I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'A Review of
Transformers #6Free of any explicit spoilers, but some are implied.
It's called "Free Fall" get it ha. War Dawn. Chaos Theory. Exodus. The origins of the conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron have been explored several times over in Transformers media with some examples being more successful and well remembered than others. For this
latest iteration of the franchise in comic book form, its sixth issue looks back at the relationship between Orion Pax and Megatron before any wars have ever begun. The resulting output is a meandering exercise in unrealized potential that squashes the positive momentum carried out of the previous issue. Read on to find out more about a series quickly falling into an identity crisis.
Tidal Wave's boat anchor was, sadly, not on the other end.The ambition here is plainly visible, as throughout 20 pages, it feels like the intention was to present the history of this iteration of Orion Pax and Megatron through a dreamlike recollection of days gone by with focus on small interpersonal moments that feed the current hyper-mild tension between these two franchise icons. The first anecdotal flashback sequence really works in building up these characters and their histories, with Megatron performing physical labor while Orion incompetently tries to assist his friend. This delivers the intended impact with an easy to follow but thought out depiction of the contrast in their personalities, though it's a bit subtle at times. It also casts a lens on each of their ambitions but remains rooted in just enough of who you already think these characters are. It was a great way to start out the flashback story that worked well within the medium of a comic book.
Then the problems really ramp up.
Some of the layouts were, yes sir.The second scene trying to do the same thing loses itself in an attempted spectacle that would probably look phenomenal in an animated medium, being set on a fantastical location on Cybertron's moon that allows for a metaphorical representation of Orion and Megatron's friendship to be presented. The visual presentation here didn't work for me and while I think the intended message is conveyed, it's delivered in a way that ultimately lacked a real emotional impact. Things happen and words are said but the art and story are too lost in their attempt at being respectively a cartoon and novel to work. Story wise, the dialogue drives home a great bit of
what while failing to convey how these characters
feel about it. This is caused by an over reliance on the big picture, potential implications of these Transformers' desires and ambitions on the world around them. Said world is still fuzzy, at least to this reader, creating a missed opportunity to make the dramatic tension later implied something rooted in a (presumably just friendly) relationship and its history of interactions and misunderstanding. The story opts instead to make it about anxiety and paranoia without earning its way to that goal.
Galaxy Downgrade OptimusVisually, there are too many panels to make the setting work. One of the best shots in the series was back in issue 1 via a two-page spread near the start that made Cybertron reflect elements of wonder and mystery. A similar choice might have helped here at some point along the way, and perhaps accompanying panels at the bottom (a technique used effectively in
Unicron,
More Than Meets The Eye and probably hundreds of other comics) could keep the needed space for the spoken words. At least one moment almost got there with a full page visual, but it suffers from another issue that I hope isn't as present in a printed copy: while the pencils here from newcomer Bethany McGuire-Smith show an artist definitely suited for more Transformers work, the finishes look incomplete. This could have helped the story and was likely intentional, given the way in which we're taken along in Codexa's memory to view what's presented on the page, but the visual technique never quite commits to embracing any surreal enough qualities to say that for certain.
Decepticon tyrant destroys Thanos with this one shocking line! Click for more!The covers available feature an amazing Jack Lawrence and Josh Burcham piece for the "A" cover that conveys some of the emotion that the interior contents were lacking for me. Interior artist McGuire-Smith's work is seen again on the "B" cover and is featured in this review's news story thumbnail. Jeffrey Veregge provides another wonderfully imaginative "travel poster" cover for the ten copy retailer incentive option,
available soon at the Seibertron eBay store along with the A cover and B cover. As previously covered, a retailer exclusive cover is also available. As always, you can also find images of all of the book's covers along with full credits for the issue in our
Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers #6.
Verdict
And the good girls are home with broken hearts Just when things take a step forward, they hop back in a strange way. This issue works best after issue 3, if it had to come this early, but the main problem here might be that it was too early to tell this story as the main result is an unearned, borderline illogical decision by Orion Pax on the actions he should take moving into the future after consulting with the Transformers equivalent of the Three-Eyed Raven of all things. There's subtlety and then there's a lack of elaboration - if the tone of this review has told you anything so far, it's that I found this installment falling into the latter category more so than the former. While there are some worthwhile moments and a clearly ambitious, cared for overall effort, the execution shows a reach that exceeded its grasp, or maybe a desire to make TV instead of a comic book.
Bottom line for this reviewer: I really
want to like this issue and can pick up what the creative team is possibly trying to craft, one scene in this really is good, but the crammed layouts and bone-dry dialogue are leaving me ambivalent towards the overall product.
Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 11:37 am
