Marvel US comic marathon

[bumblemusprime]

I remember when I thought if my house ever caught fire the first thing I would rush in and get would be my stash of TF comics.

Oh dude, I remember that. I also remember when it would have been Robert Jordan's books (back when there were only four of them).

These days, it would be the kids first... then the computers and guitars. Then probably some books and comics.

[Best First]

Don't have access to a lot of these issues at the mo but am really enjoying this topic. Nice one Dave

Don't have access? Don't have access?! Have you gone all grown up Paulie?

gah - i have gone and incriminated myself there haven't i?

It's just i got so much stuff that some is at me folks, some is in boxes in the cellar etc etc.

I must admit i don't reread this stuff as much as i used to.

I still have robots in every room tho! Including a waterproof movie Optimus standing guard over the bath...

[Metal Vendetta]

I'll confess that while I do have pretty much everything I own on the shelf in my room, most of the time I read scans on my laptop, since it's far easier to skim through Aspects of Evil when it's in a folder on my D: drive than when I have to rummage through a stack of comics and tpbs...I've read the Marvel UK run through a couple of times recently on my screen, only occasionally digging out an issue to check a Grim Grams or Transformations or something.

I do read tpbs in the bath though. G2 at the moment, though I'll probably swap them out for something else soon, as I'm getting word-perfect.

[Best First]

yeah TPBathtime is one of life's great pleasures.

Altho i have now taken the dangerous step of also occasionally taking the iPad in for comics or TV.

[Professor Smooth]

yeah TPBathtime is one of life's great pleasures.

Altho i have now taken the dangerous step of also occasionally taking the iPad in for comics or TV.

I could have lived my entire life without that image in my mind. Thank Grud for the bag.

[spiderfrommars]

Used Autobots seems like another story where Budiansky is going through the motions. The simple premise of the Throttlebots up for sale on a car lot doesn't really go the distance. The action scenes seem padded and uninspired, apart from a scene where Blaster roller skates on a couple of Autobots, but Blaster is always good value anyway.

RAAT are back *yawn* and Barnett is acting like he hasn't learnt a thing from previous experiences. Brawl's head is back on his shoulders (presumably he has a bit of a headache) and briefly there's an interesting dynamic where Autobots are pitched against Autobots, with the Protectobots arresting Blaster on Grimlock's command.

Is the "Me Grimlock!" in this issue the first time the Dinobot commander uses the cartoon phrase in the comic?

And I just want to give a shout out to Blaster's electro-scrambler. Out of all the gimmicky TF guns that don't simply shoot and kill, his has got to be the best. Somebody should give that gun its own comic...

I still have robots in every room tho! Including a waterproof movie Optimus standing guard over the bath...

Thank goodness. I was really worried about you for a minute there.

[Ozz]

And I just want to give a shout out to Blaster's electro-scrambler. Out of all the gimmicky TF guns that don't simply shoot and kill, his has got to be the best.

I like the metal-bending one that is carried by... Air Raid? Although I think he only used it in Aerialbots Over America. Then again they didn't have other big appearances in the comic.

[bumblemusprime]

Used Autobots seems like another story where Budiansky is going through the motions.

Prepare to live the insane joy all US fans felt when Furman took over. From about the Car Wash of Doom on, everything was pretty half-hearted save part three and four of the Underbase.

Interestingly enough, you are missing the "Man of Iron" reprint from US # 32-33, in which Megatron was colored orange and blue on the cover. There was quite a bit of talk about the British comic in the letter columns from fans who had gotten a hold of Furman's stuff at the time. I remember being pretty damn jealous and asking my dad if we could get them. He had no idea how. Oh, internets, how I longed for you...

[Best First]

ah! i hated kids like that - they were the same kind of kids whose dads bought them toys you couln't get in the UK.

Those Swoop owning ****s.

[Legion]

I like the metal-bending one that is carried by... Air Raid? Although I think he only used it in Aerialbots Over America. Then again they didn't have other big appearances in the comic.

And seeing as they had their minds wiped after that excursion, it sucks to be an Aerialbot!

[spiderfrommars]

There are more lacklustre action scenes and bland human characters in Child's Play. It has one good scene - when Blaster bluffs Bruticus by pretending to shoot the kid. And then he takes him down singlehandedly. Go Blaster.

And there's a major turning point in the comic as The Ark finally takes off. So why does it feel underwhelming? Where was the build up? And is this the point where the comic jumped the shark?

Grimlock reaches a new low as he reveals he's planning to torture Blaster with the Variable Voltage Harness. Of course the VVH would be an ongoing in joke on Grimlock's letters page in the UK comic (where he dished out punishment to the "stubbies" whenever they cocked up).

