Warlog will be late

Actually the next issue will be later in the month of april due to personal loss.
This was before I finished the entry for the PlayAtHome round over at the IDW forums, however the art for the TMcomic will also suffer because of this and as a result will be late
.
sorry for any incovenience this may have caused.

with regards,
Johan.

Comic Review...

Transformers Devastation #6

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: E.J. Su

(covers by E.J Su and Nick Roche)

Summary: In the Machination's Headquarters, Scorponok and his new human Headmaster bond and go to attack Hunter and Sunstreaker. Elsewhere, Megatron and his Decepticons attack the Reapers. Despite some success, they lose Runamuck and Runabout... nearby, Galvatron watches from a hidden place and decides he must intervene to ensure the Decepticons triumph. Hot Rod defeats the Sunstreaker clones and is approached by Hardhead, who tells him they're leaving. Hot Rod tells him he's staying to find out just what's going on with Sunstreaker and these Headmasters--Hardhead relents and let's him stay. Elsewhere, Nightbeat stumbles onto a new mystery and decides to leave the Autobots to investigate it... Sunstreaker and Hunter finally merge and then escape Scorponok before he can destroy them. With the Reapers, Galvatron uses his evil/death virus and infects one of the Reapers, who then promptly goes on to infect others. The Decepticons use their distraction to destroy their ship and finish them off. Galvatron thinks how one apocalypse is averted and another begun--as he looks at Sixshot's fallen form. Epilogue: Nemesis Prime (aka Nova Prime) and Jhiaxus scheme with Galvatron about some evil plan they have! MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HAH!

Comments: Another chapter of the story ends on a ho-hum note. It's not that this issue was bad or anything but I feel like the story's been unfolding at a snail's pace in some ways. Did we really need so many issues just so Hunter could finally merge with Sunstreaker? Or so Hot Rod could casually knock out the Sunstreaker clones in about two panels? I understand this story's decompressed so they can do more TPBs but it wouldn't hurt for Furman to wrap some of these minor plot points off and continue the main story instead of dragging them on forever in a lame attempt at suspense (especially when the pay-off isn't worth it). I got Su's lovely cover art for this issue (Roche's last two covers have been uninspired, imo).

Mildly recommended.

***

Transformers Spotlight
Mirage

Writer: George Strayton
Artist: Guido Guidi

(cover by Guido Guidi)

Summary: Mirage thinks about the dream and how it's always the same... Hound looks on as he's dying. Mirage is a Decepticon and aboard his space ship. He talks with Megatron and tells them how he can deliver him the last remaining Autobots--for a price. Megatron reluctantly agrees to give him a share of their Energon mining operations. Elsewhere, Prime and Hound look on and wonder about this Zodiac Energy they've discovered and if they can use it as a new energy source. Hound explains it's not so easy as the energy is out of phase with their reality slightly. Meanwhile, Jetfire's hurt bad and needs immediate medical attention (the exact cause of his injuries goes unexplained). Bumblebee returns and then promptly attacks them--he is revealed to be Mirage in disguise! He leads other Decepticons aboard their ship and they have a major fight. Finally, Mirage puts a gun to the helpless Jetfire's head and tells Prime to surrender or he'll kill him. Prime surrenders and Mirage promises them their safety in return... but when he contacts Megatron, he is promptly ordered to kill them. He goes to kill Hound and Prime tries to reason with him. When that fails, he attacks Mirage and knocks him into the Zodiac Energy chamber... Mirage awakens from CR and thinks about his dream and how it's always the same--but in it he's a Decepticon. Fortunately, it's just a dream...

Comments: Okay, if I understand this story... Mirage was once a Decepticon and then through the events of this story, was changed into an Autobot (presumably with his consent). At least, I think that's what it's about... honestly, the presentation isn't very good. It's too vague and not clear enough. I also have no idea when the events of this story fit into the IDW continuity exactly either. I've never heard of George Strayton before--not certain if he's a pro or a fan writer but either way his story needed a little more clarity to it. The inclusion of Zodiac Energy seems like a bit of fan wank too (it has very little bearing on the story overall--it could've easily been a power conduit/something that Mirage strikes instead). I also feel like this issue, while giving us a story with Mirage, failed to really spotlight his personality. Who is he? Why does he sympathize with the Autobots? Why does Prime seem to have so much faith in him? None of this is explained... He's presented as a generic Decepticon until he's apparently saved by the Autobots and becomes one--but we don't see any reason in his personality why they'd bother (okay, so he offers to spare their lives--but promptly takes it back when it threatens his interests). Ultimately, I found this story both confusing and irrelevant.

