Devestation #1 Review (SPOILERS)

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:27 am

Strong issue, really enjoyed it.

I would say of the Infiltration/Escalation/Devestation series, it's probably one of my favorite thus far, mainly because the story seems to be moving forward now.

After thirteen issues, it is absolutely critical that things really pick up and subplots get concluded. So I was pleased to see the Ark-19 take off, and I anticipate the story itself is about to too.

One of the benefits of sticking with something this long is we get some character development that can't happen in just a few issues. Characters like Prowl, Ratchet, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, etc. have been given ample time to develop, which allows Simon more room to grow the cast somewhat. Looks like Sideswipe and Hound's group will be joining the fray, and I'm okay with that because Simon was given ample opportunity to flesh out the original bots in these past two series.

What I didn't like? Well, I still don't like Simon's portrayal of Sixshot, a bot I always felt should have been the silent, deadly type. Here, he's talkative, like most of Furman's characters. Even classically quiet abrupt bots like Omega Supreme and Soundwave have been given verbose characterization in this continuity thus far. I feel this "cookie-cutter" dialogue trap detracts from individualization.

Ratbat was a surprise. Here's to hoping his current persona jives with Holmes' from the Megatron Origin.

Artwise, I was a bit disappointed with the faces. They are tending to look somewhat two dimensional.

Overall, a solid "A-" issue for me. Looking forward to the next issue, which thankfully isn't but two weeks away!

Post by **Best First** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:50 am

Soundwave is not 'classically' silent - in the Marvel UK g1 run (easily his most interesting incarnation) he had quite a bit to say.

anyway, this was awesome, especially after the sh*t fest that is Megatron: Origins.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:19 pm

Yep, I'm loving this. It's fantastic how the earthbound Transformers are swelling in numbers, giving a real sense of an escalating conflict...right now we have Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, Jazz, Wheeljack, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Hardhead, Nightbeat, Hound, Sideswipe, Skram, Road Rocket, Warpath, Grimlock, Snarl, Slag, Swoop, Sludge, Megatron, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Runabout, Runamuck, Sixshot, Ratbat, Shockwave, Soundwave, Laserbeak and Ravage plus the mysterious head and his army of cloned Sunstreakers* all potentially in play on Earth. Yeah I know we had most of them plus many more on Earth pretty much all the time in G1 but the way this is written we know now that it's getting really serious. Can't wait to see Sixshot in proper EJ action.

* well at least it's not another army of cloned seekers...

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:01 pm

It's great to have the main series getting underway after getting through three quarters of the comedyfest that was the New Avengers crossover, the mess that is Megatron: Origin and a couple of handy spotlights.

Megatron's losing his marbles, Astrotrain and co risking death by bringing Starscream back, Sixshot asking questions before going "alright, just point and pull the trigger", Verity and Jimmy stuck at square one and the ark - blasted out of the sky and falling on top of Knoxville makes this quite a rush! No bum steers at all.

Bring on the army of Sunstreaks, the Sixshot vs the Autobots fight, Skywatch, and the (not-loved-by-many) Reapers.

W-000000000000000000000000000-T!

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:06 pm

Best First wrote:Soundwave is not 'classically' silent - in the Marvel UK g1 run (easily his most interesting incarnation) he had quite a bit to say.

I always felt the classic Soundwave was the one from the cartoon, Budiansky's Marvel run, Furman's Marvel run, and DW's run.

You know, everything except the Marvel UK G1 run.

Post by **snarl** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:48 am

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:Soundwave is not 'classically' silent - in the Marvel UK g1 run (easily his most interesting incarnation) he had quite a bit to say.
I always felt the classic Soundwave was the one from the cartoon, Budiansky's Marvel run, Furman's Marvel run, and DW's run.

You know, everything except the Marvel UK G1 run.

You must have thought that Soundwave was a bit of a c-unit then.

Cartoon SW certainly was MEMORABLE, cuz he had THAT fockin VOICE... man... and what a voice. But other then that, I would reject cartoon AND DW Soundwave off hand. I mean, DW and Cartoon TFs are TFs when they're struggling in the gutter, simply whoring themselves out to the stupid **** in the street... the stupid **** that'll like them for identity and association, and then give them some money - which is greedily lapped up just so there's enough in the kitty to get a bit of smack. Makes those cold, lonely nights seem a little less daunting.

So lets forget them, nobody likes that embarrassing cartoon and DW **** - well, nobody with brain one in the huge mellon on top of their shoulders anyway.

UK comic soundwave is one cool, badass mother ****** hustler. Stands to reason you'd accept the coolest version of a character as the classic version of the character.

So classic soundwave is UK Soundwave. Memorable but **** Soundwave is all the rest added together. Lets forget that guy, he's just a **** with a good voice.

