matter non spilery pre review was wood inducing

Best EJ cover so far btw on issue 4? is for my money.

Me likee Hardhead.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:53 pm

I too have a semi from this issue

Best First wrote:was wood inducing

Hardhead.

Let me try.

*cough* My penis also enlarged from its engorgement of blood into it over this issue.

...How was that?

Best First wrote:Best EJ cover so far btw on issue 4? is for my money.

Agreed. Very cleanly drawn issue, the best E.J. one yet.

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:59 pm

Very good read!!

So Escalation 4 is a cumshot party?

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:18 pm

Yeah. Five... well, everything goes better with bukkake...

Post by **Best First** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:31 pm

The Last Autobot wrote:Very good read!!

So Escalation 4 is a cumshot party?

well, it is snowing...

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:06 am

"Let's do it dirty tonight baby. I want to fulfill your deepest, darkest, most shameful fantasies."

"Um... well would you mind if I called you Simon?"

Post by **Best First** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 12:34 am

a distinct darkness has descended on this discussion...

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:20 pm

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:they don't love me like you lot do though.
Yeah, plus that Commander Shockwav chap frequents there. That assh0le is everywhere.

Might want to stay here with us. Away from.....him.......

He does misuse the name Shockwave, true enough...

I liked the issue, but to me too it felt short.

There were some things I didn't like:

-First Prime/Roller totalling Blitzwing with one shot, then Hardhead doing the same with Astrotrain. I could accept Megatron killing Skywarp with a shot in Infiltration, because he wears a fusion cannon, but really, Blitzy is much harder armored in tank form. I felt a bit cheated that the Cons went down so easily... I guess it's in Simon's plans to introduce more Cons, as reinforcements, but that could have been done without killing the old guard.

-Prowl was really out of character when he took a chance and rushed to the exit, throwing logic out of the window... That was so not like him. I'm wondering (since he was calm and collected before in the issue) maybe he's trying to prove his worth to Prime?

Things I liked:

-Hot Rod was brash and arrogant as always, and got things messed up too. Some might find that boring, but I think it's what he's built to do...

-Megatron certainly was cought unawares. I loved that scene where Koska lets him fall and he just lays on the ground... reminded me of that Shortpacked episode about the usefullness of Megs gun mode.

-The idea that the bots are equipped with weaponary specially designed to counter humans is... shocking. Also how Megs simply orders Koska to kill himself with a simple verbal command.

-I didn't feel the part where Ratchet Ironhide and the humans were trying to break into the garage felt long. I enjoyed it, especially how it's now obvious the Machination is using Cybertronian tech. Anyone caught the sensor beneath the 'M' card Verity took that triggered the gas trap? She was right, it was waaay too obvious for a clue.

-I laughed out loud when the Brasnyan commander summarises the situation... yeah, a space shuttle battling an american police car in the USSR? Robots in disguise...

I also like how Megs shut down the human communications before engaging OP. Also makes you wonder HOW he did it, as there is a certain Con who's an expert at this job...

All in all,I can't wait for #5. Escalation is a 6 parter, right?