IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview

Saturday, May 16th, 2015 12:03PM CDT

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Posted by: Va'al Views: 21,790

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Via comics and entertainment media website Comic Book Resources, in collaboration with IDW Publishing, we have the full preview for the upcoming fourth chapter in the Transformers Combiner Wars event, as we switch back to The Transformers ongoing #41. Check out the first pages below, and head back to Seibertron.com on Wednesday for our usual review!

Transformers #41—Combiner Wars
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)
DESPERATE ACTIONS! As the SPACEBRIDGE reaches across the stars, will anyone stand against STARSCREAM? The answer is yes—but the cure might prove worse than the disease.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
COMBINER WARS part 4
OPTIMUS PRIME versus PROWL—one on one!
The biggest battle ever between COMBINERS!
Variant Hasbro Combiner Wars poster cover!

Credit(s): CBR, IDW

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Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686312)
Posted by sabrigami on May 16th, 2015 @ 12:13pm CDT

This issue is looking good! never mind the enigma of combination. I wanna figure out the enigma that is Prowl =P~

Livio seems to be getting far more expressive with his faces too. It's nice his work is getting a little more curvy.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686315)
Posted by steve2275 on May 16th, 2015 @ 12:16pm CDT

i like how the jet arms are up

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686347)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 16th, 2015 @ 2:16pm CDT

This looks much better than last issue. More polished. And Livio's really hitting his stride so far.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686349)
Posted by Deadput on May 16th, 2015 @ 2:39pm CDT

I am just loving Starscream in this series.

Such a manipulative glorious bastard.

^ Wait that's censored?

Didn't realize that its a bad word.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686350)
Posted by Va'al on May 16th, 2015 @ 2:40pm CDT

Having read the issue, I agree with pretty much all the comments so far.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686467)
Posted by Ginrai Minor on May 16th, 2015 @ 6:34pm CDT

If only CW Prime toy actually looked like the art, he would be such a beautiful juggernaut. Also I have mixed feelings about(but overall do like)Prime kinda losing it from all the things his species has been through and his flaws i.e. control issues.

But bruh Prowl is full goneeeee :shock:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686488)
Posted by Shuttershock on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:08pm CDT

Ginrai Minor wrote:If only CW Prime toy actually looked like the art, he would be such a beautiful juggernaut. Also I have mixed feelings about(but overall do like)Prime kinda losing it from all the things his species has been through and his flaws i.e. control issues.

But bruh Prowl is full goneeeee

Prowl has come to the conclusion that Cybertron is beyond saving, and believes that they shouldn't let Caminus or anyone else be pulled down with them.

It'd be noble if it wasn't so bleakly defeatist.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686500)
Posted by Ginrai Minor on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:32pm CDT

Shuttershock wrote:
Ginrai Minor wrote:If only CW Prime toy actually looked like the art, he would be such a beautiful juggernaut. Also I have mixed feelings about(but overall do like)Prime kinda losing it from all the things his species has been through and his flaws i.e. control issues.

But bruh Prowl is full goneeeee

Prowl has come to the conclusion that Cybertron is beyond saving, and believes that they shouldn't let Caminus or anyone else be pulled down with them.

It'd be noble if it wasn't so bleakly defeatist.

The whole "amputate the infection" mentality is noble but it's def Prowl's classic kill a million to save a billion course of action, I just love how raw he is about it now. A noble insane royal cu*t...IDW thank you for fresh mostly competent stories to keep TF's fresh as we all get older!

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686503)
Posted by padfoo on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:38pm CDT

Wow Livio's art is amazing here. This issue Is really good Looking.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686506)
Posted by MaverickPrime on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:55pm CDT

I suppose this is building up to Prowl redeeming himself/finding hope in becoming a combiner, and Wheeljack being there could lead to him as well, Ironhide is also pretty prominent here, those rumored figures begin to make more sense :-?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686511)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 16th, 2015 @ 8:34pm CDT

MaverickPrime wrote:I suppose this is building up to Prowl redeeming himself/finding hope in becoming a combiner, and Wheeljack being there could lead to him as well, Ironhide is also pretty prominent here, those rumored figures begin to make more sense

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686527)
Posted by prjkt on May 16th, 2015 @ 9:43pm CDT

Shuttershock wrote:
Ginrai Minor wrote:If only CW Prime toy actually looked like the art, he would be such a beautiful juggernaut. Also I have mixed feelings about(but overall do like)Prime kinda losing it from all the things his species has been through and his flaws i.e. control issues.

