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Synopsis
TOGETHER AT LAST! The crew of the Lost Light and the survivors of CYERTRON get a brief moment of calm as they take stock of who’s survived DARK CYBERTRON this far. But things get worse—the final fate of the DEAD UNIVERSE reveals a nightmarish link to the greatest threat the universe has ever faced!
It rhymes!
Story
Are we ready for this? I think not. We have all the casts merging, clashing, bashing and - just hanging. Because why not. Everything in Dark Cybertron seems to have been leading up to this particular issue, or at least this issue as a means of resolution for the major plot points. Does it deliver is the question here, really. Well, read on.
..go on, tell us MOAR
We get some excellent dialogue and laundry hanging with, in no particular order, Megatron, Arcee, Prowl, Windblade, Chromedome, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Ratchet, Brainstorm and Prowl. In fact, there are a lot of questions that are starting to get a glimpse of a potential answer. And Prowl gets into a lot of discussions, with a lot of other characters, about everything he's done since the Death of Optimus Prime.
Except the Greenicons, they like him
What felt a bit odd was the pacing of all that is going on against the backdrop, between some very laid-back moments - excellent for characters to show their natures - and some more tense ones - see above. But a lot of the scenes are taking place during one, long speech by Shockwave, given to Galvatron. It's exposition. But it's long-needed, long-wanted exposition. And most importantly, it's answers.
Feels as much here, too
Do we get all the answers? No. But we do get some answers, and an exceptionally good set-up for the next big two issues coming up. We look more into Megatron, Arcee, Chromedome, Windblade, Prowl, *especially* Prowl and Shockwave. What didn't work amazingly, for me at least, was the discordant pacing. A lot of things are happening at the same time, and the time is very diluted between the things happening.
Art
While there is still a double art team, with Livio still smoking up the Dead Universe happenings, Alex Milne makes his return on part of the issue - and things are looking very, very good. Brendan Cahill also does an exceptional job on the his pages of the issue (especially with the panelwork!), and Brian Shearer's inks top it all off magnificently, paving the way for the colour magic.
Yes, this page again. Because.
We saw Josh Perez' work in the making with the double page spread the other day, but the rest of the issue is just as beautiful. Ramondelli also gives a really nice touch to the colouring hues in his sections of the book, with a lighter palette as we approach the end of the darkness.. or do we?
Do I need to say anything else?
Tom B. Long is back on letters, and even though the work in this one is subtle, it works witha everything else that is going on. Special mentions go to the three absolutely stunning covers, A by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente, B by Phil Jimenez and Romulo Fajardo Jr, and the incentive Milne and Perez - in the thumbnail!
Thoughts Spoilerish ahead
So, the question was: does it deliver? Yes. Yes it does. Action, lack thereof, plot, developments, characters, dialogue and most especially artistic endeavours all conflate into one giant, ominous, cyclopic purple instance - and yet the actual storm has yet to really hit. I'm not sure the next chapter will leave us intact, at this point.
Oh shush
Want to find out what Shockwave's actually been up to? Want to see what Megatron thinks of himself and Cybertron? Hear what the Dead Universe bots are going on about? Actually get some answers? Read this issue. It's only-just-not perfect, but you will read this issue. Go on. We'll be here. Waiting.
THE FIGHT FOR CYBERTRON! GRIMLOCK and his DINOBOTS meet up with old allies and try to stop the new threat to the planet. But as things get heated, the outcome becomes uncertain. A new beginning… or the end of the DINOBOTS?
WILL THEY SURVIVE?!
Story
And here we are. After seven issues, a previous mini-series, three seasons of a TV series and an epilogue, Beast Hunters actually ends in all its iterations. Mike Johnson writes the final issue, continuing the story where we left it last month, with plot by him and Mairghread Scott. I'm almost a little sad about it.
So is Bulkhead
We're dealing with the Dinobots, Firestar, Chromia and a whole lotta bots on Cybertron and the whole of the cast of Forged and a grumpy Predacon, just as Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee show up again, after the events of Predacons Rising. Or at least, that's what it looks like from the various references to 'Optimus' sacrifice'.
Guess who died. Again
The dialogue does seem to have improved, and what I really liked was the fact that the characters didn't blurt out the whole story of Predacons Rising or the series, assuming the presence of a knowledgeable readership. Though as some have pointed out, how do the Dinobots not know what happened? How far were they from the actions of Unicron/Megatron and Optimus Prime?
