Transformers: Robots in Disguise #2 (spoilers)

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:21 am

Another great issue - political intrigue, assassinations and Prowl going too far? It's exactly what I want from a Transformers comic.

Dare I say I actually prefer this series to More Than Meets The Eye right now (bearing in mind I also think that MTMTE is excellent too).

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BIG SPOILER BELOW

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Did not see the death of a certain character coming at all - way to raise the stakes.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:53 am

I did enjoy it, but it was lacking a certain...spark for me. I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the art direction (Bumblebee especially looks like a yellow frog).

It's miles ahead of recent IDW output, and I'm sure it will get even better. It just doesn't fuel my imagination like MTMTE.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:43 pm

Mr_Tigg wrote:BIG SPOILER BELOW

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Did not see the death of a certain character coming at all - way to raise the stakes.

Y'know it's not really a spoiler if you don't spoil it, right?

Who's dead now? Threads like this are the only way I have a passing knowledge of what's going on. Don't be luring me down the post with promises of plot details and then back out, dagnabit!

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:45 pm

Hound wrote:I did enjoy it, but it was lacking a certain...spark for me. I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the art direction (Bumblebee especially looks like a yellow frog).

It's miles ahead of recent IDW output, and I'm sure it will get even better. It just doesn't fuel my imagination like MTMTE.

It's weird, because for me MTMTE lacks a certain sense of peril and tension that I find prevalent in RiD.

Those characters that have died have been no-name transformers that have previously made no appearances. I didn't feel any emotion at their death like I did with the 'bot from RiD.

Don't get me wrong I still think MTMTE is great though, and I'm sure it's building up slowly to some real carnage. I get the sense that things will gradually start falling apart.

On a side note, not missing Prime or Megs at all (especially as they were wastefully used by Costa).

Post by **snarl** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:17 pm

I share Ben's PoV.

Not a huge fan of the art, in particular the big bright colours. Seems to go against the actual themes of the comic for me.

I did enjoy the issue though. seemed to get going a bit slowly but the last 3rd I enjoyed quite a lot.

Thought Prowl & Bumblebee's convo early on didn't feel "right"... some of the dialogue doesn't flow naturally for me.

Still, its good enough. Could be a bit better but compared to what we've had since 2008 (That's gone ****** quick) it's a massive step in the right direction.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:41 am

Another good issue, but I agree, it's lacking a certain...something that prevents it from being as good as it's companion series. Not complaining, mind you. That's a tall order and really, kind of setting the stakes a bit high given the supreme work of Roberts.

After two years of McCarthy/Costa/Abnett/Lanning garbage, this looks like a prize winner. It's got intrigue and the political machinations going on right now are interesting.

I agree with what was said about the art above, it really detracts from things, especially the awful faces. Bumbletoad in particular. Sure, there's been times I just wanted to see some bot bitchslap Bee across his smug little mug, but I'm hard pressed to find an instance where the urge was this strong. He's just plain ugly.

Kudos to the writing team for the surprise assassination. Didn't see that coming! And in my book, when I don't see something coming, I likes that berry, berry much. Particularly the irony of it, when the target the whole issue up til the end is Bumblebee.

Solid issue, give it a "B". Took some points off for the art which, while serviceable, kind of prevents things from reaching the full kickass potential I think was there had things been a bit prettier.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:05 am

Yeah i align with the prevailing sentiment - it doesn't fizz in quite the same way as MTMTE but it's still streets ahead of the last few years.

The thing that really didn't work for me was Bee's attack on Starscream - his frustrartion hasn't built up in a credible way for me - suddenly he's just angry and eratic.

Plus Prowl sometimes seems a bit off to me - the "toast" lines didn't really work for example IMO.

That said loved Ratbat's fate and Starscreams move at the end of the issue.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:15 pm

Yeah, regarding Prowl, I kinda wish he had been one of the bots to leave Cybertron. That way, Roberts could write him, as it appears he and Roche had a better handle on him. Seems like Prowl was their project, so I'm surprised they handed him over to Barber, who doesn't quite get him.

I thought Bumbletoad zapping Screamer was great, as it was unexpected. But agree, also very much out of character.

Bumbletoad is probably the most nebulous character and has gone through so many personality changes and iterations since IDW started, just not sure who he really is. To be honest, would like to see him go the way of Ratbat at this point. Course, that'll never happen.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:41 pm

Loved this. This is one of my favorite comics I've read in a long time. So was MTMTE, of course, but I think Barber's more on his game here than he was on the first issue. The shots of Arcee dismembering Ratbat were composite-f*ck amazing.

I agree that Bumbletoad's shock-tactic for Screamer was out of line, but haven't there been hints that Metalhawk is messing with the little guy's wiring anyway?

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:15 pm

Good issue. I mean, it's breaking down how the writers said it would: MTMTE is your space adventure epic with a colorful cast and dialogue, RiD is your political intrigue, with duplicity and multiple layers/actors.

I think the art was a bit more consistent than last ish, so that was an improvement in my book.

Bumblebee is clearly channeling his inner Goldbug, but considering the losses of Primes recently, I think he's entitled to do something wildly out of character like attack Screamer with an electric stick.

I read Tigg's non-spolier spoiler, so when Skywarp bought it, I was like "Oh, that's cool." Then Arcee showed up, and I was like, "Oh, that's COOL." Then she killed Ratbat and I was like, "OH, THAT'S cool!" But what I really loved was her whole "Uh, yeah, he was like, resisting or something. Pssh," reaction to Prowl. Kind of realigned where you put Prowl in the hard-ass spectrum, and hopefully steers him away from the vigilante justice and towards the Javert that I think works best for him. But in terms of characterization, he HAS been a bit all over the place.

