RID #15 Review

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:41 pm

After all my whinging regarding MTMTE #15, along comes RID to remind me why MTMTE is so much of a better series. It tells a lot that even a flawed issue of MTMTE makes RID seem positively amateurish.

I enjoyed the previous issue - it had problems, but there were some neat ideas hidden in there. Sure you had to ignore a lot of gaping plot holes, but I actually found a lot to like about it.

Which brings us to #15. It's a mess - pacing and dialogue are way, way off the mark, and even the art seems sloppier than normal. A ton of stuff happens, but I'm totally baffled by it all!

One of the most epic failings of this series is the motives behind character behaviour just doesn't make a jot of sense - case in point Arcee. So all this time she was on the Autobot's side and despite being portrayed as an uber assassin and stealth warrior, she couldn't get close enough to Bombshell until after a ton of Autobots had died?? It's farcical.

Meanwhile Sideswipe is just hanging there, because being the awesome psychic that he is, he sensed that Arcee was a good guy all along from a stab wound?!

Don't get me started on Prowl - I've got no idea why by the end he decides he's happy being part of Devastator - it's exasperating how weak it is!

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:56 pm

Well, Barber still gives me just enough to keep me on board. But only just enough. This issue has plenty of positives - the thematic thread of the sides shifting is the strongest aspect. It's not back to the status quo yet because we have Starscream, Dirge and Octane all lining up against Megatron in their different ways, and Prowl's future with the Autobots uncertain.

Let's congratulate Barber also for making Fixit utterly likeable in just a couple of lines, and finally expanding his background cast a little. Tracks and Cliffjumper back in action after an unexplained absence makes me feel cautiously optimistic.

Now to the poor stuff:

The Dinobots seem as ineffectual as ever. Slag manages a surprise attack on one of the weakest, weasliest Decepticons (although for a brief moment a few issues ago, Needlenose looked like he might rise above that) but they otherwise don't seem to bring much leverage to the fight. Sludge getting swung about by his tail again - by Turmoil, of all disposable characters - just seems pitiful. Why even bother with your dino mode when you keep becoming a wrecking ball in others' more articulate hands?

Arcee's explanation makes some kind of sense - the Decepticons' decision to embrace her 'defection' and allow her into their ranks does not. Megatron trusts her enough to let her stand right next to him, and yet she's apparently done nothing to demonstrate that she's really on their side. Blew a bunch of them up, let Dirge go, murdered Ratbat, tortured Jhiaxus for years - great resume for joining the team.

Megatron's utter failure to kill the Autobots immediately around him after giving explicit orders to his troops to do so last issue greatly reduces his credibility as a villain. Barber wrote himself into a corner on that one.

Thoughts for the future: I'm hoping - really hoping - that something happened between Prowl and Wheeljack, possibly after Prowl's 'plan for everything' line, that will ultimately save them both. Frankly, I would really like to see the Autobots do something effective this series, instead of stumbling from pillar to post, reacting angrily to every eventuality.

Post by **snarl** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:10 pm

Very ****.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:40 pm

This was awful. The art was really sloppy in places too.

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:17 pm

Utter, utter nosh.

Post by **snarl** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:00 am

The art in that has been ***** from the start.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:30 am

While there was some stuff i didn't like, i think the constant references and allusions to Spike Witwicky really saved this issue.

Post by **snarl** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:04 am

I question the sanity of anybody who liked it and RiD in general.

I need to find out what these people eat, what they drink... what makes these ***** tick?

Cause they aint right.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:30 pm

So yeah, to recap:

* Megatron is a total strategic genius, able to correlate multiple moving pieces in a huge complicated plan that would make most generals need a lie down. But inside that strategic genius is a lunatic who forgets even the most basic ideas, like 'don't pin your whole strategy on two very fragile components'. But inside that lunatic is a total strategic genius who has a plan for victory regardless. But inside *that* strategic genius is a lunatic who felt that Starscream's impending victory wasn't 'Decepticony' enough for him. EH?

* Prowl is a total strategic genius, able to correlate multiple moving pieces in a huge complicated plan that would make most generals need a lie down. Except when he's not and falls for Megatron's flea-brained idea and gets Bombshell controlling him.

* Arcee is insane, except when she's not. Except she is. But not really. And nobody noticed, not even the afore-mentioned lunatic-in-a-genius-in-a-lunatic-in-a-genius Megatron.

* The Autobots are completely ineffectual, since they seem unable to take down one Gestalt.