Pass.

Comic Review...

Transformers Devastation #5

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: E.J. Su

(Covers by E.J. Su and Nick Roche)

Summary: In a flashback, Starscream worries that Sixshot is too powerful to exist--if he were ever to turn against them then he doubts he could protect Megatron. Megatron laughs and says that he's not worried--certainly he would never create such a great weapon and not give it an "off" switch. In the here and now, the Decepticons react to the Reapers threat... Starscream schemes to Astrotrain, preparing for what's to come. Sixshot meanwhile, attacks the Reapers' ship and damages/destroys it while they watch and plan to gauge his loyalty to his comrades. In orbit, Ratchet works frantically to try and resuscitate Jimmy and Verity. Below, Hot Rod and Wheeljack are attacked by the Headmaster Sunstreakers again. With Wheeljack incapacitated, Hot Rod is left to deal with multiple targets. Elsewhere, Hunter knocks out a scientist that walks in on him--but not before he can raise an alarm. Hunter rushes to the factory floor where the Sunstreaker clone bodies are waiting and prepares to merge with one. Sixshot engages the Reapers, who try to reason with him and have him join them. Starscream chooses that time to act, challenging Sixshot in battle. Before he can fire a shot, Starscream uses a code to shut him down and render him inert. The Decepticons are forced to go out and fight the Reapers themselves. Elsewhere, Optimus decides they must leave Earth for the time being as another matter has come to his attention. Epilogue: Skywatch confirms another engagement in Oregon (the Decepticons vs. Reapers) and tells their researchers to prep the Eureka-six for battle (we see an image of the dormant Grimlock).

Comments: A busy issue which advances all of the main plot points, if only by grueling inches. It's nice that Grimlock will soon be back and that Soundwave's re-appearance was hinted at last issue. As for the future, I predict that Hunter/Sunstreaker will go to help out Hot Rod just before he gets overwhelmed by the Sunstreaker clones. I'm glad that Verity and Jimmy were saved--I really think killing them off would be pointless in the long run. I also think Sixshot will be reconsidering his options when he's turned back on and realizes he really is just a tool and not a being proper. Did the space Autobots (Prime and co.) plan to go after the Monstercons (or did I just interpret that wrong? I just don't know of any other "dangerous prisoners" in the story at the moment--and it makes sense, doesn't it?) Hopefully, next issue will wrap some stuff up a bit more...
A note on the covers. I bought E.J. Su's this time as I had a choice of covers (I usually like Roche's art but his cover was very uninspired, imo).

Recommended.

Job troubles forces sell off

Just thought I'd let you all know that there are some toys I have up for grabs. I've posted these onto eBay at the below links. I always hate it when I have to sell off toys, I'm such a fan of all the generations, but I'm sure you know how this goes.


Transformers Universe Collection

Transformers RID Collection

Transformers Armada Collection

All are gently used, come with instructions. The next group will probably end up being my Energon collection and, if need be, my Cybertron collection would follow. Thanks and I hope you all are doing well. Take care.

Comic Review...

Transformers Spotlight
Blaster

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Emiliano Santalucia
(Cover by Emiliano Santalucia)


Synopsis: Blaster floats through space with a large wound in his chest. He is rescued by some aliens who return him to the Autobots. Thanks to his internal monologue, we learn he was the "voice of the resistance" for the Autobots, cheering them on and keeping their spirits up--until he was betrayed by one of their own and left for dead, floating through space for years. He reviews old data tracks and attempts to recall who it was that tried to kill him... in the end, he sets up a trap for the killer and confronts them when they return to finish the job.

