IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview
Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 3:31AM CST
Category: Comic Book NewsPosted by: Va'al Views: 29,337
Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply
In other Transformers comics news from IDW Publishing, the ongoing-that-used-to-be-Robots-in-Disguise is also being released this week, in its 36th issue. Check out the full preview below, and head back to Seibertron.com later for a review!
Transformers #36—Days of Deception
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
DAYS OF DECEPTION! All-out war erupts on the streets of Tokyo when PROWL finally gets his hand on the one human he wants to get revenge on… and when PROWL gets revenge, it’s never pretty.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Days of Deception continues!
The secret of ONYX will have far-reaching consequences!
Plus: Thundercracker reads a story to a dog!
HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
30th Anniversary Variant Cover by Alex Milne!
Credit(s): IDW
News Search
Got Transformers News? Let us know here!
Most Popular Transformers News
Most Recent Transformers News
News Categories: Toy News, Movie Related News, Cartoon News, Comic Book News, Site News, Rumors, Event News, Digital Media News, Collectables, Sponsor News, Game News, Site Articles, Store News, Reviews, People News, Company News, Sightings, Press Releases, Unlicensed Products News, Auctions, Transtopia, Interviews, Editorials, Collector's Club News, Knock Offs, Podcast, Heavy Metal War, Contests, Book News, Top Lists
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628417)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:26am CST
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:26am CST
Do dogs breathe hydrogen and helium. Hold on I gotta think about this... last time I checked no, but buster may be special.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628418)
Posted by prjkt on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:52am CST
Posted by prjkt on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:52am CST
That cover, new alt modes for Frenzy and Rumble?
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628435)
Posted by Gallifreyan Autobot on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:18am CST
Posted by Gallifreyan Autobot on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:18am CST
i am all kinds of what in this
Sound wave is some sort of truck and apparently afraid of dogs while thunder-cracker has a dog
Constructicons are Autobots - probably due to Prowl
and to ask the question who are the two 'cons on the cover
Sound wave is some sort of truck and apparently afraid of dogs while thunder-cracker has a dog
Constructicons are Autobots - probably due to Prowl
and to ask the question who are the two 'cons on the cover
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628460)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:57am CST
He's a military comm vehicle.
They're not autobots just with Prowl.
The two are rumble and frenzy. It's just a cover they're not with jimmy and spike.
I'm just going to say it, Prowl is slowly becoming Scrapper. Scrapper is dead but my theory is that their minds or a part of it still lingers in gestalt form scrappers mind is floating around prowls and he's slowly becoming him.
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:57am CST
Autobot tap out wrote:i am all kinds of what in this
Sound wave is some sort of truck and apparently afraid of dogs while thunder-cracker has a dog
Constructicons are Autobots - probably due to Prowl
and to ask the question who are the two 'cons on the cover
He's a military comm vehicle.
They're not autobots just with Prowl.
The two are rumble and frenzy. It's just a cover they're not with jimmy and spike.
I'm just going to say it, Prowl is slowly becoming Scrapper. Scrapper is dead but my theory is that their minds or a part of it still lingers in gestalt form scrappers mind is floating around prowls and he's slowly becoming him.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628461)
Posted by kirbenvost on December 9th, 2014 @ 10:00am CST
Posted by kirbenvost on December 9th, 2014 @ 10:00am CST
I'm really liking the artwork on the Thundercracker pages. Is Soundwave's new appearance one of those abrupt changes or is it explained? I kind of like it.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628492)
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:07am CST
We've seen Soundwave's Earth mode since the beginning of Dawn of the Autobots, really. I didn't realise this was a change in that design. Am I seeing things differently?
The artist for those pages is Cahill, and I am very pleasantly wowed by the changes in his style. Wait for the review for more on that!
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:07am CST
kirbenvost wrote:I'm really liking the artwork on the Thundercracker pages. Is Soundwave's new appearance one of those abrupt changes or is it explained? I kind of like it.
We've seen Soundwave's Earth mode since the beginning of Dawn of the Autobots, really. I didn't realise this was a change in that design. Am I seeing things differently?
The artist for those pages is Cahill, and I am very pleasantly wowed by the changes in his style. Wait for the review for more on that!
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628493)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:07am CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:07am CST
With being back on Earth soundwave and his unit of Decepticons have adopted new Alt modes and for the first time in 3-4 years their using their modes for disguise. Humanity doesn't know Cybertronians are back and it's a lot better for soundwave to be a vehicle and get around on his own than a tape deck
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628497)
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:27am CST
Yeah, but he hasn't been a tape deck for most of the RID/MTMTE run, but rather his FoC-based design. I'm pretty sure this new one is the same as his first arrival on Earth post-Dark Cybertron.
