MTMTE #16 - Spoilers

Post by **Computron** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:31 pm

Rewind's last message to Chromedome. That is all.

(As an aside, while I was not sold on the art, the use of shadows/darkness was really well done.)

It also seems the big UM isn't quite through yet...

Post by **Best First** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:28 pm

Computron wrote:Rewind's last message to Chromedome. That is all.

Yep. Roberts went and did it. Amazing.

Death's Head · Post by **Death's Head** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:33 pm

That was such a beautiful issue. It's the only word for it, really. Maybe I'm just a soppy old git but there were genuine lumps in my throat (and not of the cancerous kind, yet) which Transformers has only done to me, when, in Code of Hero? Transmutate? The Movie? This trumped all of them, though. Proper mature storytelling.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:57 pm

It's a good issue, and Rewind's collaged missive is masterfully done. It's fun trying to think if they're from scenes we've actually witnessed - at least a handful are, I think.

James has earned his 'moment' in this issue, so I don't think it comes across as forced or by-the-numbers heartstring-tugging, but neither do I think it represents a peak in terms of his storytelling. The subtler moments, gestures representing complicated feelings and values - like Cyclonus shielding Rewind or stooping to help Tailgate - hit me far more powerfully. And here, I'm actually more interested in Brainstorm's relationship with Chromedome than Rewind's - I almost feel we got everything we needed to know about Chromedome and Rewind before this issue, and what we got here was more of an encore. The 'three little words' have never ever worked for me in fiction in the way they're obviously supposed to. What is shown seems so much more important than what's told in establishing feelings.

I also thought the contrivance of the data slug that Chromedome failed to notice before was a weak set-up.

Rung's analysis of Rodimus was possibly the real high point of the issue - it's incredibly bold writerly work to pick away at the morally difficult part of a character rather than continually reassure readers that deep down, he's got a good heart. This is really the kind of thing that raises Roberts into a separate class - 95% of comic writers and novelists would have written that scene so that it focused on Rodimus' as a tragic, noble figure.

I was a little let down by the 'get out' trope (replete with shadowed face to emphasise rage) but other than that, a powerful scene.

Now, where can I download Ultra Magnus' font?

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:08 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:00 pm

Can we have the UM font here on transfans?

That was an incredible read, made me shed a tear to be honest,. I showed me GF the issues, she's never read a comic before or cares for transformers, but she was gripped and asked, "they love?"
Yes, they do, its a first from Tf that I can recall, bar the movie...

So, just a thought, drift will grab overlord, work out the phase six thing, bring Magnus back from the edge of dead and make him a phase six'er yes?

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:26 pm

This actually brought a tear to my eyes. Wonderful story telling. I can't wait to see the reaction of some people to those 3 words.

Really excited for the next arc of this comic now.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:44 pm

The love angle is fascinating concept in TF, is it a common thing amongst thier race?

Auntie Slag · Post by **Auntie Slag** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:11 pm

Not sure if it's that common. Brainstorm seemed to suggest that Chromedome inspires deep attachment from his partners, which is kind of interesting when all the while Chromedome hasn't particularly come across as all that loveable or cuddly.

Maybe that's a bit of a problem with the story? The readers, like the rest of the Lost Light crew know that Rewind and Chromedome are/were incredibly close, but the only time I felt that was in the annual when Chromedome woke from his nightmare, and in some other occasional lines; Rewind jealously cutting in during Shadowplay when Chromedome revealed the 'padding' in his and Prowl's relationship.

Actually I think what I've just said is a bit rubbish. So I'll just go with the fact that Brainstorm implied that Chromedome has found four Conjunx Endura partners where most people get none.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:39 am

Jack Cade wrote: James has earned his 'moment' in this issue, so I don't think it comes across as forced or by-the-numbers heartstring-tugging, but neither do I think it represents a peak in terms of his storytelling. The subtler moments, gestures representing complicated feelings and values - like Cyclonus shielding Rewind or stooping to help Tailgate - hit me far more powerfully. And here, I'm actually more interested in Brainstorm's relationship with Chromedome than Rewind's - I almost feel we got everything we needed to know about Chromedome and Rewind before this issue, and what we got here was more of an encore. The 'three little words' have never ever worked for me in fiction in the way they're obviously supposed to. What is shown seems so much more important than what's told in establishing feelings.

Agree with this. The "I love you" scene didn't really do much for me because it was already quite clear they loved each other so simply stating the obvious didn't really add anything emotionally for me. I think the last issue, when they tragically lose one another, had more of an emotional impact on me than the data slug. Not to say it was bad. But usually the "I love you" scenes that really get me are the ones where there has been more tension and strain in the relationship and that, in the end, during a moment of final crisis, that deep love that the two parties never really knew they had for each other bubbles up to become the overwhelming emotion that extinguishes any turbulence that might have been present before they're torn apart. That, and when Han Solo answers Princess Leia's "I love you" with an "I know". Can't beat that!

I find it hard to feel sorry for some of these characters because Roberts just makes them such brilliant assholes. Drift pretty much got what he deserved and Rodimus is an egotistical hypocrite, really. Chromedome, truly, is a self-consumed prick who it appears is a bit of a clinger-type and a cop out when it comes to dealing with negative emotion. Love what Roberts has done with them though. So cool to have such varied personas in this crew. I mean, comparing the original Ark crew to these guys? What a contrast!

Glad to see we haven't seen the last of Magnus. He's too damn ace to give the boot to just yet.

Oh, and I think I prefer Padilla's art. Less cluttered and cleaner.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 6:51 am

The pedantic graphic designer that I used to be is inwardly screaming "Nngh! It's a typeface!"

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:46 am

I loved rodddys armour, it looked wicked!