Comments: Another pretty good spotlight issue (I think Spotlight is my favorite of IDW's various TF efforts). This version of Blaster is both the free loving cartoon personality (at least on the surface for his brethren) and the Marvel comic's devout Autobot persona--a good meshing of the two. The art is good--I've never heard of/seen Santalucia's art before but it's a good match for the IDW stuff. The story is a simple "who tried to kill" me tale but it works fine.

Recommended.


***
Transformers: Devastation #4

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Robby Musso
(Covers by E.J. Su and Nick Roche)

Synopsis: Prologue: In Skywatch Headquarters, the secret government facility discover they've lost control of Laserbeak and Ravage because a counter-signal has asserted control of them (guess who? :) Elsewhere, Sixshot and the Autobots fight it out with Sixshot being large and in-charge. Meanwhile, Wheeljack and Hot Rod reach the junkyard begin their search for Ironhide--but it's a big yard and they don't have a lot of time before the Sunstreaker clones find them again. At Machination H.Q., Hunter decides the only thing he can do is undergo the full Headmaster process himself to help out the Autobots. He steps into the machine and is in pain as it begins... The Autobots and Sixshot fight it out some more... Verity and Jimmy realize the area is to be bombed by the government and realize they must warn the Autobots before it's too late. The junkyard owner arrives later and call the cops because there's been a break-in. The clones pick up the signal on the police scanner and go to intercept them. Verity and Jimmy steal a powerboat and go to warn the Autobots... the Autobots and Sixshot fight some more while Sixshot brags about how powerful and unstoppable he is. The humans arrive and tell Ratchet what's going on and he warns Optimus. Prime contacts Nightbeat and tells him to beam the Autobots out--which he does. Upon arriving on Ark-32, Ratchet is shocked to realize the orbital jump was too much for Verity and Jimmy--they're both dead! In Oregon, the Reavers(?) arrive and begin to attack the Decepticon base. Megatron has Sixshot recalled and he flies off just as the bombardment by the planes begins... Prime is beamed out in the nick of time too. Epilogue: The Decepticons are scrambling to repel the attack... Astrotrain sneaks off to talk to Starscream, who says he sees an opportunity here and this time, he'll be the one standing when the dust settles.

Comments: Not a bad issue... one thing I noticed in there right away was when they initially ask Nightbeat how long it will take, his exact words are a quote from Aliens (the thing about prepping the drop ship, etc. is an exact quote of what Bishop says). I thought the entire issue was fairly good overall but as I've previously said, I'd like to see a bit more resolution to some plot threads in play (although I think we're slowly getting there). One thing that shocked me was the apparent casual deaths of Verity and Jimmy. I admit they didn't have much to do story-wise but they could've found something for them to do (or even ignored them for the time being). This coming after all the initial "we need humans to show the scale of the war/relate better to the Transformers" stuff from the company. At Botcon 06, IDW brought up the idea of killing all the human cast off to appease a small vocal percentage of the fandom. Personally, I feel this is an easy cop-out--if you're going to introduce a story element like humans then have something for them to do in the story and stick by your guns instead of listening to a bunch of whiny fans that don't know what they ultimately want. I hope their deaths aren't permanent but if they are then IDW wasted a good story opportunity with them. The art was pretty good and I look forward to the next issue.

Recommended.

let's vote !!!!

Hi guys,
I got a drawing up with the "next transformer comic artist" competition
vote here: http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3178

thanks,
Johan

Xmas Special Comic

Well, here's the issue as it is:

Transmasters Christmas 2007 Special Comic

It's short, only about 6 pages total. Read the comments. Have a happy new year.

Me on deviant art

I finally made the step, Warlog now has a place on deviant art !
click here to check it out. there are only a few pages now but that will chance soon enough I think. take care ! gr johan

Review: KO Mirage

(There are several versions of Mirage on the internet right now. One is the classic blue color scheme; one is Diaclone red; one is clear and one is clear black).


Mirage

Price: $70 Usd (purchased from www.agesthreeandup.com. The price varies depending on color scheme and where you purchase it from. Prices go anywhere from $50 - $75).



