Comic Review...

Transformers: Autocracy #7

Writers: Chris Metzen and Flint Dille
Artist: Livio Ramondelli


Summary:  ORION PAX-- the 'bot who will someday be Optimus Prime-- lies defeated. Cybertron is in flames. ZETA PRIME is poised to conquer all. Does any hope remain-- or is this a very short chapter?

Comments:  After the awesome cliffhanger last time, I was expecting something very impressive here. Unfortunately, we get a bit of a filler story instead. Megatron and the Decepticons show up and basically Zeta Prime's Vamparc weapon is overloaded. He beats a hasty retreat rather then fight Megatron head-on (wimp!) The Decepticons take the Autobots back to their headquarters and repair them. Megatron proposes they join forces to take down Zeta Prime before it's too late. Optimus reluctantly agrees... (Hot Rod apparently joins them as well).
   I found this issue a bit of a letdown. I'm hoping the next issue and going forward will be as exciting as this story should be (there's also only five parts left to go so they can't waste much more time getting to the resolution). I also hope it makes sense with the Blurr spotlight (where Zeta Prime and news of his death are first mentioned).


Verdict: Average.

Cover by Livio Ramondelli

Available online only (from www.comixology.com for 0.99 USd)

Comic Review...

Cover by Livio Ramondelli

Transformers: Autocracy #6

Writers: Chris Metzen and Flint Dille
Artist: Livio Ramondelli

Summary:  ZETA PRIME MAKES HIS MOVE! When the Autobot leader strikes out, ORION PAX--the future Optimus Prime--witnesses scenes of devastation beyond his wildest imagination! Will Pax be changed? Or will he fall?

Comments:  The Omega Destructors (basically, Omega Supreme clones) attack Torus-City Nyon. Zeta leads the way, using his new Vamparc weapon to absorb Energon out of the citizens as he goes. Orion Pax and his team attempt to slow down the giant robots but have little success. Hot Rod finally detonates all his bombs, annihilating the city in the process (with the thought that it's better to kill them himself then let Zeta use the innocent civilians to power his war machine). Orion laments Hot Rod's difficult decision--and then his team is attacked by Zeta, who quickly drains them of their Energon!
    Another exciting chapter. I've been enjoying the story so far and this part pays off quickly with the action and drama. I can't wait to see where it all ends up.

Verdict:  Good. 




Available online only (from www.comixology.com for 0.99 USd)

Comic Review...

Transformers: Autocracy #5

Writer: Chris Metzen and Flint Dille
Artist: Livio Ramondelli
(cover by Livio Ramondelli)

Summary:  THE HUNT IS ON! ORION PAX's strike team follows the trail of a young rebel into the ancient ACROPLEX! But what they find there is more than a single dissident-- it's a secret that will shake CYBERTRON to the core!

Comments:  Orion Pax and his team go to the ruins of the old Acroplex to pursue their target, one Cybertronian named Hot Rod. After a short chase, they emerge in a large complex to find various dying neutrals, low on Energon. Hot Rod explains that this is Zeta Prime's doing and says he showed Orion this because he believes he's different then Zeta. He's seen the holo-vid of Orion calling out the Senate on their corruption. He tells Orion he has a choice--carry on with things as they are or join them against the real threat. Later, Orion Pax and his team are outside considering his words when they notice a fire on the horizon and a Guardian robot in its midst. Zeta has begun to make his move!
   Another exciting chapter in the story and a very clear indicator that Orion is about to defy Zeta Prime (a logical choice at this point). The art continues to be fairly good (I can't think of anything wrong about it). It will be interesting to see how this tale all ends...

Verdict:  Good. Check out the series if you haven't already!

Cover by Livio Ramondelli

Available online only (from www.comixology.com for 0.99 USd)

Comic Review...

Cover "B" by Casey Coller

Transformers: Robots In Disguise #3

Writer: John Barber
Artist: Andrew Griffith

(covers by Andrew Griffith and Casey Coller)


Summary:  CYBERTRON IN CRISIS! An explosion in the middle of the capitol city strikes. Was it a DECEPTICON attack? Suspicions run high, and the uneasy peace unravels! Only Wheeljack can solve the puzzle--but will he do it before Starscream takes advantage of the AUTOBOTS weakness! The bold new direction in Transformers storytelling continues!

