Marvel US comic marathon

[spiderfrommars]

When Dark Creation originally came out I thought it was so cool that an 18 certificate movie (Alien of course) was being plagerised in my toy comic. These days it's so blatant it's not even funny. Even if we go with the creature existing only to kill, why would there be a facehugger? Furman doesn't make any attempt to explain the dark creation's lifecycle - he just assumes we've seen the movie!

It becomes pretty clear how influential the Alien films are on Furman's writing from this point on. Isn't G2 mainly a 12 issue long bug hunt?

But the story is really cool in spite of all this. The Deathbringer introduces the concept of euthanasia to a childrens comic and all this "time passes" stuff is spooky. And how often was the "Primus/Prima/Prime Nova/Sentinel Prime/Optimus Prime" line debated and discussed afterwards?

Good to see Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee back, and thankfully this'll be the last we see of their Pretender shells (though Grimlock's is strangely starting to suit him). Grimlock also says he'll bring back his Dinobots whatever the cost, foreshadowing the Nucleon arc already.

The early scenes at the base are eerie but perhaps the monster shows up too early. However, Thunderwing's entrance - smashing through a window - is awesome, and he gets all the best lines ("Interesting. I almost felt that." etc). Where do we think he is on the Decepticon leader power scale? He throws these 'bots about with ease and isn't affected by the heavy gravity.

Love the Blackpool beach scene (there's a location I never expected to see in an American comic) and a human gets squished! This comic is growing up fast. It's obviously Shockwave but is no less exciting because of that. He's one of the top tier Transformers of all time and is welcome back.

Considering Prime's had all these nasty premonitions about the Matrix he's a bit overeager at the end. But it leads to one of the all time great cliffhangers and Senior really excels here too (as he does all the way through this ish. Shame about that travesty of a cover though).

Whilst the Deathbringer flashback is great, wouldn't US readers have been scratching their heads as to why Powermaster Prime was there?

Ruckus calls himself "Decepticon warrior without compare." Don't know why but that makes me laugh.

Otherwise you might leave yourself lacking things to write.

These issues are so epic that there's a lot to cover.

[Best First]

When Dark Creation originally came out I thought it was so cool that an 18 certificate movie (Alien of course) was being plagerised in my toy comic. These days it's so blatant it's not even funny. Even if we go with the creature existing only to kill, why would there be a facehugger? Furman doesn't make any attempt to explain the dark creation's lifecycle - he just assumes we've seen the movie!

Ah, i don't think that is how it was intended - the initial creature isn't a face hugger, it's just a smaller version of the parasite, that then grows as it eats it's way round the base. At least that's how i read it.

[spiderfrommars]

All Fall Down has probably got the best ever punch up in the US comic don't you think? Prime vs Thunderwing harks back to the classic Galvatron vs Ultra Magnus showdowns in the UK comic. It's a fantastic fight with truly indelible images.

Things start with a bang. "Welcome to the end of the world" the narration says. It's Unicron! And he's speaking! And he's making new badass warriors!

And last issue we got a tease of Shockwave and this issue hints at Galvatron's debut. It all adds to the fun.

And Landmine dies! Just like that. It doesn't seem long ago he was larking about with Meccanibals.

The Matrix possessing Thunderwing is genuinely disturbing and there's a great moment when he attempts to regain control to avoid shooting his own troops. He wants power, yes, but his motives aren't as bonkers as, say, Underbase Starscream's.

Just when the parallels with the Alien movies seems to have died down Simon ties up the story by combining the denouements from the first two films! But it's totally forgivable as it leads to a scintilating two pages which are given extra energy and scope by Senior's amazing visuals. "Talent borrows, genius steals," isn't that what they say?

Hard to believe Senior would only draw one more G1 comic after this.

Interrogative: What's with Shockwave's new speech patterns? Conclusion: I think I like them.

Starscream's back too! Squee?

It just seems Furman is gradually placing all the awesomest TFs in all creation on the same chessboard in order to make the greatest comic possible. And it means classic characters are moving more into the limelight.

That said, how cool a character is Nightbeat? Matrix Quest cements him as one of my all time faves.

Has the Matrix always been sentient? Is it Primus? All the Primes combined? All that and something new?

Thunderwing is a Lord High Commander. Bet that gets him into all the cool places.

This issue ends with one of my fave ever Prime speeches. Just sayin.

Ah, i don't think that is how it was intended - the initial creature isn't a face hugger, it's just a smaller version of the parasite, that then grows as it eats it's way round the base. At least that's how i read it.