The Good:

- Sturdy mold for a KO.

- All parts included (rifle, missile launcher, three missiles, sticker sheet and instructions).

- Box came in pristine shape.

The Bad:

- Toy was loose from cardboard backing inside box. (I'm starting to think this is due to cheap glue on the card).


(The above review was of the red Mirage toy KO. I also have a blue one but haven't opened it. The Blue one is on it's card inside the box fine but the outside box isn't in as good shape--like some idiot folded the top over or something).

Conclusions:

- Seems like a decent KO toy to me. I would recommend it if you don't have an original or want something newer to display (remember it's a knock-off though--they're only so good quality, no matter how good they may be).
- Btw... apparently, the original red Mirage (from the Goodbye Convoy set) had yellow eyes while the reissue has blue ones. This does not bother me at all, though since I just wanted a Mirage toy.
- Be careful who you buy these from. Reputable dealers like Agesthreeandup.com or digital-toys.com are okay but some of the ebay dealers don't care about the condition of the box--0ne guy explicitly stated in his auction that he would fold the top flap over for shipping (like with my blue one--although that dealer did *not* put that in the description or send it that way. But the box flap had previously been bent before he sold it to me. I can see the stress marks on it).
- Even though red was reviewed, I presume it's safe to apply this to the blue one as well. I can't see there being much of a difference between the various versions.



(Picture credit: Pictures taken from the agesthreeandup.com website).

Review: KO cassettes

(There are several sets kicking around the web. One is of Frenzy/Laserbeak; one is Frenzy/Ratbat and one is Rumble/Ravage.)


Frenzy and Ratbat

Price: $15.99 Usd on ebay (price fluctuates wildly. I got mine decently priced but I've seen them for as much as $40).



The Good:

(Frenzy)

- A pretty good representation of the original G1 toy.
- Sturdy (given his size and the mold's fragility).
- Weapons fit well into back.

(Ratbat)

- Has eyes on his head (my original G1 Ratbat didn't. Or they'd worn off already when I got it likely).
- Metal chest like G1 toy.


The Bad:

(Frenzy)

- Stickers are cheap. Arm ones came off easily (which is okay--I never liked those anyway. They don't help the toy's look in robot mode).
- No diecast feet (not a big thing either since the original G1 toys didn't always have those either).
- Paint on eyes is a little sloppy with the paint going off to the right on head a little bit. (Actually... didn't the original toy just have silver eyes? These have red ones! Maybe that should be under "good"?)

(Ratbat)

- Loose wing joints right off the bat (er, pun not intended :).
- Lost one of his ears immediately upon transforming him (I think this was a problem with the real thing too, though, as my original never had ears to start with).
- Left gun doesn't stay in chest hole as well as it should.

- Also, the card's plastic bubble was very slightly coming loose in the middle when I got the toys (I chalk this up to cheap glue).

Both toys have silver weapons, btw (some had gold in G1 and some had silver).

***

Rumble/Ravage

Price: $19.99 USd (boughten from www.agesthreeandup.com)



The Good:

(Rumble)

- Same notes as Frenzy.

(Ravage)

- Diecast legs.

- Missile launchers fit tight into body (I have never, ever had a KO Ravage do that before! It was always one tight, one loose.)

- Card for both toys was in pristine shape when I received it in the mail.

The Bad:

(Rumble)

- Same critiques as Frenzy.

(Ravage)

- Actually, I didn't find anything bad about him.


Conclusions:

- Frenzy, Rumble and Ravage are fairly solid KO toys. Ratbat is the worst of the four but even then, his original G1 toy wasn't that great either. (I don't own a KO Laserbeak so I have no opinion on him.)
- I would mildly recommend buying these if you need some replacements or just want extra cassette-like toys to play with. (Just remember: they are KOs, so don't expect superb quality).
btw... my very first TFs were KOs of Condor (Laserbeak), Robot (Frenzy) and Jaguar (Ravage). They were cheap but fun so to have new KOs of them is extra cool.


(Picture credits: Frenzy/Ratbat pic from ebay auction I won. Rumble/Ravage pic from agesthreeandup.com website).