IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 5:20AM CDT

Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al Views: 44,844

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We Caminus, We Sawinus, We..
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
THE WAR BEGINS! The first strike in COMBINER WARS is against WINDBLADE’S homeworld—and she’s not happy about it! Her long- lost CYBERTRONIAN colony is found… and the only thing that can protect it is SUPERION.

And of course, Alpha Bravo

Story

Last week's Opening Salvo to Combiner Wars highlighted the major players and stages for the IDW event to take place, but it's with the first issue of a returning Windblade series (reuniting its creative team, if briefly) that the refuse really hits the propeller. And you can blame Swindle again, of course.

..or can you?

Mairghread Scott, one half of the plotting team behind the event with John Barber, takes the writing duties as seriously and as cruelly as she can, with death death rampage, death, destruction, no gardening, a bit more destruction and, on a different side altogether, talks of religion, diplomacy, incorporation and assimilation, politics and cultural differences - and makes both sides work really really well, if sometimes a little disjointed due to two worlds almost literally clashing.

ALL THE BACK-UP

Swindle is still pretty glorious all the way through this issue too, though the spotlight goes to Windblade unsurprisingly, and her political, diplomatic (with an edge) skills as a Camien and a Cityspeaker - as opposed to the machinations of Starscream or war-like leadership of Optimus Prime. The interactions and moments that the three have are wonderful, and at times smirk-inducing, as a result.

And some dynamics never really die

What the issues offers, then, other than some mighty fine scenes of destruction and good old fashioned imperial foreign policy, is a glimpse into how different strands of continuities are addressed as belief systems, how ex-Cybertronian societies have evolved very differently from their original soil, and how all of that, right now, holds a trepidantly unexpected set of consequences.

Art

Sarah Stone returns to interiors, too, and shows off some more lovely digital artwork, spreads, splashes, body language and physical/facial interactions corresponding and developing Scott's script ever so marvellously. Especially with the foregrounded characters, new Camien introductions and Starscream's undying quest for the perfectly suited chassis befitting his own ego.

So haaard to choooose..

We had seen Stone's amazing work on chases and landscape type panels, and we are now also treated to bigger scale creatures that are not hanging from rafters in repair workshops - and the interactions between the big brutes. Coupled with some trademark contrasting chromatic effects, highlighting key moments in fights and heated exchanges.

Dennis the Menasor

If at times, especially in the second half of the book, you might feel a little dazzled by the locations, Tom B. Long's letters are a godsend (heh), identifying not only voices but pinpointing the scenes with needed, fontastic accuracy. A slew of covers also allows to cover the multiplicity of worlds we're encountering, slowly, from the Travis Sengaus/Josh Burcham Devastator retailer variant, the Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente established Superion cover, Livio Ramondelli's poster Menasor - and the thumbnailed gorgeous Sara Pitre-Durocher Superion/Windblade variant.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

There is a lot going on in this issue, even more than was the case in Opening Salvo. While it may not sit entirely well with some readers, the material Scott (with Barber) are covering is both established and a new take, new aspects and new introductions to the mythology, world-building and conventions of the until now Cybertron/Earth axis - with minor detours - of the Transformers fiction, thanks to the Way of the Flame and its repercussions among the governing side of Caminus. And it works, for this reviewer.

Holy Mistress of Tall Flames, Batman

It is really good to see more Sarah Stone artwork too, and the fight scenes look great - but much like the writing aspect of the issue, it's what is going on around the fighting that is really the crux of the story. And trust me, you want to get all the engines running on multiple franchise continuities with this one, and revisit and reassess some older pacts that were made in light of the ongoing ark arc.

½ out of

Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666694)
Posted by TimothyR on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:29am CDT

the next panel after the shot of the jets in pursuit should show how ridiculously far behind alpha bravo is, and showing how he's incapable of catching up with the jets.

then, they should murder him and bring slingshot back.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666695)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:31am CDT

I see that Starscream is going to get the Jetfire toy mold. How sad. :-(

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666699)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:45am CDT

TimothyR wrote:the next panel after the shot of the jets in pursuit should show how ridiculously far behind alpha bravo is, and showing how he's incapable of catching up with the jets.

then, they should murder him and bring slingshot back.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666701)
Posted by Tigertrack on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:59am CDT

Now wishing I had never made that GOT connection. Can't stop unseeing it.