Comments:  This issue sees the introduction of a sixth Aerialbot. A short lived character called Barrel Roll (he becomes a green jet that vaguely resembles a SR-117). Unfortunately, he blows up in the story's introduction. I don't recall the Aerialbots getting much, if any, spotlight before now in IDW so I can accept another character on their team without being concerned about continuity issues.
   This issue sees more of the volatile relations between the Autobots, Decepticons and Neutrals. Someone is causing massive explosions on the planet, leading to terrible carnage and it falls to Wheeljack to figure how to stop it before it happens again. Right behind him, is Starscream. This was a good look at how Wheeljack fits into this new world. We also see more of Starscream's new direction...is he truly reforming or is this all some sort of elaborate play for power? A real reform would be more interesting but I am reminded of the Decepticons supporting Rodimus in the previous series and it ended up being a ruse. I guess time will tell...
   The artwork continues to look reasonably good. Prowl is even starting to look the right colors now (white and black instead of just black). Griffith has been the artist since the first issue and the consistency also helps this series. I hope he stays for the foreseeable future.
   I am interested to see if there is a long range plan for this series. Will the Decepticons eventually revolt? Or will everyone pull together? What about threats from the outside? There is a lot of potential no matter what direction they ultimately take.


Verdict:  Good. Worth a look...

Review: How To Draw Transformers Prime

How To Draw Transformers Prime

Publisher:  IDW
Writer/Artist:  Nick Roche
Price:  $4.99 USd (I paid $5.03 Cdn)
Available:  Now

Back Cover

Comments:  I picked this up on a lark when I saw it, figuring it might be a good reference guide for drawing the Prime characters. I don't usually bother with "how-to" art books (in fact, this is the first one I've ever actually bought). After examining it, I realized Nick Roche did it (they should've had his name on the cover but don't. Perhaps they figured kids primarily would pick it up and wouldn't know who he is?)
   It goes without saying, but the art is pretty good (granted, it's just characters standing there and basic "draw a stick figure then do the details in, etc." type instruction but he does a good job on what's there).

   I especially enjoyed the inclusion of non-marquee characters such as Airachnid, Breakdown and Skyquake. The book doesn't include any humans in it (presumably assuming the reader would rather draw the cool robots). I'm neutral on the humans thing. I could take it or leave it so their absence doesn't really matter to me one way or the other.

Verdict:  Good. Worth picking up if you want good character references to draw off (especially for characters such as Skyquake, who doesn't have a lot of official art out there currently).

Inside Cover

Titan Transformers UK issue 4.7, EASTER 2012

"I am the Law!"

Titan Transformers UK issue 4.7, April 2012.

I recieved this comic by post wednesday the 4th of April. Yeah I know it's been late but I've had no time on wednesday and was not feeling all that well on thursday so...I'll do it here and Now !

Page 01:Also known as the cover.
Free gifts:
- Transformers Prime Disc Bomber. And Transformers Prime Stickers! The Disc bomber is a disc shooter variant and the stickers feature Optimus, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Arcee, Starscream and Megatron. Always cool, stickers.
The cover also features PRIME promo art of Optimus and Megatron and tucked away under the free gift, a drawn picture of Starscream !
Page 02-03: Index Page.
Page 04-05: Arcee VS Bulkhead Ultimate Smackdown! here´s a couple of factfiles about mentioned bots.
Page 06: Titan Magazines - Batman Brave and the Bold Magazine subscription - advert
Page 07-10: Part one of the the strip begins.

"Megatron´s Law !"
Script: Robin Etherington
Art: Dario by Brizuela
Lettering: Comicraft

Location: Danakil desert, Erta Ale Volcano. Megatron(HAIL!) wonders why the Autobots are still walking freely among the human parasites of this planet. (and he's right ofcourse !) his conclusion is that the warriors under his command must be too weak and shows Starscream his solution to the problem. Gladitorial combat, survival of the fittest! Starscream objects and mentions that there's no way to force Decepticons to kill Decepticons.
His comments are noted and gets thrown into the pit to fight Fearstorm instead of the expected 'factory reject drone'. Still citing Decepticon law, Megatron(HAIL!) warns Starscreams that unless he finds the Key, the shackle attached to his wrist will explode 10 minutes after the start of the contest. The Key being the opponents spark.....to be continued on page 22

