Spotlight: Sideswipe Review

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:30 pm

Spoilers, etc...

I don't have a lot of time as I have to get back to work, but basically

1. Art is the prettiest thing EVER.

2. Still too cramped, a la Doubledealer. This is a big finish that doesn't quite feel like one, especially in wrapping up the Sideswipe plot. And the deus ex Magnificence.

but

3. The resolution to the Arcee, Primes, Galvatron, and Pretenders stories are all splendid.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:48 pm

Huh. That was actually a strong finish to something that held the potential for disaster. Like most, I was very worried about how this would end.

Instead, we get one of the greatest artistic performances in TF comic history and a deftly handled conclusion to a convoluted story that seemed to have no chance of finding a decent finish in the four spotlight issues it was allotted.

E.J.'s performance is spectacular, to say the least, the highlight of not only Revelations but of IDW's stint since tackling the Transformers. Not having been E.J.'s biggest fan, he certainly won me over here and accomplished something artistically that even the Roches and Figueroas of the world have to envy.

And again, as with the first two issues of this series, I have to credit Simon for making this story pallatable in the face of ridiculous constrictions placed upon him. Was it perfect? No. There were many gaps in the story that needed to be filled, and were either inadequately brought to conclusion, or simply ignored altogether. Again, no fault of Simon's.

It just really hurts to know that IDW could have given Simon two more measly issues to work with, and nobody would have suffered in the least from it, yet we would have had a much stronger finish. A finish that would have likely earned it's place amongst the great TF comic epics of the past like Target 2006.

Didn't like to see all the Con bigwigs get wasted in one fashion or other. Here's to hoping IDW gives Simon or Shane a chance to continue with these guys at some point. I guess potentially, we could see them again. None of them really got blown to bits. Granted, Jhiaxus didn't look too hot, but it was clearly stated the guy can't be killed while on Gorlam Prime.

Objectively speaking, without regard to the situation under which this story was presented, I would give this a "B". But despite it's flaws, this issue gets an "A" from me. Primarily because I can appreciate the challenge presented to Simon in doing this event justice and exceeding mine, and probably many others, expectations here. And certainly, with E.J.'s masterful performance, the flaws inherent here aren't even worth discussing.

Yep, an "A".

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:21 am

I've only read it through once. Initial thoughts similar to those above.

1. Art. FTW. Reminds me of The Great Car Rally. And then you're like, "WHOA, who the hell is the bad ass drawing this?" And it's EJ, dude, it's EJ. You already think he's awesome, and then he goes and does something so different that works so completly.

2. ARGH! There's enough story in here for 3 issues. And it's even more crappy juxtaposed against the decompression fests of the first "-Ion" arcs.

3. Yeah, all the big Deceps getting wasted seemed like a big....well, waste. Is there only Ghost Jhaxius left?

4. So how much of an end is this? Like what's going on with the timeline now? How do we get to Megatron conquering the Earth? Is that what he's doing while all this is going on? What about the other sub plots?

5. Hey, Simon managed to finish a big TF arc without having Optimus Prime die. Nice. Although I guess there WAS a Prime killed. And Optimus DID wax on about idealstic goodness and this "Matrix," or whatever it is he calls his **** these days.

6. That was f***ing sweet with Jhaxius running around like Python's Black Knight. Reminded me of ol' Scrounge.

6. Oh yeah, and nice job on the Pretenders.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:56 pm

I've got to say, Shants... your feminist studies self could write quite a paper on the psycho Arcee in light of the female TF tradition.

"I haaaate being female! I kiiiiiillll you!"

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:26 pm

The artwork is breathtaking. Worth the admission price alone. Nothing more to be said on that front.

The story... eh... I guess given what SF had to work with this is okay. This story, given breathing room, would have been fantastic. As it is - it reads like a wikipedia summerisation of the plot. Thanks for that IDW... way to [composite word including 'f*ck'] it up.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:56 pm

No problems with the art, certainly the best part of the book by far. Loved the way Acree finally get his/her revenge on Jhiaxus.