* Ironhide and Superion were doing... what, exactly? Picnicing in the ******* desert?

* Why does Megatron's whole plan hinge on two completely unstable, unreliable elements? ie a gestalt who is almost uncontrollable and Bombshell, who is a first rate flake.

* So Prowl just... what? Decided being Devestator was a bit of a lol? Why did Bombshell need to control him?

Basically this read and looked like a mosaic. I don't often rate myself highly, but I think I've done issues of Molestrangler that contributed more to the franchise.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:33 pm

Prowl being part of Devastator is probably part of a long and convoluted plan to trick those over-trusting deceptions at a moment when they rely on Devastator most.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:52 pm

Come on - the ending at least made sense as a plot development. Devastator is evolving his own consciousness, which absorbs Prowl's. Look at the changing thought bubble colours. Megatron expected this to happen once the mind control link was severed, but was happy sticking with the mind control for the time being - I mean, either works, right?

Also, the Autobots weren't trying to take down just one gestalt - they had to deal with the other Decepticons on a rampage too.

That said, Barber completely fails to convince that either Megatron or Prowl is particular clever and forward-thinking. It's all tell-not-show. Even in the four issues when he was himself, Prowl's actions were pretty meatheaded, and Megatron's big plan is typically harebrained.

Post by **snarl** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:22 pm

Karl wrote:This read and looked like a mosaic.

See also issues 1 - 14.

It smacks of weak, schlocky brainless b movie action films like GI Joe.

AND THE ART IS ******* CRAP

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 3:59 pm

Karl wrote: But inside *that* strategic genius is a lunatic who felt that Starscream's impending victory wasn't 'Decepticony' enough for him. EH?

I think that bit actually sits quite well with the Megs we have seen in some of Roberts work - the belief in the self created myth that he is some kind of liberator.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:01 pm

Jack Cade wrote:Come on - the ending at least made sense as a plot development. Devastator is evolving his own consciousness, which absorbs Prowl's. Look at the changing thought bubble colours. Megatron expected this to happen once the mind control link was severed, but was happy sticking with the mind control for the time being - I mean, either works, right?

Why? Why is he developing his own consciousness? It's been long established that D is basically just a hulking mess of nothing but arguing subcomponents, making him incredibly unstable. Why would he only now turn into a single, conscious entity? Other than 'the script said so', I mean.

Also, the Autobots weren't trying to take down just one gestalt - they had to deal with the other Decepticons on a rampage too.

All the art shows is Devestator going nuts and everyone acting like it's the apocalypse. Surely they've taken him down before, otherwise Megatron would have won ages ago! Also, why are the Decepticons outnumbering the Autobots? Why aren't the NAILS fighting?

This doesn't make any sense to me, other than the writer saying 'because'.

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:15 pm

I have to admit my original stance has softened. I've re-read it a few times, and I don't find it quite as god awful as my original post would have you believe.

It still feels poorly put together, but I did pick up on a few likeable elements.

Does anyone know why Ironhide is immune to Frenzy's sound blast? Maybe I'm stupid but I didn't understand why Ironhide could just walk right through it.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:44 pm

Mr_Tigg wrote:I have to admit my original stance has softened. I've re-read it a few times, and I don't find it quite as god awful as my original post would have you believe.

It still feels poorly put together, but I did pick up on a few likeable elements.

Does anyone know why Ironhide is immune to Frenzy's sound blast? Maybe I'm stupid but I didn't understand why Ironhide could just walk right through it.

I think it was because someone once told him he was stronger than it or something. Meh

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:30 pm

Hound wrote:
Mr_Tigg wrote:I have to admit my original stance has softened. I've re-read it a few times, and I don't find it quite as god awful as my original post would have you believe.

It still feels poorly put together, but I did pick up on a few likeable elements.

Does anyone know why Ironhide is immune to Frenzy's sound blast? Maybe I'm stupid but I didn't understand why Ironhide could just walk right through it.
I think it was because someone once told him he was stronger than it or something. Meh

That's a Prime example of the muddled storytelling that continues to cripple this series. It's no wonder Optimus reverted to being Orion Pax and hightailed it out of there!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:02 pm

I read these comments before I read the issue tonight and I wanted it to be better than I was led to believe, but it really is Molestrangler levels of ludicrous now:

Jazz: "Hi, I'm Jazz, popping up from behind this rock and drawing my gun on you just to deliver a "killer" line of dialogue but not actually shoot anyone, despite my claiming to be a stone-cold killer just a minute ago."