So, whats up with tailgate life countdown?
The cover of issue 17 looks epic, it's got the matrix, guns and clone robots by the dozen... Oh and Magnus too.!

Post by **Best First** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:21 am

On reflection Chromedome is basically the most f'd up TF ever isn't he? i'm really struggling to think of a more flawed or tragic character in TF continuity.

Only had a chance to read this once so far - on reflection i like the Ratchet/Drift moment as much as Rewind's - although not sure the art quite did the later justice. Def prefer Milne overall although not a terrible job by any stretch.

And Brainstorm grew enormously this issue.

Rung's analysis of Hotrod was immense.

looking forward to rereading.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:43 am

I'm so glad that Roberts had the balls to have Rewind say 'I love you.' It didn't really need to be said as it was already clear, and it would be easier not to say it but he said it anyway.

I haven't trailed any other message boards yet but I can imagine some of the robophobics going spare.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:45 pm

To be fair the fact that he said i love you means they must have been having awful gay clanging robo-sex off panel ALL THE TIME.

It's the only sensible interpritation.

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:26 pm

It was a typical Roberts writing performance and all round good issue.

Thoroughly enjoyed the way Rewind's message was structured and was caught cold by the final three words. I think I knew deep down that was where it was going, but was still taken aback by seeing it in print.

A few things did niggle at me - mainly the art with some serious scale issues and empty character expressions. It wasn't SL: Nightbeat bad but I expect better from the average TF artist really. Also seemed a bit of a cop out to show 5 coffins when we only saw 2 die last issue. If we'd seen Overlord do for the other 3 it might've made a lot more hard hitting. Also difficult to give a damn about Tripo-wots-his-face when he's a no name redshirt (I would've actually preferred to see Pipe's referenced).

Enjoyed the double twist at the end, and have big expectations for Magnus now - from his multiple death scenes at the start I've got a feeling there's gonna be something special about (like a mutated spark).

Auntie Slag · Post by **Auntie Slag** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:35 pm

Yeah I didn't quite get the whole Tripodeca thing. Was it to underline the fact that Pipes wasn't a key figure? Sure we'd seen him in the Delphi story and at Movie night, he'd taken up a bit of panel space... but in the scheme of things Pipes carried as much importance as a Lister or Rimmer on a fully populated Red Dwarf ship.

Yes he was fun and that, but in the actual scheme of things Tripodeca was fun and that, too (as Rodimus alluded in his Eulogy). I hope somewhere on-line Roberts'll explain this Tripodeca business.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 1:06 am

I think the whole point was that we were supposed to think that it was Rewind's eulogy, then we cut to Tripodeca, who no-one's ever heard of before - underlined by the way Rodimus then refers to Spoke and Lockstock, the heroes of the battle on Temptoria who we've never seen - and then Chromedome's actual eulogy for Rewind was embarrassingly short. Which then alerted Brainstorm to what CD was likely to do based on his past behaviour.

Of course, this being Roberts, part 5 of Remain in Light will involve a flashback to Spoke, Lockstock and Tripodeca saving Swerve's life during Soundwave's Pogroms and that they were the key players in turning Pious Maximus against the Militant Monoform Movement when Megatron was beginning his Third Cycle of Bastardry. Bring it on.

Auntie Slag · Post by **Auntie Slag** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 6:50 am

Ah yeah, you've hit the nail on the head there. Makes sense now

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:25 am

I hope this doesn't end up being a bait and switch which swaps a Magnus death for a Tailgate death. That'd be a terrible and overly predictable trope. Can't help but see them end up finding a cure at the institute but only enough time/mcguffins to save one. (Maybe something akin to how phase sixer spark casings are rendered impregnable, or somesuch, and we'll learn Tailgate's a point one percenter. OMG imagine that.)

I'm still surprised they didn't devote more time to sifting the wreckage. I can get that they wanted to avoid running into Overlord a second time, but weighed against recovering at least some of Rewind's archive?

Still worried next time we see him will be him facing off in his weakened stat against the DJD but his ace in the hole will be data he extracted from Rewind's memories. Cue grisly Rewind trophy hanging off him like Megatron and the sweeps in RID.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:31 am

On the love angle, myself and my girlfriend have debated the specific type of love they have in the context of the ancient greek definitions.

Death's Head · Post by **Death's Head** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 1:15 pm

It's clearly bum love. And good for them!

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 2:43 pm

Sunyavadin wrote:On the love angle, myself and my girlfriend have debated the specific type of love they have in the context of the ancient greek definitions.

The wife and I skipped straight to roleplay.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 11:06 am

They'd be the perfect duo for couples to dress as at conventions.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 2:52 pm

Spencer and Chrissy?

A little esoteric...

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 3:08 pm

Karl wrote:Spencer and Chrissy?

A little esoteric...

Considering how incredibly, incredibly pregnant she is at the moment, that would be pretty damn awesome.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 3:58 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:
Karl wrote:Spencer and Chrissy?

A little esoteric...
Considering how incredibly, incredibly pregnant she is at the moment, that would be pretty damn awesome.

Hard to make it more of a niche, but I think you managed it.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:53 am

Unfortunately every time I think of transformers having sex all my mind can picture is the Michael Bay movies. Hours of annoying fleshlings interspersed with large piles of indeterminate scrap having sex with each other. Big, messy, sloppy, indistinguishable, sex. Grinding away non stop.
Not even the addition of more bearable parody audio tracks made those worth wasting my precious life. All the time I kept feeling like Tailgate, watching those precious moments ticking away on the death clock, while I sat there, watching random chunks of metal having sex....

TransFans.co.uk

MTMTE #16 - Spoilers

Re: MTMTE #16 - Spoilers