AHM #6 Review (SPOILERS)

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:30 pm

Read it.

The last two issues showed that good dialogue can sometimes make up for other deficiencies present in a comic. Strong dialogue helps engage the reader, helps distract them from the other flaws that might be present, and usually are, in every comic. In this way, the comic might even be considered a good read, or at least worth the four bucks spent.

Not so in this case.

This issue had it's moments of dialogue, but in this instance, it in no way distracted me from the major flaw that has become all too apparent regarding this series.

The absence of plot progression.

We are six months, six months, into this tale, and there has been absolutely no progression of the plot to this point. We have remained stuck on the themes of "Decepticons destroy puny humans, whilst Autobots banter amongst themselves" for far, far too long.

This is the first issue I've felt the dialogue to be overly verbose and very vague. Just what the hell exactly were Starscream and Megatron talking about? Is he confused? Is he bored? It's not a good sign when the motivations of the title character are vague and uninspired. It's almost annoying, like Spotlight:Sixshot all over again.

The only strong character moment I enjoyed this issue was between the Seekers and the Insecticons. The rest of the interactions just dragged the story. At six issues in, character development needs to take a back seat to plot progression, at least for an issue or two.

And what's the deal with Drift? Was I supposed to be impressed by that intro? Was it supposed to be a pleasant surprise that he didn't go all ninja for us?

Artwise, it's another win, as Guido and Josh continue their masterful rendition of things here. In fact, I would say it's the strongest of this series thus far, which overall has been beautiful. But art alone does not a story make.

A "C-". Weaker dialogue making the absence of plot so much more obvious. If Shane wants to take his time with this tale, he has to hold our attention in other ways. Sadly, this time, there was no saving grace.

I really hope IDW reconsiders their plan to release a TPB of a story that has gone nowhere in terms of story. It would not be fair to the buyers who might think there is some semblence of a conclusion at the end. There's not even a semblence of a "middle" at this point.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:10 pm

I've read all the complaints about AHM and I don't disagree with a single one of them. Still, I find myself enjoying the series. I don't know why. Maybe there's something wrong with me.

There has been some story progression.

Spike is alive and (apparently) infiltrating Decepticon turf.

The Autobots now have the resources to restore Optimus Prime.

At least some human leaders have formulated a plan to fight back against the Decepticons.

The surviving Autobots are gathered together.

We know that there is a traitor (of some sort) among the Autobots.

There is some dissension among the Decepticon ranks after their grand victories.

It really does seem to be going somewhere, and I'm curious to see where the next six months take us. Still, I wish this were its own separate continuity because reconciling it with the Infiltration-Revelations stories seems (more than ever) impossible.

The art is stellar. I was a huge fan of Guido Guidi during his Dreamwave run (I still fume that I was outbid on all of the artwork he sold on Ebay afterwards) and his art become even better since that time.

The past six months, even with the emulation of the G1 cartoon series has done something which the show did at its peril, giving us a Transformers story that doesn't center around Optimus Prime.

So, yeah, I'm still liking it. I agree with every criticism of the series, but find that none of them takes away from my enjoyment of reading it.

...please don't ban me. I'm too old to join another forum, especially the uber-scary IDW boards...

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:08 pm

AHM had dialogue?

----------

I haven't got this issue yet (yay for that stay of execution), but having a look through the synopsis at TFWiki. All I can say is...

...

...

...

YOU CANNOT BE F**KING SERIOUS! That was that for the half-way point? I'd be very surprised if AHM continues to sell 10,000+ for the second half if this is McCarthy's intention.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:00 pm

Professor Smooth wrote: Still, I find myself enjoying the series. I don't know why. Maybe there's something wrong with me.

Nothing wrong with you. This story does have positives and things to like for which it tends not to receive credit for. Fans have been quick to mete out the criticisms, but not give credit where credit is due. (understandable reaction, considering the way Revelations was handled).

The biggest positive of this series thus far, aside from the Hutch covers and Guido's/Josh's incredible art, is that every issue has given us character building moments.

For me, that moment in this issue was between the Insecticons and Seekers, how there exists even within the Decepticon ranks elements of "racial" bias and ethnocentricity, the idea that certain forms are superior to others, and that based on this alone, a sort of heiarchy exists.

Others include the possibility that Megatron has limits to his desire to conquer, limits not shared by Starscream.

You won't get that out of Infiltration or Revelations, I'll tell you that.

