Megatron Origin (Spoiler Alert)

mikebot · Post by **mikebot** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:58 am

Well for those that got a copy tell me what you think. Started out a little slow I was expecting to see Megs in the arena. It seems like he was unsure of himself which was odd to me. I made out Frenzy and Rumble in the issue, and I liked how Sentinel Prime looks. Prowl is a suck up as usual.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:41 pm

Read it.

I enjoyed this issue, but I'm somewhat frustrated that the full potential of this tale may not be reached because of the very cramped Pat Lee-like pencilling of Milne.

Storywise, I'm really digging the "Megatron as victim of corrupt Autobot politicians" angle. The idea that Megatron might not have become what he is today if it weren't for the Autobots is very intriguing, and its nice to see Holmes going this route. I'm really excited about seeing how this all plays out in the next three issues. This is something that's going to be memorable. Nice to see that Megatron hooked up early with Rumble and Frenzy, who maintain their classic brattish characterization.

But the pencilling.....Unfortunately, this particular issue will also be memorable for being completely indecipherable from an artistic standpoint regarding the action sequences. Seriously, I could not make heads or tales of the battle sequences. What was an arm could have been a leg, what was a leg could have been a shoulder. It was that unclear. And just to make things a bit more unclear, every one of the miners had to look just like Megatron! Why???

But the pencilling wasn't all bad. Giving credit where credit is due, the layouts of the planet and the backgrounds and locations were beautifully rendered. Cybertron itself looks fantastic.

The dark inking and grainy coloring style fits perfectly, and I'm pleased to see this coloring scheme was chosen.

So overall, where this could have been an easy "A" for me, I have to deduct points for the disappointing lack of clarity regarding the action sequences. A "B+". Looking forward to more.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:46 am

Yaya wrote:But the pencilling.....Unfortunately, this particular issue will also be memorable for being completely indecipherable from an artistic standpoint regarding the action sequences.

Have to agree with this, but not the whole content of your review.

I didn't really like this issue. I tried to, after a gut reaction of 'urgh', went back and tried to enjoy it, but...no.

So yes, the art. I've never been particularly fond of the blocky style of TF art, and this comic shows up all the problems I have with it. I'm really sorry, but I'm going to do a laundry list that'll sound whining. Hopefully you'll all let me off as I've enthused about almost every other IDW TF comic.
Anyway, the blocky TF art in this comic is a bit rubbishy because:

-It's over-rendered to the point where fine detail becomes akin to a circuit diagram drawn on an etch-a-sketch and heavy blacks appear as fuzzy globs.
- There's not a lot of effort made to distinguish characters when they are drawn in front of one another. They're overly detailed and blocky shapes just merge into each other. The colouring doesn't help much here.
- You have a hard time identifying anyone. The detail crowds out your eye and hides useful recognisable areas. The blocky style denies access to a lot of body-language. Everyone's really straight-limbed and their waist's don't appear to work. And yes, the similar design of characters again. TF-drones are boring but an understandable part of the premise. But to do it with the main character of the book was...interesting. Did you enjoy playing 'Which one of the four guys with Megatron's head is actually Megatron?'
-The layout was pretty boring and claustrophobic at the same time, which is probably the main reason why I didn't really find this enjoyable, it was a slog to read. Images that were supposed to be cool just weren't as they weren't led up to excitingly and when they appeared didn't seem to have enough room to make an impact. Thinking of things like Megs and the security guard, or the reveal of Sentinel Prime.
Eh.

Storytelling in general was a bit eh, thought there were some nice moments that didn't quite work as well as they could have, like Megs looking at his fingers and then through them to the approaching identikit guards. That could've been quite cool if done a bit differently.
Other bits are just overly obtuse, the shuttle hijack for instance. I wonder how the script was written.

-Cybertron looks like Neo-Tokyo 2019. It might even be more boring than the San-Francisco business district Cybertron of Armada.

- Confusing lettering placement...the overlaid text boxes are weirdly coloured and don't flow very well from previous dialogue, meaning I had to flick back and check I knew who was actually talking. The random colours on the boxes don't help, I was looking for a green TF at one point. Why I'm supposed to associate a green-outline text box with a red, white, gold and blue character I don't know.

To be honest, I thought it was kinda lame that Rumble and Frenzy were the first two of Megatron's hookups, they're perennial comedy-relief losers. I think they might have actually got more lines that Megs as well. Plot...well, it's a shame that the great charismatic orator's story was kick-started by the over-the-score lynching of a Transformer Arthur Scargill anyway, but when the most dramatic thing he could say was

"Blasters!"

Really sorry to moan, but I think this is the first time I've been genuinely disappointed in an IDW TF comic.