Unless I'm wrong I think Bumblebee says something about a last log entry stating that a creature attached itself to some guy's face.

Which admittedly sounds like a normal Saturday night to me.

[The Last Autobot]

BB said that the creature attached to the face of one of the scientists so I go to the Alien theory.

Where do we think he is on the Decepticon leader power scale? He throws these 'bots about with ease and isn't affected by the heavy gravity.

And again BB said they were feeling tired because they ve been too much time there and the moon´s gravity have just started to affect them (they were low on energon). Thunderwing just get there and wasnt affected yet (neither his troops).

[Guest]

Ah, i don't think that is how it was intended - the initial creature isn't a face hugger, it's just a smaller version of the parasite, that then grows as it eats it's way round the base. At least that's how i read it.

Unless I'm wrong I think Bumblebee says something about a last log entry stating that a creature attached itself to some guy's face.

That is, however, due to the guy sticking his face into Prime's coffin. I mean, if you're a carnivorous parasite and some meat puppet sticks its face in your den, are you gonna go for the face, or pass it over for a less accessible limb?

[Best First]

Ah, i don't think that is how it was intended - the initial creature isn't a face hugger, it's just a smaller version of the parasite, that then grows as it eats it's way round the base. At least that's how i read it.

Unless I'm wrong I think Bumblebee says something about a last log entry stating that a creature attached itself to some guy's face.

That is, however, due to the guy sticking his face into Prime's coffin. I mean, if you're a carnivorous parasite and some meat puppet sticks its face in your den, are you gonna go for the face, or pass it over for a less accessible limb?

Yep - it attaches itself to the face, but it doesn't plant another creature - it just eats his face.

I actually missed (or my news agent missed) 1 of parts of Dark Creation - i was gutted!

Oh, and i forgot, i also own a page of the original art - the one where Grimlock comes back from finding the crew.

[spiderfrommars]

The art in Rhythms of Darkness is a disappointment after another two fantastic Senior issues. Galvatron's debut deserved better. But Delbo has upped his game like a man frightened he's about to lose his job. And yet he doesn't seem altogether comfortable drawing such a dark issue - it's a square peg in a round hole, like he's trying to be someone else.

He has good moments though, such as Cyclonus' execution. It must be one of the grimmest scenes in all of Transformers media: "I only saved you so I could destroy you myself!" That's cold. (Isn't it annoying when modern writers attempt to write "adult" TF comics as if that wasn't what we were getting over two decades ago?).

And we see the ruins of the Twin Towers - something that seemed like pure fantasy when this was written.

The introduction of the Pretender Monsters reminds me that Furman has been introducing a lot of toys lately, but not in the sledgehammer fashion that Budiansky was prone to (though I doubt he's under the same pressure). Furman doesn't seem too enamoured of them though, he has Icepick impaled almost instantly.

It's hard to invest in a "possible future" but the story is brimming with cool moments and helps to erase the memory of the awful Big Broadcast of 2006.

Galvy is as bonkers as ever (the way I like him best), the Americas have been invaded and only 7 Autobots remain. And this Magnificent Seven are a cool bunch - it seems Furman's chosen a bunch of 'bots the reader would like to hang out with, like Jazz, Guzzle, Chainclaw, Inferno, Crossblades, Prowl and Getaway. Only 3 make it out alive. Poor Guzzle.

Jazz has a totally different personality to the guy from two issues ago. Guess losing a war does that to you.

Considering the whole issue seems to be used to show how utterly badass Galvatron is, it's a bit hard to swallow when he's beaten in the space of five panels by Hook, Line and Sinker. Oh well.

BB said they were feeling tired because they ve been too much time there and the moon´s gravity have just started to affect them (they were low on energon). Thunderwing just get there and wasnt affected yet (neither his troops).

Fair point, however Thunderwing does do pretty well against Prime in their bout before the Matrix took over (it could be argued that Prime was holding back). Is he stronger than, say, Shockwave? Scorponok? I must know.

Yep - it attaches itself to the face, but it doesn't plant another creature - it just eats his face.

I prefer this version so I'll go with it.

I actually missed (or my news agent missed) 1 of parts of Dark Creation - i was gutted!

Strangely enough, same thing happened with me. Perhaps some problem at the source? Luckily I spotted a pile of confiscated comics behind the desk of our Physics teacher, and the issue I needed was there. One Mission Impossible later and I had a full set again.

