Resurrecting a Dead Thread, for the second timeSo lets catch up briefly on what I've been reading.
Liars A to D and
Shadowplay, were two of the newest collections of the Part Work and while some stories were interesting concepts, the overall impression I have of the first 13 (+ annual) issues of the much lauded MTMTE is Underwhelming.
As noted, I tapped out of IDWverse with DoOP. Too far a departure from the Origin to LSoTW era that I found so captivating. To that end I have largely gone into reading these books, particularly as they are the initial arcs, with an unbiased and open mind.
My main point of contention with this series opening is that it could be anything. There is nothing in this series so far that clearly, proudly says 'Transformers'. I've read a lot of comics, of various genres. Without a distinct hook/voice of it's own, a series just becomes lost like a raindrop in the ocean.
Transformers typically has that, by default. The motivations, the world building, the contextualisation of the titular Giant Alien Robots. Most of this series however, is (dense) talking heads. It's like Star Trek, mixed with the humour of Red Dwarf, in Robot Cosplay. I imagine the appeal is akin to the Disney approach to Marvel Movies. Generalise and dilute the source material to make it as accessible to the general audience as possible.
Did I enjoy it? Not particularly. The initial arc "Liars A to D" was naff. The story involving Pharma was interesting , although there is a weird disconnect between the Ratchet of Infiltration and his Grandfather in this book. Shadowplay too was engaging, until the Prime fanwank took centre stage.
The biggest minuses are:
(1)
Swerve and Tailgate - Two "chibi" characters that are visually completely incongruous with the rest of the book. As someone with an artistic background, their jarring presence irritated me, to the extent I largely skimmed over their dialogue and scenes.
(2)
Whirl - I understand why he is visually different from the rest of the cast, being familiar with the history of his toy, and the way they tried to explain that away in Shadowplay was a nice touch. However, to me he is one of the worst characters in IDWverse, an Extreme 90's archetype that falls flat. So much so I think the book would have been better without him.
Overall both books get a 5/10. As I said, decidedly average and middle of the road by IDWverse stands previously set.
Moving onI've previously made it clear that I don't really value Marvel US over Marvel UK, in G1 Transformers. The art and stories of the latter were typically superior in every aspect and I didn't really rate Bob Budiansky as a result of that. Enter: The Underbase Saga
To think some fans complained that half a dozen characters died in The Movie.
If the level of culling in the Underbase Saga had been present in The Movie, I think Transformers would have ended there. Yet in terms of characterisation and story, this is Budiansky's best work. Ironically his swansong from the series too. The level of death in this book, as someone who champions plot progression over maintaining the status quo, is very impressive. Not to mention the disregard in which it takes place. There simply isn't the opportunity for heroic final moments, Starscream slaughters dozens per panel, unceremoniously. The art of Marvel US however, remains poor. I don't know if this picks up by the end of the series, but everything I've read via the part work to date, I am left somewhat pessimistic about the odds.
This one is an 8/10. A 9.5/10 if the art had been beyond serviceable.