I'm interested to see where they're going with the Screamer POV. On the one hand, it seems as though its purpose is to show us his reasoning for what he's doing. On the other hand, he's Screamer, so I'm loathe to even trust his internal monologue.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:42 pm

Shanti418 wrote:Kind of realigned where you put Prowl in the hard-ass spectrum, and hopefully steers him away from the vigilante justice and towards the Javert that I think works best for him.

Now THAT is a literary allusion I can get behind.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:47 pm

Don't lift a cart in Prowl's presence or he will grow suspicous.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:21 am

Finally managed to buy this online after HSBC blocked my card for about the 5th time ("Buying stuff from Japan? Highly suspicious! And after he told us he was moving out there, too!")

That was a fine read. The story is moving along neatly and I'm enjoying Prowl's machinations and Arcee's casting as a sociopathic assassin.

I'm not enjoying the art. Well, I say that, the art is beautiful... until the characters move. Prowl vs. Skywarp being a case in point - Skywarp punched Prowl and we know this because Prowl's face was... blurry. I'd honestly hoped we were over that nonsense when Dreamwave folded.

Draw an action shot as an action shot. Blurring it to give the illusion of movement is like playing lead guitar with a battery of effects pedals: it makes you look bad.

My only other gripe is that I'm not really feeling the motivation for key characters: noteably Bumblebee, but also Shockwave and to some degree Prowl. I appreciate more will be revealed blah blah blah but at times it feels like they're doing things just because rather than for any obvious reason of narrative or character.

But a fine read, quite enjoyable and looking forward to what they do with Shockers/Wavey now that Ratbat's been nuked. Also excited by what zany scheme Screamer has...

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:44 pm

Best First wrote:The thing that really didn't work for me was Bee's attack on Starscream - his frustrartion hasn't built up in a credible way for me - suddenly he's just angry and eratic.

I thought the same thing. I almost went back over it to see if I missed anything.

Just a speedbump in a good issue, I suppose.

Post by **Best First** » Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:27 pm

Hopefully - as long as "characters acting out of character to make the plot move along" also known as "doing a Costa" don't become a regular feature.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:22 am

Karl wrote:Finally managed to buy this online after HSBC blocked my card for about the 5th time ("Buying stuff from Japan? Highly suspicious! And after he told us he was moving out there, too!")

"Hello? Is that HSBC? I wonder if you remember me? Yes, I called you about two weeks ago to let you know I was moving to Argentina. Yes, that's right, I was on the line for about 90 minutes, I got all my post redirected to my mum's place and I distinctly remember mentioning that I would be using my bank card here and that wouldn't be suspicious activity. You said something like: "Have a great time in Argentina!" in closing. Now, would you be so kind as to tell me why I've just trekked across Buenos Aires for two hours in the blazing sun because I'm unable to withdraw any money for the underground?"

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:08 am

Metal Vendetta wrote:
Karl wrote:Finally managed to buy this online after HSBC blocked my card for about the 5th time ("Buying stuff from Japan? Highly suspicious! And after he told us he was moving out there, too!")
"Hello? Is that HSBC? I wonder if you remember me? Yes, I called you about two weeks ago to let you know I was moving to Argentina. Yes, that's right, I was on the line for about 90 minutes, I got all my post redirected to my mum's place and I distinctly remember mentioning that I would be using my bank card here and that wouldn't be suspicious activity. You said something like: "Have a great time in Argentina!" in closing. Now, would you be so kind as to tell me why I've just trekked across Buenos Aires for two hours in the blazing sun because I'm unable to withdraw any money for the underground?"

You're pulling my leg? The same thing happened to yourself?

Those dastards

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:27 pm

Happened to me too

'Dear HSBC, Im going on holiday to America and need to use my Credit Card out there'

'no problem, Ben'.

2 weeks later

'Dear Ben, your card has been blocked due to suspicious activity and we have no option but to freeze it, despite the fact you go on holiday tomorrow.'

Me -

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:52 pm

Hound wrote:Happened to me too

'Dear HSBC, Im going on holiday to America and need to use my Credit Card out there'

'no problem, Ben'.

2 weeks later

'Dear Ben, your card has been blocked due to suspicious activity and we have no option but to freeze it, despite the fact you go on holiday tomorrow.'

Me -

Same thing happened to me in Japan, although to be fair I didn't tell them I was going on holiday there!

Glad I didn't waste time calling them judging from the way they've dealt with you chaps.

DJ_Convoy · Post by **DJ_Convoy** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:20 pm

Hound wrote:I did enjoy it, but it was lacking a certain...spark for me. I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the art direction (Bumblebee especially looks like a yellow frog).

It's miles ahead of recent IDW output, and I'm sure it will get even better. It just doesn't fuel my imagination like MTMTE.

Yes.

It's certainly fine and everything... but it's just not... I dunno. The final fate of a particular character came WAY too soon. Starscream at the end I liked.

I'm not feeling the art. Somewhere between Don-ness and War of Cybertron-ness. Bumblebee's jacked up on circuit-sterioids and is feeling the bloat. Starascream looked... odd. Prowl's secret weapon looked like Alex Milne doing Pat lee on a bad day. The art doesn't flow as well as I'd like. Nor does the story, really.

I wish (again) that this was the book James was writing.

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Transformers: Robots in Disguise #2 (spoilers)

Re: Transformers: Robots in Disguise #2 (spoilers)