Oh, and i forgot, i also own a page of the original art - the one where Grimlock comes back from finding the crew.

I hope you've framed it.

[The Last Autobot]

Is he stronger than, say, Shockwave? Scorponok? I must know.

It would depend on what was trying to be done that day. In the comics one day you have a Leader defeating a entire squad of badasses, then he is defeated by a single lousy opponent.


Power measures were fairly inconsistent.

[bumblemusprime]

Strangely enough, same thing happened with me. Perhaps some problem at the source? Luckily I spotted a pile of confiscated comics behind the desk of our Physics teacher, and the issue I needed was there. One Mission Impossible later and I had a full set again.

It just seems Furman is gradually placing all the awesomest TFs in all creation on the same chessboard in order to make the greatest comic possible. And it means classic characters are moving more into the limelight.

At this point--and Rhythms only made the madness greater--I was so sold on this series. The scope got so big. We got so much more invested in the characters. I just could not wait each month. Budiansky wrote some great stories, but he never showed this kind of ambition.

[spiderfrommars]

The Human Factor feels like a mistep for Furman. He's making the same mistake as his predecessor, forgetting that we buy the comic for the Transformers, not the humans. Perhaps he thought he could succeed where Bob so often failed? But the results are mixed...

However, it's nice to see him try and utilise Blackrock and Circuit Breaker. Often when new writers join a title they disregard everything that has gone before, but here we get characters introduced way back in issue 5! But the move into X-men territory feels misguided. The combination of Transformers and mutants in the same comic doesn't quite gel. I'm happy to believe in a world with one, or the other, but having both reduces the effectiveness of each.

There's more signs that the comic is maturing. Starscream blows up a jet fighter and calls it fun. There's sexual dialogue between Rapture and Thunderpunch that would be unthinkable in the title a couple of years ago.

It's a very talky issue, and things don't really get going until Starscream and Circuit Breaker face off. And this is not Starscream's finest hour. Furman uses the Neo Knights at Screamer's expense to show how 'cool' they are and the 'con gets well and truly owned.

Furman thinks up some original abilities for the Neo Knights but that doesn't necessarily mean they're inspired. And we don't ever really get to know these characters. There's a few hints that they all have shady pasts and that's it.

The moment when CB changes her mind and runs after Blackrock is nice. It feels cathartic after all this time of hating robots. Sadly it'll quickly be forgotten on her next appearance.

The worst part of the issue is the art. Dwayne Turner appears to approach the whole job with contempt. Turner has proved he's a good artist on other titles, so this is just unprofessional. And it gets worse and worse as the issue goes on. And on the last page, when Shockwave finally reveals himself, he draws what should be a very exciting moment as if he's got his eyes closed.

Apparently RAAT has gone defunct. Interesting how, on figuring out that there were two factions of TFs, the government didn't decide to use it as a force for good. Are they sitting back and doing nothing about the Decepticons?

[DJ_Convoy]

This issue is almost schizophrenic in regards to the high water mark the series had been reaching since Furman came on board.- it's a complete 180 in terms of quality. Awful; I dislike the Neo Knights and the role they play in things to come.

Let's not even mention the wretched art.

[spiderfrommars]

I love seeing everyday life aboard the Ark in Eye of the Storm. It's fascinating and makes me want to be an Autobot and chill out with these guys.

Again, lots of cool characters are jostling for attention. As ever, Furman is interested in the psychology of Optimus Prime. These pains he's experiencing are an interesting subplot and his decision to surrender is a big bombshell.

Then there's Grimlock stealing the show. This time you can understand why he's fallen out with Prime and gone rogue. In a great scene with Kup (where he punches him out) he eloquently explains why what he's doing is the the right thing for the Dinobots.

Plus Nightbeat is doing his mega-cool detective thing again, Ravage is back from the dead, things hot up with Galvatron (you can tell Furman was itching to get him into the comic), Unicron gets ever closer and even an underused character like Waverider gets something to do for once (I was pleased about that - he was the only Pretender toy I owned).

Unspace is an interesting Limbo-like concept. I think most readers would've assumed Ratchet and Megatron were most likely transported to another location entirely so this is a bit of a curveball. And Bridge to Nowhere sort of established the fact that contact with inter-dimensional space was fatal. How is this different?

Furman's got some sick mind to dream up the ending with the mashed up and melded Siamese-twinned Megatron/Ratchet. Totally unexpected and I like it.