Turmoil: "Bah, I'm bored of your speech already, Jazz. I'm just going to walk off-panel while my henchmen deal with you. Even though you have your gun trained on me and you could shoot me at any moment during this conversation. And of course I could shoot you, like I did Hipotank and that generic dude, but I won't because mumblemumbleyou'reatoycharactermumblemumble I don't want my cannon overheating."

Needlenose: "Finally, my chance to shine! Hurrah, I finally get to talk while pointing my gun at people instead of, you know, shooting them! Oh no, there's a big set of sharp pointy teeth coming out of the mist behind me!"

Slag: "Yes, despite not possessing sharp pointy teeth but a beak, it's me! Now let me bite you while you quip!"

I think I'm now just reading this for the sheer WTF factor. Nothing would surprise me any more. Also, I'm miffed they took out Apeface, I like Apeface.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:23 pm

Karl wrote:Why? Why is he developing his own consciousness? It's been long established that D is basically just a hulking mess of nothing but arguing subcomponents, making him incredibly unstable. Why would he only now turn into a single, conscious entity? Other than 'the script said so', I mean.

This is a new Devastator, with Prowl at its core. It's not actually been established before that his subcomponents had any problems working together, and we've never even known what was going on in his head. What seems to be clear from the dialogue here is that once Prowl turned his mind to Spike Witwicky, since he shared the Constructicons' loathing of that person, it created a point for their minds to finally join together. I can buy that.

Karl wrote:All the art shows is Devestator going nuts and everyone acting like it's the apocalypse. Surely they've taken him down before, otherwise Megatron would have won ages ago! Also, why are the Decepticons outnumbering the Autobots? Why aren't the NAILS fighting?

We do see NAILs fighting, as well as Octane, who has defected. We also see Turmoil and his squad, plus an indication from last issue that all the Decepticons are out in force.

Also, no, the Autobots haven't fared well against Devastator before. In the AHM flashback, he basically turned the tide of the battle against them. At the end of AHM, it was Omega Supreme who took him down, I think. Then in Chaos, it was Sunstreaker using a nifty bomb to take out his working leg that won the day. The implication seems to be that a fully working Devastator is a clear threat.

There was plenty wrong with this issue, but I didn't have a problem with those aspects.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:43 pm

Jack Cade wrote:
Karl wrote:Why? Why is he developing his own consciousness? It's been long established that D is basically just a hulking mess of nothing but arguing subcomponents, making him incredibly unstable. Why would he only now turn into a single, conscious entity? Other than 'the script said so', I mean.
This is a new Devastator, with Prowl at its core. It's not actually been established before that his subcomponents had any problems working together, and we've never even known what was going on in his head. What seems to be clear from the dialogue here is that once Prowl turned his mind to Spike Witwicky, since he shared the Constructicons' loathing of that person, it created a point for their minds to finally join together. I can buy that.

Karl wrote:All the art shows is Devestator going nuts and everyone acting like it's the apocalypse. Surely they've taken him down before, otherwise Megatron would have won ages ago! Also, why are the Decepticons outnumbering the Autobots? Why aren't the NAILS fighting?
We do see NAILs fighting, as well as Octane, who has defected. We also see Turmoil and his squad, plus an indication from last issue that all the Decepticons are out in force.

Also, no, the Autobots haven't fared well against Devastator before. In the AHM flashback, he basically turned the tide of the battle against them. At the end of AHM, it was Omega Supreme who took him down, I think. Then in Chaos, it was Sunstreaker using a nifty bomb to take out his working leg that won the day. The implication seems to be that a fully working Devastator is a clear threat.

There was plenty wrong with this issue, but I didn't have a problem with those aspects.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastator_(G1)

Devestator is limited by the inability of his components to agree. So, I repeat, why is Prowl being in the mix changing that?

The rest, as far as I can see, is your inference. I have a hard time working out what's going on in the scenes and nothing in the dialogue makes it clear what I'm seeing. Perhaps I don't have necessary back story knowledge, perhaps I'm just stupid.

All I got from this was a confused jumble of twaddle: the Autobots de facto ran Cybertron, now because of some ridiculous plan one gestalt changes that?

We also have *one* issue to conclude this, so I doubt any sensible explanation is forthcoming. If I wanted to study and make educated guesses about why something is happening, I'd read Nietzche.

