Comic Review...

Transformers: Bumblebee #2

Writer: Zander Cannon
Artist: Chee

(Covers by Guido Guidi and Chee)

Summary: Blurr speeds along after his narrow escape in TF #3. He is trying futilely to find Hot Rod's Autobots but instead runs into Bumblebee and his warriors. He freaks out and shoots Bumblebee's "SVI" badge but the others capture him (too bad he's not really fast or he could've evaded them). Bumblebee reports back to Colonel Horiuchi and starts acting defiant, a time during which we find out his badge won't work to incapacitate him--Ratchet tells him to act as if it does though, so they can use it to their advantage. Bumblebee agrees and follows along. He convinces Blurr to go find a Volkswagon to stand-in for him when the humans come there tomorrow to try and repair Bumblebee's damaged badge. Bumblebee gives a stirring speech how he got them in this mess but will get them out of it as well... he goes off to find a mineral that is used in the radar cloaking component in their badges. He encounters Scavenger there--but the Decepticon refuses to help. Bumblebee drives off then (what about the mineral?)

Comments: In this comic, Blurr speaks as he used to in the comic and cartoon--really, really fast with his words blurring together. This was an okay gimmick in the old continuity--but in the new IDW one it's been established that Blurr doesn't do that. He still moves fast but he doesn't talk fast anymore. I love that IDW doesn't believe in editing their comics... inconsistent art, stories that generally line-up but miss really obvious details that no one should be able to miss. If one writer gets a detail wrong, the editor should be there to catch it (that is their job, is it not?). But either no one does or whoever edits the comic gives it a quick, general once-over and approves it. I can understand if it were over many years, many comics and many details but this stuff is inexcusable! If IDW doesn't care enough to get it right, why should I waste my money for sloppy story telling? Otherwise, the issue is okay--Bumblebee didn't really lead the Autobots into this situation though. He took Wheeljack's advice (who is curiously absent here) and got in contact with the Humans in the first place. As mentioned in the summary, Blurr is really fast on his feet but allows the Autobots to capture him anyway? That makes no sense and no one tries to explain it either. I also think this story could've just as easily been told as a sub-plot in the main title but someone got the bright idea to stretch it all out so we can buy two titles instead. Wonderful. We know what IDW thinks of its readers, don't we? Generally, this story is a build-up to something happening in another issue or two. Yawn.

Mildly recommended.

Comic Review...

Transformers #3

Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Don Figueroa
(covers by Don Figueroa and Andy Wildman)

Summary: Hot Rod and Jetfire talk about leaving Earth. He gives Jetfire a human device and says he needs to figure out to countermand it's ability to lock them in a given mode and be helpless. He also introduces Jetfire to the others--Decepticons! But as Hot Rod points out, they're all Transformers and need to get off Earth while they can. Elsewhere, Ultra Magnus speaks to the other Autobots and tells them why he's there--to investigate recent events (and report to who?) Elsewhere, Spike tries to interrogate Optimus Prime but fails. Ultra Magnus investigates Ironhide's body and determines to go find Hot Rod and speak with him. Meanwhile, Hoist, Tracks, Blurr and Beachcomber decide to defect as well and go join Hot Rod. They're promptly attacked by the humans and captured--except for Blurr, who escapes. Spike brings them in in the end and tries to use them as leverage so Optimus Prime will give him information on where the rest of the Autobots are!

Comments: There's a note at the beginning of this issue saying it happens after Wreckers #1 and before Bumblebee #1. I've read Bumblebee #1 but Wreckers isn't even out yet! Good scheduling on someone's part at IDW... I am now thoroughly confused. Anyway, this is another set-up issue where not a lot happens really. It seems like they're just waiting to get to the right point now... the humans have become a big nuisance and Prime's surrender will not appease them. They want all the Transformers on Earth, period, so they can do as they please to them. Hot Rod, as is often the case, is the only Autobot with any real brains here. He wants off the planet ASAP and he'll fight to get the others back while they act like sheep without a Sheppard. In theory this all sounds good but it seems like it's taking forever to get to the point--by next issue something really big should happen. Otherwise, they're just dragging this out and wasting our time--it doesn't need four-plus issues to move things along. I doubt this will happen, but I'd like to see the Autobots get violent and kill the humans that oppose them (even if only in self-defense). I hate this "heroic-at-all-cost, even-when-it-makes-no-sense-to-be" thing they always do (like in the old Marvel comic against RAAT and even now). If they're being picked off by an enemy and screwing themselves by refusing to fight back properly, this is the obvious choice to make. The humans in this case are NOT innocents and do NOT deserve any leniency. Kill them if they get in your way and get off the planet already! Also, who exactly is Ultra Magnus reporting to? The comic has never clearly stated how the Autobot Hierarchy works. Optimus Prime is presumably the Autobot leader--if there's anyone above him, we've never seen them so why does Magnus need to come file a report? I mean, who else would care? Is he ultimately going to get captured? Provide the others with a way off-world? Or is he just there to be an additional problem for Hot Rod and company to overcome somehow? I guess time will tell...

Mildly recommended.