When I heard Andy Wildman was going to be pencilling the US comic I was nonplussed. I thought there were more worthy contenders, like Sullivan or Hitch. He hits the ground running with this issue though, but it's the team up with Baskerville in the next issue that will take the visuals to another level.

Triggerhappy says he saw Shockwave burn up in Earth's atmosphere. I can't remember that.

And it's a bit odd that Mindwipe and Triggerhappy desert Scorponok's Decepticons because he recruited the traitorous Starscream, only to join Starscream's new team. Uh?

[Best First]

(I was pleased about that - he was the only Pretender toy I owned).

i am begining to think we have the same childhood.

But where are my massive sideburns eh? Unfair.

[Professor Smooth]

(I was pleased about that - he was the only Pretender toy I owned).

where are my massive sideburns eh? Unfair.

I think I picked those up at a second hand shop, actually.

[bumblemusprime]

When I heard Andy Wildman was going to be pencilling the US comic I was nonplussed. I thought there were more worthy contenders, like Sullivan or Hitch. He hits the ground running with this issue though, but it's the team up with Baskerville in the next issue that will take the visuals to another level.

It's funny--coming at it from the other direction, I was rather shocked to see how middling his UK art was the first time I read it. His work on the US comic just blew me away. I suppose it was Baskerville's inks helping, and Simon giving him all sorts of crazy awesome **** to draw.

[The Last Autobot]

Triggerhappy says he saw Shockwave burn up in Earth's atmosphere. I can't remember that.

Maybe Ratbat recorded all the incident in US 39? After all, he always wanted "to save everything".

[DJ_Convoy]

When I heard Andy Wildman was going to be pencilling the US comic I was nonplussed. I thought there were more worthy contenders, like Sullivan or Hitch. He hits the ground running with this issue though, but it's the team up with Baskerville in the next issue that will take the visuals to another level.

It's funny--coming at it from the other direction, I was rather shocked to see how middling his UK art was the first time I read it. His work on the US comic just blew me away. I suppose it was Baskerville's inks helping, and Simon giving him all sorts of crazy awesome **** to draw.

I was none too impressed with the art in issue 69 but I really enjoyed it once Baskerville joined up.

[Guest]

Triggerhappy says he saw Shockwave burn up in Earth's atmosphere. I can't remember that.

Maybe Ratbat recorded all the incident in US 39? After all, he always wanted "to save everything".

Or, maybe, as Scorponok's Decepticons were on (or in orbit about) Earth at the time, they were keeping tabs on Shockwave's group, and it just happened to be Triggerhappy's watch when Shockers went meteoric.

[Best First]

Or maybe Triggerhappy googled the words "purple" "one-eyed" and "hot re-entry" with safesearch off and was dissapointed with what redtube spat out.

Personally i think this theory literally wanks over all the other ones.

[bumblemusprime]

Or maybe Triggerhappy googled the words "purple" "one-eyed" and "hot re-entry" with safesearch off and was dissapointed with what redtube spat out.

Personally i think this theory literally wanks over all the other ones.

[Hot Shot]

Or maybe Triggerhappy googled the words "purple" "one-eyed" and "hot re-entry" with safesearch off and was dissapointed with what redtube spat out.

Personally i think this theory literally wanks over all the other ones.

I think most of us are disappointed by what Redtube spits out in general.

[spiderfrommars]

From The Price of Life onwards I think for the first time ever in the US comic you get a sense of the love and dedication going into every facet of the publication. And Andy Wildman and Stephen Baskerville bring a new quality and consistency as the main artists.

The extra detail Baskerville adds when compared to last issue is huge. The Ark looks like a rather grubby and inhospitable place now. The Ratchet/Megatron hybrid is truly horrid. And the great Hydrus Four sequences have nicely rendered odd-looking robotic citizens.

The body horror of the fused together Ratchatron is something else. It's not exactly the Human Centipede but it's pretty disgusting! It means some amazing dilemmas for Prime. Killing one means killing both, as does saving either.

There's some incredible characterisation for Kup here who's not afraid to threaten Prime with relieving him of command. You get the sense that Kup is older than him and that his words, however harsh, command respect.

Grimlock's story is a nice parallel to the main action. He has no qualms about killing the infected Hydrusians. Whilst saying it's a terrible waste he sees himself as a surgeon cutting away diseased tissue. But just when you think Grimlock's growing up he brashly seizes the Nucleon and calls its keeper a dumb robot.

