IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015 11:04AM CST

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Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal Views: 58,647

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JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ALL
Spoiler-Free-ish

Synopsis
MIND GAMES! The crew of the Lost Light are caught off guard when a dead friend appears out of the blue. But there's no time for a happy reunion: someone else has found his way onto the ship—someone with the power to tear the crew apart.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review

Yeah, way too soon to celebrate guys….

Story so Far
Well, just when you thought you knew it all, Roberts finds a way to make you question everything you thought you knew, and he certainly had me scratching my head at times during this read. It really didn’t pick up where the last left off, but rather steered the ship into whole new waters. We learn of some pasts that we wanted to know and some we never thought we’d see coming. And it was not at all what I expected, but it made me think, it made me go back through and take a look at what I thought I knew. This one made me question some things, and I am not sure at this time if I could give many answers.

Me about this time

Now I was disappointed in the amount of storytelling continuity between issue 47 and this one, but I can say I was somewhat satisfied by the topic that we did plunge into, and that we will finally be getting our answers. Issues 47-49 more feel like slight tidying up issues that Roberts thought he’d have more time to tell but doesn’t, so he’s rushing a bit. So the story does suffer a bit due to it, but it is still tackling the taboo that we have thought about for years, so -1 for speed but +2 for our questions being fulfilled?

Art
With Alex Milne still suffering a leg injury, art this issue is covered by the extremely talented newcomer Hayato Sakamoto, and he brings his A-game to the table this issue. He has a lot to draw, not mention some very scary and very dastardly disgusting stuff to work with, but he takes in stride and doesn’t give an inch! He forged through with no issues whatsoever and very much continues to impress me.

Yeah Rung, that’s how I’d feel staring into death itself too!

Joana Lafuente once again picks up coloring duties and the darkness of the story mixed with the bright hope and fire burning within some of our friends here makes for some stunning images, both grim and shining. Lettering is done once again by Tom B. Long, but his time he has some help with the aid of Chris Mowry, and both do a masterful job of giving life to this book, the words, and the memory issues that Skids has fought for oh so long. It truly is the lettering though, that opens up Skids properly and finally for all of us to see though.

Yeah, this proves every point right here

Thoughts, with some spoilers ahead…
Well, We are finally getting our answers, and it seems that some of them are what we thought, and yet some are nowhere near what we could ever imagine. And let alone what the end of the issue means for us going forward, Youch! Poor Rung, and poor Skids. As his memories are ripped open for all to see, I can begin to see tragedy ahead that will bring him closer to a few of his crewmates than ever before, and potential conflict with one in particular. Darkness is descending on the Lost Light, and as we speed ever faster towards Dying of the Light, I can only hope that we still have the crew we started with to hold off the darkness and give the Lost Light some new light.

Pretty much how my head feels

Overall, good issue, very good ready, amazing art, and some answers begin to come out. The major thing that lets this issue down is how it kind of tossed out some things needed to wrap up 47, but that isn’t enough to cripple it too badly.

.5 out of

Credit(s): D-Maximus_Prime, IDW

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Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1749977)
Posted by luisperezart on December 23rd, 2015 @ 11:59am CST

Yeah, it felt rushed. I think he's sprinting towards the big 50.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1749978)
Posted by 1984forever on December 23rd, 2015 @ 12:43pm CST

I hope Tailgate stays down. He is IDWs version of G1 Wheelie... so annoying. I really don't know why Hasbro felt compelled to even release minibots for '86! Everyone would have lived better lives without them.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1749979)
Posted by Randomhero on December 23rd, 2015 @ 1:01pm CST

This issue did feel very rushed. It's not a bad issue, way better than the last issue and I'm glad Cyclonus and Tailgates fates are resolved. Didn't think either died because like I said with last issue: they both appear in future covers. I think it's the strongest issue we've gotten since the issue where ratchet left but isn't better than that one.

I think the rating is justified. It's an average issue with strong art and a sense of "we need to tie up a lot of stuff because The Dying of Light starts in 2 months. Something Roberts needs to work on still, structure and pacing.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750077)
Posted by Crosscheck on December 24th, 2015 @ 12:10am CST

So the fact that Skids did not have a quantum duplicate for when the DJD attacked the Lost Light might be integral to how a future encounter with the DJD is going to play out. Skids likely knows who Tarn is, but neither of them have encountered each other since Grindcore. I get the feeling that if Tarn really is Roller, the fact they are old friends is probably why Skids is even alive at this point. With his repressed memories surfacing, Skids is probably going to relearn that fact.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750087)
Posted by pie-man on December 24th, 2015 @ 3:18am CST

Good to see some of the long awaited threads finally unraveling. The Skids-Tarn connection is finally coming to a head. Can't wait for the 3-page preview.... anyone know when #49 is coming out?