It's good stuff. Enjoying your reviews as always Vaal. The Blackjack and Starscream interactions confuse me slightly... But I think I get the gist of it, and if so... Stupid, Starscream just have to continuously stir the pot. I wonder if he is bored because of actually achieving his goal of being ruler. Trying to strengthen his power base I suppose. I don't know how nobody has taken him out yet...I guess people/Cybertronians must like him better than I do.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666715)
Posted by ScottyP on March 25th, 2015 @ 7:36am CDT

You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already. >:oP

Very happy to have read Covenant of Primus, especially after issues such as RiD 34 and this one. Not fundamental, but having a lot of those concepts and ideas actually used is great to see. Tons of stuff to draw upon.

Also Tigertrack, I assume the GOT thing is the Lady of Flame? If her alt mode is the Iron Throne that'd be pretty darn amazing.

And since I'm too lazy to look, when the hell did Optimus Prime get the matrix back in this continuity? Was that at the end of Dark Cybertron? I don't remember it off hand but here it is in this issue as if Rodimus never broke his half or anything.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666729)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 8:28am CDT

ScottyP wrote:You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already.

I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a helicopter keeping up with a team of jets is just ridiculous. I just can't comprehend how the editors have let this be, or how Hasbro has signed off on it. :BANG_HEAD:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666733)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on March 25th, 2015 @ 8:41am CDT

ScottyP wrote:You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already.

Very happy to have read Covenant of Primus, especially after issues such as RiD 34 and this one. Not fundamental, but having a lot of those concepts and ideas actually used is great to see. Tons of stuff to draw upon.

Also Tigertrack, I assume the GOT thing is the Lady of Flame? If her alt mode is the Iron Throne that'd be pretty darn amazing.

And since I'm too lazy to look, when the hell did Optimus Prime get the matrix back in this continuity? Was that at the end of Dark Cybertron? I don't remember it off hand but here it is in this issue as if Rodimus never broke his half or anything.

First off, there is no physical way Rodimus could've given Prime his half of the Matrix. So it's not that. It's possible that it could be Bumblebee's half, as we havn't actually seen that one since "Death of Optimus Prime".

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666741)
Posted by ScottyP on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:00am CDT

Ironhidensh wrote:
ScottyP wrote:You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already.

I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a helicopter keeping up with a team of jets is just ridiculous. I just can't comprehend how the editors have let this be, or how Hasbro has signed off on it.

"This is the day which ALPHA BRAVO has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24:ROFL:COPTER:2, New Cybertronian Standard Translation. Also see:

These are all my smart-alec ways of saying just roll with it like Bob Marley and have fun

Nemesis Maximo wrote:First off, there is no physical way Rodimus could've given Prime his half of the Matrix. So it's not that. It's possible that it could be Bumblebee's half, as we havn't actually seen that one since "Death of Optimus Prime".

Ok, so in this issue he has the whole darn thing. It's even referred to as the hilt of the Star Saber (the blade, not the 'bot), meaning it couldn't just be half. There has to be something I missed, because this just isn't normal for John "Continuity" Barber.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666742)
Posted by Umbra on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:01am CDT

I love the characterization in this chapter. I'm particularly hoping we get to see Alpha Bravo's reaction to be gestalted once they finally separate.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666746)
Posted by RevTibe on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:05am CDT

ScottyP wrote:
Nemesis Maximo wrote:First off, there is no physical way Rodimus could've given Prime his half of the Matrix. So it's not that. It's possible that it could be Bumblebee's half, as we havn't actually seen that one since "Death of Optimus Prime".

Ok, so in this issue he has the whole darn thing. It's even referred to as the hilt of the Star Saber (the blade, not the 'bot), meaning it couldn't just be half. There has to be something I missed, because this just isn't normal for John "Continuity" Barber.

The crystal core was split in half, one given to Bumblebee, one to Rodimus. As of Opening Salvo, we see that Optimus has placed Bumblebee's half of the crystal core back into the complete "Container".

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666748)
Posted by Darth Jumpy on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:10am CDT

RevTibe wrote: Maximo wrote:First off, there is no physical way Rodimus could've given Prime his half of the Matrix. So it's not that. It's possible that it could be Bumblebee's half, as we havn't actually seen that one since "Death of Optimus Prime".