Page 11: Titan Magazines -get 2 transformers with subscription- offer advert.
Page 12-13: Part 7 of the PRIME episode guide, reviewing Scrapheap. Also a micro quiz.
Page 14: Megatron's Law gladiator game rules.
Page 15: The Big Tough Wordsearch hosted by Megatron(HAIL!)
Page 16-17: Megatron's Law Gladatorial game cards! short summary: rules and examples, see pictures below






Page 18: Titan Magazines - Spongebob Magazine subscription - advert
Page 19: Win Transformers Prime Cyberverse figures competition.
Page 20: Terror of the Scraplets (although it sounds like a forgotten DR Who story from the seventies it is actually a factfile on the scraplets.
Page 21: Scraplets Attack Maze, Help Ratchet find the route, the scraplet took to get into the control system.
Page 22-25: Part 2 of the strip!
Starscream is attacked and must fight for his life! unable to transform due to the magnetic pull of the vulcano he resorts to his brain. Using Fearstorm as jumppoint he manages to get a spike and traps Fearstorm with it. He takes his spark just in case Megatron wasn't lying. Megatron admits that is wasn't a bad effort and welcomes him back to the bridge of the Nemesis while Starscreams vows revenge.
Page 26: Starscream's Stumpers! Arms Race. Match Weapon to description.
Page 27: Spot the difference and Fighting talk
Page 28-29: The letterpages, hosted by Megamouth Megatron(HAIL!) (PRIME version) with a little help from Arcee (also PRIME version).
Page 30: Transformers Prime Painted Poster featuring the Dcepticons!
Page 31: Next issue blurb which looks like an Optimus centric cover.
Page 32: StarWars Clone Wars Magazine advert

Conclusion: Good Comic strip, simple and fun! Stickers are cool! Nice battle card game!
score: 7.5 out of 10

-Johan

Comic Review...

Transformers: More Then Meets The Eye #3

Writer: James Roberts
Artist: Alex Milne
(covers by Alex Milne, Nick Roche)

Cover "B" by Nick Roche

Summary:  DISASTER IN SPACE! What's the very worst thing you could find on board a four million year old spaceship? Clue: it's ancient, it's deadly, and it shouldn't exist-but it's killing the Transformers anyway! It's AUTOBOTS versus boogieman in a Transformers story unlike any you've seen before, as the exciting new direction rolls out!

Comments:  Rodimus and crew face off against a Spark devouring parasite that seems to be inhabiting a dead TF's corpse (at least, that was the impression I got from the art and the dialogue). This issue was okay, I guess. There really wasn't much suspense in it (so much of the story is the characters planning to go after the beast and/or hiding out that we don't get a lot of the sense of danger we should). Because of the lack of any real tension I found it hard to really sustain my interest in it and I doubt I'll be looking back fondly on this one in the future (more likely, I'll forget all about it).

Verdict:  Average.

Comic Review...

Cover "A" by Guido Guidi

Infestation 2: Transformers #2

Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Guido Guidi
(covers by Guido Guidi and Livio Ramondelli)


Summary: The Infestation threatens all of North America, and its evil seems unstoppable as it infects everything in its path. Tobias Muldoon is called upon to help the Autobots find a solution, and he knows the perfect man for the job--Nikola Tesla! Together they attempt to re-activate Optimus Prime, but it's unclear if he will be able to turn the tide in an increasingly hopeless situation!
 
Comments:  Of the two issues this is the better one (which isn't much of a compliment really). The humans gather a fleet of ships and go to attack Port Cenotaph, Nova Scotia. Several governments have lost ships in the area but this logic doesn't really explain why they all sent a bunch of warships at once (besides plot convenience). Meanwhile, Tobias, Nikola and the Autobots try to resurrect Optimus
Prime. All of the Autobots give their energy reserves to power Tesla's device which in turn will take E.M. energy from the Earth and power Optimus. It succeeds at last. The humans assault Port Cenotaph and the Lovecraftian god that has risen there along with its legion of undead minions. The Autobots arrive and attack then. Optimus injures the god and it descends for the depths of the ocean once more along with its followers. The end.
   A short and ultimately pointless comic mini-series. Also, why does Optimus have a steam punk look to him even before he gets re-awoken? That made no sense to me...  All my previous criticisms from the previous review still apply. This story is too short and we don't really get a good sense of the big picture to really understand it all (nor do the characters really get any time to have personalities so that we care for them).