Glad to see that Getaway & Atomizer have been arrested.... that look on Magnus' face in that panel is amazing and I think that's my favorite panel in the entire issue.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750093)
Posted by Burn on December 24th, 2015 @ 4:18am CST

Gearslide wrote:
mirageandjazz1197 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Also, look, Machine Wars Soundwave!

You mean Stalker?

Machine wars Soundwave was grey.

Whoops, you're right. I completely forgot about him.

As President of the Stalker Appreciation Society I should being doing all sorts of unmentionable mean things to you.

BUT ... I feel your confusion stems from the News Crews on-going vendetta against Stalker, so I shall instead turn my attention back towards the evil News Crew.
Shame it was a flashback.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750096)
Posted by MemphisR56 on December 24th, 2015 @ 4:55am CST

Burn wrote:
Gearslide wrote:
mirageandjazz1197 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Also, look, Machine Wars Soundwave!

You mean Stalker?

Machine wars Soundwave was grey.

Whoops, you're right. I completely forgot about him.

As President of the Stalker Appreciation Society I should being doing all sorts of unmentionable mean things to you.

BUT ... I feel your confusion stems from the News Crews on-going vendetta against Stalker, so I shall instead turn my attention back towards the evil News Crew.
Shame it was a flashback.

Don't worry burn, TR Hardhead will be out soon enough.

Think of all the Stalker customs people will make!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750098)
Posted by Burn on December 24th, 2015 @ 4:59am CST

MemphisR56 wrote:
Burn wrote:
Gearslide wrote:
mirageandjazz1197 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Also, look, Machine Wars Soundwave!

You mean Stalker?

Machine wars Soundwave was grey.

Whoops, you're right. I completely forgot about him.

As President of the Stalker Appreciation Society I should being doing all sorts of unmentionable mean things to you.

BUT ... I feel your confusion stems from the News Crews on-going vendetta against Stalker, so I shall instead turn my attention back towards the evil News Crew.
Shame it was a flashback.

Don't worry burn, TR Hardhead will be out soon enough.

Think of all the Stalker customs people will make!

Hasbro had their chance with Cybertron Defense Red Alert. Plus Hardhead comes no where near close to Stalker.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750189)
Posted by Deadput on December 24th, 2015 @ 1:51pm CST

1984forever wrote:I hope Tailgate stays down. He is IDWs version of G1 Wheelie... so annoying. I really don't know why Hasbro felt compelled to even release minibots for '86! Everyone would have lived better lives without them.

Seriously?

Your like the only person I have ever witnessed to have so much hate.

Your hate capacity exceeds Palpatine or any other star wars sith lord.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750400)
Posted by LE0KING on December 26th, 2015 @ 3:47am CST

I feel like they were planning on doing something big with Tailgate's explosion at the end of 47, like suddenly super over powered Tailgate Supreme, but the fans were all like "meh >:oP

" so they just glossed over it and threw in Thunderclash's revival as an easy way to buy time for a different story.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750502)
Posted by Crosscheck on December 27th, 2015 @ 1:12am CST

It is quite funny that almost every Decepticon present at Grindcore is confirmed dead in the present time.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750565)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 27th, 2015 @ 3:24pm CST

Wait when did Stalker die?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750569)
Posted by Mindmaster on December 27th, 2015 @ 3:36pm CST

ZeroWolf wrote:Wait when did Stalker die?

In Last Stand of the Wreckers, when he got impaled in the face by Springer as he was about to torture Impactor. If I recall correctly, that is.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1750935)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on December 29th, 2015 @ 11:11am CST

Crosscheck wrote:So the fact that Skids did not have a quantum duplicate for when the DJD attacked the Lost Light might be integral to how a future encounter with the DJD is going to play out. Skids likely knows who Tarn is, but neither of them have encountered each other since Grindcore. I get the feeling that if Tarn really is Roller, the fact they are old friends is probably why Skids is even alive at this point. With his repressed memories surfacing, Skids is probably going to relearn that fact.

1 Problem though: Skids joined the lost light after it took off. He met the crew after the quantum jump that took them away from Cybertron. That's why he did not have a duplicate.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1751072)
Posted by Crosscheck on December 30th, 2015 @ 2:39am CST

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
Crosscheck wrote:So the fact that Skids did not have a quantum duplicate for when the DJD attacked the Lost Light might be integral to how a future encounter with the DJD is going to play out. Skids likely knows who Tarn is, but neither of them have encountered each other since Grindcore. I get the feeling that if Tarn really is Roller, the fact they are old friends is probably why Skids is even alive at this point. With his repressed memories surfacing, Skids is probably going to relearn that fact.