All the recap we need
The story does have a conclusion to it, and a vague sense of closure, but I can't help but feel as though something is still missing from it. Maybe using the two-arc stories detracted from what could've been a long running plot, with a bit more to it. It promised so much to begin with!
Art
Agustin Padilla on art doesn't disappoint, to be fair, though I've seen complaints about the main Prime cast. I like that we get to see a different incarnation of them, other than the show. I enjoy seeing different takes on the same character, especially after such a long time in the same aesthetic. I like the big vast landscapes, and even the simple urban backdrops.
Dat sky
My usual points of merit for the amazing colourwork and lettering still stand for this final issue too. Priscilla Tramontano does some brilliant work with shadows and different light sources, and keep an eye on the changing sky, in tone with the narration. Tom B. Long also gets more stage space, with a lot of LOUD NOISES part of the more action-packed scenes.
After Boom Boom Pow..
So while the artwork may not be anything surprising, or disappointing or overwhelming either way, it's good, it suits the story and its tone and works really well with the main cast. I've enjoyed the team's work on this run, as I've really enjoyed Ken Christiansen's covers. Maybe we'll see Padilla elsewhere?
Thoughts Spoilerish ahead
All in all, it wasn't a bad issue, conclusion or series. My biggest complaint was the fact that, for me, it didn't live up to the first two issues and what they had set out to do. I would probably not have read this at all, had they not been as good. But the series was good, not amazingly so, but good, with a warm glow at the end. And I really hope to see Scott working on more comics.
We need more Firestar
As I've said above, there have been a few minor complaints about the series, in terms of art too - but personally I never had that bother me as much. I think Padilla, Tramontano and Long fitted the themes and tones of the stories told perfectly. I'd be interested to see them work with other arts and colours, even if just out of curiosity, but a sketchy Grimlock will always look good to me!
STARSCREAM UNDER FIRE! The all-new, all-redesigned, all-leader-of-the-planet STARSCREAM makes his move! Will he stand up for CYBERTRON, or fall under SHOCKWAVE’s onslaught? Meanwhile—the Lost Light receives a desperate call from help from an old friend!
His fabulous, sassy move
Story
PREVIOUSLY, in the reviews: People in the Dead Universe, people on Cybertron, people on the Lost Light! Orion Pax, Starscream, Ultra Magnus! Got it? Got it! (!) But, on the other hand, the Roll Call page has shifted, and that's a nifty little placeholder, actually, giving a sense of the different scenes and their cast.
Dead people in the universe?
John Barber and James Roberts keep weaving the tale of this previously unknown prophecy telling of the advent of a Dark Cybertron, with cyclopses, titans, comets and the such. So it all makes sense. Or does it? I'm not sure how far I can buy into a long-standing legend that has never really been heard of before, though.
Heh, dig
I like what they're doing with Rattrap, even the very explicit reveals about his character or potential ulterior motives. What I also like is the Magnus-driven plot aboard the Lost Light, pointing to a different use of his character, now that all the layers have been sliced off. And Brainstorm is still great.
Schooled!
The plot is actually unexpected at this point, I was not anticipating the Necrotitan's involvement so soon, nor was I expecting its aftermath so quickly. I am extremely intrigued by what on earth is Shockwave planning, that's for sure. Will we ever know?
Art
I feel a lot better about the artwork in this issue, even if it is the same two artists: James Raiz for Lost Light Scenes, Atilio Rojo for Cybertron scenes. The latter's linework looks much better, inexplicably, since last week's issue, and there are some brilliant shots of some (sigh) 'old friends'. Raiz really works well with Magnus and Brainstorm, and the inks don't look as dark as previously, though it can get a bit cluttered at times.
Where we're going, we don't need no chairs
I was going to say something about the colours and how they work with the lines but HOLY HOTPANTS BATMAN. Josh Perez takes splash and spreads to new levels, and you'll see what I mean when you read it! The colours are good all over, but those scenes are ridiculously good. Tom B. Long is equally impressive in his lettering, and never gets in the way unless needed. But when he is, he adds some great personality to the noises and sounds.
Wait for it...
As I said, the two different styles work a lot better for me in this issue, for some reason. Maybe it's the script transition, maybe it's the colours, maybe it's the tone getting darker, but whatever it is, it works. Make sure to check out Nick Roche's cover B for some added goodness, too.
Thoughts Spoilerish ahead
It's getting there, oh is it getting there. We're finally clocking into what might be happening, we get some good action out of it, the characters are being set.. and yet, it feels like we're going back to previous Barber-isms. We'll have to see how it all plays out, but I am not impressed or surprised at the final pages, nor at the big event of the issue. Hm. I like it, but I'm annoyed at it, too.