I'll check later.
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 11:27am CST
Randomhero wrote:With being back on Earth soundwave and his unit of Decepticons have adopted new Alt modes and for the first time in 3-4 years their using their modes for disguise. Humanity doesn't know Cybertronians are back and it's a lot better for soundwave to be a vehicle and get around on his own than a tape deck
Yeah, but he hasn't been a tape deck for most of the RID/MTMTE run, but rather his FoC-based design. I'm pretty sure this new one is the same as his first arrival on Earth post-Dark Cybertron.
I'll check later.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628513)
Posted by kirbenvost on December 9th, 2014 @ 12:29pm CST
No, I'm just behind on the comics due to waiting for the trades.
I still have to read Windblade.
Posted by kirbenvost on December 9th, 2014 @ 12:29pm CST
Va'al wrote:kirbenvost wrote:I'm really liking the artwork on the Thundercracker pages. Is Soundwave's new appearance one of those abrupt changes or is it explained? I kind of like it.
We've seen Soundwave's Earth mode since the beginning of Dawn of the Autobots, really. I didn't realise this was a change in that design. Am I seeing things differently?
The artist for those pages is Cahill, and I am very pleasantly wowed by the changes in his style. Wait for the review for more on that!
No, I'm just behind on the comics due to waiting for the trades.
I still have to read Windblade.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628523)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 12:54pm CST
Take it this your first brush with these comics? Then awesome choice on picking them up I heartily recommend the sister series More Then Meets The Eye as well where Megatron leads a group of Autobots on a quest for his redemption (or his sanity...Given his crew I would definitely say Sanity).
As for the preview, I'm loving this take on thundercracker and on soundwave, though he's in for a few surprises like what the earth forces are doing and what Galvatron is doing at that same time. Hopefully thundercracker will keep to his guns about not going back to the decpticons.
Randomhero@ I hope prowl doesn't become scrapper. Prowl is awesome at the moment, I want him to break away from the Autobots to lead a new faction.
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 12:54pm CST
Autobot tap out wrote:i am all kinds of what in this
Sound wave is some sort of truck and apparently afraid of dogs while thunder-cracker has a dog
Constructicons are Autobots - probably due to Prowl
and to ask the question who are the two 'cons on the cover
Take it this your first brush with these comics? Then awesome choice on picking them up
I heartily recommend the sister series More Then Meets The Eye as well where Megatron leads a group of Autobots on a quest for his redemption (or his sanity...Given his crew I would definitely say Sanity).As for the preview, I'm loving this take on thundercracker and on soundwave, though he's in for a few surprises like what the earth forces are doing and what Galvatron is doing at that same time. Hopefully thundercracker will keep to his guns about not going back to the decpticons.
Randomhero@ I hope prowl doesn't become scrapper. Prowl is awesome at the moment, I want him to break away from the Autobots to lead a new faction.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628530)
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 1:12pm CST
That makes sense, Volume 6 is where we see the change.
Posted by Va'al on December 9th, 2014 @ 1:12pm CST
kirbenvost wrote:Va'al wrote:kirbenvost wrote:I'm really liking the artwork on the Thundercracker pages. Is Soundwave's new appearance one of those abrupt changes or is it explained? I kind of like it.
We've seen Soundwave's Earth mode since the beginning of Dawn of the Autobots, really. I didn't realise this was a change in that design. Am I seeing things differently?
The artist for those pages is Cahill, and I am very pleasantly wowed by the changes in his style. Wait for the review for more on that!
No, I'm just behind on the comics due to waiting for the trades.
That makes sense, Volume 6 is where we see the change.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628533)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 1:26pm CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 1:26pm CST
It's a good mode for him to have. After 30 years I'm over the "X has to turn into Y because that's what he turned into in the original cartoon or toy"
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628571)
Posted by prjkt on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:23pm CST
Be cool if this was a hint at repaints of the rumoured upcoming CW Groove...
Though it strikes me in this stage of the comic, the Decepticons under a seemingly honourable Soundwave are actually acting like the good guys, Galvatron notwithstanding, while Prowl is slowly going off the rails, and this taking vegeance thing isn't really going to help the Autobot cause...
Posted by prjkt on December 9th, 2014 @ 4:23pm CST
Randomhero wrote:
The two are rumble and frenzy. It's just a cover they're not with jimmy and spike
Be cool if this was a hint at repaints of the rumoured upcoming CW Groove...