I mean... Look at ****** George Best. Classic Besty is going round half of Fulham and stroking it home. On the other hand, although it is still memorable, what classic George Best ISN'T is that loveable, slurred, bearded **** that mucked about a bit on Wogan.

Post by **snarl** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:56 am

oh, for the record, I thought it was a good read...

Looks like it is going to be a bit Danny Dyer "Pwoppa naw-tee" next issue.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:22 am

snarl wrote:
Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:Soundwave is not 'classically' silent - in the Marvel UK g1 run (easily his most interesting incarnation) he had quite a bit to say.
I always felt the classic Soundwave was the one from the cartoon, Budiansky's Marvel run, Furman's Marvel run, and DW's run.

You know, everything except the Marvel UK G1 run.
You must have thought that Soundwave was a bit of a c-unit then.

Cartoon SW certainly was MEMORABLE, cuz he had THAT fockin VOICE... man... and what a voice. But other then that, I would reject cartoon AND DW Soundwave off hand. I mean, DW and Cartoon TFs are TFs when they're struggling in the gutter, simply whoring themselves out to the stupid **** in the street... the stupid **** that'll like them for identity and association, and then give them some money - which is greedily lapped up just so there's enough in the kitty to get a bit of smack. Makes those cold, lonely nights seem a little less daunting.

So lets forget them, nobody likes that embarrassing cartoon and DW **** - well, nobody with brain one in the huge mellon on top of their shoulders anyway.

UK comic soundwave is one cool, badass mother ****** hustler. Stands to reason you'd accept the coolest version of a character as the classic version of the character.

So classic soundwave is UK Soundwave. Memorable but **** Soundwave is all the rest added together. Lets forget that guy, he's just a **** with a good voice.

I mean... Look at ****** George Best. Classic Besty is going round half of Fulham and stroking it home. On the other hand, although it is still memorable, what classic George Best ISN'T is that loveable, slurred, bearded **** that mucked about a bit on Wogan.

(My good man, I have the damned hardest time understanding you sometimes. All that slang, its quite different from what I'm used to here in the U.S.)

Nevertheless, I think I caught the gist of what you're saying. I still think silent Soundwave is the classic Soundwave. I never really got a chance to get to know UK Soundwave anyway.

Post by **Best First** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:46 am

that's not the most compelling arguement is it?

"i have not investigated your claims, so you are wrong"

Voice aside cartoon soundwave didn't actually have a character, so looking to that incarnation as a classic anything seems rather dull. His tech-spec says more about him than the entire cartoon run.

Also don't make the mistake that most recognised means better. Cos it dun't.

Anyone else notice Hardhead had been reformatted - really wanna see that Earth mode!

If, indeed he survives next issue, i think there is going to be some death...

Hmm, this really does feel like a different continuity to Megs: Impovergin

Post by **snarl** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:21 am

Yes, going by Si's blogs, it would seem that by issue 3 the cast list is going to be a little lighter...

I've really been wondering who's going to bite it myself. He's been hinting at Ratchet, which would be a stunning move as the comic has revolved largely round him so far. Hardhead has that "cool black guy in a film" air about him too, i.e. he's been good when he has been in it so far, but if you were a betting man, you'd bet on him to get offed in a conflict.

I read the entire run the other night. Spent a bit of time arranging them into the proper order then read them.

Sorting them out at one stage involved getting the Megatron Origin (And that Evolutions AIDS) and hoying it across the room.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:55 pm

top quality read. Nick Roche's cover is especially lovely.

Looking at the previews at the back, who is that talking to Hot Rod? I can't quite make him out.

*edot* Doubledealer maybe?

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 2:09 pm

I dig Hot Rod's new form.

Hmmm. That's not a sentence I would want quoted out of context.

Very cool issue. I like the use of Sixshot, though I'm going to have to go back to Escalation to figure out why Megatron is so nucking futs.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:10 pm

Snarl, love you.

And lest we forget, Marvel UK Soundwave trounced Oppy's Autobots in Dinobot Hunt. What a 'con.

I loved this issue, it really is exciting stuff. And what a cliffhanger. Splendid.

I'm even happy that Starscream is coming back.

It's a shame that I enjoy Megs in this so much, then get a painful twinge when I recall the whole Origin thing and how its the same continuity. Ugh.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:12 pm

snarl wrote:
I read the entire run the other night. Spent a bit of time arranging them into the proper order then read them.

Which order did you try?

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:01 am

This ish was definitely nice. Got rid of that nasty Megatron Origin taste in my mouth as well.

And although yes, Sixshot is a bad ass MF, sending him alone to try and kill all of the Autobots main forces (Main Forces = Whichever one Op is hanging with) is tactically unsound. Especially considering you basically stated you don't give a toss if anyone sees, why not send all the air power you have?