In a way, I felt a bit down when Nova Prime finally died but I guess he had to die and the fight between him and Optimus was nothing but an epic shouty match. (Where's Optimus Prime's gun EJ?)

Why should the story be squashed by Shane McCarthy's ego? Revelation (and Expansion) should have been written as they should, sales figures be damned! Furman deserves better than this.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:22 pm

Manchester Devil wrote: Revelation (and Expansion) should have been written as they should, sales figures be damned! Furman deserves better than this.

This is something I could never really understand.

I mean, I can understand IDW wanting to take things in a different direction due to slumping sales.

But would it have hurt them to let Simon finish his tale the way he intended, whilst at the same time allowing Shane to start his thing?

So many fans invested in this story over the past two years. They deserved the pay off.

I can assure you, these same fans also would have been much more open to what Shane had to offer as follow up. Instead, we have many fans disgruntled with IDW's handling of Simon's tale who now have a personal vendetta against McCarthy for it.

One can argue that Simon opened up too many dangling plot threads ala Dreamwave. But I don't believe it was Simon who should shoulder any of the blame for this.

I mean, you know it's bad with IDW moderators are complaining about this move instead of showering the usual ass-kissing praise.

E.J.Su · Post by **E.J.Su** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:40 pm

Manchester Devil wrote:(Where's Optimus Prime's gun EJ?)

sorry, I think was a little too wrapped up while I was working and the script never called for any use of the blaster, it simply escaped my mind.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:55 pm

I thought that was strange that Optimus had his gun with him in SP: Doubledealer and yet said gun buggered off in SP: Sideswipe. Ta for answering my inquiry, EJ.

To be honest Yaya, even if Furman had been allowed to finish the Dead Universe arc properly, it still wouldn't hide the fact that Shane McCarthy had essentially ignored the ground rules Furman himself had laid down from the very start, spoilered the fates of Soundwave (which is easily explained though he appears to be welcomed back with open hands is, as the recently deceased Nightbeat would put it "It's a mystery"), Ironhide and Sunstreaker and still wasted a quarter of his alloted issues for AHM.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:19 am

Manchester Devil wrote: To be honest Yaya, even if Furman had been allowed to finish the Dead Universe arc properly, it still wouldn't hide the fact that Shane McCarthy had essentially ignored the ground rules Furman himself had laid down from the very start, spoilered the fates of Soundwave (which is easily explained though he appears to be welcomed back with open hands is, as the recently deceased Nightbeat would put it "It's a mystery"), Ironhide and Sunstreaker and still wasted a quarter of his alloted issues for AHM.

Ignoring some of the ground rules doesn't bother me so much. I mean, when new writers come onto more well known books, like say Amazing Spiderman, most of the time the writer can't recall everything that has gone down before and you get some contradictions. It comes with the territory, an acceptable occurrence provided said contradiction is not so overwhelmingly glaring.

Thus far, I don't see Shane contradicting major plot points. He might not mention the past so much, but the contradictions aren't as plentiful as some say.

Sure, things like Reflector show up, but a lot can happen between what Simon did and what Shanes doing, so I can accept it more than a lot of continuity hounds. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for maintaining continuity, but can accept little niggles here and there with a change in writer.

Now the last part of your statement, the aforementioned wasted quarter of story from slow pacing? That's where I have my biggest gripe.

Give two of those issues to Simon to have used for Revelation, have one left over for Shane to introduce his story, and everyone's happy.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:36 pm

I liked Hardhead turning up at the end, that was pretty cool.

So, wheres Sunstreaker?

On the subject of art, colours are amazing, but I still feel the artwork lacks dynamic flair. - how can I put this, I used to follow the old comics far more easily than i do the modern ones.

You know the bit where OP swings galvatron (waste of a character) through the erm portal? - well, why not show more of that swing in action, perhaps a surprised look on galvatrons face, then wham!

I think the old artists used to get this across alot better, maybe they didnt have the space.

Ok, some of these fights against ppl like thunderwing and stuff, how long havve they been going on for, 1 hour, a week, whats the time frame here.
If the wreckers cant even stick a dent in him, surely he would pick them all off in a few mins?

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:42 am

Any complaints I have about this issue just seem silly in the face of how awesome it was.