Though it strikes me in this stage of the comic, the Decepticons under a seemingly honourable Soundwave are actually acting like the good guys, Galvatron notwithstanding, while Prowl is slowly going off the rails, and this taking vegeance thing isn't really going to help the Autobot cause...
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628581)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 5:19pm CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 5:19pm CST
Problem is, what will honourable soundwave do when he finds out about the drone army the humans have built. Though I have suspicions about the decpticon commune, something on the line of human sabotage.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628594)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:00pm CST
Yeah, it's just a matter of time until it all erupts. soundwave is hiding things from the humans, the humans are hiding things from Soundwave, Galvatron is hiding everything from everyone. It's going to be tithing that finally convinces the humans that allying themselves with the Decepticons was a mistake.
I still don't know how to read Spike. He's the only human who isn't coming off as a villain
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:00pm CST
ZeroWolf wrote:Problem is, what will honourable soundwave do when he finds out about the drone army the humans have built. Though I have suspicions about the decpticon commune, something on the line of human sabotage.
Yeah, it's just a matter of time until it all erupts. soundwave is hiding things from the humans, the humans are hiding things from Soundwave, Galvatron is hiding everything from everyone. It's going to be tithing that finally convinces the humans that allying themselves with the Decepticons was a mistake.
I still don't know how to read Spike. He's the only human who isn't coming off as a villain
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628595)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:01pm CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:01pm CST
Randomhero wrote:ZeroWolf wrote:Problem is, what will honourable soundwave do when he finds out about the drone army the humans have built. Though I have suspicions about the decpticon commune, something on the line of human sabotage.
Yeah, it's just a matter of time until it all erupts. soundwave is hiding things from the humans, the humans are hiding things from Soundwave, Galvatron is hiding everything from everyone. It's going to be the thing that finally convinces the humans that allying themselves with the Decepticons was a mistake.
I still don't know how to read Spike. He's the only human who isn't coming off as a villain
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628606)
Posted by Shuttershock on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:55pm CST
That's what I was thinking. Kind of looks like they scanned the Bat-Pod.
Posted by Shuttershock on December 9th, 2014 @ 6:55pm CST
prjkt wrote:That cover, new alt modes for Frenzy and Rumble?
That's what I was thinking. Kind of looks like they scanned the Bat-Pod.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628608)
Posted by Shuttershock on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:02pm CST
Plus, mass-shifting like the old days is a bit of a rarity in the IDW world. It takes a considerable amount of energy to do and most have to be modified to do it.
The only downside is that people like Soundwave and Megatron are restricted to land based vehicles, which I always found odd when Starscream and others could be jets. One cool thing about Animated was that Megs turned into an attack helicopter, which I see as better fitting for a leader.
Posted by Shuttershock on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:02pm CST
Randomhero wrote:It's a good mode for him to have. After 30 years I'm over the "X has to turn into Y because that's what he turned into in the original cartoon or toy"
Plus, mass-shifting like the old days is a bit of a rarity in the IDW world. It takes a considerable amount of energy to do and most have to be modified to do it.
The only downside is that people like Soundwave and Megatron are restricted to land based vehicles, which I always found odd when Starscream and others could be jets. One cool thing about Animated was that Megs turned into an attack helicopter, which I see as better fitting for a leader.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628610)
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:30pm CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 9th, 2014 @ 7:30pm CST
I still miss Megatron's stealth bomber mode from the ongoing. Yes it was covered with "M"s but I love that toy. It's one of the coolest looks he had.
I'm loving the return of earth it's been almost 9 months now but I really wish we were back on Cybertron dealing the politics of starscreams rule. So many good characters were introduced in the first 22 issues of RiD and I really miss them. Windblade was great but I want more of john's cybertron. Of course it's coming back with combiner wars but I want more of what is going on with the drama that's happening. Apparently Soundwave only took Scoop, rumble, frenzy, Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Needlenose, skywarp, laserbeak and buzzaw. Everyone else stayed behind like shrapnel, kickback, the predacons. What the. Heck is going on with those guys?!
I'm loving the return of earth it's been almost 9 months now but I really wish we were back on Cybertron dealing the politics of starscreams rule. So many good characters were introduced in the first 22 issues of RiD and I really miss them. Windblade was great but I want more of john's cybertron. Of course it's coming back with combiner wars but I want more of what is going on with the drama that's happening. Apparently Soundwave only took Scoop, rumble, frenzy, Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Needlenose, skywarp, laserbeak and buzzaw. Everyone else stayed behind like shrapnel, kickback, the predacons. What the. Heck is going on with those guys?!