Verdict:  Pass.

Comic Review...

Infestation 2: Transformers #1

Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Guido Guidi
(covers by Guido Guidi and Livio Ramondelli)

Summary:  The Infestation threat has broken the boundaries of time and the Lovecraftian monsters invade the world of Transformers: Hearts of Steel! It's a steam-punk world in the grips of panic as terrifying beings from the depths of the ocean corrupt both humans and Decepticons! Only one man knows how to stop the Infestation, and it's up to him to awaken the Autobots in time to prevent full-scale cataclysm!

Comments:  Infestation returns! This time, the Hearts of Steel universe is under attack. To be perfectly honest, I never followed the rest of this sort-of crossover IDW did the first time nor did I read any of this follow-up series. I don't really understand why these Lovecraftian monsters are attacking multiple comic concepts (obviously, to sucker fans into buying them. But I mean, why are they bothering in the story sense? Does anybody ever bother to explain that?)
   Dixon does an adequate job in the comic of explaining what's going on--at least, to a point. Since it's a small cog in a larger story, someone just tuning into this issue specifically has no idea what the broader context is (that would be me). The characters presented here--Bumblebee, Ironhide, Hound, etc. don't get any real characterization and even the humans--Tobias Muldoon and Nikola Tesla predominantly--exist to move the plot along with little development (incidentally, why does Tesla have to get into every damn story set in this era? He's always the mad scientist du jour in these things). Not a lot really happens either. Evil monsters are attacking and the Autobots must stop them before it's too late so they go up to the Artic (or some place cold) and try to resurrect Optimus Prime. End of issue one.

Cover "B" by Livio Ramondelli

   One minor little story note I liked--Dixon picked out a small Quebec town as a location near where the Autobot train is. Saint Felicien, Quebec--where my cousin lives in real life! I didn't think anyone had ever heard of the place other then me.
   The art is competent but not outstanding. So much of the story focuses on the human characters and they're drawn in a cartoony/anime kind of way (a la Dreamwave). I prefer a bit more detail then that and felt it subtracted from the comic's appeal. The "B" cover by Livio Ramondelli (which I got) is a pretty nice picture of Shockwave (who's not even in this issue).

Verdict: Pass.  The whole Infestation conflict is flawed. It dips into several comics but doesn't really focus on the same characters all the time and I feel that hurts the concept. We don't get a good feel for the whole scope of the story and thus don't really care. Also, Hearts of Steel, while conceptually cool was never fully explored like it could've been. It had some neat ideas but the story was shallow and ended up as mostly eye candy. Doing a two issue follow-up that does an even worse job doesn't help it's case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover "A" by Guido Guidi

 (Special thanks to Zavian Sildra for the copy of this issue which I reviewed). 

Comic Review...

Cover by Livio Ramondelli

Transformers: Autocracy #4

Writers: Chris Metzen and Flint Dille
Artist: Livio Ramondelli

Summary:  ORION PAX-- Prisoner!? Forced into meeting with the Decepticon leader, MEGATRON, Pax--the 'bot who will someday be Optimus Prime-- finds himself outnumbered... but the real threat may not be wearing a Decepticon badge.

Comments:  Megatron meets with Orion Pax, revealing the information Soundwave found to him. He knows it will get to Orion's sense of justice (he also tells Orion that his team was sent there to fail as an excuse for Zeta to start a full-on war with the Decepticons). The Autobots escape afterward but Megatron allows them to get away. Back at base, Zeta Prime dresses Orion down for his failure then orders him and his team on one more mission--to find the insurgent who bombed them earlier in Kaon: a Cybertronian named Hot Rod.
   A pretty good chapter of the story. It's clear Zeta Prime will stop at nothing to get the war he wants, even if means sacrificing everyone on his side to do it. It's only a matter of time before Orion revolts against him...  Everyone is in-character quite well in this story with one exception--Orion Pax's speech patterns sound a bit off to me. He's a bit too casual sounding in some scenes and I would expect the character to use slightly more formal sounding language (while all the others sound perfect). One could argue that since he's not Prime yet this works but it seemed weird to me.

Verdict:  Good. 


Available online only (from www.comixology.com for 0.99 USd)