In some of the extras in Punishment, I believe, it was confirmed that Optimus has the half that Bumblebee had (half a sphere) and the Matrix container (the handles and stuff). That, or Punishment was where we first saw where the Matrix was after the time skip. I am sure I read that explanation somewhere, though.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666758)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:32am CDT

You know, these spoiler tags suck ass if you are using a phone.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666759)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:33am CDT

The other thing I noticed is that it's glowing yellow rather than the usual blue associated with the Mateix. Maybe that's important, as opposed to just a coloring choice?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666804)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:01am CDT

Ironhidensh wrote:You know, these spoiler tags suck ass if you are using a phone.

Agreed, but my work around is to quote the post so I can read it.

Looking forward to this though and it looks like alpha bravo can keep up with the others just fine

I just don't see why people are getting worked up about it is this really the limit of people's suspension of disbelief?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666811)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:07am CDT

ZeroWolf wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:You know, these spoiler tags suck ass if you are using a phone.

Agreed, but my work around is to quote the post so I can read it.

Looking forward to this though and it looks like alpha bravo can keep up with the others just fine I just don't see why people are getting worked up about it is this really the limit of people's suspension of disbelief?

Everybody has something that pushes their suspension of belief too far. This is mine. I know that in the grander scheme it shouldn't matter, but it does. At least to me. This is worse than Rewinds flying data disk, or at least just as bad.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666813)
Posted by Shuttershock on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:11am CDT

Ironhidensh wrote:
ZeroWolf wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:You know, these spoiler tags suck ass if you are using a phone.

Agreed, but my work around is to quote the post so I can read it.

Looking forward to this though and it looks like alpha bravo can keep up with the others just fine I just don't see why people are getting worked up about it is this really the limit of people's suspension of disbelief?

Everybody has something that pushes their suspension of belief too far. This is mine. I know that in the grander scheme it shouldn't matter, but it does. At least to me. This is worse than Rewinds flying data disk, or at least just as bad.

To be fair, it's not unprecidented. Fall of Cybertron Vortex had a boost mode to accommodate faster flight. Not as fast as Blast Off the shuttle/rocket, but it's something.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666820)
Posted by RevTibe on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:27am CDT

Ironhidensh wrote:Everybody has something that pushes their suspension of belief too far. This is mine. I know that in the grander scheme it shouldn't matter, but it does. At least to me. This is worse than Rewinds flying data disk, or at least just as bad.

Why would the jets be blindly flying at full speed through a portal? The portal they started out at was indoors, after all. Going through at Mach-whatever sounds like a good way to paint yourself across the scenery.

Even if that wasn't the case, why would the jets be going at full speed? Outrunning Alpha Bravo would leave Superion without a leg to stand on

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666825)
Posted by william-james88 on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:36am CDT

Mairghread Scott has just posted a new entry on her blog which details a contest to get a free signed copy of Wingblade #1. The blog entry, fully posted below, also gives us her signing schedule at Emerald City Comiccon this week-end.

For those interested, you can check out a preview to Wingblade 1 right here.

Hello Everyone!

windblade 1Transformers Windblade #1 – Combiner Wars Part 1 is out this Wednesday, March 25th! This is Part 1 of Combiner Wars and immediately follows last week’s Transformers #39 Combiner Wars: Opening Salvo! You will want to follow both series to get the whole story of this massive crossover event. To help with that, here’s the reading order:

Transformers #39 – Combiner Wars: Opening Salvo – Available Now
Transformers Windblade #1 – Combiner Wars Part 1 – Available Now
Transformers #40 – Combiner Wars Part 2 – Available in April
Transformers Windblade #2 – Combiner Wars Part 3 – Available in April
Transformers #41 – Combiner Wars Part 4 – Available in May
Transformers Windblade #3 – Combiner Wars Part 5 – Available in May

I am also doing a Windblade # 1 giveaway contest. To enter, tweet or tumble a picture of either you with your copy of Windblade #1 (physical or digital) or a picture of your Transformers toys reading Windblade #1, or both of you together (clearly the best option) and include the tag #WindbladeReturns. The deadline for submissions is April 8th. I’ll randomly pick three submissions and the winners will get a signed copy of Transformers Windblade #1 – Combiner Wars Part 1 in the mail.

In other news…

Emerald City Comic Con is this weekend and I’ll be there mostly to hang out and have fun but I am doing a few signings listed below. As always, if you see me at the show I’m happy to chat and sign some books. Here’s the info for my signings:

Friday March 27th: 3pm to 4pm at Livio Ramondelli’s table E-10.
Saturday March 28th: 6pm to 7pm at the IDW Booth #1802.
Sunday March 29th, 3pm to 4pm at Livio Ramondelli’s table E-10.