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628638)
Posted by padfoo on December 9th, 2014 @ 8:35pm CST
I love the art except Faireborn always looks bad and Thundercracker's facial expressions look too much like Starscream (yes I know they look the same but, they are different.....)
Posted by padfoo on December 9th, 2014 @ 8:35pm CST
Va'al wrote:In other Transformers comics news from IDW Publishing, the ongoing-that-used-to-be-Robots-in-Disguise is also being released this week, in its 36th issue. Check out the full preview below, and head back to Seibertron.com later for a review!Transformers #36—Days of Deception
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
DAYS OF DECEPTION! All-out war erupts on the streets of Tokyo when PROWL finally gets his hand on the one human he wants to get revenge on… and when PROWL gets revenge, it’s never pretty.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Days of Deception continues!
The secret of ONYX will have far-reaching consequences!
Plus: Thundercracker reads a story to a dog!
HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
30th Anniversary Variant Cover by Alex Milne!
I love the art except Faireborn always looks bad and Thundercracker's facial expressions look too much like Starscream (yes I know they look the same but, they are different.....)
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628650)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:16pm CST
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:16pm CST
You quoted the entire thing, just to say that?
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628656)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:54pm CST
Well with combiner wars kicking off soon, we'll be back on cybertron before too long, plus there's the new windblade series, though I get the feeling that may look at some of the colony world's.
As for the other decpticons, I think most scattered, some stayed on cybertron, some others gave up their badges like starscream. Depending on combiner wars however, I think the predacons or combaticons may resurface. Though I think swindle went freelance.
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 9th, 2014 @ 9:54pm CST
Randomhero wrote:I still miss Megatron's stealth bomber mode from the ongoing. Yes it was covered with "M"s but I love that toy. It's one of the coolest looks he had.
I'm loving the return of earth it's been almost 9 months now but I really wish we were back on Cybertron dealing the politics of starscreams rule. So many good characters were introduced in the first 22 issues of RiD and I really miss them. Windblade was great but I want more of john's cybertron. Of course it's coming back with combiner wars but I want more of what is going on with the drama that's happening. Apparently Soundwave only took Scoop, rumble, frenzy, Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Needlenose, skywarp, laserbeak and buzzaw. Everyone else stayed behind like shrapnel, kickback, the predacons. What the. Heck is going on with those guys?!
Well with combiner wars kicking off soon, we'll be back on cybertron before too long, plus there's the new windblade series, though I get the feeling that may look at some of the colony world's.
As for the other decpticons, I think most scattered, some stayed on cybertron, some others gave up their badges like starscream. Depending on combiner wars however, I think the predacons or combaticons may resurface. Though I think swindle went freelance.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628723)
Posted by sabrigami on December 10th, 2014 @ 8:48am CST
Posted by sabrigami on December 10th, 2014 @ 8:48am CST
I daresay I'm looking forward to this. The last few issues have somewhat renewed my faith in this series.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1628768)
Posted by Va'al on December 10th, 2014 @ 11:02am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 10th, 2014 @ 11:02am CST
sabrigami wrote:I daresay I'm looking forward to this. The last few issues have somewhat renewed my faith in this series.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629247)
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:05am CST
Synopsis
DAYS OF DECEPTION! All-out war erupts on the streets of Tokyo when PROWL finally gets his hand on the one human he wants to get revenge on… and when PROWL gets revenge, it’s never pretty.
They're civilians!
Story
We left the Earth crew of Cybertronians, both sides, to deal with Blackrock and the, so far not entirely understood, Onyx Interface ramifications - while on the other side, Decepticons under Galvatron and Soundwave may or may not be involved with humans too, and Thundercracker is still mulling over what he saw a while back.
You weren't there man..
Linearity? Not really. But John Barber's writing, and pacing of the different sides of the storylines running through, are clear to follow, and the framing of the story in Thundercracker's dealings with Soundwave, and Prowl's official motives, are a very good introduction to everything going on, without anyone really telling us as readers what that actually is.
An Enigma
The rest of the issue works through bike chases, Bourne or Bond style dealings, some Terminator type of sequences and sees the return of the relationship between Prowl and Arcee, now that the latter is aware of something being very wrong with the bulked-up cop and his intentions towards Spike. Or whatever is wrong with Prowl in general.
Don't think that's it
Barber is continuing to seed both Combiner Wars and a longer game from what I can tell, tinkering with characterisation for the key players, reintroducing the human factor without dwelling too long on it, showing actual interplay between the different sides and characters. And it works, it really does work throughout the whole issue, and undoubtedly will continue.
