IDW The Transformers #43 Casey Coller / Joana Lafuente Variant Cover

Va'al wrote:While the releases from IDW Publishing are still suffering from the aftermath of SDCC 15, cover artist for the most recent Transformers series Casey Coller has shared his and Joana Lafuente's variant cover for the upcoming The Transformers #43 issue! You can check out the Soundwave and Cosmos-centric piece mirrored below for your convenience.

SOUNDWAVE DEPLOYED. OPERATION: MACROSS!

Wait that shoulder mounted cannon is not a cosmetic decoration?

He finally uses his shoulder canon for once.

He's impersonating war machine someone call marvel

Yay for Soundwave/Cosmos spotlight!!

mirageandjazz1197 wrote:Wait that shoulder mounted cannon is not a cosmetic decoration?

So true, seen Soundwave take a punch to the face from a charging foe and never fire off a round. I forgot he even had them

The second piece of IDW news, also via Newsarama, is the full preview of next week's The Transformers #43, in which we catch up with Soundwave and the Decepticon commune in progress on Jupiter - check it out below, and come back to Seibertron.com on the date of release for our usual review!

Transformers #43
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a) • Griffith (c)
COSMOS UNLEASHED! A misunderstood AUTOBOT. A DECEPTICON space station. Cut off from their allies, SOUNDWAVE and COSMOS come face to face… alone.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Two fan-favorite characters together for the first time!
Who will command the SpaceBridge?
Variant Cover by James Biggie!

Blackrock confirmed for loving memes. Well I'm certainly please with the dialogue so far, a small taste of what's to come and I'm excited for the rest of the issue now.

The cassettes are more like sass-ettes.

Va'al wrote:The cassettes are more like sass-ettes.

I know...right? I'd have expected Rumble & Frenzy to be providing this kind of chatter. It's still fun to read.

I like the attitudes

Wait, how is Brawl on Earth and Cybertron at the same time? Cause he's in Transformers #44 as well.

Unless these events aren't happening at the same time?

Gearslide wrote:Wait, how is Brawl on Earth and Cybertron at the same time? Cause he's in Transformers #44 as well.

Unless these events aren't happening at the same time?

Well usually when a comic is numbered 43 and 44, stuff in 43 happens before 44.

Randomhero wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Wait, how is Brawl on Earth and Cybertron at the same time? Cause he's in Transformers #44 as well.

Unless these events aren't happening at the same time?

Well usually when a comic is numbered 43 and 44, stuff in 43 happens before 44.

Welp, color me embarrassed. For some reason in my head, I was picturing the events on Cybertron, Earth, and the Lost Light as three different series.

Still, he travels between the two planets pretty quick.

Gearslide wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

Gearslide wrote:Wait, how is Brawl on Earth and Cybertron at the same time? Cause he's in Transformers #44 as well.

Unless these events aren't happening at the same time?

Well usually when a comic is numbered 43 and 44, stuff in 43 happens before 44.

Welp, color me embarrassed. For some reason in my head, I was picturing the events on Cybertron, Earth, and the Lost Light as three different series.

Still, he travels between the two planets pretty quick.

They're not happening in exact same time. Issue 43 could take place now and 44 could be 1 or 2 or even 3 weeks later. They do have a space ship and shuttles.

Back in RID issue 5 happens about a month after 4 because they have cities built.

Also chronologically MTME is a month behind. That's why first aid is still on the lost light while on cybertron in Combiner Wars. Timeframe is a little wonky right now. For MTME CW is just about to kick off whereas on the other books is over and done

I'm really enjoying seeing the Decepticons interacting with humans, it's just so hilarious, to me anyway, to have Astrotrain being nice to humans after the bumpy docking. Not to mention having a human be revealed to be smarter then a 40+ foot tall robot.

Once again, Brawl no-sells a joke through sheer thickness.

I find myself looking forward to not-RID the most of the three ongoings, mainly because the Deceptions still get prominent billing there.

all these people should be on a tv comedy show

MAN I'm looking forward to this. I've been catching up via TFWiki on what I've missed, so this issue is definitely a priority.


Also, I think we may be getting a possible explanation for the Onyx-form Buzzsaw pretty soon.

Laserbeak and Buzzsaw remind me of Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets.

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:Laserbeak and Buzzsaw remind me of Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets.

My thoughts exactly!

