IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #52 Full Preview

Oh Hi Senator Proteus, it's been a while since we last saw you.

This is why I don't believe it's Roller and its Proteus. Why would Megatron want to prove a point to roller and hurt him? He never met Roller before the war. He'd have nothing to prove or reason to harm him. Same with Dominus. Dominus believed in equality to but to do so without violence. That last page shows that whoever Tarn used to be it was someone Megatron hated and changed to show the what decepticons really stood for.

I never realized that Megatron was taller than Tarn.

Randomhero wrote:This is why I don't believe it's Roller and its Proteus. Why would Megatron want to prove a point to roller and hurt him? He never met Roller before the war. He'd have nothing to prove or reason to harm him. Same with Dominus. Dominus believed in equality to but to do so without violence. That last page shows that whoever Tarn used to be it was someone Megatron hated and changed to show the what decepticons really stood for.

He didn't want to hurt the person Tarn is and prove the point to the person Tarn is. He was using whoever Tarn is to hurt and prove the point to someone else. Presumably Optimus. Dominus could also still be on the table because corrupting him into violence could be part of the change that Megatron was talking about. I don't think it was Tarn that Megatron hated at all. Tarn was an opportunity, a tool, to use against someone else Megatron hated. As far as I'm concerned all three options are still on the table, or others. Knowing Roberts it could be someone we're not even thinking of.

Blozor wrote:

Randomhero wrote:This is why I don't believe it's Roller and its Proteus. Why would Megatron want to prove a point to roller and hurt him? He never met Roller before the war. He'd have nothing to prove or reason to harm him. Same with Dominus. Dominus believed in equality to but to do so without violence. That last page shows that whoever Tarn used to be it was someone Megatron hated and changed to show the what decepticons really stood for.

He didn't want to hurt the person Tarn is and prove the point to the person Tarn is. He was using whoever Tarn is to hurt and prove the point to someone else. Presumably Optimus. Dominus could also still be on the table because corrupting him into violence could be part of the change that Megatron was talking about. I don't think it was Tarn that Megatron hated at all. Tarn was an opportunity, a tool, to use against someone else Megatron hated. As far as I'm concerned all three options are still on the table, or others. Knowing Roberts it could be someone we're not even thinking of.

These were my thoughts as well when I read it. Who ever tarn is was important to someone else.

See I take the line as Megatron hurting the person Tarm was, not hurting someone important to tarn. I take it as he was tortured until he developed a Stockholm syndrome toward the Decepticons. That's why I think it's senator proteus. Proteus is the last person anyone would think because everyone assumes he's dead and him turning into Tarn would be the most ironic twist because he created the Decepticons with his corrupted ideals in the senate.

This is all building to the end of the DJD. There's never been anything in the past 4 years of MTMTEs history that's ever had anything about Megatron wanting to hurt someone to prove a point or convince that his cause was right.

With Proteus, we've had a lot of scenes and conversations about what he was and what his influence has done with what's James has been conveying in MTMTE. He is someone Megatron would want to hurt and someone Megatron would want to prove something to. Especially with the last line on that page of saying "if you could be turned" meaning that Tarn is essentially someone you'd not expect. I wouldn't put a line like that on Roller because Roller was never an actual autobot. He never fought against the Decepticons. Dominus Ambus is someone we know absolutely nothing about. He's a minor character who has no true impact on everyone except rewind and Chromedome. I'm not even counting minimus because they don't even have a relationship. Even minimus says they don't. I think the Dominus story will be its own story, not being shoehorned in a story that's really got no place for him. That's a story that should be its own 5-6 issues which I believe it will be and probably connected to some Knights of Cybertron mythos. Proteus does have an impact on everyone because he is the reason for the whole war.

No, I don't think it's that, though I van see why you think that. Looking at the big picture, Tarn is making it about it but in reality, megs just used him against someone else, and as a symbol of the decepticons.