But bruh Prowl is full goneeeee

Prowl has come to the conclusion that Cybertron is beyond saving, and believes that they shouldn't let Caminus or anyone else be pulled down with them.

It'd be noble if it wasn't so bleakly defeatist.

Seems to be a running theme atm - the reason behind's Rewind's actions in Megatron's past, I wonder if it's a slow build up to another Dark Cybertron style crossover, where instead of Shockwave destroying the universe to power Cybertron, it's Prowl (?) destroying Cybertron to save the universe?

Edit: is that Bumblebee's electrified walking stick in Prowl's hands on the epilogue cover? :lol:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686587)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 17th, 2015 @ 12:53am CDT

MaverickPrime wrote:I suppose this is building up to Prowl redeeming himself/finding hope in becoming a combiner, and Wheeljack being there could lead to him as well, Ironhide is also pretty prominent here, those rumored figures begin to make more sense

I hope not. I sincerely hope that Prowl seriously just cracks the shits. I mean. i just love his whole mental deterioration. I hope his head literally exploes from the stresses he deals with.

Not that I hat Prowl, but I really do like his increasingly nihilistic attitude lately.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686613)
Posted by ZeroWolf on May 17th, 2015 @ 4:40am CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
MaverickPrime wrote:I suppose this is building up to Prowl redeeming himself/finding hope in becoming a combiner, and Wheeljack being there could lead to him as well, Ironhide is also pretty prominent here, those rumored figures begin to make more sense

I hope not. I sincerely hope that Prowl seriously just cracks the ****. I mean. i just love his whole mental deterioration. I hope his head literally exploes from the stresses he deals with.

Not that I hat Prowl, but I really do like his increasingly nihilistic attitude lately.

This. A thousand times.

If prime combines I hope it's with representatives from superion and defensor. Leave ironhide and that as combiner toys only. Prowl could become a fantastic villian by perspective only. After all I wonder what those on earth feel if they knew that he was trying to stop them from wrecking more planets. In fact I wonder if that's what also led to his talk with spike.

This now makes me realise that galvatron and prowl actually had a very similar goal regarding the enigma. Shame that's really the only thing they have in common, otherwise it would of been the team to beat.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686707)
Posted by CrankyOldTruck on May 17th, 2015 @ 10:15am CDT

I am absolutely loving the turn this is taking and the parallels with real life. Time to show people the truth of our society and our leaders, that the vast majority are spineless and that the ones in control are cold, ruthless schemers and that, in the end, it will take a cynical, dispassionate, heartless monster (Prowl) to take down the true monster that is in control.
Maybe if our own society were to wake up and see just how similar this scenario is to our actual existence, we wouldn't be such a worthless mess of a species now. I'm just looking forward to the day that our own "Prowl" rises up and starts kicking ass and setting things right.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686720)
Posted by Va'al on May 17th, 2015 @ 10:38am CDT

Except he's really not a good guy, but has been twisted by the very same people he claims he is fighting against - in a different manner, but still echoing Megatron's rapid downfall during the corrupt Primacy.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686741)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 17th, 2015 @ 11:37am CDT

Va'al wrote:Except he's really not a good guy, but has been twisted by the very same people he claims he is fighting against - in a different manner, but still echoing Megatron's rapid downfall during the corrupt Primacy.

Oh dude, and to further strengthen your perpendicular parallel to Megatron; while Prowl, who started out wholly concerned with the greater good with good intentions and actions but has now been twisted by what he sees as corrupt government/leadership, Megtron, who started out as disgruntled at the corrupt government/leadership and used mostly malicious methods to enact change now tries to further the greater good with good intentions and actions.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686751)
Posted by ZeroWolf on May 17th, 2015 @ 11:56am CDT

Well we'll see about megatrons intentions seeing as he...kept a souvenir of brainstorms masterpiece.