Love the con attitudes, they are funny! THAT, is good transformers humor. Looking forward to this. Wonder what trouble Cosmos will get into

Synopsis
COSMOS UNLEASHED! A misunderstood AUTOBOT. A DECEPTICON space station. Cut off from their allies, SOUNDWAVE and COSMOS come face to face… alone.



Story

We have been following the side-adventures of Cosmos, in his new, but not as upgraded as it seems, body, new paintjob, new sass. We have also seen glimpses of what Soundwave is up to on Jupiter, and how it might shape the future of what's left of the Decepticon movement - what happens when the two meet?



John Barber takes a very different approach to how the scenario might have unfolded just a couple of years back, with Soundwave in the driving, silent, cunning - even diplomatic - seat of the action. By placing Cosmos as our window into the Decepticon commune, we gain an entirely different, humorous side to the events.



And Cosmos is not the only relief in an otherwise potentially establishing-heavy issue of politics and ideologies. Barber has found his stride once again, and this title easily sets itself back to the shared vision of an intrigue-based, backstabbing-driven, turning and twisting to avoid debris, broken promises and head into future settings.



And then, of course, you have the human factor, predominantly with Blackrock, his type of humour, his take on things, and his own, personal scheming - though yet to be confirmed as if working with, for or in spite of Soundwave's plans. There is definitely something afoot, and clues are being sown..

Art

We know Andrew Griffith's skill with imposing characters, statuesque Galvatron, stoic Soundwave - and adorable Cosmos, in his smaller, more compact and contained presence among the bulkier Decepticons. And of course, the wonderfully sharp 'Decepticon bird hecklers' Buzzsaw and Laserbeak in the opening scenes. And of course, just the general design of *everything*.



The scenes taking place in the wider scope of the Solar System are magnificently executed colour-wise by Josh Perez, too, who masterfully balances the inside of the various sets appearing in the issue with the much more vast landscape of space surrounding them.



Lettering duties, once more in Tom B. Long's capable hands, remind us that there is no sound in space, but plenty in spaces within space, Big or Floaty as they may be - and the dialogue is perfectly measured for the different interactions. As for covers, both the main Griffith/Perez and Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente help in capturing the tension between the major players in the issue, while the previously seen James Biggie RI variant is just pretty too look at. Very much so.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Perhaps a slower issue, in pacing and advancement of the overall plot - whatever that may be at this point, because I really have no idea, and revel in this feeling - but one that pits two unlikely characters against each other, only to have a very unexpected, deep, meaningful exchange of power and influence. If anything could make me want to see more of Cosmos, this is it.



Barber's writing of Soundwave has always been a personal favourite, and Griffith/Perez's visual rendition definitely adds to the stunning scenarios laid out by the script. The space scenes are wonderfully rendered, in both linework and colours, and the long conversation between Soundwave and Cosmos highlight just how deep the former's ideas run, and how hurt he has been. Heart of gold, indeed. Or is it?

I quite liked this one, show's Soundwave's true intentions to a point, as well as further exposing Cosmos' feeling of alienation.

Soundwave's a character I'm really beginning to like... thanks to Barber's writing. Not that I didn't like him before.... but I mean really *like* him post Dark Cybertron. Makes me wish that he'd taken up leadership of the Decepticons instead of Galvatron.

Of course... he might be up to something.... hmmm.

Otherwise, nice dialogues that enables the regular reader to see Cosmos' state of mind.... first Prowl, now Arcee giving him orders.

I for one am glad Combiner Wars is over and we can get back to the good stuff. And the "gold" material in this issue was certainly Lazerbeak and Buzzsaw!

I disagree with the score for this issue. It's not high enough!

Why?

He's turned Laserbeak and Buzzsaw into these guys:

And the result is just gold. Great issue, maybe my favorite of this book so far.

I was not too entirely thrilled with Soundwave's comment at the end of his conversation with Cosmos about humans being no better than animals. It seemed out of character with his beginnings and all. But I'm certain there will be an explanation later (probably much much later)

Otherwise, for a world building issue, it was all full of Soundwave love I liked it overall.

pie-man wrote:Soundwave's a character I'm really beginning to like... thanks to Barber's writing. Not that I didn't like him before.... but I mean really *like* him post Dark Cybertron. Makes me wish that he'd taken up leadership of the Decepticons instead of Galvatron.

Of course... he might be up to something.... hmmm.

Otherwise, nice dialogues that enables the regular reader to see Cosmos' state of mind.... first Prowl, now Arcee giving him orders.