Poor little robot. He probably died alone on that island from his slowly wasting disease.

Prime is pretty awesome in the showdown with Megchet. There is an amazing moment when Ratchet points the gun to his head and pleads with Prime to pull the trigger. And Prime can't do it. This is Furman's Prime, take him or leave him. But I'm glad he didn't pull the trigger.

But was he right to give the order to fix Ratchet knowing Megatron too would be reborn?

Or, maybe, as Scorponok's Decepticons were on (or in orbit about) Earth at the time, they were keeping tabs on Shockwave's group, and it just happened to be Triggerhappy's watch when Shockers went meteoric.

Yep, the reconaissance angle definitely works, but I assume Furman's memory failed him.

Or maybe Triggerhappy googled the words "purple" "one-eyed" and "hot re-entry" with safesearch off and was dissapointed with what redtube spat out.

Personally i think this theory literally wanks over all the other ones.

[Best First]

i love the bits where Ratchet is saying "nuh, nuh" and Megs is saying "yuh, yuh" - even tho explained that way it sounds really wrong

And Ratchet is willing to sacrifice himself AGAIN! looking ahead - it's basically his thing, isn't it?

Oh, and nifty use of Fixit in this issue as well.

The Kup stuff also sets up a nice loyalty test in a few issues time for Kup.

I like the way Furman doesn't really introduce characters by and large, he just uses them and who they are becomes apparent - if that makes any sense.

[Guest]

Oh, and nifty use of Fixit in this issue as well.

Well, they couldn't really use First Aid, wherever he got to, as his only medical role was way back when Ratchet was trying to save Prime in Funeral for a Friend, and even then all he did was moan about it being hopeless.

[The Last Autobot]

Decepticons have it worse. Is there anyone we can call a medic? (apart from that Megatron character model way back Marvel US 4) They have a lot of engineers like the bots but that´s all.

[DJ_Convoy]

One of the Constructicons (Hook, maybe?) was occaisionally used as a medic, no? Although he was an engineer. I may well be thinking of the cartoon-

[Legion]

One of the Constructicons (Hook, maybe?) was occaisionally used as a medic, no? Although he was an engineer. I may well be thinking of the cartoon-

Pretty sure one of them had the function "surgeon" didn't they?

[The Last Autobot]

Hook´s function was "surgical engineer".

[spiderfrommars]

Surrender is typical of the high standard of stories near the end of the title's run as the momentum continued to build.

I love the opening. A 4 million year flashback with classic Prime being badass? Yes please. He asks for the white flag only so he can bind his wound with it. Brilliant.

And it's a great juxtaposition as we flashforward to the present day with Prime's surrender to Scorponok. The art is gorgeous here too: the two Transformers' contrasting body language, the faces of the discontented Autobots in the background, the Autobot insignia lying on the ground and the falling rain. It's a great image.

I love the way Kup kicks Apeface's arse when he takes the piss out of him. He continues to get his best writing in the comic thus far. He tells Prime he's sold them out but comes good in the end.

But is Prime's surrender a good plan? Could he not have found another way to discuss the Unicron threat with Scorponok?

Talking of plans, Shockwave's doesn't seem that much better. The normally logical former commander's motley crew of seven Decepticons aren't exactly the cream of the crop.

Love the whole Soundwave guarding Prime scene. Prime's temper is growing and Soundwave looks so nonchalant. As it is, Prime flattens him and rips his way out of his cell which he could've done all along.

The rehabilitation of Zarak continues. He feels guilt for betraying Prime and in the stand off he follows his instincts instead of doing what he thinks is expected of him. It's a tense scene.

The sight of the Decepticon base as a pile of rubble with all its occupants seemingly killed, together with the amazing picture of Galvatron deep below Cybertron hunting Xaaron, meant I literally could not wait for the next issue.

i love the bits where Ratchet is saying "nuh, nuh" and Megs is saying "yuh, yuh" - even tho explained that way it sounds really wrong.

Yeah, I loved all that. It's fun that you can always make out what is being said. "Phrumm!" is obviously Prime. "Dhh Awabus!" Die Autobots...

It reminded me of another comic character but I couldn't put a finger on it. Then the penny dropped... Arseface from Preacher!

[bumblemusprime]

Ratchatron is Arseface!

I'm with you on Surrender. I must have reread it ten or fifteen times within the first few days. Andy's art was at a major peak at the time as well, and Simon was giving him all sorts of cool stuff to draw.