Back to prowl, under certain circumstances I could see prowl leading a second generation of decepticons against starscream

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686753)
Posted by Va'al on May 17th, 2015 @ 11:56am CDT

I think we need the Inception BWOOOOOOONG right about now.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686772)
Posted by Shuttershock on May 17th, 2015 @ 1:25pm CDT

ZeroWolf wrote:Well we'll see about megatrons intentions seeing as he...kept a souvenir of brainstorms masterpiece.

Back to prowl, under certain circumstances I could see prowl leading a second generation of decepticons against starscream

Given their warm reception to the relatively innocent and naive Camians, I'd expect a large portion of the Decepticons to chose to move there and start over by the end of this.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1686773)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 17th, 2015 @ 1:31pm CDT

Va'al wrote:I think we need the Inception BWOOOOOOONG right about now.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1687823)
Posted by MrBlack on May 20th, 2015 @ 6:55am CDT

Just read the issue.

Much better than the previous issue. A lot of things that have been brewing for quite a while blow up here.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1687827)
Posted by Ironhidensh on May 20th, 2015 @ 7:20am CDT

Another "meh" issue. Though they be fair, my negative feelings could be more about the art style, and less about this terrible rushed and forced story. MTMTE is still winning.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688270)
Posted by King Kuuga on May 21st, 2015 @ 2:01am CDT

So.....
Scoop in control of Devastator
Menasor on the loose
Superion and Defensor on the ropes
Optimus Maximus on the scene.
Despite all of that, there was relatively little actual combat this issue, compared to setup. At least they're going to end with a big brawl next issue.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688362)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 21st, 2015 @ 9:38am CDT

Aaaaaaaaaand there goes my love of the direction Prowl's character devyhas taken up till now. Hopefully he is still scheming, but I'm so SO so sad that he now combines with Optimus, a leader he has struggled to agree with and can never seem to see optic to optic.

I do kinda like what Starscream did to Scoop, though. It just makes sense.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688491)
Posted by King Kuuga on May 21st, 2015 @ 2:41pm CDT

For what it's worth, he didn't combine by choice.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688541)
Posted by MrBlack on May 21st, 2015 @ 4:39pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Aaaaaaaaaand there goes my love of the direction Prowl's character devyhas taken up till now. Hopefully he is still scheming, but I'm so SO so sad that he now combines with Optimus, a leader he has struggled to agree with and can never seem to see optic to optic.

I do kinda like what Starscream did to Scoop, though. It just makes sense.

Given how the gestalt mind seems to "bleed" between the different members, I wonder how unified in purpose Ultra Prime will be. Mirage, Ironhide, and Sunstreaker are loyal to Optimus, but Prowl is his own bot. He won't be able to "guide" Ultra Prime the same way he tried to "guide" Devastator either. Optimus is too strong a personality, and the rest of the gestalt will follow his lead rather than Prowl's.

On the other hand, if we do see a true merging of personalities, we may just end up seeing a more ruthless than usual version of Optimus.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688591)
Posted by BATTLEMASTER IIC on May 21st, 2015 @ 6:10pm CDT

Or perhaps due to the mind melding that occurs during combination, Prowl might see things Prime's way and develop a more respectful understanding.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688779)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 22nd, 2015 @ 4:04am CDT

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:Or perhaps due to the mind melding that occurs during combination, Prowl might see things Prime's way and develop a more respectful understanding.

That's what I'm afraid of. Prowl losing the character development and becoming a straight up good guy.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688957)
Posted by Va'al on May 22nd, 2015 @ 12:03pm CDT

Alex update: Review will be up by Saturday morning. Sorry about the delay, it's been manic this side of the screen.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688975)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 22nd, 2015 @ 12:47pm CDT

Hey uh, has windblade #3(?) been delayed till next month?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1688977)
Posted by Va'al on May 22nd, 2015 @ 12:48pm CDT

Apparently so.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689428)
Posted by Va'al on May 23rd, 2015 @ 10:48am CDT

Orange is the New Green
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
DESPERATE ACTIONS! As the SPACEBRIDGE reaches across the stars, will anyone stand against STARSCREAM? The answer is yes—but the cure might prove worse than the disease.