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:50 pm

Karl wrote:
Jack Cade wrote:
Karl wrote:Why? Why is he developing his own consciousness? It's been long established that D is basically just a hulking mess of nothing but arguing subcomponents, making him incredibly unstable. Why would he only now turn into a single, conscious entity? Other than 'the script said so', I mean.
This is a new Devastator, with Prowl at its core. It's not actually been established before that his subcomponents had any problems working together, and we've never even known what was going on in his head. What seems to be clear from the dialogue here is that once Prowl turned his mind to Spike Witwicky, since he shared the Constructicons' loathing of that person, it created a point for their minds to finally join together. I can buy that.

Karl wrote:All the art shows is Devestator going nuts and everyone acting like it's the apocalypse. Surely they've taken him down before, otherwise Megatron would have won ages ago! Also, why are the Decepticons outnumbering the Autobots? Why aren't the NAILS fighting?
We do see NAILs fighting, as well as Octane, who has defected. We also see Turmoil and his squad, plus an indication from last issue that all the Decepticons are out in force.

Also, no, the Autobots haven't fared well against Devastator before. In the AHM flashback, he basically turned the tide of the battle against them. At the end of AHM, it was Omega Supreme who took him down, I think. Then in Chaos, it was Sunstreaker using a nifty bomb to take out his working leg that won the day. The implication seems to be that a fully working Devastator is a clear threat.

There was plenty wrong with this issue, but I didn't have a problem with those aspects.
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastator_(G1)

Devestator is limited by the inability of his components to agree. So, I repeat, why is Prowl being in the mix changing that?

.

Erhm why are you referencing his G1 tech specs to back your point?! We all know that the IDW-verse reinterprets characters - Arcee ain't a nutcase in G1. Galvatron ain't a dead zombie in G1. Cyclonus isn't a fierce patriot in G1 - you get the idea.

Either way I see no reason why they can't tweak Devastator's origins either. True Barber's hammed it up a bit, but its seems silly to pick a fault that doesn't really exist.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:40 pm

Mr_Tigg wrote:
Karl wrote:
Jack Cade wrote: This is a new Devastator, with Prowl at its core. It's not actually been established before that his subcomponents had any problems working together, and we've never even known what was going on in his head. What seems to be clear from the dialogue here is that once Prowl turned his mind to Spike Witwicky, since he shared the Constructicons' loathing of that person, it created a point for their minds to finally join together. I can buy that.
We do see NAILs fighting, as well as Octane, who has defected. We also see Turmoil and his squad, plus an indication from last issue that all the Decepticons are out in force.

Also, no, the Autobots haven't fared well against Devastator before. In the AHM flashback, he basically turned the tide of the battle against them. At the end of AHM, it was Omega Supreme who took him down, I think. Then in Chaos, it was Sunstreaker using a nifty bomb to take out his working leg that won the day. The implication seems to be that a fully working Devastator is a clear threat.

There was plenty wrong with this issue, but I didn't have a problem with those aspects.
http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastator_(G1)

Devestator is limited by the inability of his components to agree. So, I repeat, why is Prowl being in the mix changing that?

.
Erhm why are you referencing his G1 tech specs to back your point?! We all know that the IDW-verse reinterprets characters - Arcee ain't a nutcase in G1. Galvatron ain't a dead zombie in G1. Cyclonus isn't a fierce patriot in G1 - you get the idea.

Either way I see no reason why they can't tweak Devastator's origins either. True Barber's hammed it up a bit, but its seems silly to pick a fault that doesn't really exist.

Because that's the page for IDW's Devastator:

How is it a fault that doesn't exist? Yes: G1 Marvel Galvatron is not dead, IDW Galvatron is. IDW Galvatron was introduced, explained and described. Same for Arcee and all your other examples. My problem isn't that Devastator has changed, it's that said change hasn't been hinted at, explained or even mentioned in this series. I'm meant to just assume.

I feel both yourself and Jack have read a different issue where all this has been clearly telegraphed: the one I read didn't mention that combiners now work perfectly regardless of the members and that Devastator's one weakness in every continuity doesn't apply to this one. I went in with the knowledge of the same Devastator I've seen in every other medium because nothing told me otherwise. Even the TFWiki just says that Decepticons got him working using "magic"!

Nothing in the 15 issues of this have explained what the [composite word including 'f*ck'] I'm seeing. If you tell me this was explained in issue XYZ of series ABC then fine: would a throwaway line be too much to ask in this? Just for those of us who glossed over AHM or the Spotlights or whatever? Genuinely I'm really confused why you guys are giving me a "Duh! It's obvious!" response when, I flatter myself, if it were that straight forward I would probably have at least picked up the gist of it.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:49 am

Rubbish. Absolutely no redeeming qualities to be found on this misfire of an adventure.