Can't wait to see what happens next ish, even if The Movie broke the cherry when it came to fictional mass awareness of Transformers in the 21st Century.

As for the Soundwave, I think "Classic" is a silly term, as all that really means REALLY is that the portrayel personified the character for you. Yaya, BF craps upon Cartoon Soundwave because he had no characterization while the UK Soundwave was kicking ass in Furman penned side adventures. BF, Yaya craps upon UK Soundwave because why would he think something that he was never exposed to as a kid would be "classic", and how can he compete with Soundwave's bad ass voice on the off occasion that he did talk in the cartoon?

IMHO, Cartoon Soundwave, while the more boring character, WAS a more defining character in that I think that without him, Soundwave's status as Cult Favorite would be more Impactor/Blaster level, and less Shockwave/Grimlock level.

Another thing I think of is Snake Eyes. He had already set the table in the US for the silent but deadly with a face mask type thing. So to US viewers, the fact that Soundwave didn't say jack only added to his persona. I mean, c'mon, we were just 6. Give us a break.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:47 pm

Im behind on my comics again... off to the shops for me!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:43 pm

As usual, I'll await the TPB.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:10 pm

Shanti418 wrote: IMHO, Cartoon Soundwave, while the more boring character, WAS a more defining character in that I think that without him, Soundwave's status as Cult Favorite would be more Impactor/Blaster level, and less Shockwave/Grimlock level.

Another thing I think of is Snake Eyes. He had already set the table in the US for the silent but deadly with a face mask type thing. So to US viewers, the fact that Soundwave didn't say jack only added to his persona. I mean, c'mon, we were just 6. Give us a break.

That's my point, actually. The reason I "crap on" Furman's Soundwave is because he ditched the 'silent, deadly, Maximillian from The Black Hole" persona, and went with another verbose Decepticon leader. Had he done this to Thundercracker or Skywarp, I think I could've swallowed that.

Furman as a writer suffers from "cookie-cutter" syndrome. His use of dialogue, IMO, is his biggest flaw, making everyone a Chatty Kathy doll. He has already done this to Omega Supreme, a classically terse bot, and the same to Ravage as well.

I mean, the only G.I. Joe character with any appeal to me really was Snake Eyes for this very reason. His silence is what made him scary, and I think that's what makes Soundwave scary.

The next issue on the G1 run from DW apparently had Soundwave torturing Shockwave, not saying word whilst doing it. To me, that's Soundwave.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:36 pm

Yaya wrote: Furman as a writer suffers from "cookie-cutter" syndrome. His use of dialogue, IMO, is his biggest flaw, making everyone a Chatty Kathy doll. He has already done this to Omega Supreme, a classically terse bot, and the same to Ravage as well.

See, the problem with criticism like this, is that they seem to extend from a desire to criticise Furman rather than from any actual basis in reality.

Yes, its potentially true of Omega Supreme. A character has been changed! OMG!

HOWEVER in terms of this "cookie cutter" arguement;

Ravage has, what, ONE LINE, of dialouge in the entire series? Wow - that's cookie cutter isn't it?

And Soundwave, who is now apparently verbose... most of his dialouge was actually internal wasn't it? And most of his spotlight was actually characterised by him biding his time, watching, wasn't it? Oh, the wrench of change.

Also, silent, yes, but deadly? No one in the cartoon was deadly. It was, in part, defined by people getting shot and falling over and getting up again. Oh, the terror. Compare that to the guy who has managed to betray pretty much everyone and still gets kept around because he is so f'n useful from the UK run...

As for why you think 'robot dog' is a preferable version of a character in the TF universe is anyones guess. hey! Despite being a robot, he looks like a dog, he must only snarl and stuff - i guess if that's how the mind works i can see why Mick and Patyks stuff appealed.

On top of that there have been a number of Furman characters who have tended to be quiet, Slag is an obvious one, Laserbeak never said much (if anything), Rack and Ruin, Broadside is actually far less chatty than his previous incarnation (hey, waitasec...) Hardhead seems pretty quiet in the IDW series etc etc.

I don't always like SF's dialouge but your assertion that all Furman's characters are chatty is nonsense.

So all you are actually saying is "Waaaah, its not my favourite version of the character so its bad."

Which is fine in itself, but don't try and take your subjective dislikes and imply that its due to the writer being fundamentally flawed in some way. Or if you do, do a better job of it.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:29 am

Best First wrote: Which is fine in itself, but don't try and take your subjective dislikes and imply that its due to the writer being fundamentally flawed in some way. Or if you do, do a better job of it.

If one state's an opinion, it is by definition "subjective", is it not?