I for one am glad Combiner Wars is over and we can get back to the good stuff. And the "gold" material in this issue was certainly Lazerbeak and Buzzsaw!

Whole reason Galvatron is there is because he wasn't part of the War. Soundwave needed someone who didn't have a symbol on him to represent a new direction for the Decepticons. Fairborn even says when reunite back in 29 or 30 that they remember soundwave during the assault and his hands are plenty bloody. Soundwave for all intended purposes is leader, Galvatron is just the face.

CombaticonsCombine? wrote:

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:Laserbeak and Buzzsaw remind me of Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets.

My thoughts exactly!

ctrlFrequency wrote:I was not too entirely thrilled with Soundwave's comment at the end of his conversation with Cosmos about humans being no better than animals. It seemed out of character with his beginnings and all. But I'm certain there will be an explanation later (probably much much later)

Otherwise, for a world building issue, it was all full of Soundwave love I liked it overall.

But it is entirely consistent with Decepticon philosophy. Megatron preached equality for all Cybertronians. Fleshlings have always fallen outside of that remit.

Prowl4 wrote:

Fireback wrote:

prjkt wrote:Brawl looks a lot like his CW figure. Nice.

Shuttershock wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:HA! Decepticons are snarky and sarcastic too

And Brawl has had that body for his entire involvement on Earth, so it's nothing new

Say what you want about Brawl, he is no slave to fashion trends.

He's a green tank on Cybertron, he's a green tank on Earth. If he's feeling fancy, he'll throw on some purple stripes.

Yes indeed!
He's A Big part of the "UTILITARIAN" gestalt
[Bruticus aka: Utilitarian].
Because The definition of "Utilitarian" defines "Bruticus" more
than Bruticus. It's A perfect nickname & I also agree with whoever
figured that out cause "Utilitarian" sounds cooler.
I personally was pist with the whole "Warbotron" naming or in name anyway,,
not that the toy itself wasn't good.

Anywho, Can't wait for this ish, looks like A really Fun story.
But I say less humans the better. & I always will vote for-- A Soundwave solo title. Seems like A No-brainer too me. Everybody would jump on that; I'd bet #1 would sell-out & need A second print. IDW needs more specified an maybe biographical story- telling. Too many Deception's don't see enough page.

An Not that im against this current comic book feminine movement.
But I don't think any of us want Arcee, WindBlade & what's her face appearing continuously in every single storyline.

I agree with you wholeheartedly here. I feel a few pages were wasted in the last MTMTE involving Nautica and firestar, it was actually cringey what went on in those panels involving them that I'm certain the writers are being told to shove in the fembots when they can by Hasbro. I don't mind a fembot once they contribute meaningfully but right now I don't really see the use for most of them outside of arcee. Chromia is extremely unlikable which is a pity.Back to MTMTE those pages and panels wasted could have been about Thunderclash who still, despite being labeled a great Autobot, has yet to be actually fleshed out and show that fact. There's other Autobots too that it'd be nice to see and be involved other than chromia and windblade.

I too would like to see more decepticon based comics, I'd like to know what Skywarp has been up to. Blitzwing is another character that seems to have just become non existent as well. Soundwave would be an interesting character to follow, we saw him roam around earth after Megatron defected so it'd be interesting to see his thoughts or what he was doing really. I love the Decepticon Flatline and I would love to see him become an integral part to one of the stories, it's just a fantastic concept that also needs more love.

The interactions between Firestar and Nautica were of the same type that often take place between characters. Do you feel the same way about the Rewind and Chromedome moments? Cyclonus and Tailgate?

MrBlack wrote:

Prowl4 wrote:

Fireback wrote:

prjkt wrote:Brawl looks a lot like his CW figure. Nice.

Shuttershock wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:HA! Decepticons are snarky and sarcastic too

And Brawl has had that body for his entire involvement on Earth, so it's nothing new

Say what you want about Brawl, he is no slave to fashion trends.

He's a green tank on Cybertron, he's a green tank on Earth. If he's feeling fancy, he'll throw on some purple stripes.

Yes indeed!
He's A Big part of the "UTILITARIAN" gestalt
[Bruticus aka: Utilitarian].
Because The definition of "Utilitarian" defines "Bruticus" more
than Bruticus. It's A perfect nickname & I also agree with whoever
figured that out cause "Utilitarian" sounds cooler.
I personally was pist with the whole "Warbotron" naming or in name anyway,,
not that the toy itself wasn't good.