Maybe he actually cares! (...)

Story

The IDW Transformers Combiner Wars Mairghread Scott/John Barber crossover arc switches back for its fourth chapter to The Transformers ongoing, and its writer Barber, with the current playing field riddled by ruins, frustrated Cybertronians, understandably scared Camiens, ambiguous pretty much everyone else, and several schemers on the loose, of course.

Quick recap, thanks

If Starscream is made to be the most explicit in his intentions for the future of Cybertron (and its problematic status of 'homeland' or 'centre of the universe') - and he does get to play a lot with all his little, and not so little, secrets - the real focus in this issue is undoubtedly Prowl, and the enormous quantity of turmoil he carries with him.

And Bob, obviously

Baggage that he has carried for a very very long time, admittedly, and always bubbling just beneath the surface. The long conversation, the effective backbone of this book, between Prowl and Optimus Prime, is a very good example of the type of emotional level that Barber can tap into in more serious storylines, and reveals a Prowl with actual feelings, disguised under a veneer of cold calculation.

That's.. quite a list

A possibly slower issue in its first acts, with some expected combiner fights as it progresses, an entirely expected twist at the very end (though one I am very curious as to how it will play out, and well executed nonetheless) and some well staged tension between the various characters used at the centre of the story, and a very good addition to the event so far.

Art

As Livio Ramondelli keeps to interior art duties, we see a massive difference from the previous, supposedly rushed, issue - the lines and colours for the characters, especially in their expressivity (both in body language and facial), are stunningly executed, and work really effectively for the serious tones and rising tides of the story and their interactions.

A mighty fine Windblade, right there

I will have a little moment here, as there is a wonderful chromatic game being played out in the issue, with the big opposition of darkened reds (cells and optics) and blues (Spacebridge and shadows) - with some almost unexpected yellows. And they serve as backdrop for the different scenes, ultimately exploding in a much brighter, much open landscape in the finale, under the aegis of the Spacebridge.

Not shown here - have some sky instead

Tom B. Long provides the usual masterful font and lettering work, grounding the dialogue and the locations in where the reader needs them to be, and gets some fun moments in transitions, too. As for the covers, we get the magnificent Emperor Starscream by Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente, a first half of Ramondelli's Optimus Prime poster cover, and the thumbnailed (perhaps another Marcelo Matere piece? Hasbro - credits please) Optimus Maximus.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As I've said above, the issue plays a very interesting, if initially slower, game of revealing tensions and starting to prod at them without exploding until the very very end. And it was a strategy that, for me, really paid off - it shows Prowl's inner workings in a lot of ways, without removing the build-up he has received so far, and shows just how much of Optimus' influence can sway the game (and the franchise, really).

It's.. still.. coming.

We get even more on how combiner technology may not just be a technology of combination, but something a little deeper, and the beginnings of some serious power plays on all sides involved in this sudden, strange, large-scale war. And it all plays out across some closed spaces that quickly become uncomfortable for readers and characters alike - though in a good, captivating way. Next, the sort of conclusion!

out of

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689445)
Posted by Bounti76 on May 23rd, 2015 @ 11:25am CDT

I was wondering when this post would show up.

I quite enjoyed this issue, and even Livio's art wasn't distracting until all the combiners started fighting. It was hard to figure out what was happening to which combiner in the last few pages.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689449)
Posted by Va'al on May 23rd, 2015 @ 11:34am CDT

I have been silly busy. And sleep deprived.
Finally had time to finish the review.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689486)
Posted by Flashwave on May 23rd, 2015 @ 1:23pm CDT

Va'al wrote:I have been silly busy. And sleep deprived.
Finally had time to finish the review.

Sleep is for Pansies!