ZeroWolf wrote:No, I don't think it's that, though I van see why you think that. Looking at the big picture, Tarn is making it about it but in reality, megs just used him against someone else, and as a symbol of the decepticons.

That doesn't sound like IDW Megatron though.

Randomhero wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:No, I don't think it's that, though I van see why you think that. Looking at the big picture, Tarn is making it about it but in reality, megs just used him against someone else, and as a symbol of the decepticons.

That doesn't sound like IDW Megatron though.

I made a grammar mistake with my post, it should be that Tarn is making about himself.

As for IDW megs not doing that? I don't see why he wouldn't, all depending on when he did it

You could still be right, just not for the reasons you put.

As already said, it may be someone we don't know, just to throw us off with all these red herrings.

ZeroWolf wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:No, I don't think it's that, though I van see why you think that. Looking at the big picture, Tarn is making it about it but in reality, megs just used him against someone else, and as a symbol of the decepticons.

That doesn't sound like IDW Megatron though.

I made a grammar mistake with my post, it should be that Tarn is making about himself.

As for IDW megs not doing that? I don't see why he wouldn't, all depending on when he did it

You could still be right, just not for the reasons you put.

As already said, it may be someone we don't know, just to throw us off with all these red herrings.

I believe Roller is 100% a red herring. People have blasted Roberts with roller being Tarn since Rollers first appearance because he's someone that isn't around anymore and James gave up all those blatant clues in Elegant Chaos. James doesn't do that in his writing unless he's just egging us. He does throw clues in his stuff but they're subtle and un noticed. Like Minimus Ambus. You go back in the first year of MTMTE there were so many hints of ultra Magnus not being ultra Magnus.

In before cat driving car jokes? Is swear, Ravage has always been one of my favorite transformers, but this version of him is by far the tops. I Just wish there were a toy to match his awesomeness.

Ebonyleopard wrote:In before cat driving car jokes? Is swear, Ravage has always been one of my favorite transformers, but this version of him is by far the tops. I Just wish there were a toy to match his awesomeness.

I wouldn't go that far, man. I prefer the evil Russian version from Beast wars

ive been reading MTMTE from the start and for the life of me i couldnt tell you who senator proteous is- such is the impact he made on me.

so if its him itll get a "meh" from me.

the whole point of roller is he portrayed as someone primes named his ship after (skyroller) and has named part of himself after (roller ) and him being turned would hurt prime as he's been set up to mean so much to the guy.

with prime pretty much being the only guy megs want to hurt it all adds up.

to be honest at this stage if its not roller i'll feel like its a deliberate jip on james part done for a M night Shalaman twist effect i.e cheap writing.

Randomhero wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:No, I don't think it's that, though I van see why you think that. Looking at the big picture, Tarn is making it about it but in reality, megs just used him against someone else, and as a symbol of the decepticons.

That doesn't sound like IDW Megatron though.

It does, though; particularly the Megatron we saw in Chaos Theory.

Yes it's - perhaps conspicuously - obvious now, but I actually hope Tarn is Roller. As Partholon said above, if it were anyone else I simply wouldn't give a s**t. A corrupted Roller carries weight, pathos. In fact it's been a pity that we don't know still more about his relationship with Prime. That would be one helluva flashback story, visiting the process of his indoctrination at the hands of Megatron.

However, it seems a bit odd that Tarn's Decepticon body is so much shorter than Roller's.

What about this, Roller is truly dead, his body is being rebuilt into what we see now and being used for either Dominus Ambus or Proteous. A part of me wants to think Ambus because Tarn's use of words to destroy someone from within, but Proteous could also have that same gift being a Senator.

I just love how these so-called background characters like Kaon can take shape with personality. He's a pretty cool concept as a transformer anyway.

But, sadly, the real reason I keep up with MTMTE is that its One Title with One Storyline and I always know which issue to buy

This looks to have some awesome action. Looking forward to writing up the review for this one. It's gonna be interesting!!

to prove a point?