Prepare to live the insane joy all US fans felt when Furman took over. From about the Car Wash of Doom on, everything was pretty half-hearted save part three and four of the Underbase.

One of the problems seems to be that the comic hasn't grown up with the readers. The leading protagonists of Child's Play appear to be between 4 and 7 years old! Who's meant to relate to them?

You can see what would be happening around now. More readers would be dropping the comic than starting out with it. Transformers were no longer the biggest toy property.

What made you stick with it?

Interestingly enough, you are missing the "Man of Iron" reprint from US # 32-33, in which Megatron was colored orange and blue on the cover. There was quite a bit of talk about the British comic in the letter columns from fans who had gotten a hold of Furman's stuff at the time. I remember being pretty damn jealous and asking my dad if we could get them. He had no idea how. Oh, internets, how I longed for you...

What did you make of Man of Iron at the time? It's got its moments, but it's hardly typical of the UK stories of the time. Shame they didn't reprint something a little more accessible and more obviously in-continuity.

Which stories was it printed in between? I guess it gave Bob extra time to work on the Headmasters mini-series.

[Guest]

Just been flicking through the Treason TPB, and I've got a ponder. Or few.

Why are the Combaticons after the Throttlebots in Used Autobots? I mean, from a UK pov we know they're out for revenge over Ladies' Night, but there doesn't seem to be a good reason for it to be them, besides that Bob wanted them to be versus the Protectobots.

And again, why is it that, like with Afterdeath, we don't actually get to see them fighting each other? Not really fighting each other, more "I'll throw a car at you while I make my escape" stuff. No actually Protectobots v Combaticons until Child's Play.

Just seems odd to me.

Interestingly enough, you are missing the "Man of Iron" reprint from US # 32-33, in which Megatron was colored orange and blue on the cover. There was quite a bit of talk about the British comic in the letter columns from fans who had gotten a hold of Furman's stuff at the time. I remember being pretty damn jealous and asking my dad if we could get them. He had no idea how. Oh, internets, how I longed for you...

What did you make of Man of Iron at the time? It's got its moments, but it's hardly typical of the UK stories of the time. Shame they didn't reprint something a little more accessible and more obviously in-continuity.

Which stories was it printed in between? I guess it gave Bob extra time to work on the Headmasters mini-series.

Used Autobots and Child's Play.

What would've worked better? They'd have had to go for an even number of UK issues, and probably not longer than 2 or 3 US issues' worth.

And they probably wouldn't have wanted to reprint anything with a lot of backstory, so all the future stuff would be out.

[spiderfrommars]

And again, why is it that, like with Afterdeath, we don't actually get to see them fighting each other? Not really fighting each other, more "I'll throw a car at you while I make my escape" stuff. No actually Protectobots v Combaticons until Child's Play.

Just seems odd to me.

They did have a bit of a scrap in Used Autobots.

What would've worked better? They'd have had to go for an even number of UK issues, and probably not longer than 2 or 3 US issues' worth.

And they probably wouldn't have wanted to reprint anything with a lot of backstory, so all the future stuff would be out.

Dinobot Hunt? Or just a one-shot with Robot Buster?

I admit it, that's all I've got.

Would've been awesome if they just thought [composite word including 'f*ck'] it, and reprinted the whole of Target 2006.

[bumblemusprime]

Bob wouldn't've complained by this point.

I think my major reaction to Man of Iron had to do with the way the characters were drawn. Who in the world drew them just like the toys? What were they thinking?

I didn't get the first part of the story until I was a good bit older. I liked it, though. When I did I could recognize the bones of a rather bittersweet, solid story as opposed to the fluff Bob was putting out at the time.

I was about eight when US #55 - the pro wrestler one - came out, and I remember thinking that I might want to drop the book. Seriously. I had always enjoyed it, but I had a moment of clarity and realized that everything was turning into a Decepticon movie star story, or Meccanibals, or Amazon women seducing Pretenders. Basically a bunch o' wank.

Next issue, #56, was Simon's first on the book. Ended with the glorious return of Megatron who, for the US readers, had been dead and gone since #25. At that point I chose to be doomed to a life of collecting the toys, reading the comics, and procrastinating my job right here.

[Best First]

i don't think it ever occurred to me it was an option to drop the comic once i started getting it - seriously. They got me but good.

[spiderfrommars]

Blazing bolts! I'd almost forgotten Sky Lynx existed before rereading Space Hikers.

But how come Wheeljack is able to call him up from Earth? And what exactly did he think he would do? Overthrow Grimlock?

And why does he think a teddy bear needs a space suit?

It's a pacier issue than the last few though, and the handover from Perlin to Delbo is painless at this point. I don't like Albers' lettering though. Her style somehow makes the issue look cheap. Yes I am a lettering snob. (I guess there's a reason why we never debate lettering in these forums).