Though fans more inclined to the epic space operas like Revelations and Stormbringer might not find this to be that big of a deal, such style of writing gives future stories more potential, because the stories will tend to be more character driven vs. plot driven.

My only real gripe is the same gripe I had with Infiltration. The plot is moving at a snail's pace. As a TPB, I think I will find myself pleased with this, as I was with Infiltration.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:31 pm

the art work is ace...

but the story, nothing happening, seriously, issue 6, 6 months+ in, and nothing at all ov any real significance has happened.

In short.

the decepticons conqured earth (well New York but im pretty sure that means the entire world....) wouldnt have been nice to have seen a proper co-ordinated attack of earths primary defence systems? - last time I checked my guide to strategic warfare new york doesnt get you any bonus points, as its just a city,
so why did they attack NY, because fanwank yanks will probably get all 9/11 sentimental and say jee-whiz to the statue of liberty and other such famous landmarks being destroyed.... yawn, this is a rubbish bit of writting.
Like I said, show a shot of NY london, tokyo etc... all smashed up, voila, thats all the reader needs to know. then show the more important parts, like the cons using thier strengths to infiltrate the human race and take the whole lot down in one go. thats what they would really do, not this saturday morning wankfest of a cartoon plot...actually, hasnt this happened before recently... anyway.

so, cut to cybertron, OP is out. oh no the fans cry, whatever next!!!! megatron has the matrix, double oh-no!!! the fanwanks call.

listen kids, u cant win a cartoon battle without prime to duff up megatron, if this was 1990, u send the preadacons to literally rip his face apart whilst pretending to be autobots under the guise of shockwaves commands.... yes I was a kid but I can still follow a plot with more than two words a page. sorry, where was I?

Oh yeah, you need OP, but megs has the matrix. right, im pretty sure your new TF 'drift' (complete with Nike swoosh on the upper door) is going to be involved in retriving said device. OP is woken up. kicks megs butt, end off....or there abouts.

wooo, yeah! (air grab/fist pump) - shout the yanks

In 6 months all i have is OP is out, cons took NY. the Autobots like to argue a bit about thier plight on cybe.
.
.
.
oh, and jazz is special forces. But so is ******* SPRINGER!!!

thats it. nothing more. in the old G1 days you would have got all that from issue 1. the pacing of these stories is so off its daft, and more importanbtly the plot line is somthing we have seen before. and thats my biggest gripe.

I dont mind new characters, hell I can even over look someones knowledge in regards to characters pasts to some degree, but know your material please. most of the plot lines and character traits on display in AHM have been done to death. who is this begin written for exactly, fans or new commers to the franchise?

still, the artwork is nice, theres more character in kups swagger and robot cigar than his script...

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:47 pm

Yaya, Also Known As The Pygmy Romancer wrote:The biggest positive of this series thus far, aside from the Hutch covers and Guido's/Josh's incredible art, is that every issue has given us character building moments.

For me, that moment in this issue was between the Insecticons and Seekers, how there exists even within the Decepticon ranks elements of "racial" bias and ethnocentricity, the idea that certain forms are superior to others, and that based on this alone, a sort of heiarchy exists.

You didn't get that out of Infiltration? I loved what Simon did with Ratchet as a "conscientious objector" and Bumblebee seeing other TFs as "acceptable losses."

And then in Escalation, Prime kills the human just by stepping in front of the truck. I can understand seeing a lack of Decepticon characterization in the series--though Simon's major change, "Take your punishment like a Decepticon!" was the best characterization of Starscream and Megatron's relationship I've ever seen since Galvatron's "Here's a hint!"

But I don't think AHM has any more character development than the 'ations.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:12 pm

Not read #6 yet, except in summary, but I think you have to be very forgiving to call anything in this series character development or 'character building moments'. It's more like McCarthy has ideas for how to develop the characters, but instead of actually going through the development he simply uses expository dialogue to say, "This is who this character is now".

It's all rather like the famous double spread in Transformers number #1, except spread out over more pages and with the speech bubbles coming out of different people's mouths. Even when a character actually *does* something, it's all very stagey.

Post by **Best First** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:34 am

Jack Cade wrote:Not read #6 yet, except in summary, but I think you have to be very forgiving to call anything in this series character development or 'character building moments'. It's more like McCarthy has ideas for how to develop the characters, but instead of actually going through the development he simply uses expository dialogue to say, "This is who this character is now".

Completely agree.

