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[D-Maximal_Primal]

I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

[Randomhero]

I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I'm not gonna say that Proteus is not an option, but this is something can never be resolved until that mask comes off

[LE0KING]

I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

Proteus is essentially a nobody. If the mask comes off and it's him the vast majority of the fandom will go "who?" He's a background character who's name doesn't carry enough weight for Tarn's big reveal.

[Randomhero]

I'm not gonna say that Proteus is not an option, but this is something can never be resolved until that mask comes off

wouldnt it be so anticlimactic if its just a nobody? its bumper! he survived megaton stepping on his head in Megatron Origins and was rebuilt as Tarn lol

aside from the Tarn talk I am starting to worry about this story. its ten damaged autobots and not even their best warriors against not just five stupidly over powered psychopaths that killed two hundred autobots on a duplicate Lost Light but five stupidly over powered psychopaths that killed two hundred autobots on a duplicate Lost Light and FIVE HUNDRED decepticons. for all intended purposes, theyre all dead. 10 or so damaged autobots should all die but this isnt the end and we know maybe one might die.

Could Drift and Ratchet or the Protectobots or both show up and help out? maybe but 1. none of them know where the Necrobots planet is because they all already left before anyone found it and I doubt Crosscut will tell them where it is.

the only way i see this ending is the dicks that mutinied having a change of heart and the Lost Light showing up to save them. just starts bombing the Decepticons with those missiles that took out overlord. that was my biggest problem with how this story started. everyone on the lost light was okay with dropping Rodimus and crew on a planet with the DJD and expecting them to be unharmed if the deliver Megatron. Riptide saw what happened to the other lost Light. Personally i dint it hard to believe guys like Hoist, Blaster, Mainframe and especially Perceptor would be okay with this.

I am hoping that some members of Deathsaurus is actualy loyal to Megatron and is waiting to start stabbing the DJD in the back. probably wont happen.

I do kind of wanna see Tailgate fight Lugnut. Im not really fan of the DJD as a group, they're 4 over powered generics led by another overpowered generic that has only finally been given character in the past 12 months but LUGNUT! GLORIOUS!!!!

[Randomhero]

I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

Proteus is essentially a nobody. If the mask comes off and it's him the vast majority of the fandom will go "who?" He's a background character who's name doesn't carry enough weight for Tarn's big reveal.

oh I disagree. fans of IDW and mostly MTMTE know exactly who Proteus is. Hes one of the main reasons Megtron is who is and what he became and he is the reason Shockwave became what he was. He was the main villain in Chaos Theory's flashbacks and Shadow Play. Proteus holds plenty of weight because he is one main people who was responsible for the war starting.

He's like the emperor in Star Wars. He is not required to show up in panel all the time, his presence is felt.

[LE0KING]

oh I disagree. fans of IDW and mostly MTMTE know exactly who Proteus is. Hes one of the main reasons Megtron is who is and what he became and he is the reason Shockwave became what he was. He was the main villain in Chaos Theory's flashbacks and Shadow Play. Proteus holds plenty of weight because he is one main people who was responsible for the war starting.

He's like the emperor in Star Wars. He is not required to show up in panel all the time, his presence is felt.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk here, but I think you're playing up a character you like (dislike) Besides unless shadow play was involved, (possible I guess) the guy's personality and build are just too different.

And even if I accepted him as The Emperor archetype, it'd be like finding out tr-8r was the emperor in disguise. Difficult to believe to say the least.

[Va'al]

Always Two There Are...
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
"If you want to break someone—mentally, physically, emotionally—wait until they're happy. Let them live and love and thrive. Once they recognize the value of a life well lived... THAT'S when you move in for the kill. Because you can't take anything from someone who has nothing to lose." --Tarn

Promises

Story

There is one big story being told here, and it's quite clear who the main character is - despite what Rodimus may think, what the various pairings have brought, this is now Megatron's tale, and his relationship with the Decepticon credo, its precepts, its inception, its ultimate corruption and downfall, and how all that reflects back onto him through his greatest admirer and follower: Tarn.