Also make sure to visit Transformers artist Andrew Griffith at HH-08. He is awesome.

TF Wb 4 cover PriscillaCheck out this cover by Priscilla Tramontano from Windblade #4. The solicitations for this just dropped, so make sure you pre-order:

Transformers: Windblade #4 – Order Code: APR150378

(W) Mairghread Scott (A) Corin Howell (CA) Priscilla Tramontano

More Worlds – More Problems! After the events of Combiner Wars, Windblade and Starscream race to recruit the lost Cybertronian colonies to the Council of Worlds – but which of them will control the fate of Cybertron?

This issue features the new Transformers artist Corin Howell to Team Windblade! You can see her amazing work here. I can’t wait till you see her take on redacted for spoilers. It’s awesome!

Stay tuned in April for more comic news and perhaps some cool new cartoon news, too!

Be Well,
Mairghread

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666826)
Posted by Randomhero on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:38am CDT

Great comic top notch

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666827)
Posted by Randomhero on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:39am CDT

Ya know...I'm done. This is beyond pathetic. Throwing fits about a helicopter or a truck. I'm legitimately embarrassed to be part of the fandom anymore when I see this these cry baby fits about alpha bravo abd Offroad. You people are more immature than the children you stand next to in the toy aisle looking at the same toy as that kid. It's ridiculous.

It must amazing to wake up every day and continue to post and post your fits about a toy.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666829)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:44am CDT

So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666832)
Posted by Randomhero on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:48am CDT

Optimizzy wrote:So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Welcome to last the last 9 months when IDW has repeatedly said MTMTE is not involved.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666834)
Posted by Umbra on March 25th, 2015 @ 11:50am CDT

Optimizzy wrote:So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Yup, looks like they dumped all relevant characters onto a shuttle for cybertron, and have sailed on looking for Thunderclash none the wiser

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666844)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 12:16pm CDT

Randomhero wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Welcome to last the last 9 months when IDW has repeatedly said MTMTE is not involved.

Wow. That's rude.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666862)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on March 25th, 2015 @ 12:47pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Welcome to last the last 9 months when IDW has repeatedly said MTMTE is not involved.

Wow. That's rude.

Ah, don't mind him. He's just grumpy coz he keeps saying he's done being a part of the fandom because some fans don't like Alpha Bravo and Offroad, (even though he keeps forgetting about the rst of that do like them) but can't quite quit us. Keeps coming back; it's an on-again-off-again relationship.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666869)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 12:58pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:So MTMTE is not involved in the CW? That's interesting. Im glad they can continue their own storylines

Welcome to last the last 9 months when IDW has repeatedly said MTMTE is not involved.

Wow. That's rude.

Ah, don't mind him. He's just grumpy coz he keeps saying he's done being a part of the fandom because some fans don't like Alpha Bravo and Offroad, (even though he keeps forgetting about the rst of that do like them) but can't quite quit us. Keeps coming back; it's an on-again-off-again relationship.

those relationships are the worse.

Even though I'm a fan of Alpha Bravo (its such a cool mold!) I have to admit that I will replace him with Slingshot (or Quickshot or whatever). I just like the look of all the jets. However, I absolutely love offload so I don't think Wildrider is going to replace him just yet. Still getting him though.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666882)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 1:19pm CDT

just read it. Wow. pretty cool set up. I kinda like how religion is being handled in it. My only concern is that this religious viewpoint doesn't try to establish itself as the one true religion or something. Or the "TRUE" origin of the transformers. That happens sometimes. I like the different myths and stuff. I don't want to see too much Aligned in my IDWG1.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666901)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 25th, 2015 @ 2:07pm CDT

Primus is already in IDW, and there was the thirteen primes

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666903)
Posted by Wheeljack808 on March 25th, 2015 @ 2:12pm CDT

After reading opening salvo I gotta say that this line of comics is gonna be REALLY cool. I love how they seem to take a lot of elements from other transformers series and connect them together here....sort of like they're COMBINING them. LOL sorry had to do it.

I mean rattrap is here (beast wars)
Starscream is in his Armada form (or at least closer to it)
Story elements from Re-Generation One can be seen here or there.