Well put, Arcee
The art seems to blend better for me, and Perez' work on the two styles definitely contributes to that. I'm glad we only have two artists this time round, and I'd rather this were the case from here on. I have a feeling this issue will only pass readers' judgement once we see how the aftermath evolves.
SHOCKPOINT! In the wastelands of CYBERTRON, SHOCKWAVE makes his move—and SOUNDWAVE and the DECEPTICONS step up to stop him! While the battle of the century rocks the ancient ruins of the Crystal City, dig back into the history of these titanic rivals!
Cyclopic, even
Story
Dark Cybertron draws ever closer, but with MTMTE finishing off its arc this week, RID chooses to stall another month, giving us some insight into another of the major players in what lies ahead for the Transformers universe. This time, we take the superior vantage point of the observer and Decepticon communications expert: Soundwave.
Affirmative
While the technique is essentialy the same as previous issues with Bumblebee, Arcee and Starscream, Barber has added some time-shifting into the mix, allowing for Soundwave's tale to shed some light onto his own past and Shockwave's, through his interactions with and observations of him, and reveals more of our protagonist's personal beliefs.
Soundwave: Fanboy
We find out in the first couple of pages about Soundwave's synaesthesia, his relationship with emotions and feelings, his distrust of Shockwave and loyalty to Megatron, how it all began, how it worked, and how it might end up now that all is crumbling (again). His attachment and relationship with some of the cassettes is also briefly explored, in passing.
Smells a funny colour
Yes, it's another stalling issue. Yes, it's another caption monologue focused on one character. But it's Soundwave, it's well-written, it bounces around it time and continuities and actually gives us some inkling as to what's about to happen!
Art
The artwork. Barber had a brilliant idea here, getting both Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli to work together, one taking over the present-day narrative, the other on flashback duties. And the writing blends in perfectly, by the way. But the two very different styles, with different incarnations of the characters work amazingly together.
Griffith and Ramondelli, not necessarily in that order
Colour duties are down to Ramondelli for his own pages and linework, and the amazing Priscilla Tramontano for Griffith's work. Once again, she does not disappoint, getting some nice red visor flare in Soundwave's features, and a particularly effective use of appropriate lighting in different settings.
Peekaboo
Shawn Lee's lettering continues to pleasantly surprise, too, with some excellent work on soundwords and speechbubbles throughout, meshing well with the different characters. And it's very nice to see three very different covers by Griffith, Ramondelli and Casey Coller with Joana Lafuente's colours.
Thoughts Spoilerish ahead
An issue that showcases Barber's writing talents at his best: the upcoming crossover, continuity references and inner monologues, while flicking through time. It may not advance the plot much, or at all, stalling once more before the beginning of Dark Cybertron, but boy does it deliver by focusing on Soundwave.
And so does Barber
The mixture of artwork is brilliant, using Ramondelli's flashbacks with Griffith's present, and the issue just looks fabulous all round. Highly recommended Spotlight: Soundwave part 2, with some great Shockwave backstory to boot!
NEW CYBERTRON! It’s a brand new day—and STARSCREAM is in charge! But running a planet isn’t as easy as it looks… if BUMBLEBEE couldn’t do it, why does the former DECEPTICON think he can?
] He has a plan!
Story
Remember how last issue was about Orion Pax and Gorlam Prime? And the one before about the factions now residing outside Iacon and Arcee, and before that it was Shockwave and D(r)eadwing? If you haven't read them yet, you're in luck, as issue 20 still does not advance the plot much!
You're welcome
Starscream really does take centre stage with this issue, and with him arguably being the best character to come out of Robots in Disguise, that is definitely not a bad thing. Barber has swapped his monologue by captions technique by coming out and calling the issue 'Three Monologues', allowing him to let Starscream speak, pretty much to himself, the whole time.
And to cameras!
It feels a little better than the usual floating voices, and there are ways of showing a 'silent audience' like Metalhawk's body which almost justify it. But Screamer-fest aside, very little happens in the issue, except for the introduction of upcoming toy Scoop and potential upcoming toy Rattrap.
Who also has a distinct.. er.. voice
The characterisation and hints at future developments aren't bad, and I enjoyed it more than other issues along the same lines. But the story really did not do much, at all. Rattrap is a peculiar choice, in terms of personality, especially when placed next to Starscream, and Scoop felt almost unnecessary.
