All Hail Megatron # 1

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:10 pm

Well that was utter crap...
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*spoilers*

The Decepticons are in New York, they smash some stuff up, Megatron punches a plane (OMG!) whislt back in Cybertron it appears that Optimus Prime is duffed up...again.

I hate so much about this issue. I hate the way that everything built up from the start of IDW's run has been chucked out. I hate that Megatron seems remotely bothered with humans when his plans had so much more scale in Devastation. I hate that I see characters like Soundwave, Sunstreaker and Ironhide when their fates were up in the air before the series started and I especially hate the predictable and dull choice of characters on show - 1st & 2nd wave G1 characters only. Where are the wildcards like Nightbeat, Hardhead, Cyclonus etc?

Predictible. Pointless and worst of all - boring. Easily as bad as anything from the Dreamwave G1 series.

On the plus side, unlike Megatron origins I can at least understand what is going on. Mainly because NOTHING is going on.

I guess it can only get better...

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:28 pm

Sounds much like I was expecting.

Have ordered the first six issues from Steve. It's got that long to convince me it's worth the effort.

Hound wrote:I guess it can only get better...

You seriously can't believe that?

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:00 pm

So who gets honor of going John Rambo on McCarthy?

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:57 pm

I like how McCarthy protrays New Yorkers has been minute-spanned druggies (or is that thickies?) Epsecially after everything Furman has written up to this point.

The only intriguing point of this issue was the sight of Optimus Prime being duffed up (was it because of Nova Prime?), although that comes as a bit of a spoiler for Spotlight: Sideswipe - if McCarthy did do his research like he said.

Let's give it another issue or three before we get ourselves some stuffed Stingrays.

EDIT: You got to love McCarthy spoiling the fates of Soundwave (at some kid's house, stuck in alternate mode), Ironhide (damaged since Escalation #6) and Sunstreaker (On-the-run and binary bonded to Hunter). And apperantly Cybertron is alright to live on. SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:52 pm

Yeah, I wish someone had told me not to read this until M: D and Revelation were out and finished.

And there is indeed a wee hint of Dreamwave about it, Michael Bay as well with the wounded fighter pilots.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:17 pm

You just to love the fact that Furman has to make us worry for people who will be around in time for AHM.

Damn you, Dealer!

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:09 am

Hound wrote:I hate the way that everything built up from the start of IDW's run has been chucked out.

I don't know that it's all been chucked so much as given the Joe Quesada treatment of "let's give them a jumping-on point and not so much continuity to follow." Not that I'm saying that's good--that's also the same logic that gave us "Wolverine can be on three teams at once! Of course!"

Although the timing--putting the book out before the other readers can catch up to what's happening in it--that's crap.

I hate that Megatron seems remotely bothered with humans when his plans had so much more scale in Devastation.

Were they? I figured that between the ultra-energon and the imperative to conquer the world as part of phase... uh? six? he would want to smash all human resistance anyway.

I hate that I see characters like Soundwave, Sunstreaker and Ironhide when their fates were up in the air before the series started

That is f*cked up. Why are they only worrying about attracting new readers and giving such a clear "f*ck you" to the people who've been following the books?

I don't think this is absolute dreck... but the timing and presentation are really pissing me off.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:39 am

ugh. Not got this yet and therefore should hold judgement but this is not sounding good.

Had a scan of the IDW boards last night and the kind of comments that are popping up in the defence of the book are as telling as the criticisms "If this is what IDW have to do to keep the franchise alive then its a small price to pay" or something similar being my favourite.

Yes! Its better to have a rubbish TF comic than no TF comic...

...except it isn't, is it?

Starting to wonder if Simon's run, once he has wrapped it up, will kind of become the new G2.

Is Sunstreaker a headmaster by the way? My guess is not.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:35 am

Best First wrote:Yes! Its better to have a rubbish TF comic than no TF comic...

...except it isn't, is it?

I wonder how many of the people over at the IDW boards remember however many years ago, when we had no TF comic. And then when we got a shiny exciting new one that turned out to be crap.

I've had no TF, and I've had rubbish TF. And I definitely know which I preferred.

Basically, AHM's getting no leeway from me. Financial crackdown means I'm switching to trades for Astonishing (yes, I am dropping one of my favourite titles at the same time one of my fave writers takes over), I'm not bothering with Spike After the Fall, and the next time Angel takes a misstep it won't see me for dust. Given this, if IDW think Oh Hell McCarthy is going to get away with being anything less than decent, they're having a giraffe.

Already prepaid for #1-6. If there's not enough in there to make me think #7 will be even remotely worthwhile, it'll be gone. That's a fair approach, yeah?

Post by **Best First** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:57 am

More than.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:46 pm

I liked the preview comic, havent read the actuall issue yet - In the preview it was quite cool to see the Cons smashing stuff up, killing humans stuff, I find comics can be a bit PC sometimes in regards to this.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:54 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:it was quite cool to see the Cons smashing stuff up

You're so highbrow, dude.