Sincerely,
A Pansy.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689511)
Posted by Starsaber468 on May 23rd, 2015 @ 2:31pm CDT

the ending confirms combiner wars ironhide, prowel, mirage, and sunstreaker but that combined mode in the fomics my gosh that is what we should of gotten

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689516)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 23rd, 2015 @ 2:44pm CDT

Some good thoughts, Va'al. They help me to appreciate Prowl suddenly becoming a limb for optimus better. I look forward to the conclusion in the hopes that they don't abandon his plot threads.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689532)
Posted by TGS1985 on May 23rd, 2015 @ 3:56pm CDT

Something that's really been bothering me for a while is how Scoop is back on Team Starscream. I thought after Dark Cybertron he realized the prophecy had Starscream as a destroyer, not a savior. Yet here he is stealing the Enigma of Combination and now joining Devastator on Starscream's orders. All the while it's obvious that Scoop doesn't even like Starscream anymore since he had him locked up. Just makes no sense to me, so I wonder if I missed something...

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689538)
Posted by Va'al on May 23rd, 2015 @ 4:05pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Some good thoughts, Va'al. They help me to appreciate Prowl suddenly becoming a limb for optimus better. I look forward to the conclusion in the hopes that they don't abandon his plot threads.

If you look at the Enigma scene, Prowl is the one to initiate the whole thing.
He knows people will follow Prime. He doesn't trust Prime.
He knows what he can do as a Combiner, and he's admitted that it's almost addicting.

And he wants to terminate Cybertron's interference with the universe.

All of this is making me wonder who is actually in control.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689574)
Posted by RevTibe on May 23rd, 2015 @ 7:32pm CDT

TGS1985 wrote:Something that's really been bothering me for a while is how Scoop is back on Team Starscream. I thought after Dark Cybertron he realized the prophecy had Starscream as a destroyer, not a savior. Yet here he is stealing the Enigma of Combination and now joining Devastator on Starscream's orders. All the while it's obvious that Scoop doesn't even like Starscream anymore since he had him locked up. Just makes no sense to me, so I wonder if I missed something...

I've been reading it is he still views Starscream as the chosen "Conqueror" whose control/victory is preordained - sort of a halfway between blind(ish, since prophecies have a way of happening in Transformers) faith and wanting to be on the winning team.

Va'al wrote:If you look at the Enigma scene, Prowl is the one to initiate the whole thing.
He knows people will follow Prime. He doesn't trust Prime.
He knows what he can do as a Combiner, and he's admitted that it's almost addicting.

And he wants to terminate Cybertron's interference with the universe.

All of this is making me wonder who is actually in control.

Yeah, we're seeing Prowl trying to get his worldviews behind Optimus's marketable face. The Constructicons influenced Prowl's behavior when he lead Prowlestator, Blackjack's anger issues are messing with Menasor and Scoop's belief in the Chosen One controls Devastator. If deeply held beliefs of a single component can so heavily influence the combiner, it seems likely that Combiner Prime will carry a Cybertronian Isolationist view.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689578)
Posted by TGS1985 on May 23rd, 2015 @ 7:41pm CDT

RevTibe wrote:I've been reading it is he still views Starscream as the chosen "Conqueror" whose control/victory is preordained - sort of a halfway between blind(ish, since prophecies have a way of happening in Transformers) faith and wanting to be on the winning team.

Ah so his personality has taken a hit due to current events, as he used to be the goody-two-shoes super charitable type. Okay, just seem like such a drastic change for the character.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689589)
Posted by RevTibe on May 23rd, 2015 @ 8:23pm CDT

TGS1985 wrote:
RevTibe wrote:I've been reading it is he still views Starscream as the chosen "Conqueror" whose control/victory is preordained - sort of a halfway between blind(ish, since prophecies have a way of happening in Transformers) faith and wanting to be on the winning team.

Ah so his personality has taken a hit due to current events, as he used to be the goody-two-shoes super charitable type. Okay, just seem like such a drastic change for the character.

Yeah, he's bit grumpier/more cynical. In the beginning of this issue we see a handful of Decepticons volunteering with repairs on Caminus while Scoop stands alongside Starscream, watching - he's not the same guy who founded the Construction Patrol to help people out of the goodness of his spark, now.

