All Hail Megatron #4 Review (SPOILERS)

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:16 pm

Excellent!

This is what I've been waiting for since IDW obtained the license.

Some real characterization and dialogue.

To date, I have enjoyed what IDW have done, but always felt something was really missing, that the potential in the license was not really being met.

For the first time, I feel that the characters have been infused with the personality and appeal that drew me to them since their inception in 1984. There's more to the Transformers than epic battles and fancy weaponry, and Shane does an excellent job in this issue of bringing us back to the roots, so to speak.

The individual personalties of the bots really shine through here. Not a single laser is fired, yet I am left fully satiated by what transpires in this month's issue.

And you know what else has been missing far too long? Humor. Despite the glum circumstances of the Autobots, I laughed out loud several times in reading this, the first time I've done that in a while. Thanks to McCarthy's dialogue and Guido's outstanding work, we are reminded that the Autobots, even in the most dire of situations, can be charmingly funny. It's always been part of the Autobots appeal, and Shane/Guido do an excellent job of capturing that. You can tell these two guys are on the same page, which is great to see.

Kudos to Shane and Guido for taking me back to a time when the Transformers were so damn fun. This issue provides an excellent example of how Transformers, IMO, should be handled.

A solid "A". Glad I stayed aboard.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:05 am

I have to agree for the most part. This ish was extra cool. Art and characterization were above average definitely, but where I really noticed the difference in the ambiance. To me, Autobots on the verge of extinction and death fighting amongst each other is MUCH more interesting than Decepticons fufilling a wet dream/disaster movie.

But speaking to the characterization: See, when all you have is Decepticons, you have Megatron = Evil and Megalomanical, Starscream = Evil and Powerhungry, and Everyone Else = Evil.

With the Autobots here, everything's diverse, familiar, and simple like an old glove. Oh Ironhide, you old hardhead! Such a teacher's pet, Prowl! Wheeljack and Bumblebee do their best C3-P0/R2-D2! Sunstreaker's a young gun and Mirage is a dirty traitor!

And you know how that made me feel? It made me feel like Yaya above, but it ALSO made me feel like I had stepped into some sort of McDonough & Patyk backwater. But TBH, it DID feel kind of refreshing after having to go through the dense and multlayered Furman stuff.

Although Cliffjumper seems like a bad ass.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:41 pm

Bah! Utter crap from start to finish with nothing essentially happening, again! In fact I'm starting to wonder if I should bother continuing to invest in this series. McCarthy hasn't offered anything of substance in four bloody issues! I've stop caring about the humans, I've stop caring about the Decepticons, I've even stopped caring about the Autobots.

Why the hell is Ironhide calling his fellow Autobots "kids"? Why has it gone back to the Autobots being utterly useless without Optimus Prime to the point they can be pushed around like wussies and start tearing into each other? And why the hell does Hot Rod look like he just appeared fresh from the cartoon? My first reaction to seeing him was "utter bollocks."

In fact, when AHM reaches it's end, I'll only be too happy to see the back of McCarthy for good.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:07 pm

I thought it was pretty good, there was some nice exchanges between the Autobots and I think I Jazz actually came across as 'cool' for the first time in a Transformers comic ever.

However, it does highlight how one-dimensional the Decepticons are and just how much this series is a retcon. Hotrod seems like a kid again, Sunstreaker would appear to be Hunter-less (unless that is who Ironhide's 'kid' comment refers to), Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are 'brothers' again, despite them supposed to hate each other. Mirage is suspected to be a 'traitor'. ARRRGH

I also hate how every character possible is in 'classics' mode. I wonder how much influence Hasbro have with this series or whether it was just a marketing decision to relate the series to a toy-line.

But yes, much better. I look forward to when something actually happens in these pages.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:54 pm

To be honest Hound, Ironhide had also referred to Optimus as a "kid" and I really don't see McCarthy reading any of Furman's IDW stuff.

I'll go look through issue 5 before giving McCarthy another £2.90, but I'm not holding my breath beyond that. I'm dreading to think what he'll do to Kup and Springer.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:14 pm

Manchester Devil wrote: I'll go look through issue 5 before giving McCarthy another £2.90, but I'm not holding my breath beyond that. I'm dreading to think what he'll do to Kup and Springer.

See, that's the difference between us. Over there in the UK, you guys had Marvel UK growing up. Wreckers and the rest.