It's super cool. I also love seeing Optimus's interactions with Starscream as the "leader" of Cybertron. Kind of like the relationship Thor has with Loki. I will trust you for now, but step out of line and you will be dead SO fast. LOL

I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666909)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 2:21pm CDT

ZeroWolf wrote:Primus is already in IDW, and there was the thirteen primes

Not really what I mean, but I admit what Im thinking is hard to describe.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666916)
Posted by ScottyP on March 25th, 2015 @ 2:32pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:just read it. Wow. pretty cool set up. I kinda like how religion is being handled in it. My only concern is that this religious viewpoint doesn't try to establish itself as the one true religion or something. Or the "TRUE" origin of the transformers. That happens sometimes. I like the different myths and stuff. I don't want to see too much Aligned in my IDWG1.

I'm with you on this. I think it's fantastic that they're drawing on some of that as a means to world-build their universe while using concepts that can pretty cleanly be re-used. The stuff with Caminus is so far very smart, and makes a ton of sense. Very interested to see where it keeps going!

Then again, the Aligned Universe (and the rest of them) was just created in MTMTE 38 when Perceptor disengaged the paradox locks, but maybe the 13 Primes thing predates that schism and is put in here to let us assume that the creation myth, or at least parts of it, may be "universal" throughout alternate realities/dimensions.

Actually, come to think of it, we're not supposed to think about it that hard. :lol:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666945)
Posted by Coptur on March 25th, 2015 @ 3:32pm CDT

Ironhidensh wrote:
ScottyP wrote:You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already.

I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a helicopter keeping up with a team of jets is just ridiculous. I just can't comprehend how the editors have let this be, or how Hasbro has signed off on it.

sooo you never complained about Blades leaving the entire Protectobots behind, the stunticons speeding off and leaving motormaster in the dust, blast off always arriving first to every battle scene, snaptrap paddling along whilst the other seacons finish the fight before he's even gotten halfway....

you sir are illogical

or how about the trainbots being limited to how they get anywhere

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666946)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on March 25th, 2015 @ 3:36pm CDT

Coptur wrote:...how about the trainbots being limited to how they get anywhere

Stupid trains.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666967)
Posted by Wheeljack808 on March 25th, 2015 @ 4:23pm CDT

Well I do see your point (and this isn't an argument for or against the existence of Alpha Bravo) at the end of the day its about minimum velocity rather than maximum. Could the other jets fly slow enough to fly with Alpha Bravo? Probably. Could Blades stay in formation with the Protectobots and stay in flight? Absolutely. Would the other Stunticons stay with Motormaster rather than driving ahead of him? DEFINITELY! (Would you want someone that mean to be behind you?) With Blast Off you have a point but then he's a shuttle and that's already pretty silly when you think about it. As for Snaptrap again you are correct but his bio does list him as being quite slow and that he's never needed his speed to begin with. Just because they CAN go much faster than their teammates doesn't mean they always do.

As for the trainbots....eh I agree but I dunno, maybe they deploy wheels when they're off the tracks or something?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666975)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 4:39pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Coptur wrote:...how about the trainbots being limited to how they get anywhere

Stupid trains.

Pffft. Trains :roll:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666976)
Posted by Shuttershock on March 25th, 2015 @ 4:45pm CDT

Wheeljack808 wrote:After reading opening salvo I gotta say that this line of comics is gonna be REALLY cool. I love how they seem to take a lot of elements from other transformers series and connect them together here....sort of like they're COMBINING them. LOL sorry had to do it.

I mean rattrap is here (beast wars)
Starscream is in his Armada form (or at least closer to it)
Story elements from Re-Generation One can be seen here or there.

It's super cool. I also love seeing Optimus's interactions with Starscream as the "leader" of Cybertron. Kind of like the relationship Thor has with Loki. I will trust you for now, but step out of line and you will be dead SO fast. LOL

I can't wait to see where this series goes.

I think it's funny that, paradoxically, Optimus is hamstrung by his own values. He's beholden to the will of the people and their choices, but they chose Starscream who is ever duplicitous and self-serving. Yet he can't intervene and choose who gains power, or he'd be elevating his will over everyone else. And Starscream knows it.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666979)
Posted by 1984forever on March 25th, 2015 @ 4:59pm CDT

Can we stop with the Alpha Bravo crap already? He was never an original Aerialbot. Hasbro admitted he was a mistake (kind of) when they were talking about Dragstrip and Air raid being in the wrong waves.