More notable examples in 6, my fave being when Kup starts ranting about his squad being militant to Jazz when nowhere in the conversational build up does Jazz imply this.

Also again the one year later issue is exposed, apparently in a year not only has Kup come round, but he has put together a new squad, the Wreckers have split up or been destroyed and said new squad have been active enough to garner themselves quite a reputation.

That said there were a couple of things i liked in this issue; The reasoning as to why Seekers look the same; Skywarp and TCs interaction; Starscream's parting comment (if not most of the patchy chat that preceded it) and the Perceptor line was enjoyable in a slightly cheap way.

But then the internal logic breaks down again doesn't it? The whole idea that attacking NYC was some great strategic move has never rung true. And now its led to a godawful midway cliff hanger.

The Matrix seems to have taken on Movie Allspark like import. Doesn't do it for me.

And on top of this still more tell don't show storytelling and a real lack of movement.

On niether a plus or a negative - the insertion of Scourge was a bit bizare wasn't it?

Oh, and that cigar is killing me.

Oh! Oh! Fat Roadbuster? Why!? There's the real reason for your energon shortage right there.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:38 am

What odds that there's also an as-yet-unmentioned pie shortage?

Professor Smooth wrote:Maybe there's something wrong with me.

I've been saying that for years. Years!

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:14 pm

Best First wrote: Oh! Oh! Fat Roadbuster? Why!? There's the real reason for your energon shortage right there.

You were wondering what happened to the rest of the Wreckers?

There's your answer. They were eaten. BURP!

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:07 pm

I haven't read it yet, but judging on the IDW reaction boards I don't think I'm gonna like it much.

I can't believe the amount of people harping on about how good the character interaction is! The exchanges thus far have been somewhat predictable affairs - it's like you're reading charicatures rather than three-dimensional characters.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:26 pm

Promiss me all that u will never let me onto the IDW forums, im not sure how u will stop me but do somthing...

Character interactions? what, Megs calling SS a dick? wow, how ever do they think it up?

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:57 pm

Got this issue from my LCS (and Maximum Dinobots iss 2 wasn't in, much to my disaapointment), and I can only get through a few pages before throwing it away in disgust/apathy.

Can someone tell me what was so interesting about the "character interaction" the series has displayed thus far? As far as I'm concerned, its all a complete joke and an insult to say anything here, and the series as a whole, as equal to some of Furman's dialogue.

The Swarm things were treated as a joke in their first appearance, is anyone supposed to go "ohnoes11" at a group of these after that little show from McCarthy's new character and Perceptor, reimagined as a WIKKEDK00L 5N1P3R because tacticians are for wussies? The Matrix being the reason for the War and not Megatron being made redunant feels like another middle finger at continuity.

Roadbuster looks ridicuous at the size he currently is and Kup's appearance put paid to the "One year later" angle IDW and McCarthy had used at the beginning (thanks Besty). Oh and Dreamwave called, they want their "nuke-the-robots" plot back and the police called, they want the rich kiddie fiddlers to give themselves up for the good of humanity.

My LCS said he wouldn't read AHM after comments from customers, whom I am one.

As of today, I will not buy another issue of this storyline because it is constantly poor and offends and insults my intelligence. To those who continue to read this tripe in spite of their better judgement; I can only say good luck. As to those who actually reading AHM. You like crap? Enjoy!

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:46 pm

I havent bought AHM since issue 2...

In that sense Ive loved every penny I havent spent!

Why is roadbuster so big?

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:28 pm

Read the latest AHM. Much as I have disliked this series (which is...an awful lot!) I actually thought this was the strongest issue yet. First I’ll start with the positives –

Having read IDW forums, I thought I would hate this, but surprisingly some of the exchanges between characters were ok. As has been mentioned, the confrontation between the seekers and the insecticons was enjoyable, as was the sense of ‘racial tension’ that exists between these units. I was particularly happy to see Thundercracker get a moment...even if it was just him looking depressed. Additionally, some of the exchanges between the autobots felt more authentic then they have previously. Especially enjoyed Cliffjumper’s “hey that was cool!” quip at the death of the Swarm scout.

Again though, the primary core of the plot suffers under the weight of the previous continuity. The introduction of the matrix as the ‘be all and end all’ just doesn’t hold much water with me. It was never an objective previously, so why should it be one now? It just seems that, because the matrix/allspark is the focus of the animated show/movie that there isn’t going to be much original territory that can be trod here in IDW comics – it’s way too predictable.