Grimlock is definitely cleverer than he looks. Not only does he not mean to kill the humans, it's a bluff to lure Blaster in. And he outwits the faster Sky Lynx with his own tactics.

But this could've been Blaster's moment as the Autobots ask him to be their leader. Would he have made a good one?

The Protectobots have been abandoned on Earth. Guess that's why Streetwise turns up in Stargazing.

But why is Sandstorm onboard The Ark?

Next issue, #56, was Simon's first on the book. Ended with the glorious return of Megatron who, for the US readers, had been dead and gone since #25. At that point I chose to be doomed to a life of collecting the toys, reading the comics, and procrastinating my job right here.

I can't imagine what a shock it would have been! I remember reading it for the first time. It was certainly good with a cool ending but I remember thinking: "Megatron lives again? Eh? When did he die?"

So what did you think of Geoff Senior's first issue?

i don't think it ever occurred to me it was an option to drop the comic once i started getting it - seriously. They got me but good.

No way was I giving up! Even when the strips went black and white. But you've got to admit, the reprints were a low point. Wrestling Micromasters was better than those anyday.

[bumblemusprime]

Okay... You're going to hate my eight-year-old self.

I didn't like Geoff Senior's first issue (US#61, as I remember--Primal Scream).

I just wanted bright, shiny artwork. To me there was shiny art and dirty art. I was actually upset when I found out he, not Wildman, was drawing Edge of Extinction (US#75). I liked Wildman because he was so shiny.

Crappy artistic criteria...

[Best First]

i don't think it ever occurred to me it was an option to drop the comic once i started getting it - seriously. They got me but good.

No way was I giving up! Even when the strips went black and white. But you've got to admit, the reprints were a low point. Wrestling Micromasters was better than those anyday.

eh, yeah, that was a bit grim - especially if you consider that most of the people reading by that point would have been around the first time - altho a couple of the reprients were of such decent stories i was less bothered.

Oh, and 8 year old Spencer is a dick! I bet he would have liked the IDW ongoing! The jam felcher.

[bumblemusprime]

You made 8 year old Spencer cry! You bastard! Why are you picking on the kind of kid who memorizes his TF comics?

I think I need to do a UK marathon and put all my UK reprints in with the US comics I know so well. Now I just need to figure out the order. Doesn't the Archive have a list of which UK/US stories appeared in which order?

[spiderfrommars]

Dunno, but we do: http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide.php?series=2

[bumblemusprime]

I am also gonna need scans of everything that hasn't been reprinted by Titan.

Look busy people!

[spiderfrommars]

I quite like Toy Soldiers. With Forsythe and Triple I back after a long absence, it feels a bit old school. But in a good way. Forsythe finally sees the light too (but he's a much more shady character if you take another look at UK tale In the National Interest).

That said, Barnett changes his mind pretty quickly about the Autobots.

Buster's back too, and we find out he has a long lost brother called Spike. It's a stretch, but I'll go with it.

Even though you know the Throttlebots will somehow make it, seeing them all get flattened in the crusher is still an effective scene. And Buster's sadness at his old friend Bumblebee's 'death' is nicely played out.

Kudos also for showing Razorclaw gun down a soldier. It goes without saying that he would do such a thing, but they don't usually show it. Presumably also Sparkplug gets tortured (off screen) but he doesn't crack.

What's Shockwave doing while all this is going on though? Twiddling his thumbs? Actually that should be thumb, singular.

"I'll get you fleshling! I'll drink your fuel through a steel straw!" I've decided I like it when Ratbat gets angry.

There's an editor's note that reads "See TF issue 31 for the incredible saga!" It's referring to the Car Wash of Doom and must be taking the piss.

I asked earlier how Wheeljack contacted Sky Lynx. Turns out the Autobots left an intergalactic tranceiver back at the Ark. Still doesn't explain when and how they built it though.

It never feels right when a Decepticon says "Roll out!" In this case the guilty party is Divebomb.

I just wanted bright, shiny artwork. To me there was shiny art and dirty art. I was actually upset when I found out he, not Wildman, was drawing Edge of Extinction (US#75). I liked Wildman because he was so shiny.

Crappy artistic criteria...

But how would Edge of Extinction looked with Wildman art do we think? Better or worse?

I think I need to do a UK marathon and put all my UK reprints in with the US comics I know so well. Now I just need to figure out the order. Doesn't the Archive have a list of which UK/US stories appeared in which order?

It's worth noting that several of the US comics reprinted in the UK had dialogue edits to make them fit in seamlessly with the US stories. So ideally you want scans of those too. Er... good luck!