Art
With multiple storylines, the art was bound to playing around too, but the solution of having two distinct artist/colourist teams turned out to work even better than expected. Regulars Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez take the more-or-less main plot forward, with some fantastically executed action sequences, and great backgrounds - probably also thanks to Griffith's latest travels to Japan.
BIKECHASE with SASS
The Brendan Cahill and Joana Lafuente cooperation, however, is the big surprise in this issue. Looking after prologue, epilogue and flashbacks, the two conjure up a gorgeous sequence of panels, from storytelling, to linework, to colours to facial expressions - ranging from Buster to humans to Cybertronians alike, and it looks amazing.
Amazing
The lettering, once more in the hands of Tom B. Long, adds to the already fantastic deployment of backgrounds and personal voices, with some simple and simply effective touches scattered throughout the story. To top it all off, there is an amazing collection of variant covers, from the Griffith/Perez Faireborn main one, Casey Coller and Lafuente taking over Spike and Prowl's connection (thumbnail), and a truly wonderful Alex Milne/Perez 30th Anniversary variant!
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
This was a very well-paced, nicely-framed action-packed espionage-cum-thriller science-fiction-y issue of a franchise known for its reluctance to fit into any genre box. John Barber continues to impress with his writing skills, and seems to have really found his writing stride after the Dark Cybertron event, keeping the mastery of sequential storytelling already there.
oads/1417023627_d7.jpg[/img][/url]
And puns!
Visually, issue #36 is stunning. The scenes are well laid-out, Cahill and Griffith mesh exceedingly well together, and the presence of two colourists like Perez and Lafuente, who also combine so majestically just increases the enjoyment factor of the printed book. Days of Deception is not an arc to be missed.
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:05am CST
Something Afoot
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
DAYS OF DECEPTION! All-out war erupts on the streets of Tokyo when PROWL finally gets his hand on the one human he wants to get revenge on… and when PROWL gets revenge, it’s never pretty.
They're civilians!
Story
We left the Earth crew of Cybertronians, both sides, to deal with Blackrock and the, so far not entirely understood, Onyx Interface ramifications - while on the other side, Decepticons under Galvatron and Soundwave may or may not be involved with humans too, and Thundercracker is still mulling over what he saw a while back.
You weren't there man..
Linearity? Not really. But John Barber's writing, and pacing of the different sides of the storylines running through, are clear to follow, and the framing of the story in Thundercracker's dealings with Soundwave, and Prowl's official motives, are a very good introduction to everything going on, without anyone really telling us as readers what that actually is.
An Enigma
The rest of the issue works through bike chases, Bourne or Bond style dealings, some Terminator type of sequences and sees the return of the relationship between Prowl and Arcee, now that the latter is aware of something being very wrong with the bulked-up cop and his intentions towards Spike. Or whatever is wrong with Prowl in general.
Don't think that's it
Barber is continuing to seed both Combiner Wars and a longer game from what I can tell, tinkering with characterisation for the key players, reintroducing the human factor without dwelling too long on it, showing actual interplay between the different sides and characters. And it works, it really does work throughout the whole issue, and undoubtedly will continue.
Art
With multiple storylines, the art was bound to playing around too, but the solution of having two distinct artist/colourist teams turned out to work even better than expected. Regulars Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez take the more-or-less main plot forward, with some fantastically executed action sequences, and great backgrounds - probably also thanks to Griffith's latest travels to Japan.
BIKECHASE with SASS
The Brendan Cahill and Joana Lafuente cooperation, however, is the big surprise in this issue. Looking after prologue, epilogue and flashbacks, the two conjure up a gorgeous sequence of panels, from storytelling, to linework, to colours to facial expressions - ranging from Buster to humans to Cybertronians alike, and it looks amazing.
Amazing
The lettering, once more in the hands of Tom B. Long, adds to the already fantastic deployment of backgrounds and personal voices, with some simple and simply effective touches scattered throughout the story. To top it all off, there is an amazing collection of variant covers, from the Griffith/Perez Faireborn main one, Casey Coller and Lafuente taking over Spike and Prowl's connection (thumbnail), and a truly wonderful Alex Milne/Perez 30th Anniversary variant!
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
This was a very well-paced, nicely-framed action-packed espionage-cum-thriller science-fiction-y issue of a franchise known for its reluctance to fit into any genre box. John Barber continues to impress with his writing skills, and seems to have really found his writing stride after the Dark Cybertron event, keeping the mastery of sequential storytelling already there.
oads/1417023627_d7.jpg[/img][/url]And puns!