Sorry Rodders

If the main story concerns Megatron, his decisions and his past and present colliding, there are so many other spotlights allowed across the entire cast, especially on the Lost Light/Team Rodimus side. Swerve and Ten, in particular (but not just them), get some excellent advancement in their own personal arcs, especially the latter.

Ten, ten ten, Teeen

And then we have the other side, the freakily, scarily, horrifyingly charismatic leader of the DJD, and the expression of what Megatron has been in the eyes, minds and lives of innumerable lives across the galaxy: Tarn. We begin - begin - to see what will be coming soon in the arc, and the tension is really just kept to build and strain.

Ooh, morbid!

The moments are heartfelt, there are tough choices and decisions, and even tougher talks to be had. The tension is still building up, and there is no resolution as yet of course, but this issue takes the story into some heavy territories, while drawing on some narrative beats we have encountered before in James Roberts' writing, and this series in particular.

Art

Alex Milne brings some excellent composition to the table, for the issue. We have several shots of ensembles, but the solo poses are probably some of the best in a while in this run, and not just for the major players in the game. We get magnificent layouts, linework, plus strained cheerfulness for Swerve, some actual affection shown among the crew, and some of the saddest/most mortified Megatrons around.

All together now!

The emotional turmoil running through Megatron and the Lost Lighters, even with Swerve and Whirl, is particularly highlighted by the impressive colouring and lighting contrasts, deftly deployed by Joana Lafuente. Once again, and yes, I'm falling into repetition, Tarn and Megatron get some nice specular and parallel treatments, in terms of how shadows fall (and who casts them), and the whole book carries the weight of it.

Ominous shadowwwwsss

While a lot of the action is contained to the initial pages, even just the title page is a wonderful example of what Tom B. Long's good lettering can do to a book. I mean, look at the first image of this review. There are a number of instances where the font and letters make or break a panel, again, still, always. As for covers, I am still wondering where the colourist credit for the Andrew Griffith (gorgeous) Tarn variant, but we also get Livio Ramondelli's first venture in DJD territory (thumbnailed) and the regular, terrifying slot with Alex Milne and Josh Perez.



Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

You will have noticed, I have used mostly images from the public preview in this review - there are some many excellent pages and panels that I'd rather readers took time and space to enjoy themselves, I didn't want to ruin the experience. One passage in particular is almost moving, and the writing and visuals are a masterful blend to convey the number of emotions (particularly on one side of the spectrum) in the book.

Still not showing - have an explosion

As fellow critical comics reader ScottyP said to me, as I was preparing the review: The Hype Was Real. This is a truly well done, well thought out, well crafted book, touching on all the major themes that the series has explored so far, and venturing into a new one altogether, with some returning elements that were almost left to one side, and some that have been a long way coming.

. - out of

[Crosscheck]

Yay, Drift and Ratchet to save the day. I really hope Ten makes it, he is actually a pretty fun character.

So he was showing that the Storm Shield Generator plus the flowers equals Trailbreaker. Obviously, it is a reference to using the flowers to power the generator to create a shield.

[Ironhidensh]

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue. Only thing I think I liked in the whole issue was the last page.

[Va'al]

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

[1984forever]

If I had to spend money to read MTMTE #51 I would feel ripped off right now. A good portion of the story was wasted debating on what to do with the Necrobot's meat locker. The most disturbing part of the book was not Milne's decision to continue drawing Rodimus as a fembot, but Roberts putting in a letters page so people could heap praises upon his fanfic and talk about how it saved their life

[Randomhero]

I thought it was pretty well done. It's certainly not perfect. The reason for nobody using the quantum transport door I don't feel was the best executed. In a situation like this someone should have gone through. That thing can go anywhere in the galaxy and can link up to anyone's spark signature. We know space bridges and quantum engines can work in sync. Low power or not there's not good excuse that can't make a jump to Cybertron, let the council know what is transpiring and send every damn soldier and combiner to that planet and fight. Just my personal opinion.

Glad with the last page. It's been almost 3 years for drift and 1 for ratchet. Don't know how they knew to go there since they've only been on that planet for a couple hours and would have needed to be in the area and everything but it's fine. Things are happening.