But for us over here, when we were kids, the only REAL Kup/Springer experience we had aside from toys was The Movie. Where (as I'd imagine they'd be if McCarthy wrote them given how this issue went) Kup is an "old warrior stereotype" and Springer is a "brash young stereotype." Although not as brash as Hot Rod. He's like Zac Morris to Springer's AC Slater.

Anyway, point is, except for Furman's run, over here in the States, we were WEANED on cheap cartoony cardboard cut out characterization. It's why people bought Dreamwave so much.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:08 pm

Shanti418 wrote:See, that's the difference between us. Over there in the UK, you guys had Marvel UK growing up. Wreckers and the rest.

...

Anyway, point is, except for Furman's run, over here in the States, we were WEANED on cheap cartoony cardboard cut out characterization. It's why people bought Dreamwave so much.

You was robbed!

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:41 am

Shanti418 wrote: Anyway, point is, except for Furman's run, over here in the States, we were WEANED on cheap cartoony cardboard cut out characterization. It's why people bought Dreamwave so much.

You know, that's actually quite true. I never thought of if that way.

The only real Furman I was raised on was Marvel US #56-80.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:57 am

Me too. In terms of cool underused characters being bad ass in the comics, pre Furman, Marvel US has Blaster. But Marvel UK has Wreckers, Impactor, etc. etc., all because of the weekly format. Damn you, monthly comics!

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:58 pm

I can see where Yaya and Shanti are coming from in terms of exposure but having read the four issues of AHM in one sitting. As someone who came onto IDW's TFs on the strength of Furman wanting to go back to basics, having McCarthy more or less resetting everything back to the old Sunbow Cartoon but with ADDED VIOLENCE feels like a slap in the face.

Speaking of Hot Rod, Furman had said that the character was going to have a nasty surprise in MD on his blog. Great going there McCarthy! That's another character's fate you've managed to f**king ruin.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:59 pm

Yaya wrote:
Shanti418 wrote: Anyway, point is, except for Furman's run, over here in the States, we were WEANED on cheap cartoony cardboard cut out characterization. It's why people bought Dreamwave so much.
You know, that's actually quite true. I never thought of if that way.

The only real Furman I was raised on was Marvel US #56-80.

That was true for Hungary as well. But after reading Furman's run on Marvel TF, those (relatively) few issues quickly became the etalon for me. And although I enjoyed the Sunbow toon a lot, it was more of a sidewise interest - and I cringed when I saw cartoon Grimlock.

Regarding AHM #4... someone at IDW really put it well when he said Megatron could have said instead of his "you are gods among men" speech that "You guys all suck! I wish Sixshot was here!" - I mean, really. And the Autobots? Prowl is the guy talking about 'constant change' when he's THE by-the-book-guy? Hot Rod reverting back from the gung-ho but competent agent to naive idiotic kid? Wheeljack is the nutty professor again? No sign of any post-1986 guys anywhere?

I feel like it's Mad BRick time over again. Can't wait to see when Shockwave appears... I have a feeling he will be responsible for the seekers being back into F15 form, because, y'know... he just felt like doing it...

Another great quote from IDW boards:

"Springer, where are the wreckers?"
"who?"
"The wreckers?"
"Sorry I've got no idea what you're talking about"
"The guys you usually hang around with?"
"Oh you mean Hot Rod, Magnus, Kup and Arcee?"
"Errr...."

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:22 pm

I'm actually LIKING the Mirge stuff, as it helps put Spotlight Mirage in perspective. (I order all my comics chronologically, and that REALLY helped me know where to stick it)

It seems we've finally hit on the head that the scenes the Decepticon Mirage was dreaming about are most likely what happened to Prime leading up to AHM, and it raises more hints about something I've suspected for some time. The events of AHM suggest a timeline likely to be retconned at some point. It would make a lot more sense if AHM was revealed to take place in the timeline where Mirage was an Autobot, while it turns out Spotlight: Mirage takes place in the mainstream IDW TFverse and he's a Decepticon...

Or they pull some crap with that "reflection" stuff. Or something.

Anyway, it's interesting if I'm correct about what Decepticon Mirage's dream depicted (Prime's death, etc.), to see now what the results of the events of that spotlight were for the AUTOBOT Mirage who we saw so little of.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:50 pm

Sunyavadin wrote: It seems we've finally hit on the head that the scenes the Decepticon Mirage was dreaming about are most likely what happened to Prime leading up to AHM, and it raises more hints about something I've suspected for some time..

And I suspect that McCarthy hasn't ever read the Mirage Spotlight and that it has nothing to do with what happened to Prime.

