Spotlight: Hardhead

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:12 am

Yeahahhhhh.

The perfect antidote to AHM. The Spotlight+Revelation format works better here than in Cyke's. Hardhead is a great character.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:13 am

woo-hoo.

Hang on - i am probably not going to get my hand son this for two weeks.

woo-boo

Post by **snarl** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:27 pm

******* brilliant.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:00 pm

back to the shops!

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:39 pm

It were dead good! Stuff happened! Some of it a bit sad.

I particularly like how Hardhead comes over as a fully formed character with his own, unique personality, rather than just as a generic tough guy. Shouldn't be surprised, really, considering the writer's demonstrated this kind of ability lots of times before, but it's still real nice.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:58 pm

I dont want to spiler anything so ill wait untill a few ppl catch up - theres some good humor in the issue too.

HH character is far more interesting in this than his old Marvel counterpart, I love the way he explains his to primary functions, somes him up perfectly.

Damm, now i have to wait another month...

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:07 am

Er, was that perfect?

I think that may have been perfect.

The shooting in the face bit was outrageosly good. The first one i mean.

The sceond one was of course outrageously sad.

But so well done!

And then he just... into the lake... with the dead universe... and... sniff

HA HA! Awesomeness.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:54 am

The shooting in the face bit was awesome - I was like, EH? - oh, perfect.

2nd one I wish they had a bit more panel room to stick in a bigger pause perhaps.

was good, wish id read this after Origin...

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:26 pm

I love that he knows he's the Autobots' dirty little secret and has no place in their future... a recurrent theme after Cyclonus?

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:59 pm

hmm, could be.

Dealer - won't want the war to end as he profits from it.

Sideswipe same but cos he enjoys it?

Maybe?

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:22 pm

Holy sweet Primus, this was GOOD. And I mean, like the end of Marvel US good.

So many threads being followed up at the same time... and yet we get to see what kind of a bot Hardhead is... Not your typical 'goody-two-shoes" Autobot. I guess I must have been watchin too many Venture Bros episodes, but I kind of 'heard' his lines in Brock Samson's voice...

And man, the ending... am I sad.

I mean... not just because the poor guy was my second fav. Autobot. But... First Jhiaxus appears, then we get to see Straxus after so many years... now, this. When the last time these three things happened? Marvel G2 ended.

I'm really hoping these are coincidental and I really don't believe in bad omens, but...

On topic of the issue - I was a bit baffled by what Jhiaxus said. They were pretty much transforming the inhabitants of Gorlam Prime into Cybertronians to prepare them for the coming event, the Expansion, I got that much... and he implied they plan to do this for the rest of the universe too. But... is there even time for that? I mean, they already started the Nega-cores...

The art was fabulous. Loved the expressions, especially on Hardhead and Jhiaxus. And now I want all these reworked Micromasters released as toys. NOW!!!

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:01 am

So, do we reckon Nightbeat bothered telling anybody else where they were going? Or did he keep it secret so as not to panic anybody? The fact that he only took Hardhead makes me think the latter...

Which means that, as far as the other Autobots are concerned, the two have vanished without a trace forever more?

At least it stops McCarthy from [composite word including 'f*ck'] the characters.

Post by **snarl** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:32 am

Re: Mccarthy and AHM:

The thing I find worrying whilst reading other boards is that a lot of the pro AHM camp back their stance by saying Infiltration didn't get off to a great start but that the fans persevered and it's getting a great pay off now etc and that Furman;s stuff is too hard to follow...

Well maybe it is, if you are as thick as ******* ****.

Regardless, iirc, Infiltration didn't read like it was bad fanfic that had been written by the worst kind of fan wanking spaz. That really annoyed me. The fact that the charcters talk and act like idiotic paper thin caricatures, dumbed down to seemingly play up to the ****** up cartoon mug cock sucking morons.

We've had pretty mature stor telling, now we have this barely belivable gash with the addition of stupid ******* anime humans talking complete bollocks. Dont get me wrong, Guido Guidi's art is great, but does it fit in with the tone of the book?

Anyway, read it out loud and just appreciate how truly dumbed down the characters come across as. If this daft codswallop is what the buying public prefer... well then maybe they should be gassed.

Jesus christ, I just remembered the utterly pointless Top Gun **** that made its way into the issue. What the [composite word including 'f*ck'] was that all about?

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:13 pm

Spotlight:Hardhead is probably one of the best TF comics I've read for a looong time... and that's saying something as I think i've thought that about each of the spotlights (mostly) so far.

The characterisation, the pacing, the plot twists, it's brilliant! I'm gonna have to re-read it again now!

Espeically when compared to AHM1... well, that's probably one of the worst I've read since the old DW vol1 disaster and i doubt i'll be re-reading (or buying) anymore of it to be honest.

Seriously, who OKed AHM? It's just, horrendous.