[Randomhero]

If I had to spend money to read MTMTE #51 I would feel ripped off right now. A good portion of the story was wasted debating on what to do with the Necrobot's meat locker. The most disturbing part of the book was not Milne's decision to continue drawing Rodimus as a fembot, but Roberts putting in a letters page so people could heap praises upon his fanfic and talk about how it saved their life

Again for someone who does nothing but complain about how much they don't like IDW, you sure do read the books and know all about them and their continuity extensively.

Here's a suggestion, don't read them. They're not for you. Move on to another media. Grow up.

[Ironhidensh]

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

[Randomhero]

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

I think it's a strong 4. It's not perfect and personally I can see where some people would be a little disappointed with it. It's very 'standing around with a mcguffin that can get us all out of here but we're staying and going to die. Why? Because'

Reason I say that is because Megatrons speech about organics is a little bit contradictory to how the Cybertronians have been portrayed in IDW. At the beginning with the -ation series it very much stated that organic life is not important to the autobots or Decepticons. The infiltration protocol for the autobots was "try and stop the decepticons" TRY. Optimus during escalation even says they may not be able to save earth. Their duty is to stop the decepticons but if they can't, then they bail out and try another time on another planet. We saw the wreckers even bail out and consider a planet a lost cause. One of Optimus most memorable and controversial lines in Simons run was "earth will have to fend for itself" it wasn't till the end of all hail megatron for Optimus to realize they need to change their outlook and we saw that in costas run, not everyone shared his feelings about working with and helping organics. We still are seeing that in johns book.

Personally I wasn't comvinced that everyone would share that idea of saving 60 organics because right now they still think they're all going to die when they decide to stay. By that point they're not saving anyone. Honestly the DJD were already in the nectobots home and didn't find that room, they could just lock it up and hope they don't find it and leave, it was buried pretty deep.

[Quint]

Assuming that Prime and Megatron have remained the same height over these years, barring Megatron's time as a B2 stealth bomber, they've been roughly equal to each other in the time, haven't they?

Therefore Tarn's current height is substantially shorter than Roller's was.

Height wise: Roller > Megatron / Prime > Tarn

Significant?

Bearing in mind Alex Milne himself has defined the above scales, this should be a fair test.

Excellent issue this month, although the ceasefire was a bit of a clunky conceit.

[Va'al]

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

I think it's a strong 4. It's not perfect and personally I can see where some people would be a little disappointed with it. It's very 'standing around with a mcguffin that can get us all out of here but we're staying and going to die. Why? Because'

Reason I say that is because Megatrons speech about organics is a little bit contradictory to how the Cybertronians have been portrayed in IDW. At the beginning with the -ation series it very much stated that organic life is not important to the autobots or Decepticons. The infiltration protocol for the autobots was "try and stop the decepticons" TRY. Optimus during escalation even says they may not be able to save earth. Their duty is to stop the decepticons but if they can't, then they bail out and try another time on another planet. We saw the wreckers even bail out and consider a planet a lost cause. One of Optimus most memorable and controversial lines in Simons run was "earth will have to fend for itself" it wasn't till the end of all hail megatron for Optimus to realize they need to change their outlook and we saw that in costas run, not everyone shared his feelings about working with and helping organics. We still are seeing that in johns book.

Personally I wasn't comvinced that everyone would share that idea of saving 60 organics because right now they still think they're all going to die when they decide to stay. By that point they're not saving anyone. Honestly the DJD were already in the nectobots home and didn't find that room, they could just lock it up and hope they don't find it and leave, it was buried pretty deep.

Entirely convincing? No.
But as ScottyP pointed out to me, look at the parallels with the Sparkeater arc at the very start - basically same situation, same resolution. And you have a much more diverse cast this time round, too, though all 'loyal' (ironic, given Brainstorm's in there) to the cause at this stage.

I think the dialogue, the speeches, the tension between the different characters made up for what the story lacked, and that is my minus in the score.


Also, my favourite panel of them all, which I will share tomorrow for a fair chance for other readers.