Really, it can only be described as amateurish as others have already stated above. Now that the payoff is unfolding before our eyes like a slow train wreck, I can without reservation state I could have done without this series entirely. Had it not in some way been loosely tied to MTMTE I can't see how this series can even be recommended to new readers.

Gaping plot holes. Annoyingly verbose inner monologues (it was so bad this issue I found myself just looking at the pictures). Piss-poor character development. Dubious character motivations. There is just very little to like here.

Perhaps I'm being unfair in throwing such a critical blanket over the series as a whole but I was only able to find entertainment in prior issues because of the anticipation something worthy of telling would later unfold. It didn't.

Most irksome to me is that the characters of Prowl and Shockwave have fallen into the hands of Barber instead of Roberts. Oh, the things James could do with those two bots! Clever characters as these demand clever writers. It is disappointing to me to know that the upcoming Shockpoint storyline featuring Shockwave is being helmed by Barber and not Roberts.

So yeah, most TF fans are going to love this.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:45 am

Still trying to scrape my head around Arcee. She's been aware of Bombshell controlling Prowl all this time...so when they hatch a secret plan to spirit the Decepticons away to the Black Room, why does she go in like a psycho, killing guards, stomping cassettes and blowing Soundwave and Shockwave up with crystals? Surely at that point she should have been all, like, "This way to the Black Room for an upgrade, gents, but keep it on the down low, it's all part of Megs's grand plan." At least if she wants them to trust her long enough for her to get close to Bombshell and then reveal that she really does have a deep passion for killing Decepticons. I really don't get it - it's like all of them have an Arcee-shaped blind spot or something.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:18 am

Karl wrote: Because that's the page for IDW's Devastator:

Except that's a tactic you could apply to most IDW characters to claim they don't fit with their profile on the wiki. Because that entire section you quote is OUTSIDE the subheading for IDW Devvy. Jut like if you picked Arcee's page, or Jhiaxus, or Cyclonus, you'd find similar things to poke at.

BUT, even if your argument had merit on those grounds, the issue clearly still illustrates that Prowl has one solid unifying thought in his mind which all the surviving constructicons share, a single-minded hatred of the individual who killed one of them. And THIS allows all those conflicting consciousnesses to unite with a sense of common purpose the way those of the Aerialbots did, and perhaps the Dinobots may have had Grimlock not strategically been placed on a Decepticon ship halfway across the galaxy to prevent a much worse story from ever being written again.

This is simply a case of Megatron apparently not realising that with Bombshell incapacitated, Prowl had common ground enough with the constructicons to keep their combined form not only active but apparently now off the Decepticons' leash and an equal threat to both sides.

Post by **Kaylee** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:51 am

Sunyavadin wrote:
Karl wrote: Because that's the page for IDW's Devastator:
Except that's a tactic you could apply to most IDW characters to claim they don't fit with their profile on the wiki. Because that entire section you quote is OUTSIDE the subheading for IDW Devvy. Jut like if you picked Arcee's page, or Jhiaxus, or Cyclonus, you'd find similar things to poke at.

BUT, even if your argument had merit on those grounds, the issue clearly still illustrates that Prowl has one solid unifying thought in his mind which all the surviving constructicons share, a single-minded hatred of the individual who killed one of them. And THIS allows all those conflicting consciousnesses to unite with a sense of common purpose the way those of the Aerialbots did, and perhaps the Dinobots may have had Grimlock not strategically been placed on a Decepticon ship halfway across the galaxy to prevent a much worse story from ever being written again.

This is simply a case of Megatron apparently not realising that with Bombshell incapacitated, Prowl had common ground enough with the constructicons to keep their combined form not only active but apparently now off the Decepticons' leash and an equal threat to both sides.

Except if you read what I said, rather than making **** up, NONE OF THAT IS EXPLAINED. I don't suffer from an inability to grasp characters change or evolve: I understand that, apparently, Devestator is different and the combiner system is different in IDW.

I went into this series with a clearly flawed character understanding, as you and others are salivating with glee trying to tell me, but nothing in RiD did anything to reset those understandings. Basically I've pieced this together only after being chided by you lot!

I don't put that down to good writing. It's appalling writing IMO. Macbeth doesn't end with Caliban and Hamlet appearing and saving the day, on the understanding they were explained in previous works, so why should this?