Simon has waaay too many light-hearted characters that crack sarcastic jokes, one after the other. It's his biggest flaw.

Like I said, too many "cookie-cutter" characters. Even the cartoon tried to distinguish characters by giving them annoying vocal quirks and ridiculous accents. But it worked in defining characters. Granted, Simon doesn't have the benefit of a voice track, but then that's where strong writing comes in.

Post by **snarl** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:24 am

spiderfrommars wrote:
snarl wrote:
I read the entire run the other night. Spent a bit of time arranging them into the proper order then read them.

Which order did you try?

I just did it by release date.

Brend was cobbling together a proper order by even type thing.

Post by **Denyer** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:59 pm

Yaya wrote:I always felt the classic Soundwave was the one from the cartoon, Budiansky's Marvel run, Furman's Marvel run, and DW's run.

You know, everything except the Marvel UK G1 run.

Best character development for him is in stories such as Space Pirates, IMO. He's old, he was there at the beginning of the war, and whilst fully a sociopath, he's tired -- particularly of what the Decepticons turned into.

That sort of complexity exists for almost no other TFs in original era material.

Anyhow, enjoyed this after a long wait...

Favourite thing is that after the Sixshot spotlight we get some interactive characterisation for him. And he's flip. He casually back-chats Megatron.

Likewise Prime... he's sensitive to the concerns of fellow Autobots, but goes through the hierarchy (in this case Hound) to follow up on things. It's a good way to reinforce his handling of the Prowl/Ratchet situation: he'll take action whilst not undermining.

Ratbat was a good page-turning surprise, especially the "back" button obvious on the previous page's panel.

Plus a cliffhanger, lineart preview and links to Spotlight: Hot Rod. Feels like I'm being individually pandered to...

Post by **Best First** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:03 pm

I used to feel that way when Fist of Fun was on...

my only slight gripe, which occured to me in the bath today (which a) shows you how much i think about TFs and b) provides the joyous image of me naked) is that at the start of infiltration the war falt huge, earth was one more battlefield in a series.

While i don't mind earth becoming the central/key location it would be nice to have a few more indicators that there is still stuff going on eslewhere, at the moment it feels a bit like the war is shrinking.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:41 am

Best First wrote: While i don't mind earth becoming the central/key location it would be nice to have a few more indicators that there is still stuff going on eslewhere, at the moment it feels a bit like the war is shrinking.

This happened with G2 as well. I still remember when Grimlock asks "Seven....teen?!" when asking how many worlds Jhiaxus had under his control. The war seemed big, spanning the galaxy, then it kind of dwindled by series end.

I think it'd be nice to go back to Nebulos, Gorlam Prime, and some other planets and show some Decepticon infiltration with some Autobot resistance going on.

Post by **Best First** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:06 am

i wouldn't mind revisiting places but if anything i'd rather further hints that there is plenty going on in further locations - not all of it needs to be fully explored, lets just continue to see the scale of the war.

Fair point about g2, although i guess the introduction of LM at the end kind of yanked that one back.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:10 pm

Best First wrote:Fair point about g2, although i guess the introduction of LM at the end kind of yanked that one back.

yes, totally. the series had ended up being focused on the G1ers attempts to ultimately defeat Jhiaxus (and the swarm of course)... the introduction of the Leige at the end served as a perfect slap around the face of the otherwise happy ending, reminding us that the G1ers had gone through hell, but ultimately only defeated one of the big bad guys... and there were much bigger and badder things out there for them to worry about...

That's part of why I love G2...

Post by **Best First** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:48 pm

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote: Which is fine in itself, but don't try and take your subjective dislikes and imply that its due to the writer being fundamentally flawed in some way. Or if you do, do a better job of it.
If one state's an opinion, it is by definition "subjective", is it not?

not the point.

your assertions don't stand up to basic scrutiny.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:54 pm

My opinion is that Boris Johnson is made out of Cadbury's Milk Chocolate.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:13 pm

Anyone has a clue as to what does Ratbat transform into? Being the guy who's still using a (maybe) 7-year old cell phone I'm not really into today's tech. But I really like his new form.

Btw, Yaya - Ravage the talking version > Ravage the growling animal. Period.

Read some UK comics, especially stuff like Crisis of Command, Time Wars, Rise and Fall of the Decepticon Empire, Mind Games/Two Megatrons and Perchance to Dream: Wheeljack - to see Ravage doing what he does best...

it's because of his characterisation in the UK comics that he's my third fav. Con. (in fact I'm writing a Mosaic strip about him).

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:24 pm

BB Shockwave wrote:Anyone has a clue as to what does Ratbat transform into? Being the guy who's still using a (maybe) 7-year old cell phone I'm not really into today's tech. But I really like his new form.

Rough guess: a portable CD player.