Art
Visually, though, it works really well. From Metalhawk's body and the other ..incapacitated characters throughout the issue to the newcomers Rattrap and Scoop, and the play between blacked-out Iacon and the city once power is restored - it's all really good looking. And Griffith shows off his skills on page 6, with some excellent panel work.
Boy, does Starscream love that pose
The lighting differences mentioned above really pop out thanks to Priscilla Tramontano's colouring work. The story progresses from complete darkness in the heart of night to the first lights of dawn, via artificial lighting coming back in operation - and yes, you can feel it in the tones and shades.
J.J. Abrams directed this scene
Shawn Lee's lettering work gets a few particularly creative moments too, which is very nice to see. The three artists working on this issue have done a stellar job to make a fairly static story particularly aesthetically pleasing, and if anything, pick the issue up for the look of it.
Thoughts Spoilerish ahead
Abandoning the caption monologue was a good strategy, though I'm not sure how I feel about still having the monologues anyway. On the plus side, they fit the character of Starscream perfectly. The art on the issue, also Starscream-centric, is stunning, and if Starscream Starscream, then Starscream Starscream Starscream. So Starscream. Starscream?
Starscream
Starscream-fest aside, though, it does little to the plot other than introduce two-three characters and hint at some stuff, and it then tries to make up for it with the final page reveal - which is nice, but the gimmick is getting a bit tiresome. Still, as I said, I enjoyed it more than previous similar issues, and Starscream really does shine in this.
I, shamefully, was disappointed that this issue did not continue the Shockwave story that we were introduced to in the last issue of RID, but instead went on to continue where the story left off in RID ONGOING #16. Starscream had rejected all group affiliation badges, and was forcing Cybertronians who would not give up their previous allegiances to leave and go out to the wild of Cybertron making the city a place without war and factions.
This issue picks up a few minutes before the moment of exodus presented at the end of RID 16, when choices are still being made as to who wants to leave Iacon and who wants to go in the Autobot group. Bumblebee’s injuries from the huge battle are brought to the forefront, and as those who will not take off their Autobot badges (or Decepticon insignias) leave the city under guarded watch (seems a little hypocritical, no?) and start to travel to a new location, Bee’s injuries worsen...
Since the action all happened the last few issues, we see more of the ramifications of the Decepticon sack of Iacon amongst the jettisoned Autobot wagon train.
As the preview pages showed us, many Autobots are trying to figure out where and how they belong now, and what they are about. Prowl, Arcee, and Bumblebee seem to be the main focus because there are trust and or confidence issues in these three from most of the rest of the Autobot group, each of them having played some major part in the previous chaos and ultimately led to this unfortunate situation.
Of note in the story: We have Arcee trying to find out how to be an Autobot, and trying to fit in with a group that she clearly stands out from not only in appearance, but also because of her insane experience on Gorlam Prime with Jhiaxus, and as Jhiaxus’ experiment before that. Barber works hard to get across that Arcee is really struggling with being part of a group, and understanding the ‘sane’ real world and the social dynamics involved.
Prowl is dealing with being left out of the group--the group he is used to being in the inner circle of, the organizer of, and sometimes defacto leader of. Somewhat coerced into isolation by the rest of the Autobots in the camp because of an admission by Arcee about Prowl’s involvement with Ratbat’s death pre-cerebro shell, Prowl has seen his acceptance back in due to ‘Decepticon mind control excuse’ be cut short by Arcee’s inability to the tenuous relationship and acception. No doubt in his isolation Prowl is calculating how to regain acceptance, and yet coming to terms with all that he has experienced. As he tries to shed the previous horrors, there are those amongst the Autobots who are constant reminders of what happened, and his involvement.
Bumblebee failed to keep the peace in Iacon, and to lead the Autobots to victory. And in that failure he has lost the Autobots’ faith in him as a leader. They still need him and want him around, but as a leader they see him as incapable, it seems. While Bumblebee’s external injuries seem to be causing him the most discomfort at this time, it’s his inner angst and acceptance of his errors as a leader that has been most problematic. The external injuries catch up with the inner turmoil, and Bee takes a very bad turn for the worse.
