IDW Comics Marathon

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:12 am

Spotlight: Ultra Magnus

That painted cover has got to be my favorite Ultra Magnus image of all time. I seriously want a print or poster of that. Beautiful!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:25 am

More Spotlight Ultra Magnus:

I'm not really sure where this falls in continuity. It must have been before Nebulos was wiped out during Stormbringer, right? Not that it really matters. I just thought that it was taking place in the present from the start, but maybe that's the fun of it.

This issue, obviously, sets up Ultra Magnus. And, frankly, I'm not sure that I buy his "enforcer of the rules of war," gimmick. However, I guess that might only be due to knowing what comes later. Up until this point, the war between Autobots and Decepticons DID seem to have some rules that were followed, going all the way back to Infiltration. Still, I have a hard time believing that the Decepticons would "court-martial" one of their own who happened to be in position of certain super-powerful weapons.

That rather large bit aside, the issue was a fun read. We got a good look at Scorpy, and Zarak gets tossed right out of the picture from the get-go. I loved the subtle mention of Scorponok's "machinations," knowing what that sets up later.

Still can't get over how great that cover is. So nice!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:47 am

Spotlight Soundwave:

This was another great Spotlight. It tied a bunch of previous (and future, I guess) threads together. It also gave a pretty good reason for Soundwave being a 1984-style mini-cassette deck. I'm sure plenty of people were wondering just what ol' Soundwave was up to and this answers the question nicely. Absolutely nothing.

Soundwave's characterization in previous TF fiction has been all over the place. This issue shows us exactly which Soundwave we're dealing with in IDW's continuity.

I've got no complaints about the art. Rob Ruffalo's colors are really nice. The guy's definitely a great talent.

On to Spotlight: Kup and then Megatron: Origin!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:13 am

Spotlight Kup:

I think this was the first G1 story from IDW that wasn't written by Simon Furman. Interesting.

Also: AWESOME

There's so much I want to say about this book, but by now, it's all been said. Everything about this story is excellent. It gives us some great insight into the minds of Kup, Springer, Prowl, and, even though he's only mentioned, Optimus Prime. More than that, it takes the universe-building theme of the Spotlight series a step farther and shows us what kind damage (survivable and otherwise) can be inflicted on Transformers.

The art was much different from anything seen at IDW before. And it fit the story perfectly. The cover is probably my favorite piece of Alex Milne artwork.

Simply AWESOME

Now, on to Megatron: Origin!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:27 am

...

I wasn't blown away by the first issue. I'm not even entirely sure what's going on. Ok. Megatron and a few other (future) 'Cons (Rumble/Frenzy?) participate in a riot over their factory closing down and some other bots wind up dying. I think they've kidnapped a Senator?

The artwork is REALLY unclear. Maybe worse than Micromasters, but not as bad as Transformers vs GI:Joe.

This is definitely not a book I'd give to somebody who wasn't fairly well-versed in the mythology of the Transformers. However, even I, somebody who is VERY well versed in it, have a very hard time following what's going on.

Also, this is more non-Furman materials. Was this around the time they started having Simon do a lot of the movie tie-in stuff?

I should also point out that portraying the original Decepticon uprising as a fairly well-justified rebellion against oppressive Autobots (who are REALLY shown to be some absolute ****s so far) doesn't sit well. I can understand the appeal of having the Autobots "bring the war upon themselves," but with the full knowledge of what comes later, I think this was a mis-step.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:41 am

Issue 2:

There are pages in this book where I am completely in the dark as to what's going on.

Depending on how far back you go, the seeds of the Autobot/Decepticon civil war, which has apparently raged for millions of years and cost untold BILLIONS of lives was the result of:

Greedy Autobots putting laborers out of work.

or

Autobots trying to shut down a profitable cage-fighting ring the above laborers set up to make enough (money?) to get by.

...

...

...

By the way, in this series, are there Autobots and Others, or what? Are the future Decepticons technically Autobots at this point? What's the deal?

I hope this will get better.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:21 am

Professor Smooth wrote: I hope this will get better.

It won't.

Amazingly, the new kiddie Marvel UK comic saw fit to reprint Megatron: Origin. This despite it being, as you say "not a book I'd give to somebody who wasn't fairly well-versed in the mythology of the Transformers."

Which reminds me, I have a pile of about 30 of those things in my house that I haven't read yet as I haven't cancelled my subscription. Anyone else been keeping up to date?

