Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Guido Guidi
(covers by Marcelo Matere and Guido Guidi)
Summary: 'CHAOS' PRELUDE! The situation on Earth continues to deteriorate while we shift focus to outer space where RODIMUS was last seen dead! A classic character returns as the things heat up and we begin our descent into 'CHAOS'-THE YEAR'S BIGGEST TRANSFORMERS EVENT! Don't miss 'SPACE OPERA, Part 1!'
Comments: In some ways it was nice to find Hot Rod again and see what he was up to. Having said that, though, the story was pretty by-the-numbers. No real surprises or twists to see. Mostly, it seems Costa was trying to tie up loose ends by bringing Wheelie back (which wasn't really a loose end in my mind). Also, they use the Matrix to power the ship, which makes no sense to me. (I like Guido's cover quite a bit).
Verdict: Average.
***
Transformers #20
Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Guido Guidi
(covers by Marcelo Matere and Guido Guidi)
Summary: Through a series of misunderstandings, Rodimus and his two strange new partners arrive on a planet we haven't visited in a long time, and meet a few other 'bots everyone thought were lost forever. Those are a lot of vague words, because this issue has a TON of surprises. Check them out in SPACE OPERA Part 2
Comments: Basically, Hot Rod, Wheelie and their new alien friend go to Cybertron and encounter Ironhide and Sunstreaker. While there, they discover Galvatron is there too. What is he up to? We never find out (maybe they should've waited until Heart of Darkness #4 is out. This seems like it was released a little too soon). At any rate, the Autobots escape and head for Earth. It was nice to see Galvatron drawn well again after the terrible HoD art.
Verdict: Average.
***
Transformers: Heart of Darkness #3 (of 4)
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Artist: Ulises Farinas
(covers by Ulises Farinas and Casey Coller)
Summary: 'CHAOS' PRELUDE! We learn new truths about the TRANSFORMERS' ancient history-truths that may lead to their ruin. GAVATRON and company gather arms and recruit major forces. With a raving lunatic leading the DECEPTICON forces-absolute destruction is sure to follow. HoD leads directly into 'CHAOS'-the first-ever TRANSFORMERS event book from IDW!
Comments: Despite his terrible Transformers art, Farinas alien fishermen here (in the first three or so pages) aren't half bad looking. I can't quite understand why that is yet his TFs look consistently awful. As for the story, it continues on with Galvatron recruiting more and more previously dead TFs (of which there are a convenient graveyard around a planet he's gone to). One continuity error here: Galvatron resurrects one of the "lost ancient Headmasters" even though they were only invented a couple of years ago in Furman's run (not that continuity seems to matter to anyone at IDW). Also, we find the return of Nemesis Prime at the end of the issue. What does he want? Is he friend or foe? (And why doesn't anyone in this damn story ever actually die?)
Verdict: Average.