I felt very uncomfortable at times reading this story. For example, it’s really hard to believe that the Autobots can easily accept the group in their midst that just basically destroyed Iacon, and the community that they had worked to establish--and by ‘the group’ I’m not talking about Arcee, Prowl, and Bumblebee--. In fact, the Autobots have made it a point to be very leery of Prowl and Arcee, but openly SEEM to accept their collaborators-- Decepticons--Decepticons who have killed or seriously wounded their Autobot comrades. Even the Dinobots are ready to just forgive and forget over energon shots. Really? I know Ironhide states he doesn’t trust them, I just hope it doesn’t turn into the Constructicons being repainted white and red. While I do believe the feelings toward Arcee and Prowl are warranted, and that the Autobots will be cautious with the Constructicons around, it seems odd. Sure the Bots can be compassionate, and maybe Ironhide is trying to avoid having ‘the craziness’ happen to the Constructicons and then they pull a Superion at night and beat on the Autobots. Maybe it’s a feeling of it’s better to know where they are and what they are doing rather than not know. And the Constructicons do seem to be being rather amicable with the Autobots, but it seems like a weird move right now. The Autobots are also suffering a casualty of command structure which can lead to poor decision making too. Such craziness.
There are a few more surprises left as the last two pages connect to events in RID #17. The Autobots will have to quickly pull back together some kind of order of command to face this newest occurence, but the issue as a whole, while promising, is a bit hard to read. The art is eye-catching, but in a distracting manner. It’s blocky, and simple, and shows a lot of human like emotion in expressions, but the images seem a step down from the level we are used to in RID. I love reading Transformers fiction, and I surely did find some enjoyment in this issue as characters’ personalities grew, but the crafting of the growth felt awkward. Clearly, I am no writer though, so I trust that the writers who get paid, know what they are doing. I did love the realization about Superion (I didn’t have it until that moment in this issue, and it is certainly a cool new Transformers story point about gestalts!).
All in all, a somewhat slow-it-down-issue, which was to be expected. It has a few surprises, but not many WOW moments this time. I'm hard on this book because I feel like it hasn't quite caught on as MTMTE has with its blend of story and art, but RID has potential, and continues to surprise at times in with some cool and unpredictable plot points. It's still enjoyable as a Transformers series even if it has to live under it's more popular sibling's shadow.
RID ONGOING #18 hits comic book retailers on Wednesday.
SPOILER FREE
(CONTAINING SPOILERS FROM PREVIOUS RID ISSUES, HOWEVER)
It is quite the whirlwind this week for IDW Transformers comics this week, as their two biggest titles hit the shelf this Wednesday. My first review is for Robots In Disguise, and time certainly flies as we're already on the 11th issue. It has been a handful of weeks since we've been in the forefront of Cybertron politics as the RID Annual and the time travel filled Orion Pax RID #10 were the recent additions from Barber and company. To summarize our latest happenings with Bumblebee and friends, the Metrotitan, first discovered by the crew of the Lost Light, made its way back to its motherplanet, Cybertron. Before imploding due to unfortunate circumstances he had one last phrase; Starscream is the chosen one. Plot twist!
I think one of the biggest griefs some fans, including myself, have with the previous Robots In Disguise issues is that they tend to force the story to fit within the 22 page limit. While I am not the biggest fan of cliffhangers (the predecessors of both MTMTE and RID were full of them), I think comics are successful when they mix good story telling and make you yearn for more. At last I feel that Robots In Disguise #11 has hit the bullseye and is now on par with MTMTE. This issue feels like Barber's best!
I can't say that I was in league with those that thought RID would improve, but with hindsight, each story has been setting us up for what we have now. Whether this is our only climax in this series, or the first of many, we're being treated to some great characterization and storytelling.
One of the characters that I felt that had mistreatment in past issues (more in regards to just being hindered from using their true capabilities) was Arcee. In the IDW continuity, I think it's common knowledge that you shouldn't mess with Arcee. By the end of the issue, well let's just say that you really, really shouldn't mess with Arcee. She steals the show from Bumbleebee, Prowl, Starscream and 'hawk.
Ultimately, this is my favorite RID issue so far. The art (Guido stepping in for Griffith), storytelling, plot, dialogue, action and cliffhanger set this apart from any issue so far. Get it!
Events in this Annual follow the events of what happened in ‘More Than Meets The Eye ANNUAL 2012’. While one particular character and plot point is shared, ‘Robots In Disguise ANNUAL 2012’ can be enjoyed independently or vice versa, but really would you be reading one and not the other? I thought not.
Expect some spoilers to be shared here, but ultimately, you should still be able to go and enjoy your copy and still have some surprises. Grab it at your comic store this Wednesday.
I don’t think that a reader can make much of a case that IDW writers, illustrators, and creative teams are not pushing limits, thinking things through, picking up loose plot points, and honoring what came before. They pick old unfinished references and build on them more than the brain-twisting LOST did with its every episode a few years back (what you don’t remember LOST?). The intrigue and details are there for a reader to not only read and enjoy, but pay attention to all the subtle nuances, the dropped hints, and character building.