Scraplet · Post by **Scraplet** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:11 am

Brilliant. Quite possibly the best comic of the IDW run. Doncha just love it when all the sub-plots start to pay off? Its worth waiting for, which is something many of the instant-gratification crowd don't seem to appreicate.

But, as already pointed out by others, they will get what they want from AHM, by the looks of it.....

I'm just a bit worried that if Revelations and then Max Dynos ties up all the Furman subplots, that there will be nowhere interesting to go. It's taken two years to build up this pace, and the subplots have to "roll" a bit, if we are going to maintain the pace and get more issues like this. Which makes me suspect that AHM is a just a compete reboot. Ah well. It was great while it lasted.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:34 am

Scraplet wrote: Doncha just love it when all the sub-plots start to pay off?

Yeah, to think that this subplot has been hanging since the second ever Spotlight but has been tied up so magnificently. Was so worth the wait. I wonder if we'll look back on this multi-year arc once the dust has settled and see it as modern day TF masterpiece. Depends how it ends I guess.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:59 pm

There is a silver lining... Furman replied on his blog about a question to Nightbeat's fate with "Is he really gone? Well... you'll see..."

I doubt it's a coincidence that two (in g1) headmasters end up dead/missing on a planet full of bio-engineered transforming organic creatures...

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:44 pm

Loved the spotlight, and as pointed out - the scenes depicting why hardhead is more than just a name are just handled brilliantly.

I do kind of hope that Nightbeat stays dead though. The whole issue built up to that moment from the first page, and it would (for me) cheapen the emotional pang of seeing hardhead taking him out, if he just gets brought back from the dead next issue.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:21 am

Agree. Let him be.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:40 pm

what about Hardhead though? I couldn't quite make out if he had been killed off or just shot up and fell under the water

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:17 am

I took it that Hardhead had plunged head first into the dead universe. What remains to be seen is if he died as soon as he got there or not. Nova mentioned that the only reason his posse had survived was due to a certain thing... I assume he means the Matrix.

Despite my wish for both of them to be dead (not because I don't like them) just because for me their story has been nicely wrapped up, its seemingly almost a given that they're going to be headmastered or something. Verity bonded to Nightbeat in a Minerva tribute? I'd put a fiver on it...

Post by **Best First** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:26 pm

i reckon Hardheads fate is more ambiguous.

Hoping Nightbeat may return in a "if you are viewing this then i am already dead" kinda way

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:10 pm

Fun fact! Of the original 12 Micromaster "Patrols", the following characters don't appear

Sunrunner
Trip-Up

The Rescue Patrol
The Monster Truck Patrol

Every other bugger is there, though. But none from the Combiners, Transports, Bases, etc.

So, in total that gives us... in approximate order of appearance...

Crumble, Takedown, Groundpounder, Neutro, Hubs, Barricade, Ground Hog, Motorhead, Roller Force, Greaser, Swindler, Roadhandler, Free Wheeler, Tailspin, Big Daddy, Roadhugger, Blackjack, Hyperdrive, Detour, Tracer, Powertrain, Mudslinger, Tote, Highjump, Sidetrack, Flak, Big Shot, Dropshot, Bombshock, Growl, Whisper, Eagle Eye, Sky High, Blaze Master, Tailwind, Storm Cloud, Nightflight and Tread Bolt

Huzzah for 38 Micromasters!

And huzzah for minor redesigns to vehicle modes.

My mind hurts.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:39 pm

Wow. This issue was almost as good as the last.

This is the kind of pace that I've really been hoping for.

Without a doubt, these last two issues are the best since the first few issues of Stormbringer. The art is great and the story is peak-form Furman.

The cast is first class and continues to expand. And expand with purpose, not just throwing them in for the hell of it.

Simon's starting to go epic on us, and I for one, welcome that change. The Dead Universe is finally getting the attention it deserves.

We have some kickass confrontations looming ahead these next two issues, not the least being Nova vs. Optimus. Here comes Computron. Even Banzaitron's Secret Service will play some role.

My guess for the three guardians over the Nega-cores? Thunderwing, Sixshot, and Monstructor.

The subplots started in the Spotlights are starting to gel nicely, and it really feels good. Real good.

Kudos to all involved in Revelations, in particular Simon. He's raised his game these last two issues, and I hope that the overwhelmingly positive response to them is noted by the editorial team.

This is how it should be done!

Give it an "A-". Took some off for the overly utilized Furmanesque inner dialogue which was unnecessary, but other than that, a great issue.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:18 pm

Welcome back Commander.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:32 am

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:57 am

Oh my god - that was 100% pure perfection.

Seriously, this is absolute GOLD.
I even recognised every single one of my old micromasters!

Now, we just need one thing to make this story complete - a single frame where Hunter's having a bad dream about what might happen if the Decepticons aren't stopped on earth, a bad dream where "All hail megatron"