Visually, issue #36 is stunning. The scenes are well laid-out, Cahill and Griffith mesh exceedingly well together, and the presence of two colourists like Perez and Lafuente, who also combine so majestically just increases the enjoyment factor of the printed book. Days of Deception is not an arc to be missed.
. 
½ out of
½ out of
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629250)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:18am CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:18am CST
As much as I am looking forward to the rest of this arc, I'm beginning to dread a cop out coming in terms of prowl. Is it really wrong that I want this to be the true prowl? Not one being controlled or possessed. Just him thinking this is what's best for everyone.
EDIT: where are my manners? Great review as always Va'al
EDIT: where are my manners? Great review as always Va'al
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629251)
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:32am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:32am CST
There's one panel on page 19 in particular that has me wondering about what is going on with him..
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629254)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:38am CST
Now I'm going to have to run upstairs and get my tablet to look as to what was on page 19.
I have to say, the end was quite unexpected though. I honestly was not expecting that. I expected Spike to survive the issue, but not what Prowl said.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:38am CST
Va'al wrote:There's one panel on page 19 in particular that has me wondering about what is going on with him..
Now I'm going to have to run upstairs and get my tablet to look as to what was on page 19.
I have to say, the end was quite unexpected though. I honestly was not expecting that. I expected Spike to survive the issue, but not what Prowl said.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629255)
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:51am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 7:51am CST
The panel in question is the dialogue between Long Haul and Prowl as they are chasing the humans. You'll see what I mean.
But yeah, the ending was peculiar - I wonder if it'll seed into a worse outcome, or actually continue moving along that more positive line.
But yeah, the ending was peculiar - I wonder if it'll seed into a worse outcome, or actually continue moving along that more positive line.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629257)
Posted by Randomhero on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:13am CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:13am CST
I don't think he's being controlled or possessed. He's just getting messed up from combining. Their minds are all alike except his to a certain extent and its gettng all screwy for him
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629259)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:19am CST
Yeah, I don't want that to be the case either.
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:19am CST
Randomhero wrote:I don't think he's being controlled or possessed. He's just getting messed up from combining. Their minds are all alike except his to a certain extent and its gettng all screwy for him
Yeah, I don't want that to be the case either.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629264)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:41am CST
My page 19 has Galvatron on it :/ But I'm assuming you were referring to the mix up on the name?
As for the end, I think that it will continue along more positively. I'm thinking this because at heart, he's true to his faction, no matter what else might be going on in and around him.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 8:41am CST
Va'al wrote:The panel in question is the dialogue between Long Haul and Prowl as they are chasing the humans. You'll see what I mean.
But yeah, the ending was peculiar - I wonder if it'll seed into a worse outcome, or actually continue moving along that more positive line.
My page 19 has Galvatron on it :/ But I'm assuming you were referring to the mix up on the name?
As for the end, I think that it will continue along more positively. I'm thinking this because at heart, he's true to his faction, no matter what else might be going on in and around him.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629289)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:18am CST
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:18am CST
Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629293)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:24am CST
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:24am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629295)
Posted by Randomhero on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:26am CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 12th, 2014 @ 9:26am CST
I think it's a lot interesting than him standing behind a desk saying why this person is more expendable than that person. Prowl is doing what magnus accused him of in dark cybertron. He finally putting the gun in his hand and pulling the trigger himself
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629345)
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 12:39pm CST
That is the one. It's 19 on mine due to the multiple covers being included.
Posted by Va'al on December 12th, 2014 @ 12:39pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
That is the one. It's 19 on mine due to the multiple covers being included.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629354)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 12th, 2014 @ 12:59pm CST
Honeslty, as I started thinking about it, it occured to me that it might be different in Europe. I never though about the different covers.
But anyway, I knew it had to be intentional; John Barber doesn't make continuity errors.
I feel like that's a Chuck Norris joke.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 12th, 2014 @ 12:59pm CST
Va'al wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
That is the one. It's 19 on mine due to the multiple covers being included.
Honeslty, as I started thinking about it, it occured to me that it might be different in Europe. I never though about the different covers.
But anyway, I knew it had to be intentional; John Barber doesn't make continuity errors.
I feel like that's a Chuck Norris joke.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629742)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 13th, 2014 @ 9:17pm CST
I'm totally with you on the intentional thing (and the Chuck Norris joke thing!)
Next time, Va'al, subtract two from your page number for the rest of us! (Though I'll probably automatically unconsciously do that anyway )
Now I'm starting to theorize on what it all means. Between that and what Prowl says to Spike at the end, it seems that the true Prowl is showing through, well that's my theory, and even though I was right on my theory on Brainstorm, my theories are mostly end up wrong :p
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 13th, 2014 @ 9:17pm CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:Va'al wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
That is the one. It's 19 on mine due to the multiple covers being included.