Thanks EJ, for the splendid eye candy!

From now on, when I show my students what North American comics look like, this will be the issue I use for an example.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:18 pm

Well, I've finally checked it out myself. And I'm thoroughly impressed with how well it actually all came together.

They even corrected the placement of the speech-bubbles from the preview! Cudos to all of the peeps involved.

I'd say the only thing missing that I would have liked to see, was Bludgeon break out of the catatonic state he was in, but who knows what awaits in the future?

I really gotta' ask E.J... how long does it take to do all this art by himself?? Utterly impressed if he can actually do this in the regular deadline-time alloted for an issue.

Eh, I'm impressed no matter what, I'd say. So I hope we get to see more of this style, perhaps even in the near future. I say it's worth waiting for.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:07 am

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:how can I put this, I used to follow the old comics far more easily than i do the modern ones.

You know the bit where OP swings galvatron (waste of a character) through the erm portal? - well, why not show more of that swing in action, perhaps a surprised look on galvatrons face, then wham!

I think the old artists used to get this across alot better, maybe they didnt have the space.

Ok, some of these fights against ppl like thunderwing and stuff, how long havve they been going on for, 1 hour, a week, whats the time frame here.
If the wreckers cant even stick a dent in him, surely he would pick them all off in a few mins?

Yes, but all this doesn't seem to be EJ's fault in light of what he's given us before. See the Op/Meg fight in Escalation or the Megs/Starscream fight in Infiltration. Lots of space there, and clarity.

Imagine this one issue told in two issues instead, and imagine if we had twice the page space for things like Nova Prime's disintegration. I've never had a problem following the art in IDW's comics until Revelation, and I'm positive it's the story, not the art itself. especially given that EJ and Nick turned in the best art of their careers thus far.

EJ Su wrote:sorry, I think was a little too wrapped up while I was working and the script never called for any use of the blaster, it simply escaped my mind.

not forgiven until you draw and paint at least three more comics.

Post by **Best First** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 4:06 pm

i need to reread this but my first impression is that it was tip top.

Some things were begging for more exposition but i think Furman did an amazing job of packing in as much as he could in a succint and entertaining fashion.

The art was as good as i suspect we will ever see on a TF book.

The second Cybertron thing is pretty nuts!

My main gripe - as seems common - is you can see that there was a good chunk of stuff we have lost and even more there are seeds sown that could have grown into an even grander epic, much of which i sadly suspect we will now never see.

Therefore a great issue and, in the broader context a spectacular dissapointment at the same time. I'd liken it to Serenity, fantastic stuff but with the bitter aftertaste that it reminds you that you could have had all this and so much more.

Gah. the aptness of that similie really irks me actually.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 4:52 pm

Solar Pool?

Where did that conveniently come from? Or is my mind just on the fritz again?

Good stuff otherwise. A bit cramped, but we expect that now.

Glad lots of pagetime wasn't devoted to fights with Monstructor and Sixshot, given that we essentially cheated and nipped in behind them. Deus Ex Spacebridge?

[insert obligatory praise for the art here]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:25 pm

Brendocon wrote:[insert obligatory praise for the art here]

How about something like "The art was obviously so impressively realistic that even Brend was fooled into thinking he was among the Autobots portrayed."

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:51 am

I thought Brendocon was one the Autobots portrayed.

Those alt-ids are everywhere.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:46 am

Can anyone tell me how long the fight with the 3 big cons - monstructor,dreadwing etc... being going on?

If you cant ham these guys, and they are just holding a point, surely all the autobots would be dead in a few mins?

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:54 am

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:Can anyone tell me how long the fight with the 3 big cons - monstructor,dreadwing etc... being going on?

If you cant ham these guys, and they are just holding a point, surely all the autobots would be dead in a few mins?

Who said you can't harm them? They're just a bit tough, and all being remote controlled by Jhiaxus anyway.

The point of the attacks was to distract them so Hound et all could spacebridge in and nick what they were guarding.

Hadn't been going on much longer than the two Primes were stood about yakking.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:48 am

Best First wrote:
The art was as good as i suspect we will ever see on a TF book.