The way Drift was introduced was another moment I found unconvincing. So the character’s really fast with his sword? One flash and the enemies down? It would be cool if I hadn’t seen that in so, so many other properties. Equally Perceptor as a sniper felt forced – surely Mirage would’ve been a better bet? (stealth abilities/bit of a sharp shooter before the war). The only real purpose this scene served was to totally undermine the credibility of swarm as a genuine threat.

Finally the dialogue between Megs and Starscream felt awkward and forced. As if McCarthy’s attempting to touch on some sort of poetic, philosophical vibe with the characters, as if we’re really getting an insight into the depths of their personalities. Unfortunately though, the scene ultimately fails, instead just conveying a sense that Megatron is a bit of a pompous drama student.

Oh and finally Roadbuster and Kup’s cigar both still look utterly retarded.
A B- from me.

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:57 pm

Personally I found the racism angle to be unconvincing and forced, due to the fact we're talking about robots that transform into other things. I can buy Nova Prime and Skywarp looking down on non-Cybertronian lifeforms but Skywarp picking on Bombshell because the latter transforms into an insect doesn't work considering the former turns into an Earth based jet.
It just ends up being another variation of the "character is such-and-such because he was built that way" theme from the cartoon and Dreamwave's War and Peace, only McCarthy decided to play the race card based on Earth based alternate modes just to play up tensions within the decepticon army because they're the bad guys and we all know bad guys can never work together as a unit.

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:42 pm

Manchester Devil Wrote:
Personally I found the racism angle to be unconvincing and forced, due to the fact we're talking about robots that transform into other things. I can buy Nova Prime and Skywarp looking down on non-Cybertronian lifeforms but Skywarp picking on Bombshell because the latter transforms into an insect doesn't work considering the former turns into an Earth based jet.

I admitedly hadn't thought of it from that angle. When you consider they can change their alt.modes regularly, and a few cons have already done so prior to this series (F-22s to F-15s) it makes zero sense that the insecticons would've been intentially 'built' to resemble earth bugs during these swarm experiments.

I also didn't buy the reason behind the seekers all looking the same. Alright McCarthy probs thought it was a good idea to give some reasoning behind it, but do they really need it? After all, Ratchet and Ironhide get on just fine. Again, why is Starscream suddenly revered by the other two seekers? Previous continuity suggested Skywarp didn't seem especially fussed over the fates of starscream OR ramjet.

Finally McCarthy relies far too heavily on these "character does something cool therefore they must be badass" moments. We've now had megatron blowing up planes, frenzy slaughtering an army, jazz nailing springer and now drift going all mad ninja skillz on it. The problem is the mechanics behind these scenes are so tired and overused - I was far, far more convinced by Grimlock's decision to save a human. It isn't something I would expect from Grimlock, but the way it was executed was so typical of the character (ripping the whole carriage off the ground then throwing it to safety).

When I read the issue it was all "hey that wasn't so bad", but the more I think about it, the more the cracks begin to show.

KJ · Post by KJ » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:54 am

Mr_Tigg wrote:
Manchester Devil Wrote:

When I read the issue it was all "hey that wasn't so bad", but the more I think about it, the more the cracks begin to show.

That sums up AHM perfectly for me.

First glance, it's okay.

Look at it again and pay a bit more attention, or actually think about it, and it falls apart rather quickly.

For a series that is supposedly so well-planned and thought out, it just seems a bit....half-assed....

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:13 pm

I'VE SOLVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a dream.

Kup's still ****** up, and he's imagined the whole thing.

That's why he's the swaggering hero with no explanation of how he got better.

That's why the Wreckers line-up is all surreal and includes a kingsized Roadbuster and a guy who didn't previously exist.

It's why the Matrix is magically back.

It's why Megatron had a plan that actually worked.

It's why Hot Rod's suddenly a cowardly little pussy.

It's why the seekers have got the wrong alt mode and Soundwave talks like a ****.

It's why all the humans have the exact same face - Kup's only ever seen a handful. Like in Farscape when Crichton's return to Earth turns out to be an illusion created solely from his memories.

It works, dammit. THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.

It's all a dream. Kup's crazy psyche is running riot in stasis.

It even explains Spotlight Mirage - that was released solely to seed the idea of wacky stasis dreams where everything's ****** up. Drawn by Guido. With two pages of plot spread across an issue.

It all makes sense.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:05 pm

brillant!

have u posted this on IDW to see if anyone agrees, I think the posters there should be made privy to this most excellent theory!