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:44 pm

I did a pretty extensive review of the first issue a while back:

http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_det ... 687&page=1

Things a mess. After so much good stuff from Simon at IDW, it was like a Dreamwave comic come again. I wouldn't be surprised if Eric Holmes as a pseudonym for Brad McJamesonough.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:14 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:I did a pretty extensive review of the first issue a while back:

http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_det ... 687&page=1

"The colouring deserves vivisection."

Wish we could tempt you to write some more...

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:52 pm

I'll write the snarky bits. It's all those continuity notes that make a man weep...

Actually, I did the Hot Rod Spotlight too. Rusty Herring did a whole slew of em and did a pretty good job. Where is that kid these days?

[edit] Not having access to the admin forum due to my old username being dead, it appears that the Hot Rod Spotlight review never went up. But it's in there.

Hook2 · Post by **Hook2** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:55 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:I'll write the snarky bits. It's all those continuity notes that make a man weep...

Actually, I did the Hot Rod Spotlight too. Rusty Herring did a whole slew of em and did a pretty good job. Where is that kid these days?

[edit] Not having access to the admin forum due to my old username being dead, it appears that the Hot Rod Spotlight review never went up. But it's in there.

LOL! After reading this I have to know...

Did you ever review International Incident?!?

Because I'd LOVE to see that!

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:57 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:It's all those continuity notes that make a man weep...

Oh I can do those bits.

Listening to the record store day exclusive Radiohead single right now Spence. Wish you were here.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:58 pm

I reviewed For All Mankind, AHM, Infiltration, Stormbringer and Spotlight vol. 1 [edit] and Last Stand of the Wreckers:

For All Mankind:

http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.co ... rticle=041

AHM:

http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.co ... rticle=032

Last Stand (I not-so-humbly think they should have cover-quoted me on this one):

http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.co ... rticle=034

Infiltration/Stormbringer/Spotlight 1:

http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.co ... rticle=009

No real interest in International Incident, although I'll pick it up at the library if I see it there. That was how I ended up reading For All Mankind.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:59 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:
bumblemusprime wrote:It's all those continuity notes that make a man weep...

Oh I can do those bits.

Listening to the record store day exclusive Radiohead single right now Spence. Wish you were here.

OHHHHH YOU BASTARD!

You've got my email... actually, you probably don't since my last few emails to you bounced off the bbc account. But if you have my email and an mp3... do the right thing.

Hook2 · Post by **Hook2** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 3:01 pm

Oh, I just wanted to see you murderize it anyway...

If you haven't read it, don't. It'll make your eyes(and soul) bleed.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:50 am

Megatron Origin #3 and #4:

I try to look at the positives of any given TF comic book rather than just harp on the negatives. But I am struggling to find anything I liked about this series. But, I've got to say something, so...

If I understand the series correctly, the progression of Megatron and the Decepticons is as follows:

I'm Megatron and I work in a mine! Oh, no! They're taking my job! Oh, no! A fight's broken out! Guess I'll take part in gladiator-style contests to put food on the table. Hmmm. I'm really good at this! Oh, other people want to support my gladiator team! Hey! Let's take over the planet! And destroy stuff!

The artwork was, in pretty much every conceivable way, terrible. Far more often than not, there is no way to tell what's going on.

This series probably should not have been published. It adds nothing to IDW's Transformers saga. It makes the Autobots AND Decepticons look bad. Going forward, this series pretty much gets swept under the rug. About the only defense of the book would be that it's Megatron's propaganda version of how it happened.

I'm very happy to be finished with this series.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:43 am

Professor Smooth wrote: This series probably should not have been published. It adds nothing to IDW's Transformers saga.

Agreed. It was a shock at the time that IDW had gone and got something so wrong.

Sign of things to come.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:03 pm

I've just finished up Spotlight Galvatron:

Furman's back! And he's setting up new and exciting corners of the TF:Universe. Along with my favorite TF artist, Guido Guidi! All is right with the world!

It was only a page or two, but the quick cut to Ratchet, Verity, and Jimmy on Earth grounded this in the "main' continuity very well. I'm not sure if it was also intended to be a snarky comment at how long it was taking Devastation to hit shelves following Escalation.

This issue does an incredible job of tying plenty of material from the "...ation" series, Stormbringer, and previous Spotlights together while expanding the universe as well.

This book as got me psyched to continue the marathon. A second wind, if you will!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:06 am

Spotlight: Optimus Prime

This book has left me absolutely pumped to read Devastation. We get short, appropriate recaps of what's going on elsewhere. There's also the Universe-building aspect that Simon has done so well during these spotlights. The new characters introduced here are awesome.