No, not the Headmaster.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:10 pm

well, Im just a destruction whore but honestly, I always find the idea of Cons inflitrating a planet and stuff by stages slightyl, well odd. i mean, they have enough fire power to level every city on earth from orbit and stuff, why the need for sneaking in?

It always seem more plausible that megs would just land on the planet and start blowing stuff up?

Doesnt make for much of a plot line granted but I dont mind seeing a bit of rampant destruction now and then!

Besides, i do like the shot of megs just blasting his Cannon.

Not read the whole issue so perhaps its utter wank but the pictures were nice

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:55 pm

Read it again. Gets worse with each reading. Though Guido's art is pretty darn good... wish the TFs looked less bubbly and stuck to the EJ designs, though.

IGN's review is right on the money: http://comics.ign.com/articles/888/888174p1.html

You know, I thought they were going for the Watchmen of Transformers comics, but now that I read this, I realize that's what G2 was.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:04 pm

Sprunk is on the money.

*edit: damnit you and your 'on the money'-usurping post!, sprunkner!*

The main, actual problem with it is what he said - jumping ahead 'OYL' completely blows most of the preceding and still unfinished story's current danglers. Add in the Seekers being F-15s, and I spent most of the issue-reading experience being unhappy due to confusion and flat non-reveals. It could have been a great individual comic, but I would still have come away unhappy due to those creative choices (which I assume have been made to maximise the 'jumping-on' factor).

As to D-Cons unleashed...without any drama, it was just the Decepticons blowing stuff up. OK, the cheesy fighter pilots added in the bit that made you care a little, but...I guess the action quotient of the issue gets a technical pass, but I wasn't interested in it.

There was no story, other than Prime being duffed up. The introductory page reminded me of the first page of All Star Superman but the Gordon Ramsay style of hitting all those mythologic beats somehow didn't work. I think I can see what the writer is trying to do, but it isn't working...

yet.

There's enough here to indicate it could go someplace good. Don't really think it will, mind, but you never know.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:38 pm

Ill try and pick this up tom to read the rest as im still intrigued as to what happens, but im sort of putting it together from the spoilers in here.

Why are the seekers F-15's now?

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:09 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:Ill try and pick this up tom to read the rest as im still intrigued as to what happens, but im sort of putting it together from the spoilers in here.

Why are the seekers F-15's now?

'Cause like, it's cool, dude?

I have no idea. Doublewhoever is assuring everyone that Chris is going somewhere, while his Con half just pisses on the people saying bad things about AHM on the IDW forums (But I digress. Dreadwind and Hi-test did this with more puns and much more finesse)

Other then the designs (most of which were Universe Classics toys, though strangely while Prowl and Sunstreaker switched to Universe, BB and Ratchet and Ironhide stayed...) and the artwork... it was total crap.

I mean, I can't resist to do a parody of this by re-editing the word balloons. You know when was the last time I felt compelled enough to actually sit down and do that?

Like, you know. That time. Waay back.

It's G1 cartoony idiocy all over again.

Megatron is 'thez EEEvil!!!' because he blew up a skyscraper. Then he suckerpunches a plane and walks through the flames all smiling evilly...

I must have watched too many Ventury Bros episodes because I kept reading AHM with Megatron speaking in the Monarch's voice...

Seeing a flashback of the IDW cast facing each other with Soundwave in the background (who was pretty much inactive back then) was the icing on the cake... The pilots made me wish to hear Tyrese Gibson's corny lines from the movie again...

Yeah, Chris, giving this guy 8 issues and forcing Simon to write the end of an earth-shattering finale in 4 issues was the bright idea of the century. It's like, Micromasters, all over again...

Oh and I love the advert for the next issue. "The Decepticons shocking secret!" Looks like oops, I did it again...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:56 pm

Taking bits out of context, ie, ignoring the script, I actually liked Megatron punching a plane out the sky, and the shot of him using his cannon was pretty well drawn.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:32 pm

It's frightening to think just how bad everybody bar Trailbreaker looked in the Dreamwave era.

Apparently, the change to F-15 Masterpiece modes would be explained in later issues.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:29 am

I haven't a clue how this'll fit into continuity. Best guess is some alternate universey time travelly thing. I don't really care. I enjoyed reading it.

I absolutely loved the artwork. I've been been a fan of Guido's since I first saw his fan-art page linked from Transfans.com.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:13 am

The art work is excellent, some of the best ive seen in the IDW comics, its gritty and has real energy. Also, the frame layout is largely brillant, an area ive had trouble with in most of the IDW comics. ie. Megatron punching the plane out the sky, using a horizontal double frame, nicely done.
also, the overlap of Starscream in the lower right corner of the frame, before megatron arrives, clever stuff!