So, from what I've gleaned from you: the combiner process is now fool-proof and perfect, as long as the components share one, single thought or idea? Even if one component is a 'good guy' and the others are all evil? And even if they, in theory, hate each other like Menasor's components? And that all makes perfect sense?

Jesus- in addition to not getting most of what happened in this issue, I can now tag on that I don't get why you, Tygg and Jack are personally offended by my 'tactic's. This comic, in my official capacity as 'some guy on the net' is poorly executed, poorly explained and leaves me, the reader, asking 'WTF?'

Great, it was explained in a previous series I didn't read, therefore I am a horse's ass. I get that. It wasn't explained here and IMO that is a fair reason to misunderstand what I'm reading and be royally narked.

How's this for a tactic: this story hinges on one plot device which differs from previous uses of said plot device outside IDW but hasn't been mentioned in RID?

On the bright side, I'm really enjoying this argument

Post by **snarl** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:08 am

Lads lads lads, lets just agree to disagree.

Karlito, remember when you go into a discussion with Sun, in his opinioon that ******* abysmal time travel story with Prime, Monstructor and Bludgeon was good plus kicking swords out of the floor is easy... cause of leverage!

And relax.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:33 am

snarl wrote: Karlito, remember when you go into a discussion with Sun, in his opinioon that ******* abysmal time travel story with Prime, Monstructor and Bludgeon was good

And in snarl's opinion, I'm a "he"

Post by **Kaylee** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:06 pm

Alright, all fair and above board

*plots

*

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:51 pm

Karl wrote:Except if you read what I said, rather than making **** up, NONE OF THAT IS EXPLAINED. I don't suffer from an inability to grasp characters change or evolve: I understand that, apparently, Devestator is different and the combiner system is different in IDW.

Err... the problems you seem to be having come not so much from you 'missing' something in RiD, as inserting things from the TFWiki that haven't appeared in the books.

Show me the bit in any IDW comic where it's established Devastator has trouble functioning because his component parts didn't get along. On the other hand, in the last issue of RiD there was a specific bit of exposition about how they *did* get along, and that's why Devastator is the only successful gestalt. It's not 'implied' - it's info-dumped!

Now, in this issue, Devastator was under the complete mind-control of Bombshell. Everything he says out loud is what Bombshell says - that's explicitly shown by Bombshell finishing one of Devastator's sentences.

While this is going on, Prowl seems to be able to think freely. His actions are under Bombshell's control, but his thoughts are his own.

When Bombshell is stabbed through the head, Devastator comes to a grinding halt because Prowl doesn't get 'mesh' with the other Constructicons.

However, when Prowl gets to thinking about Spike, that creates a path for unity of thought and feeling, and Devastator's minds meld into one, at least temporarily.

That all seems pretty plainly spelled out to me. It's a bit of a stretch that one point of agreement takes over Prowl's whole personality, but I do get what Barber's aiming for.

Jesus- in addition to not getting most of what happened in this issue, I can now tag on that I don't get why you, Tygg and Jack are personally offended by my 'tactic's.

I'm not offended. I'm just disagreeing with you.

Yaya:

Perhaps I'm being unfair in throwing such a critical blanket over the series as a whole but I was only able to find entertainment in prior issues because of the anticipation something worthy of telling would later unfold. It didn't.

For me, I haven't really enjoyed this series much at all precisely because I didn't believe the wait would be worth it. I maintained a 'generous' perspective in saying that perhaps it would, but I've always said it was a tall order, always reminded people on the IDW board that every other time we've said 'wait and see', it's turned out to be a disaster.

And so it is with this one. Not an unmitigated disaster, but the fact that we're still left with pressing questions after the payoff is a poor show, really. We have no idea why Arcee would be accepted into the Decepticon ranks. The ridiculous deficit of Autobots over the whole run of the series now culminates in a pretty silly battle, with Barber only now remembering that various characters should have been around the whole time, and still forgetting most of the others. Most of the plot has been held in suspension in anticipation of this major event, so Bumblebee and his 'government' have seemed slow and useless this whole time. And the fact that Prowl and the Autobots, even before Bombshell got in on the action, took absolutely no steps to imprison and try the worst of the Decepticons leads us to a situation where they were allowed to get away with a secret gathering and body upgrade right under the Autobots' noses.

It's a plot that could have worked, but it just wasn't very well executed. We should have had a whole bunch of more exciting stories happening in the foreground while this gathered pace in the background, imo.