With the exception of Alpha Bravo not having a personality, Windblade #1 was great. The writing and art were top notch. The book made me want to buy both combiners. But in the end the book is stil a failure for using bland made up characters alongside corny creations like Hot shot and Windblade.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1666996)
Posted by prjkt on March 25th, 2015 @ 5:32pm CDT

RevTibe wrote:
ScottyP wrote:
Nemesis Maximo wrote:First off, there is no physical way Rodimus could've given Prime his half of the Matrix. So it's not that. It's possible that it could be Bumblebee's half, as we havn't actually seen that one since "Death of Optimus Prime".

Ok, so in this issue he has the whole darn thing. It's even referred to as the hilt of the Star Saber (the blade, not the 'bot), meaning it couldn't just be half. There has to be something I missed, because this just isn't normal for John "Continuity" Barber.
The crystal core was split in half, one given to Bumblebee, one to Rodimus. As of Opening Salvo, we see that Optimus has placed Bumblebee's half of the crystal core back into the complete "Container".

at least on the digital version, after close inspection, it only looks like half a sphere is glowing

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667009)
Posted by durroth on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:21pm CDT

Where he is going to get the other half from, we can only guess. Since it's gone.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667011)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:26pm CDT

Coptur wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:
ScottyP wrote:You Alpha Bravo haters take your Quickslinger toys and be happy already.

I'm sorry, I really am, but the idea of a helicopter keeping up with a team of jets is just ridiculous. I just can't comprehend how the editors have let this be, or how Hasbro has signed off on it.

sooo you never complained about Blades leaving the entire Protectobots behind, the stunticons speeding off and leaving motormaster in the dust, blast off always arriving first to every battle scene, snaptrap paddling along whilst the other seacons finish the fight before he's even gotten halfway....

you sir are illogical

or how about the trainbots being limited to how they get anywhere

I'm a 35 year old happily married father of 2 awesome little boys. I have a job, 401k, mortgage, and a minivan. My biggest purchase last year was a cub cadet riding lawn tractor, and I was super stoked about it.
All that and I spend time on the Internet talking about toys from the '80s.

My point? Where does logic play into any of this?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667015)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on March 25th, 2015 @ 6:33pm CDT

Aw man, not even starscream would consider Ma-chine Wars starscream for a body; I love that figure.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667043)
Posted by highburn on March 25th, 2015 @ 7:38pm CDT

You know I’m going to finally throw my name in this fight over the new combiner limb guys. A truck and a helicopter are the breaking points in the suspension of disbelief... in a world of giant robots that turn into things, for disguises, LIKE DINOSAURS! You know if you really want a breaking point...go all the way back to 1984 and watch the first season of G1. Nearly every human wore the same clothes and hard hats. Do you drive a truck? Blue jeans, yellow boots, gray shirt, and a hard hat. Work in McDonalds? Blue jeans, yellow boots, gray shirt, and a hard hat. Really??? That should have done it for you.

Now if you will excuse me I have to go put on my exo-suit transform and drive back to imagination land were the toys came from....TOYS.

SIGNED:
A VERY PROUD LARGE MAN CHILD WHO OWNS A LOT OF ACTION FIGURES (TOYS!!!!!)

P.S. ACTION FIGURES; see toys that were once designed for children that have been updated for adult children to gather dust in rooms and harken back to days of the owners youth that were happier times.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667072)
Posted by Coptur on March 25th, 2015 @ 8:46pm CDT

1984forever wrote:Can we stop with the Alpha Bravo crap already? He was never an original Aerialbot. Hasbro admitted he was a mistake (kind of) when they were talking about Dragstrip and Air raid being in the wrong waves.

With the exception of Alpha Bravo not having a personality, Windblade #1 was great. The writing and art were top notch. The book made me want to buy both combiners. But in the end the book is stil a failure for using bland made up characters alongside corny creations like Hot shot and Windblade.

Alpha Bravo is an Aerialbot for the new generation of transformer fans...so you're judging his character off of a few panels..bah :HEADHURTS:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667075)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:01pm CDT

Coptur wrote:
1984forever wrote:Can we stop with the Alpha Bravo crap already? He was never an original Aerialbot. Hasbro admitted he was a mistake (kind of) when they were talking about Dragstrip and Air raid being in the wrong waves.