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:39 pm

Just re-read No.06. There is more dialogue, which is nice, but the problem with it all its very forced. each line is a plot device, the only line I can think of that isnt is Cliffjumpers 'that was cool' line.

I still dont understand what the Seekers V's the Bugs debate was for? apart from perhaps showing a weakness that all bad guys must have, and I just noticed that when Blitzwing turns up, he comments on how Megatron is being protected by one of soundwaves jamming tapes...

Overall it lacks pacing, it lacks buildup, the text between characters is all plot device. Its not that its bad, it just very average and all in all it shows a writter who lacks experience.

The chat between Kup and Jazz is very static, and the chat between Ironhide and Roadbuster pointless.

The problem with all this dialogue is that chatter doesnt = character.

None of the text is actually character driven, its just inane chat to move the story along, you could quite easily replace any of the autobot characters with any other bot and it would make no difference. The only way character seems to be being injected into various characters is by aluding to some past history, Jazz is baddass UNDERSTAND READER!!!!??? yes, I get it now, hes bad, he all kung-fu, and does secret bad stuff etc... I only know this because u have told me over and over. His character, his written text should tell me that, not Kup.

This is the differences between good writting and average writting. a characters, well, character should flow from his on page personality, not from what someone else says he is like.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:57 pm

Mr_Tigg wrote: When I read the issue it was all "hey that wasn't so bad", but the more I think about it, the more the cracks begin to show.

Yes, but this is true with just about any comic out there.

If you think too hard about any of this, the kinks will be too numerous to count. We're talking about a comic based on transforming car toys. There will always be limitations. Some are best ignored. For example, this complaint:

Finally McCarthy relies far too heavily on these "character does something cool therefore they must be badass" moments. We've now had megatron blowing up planes, frenzy slaughtering an army, jazz nailing springer and now drift going all mad ninja skillz on it. The problem is the mechanics behind these scenes are so tired and overused

is something that you can apply to so much of what is Transformers.

It's not the holes in the plot that bother me. It's the lack of progress of a plot that bothers me at this point.

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:39 am

Yara Wrote:
Yes, but this is true with just about any comic out there.

If you think too hard about any of this, the kinks will be too numerous to count. We're talking about a comic based on transforming car toys. There will always be limitations. Some are best ignored. For example, this complaint:

Really totally diagree. Whilst it's true that if you anaylise anything you will undoubtedly find faults, the number and severity of the faults can vary greatly with each different comic, and in turn they will affect how much you enjoy that respective comic. With AHM, you don't have to look hard at all to drum up logic holes, poor dialogue, slow pacing, bad characterisation, etc. Eventually the comic itself buckles under the pressure of all these issues, and it's not like it's all that hard to dig up problems with AHM.

I don't buy the whole 'comics are based on transforming car toys' - that's not a good enough excuse for delivering a poor comic. If a writer's worth his salt he should be able to rise above it - anyone can see the potential tfs have for being a truly epic sci-fi yarn, and it's poor storytelling that holds back that potential. Battlestar galactica was originally a campy, tacky 60s series, but look at where it is now with the new show - it's totally moved beyond the limitations of the original series.

Problems like the aforementioned 'badass' scenes cannot be ignored because they contribute to the weight of problems that hamper this title. An example is the scene where Drift kills the swarm creature - the whole point of the scene is to establish Drift as some sort of awesome sword fighter, with the reader coming away with an impression of "man Drift was cool with his flashy sword skills!".

However, because this 'flash of metal = instant dead bad guy' mechanic has been used in so many other samurai/ninja/manga properties, the impression that is made is "so what? I've seen it all before" - there's nothing remotely inventive or cool about it, it's a total anticlimax that is boring and predictable. Essentially then, this entire scene with Drift is failing miserably to achieve what it's set out to do - to my mind a scene that fails (which happens faily often in AHM) is a sign of poor storytelling,and is just one extra nail in AHMs coffin.

Edit - antoher reason why this scene is particularly rubbish is because it removes any vague sense of credible threat that the swarm could have opposed.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:05 pm

How likely might it be that McCarthy could have a tragic accident in the near future? Not necessarily fatal, but enough to leave him unable to wipe his arse across pages and give them to IDW for an artist to work on once a month. What are the odds of that? And does anyone know of any "statisticians" willing to give better odds on that happening, for the right price?

Post by **Best First** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:09 pm

Er, i think that's enough of that, thanks.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:22 pm

Duly noted.