1 Problem though: Skids joined the lost light after it took off. He met the crew after the quantum jump that took them away from Cybertron. That's why he did not have a duplicate.

Yes. I addressed that in my post. My point is, that if he did have a quantum duplicate, Tarn would have encountered him a lot sooner. Knowing who Tarn is could have changed things significantly. Afterall, Skids somehow escapes Grindcore with his bad memories. No one else has. Perhaps knowing who Tarn is got him out.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1751428)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 1st, 2016 @ 4:15pm CST

Crosscheck wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
Crosscheck wrote:So the fact that Skids did not have a quantum duplicate for when the DJD attacked the Lost Light might be integral to how a future encounter with the DJD is going to play out. Skids likely knows who Tarn is, but neither of them have encountered each other since Grindcore. I get the feeling that if Tarn really is Roller, the fact they are old friends is probably why Skids is even alive at this point. With his repressed memories surfacing, Skids is probably going to relearn that fact.

1 Problem though: Skids joined the lost light after it took off. He met the crew after the quantum jump that took them away from Cybertron. That's why he did not have a duplicate.
Yes. I addressed that in my post. My point is, that if he did have a quantum duplicate, Tarn would have encountered him a lot sooner. Knowing who Tarn is could have changed things significantly. Afterall, Skids somehow escapes Grindcore with his bad memories. No one else has. Perhaps knowing who Tarn is got him out.

Somehow I feel that Skids is gonna kill Quark. This will drive a huge wedge between him and Brainstorm as crewmates and make him feel terrible. It may be Tarn recognizes him and wants to recruit him as an old friend, and to do that or something Quark dies, or he dies in an escape attempt with Skids. Either way, we are getting some good history and we will see Quark die next issue pretty sure

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1751577)
Posted by Sagitta on January 2nd, 2016 @ 3:30am CST

Crosscheck wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
Crosscheck wrote:So the fact that Skids did not have a quantum duplicate for when the DJD attacked the Lost Light might be integral to how a future encounter with the DJD is going to play out. Skids likely knows who Tarn is, but neither of them have encountered each other since Grindcore. I get the feeling that if Tarn really is Roller, the fact they are old friends is probably why Skids is even alive at this point. With his repressed memories surfacing, Skids is probably going to relearn that fact.

1 Problem though: Skids joined the lost light after it took off. He met the crew after the quantum jump that took them away from Cybertron. That's why he did not have a duplicate.
Yes. I addressed that in my post. My point is, that if he did have a quantum duplicate, Tarn would have encountered him a lot sooner. Knowing who Tarn is could have changed things significantly. Afterall, Skids somehow escapes Grindcore with his bad memories. No one else has. Perhaps knowing who Tarn is got him out.

Either way, there's that one issue in Elegant Chaos Arc. Remember, when Rodimus and the others went into the past for the first time and aided Orion Pax and his crew?

During that affair Roller went missing. After Orion gave orders for him to be searched for he and his companions' memories were wiped, including Skids. They then proceeded to get ready to depart from the area.

Very possible this is what made Roller turn. He was already feeling alienated, rightly or wrongly. Had he returned to see the area abandoned he would have felt justified. Likewise, Skids and the others could have felt Roller went MIA for no reason. Hense, the ill will. If such was the case, I doubt Skids would have been freed on the basis on knowing Tarn's true identity from the death camp. If anything, he probably would have been treated more harshly.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1751599)
Posted by Mindmaster on January 2nd, 2016 @ 9:35am CST

Calling it right now, Sunder is either possessed by or the mortal form of Mortilus, somehow revived.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1753072)
Posted by ScottyP on January 7th, 2016 @ 3:58pm CST

Randomhero wrote:I think the rating is justified. It's an average issue with strong art and a sense of "we need to tie up a lot of stuff because The Dying of Light starts in 2 months. Something Roberts needs to work on still, structure and pacing.

Yeah, I think this is one of those "paced for the trade" issues that feels like a hurry on its own. Still wish we could have that four pages back that we lost so recently. I'd pay $4.99 an issue for more content, but I know many might be put off by that so I understand IDW's call to keep the $3.99 pricing and cull the page count.

pie-man wrote:Good to see some of the long awaited threads finally unraveling. The Skids-Tarn connection is finally coming to a head. Can't wait for the 3-page preview.... anyone know when #49 is coming out?

I think #49 is set for 1/27 unfortunately.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #48 Review (1754110)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 11th, 2016 @ 12:16am CST