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:30 pm

KingMob wrote:Really sorry to moan, but I think this is the first time I've been genuinely disappointed in an IDW TF comic.

I agree. The penciling was so bad that I lost track of which miner was Megatron about half way. It seemed a bit rushed, too. I was truthfully expecting a Stormbringer-type quality comic with art worthy enough to be used as an avatar and a well-written story that made you crave the next issue, but maybe I set my expectations too high...

Anyway, I hope the next issue is better.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:33 pm

KingMob wrote: Anyway, the blocky TF art in this comic is a bit rubbishy

Agree with all these reasons. It's just an ugly style, and for some reason, there are a lot of artists that go with it: Pat Lee, Joe Ng, Rob Ruffulo, and Alex Milne. It's just ugly, IMO.

I think the confusion of it all, the poorly laid out word balloons with no idea who was saying what, reflects on Holmes newness to this all. I mean, I can't stand Simon's dialogue some of the time, but he doesn't usually make such rookie mistakes.

Regarding the story, I actually love the concept, but can see where you have problems with the delivery of it. There are certainly flaws present, like one minute Megatron hurling a pitchfork and laughing about it, the next staring aghast at his bloody hands and the horror they dealt out. That was lame.

I actually like the idea, however, of Megatron's first recruits being Rumble and Frenzy. It kind of helps establish a special bond between the two cut-ups and their unforgiving leader. With such history, it kind of makes sense how Megatron might look upon the two with certain fondness, overlooking their mistakes and backtalking behavior.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:37 pm

i thought the whole thing was pretty weak.

I literally went from the last page of Eugenesis to this and, well, its was like going from fillet to ring piece.

presonally i think the premise is pretty hackneyed.

the art - seriously, half the time i didn't know what the heck was going on.

Both plot and artwise this felt like a return to the bad old days of DW.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:31 pm

Best First wrote: this felt like a return to the bad old days of DW.

OOooh, hookers and fast cars?
Fantastic!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:24 pm

Yep.

Crappy, dark artwork.

And I'm all for shades of gray, three dimensional characters, and what not....I'm even for proleterian revolution eventually, but I'm not digging the whole "Autobots as lame politicans who don't give a f*** about those poor ol' soon to be Decepticon workers" angle.

I much prefer the Autobots = Workers, Decepticosn = Warriors thing.

Here's a good question: Is this the worst new material put out by IDW thus far?

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:43 pm

hmm... yes.

Hearts of Steel was pretty average but at least a) the artwork was clear as day and b) it didn't mess with the core continuity.

i don't like the warrior/worker divide, its too dictatorial in terms of which side characters end up on, but i agree the whole "Autobot's mean" angle just seems cheap.

Or at least it does here - its done in such an over-egged way. One of the problems with the book as a whole - no subtlety.

Personally i would have thought Megs warrior urges railing against and exploiting the weakness of a fairly sedentry society would be a more obvious way to go. Which is pretty much the old story, all they had to do here was an interesting character study in that context.

That and sort out the art.

Although in fairness the Sentinel Prime splash was good.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:24 am

Best First wrote: Although in fairness the Sentinel Prime splash was good.

Tru dat. I didn't even mind the retracting faceplate. And I like the idea of Prowl being passed up for promotion over the course of millenia. :P

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:21 am

I've read it myself now, and it's so-so.. the premise is just inherently interesting, who doesn't want to know how you turn a mech into a slag-maker?

I also like the idea of the Autobots perhaps not being so inherently more peaceful and good by genetics alone, rather it seems to be connected more to the Prime. It actually gives some sympathy to the Cons, this story.

But I can't help but feel that some of the ideas have not been as well executed as they should have.

Best First wrote:Personally i would have thought Megs warrior urges railing against and exploiting the weakness of a fairly sedentry society would be a more obvious way to go. Which is pretty much the old story, all they had to do here was an interesting character study in that context.

That and sort out the art.

Although in fairness the Sentinel Prime splash was good.

Well.. the irony of it all... is that's sort of what DW built their rise of Megatron to power on... And in all fairness, their war Within flashback-sequences were probably some of the few highlights of that crop.

Megs, tough as nails, tattooed all over punk, with anger-managment issues, sweating oil and dirtying his hands every day in the sordid underbelly of Cybertron, the Gladitorial games, actually finally finds some sort of purpose to his life, in getting rid of the corrupted Autobot-regime, saving his world from going extinct trough complacency decay.

Alas, we all know in hindsight that Megs sadly is not the right man for the job, as his vision ultimately leads to a Cybertron burnt and charred clean from nearly all life. ( in just about any continuity at that.)