Now in a more SERIOUS tone, how are the sales doing on the latest couple of chapters? Ideally we're going to want it to drop far enough that this story ceases to be viable if we can hope for them to get a professional writer on the next story...

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:59 pm

Mr_Tigg wrote:
Yara Wrote:
Yes, but this is true with just about any comic out there.

If you think too hard about any of this, the kinks will be too numerous to count. We're talking about a comic based on transforming car toys. There will always be limitations. Some are best ignored. For example, this complaint:
I don't buy the whole 'comics are based on transforming car toys' - that's not a good enough excuse for delivering a poor comic. If a writer's worth his salt he should be able to rise above it - anyone can see the potential tfs have for being a truly epic sci-fi yarn, and it's poor storytelling that holds back that potential.

Well, I agree with you there. A competent writer should be able to overcome any inherent obstacles that could serve as an impediment to effective storytelling. There are numerous examples within comics itself where writers have broken through such barriers, so much so that we ignore the fact that the hero might be running around with a cape and costume.

My point was that to be attack a writer based on these inherent elements isn't really fair. To say that Megatron shooting planes down with his fusion cannon is 'weak writing', well, I just don't see that as the weakness here. It's what Cons do.

Regarding the Drift issues, that was a lose-lose situation for McCarthy. Had Drift gone all ninja on us, the critics would have been equally as harsh. Personally, I would have preferred Drift slashing and dashing a team of those Swarm guys to the lame intro we were given.

And "Yara"? Well. Beats Jaja, I guess. Yara it is.

How likely might it be that McCarthy could have a tragic accident in the near future?

Dude, we should not wish such things on people just for writing a comic you don't like. I don't even wish that on Pat Lee. I mean, I would hope he gets what he has dished out, but no more than that. Gotta keep things in perspective here, right?

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:43 am

Yaya wrote:It's what Cons do.

Not until recently.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:49 am

Yaya wrote:If you think too hard about any of this, the kinks will be too numerous to count.

Thing is, there's a difference between a garment where the stitching shows and one that falls apart when you put it on. When there are a few creaky points in an otherwise strong story, it's far more forgivable than yet another thing that has been ill thought through.

Finally had a chance to read this in the shops. On the positive side, I did think Thundercracker's appearance was nicely done. Less is more - both his dialogue and expressions marked a new high point for depth of character in AHM, which isn't saying much, but credit where it's due. Here's someone who - and about time - doesn't just think his thoughts out loud and spend his time essaying the other characters.

The art remained consistent, and Blitzwing actually looked better than E.J's rendition - a little lighter on his feet perhaps. Good show from Guido.

But that's it for positives as far as I'm concerned. On Drift, I'm sorry, but you can't get away from such a wanky introduction by saying it's a lose-lose situation for McCarthy. All he and IDW had to do was not try to give us the impression this was some awesome and interesting new character. They could have played it low key, in which case they'd have had plenty of time to let this character get under our skin and give us some memorable moments. Instead, like almost every other character in AHM, it's cart before the horse - start by giving them a "WOWZERS! COOL!" scene and expect readers to lap it up.

Not only that, but since the action apparently has to be eased into slowly (six issues to get to one single 'bot-to-'bot fight) we had two Autobots in this issue proving their 'omgawesome' by killing the same baddie.

Skywarp's form is a 'tribute' to a character he was slagging off as an insufferably bad leader during Escalation? Surely anyone who still thinks McCarthy gave Furman's issues anything more than a cursory glance and that DJT isn't just sitting on his arse saying, "Do whatever you want," is kidding themselves. I want to give McCarthy credit for at least trying to put in a few interesting explanations as to why TFs are the way they are, but it's really such a poor effort, with one such explanation making no sense, another serving as a plot device for upcoming battles and none of the truly ridiculous aspects (massive cassette tapes? Underground steam locomotives?) touched with a barge pole.

**edit**

Just shaking my head at the IDW thread on this. After several pages during which some forum members try to convince others that continuity doesn't matter in the slightest, DJT sticks his head around the door to try to push the thread back in the direction of, "Awesome read! Love it!"

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:12 pm

Yeah. "Anyway, what about the comic?" Weren't they, like, discussing the comic? Albeit in a broader scope?

Random question: Is "feud" actually spelt "fued" in the States, or is this Revenge of the Random IDW Typos?

And it's blatantly Baltar who gave the Decepticons the Autobot access codes.