...here's to crime

Synopsis

Megatron vs. Tarn

Sounds simple right? The teacher and the student. The master and the apprentice. Having those Star Wars flashbacks yet? Well, Darth Vader has nothing on Issue 52 of More Than Meets The Eye, and that is a fact. But, we may be getting ahead of ourselves here. Let's take a few quick steps back and talk a bit first. Then we can put Lord Vader in his place.



Story

Well, if you are a More Than Meets The Eye fan, and even if you really aren't, this is the issue that should be on the top of your desires list. Things are nowhere near straight forward. Everything has a point, and then when you think you have the point, suddenly another one comes out of nowhere and stabs you in the back. This was a story heavy on the plot, yet heavier on the action, as if that was possible. This issue took things up several levels, from the players involved to the very foundations of the opposing sides. There were things that were expected. There were things that were wished for that finally came true. And yet, there were things that no one could possibly see coming, yet they did. The story has the twists and turns that Roberts is oh so known for pulling off, but this issue does it in far more dramatic fashion than pretty much any other issue.



This issue is what issue 50 should have felt like. Scratch that: this issue is what 50 was meant to bring about, and in that regard this is extraordinarily organized and executed. If you felt that the last year of More Than Meets The Eye was lackluster and felt off, believe me: This thing accelerates that faster than the Millennium Falcon can jump into hyperspace. Megatron, Tarn, Kaon, Ratchet, Drift and Rodimus make for the big 6 of the story and get their good moments.This is more than just physical war; this is also psychological war, and we see how that has affected our characters, and how they will affect our characters.

Art

I follow James Roberts on Twitter and I know so many things about what is to come and what he thinks of both his artists and his fans. For issue 51, he made a point of saying that the art in that issue was supposed to be the creative teams best artwork ever, and it did live up to the hype. But for all that they did in 51, take that and multiply it by several degrees and you get the art in issue 52. The art in here is astounding! If you ever had even the slightest thought that Alex Milne was going off his game, here's a clue: Hell no he's not. The lines are bold, the background setting massively detailed, the very characters themselves beautifully defined in all their states of wear, tear, and care.



Of course though, this creative team is far from being just Milne. His lines and attention to detail may be the baseline, but Joana Lafuente brings the colors to the front, and she is far and away on the A-team. Probably the biggest moment when she shines? Right as the sun starts setting. Page 7. Page 7 is where she shines her brightest. The light may be dying, but she is in no way dying down, and if anything the fading light only brings her colors farther forward.



And no issue is complete without its lettering. Tom B. Long gets mentioned so much in our many reviews, and he is always worthy of the praise that is sung for his work. Kaon comes to the front as one of the primary 5 characters I can say this story focuses on, and Long does a great bit in bringing that forward. Kaon's passion and fury are always present, and if Milne and Lafuente didn't already make that clear, Long's lettering far and away makes sure his voice is in your face.



Thoughts
You are now entering potentially spoiler territory. Enter at own Risk



Alright, now that I can be a little freer in my opinions, I will say this: This is be the best issue of More Than Meets The Eye that we have gotten. People wanted the action, and we got it. Ohhhhhh we got it alright. We didn't have much of that standing around talking and setting up what’s to happen next shenanigans. Nope, we got the action sequences that were meant to be. 13 of the 20 pages involved physical violence, all of which was beautifully executed, and in some ways literally. I can say with confidence and truth that there were 2 main parts to the story involving 2 different characters that I could never have anticipated. Just when you think you are rid of someone, they come back with an explanation that furthers your own storyline yet makes complete sense, and makes things only that much worse.

This issue had 3 main characters so to speak: We has the obvious Tarn and Megatron, but we must also not forget Kaon made for a main character and definitely got his personality that he will forever be known for. Ratchet and Drift, while not making total "main character" status, were definitely very well executed secondary characters, as was Rodimus. We also begin to see the cracks in the armor for some members. Sometimes they are extraordinarily subtle, but take a look and you will see.