Honeslty, as I started thinking about it, it occured to me that it might be different in Europe. I never though about the different covers.
But anyway, I knew it had to be intentional; John Barber doesn't make continuity errors.
I feel like that's a Chuck Norris joke.
I'm totally with you on the intentional thing (and the Chuck Norris joke thing!)
Next time, Va'al, subtract two from your page number for the rest of us! (Though I'll probably automatically unconsciously do that anyway
)Now I'm starting to theorize on what it all means. Between that and what Prowl says to Spike at the end, it seems that the true Prowl is showing through, well that's my theory, and even though I was right on my theory on Brainstorm, my theories are mostly end up wrong :p
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629754)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 13th, 2014 @ 9:54pm CST
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 13th, 2014 @ 9:54pm CST
I don't know what to make of Prowl, and I love it. Every time I feel as though I've got a handle on him, he does something unexpected. So far, he keeps saying that everything he does is for the Autobot cause, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes rogue and decides to take over the universe.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629760)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 13th, 2014 @ 10:38pm CST
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 13th, 2014 @ 10:38pm CST
Now that would be something!
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629761)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 13th, 2014 @ 10:58pm CST
For another star trek analogy, prowl of late has been kinda reminding me of Odo from DS9, in that despite the fact they says they want justice, it's really more of order that they desire, if that makes sense.
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 13th, 2014 @ 10:58pm CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:I don't know what to make of Prowl, and I love it. Every time I feel as though I've got a handle on him, he does something unexpected. So far, he keeps saying that everything he does is for the Autobot cause, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes rogue and decides to take over the universe.
For another star trek analogy, prowl of late has been kinda reminding me of Odo from DS9, in that despite the fact they says they want justice, it's really more of order that they desire, if that makes sense.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629777)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 13th, 2014 @ 11:56pm CST
Yeah, I get what you mean. In fact, I think he makes a comment about that in that issue of AHM when he has Perceptor rebuild Kup.
This is Prowl's internal monologue from that comic:
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 13th, 2014 @ 11:56pm CST
SW's SilverHammer wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:I don't know what to make of Prowl, and I love it. Every time I feel as though I've got a handle on him, he does something unexpected. So far, he keeps saying that everything he does is for the Autobot cause, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes rogue and decides to take over the universe.
For another star trek analogy, prowl of late has been kinda reminding me of Odo from DS9, in that despite the fact they says they want justice, it's really more of order that they desire, if that makes sense.
Yeah, I get what you mean. In fact, I think he makes a comment about that in that issue of AHM when he has Perceptor rebuild Kup.
This is Prowl's internal monologue from that comic:
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629821)
Posted by Va'al on December 14th, 2014 @ 5:13am CST
My next review copy has about seven covers before it begins.
Posted by Va'al on December 14th, 2014 @ 5:13am CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Va'al wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:Page 19 nothin'. My surprise came form page 17, when Prowl calls Long Haul "Scrapper". even though he seems fully aware of what happened to the latter in the previous ongoing series. He had a scene in an earlier issue where he used his name in odd context.
That's what I was thinking too. It seemed a very odd mistake.
Va'al could have that scene on page 19 where we have 17 though. Who knows what crazy official preview version he has
That is the one. It's 19 on mine due to the multiple covers being included.
Honeslty, as I started thinking about it, it occured to me that it might be different in Europe. I never though about the different covers.
But anyway, I knew it had to be intentional; John Barber doesn't make continuity errors.
I feel like that's a Chuck Norris joke.
I'm totally with you on the intentional thing (and the Chuck Norris joke thing!)
Next time, Va'al, subtract two from your page number for the rest of us! (Though I'll probably automatically unconsciously do that anyway
Now I'm starting to theorize on what it all means. Between that and what Prowl says to Spike at the end, it seems that the true Prowl is showing through, well that's my theory, and even though I was right on my theory on Brainstorm, my theories are mostly end up wrong :p
My next review copy has about seven covers before it begins.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629833)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 14th, 2014 @ 6:16am CST
(Please not im not saying this to get a rise out of people or to be a dick, like prowl thanks to tfwiki, I just happen to think that this political ideology happens to be part of his character as of now.)