With the exception of Alpha Bravo not having a personality, Windblade #1 was great. The writing and art were top notch. The book made me want to buy both combiners. But in the end the book is stil a failure for using bland made up characters alongside corny creations like Hot shot and Windblade.

Alpha Bravo is an Aerialbot for the new generation of transformer fans...so you're judging his character off of a few panels..bah

I agree with Coptur: Alpha Bravo may not be original, but many fans today do not follow G1 to the dot, and I'm perfectly ok with that. A helicopter adds new persona to a flying team, and I like the FoC Vortex idea of boost jets with folded rotors. The toy can do it too

New characters add new elements to the lore too. Offroad, Rook, Alpha Bravo and whoever is to come for Bruticus and Computron will add new volume to the transformers as a whole, and I really like that. Don't like new characters? that's fine, we're all different. But I love new guys and gals. If there are millions of cybertronians, we have plenty of room to work with too. Not everyone needs to be the same old same old 50 or so characters.

P.S: I am a Live-action/Animated generation: I could have watched RiD and Unicron trilogy, but I didn't. Live-action hooked me, and I've now watched all the cartoons and read a ton of the comics, so I am perfectly ok with Both the old and the new. I really like IDW's direction, and I look forward for what's to come.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667077)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:11pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

P.S: I am a Live-action/Animated generation: I could have watched RiD and Unicron trilogy, but I didn't. Live-action hooked me, and I've now watched all the cartoons and read a ton of the comics, so I am perfectly ok with Both the old and the new. I really like IDW's direction, and I look forward for what's to come.

It looks like you just joined, so welcome!

I'm an old g1 guy. I've been a fan since then. Don't get me wrong, though, I pretty much have reasons to like all the iterations. I'm not a huge fan of the live-action movies (I like the first one) but I love animated. I think IDW is becoming my favorite iteration.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667081)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 25th, 2015 @ 9:29pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

P.S: I am a Live-action/Animated generation: I could have watched RiD and Unicron trilogy, but I didn't. Live-action hooked me, and I've now watched all the cartoons and read a ton of the comics, so I am perfectly ok with Both the old and the new. I really like IDW's direction, and I look forward for what's to come.

It looks like you just joined, so welcome!

I'm an old g1 guy. I've been a fan since then. Don't get me wrong, though, I pretty much have reasons to like all the iterations. I'm not a huge fan of the live-action movies (I like the first one) but I love animated. I think IDW is becoming my favorite iteration.

Thank you! Yes, I am pretty new, but I've learned a lot in my 8 years.
I do really like the movies and the style they use, even if others don't. I like them; they're new and cool. I loved animated, and its storytelling is so much like Beast Wars. Unicron trilogy is unique, and Prime had awesome CGI and storytelling and lore. I really haven't found an iteration that I did not like, but I will say IDW is one of my favorites, especially MTMTE. I respect the olds and embrace the news, and that, in my opinion, is the key to truly enjoying a brand, past, present and future.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667744)
Posted by MrBlack on March 27th, 2015 @ 7:54am CDT

ScottyP wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:just read it. Wow. pretty cool set up. I kinda like how religion is being handled in it. My only concern is that this religious viewpoint doesn't try to establish itself as the one true religion or something. Or the "TRUE" origin of the transformers. That happens sometimes. I like the different myths and stuff. I don't want to see too much Aligned in my IDWG1.

I'm with you on this. I think it's fantastic that they're drawing on some of that as a means to world-build their universe while using concepts that can pretty cleanly be re-used. The stuff with Caminus is so far very smart, and makes a ton of sense. Very interested to see where it keeps going!

Then again, the Aligned Universe (and the rest of them) was just created in MTMTE 38 when Perceptor disengaged the paradox locks, but maybe the 13 Primes thing predates that schism and is put in here to let us assume that the creation myth, or at least parts of it, may be "universal" throughout alternate realities/dimensions.

Actually, come to think of it, we're not supposed to think about it that hard.

Agreed. I'm a big fan of the way that the writers have been reusing good concepts from other continuities (Primus, the Thirteen) with new concepts (Primus begat Primus, the colonies, the Knights of Cybertron). I'm really eager to see where they take all of this.