Yep.

Best First wrote: My main gripe - as seems common - is you can see that there was a good chunk of stuff we have lost and even more there are seeds sown that could have grown into an even grander epic, much of which i sadly suspect we will now never see.

'Revelations' will always make me ponder what could have been. I never like having to do that.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:02 am

I think I'll always be uncomfortable with the resolution to Prime vs Prime.

Mostly because "Galvatron shoots Nova, then gets thrown in a Solar Pool" feels disconcertingly close to "Shockwave did it, then fell down a hole".

I mean what the hell is a Solar Pool? And why is there one just lying about in the sublevels of a prison planet? And did the alien burst out of Galvatron's chest on his way into it?

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:01 pm

Gotta love them solar pools.

I'm looking to install one in my back yard.

If I don't like my guest, hey, I got me a solar pool.

Solar pools are the new "Shockwave did it". Just another great thing about Revelations.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:26 pm

I was half expecting BOTH of them to go into the space pool and come out on the other end together a la Ratchet/Megatron.

E.J.Su · Post by **E.J.Su** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:44 pm

Predabot wrote:I really gotta' ask E.J... how long does it take to do all this art by himself?? Utterly impressed if he can actually do this in the regular deadline-time alloted for an issue.

Sideswipe took longer than it should, I spent way too much time on experimenting with the most streamlined process that would get the pages done the quickest and with the best result. The entire issue probably took 3 months, but the latter half of the book I was on the pace of 1.5 page a day. I think this is as fast as I could ever get.

sprunkner wrote:not forgiven until you draw and paint at least three more comics.

Well, that's not entirely up to me.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:58 pm

E.J.Su wrote:
Predabot wrote:I really gotta' ask E.J... how long does it take to do all this art by himself?? Utterly impressed if he can actually do this in the regular deadline-time alloted for an issue.
Sideswipe took longer than it should, I spent way too much time on experimenting with the most streamlined process that would get the pages done the quickest and with the best result. The entire issue probably took 3 months, but the latter half of the book I was on the pace of 1.5 page a day. I think this is as fast as I could ever get.

sprunkner wrote:not forgiven until you draw and paint at least three more comics.
Well, that's not entirely up to me.

I will be absolutely gutted if we don't see your work on Transformer books again. It's up there with the best I have seen.

Fingers crossed eh!

E.J.Su · Post by **E.J.Su** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:42 pm

Oops, I made a mistake on my last message. I meant to say "1.5 days per page."

Thanks Hound, this is probably not the last time I'll be doing Transformers comics, but I am not sure how receptive IDW is to my insane schedule of fully painted comic again.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:43 am

E.J.Su wrote:Oops, I made a mistake on my last message. I meant to say "1.5 days per page."

Thanks Hound, this is probably not the last time I'll be doing Transformers comics, but I am not sure how receptive IDW is to my insane schedule of fully painted comic again.

But have they approached you yet for futher TF comics?

Post by **Best First** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:29 pm

E.J.Su wrote:Oops, I made a mistake on my last message. I meant to say "1.5 days per page."

Thanks Hound, this is probably not the last time I'll be doing Transformers comics, but I am not sure how receptive IDW is to my insane schedule of fully painted comic again.

That stuff is worth the wait tho. Some prestiege series/graphic novel perhaps?

Seriously i think you may have knocked Geoff Senior off his perch as far as i am concerned, and i do not say such things lightly.

Which is probably a poor reflection on my priorities in life but there you go.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:14 pm

Best First wrote:
E.J.Su wrote:Oops, I made a mistake on my last message. I meant to say "1.5 days per page."

Thanks Hound, this is probably not the last time I'll be doing Transformers comics, but I am not sure how receptive IDW is to my insane schedule of fully painted comic again.
That stuff is worth the wait tho. Some prestiege series/graphic novel perhaps?

Seriously i think you may have knocked Geoff Senior off his perch as far as i am concerned, and i do not say such things lightly.

Have to agree there. I certainly didn't mind the wait this time knowing what was in store for us, and I certainly don't mind waiting again if you're up to it.