[Best First]

As much as i love Wildman - Edge of Extinction would be nowhere near as good with him on art. Senior's rendition of the kinetic brutality of Unicron's assult is more or less perfect. There are better artists than Senior out there but for this story I genuinely can not think of anyone who could have rendered it better.

Ok - there are the odd 'less good' panels, but where it needs to pack a punch, it hits like a gamma irradiated Thor.

Joyride and Waverider's death alone are just... obliterating.

My view may be slightly muddied by the fact Furman also hits his US apex with the culmination of his wonderful Scorponok arc.

And again the art is perfect for this moment - such a simple panel, the silhouette of Prime hunched over the corpse of his almost friend.

I love it.

Almost as much as i dispise that 8 year old anal wart who tried to wish it away. To think he now gets to write a comics column! For shame.

[spiderfrommars]

I agree, mostly. Some panels of Edge of Extinction are simply awe-inspiring. But I don't think it matches his earlier US work. Perhaps it was rushed? (It was a bumper issue after all).

As for who else could have done it... Bryan Hitch perhaps?

Lest we forget Legacy of Unicron Part 6 was illustrated by both Senior and Hitch. Heaven! I wonder how much Hitch's style was influenced by him.

[Ozz]

I asked earlier how Wheeljack contacted Sky Lynx. Turns out the Autobots left an intergalactic tranceiver back at the Ark. Still doesn't explain when and how they built it though.

Wasn't Huffer working on something like that?

[spiderfrommars]

Onto Ring of Hate, ie, The Headmasters saga issue 1. And it becomes immediately clear that this is Budiansky's biggest challenge since the comic first started. He has to introduce 75+ new characters, a whole new storyline and new world in just 4 issues.

It's a massive undertaking, poor guy must have been overworked what with having to keep the main title turning over too.

It marks a major turning point for Transformers... the robots in disguise on Earth concept is now long lost. I suggested the Ark leaving the Earth was a possible jump the shark moment. Is this another? And will The Pretenders be the final nail in the coffin?

Fortress Maximus is an odd character. Worst Leader Ever perhaps? "Fools! There is nothing to celebrate!" he bellows at his Autobots. "Your end fast approaches!" he says to the Decepticons, yet a minute later he wants to leave Cybertron!

Then a whole litany of mistakes follow. By leaving Cybertron he leaves the fate of the planet (and potentially the universe) in the hands of the Decepticons. Then he wants to move to an inhabited planet! What gives him the right to make first contact? Why not colonise a barren world instead? On Nebulos he bungles from one situation to another. He almost throttles Kup when he opens fire on the Nebulans. And most barmy of all (though kind of cool I admit) he pulls off his own head when all else fails.

Meanwhile the plot is reliant on most people acting like idiots to move it along. For a civilisation that have been at peace for 10,000 years the Nebulans seem awfully keen to start a war. What is Zarak's problem? And why can't Galen make up his mind?

So do we think Scorponok took over from Lord Straxus? I assume Fortress Maximus' resistance cell is different to Perceptor's as they don't know that Prime is alive.

I like the way Bob has slotted in the future nebulan companions in amongst the cast. Duros is a security specialist, Krunk is Zarak's lackey.

Wasn't Huffer working on something like that?

Yep! But he got deactivated soon after. Perhaps Wheeljack took over the work?

[bumblemusprime]

OUR HEADS!

I remember thinking that was just too weird. That was a jump-the-shark moment. Couldn't he have thought of a better way to make them headless?

[Best First]

i think yanking on your own head is a most commendable passtime

[Shanti418]

RE: Why I kept reading

- The cartoon was gone from the airwaves, the toys had begun the downward slide from Pretenders to Micromasters to Actionmasters, the comic was all I had!!!! My inertia carried me from the point where I might have quit (post Underbase) to Furman.

RE: The Artwork

- I fell in love with Senior the second he was there. Like BF says, it was the perfect material for him. However, I was less enthusiastic about Wildman. I loved his "battle damage" look, but at the time I really didn't like his "robots with faces" style on the bots (some of the expressions he gets on non-emotive TFs, like PM Op or Bludgeon, are priceless), and I also didn't like his copious usage of oil/spit/water, etc. I was like, "these are robots, why does Prowl just a white faced dude literally CRYING on Prime's dead body?"

[bumblemusprime]

i think yanking on your own head is a most commendable passtime

Well put, sir.

I doubt I would have quit, but I really didn't like the Amazon warrior women fall for Pretenders issue--US #53, I think.

About a year after Edge of Extinction came out, I began to realize that Senior was the best thing that ever happened to the Transformers. The truly sad part was that when Yaniger went down to just half of the G2 comic each month--and sometimes not even that--Senior didn't take up the other half, Galan did.

A Senior/Yaniger joint every month would have been amazing, and the only way to make G2 better. At least he showed up by the end, but by then Yaniger was gone.