In particular, I'm hoping beyond hope that they work in the coolest aspect of the Prime mythology, Unicron as Earth. I'm also hoping that some aspects of James Roberts' Eugenesis fan novel regarding the Quintessons make it into IDW continuity. I thought both of those were very bold departures from prior mythologies, and I would love to see them explored in more depth.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667803)
Posted by Optimizzy on March 27th, 2015 @ 10:43am CDT

MrBlack wrote:
ScottyP wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:just read it. Wow. pretty cool set up. I kinda like how religion is being handled in it. My only concern is that this religious viewpoint doesn't try to establish itself as the one true religion or something. Or the "TRUE" origin of the transformers. That happens sometimes. I like the different myths and stuff. I don't want to see too much Aligned in my IDWG1.

I'm with you on this. I think it's fantastic that they're drawing on some of that as a means to world-build their universe while using concepts that can pretty cleanly be re-used. The stuff with Caminus is so far very smart, and makes a ton of sense. Very interested to see where it keeps going!

Then again, the Aligned Universe (and the rest of them) was just created in MTMTE 38 when Perceptor disengaged the paradox locks, but maybe the 13 Primes thing predates that schism and is put in here to let us assume that the creation myth, or at least parts of it, may be "universal" throughout alternate realities/dimensions.

Actually, come to think of it, we're not supposed to think about it that hard.

Agreed. I'm a big fan of the way that the writers have been reusing good concepts from other continuities (Primus, the Thirteen) with new concepts (Primus begat Primus, the colonies, the Knights of Cybertron). I'm really eager to see where they take all of this.

In particular, I'm hoping beyond hope that they work in the coolest aspect of the Prime mythology, Unicron as Earth. I'm also hoping that some aspects of James Roberts' Eugenesis fan novel regarding the Quintessons make it into IDW continuity. I thought both of those were very bold departures from prior mythologies, and I would love to see them explored in more depth.

I hope they don't donthe unicorn as earth thing. I hated that actually.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667851)
Posted by King Kuuga on March 27th, 2015 @ 12:32pm CDT

MrBlack wrote:In particular, I'm hoping beyond hope that they work in the coolest aspect of the Prime mythology, Unicron as Earth. I'm also hoping that some aspects of James Roberts' Eugenesis fan novel regarding the Quintessons make it into IDW continuity. I thought both of those were very bold departures from prior mythologies, and I would love to see them explored in more depth.

The problem with Unicron as Earth is that it guarantees we'll never see him transform and face off with the cybertronians in a big, epic battle because that would cause far too much destruction to the cultures of Earth.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #1 Review (1667858)
Posted by Flashwave on March 27th, 2015 @ 12:47pm CDT

MrBlack wrote:
ScottyP wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:just read it. Wow. pretty cool set up. I kinda like how religion is being handled in it. My only concern is that this religious viewpoint doesn't try to establish itself as the one true religion or something. Or the "TRUE" origin of the transformers. That happens sometimes. I like the different myths and stuff. I don't want to see too much Aligned in my IDWG1.

I'm with you on this. I think it's fantastic that they're drawing on some of that as a means to world-build their universe while using concepts that can pretty cleanly be re-used. The stuff with Caminus is so far very smart, and makes a ton of sense. Very interested to see where it keeps going!

Then again, the Aligned Universe (and the rest of them) was just created in MTMTE 38 when Perceptor disengaged the paradox locks, but maybe the 13 Primes thing predates that schism and is put in here to let us assume that the creation myth, or at least parts of it, may be "universal" throughout alternate realities/dimensions.

Actually, come to think of it, we're not supposed to think about it that hard.

Agreed. I'm a big fan of the way that the writers have been reusing good concepts from other continuities (Primus, the Thirteen) with new concepts (Primus begat Primus, the colonies, the Knights of Cybertron). I'm really eager to see where they take all of this.

In particular, I'm hoping beyond hope that they work in the coolest aspect of the Prime mythology, Unicron as Earth. I'm also hoping that some aspects of James Roberts' Eugenesis fan novel regarding the Quintessons make it into IDW continuity. I thought both of those were very bold departures from prior mythologies, and I would love to see them explored in more depth.

I'd really rather they didn't actually. It was kinda intriguing for the one time as "well, here's why the Transformers have been drawn to the planet, their Anti-Diety is here." But I refuse to accept that as Omniversal cannon and prefer to ignore it in my own headcannon, with the hope that it stays buried in Prime forever.

I'd say there's a chance for Quintessons though, given Roberts' past works making cameos. But I'm not fsmiliar with it.

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