[Randomhero]

And I totally respect yours and Scottys thoughts. As I said I did enjoy this book. And I think for past couple reviews you guys can tell that if I have a problem, unlike some people, I will explain very thoroughly why I have a problem and am totally willing to hear anyone defense on it.

Great review by the way as always. Sorry I didn't say that early

[Va'al]

And I totally respect yours and Scottys thoughts. As I said I did enjoy this book. And I think for past couple reviews you guys can tell that if I have a problem, unlike some people, I will explain very thoroughly why I have a problem and am totally willing to hear anyone defense on it.

Great review by the way as always. Sorry I didn't say that early

I never look for the compliments, no need to apologise! I enjoy the chats we're allowed to have in these forums once comics come out. Sitting on the review copy since the previous Friday is hard, as it's usually me, ScottyP and one other person's thoughts we keep bouncing around.


So thank you for taking the time to type out thoughts longform, it is much appreciated, and makes the comics work on the site all the more worth it.


I had three moments, at least, on my third read, that still made me feel things. That has not happened in a while with this book (last time was Pipes, Chromedome, Rewind, Overlord issues, or maybe Ratchet's goodbyes), and I think it fully deserved me recognising those moments.

[Randomhero]

I'm not too worried about ten. As for as we know he doesn't have a spark that we know. You could hopefully just cut his head off and put him in a new body. I'd hope so at least.

My wow moment was the ending, it was what Ten wrote on the floor. I had to pause for that one.

As happy as I am to see ratchet and drift, they are kind of standing in front of Kaon and Helex who magically disappear once they show up...

[Randomhero]

And I totally respect yours and Scottys thoughts. As I said I did enjoy this book. And I think for past couple reviews you guys can tell that if I have a problem, unlike some people, I will explain very thoroughly why I have a problem and am totally willing to hear anyone defense on it.

Great review by the way as always. Sorry I didn't say that early

I never look for the compliments, no need to apologise! I enjoy the chats we're allowed to have in these forums once comics come out. Sitting on the review copy since the previous Friday is hard, as it's usually me, ScottyP and one other person's thoughts we keep bouncing around.


So thank you for taking the time to type out thoughts longform, it is much appreciated, and makes the comics work on the site all the more worth it.


I had three moments, at least, on my third read, that still made me feel things. That has not happened in a while with this book (last time was Pipes, Chromedome, Rewind, Overlord issues, or maybe Ratchet's goodbyes), and I think it fully deserved me recognising those moments.

I can totally tell when you have a copy too. Once the full preview is posted, you go quiet and don't contribute to the discussions much or at all. Which I respect, I don't think I could hold myself back

[D-Maximal_Primal]

The last page was definitely a hell yeah moment for me. And Ten's personification in this book was very excellent and I really enjoyed it. And the deal with the transport chamber was well handled, though I had hoped at least 1 character would have gone through.

Overall, my thoughts mirror Va'al's and Scotty's. This was a very solid issue and the arc is living up to its potential and its hype. They are channeling all the critical reception from the past year and have made something very worthwhile with this. Now we have the wait to see what happens next.

And I would say there were about 3 big moments for me too, things I did not see coming or things that really just touched me. I'll wait for spoilers reasons.

[DarkEnergon]

It both satisfied and frustrated. I had to do an immediate reread, and didn't understand ten's drawing til I came here

For every resolution we get, four more questions!

[sabrigami]

Was going to wait and read this arc in one go. But The review made it sound good and I have no willpower. So here I am...

Things are lining up great. I liked this and the last issue a lot. All my faves are in one place having great moments so I can't complain. I have been very lukewarm about this season thus far. It finally feels like things are picking up and getting back to the basics again.

Poor Ten...while I have to give Ravage credit for being a quick thinker, I was cringing at the abuse the poor guy it taking. I hope he makes it and gets a little more respect and praise after this is over. I'm also glad to see the odd couple again! Not sure if I'm feeling Drift's new design though. I liked the old one better.


I liked this issue but I didn't love it. It's hard for me to want to get to deeply into this yet because I know this is only a small part. It was a good taste. I hope the main course is just as good