Yeah, prowl kinda reminds me of Odo due to the fact he's a bit of a fascist. Now I don't say that in the modern way that people find facists, nazis, communism, and socialists ideals interchangeable, I mean it more in the old-school sense. Prowl has, from what I've gathered, unwavering devotion to the autobot cause, and he seems to have an ultranationalistic view, of the autobot cause, being an almost organic entity which binds certain parts, of, cybertronian society together by their ancestry and is a natural unifying force of said people. He seems to believe there needs to be a leader that exemplifies, embodies that cause, but that leader's not Optimus. Because of this, it seems prowl has a social Darwinist ideology as well between the autobots, the decipticons, and the N.A.I.L.S. In the pre dark cybertron run of R.I.D, seems to be willing to try and purge parts of cybertronian society of what he would view, as socially weak or degenerate people, the cons and the nails, while simultaneously promoting the creation of strong people, autobots, in order to survive in a world defined by perpetual political conflict. The only thing that really stopped him was the fact bumblebee was in charge, and even then he work toward that utra nationalistic goal behind the scenes with arcee. He, to an extent, believes that political violence, is just another tactic to advance, viewing them as almost a necessity.
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 14th, 2014 @ 6:16am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:I don't know what to make of Prowl, and I love it. Every time I feel as though I've got a handle on him, he does something unexpected. So far, he keeps saying that everything he does is for the Autobot cause, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes rogue and decides to take over the universe.
For another star trek analogy, prowl of late has been kinda reminding me of Odo from DS9, in that despite the fact they says they want justice, it's really more of order that they desire, if that makes sense.
Yeah, I get what you mean. In fact, I think he makes a comment about that in that issue of AHM when he has Perceptor rebuild Kup.
This is Prowl's internal monologue from that comic:
(Please not im not saying this to get a rise out of people or to be a dick, like prowl thanks to tfwiki, I just happen to think that this political ideology happens to be part of his character as of now.)
Yeah, prowl kinda reminds me of Odo due to the fact he's a bit of a fascist. Now I don't say that in the modern way that people find facists, nazis, communism, and socialists ideals interchangeable, I mean it more in the old-school sense. Prowl has, from what I've gathered, unwavering devotion to the autobot cause, and he seems to have an ultranationalistic view, of the autobot cause, being an almost organic entity which binds certain parts, of, cybertronian society together by their ancestry and is a natural unifying force of said people. He seems to believe there needs to be a leader that exemplifies, embodies that cause, but that leader's not Optimus. Because of this, it seems prowl has a social Darwinist ideology as well between the autobots, the decipticons, and the N.A.I.L.S. In the pre dark cybertron run of R.I.D, seems to be willing to try and purge parts of cybertronian society of what he would view, as socially weak or degenerate people, the cons and the nails, while simultaneously promoting the creation of strong people, autobots, in order to survive in a world defined by perpetual political conflict. The only thing that really stopped him was the fact bumblebee was in charge, and even then he work toward that utra nationalistic goal behind the scenes with arcee. He, to an extent, believes that political violence, is just another tactic to advance, viewing them as almost a necessity.
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629862)
Posted by Va'al on December 14th, 2014 @ 9:40am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 14th, 2014 @ 9:40am CST
Yeah, he's bound to have totalitarian tendencies to transition from police force (enforcers of status quo and some type of order, however misguided it may be) to the Senate's security (like police, but even more narrow minded and focused). And a corrupt Senate at that, under the control of Sentinel, Zeta, Proteus and the Functionists.
I don't think this was really ever in question with the IDW take on him, other than when in RID he was revealed to have been brainjacked by Bombshell - which was also, to a lot of readers, the biggest problem alongside Megatron's return, in the pre-Dark Cybertron run. Which is also what I'm hoping will not happen this time round: not only is it an overused plot device, it would ruin the wonderfully erratic characterisation that he has received since Dark Cybertron!
I don't think this was really ever in question with the IDW take on him, other than when in RID he was revealed to have been brainjacked by Bombshell - which was also, to a lot of readers, the biggest problem alongside Megatron's return, in the pre-Dark Cybertron run. Which is also what I'm hoping will not happen this time round: not only is it an overused plot device, it would ruin the wonderfully erratic characterisation that he has received since Dark Cybertron!
Re: IDW Transformers #36 Full Preview (1629866)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 14th, 2014 @ 9:50am CST
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 14th, 2014 @ 9:50am CST
I'm in agreement on all these points to an extent that I believe that things will get to a head with prime to where prowl challenges for leader (or someone he can manipulate or has same tendencies) or breaks away and forms his own political block which offers safety, assuming you do things his way.
I'm just dreading a reboot of his character to g1 character stylings (I can't remember what he was like in the marvel comics)
I'm just dreading a reboot of his character to g1 character stylings (I can't remember what he was like in the marvel comics)