This issue drops us in with some fantastic retro art courtesy of Guido Guidi. Meant to do more than just remind a reader of ‘TRANSFORMERS ISSUE #1 in a 4 Issue Limited Series’, Guido actually talks about some of his choices in a section at the end of the annual, and his creative intentions with these ‘pages from the past’. The drawings, the shading, and the color choices all harken to early days of comicdom, and yet still differs itself enough from Wildman’s work in REGENERATION so as not to be confusing (they are both very noticeably homaging two different styles and periods in MARVEL’s original Transformers).
The contrasting styles between the art in the flashbacks, and the art in the present (or flash forwards if you prefer) in this issue makes for a nice eye-catching visual effect. But it’s purpose for the story is clear too. One never has to guess, or even wonder if he is currently reading about events in the past or the present, it is very clear thanks to the choices made with the art.
What we have story-wise is what THIS reader has been wanting more of; more information involving Cybertron’s history, Nova Prime, and the original Ark’s crew. One new interesting piece of plot we did not know until now was that Dai Atlas was amongst those who were closely aligned with Nova Prime before the destined space journey. But how did Dai Atlas end up being where he was with Crystal City when Drift found him and his followers? Why didn’t he suffer the same fate as the others from Nova Prime’s journey? You’ll have to read to find out. What’s really fun though is seeing Dai Atlas in all his ZONE glory including facial hair!
But wait good fellows, the Nova Prime story is not all that’s going on here. On present day Cybertron, as the Autobots and Decepticons are searching for Ironhide and the Dinobots, Blurr comes across a fantastic discovery, and of course, it’s one that Prowl wants to keep covered up to keep everyone safe--and to keep it out of Con hands. But Starscream, being Starscream, won’t allow that to happen. And like the teaser already gave away, Starscream ends up the better for his nosy intrusion.
The inclusion of and new history for the city-formers is very welcome as well. Who they are and why becomes more convincing than the previous histories that we had on them. Their size is not their only strength now, their importance, not merely being a base/city. The fact that they are ancient and hold many secrets adds a depth to the under-used Metros: Plex and Titan that previously really only existed in the imaginations of hungry fans.
While the Prowl and Starscream subplot doesn’t pay off much in this issue, it’s most certainly going to see ramifications in the near future in the RID regular series. One wonders if Megatron were a possibility, if Prowl would somehow coerce him to take Starscream out for good (not that Megs really needs to be coerced). Maybe it’s time for Prowl to get Arcee on Starscream’s case.
The really exciting piece of this story is the flashback pieces that include so many big players from Simon Furman’s run... It’s where the action is at as Omega Supreme battles monsters to once again protect Crystal City and its secrets. Nova Prime talks so benignly, and then appears to be less benign and more fanatical. It was quite weird or awkward to see group shots of Galvatron, Nova Prime, Cyclonus, Dai Atlas, and Jhiaxus. It’s ‘Legion of Doom’ like. And I have to say, I still dislike Jhiaxus movie inspired robot mode (although, I almost have my self convinced he modified himself based on seeing visions of another universe).
The fact that this and the previously released MTMTE annual take a big (huge) step in giving us more Transformers history to sink our teeth into really makes them worth owning. The story arc related to the present bots is annoyingly unexciting in the RID annual, and I hope it pays off in a bigger way down the road -- or in the next issue. RID seems a bit stuck right now, although the exploration outside of Iacon has helped to make things a little more interesting, but ultimately, something more needs to happen. The election needs to get under way, and Starscream needs to be ‘voted’ in. The cons need to use what they know about Prowl, and Prowl needs to spring his trap- or whatever he has planned. While little things have happened, we have not gotten really any large revelations from RID yet, and it needs a bit of a pay off to keep up with MTMTE (in my opinion of course).
I hope you’ll find this story to be as enjoyable as I did. The history pieces with Nova Prime, Dai Atlas, and Omega Supreme, and the tie-ins to previous material make it very, very interesting to read. The story happening in the present with the Titan, Prowl, Metalhawk, and Starscream is much less so. It’s just more of the same.
Kudos to IDW for not being afraid to out the ‘big guns’ in a big way. I hope we get to see more Metroplex and Alpha Trion soon to tap into the excitement generated by these two annuals.
"Does anybody else feel like FOC designs are being forced on us...or is it legit?"
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