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.