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:05 am

I'm not even that fond of the Sentinel Prime splash as it's just dead on the page. It's great figurework, much cooler than almost all the rest of the characters drawn in the book, but the lead up to it was a full page of an office block and then bam! full page of a character just standing there. It had no effect on me at all other than, 'oh, nice design callouts to other Autobot leaders'. A character reveal should be cool. The storytelling choices let down the art even when the art is nifty.

As for sympathy to the 'Cons, yes that would be good, but it would be nice if the story goes on to generate it by avoiding further stacking of the deck. '(Presumably) corrupt and/or psychotic politician ruins people's livelihoods and then randomly lynches a complainer thus sparking the seeds of a working-class rebellion' is blah. Hopefully things will get a lot more dynamic now that the ropey start is out of the way.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:27 am

Sounds like a bit of a shame

I'd always thought a good direction to go in would be rather than the Autobot government being mean to the 'Con workers would be to just have them as a weak, mismanaging government which has grown complacent over countless millennia of peace and completely bungles the handling their planet's dwindling energy sources, provoking widescale discontent and support for very extreme individuals who promise change (i.e. Megsy). That seems to have been hinted at before in previous comic series also.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:54 am

I have to agree- I was let down by this. Maybe I was expecting too much...

Decimus's speech was too expectable. And his constant 'hmm?'s were annoying.

It wouldn't have hurt to actually name a few miners, would it?

I'm also hoping it'd be revealed how Megs ended up working in a mine. He's smart enough to have had a military or other carrier before, no?

Art was horrible. Not ugly, but not good for such small-panel storytelling... when Megs kicks off that guard, I couldn't tell what was happening, same when Rumble attacks tha guard - how did the others get free?

The new designs are, simply, not TFs. They looked like Gundam suits. Big robots with lots of shields, wings, and guns put onto them to make them look cool, but I don't see how any of them would transform. Sentinel Prime... looks weird. Decimus and his unnamed helper (why no name?) looked like the cross of Alpha Trion and Vector Prime, plus his minicon.

The only decepticon I could make out other then the two small punks was Razorclaw, he's on the cover too in his Stormbringer form, but has no fangs on the faceplate yet.

The weird colored word balloons were odd. Whom was Megs talking to when the shuttle descends? Yellow guy?

I sincerely hope the story picks up after this. For 4 issues, this first one was drawn-out...

Also, funny how some compare it to DW's days, that was what I wrote on another board too, because of the many spelling mistakes. From Rumble saying "Online agian?" to 'Sentinal' Prime. THis was rushed.

I hope Furman talked a lot to the writer and he doesn't mess up anything crucial... Maybe issue 2. will focus more on Megs and his characteristics. Maybe.

EDIT: Also anyone noticed that not all the TFs are Autobots? Seems to me the word Autobot is used for only the security/police forces.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:55 pm

Shanti418 wrote: I much prefer the Autobots = Workers, Decepticosn = Warriors thing.

Here's a good question: Is this the worst new material put out by IDW thus far?

hmm... yes.

Hearts of Steel was pretty average but at least a) the artwork was clear as day and b) it didn't mess with the core continuity.

i don't like the warrior/worker divide, its too dictatorial in terms of which side characters end up on, but i agree the whole "Autobot's mean" angle just seems cheap.

I like the concept actually, but I agree with what you say about the lack of subtlety in delivering it. If a writer goes the political route, he better damn well make sure that he does it in a mature way. Like the first three episodes of Star Wars, there was so much potential present, but Lucus f'd up big time on making fans see it in a "wow, so that's how it happened" way. Instead, we got a "wow, how lame is that" kind of way. It was just too much too fast, and I think this issue poses the same risk.

Also, I hope and pray that it's not just about the Decepticons as workers, and the Autobots the aristocrats. I mean, for Megatron, I think its okay, but for the entire Decepticon force? Hope not.

[/i]

Hot Shot · Post by **Hot Shot** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:01 pm

Yaya wrote:Also, I hope and pray that it's not just about the Decepticons as workers, and the Autobots the aristocrats. I mean, for Megatron, I think its okay, but for the entire Decepticon force? Hope not.

I agree. I don't think Starscream or Shockwave could handle heavy-lifting, especially Shockwave due to the fact that he only has one hand.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:41 pm

Hot Shot wrote: I agree. I don't think Starscream or Shockwave could handle heavy-lifting, especially Shockwave due to the fact that he only has one hand.

So what are you saying? That Shockwave is a pleasure bot and he has a phallic device for a hand? That's ludicrous! lol :P

"Tell me Awesome-O....are you designed for.....human needs?"

Another thing...I want a Megatron with some ambition. Not the whole, "Me? Well gee golly, I've never thought of myself as a leader before. I'm not even supposed to BE here today!" type thing that he had going on here. Much too Optimus Prime War Withinish.