Anywho, Can't wait for this ish, looks like A really Fun story.
But I say less humans the better. & I always will vote for-- A Soundwave solo title. Seems like A No-brainer too me. Everybody would jump on that; I'd bet #1 would sell-out & need A second print. IDW needs more specified an maybe biographical story- telling. Too many Deception's don't see enough page.

An Not that im against this current comic book feminine movement.
But I don't think any of us want Arcee, WindBlade & what's her face appearing continuously in every single storyline.

I agree with you wholeheartedly here. I feel a few pages were wasted in the last MTMTE involving Nautica and firestar, it was actually cringey what went on in those panels involving them that I'm certain the writers are being told to shove in the fembots when they can by Hasbro. I don't mind a fembot once they contribute meaningfully but right now I don't really see the use for most of them outside of arcee. Chromia is extremely unlikable which is a pity.Back to MTMTE those pages and panels wasted could have been about Thunderclash who still, despite being labeled a great Autobot, has yet to be actually fleshed out and show that fact. There's other Autobots too that it'd be nice to see and be involved other than chromia and windblade.

I too would like to see more decepticon based comics, I'd like to know what Skywarp has been up to. Blitzwing is another character that seems to have just become non existent as well. Soundwave would be an interesting character to follow, we saw him roam around earth after Megatron defected so it'd be interesting to see his thoughts or what he was doing really. I love the Decepticon Flatline and I would love to see him become an integral part to one of the stories, it's just a fantastic concept that also needs more love.

The interactions between Firestar and Nautica were of the same type that often take place between characters. Do you feel the same way about the Rewind and Chromedome moments? Cyclonus and Tailgate?

Honestly? Yes. Sometimes banter goes on way too long to express so little.

The last issue was a fine example of that. First 3 pages used to to say Nautica can dance and Camiens are forced to have friends. A lot of wasted time.

It's kinda the biggest problem with MTMTE in general is James is writing it as if it's a TV series but it's not. It's a comic book. I'm not gonna say MTMTE is a bad book because it's not but the structure and flow sometimes really needs help. The last two issues should have been one but it was filled with drawn out scenes and some unnecessary stuff was there for a simple joke.

I know people will go on saying it's the best series ever and how many hours they've cried over scenes but this is a comic that comes out once a month. Not a weekly TV show.

Biggest example would be MTMTE 28 when 3 pages are taken up for swerve to pull a prank. Funny? Sure, necessary? Not one bit.

MrBlack wrote:

ctrlFrequency wrote:I was not too entirely thrilled with Soundwave's comment at the end of his conversation with Cosmos about humans being no better than animals. It seemed out of character with his beginnings and all. But I'm certain there will be an explanation later (probably much much later)

Otherwise, for a world building issue, it was all full of Soundwave love I liked it overall.

But it is entirely consistent with Decepticon philosophy. Megatron preached equality for all Cybertronians. Fleshlings have always fallen outside of that remit.

True... that didn't even think along those lines.
Let's just chalk that up to I hadn't had enough coffee yet.

Randomhero wrote:*multiquote snip*

Honestly? Yes. Sometimes banter goes on way too long to express so little.

The last issue was a fine example of that. First 3 pages used to to say Nautica can dance and Camiens are forced to have friends. A lot of wasted time.

It's kinda the biggest problem with MTMTE in general is James is writing it as if it's a TV series but it's not. It's a comic book. I'm not gonna say MTMTE is a bad book because it's not but the structure and flow sometimes really needs help. The last two issues should have been one but it was filled with drawn out scenes and some unnecessary stuff was there for a simple joke.

I know people will go on saying it's the best series ever and how many hours they've cried over scenes but this is a comic that comes out once a month. Not a weekly TV show.

Biggest example would be MTMTE 28 when 3 pages are taken up for swerve to pull a prank. Funny? Sure, necessary? Not one bit.

Good thing this thread is about TF#43 and not MTMTE then, hm?

All this commentary on Statler and Waldorf, and no one has caught on to "Waka waka?" That's classic Fozzie Bear

All this commentary on Statler and Waldorf, and no one has caught on to "Waka waka?" That's classic Fozzie Bear

HA! This month has been such a treat with these comics. Loved the Waka Waka!!! Loved the sass-ettes! Yes! And of course, I love both the Cosmos and Soundwave directions Barber is taking. They're pretty great