Post by **Best First** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:01 pm

er, yeah.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:55 am

I dunno, prime being down when he was alive and well at the end of Revelation, and Decep Mirage dreaming of Prime getting taken out in the Autobot Mirage's universe's version of the big battle from Spotlight:Mirage, on top of suspicion aimed at Mirage in AHM 4 seems too much of a coincidence...

I'd suspect they gave him a brief outline of events on a timeline and he's interpreting the details of it all however he wants to.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:02 am

BB Shockwave wrote: Another great quote from IDW boards:

"Springer, where are the wreckers?"
"who?"
"The wreckers?"
"Sorry I've got no idea what you're talking about"
"The guys you usually hang around with?"
"Oh you mean Hot Rod, Magnus, Kup and Arcee?"
"Errr...."

Prowl: Springer, where are the wreckers?
Springer: Wreckers?
Prowl:... mmm.. yeah.. you know your team of commandos, last resort all hell is broken loose type stuff?
Springer: if we've got guys like that why don't we just send them in?!
Prowl: Egads man! surely you jest!!? you're the friggin leader of the Wreckers!!
Springer: WTF Man!? Let go of my arm!! Commander of some dirty dozen? I think I know my own life..
Prowl: slack jawed and in stunned silence as Springer walks away with Kup

This stuff on the IDW boards is priceless!

Post by **Best First** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:18 am

Sunyavadin wrote:I dunno, prime being down when he was alive and well at the end of Revelation, and Decep Mirage dreaming of Prime getting taken out in the Autobot Mirage's universe's version of the big battle from Spotlight:Mirage, on top of suspicion aimed at Mirage in AHM 4 seems too much of a coincidence...

I'd suspect they gave him a brief outline of events on a timeline and he's interpreting the details of it all however he wants to.

Is it too flippant to just say: No. ?

Look mate, its clearly got nowt to do with Spotlight: M.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:02 pm

So, we have a few options here-

It's a 100% timeline reboot (Unlikely)

It's an alternate universe story in the same vein as SL:M

It's an alternate universe story CONNECTED to SL:M

It's an alternate universe story and AHM will eventually include a flashback/exposition explaining the history.

It's in the mainstream universe and SL:M hinted at it

Max Dinobots will explain how the bots all ended up where they did and Prime how he did, and also where the hell in the timeline he sections of SL:M focusing on this universe's Mirage fits (Which has to be either somewhere between SL:Sideswipe and AHM:1, or after AHM altogether - so if he never comes to Earth between Rev and AHM, then it takes place after AHM.)

It's a mainstream universe story and will eventually explain it all in a flashback/exposition.

The Spotlights after the Revelation saga will fill us in on what's been happening.

I think I covered the most likely and most unlikely ones.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:15 pm

SL: M was a self contained story without any bearing on other events?

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:29 pm

Well, I mean, it could, it couldn't. None of us know what's sitting in Shane McCarthy's longboxes. But we can ALL agree that he didn't exactly come up with that characterization of Mirage.

I mean, if Shockwave is cold and illogical whenever he comes back, I'm not going to be like, "OMG, this is ALL happening because of Spotlight: Shockwave! YESSS!"

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:01 pm

I quickly looked through the quarter of AHM again a couple of days ago and I don't think even Shane is sitting in his own trousers.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:32 pm

on topic

Some real characterization

Sigh. You don't know what this is do you?

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:29 pm

I warmed a little bit to AHM with this issue. It should have been issue #2, though.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:31 pm

sprunkner wrote:I warmed a little bit to AHM with this issue. It should have been issue #2, though.

Yep.

Question now is, was #4 a fluke or do we have something to really look forward to now?

Post by **Best First** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:37 pm

what, more bland reset characters and alluded to events.

4 was better than 1-3, but still meh.

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:19 pm

4 was good compared to 1-3 in the same way that being kicked in the head is marginally better than being kicked in the nuts. Ergo.. I wouldn't get your hopes up yet.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:55 pm

Yeah, 1-3 was just BARELY better than Megatron Origin, 4 was more like crappy DW.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 1:45 am

I thought Megatron: Origin in its entirity kicked the s**t out of the first quarter of this story.

I'm not joking.

Post by **Best First** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:07 pm

in my mind its like comparing diarrhoea to vomit - you don't really want either for tea do you? Esp not at $4 a scoop...

Then again be ineresting to see how each fared if you swapped artists.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:39 pm

I was trying to be fair to M:O as it was written by a newcomer but you're right, that would be really telling of the relative strengths and weaknesses of both Holmes and McCarthy.