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:20 pm

I think the TF's are a bit too baloony for my liking, but the art is pretty good overall.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:01 pm

KingMob wrote:flat non-reveals.

Pacing. It's called "pacing". Or "the secret to dragging this out to twelve issues".

Anything shorter and it wouldn't be an "event."

Hey, here's an idea. Let's overhaul the entire structure.

We can have a dozen concurrent ongoing TF titles. We can have one set on Earth, one set in the ruins of Cybertron, the Nebulos Files, another following an Ark crew as they roam space landing on random planets.

Divvy the whole thing up into teams - the cast's big enough.

We can have a Micromasters title, but instead of established characters, they can all be mini cariactures of the main cast.

And Grimlock can be in ALL the books. At the same time. As well as his own solo series.

THEN we can have a proper event once a year by crossing them over. Publish a new limited mini with the EVENT title, and also stick the event title on all the other books just to tie it all together.

It'll be AWESOME.

And I'm not actually sure if I'm joking anymore.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:00 pm

Brendocon wrote:
KingMob wrote:flat non-reveals.
Pacing. It's called "pacing". Or "the secret to dragging this out to twelve issues".

Anything shorter and it wouldn't be an "event."

Hey, here's an idea. Let's overhaul the entire structure.

We can have a dozen concurrent ongoing TF titles. We can have one set on Earth, one set in the ruins of Cybertron, the Nebulos Files, another following an Ark crew as they roam space landing on random planets.

Divvy the whole thing up into teams - the cast's big enough.

We can have a Micromasters title, but instead of established characters, they can all be mini cariactures of the main cast.

And Grimlock can be in ALL the books. At the same time. As well as his own solo series.

THEN we can have a proper event once a year by crossing them over. Publish a new limited mini with the EVENT title, and also stick the event title on all the other books just to tie it all together.

It'll be AWESOME.

And I'm not actually sure if I'm joking anymore.

Your words hurt my love for X-Men

Dead Head · Post by **Dead Head** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:46 pm

Hound wrote:Well that was utter crap...

Predictible. Pointless and worst of all - boring. Easily as bad as anything from the Dreamwave G1 series.

If Transfans.net people here hate the writing/plot... then I guess the majority of other TF boards will like AllHailMegs. "Pretty pictures (reminiscent of the sunbow cartoon) trumps good scripting."

I'll reserve full judgement until I see the first issue myself, but this does not sound promising from the spoilers I've read here.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:08 am

Hound wrote:
Brendocon wrote:
KingMob wrote:flat non-reveals.
Pacing. It's called "pacing". Or "the secret to dragging this out to twelve issues".

Anything shorter and it wouldn't be an "event."

Hey, here's an idea. Let's overhaul the entire structure.

We can have a dozen concurrent ongoing TF titles. We can have one set on Earth, one set in the ruins of Cybertron, the Nebulos Files, another following an Ark crew as they roam space landing on random planets.

Divvy the whole thing up into teams - the cast's big enough.

We can have a Micromasters title, but instead of established characters, they can all be mini cariactures of the main cast.

And Grimlock can be in ALL the books. At the same time. As well as his own solo series.

THEN we can have a proper event once a year by crossing them over. Publish a new limited mini with the EVENT title, and also stick the event title on all the other books just to tie it all together.

It'll be AWESOME.

And I'm not actually sure if I'm joking anymore.
Your words hurt my love for X-Men

You mean there's another way? Quesada told me there was no other way.

Of course, he was shooting lightning from his hands when he said it... at least I hope that was lightning...

Post by **Best First** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:39 pm

Was he shouting "Spider-man" as he did it?

Anyway - poor.

The one year gap is an insufficient cover for the fact this is pretty much a reboot.

And so far an underwhelming and unimaginative one at that.

Post by **Denyer** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:36 pm

Dead Head wrote:If Transfans.net people here hate the writing/plot... then I guess the majority of other TF boards will like AllHailMegs.

Haven't read TFW or Seibertron yet, but have yet to see much fulsome praise.

edit: No, TFW is pretty mixed too. Allspark's not keen.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:11 pm

Chris Ryall has opened a Q&A for AHM at the IDW forum.

http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4270

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:47 pm

Ryall wrote:The only part that's dismaying for me is that some people seem so resistant to any change at all that they almost disliked this sight unseen.

It's almost funny. When fans don't like a product, the creators(among others) claim we're afraid of change.

Also, McCarthy declared Furman's Mosaic is no-longer in continuity.

McCarthy wrote:I think it should be pointed out that, no, "Hail and Farewell" is not in-continuity. I know it had been announced as such but that announcement didn't come from Chris, Denton or myself. I mean no disrespect to those involved in that particular story but we need to be clear about this due to how it will impact events in AHM.

Apparently, Furman has no say in continuity but this **** does.

TransFans.co.uk

All Hail Megatron # 1

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