I suppose this could be a 'Your Mileage May Vary' thing, his development isn't given as much attention as the big names get. Personally, I feel like there are enough indicators of his arc to tell the story without being on the nose.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689592)
Posted by TGS1985 on May 23rd, 2015 @ 8:27pm CDT

RevTibe wrote:I suppose this could be a 'Your Mileage May Vary' thing, his development isn't given as much attention as the big names get. Personally, I feel like there are enough indicators of his arc to tell the story without being on the nose.

Oh I wasn't complaining. A lot of bigger things going on with this series both, figuratively and literally, so makes sense those would get all the focus. I agree with most that this was a much better issue than the last, although not quite at the MTMTE level yet.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689660)
Posted by Heckfire on May 23rd, 2015 @ 11:38pm CDT

Hell, I'm just glad to learn that my favorite TF character, Rattrap, turned out to actually be a deep cover agent for Prowl instead of the...um...what's an appropriate TF word for "@$$hole?" "Exhaust pipe" doesn't have the right impact...that IDW had seemed to be portraying him as.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689673)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 24th, 2015 @ 12:30am CDT

Heckfire wrote:Hell, I'm just glad to learn that my favorite TF character, Rattrap, turned out to actually be a deep cover agent for Prowl instead of the...um...what's an appropriate TF word for "@$$hole?" "Exhaust pipe" doesn't have the right impact...that IDW had seemed to be portraying him as.

I'd say maybe "Aft-hole," or "borehole" for LSotW fans.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689676)
Posted by TGS1985 on May 24th, 2015 @ 12:33am CDT

Heckfire wrote:Hell, I'm just glad to learn that my favorite TF character, Rattrap, turned out to actually be a deep cover agent for Prowl instead of the...um...what's an appropriate TF word for "@$$hole?" "Exhaust pipe" doesn't have the right impact...that IDW had seemed to be portraying him as.

I'm with the Twincast Podcast in that it's almost a beautiful thing that Starscream is finally getting what he always wanted. That said I'm with you in that I don't like how cocky he's become about it. It's not that it's out of character for Starscream, heck far from it, it's just he was more compelling when he pretending to be all good and humble, well to others faces at least.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689677)
Posted by King Kuuga on May 24th, 2015 @ 12:37am CDT

Heckfire wrote:Hell, I'm just glad to learn that my favorite TF character, Rattrap, turned out to actually be a deep cover agent for Prowl instead of the...um...what's an appropriate TF word for "@$$hole?" "Exhaust pipe" doesn't have the right impact...that IDW had seemed to be portraying him as.

Actuator
Afterburner
Boron Compressor
Exhaust Port
Hard Drive
Magna Fuse
Reactor Linkage
Skidplate
Solenoid
Tailgate
Tailpipe
Rear Thruster
Waste-disposal unit

Transformers fiction has been rather creative with its anatomic euphemisms.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1689974)
Posted by Heckfire on May 24th, 2015 @ 6:42pm CDT

That Bot wrote:
Heckfire wrote:Hell, I'm just glad to learn that my favorite TF character, Rattrap, turned out to actually be a deep cover agent for Prowl instead of the...um...what's an appropriate TF word for "@$$hole?" "Exhaust pipe" doesn't have the right impact...that IDW had seemed to be portraying him as.

Actuator
Afterburner
Boron Compressor
Exhaust Port
Hard Drive
Magna Fuse
Reactor Linkage
Skidplate
Solenoid
Tailgate
Tailpipe
Rear Thruster
Waste-disposal unit

Transformers fiction has been rather creative with its anatomic euphemisms.

"Skidplate" works for me in this instance, even if it also works as a name, too.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #4 - The Transformers #41 Full Preview (1690085)
Posted by King Kuuga on May 24th, 2015 @ 9:28pm CDT

SPOILERS FOR CW part 4

Between the personality bleed from non-Constructicon members of Devastator (seen in Prowl), Scoop's recruitment into their ranks, and Starscream's seemingly offhand but potentially foreshadowing remark about giving him a new paint job, plus the CW Devastator toy being based on the classic format and how closely the comics adhere to the toy designs..... who thinks Scoop is going to be rebuilt into Scrapper 2.0?

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