Apologies to those who are only confused by my hastily thrown in South Park/Clerks references.

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:11 pm

BB Shockwave wrote: EDIT: Also anyone noticed that not all the TFs are Autobots? Seems to me the word Autobot is used for only the security/police forces.

The same approach was made in the first issues of Tfs Armada. "Autobots" were more like the elite/security service.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:54 pm

Quite gutted about this. Expected it to be really good, but it bordered on awful.

I actually liked Milne's Energon stuff. But I couldn't follow this in the slightest. Everyone has pretty much already outlined why.

Referring to some of the characters by name would have helped. IDW is doing lesss and less of this of late.

Like I said, I really couldn't follow it.

Post by **Best First** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:14 am

Yes, i have revisited this and my considered optinion now is that it is just pretty rubbish.

The art just breaks basic comic book quality rules - can i tell what is going on? No. End of.

The handling of Megatron throughout is woefully inconsistant:

- First he looks a bit annoyed/thoughtful/constapated
- Then he chucks and axe at a high ranking official
- Then he has his wierd "oh my god, me killer" moment (having moments previoulsy thrown an axe at someone's head)
- then he is content to just sit there and whine, saying "There's been a mistake" - er, no mate, you just crushed a guys head
- then suddenly the thing that stirs him into action again seems to be the fact Frenzy and Rumble kick off and are about to get shot. So what if Frenzy and Rumble had been a bit meeker? The Decepticons don't get formed?
- Then suddenly he's Mr Strategy who has a plan and stuff.

Basically the notion that this lad goes on to found the Decepticon's and conquer large portions of the known galaxy seems laughable at this stage. This isn't Megatron: Year One, this is Megatron: The Bizzaro Years.

Sentinel Prime suffers as well - is he concerned? Not concerned? Fatal? What? Do i care? I don't know? Do i? Prowl?

Plus the bots as bad guys is just totally over egged - ok, i can deal with the concept of beurocratic corruption (although the motives are laid out very poorly if at all) but the scene where the protester gets slaughtered is so "A-Team bad guy of the week" its untrue.

All that and i swear there are bits where the dialouge just makes no sense, regardless of the art.

Plus its all a bit, well, human, isn't it?

To follow Shanti's lead, so Megs, why did you start the Decepticons?

"They toook ma jobb!"

"Ba cham cham ba chooey cham. Me bad?"

I think what really reminds me of DW is a) its a bit fanwanky and b) its actually nowhere as good as previous attempts so why are they bothering? Just republish State Games and save yourselves the bother.

I feel bad that rubbish comics elicit so many more words from me than good ones, i still think overall IDW are doing a great job.

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:18 am

Issue 1 was a big story cliche with a cover.

Maybe that guy is not Megatron. And Megatron appears in issue 2 scrappings this bastard.

Or is shot in the head and hopefully some things are reaccomodated.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:22 am

Oooh Biff. I'd love you to review this for us.

bludgeon2005 · Post by **bludgeon2005** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:14 pm

I'm somewhat confused as to how exactly it's more efficient to replace a bunch of robots with automation. Also if cybertron is laced with raw energon ore, surely that would cause a planet wide stasis lock?

Post by **Best First** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:49 pm

the thing that i, like, rilly rilly, don't get is some of the comments over at IDW like "its taken me 3 reads to understand what is happening but i am starting to like it" or "i couldn't always tell what was going on but the art is brilliant".

am i missing something?

Post by **Kaylee** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:57 pm

Best First wrote:the thing that i, like, rilly rilly, don't get is some of the comments over at IDW like "its taken me 3 reads to understand what is happening but i am starting to like it" or "i couldn't always tell what was going on but the art is brilliant".

am i missing something?

the colossal stupidity of the common man?

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:32 pm

Yeah, one post literally says "the art is really great though I couldn't follow parts of it."

Eh?

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:26 pm

if its really great then it should make sense the moment u look at the page.

Any chance someone can send me a pic of sentinal Prime?

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:48 pm

I could do it, yes.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:29 am

Best First wrote:the thing that i, like, rilly rilly, don't get is some of the comments over at IDW like "its taken me 3 reads to understand what is happening but i am starting to like it" or "i couldn't always tell what was going on but the art is brilliant".

am i missing something?

So true.

The brown-nosing and ass-kissing that occurs on that board makes me sick. It's like they know that art was bad, but phrase it in such a way as to not hurt anyone's feelings. Maybe they are afraid their letter won't get printed?

Ryall is a stand-up guy, and IDW a stand-up company, and I think they appreciate honesty. It's why we don't get a Sixshot one-shot but every once in a blue moon. They are receptive to criticisms, which is important.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:04 am

Couldn't agree more.