First, we've got OMEGA SUPREME. Huge and enigmatic. The only one a Prime can seek council from. Treated with appropriate, but not over the top, reverence.

Then there's Monstructor and the whole gestalt concept. Since we've already seen most of the combiner teams, you know that's going somewhere. Although, I think we only saw the Constructicons and Stunticons in Megatron: Origin, so they may not count.

Absolutely pumped for Devastation!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:23 am

Spotlight: Ramjet

...was hilarious. I was wondering what the point of having a third-stringer like Ramjet get his own Spotlight was. When it started out, it seemed like they were going to try to elevate another nothing character into a powerful and complex player. ...then Megatron tore Ramjet to pieces, crushed his spark, and kept the head for a trophy. Hilarious.

Not sure what the point of showing R.J.'s parts in the hands of human scientists was, though. Probably just to show the full range of "splatter" involved.

Maybe the most pure fun of any of the Spotlights so far.

And now, back to Devastation...

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:31 am

Re: Devastation 3

Is it really that much to ask that your speech bubbles are attached to the right characters? That kind of laziness takes me out of the story in a hurry.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:57 am

The Prime Spotlight might be my favorite IDW Transformers book.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:11 am

Finished up Devastation and Spotlight: Blaster-

Devastation was more awesome work. Everything is really clicking, now. The interior are is fantastic. The cover art (from EJ, Roche, etc) are nice and truly different enough to perhaps attract different fans to the book. If EJ's painted covers don't do it for you, maybe Roche's hyper-stylized covers will get you to pick the book up off the shelves.

We've got a lot of the goings on from the past, present, and future coming together around the main cast in a way the feels very natural. I thought it was kind of strange that Sixshot had an off-switch, but if he didn't, there'd really be no need for him to serve Megatron long-term.

The humans in the story are interesting, but the plot doesn't hinge on them in any real way. Their story is how their lives have been effected by the Transformers, not the other way around.

I like these human characters. Knowing what's going to happen with them later...kind of sucks.

Blaster was another great Spotlight. Just a solid read. It probably would have fit well in the original Marvel run or even in the Sunbow cartoon. 3.99 well spent!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:43 am

Spotlight Arcee:

I can see why this was a Spotlight, but it's so important the main story, that skipping it would leave some rather large gaps in a reader's enjoyment of the series. However, since Simon's original ongoing is fated to end in the Spotlight series, I suppose that's poetic. Come to think of it, now that Devastation has finished, EVERYTHING else takes place via Spotlights, eh?

This story does the best job at explaining why there is suddenly a robot female running around. And, once again, I think it was done with a nod to the original "behind-the-scenes" reasoning. Somebody, for some reason, thought it might as well be tried. Fair enough.

Another great read. This might be the best work of Alex Milne's career, at least up until that point. Really nice stuff.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:56 am

Spotlight Mirage:

Not a bad story, but after everything that's come before, it just feels like filler. And that's probably because it is filler. I probably should have suspected that when I saw that it was written by somebody who isn't Simon Furman. Still, it was a cute little story about how Mirage is "conflicted." Much like the Blaster Spotlight, this book feels like it could easily have been an episode of the Sunbow cartoon.

As for the art, it's Guido! So if you liked the artwork in TFTM, you're gonna like this. And I did, so I did!

Hook2 · Post by **Hook2** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:10 am

Revelation feels like crap shoved into these Spotlights.

This was obviously meant to be an epic. And why shove it in to spotlights and not a four issue mini? Probably these 4 Spotlights were already slated for release as a part of the new story arch, then the series got canned...

Or something...

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:50 am

Spotlight: Grimlock!

Me, Smooth LOOOOOVE Spotlight: Grimlock. Or, should I say "Maximum Dinobots Issue #0," do you think?

The story was great, following up on the Machination/Dynobots stuff. The artwork was, I guess the only word I can think of is "visceral." This story is Mr. Furman firing on all cylinders. Another excellent Transformers comic book from IDW!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:05 am

Spotlight: Wheelie

...had absolutely no business being this awesome! It took a whole lot of the best of the character and turned them up to 11. I don't recall if Wheelie ever gets explored further down the line, but I hope it doesn't all get swept under the rug.

I believe this is the first time we see any reference to the Quintessons. So now we've heard of Primacron, Primus, and now the Quints. All the cards are on the table, so to speak.

A break now, before REVELATIONS!

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:09 am

Forgive me for being out of the loop, but what's EJ up to these days?

And he hasn't posted for awhile. EJ - if you're out there - say hi!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:56 am

Spotlight: Cyclonus-

Is that ****ing Straxus?!?!