As a parting thought, it has been said now that issues 54 and 55 will wrap up Dying of the Light, and that 56 is the epilogue so to speak, with a Titans Return crossover coming soon after. Roberts himself even said that 56 would make for a great series finale, though I'm sure we are far from done here. But no matter. It does not matter if this ends in the 50's, or even if we end up much higher though. This issue is Roberts at his peak, Milne at his peak, Lafuente at her peak, Long at his peak. This is the issue that defines what More Than Meets The Eye is, and I look forward to where this can possibly can go from here. In conclusion: Vader, I think Tarn wears the mask better.

out of

Good review d-max though one error "13 out of 2 pages" doesn't quite make sense

I wonder if the titan returns back story segment has thrown a wrench into the works of mtmte natural development.

Though I wonder how many people will take Roberts view of the end of this arc being a great series finisher and actually think this series is ending

Thanks Zero! That has been fixed.

I'm hoping Titans Return doesn't throw a wrench into things, because we are getting good build up here and there are even more continuous hints towards a much bigger storyline. But, I think Roberts can handle it.

Wow. I hated it. Lol. This issue was stupid. My first reaction to Overlord is "Jesus is James having a tumblrite right this instead of him?" There's already so much going on and last thing I really wanted was that jackass showing up in a story doesn't need him.

3rd issue out of 5 now and the main cast is still just sitting in a room. Some are even taking naps. This story to me is turning out worse than Remain in Light. It's really gonna come down to the last 8 pages of the final issue with a macguffin saving the day isn't it? I'm pretty much done with it right now.

The art was pretty at least. I'd give it a 1 and 1/2 for that.

While the main cast is still holed up, it is important to note that they can't really do much. And this issue was more about the bad guys, Megatron, Ratchet and Drift, and they did their parts well. And I thought the introduction of Overlord was surprising as well. But the "benefactors" fixed him up, and I'm betting anything that the strange organics plus Overlord are leading up to the main storyline throughout the series, or whatever has been building up for many years now at least

I'm also kind of surprised Randomhero. I thought you would really like the issue honestly

Personally I am too but I just couldn't get into it. I understand why some would love it but for me? I couldn't. Like we've talks before this is probably going to be a series that is going to translate really well in a trade and not month by month issue and for me that's really how it's looking.

Which I do agree with whole-heartedly. I'm notoriously impatient when it comes to thing and 5-parters do make much more sense when put all together.

On the plus side, we did get lots of action in this issue. 13 out of 20 pages featured it in some capacity, though I will admit the one thing that made me sad about the issue. Trailcutter's death was a big deal, for me and for Megatron. Kaon killed him, and I had hoped for some sort of good justice for that, so I was very let down when Tarn ripped his head off for showing love for his pet. I would have preferred some autobot kill him "for Trailcutter" but not to be. That kinda let me down, but it's more personal than actual storyline stuff

So do Megatron and Tarn actually fight finally?

I haven't read the issue, but I'm calling it now: If Megatron survives Diying of The Light, he will become Rodimus's mentor, sort of a surrogate Optimus, teaching him how to not be such a...whatever Rodimus can be called, and be a serious, mature leader. Whenever MTMTE winds down, the final fight will be between Rodimus and Overlord, with everything in the balance, and Megatron deciding the fight by killing Overlord and saving Rodimus, if he makes it that far. Otherwise, I'm actually gonna go to my comic shop and read the issue. Not gonna buy it, gonna wait for the TPB, but now I'm very curious.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So do Megatron and Tarn actually fight finally?

I haven't read the issue, but I'm calling it now: If Megatron survives Diying of The Light, he will become Rodimus's mentor, sort of a surrogate Optimus, teaching him how to not be such a...whatever Rodimus can be called, and be a serious, mature leader. Whenever MTMTE winds down, the final fight will be between Rodimus and Overlord, with everything in the balance, and Megatron deciding the fight by killing Overlord and saving Rodimus, if he makes it that far. Otherwise, I'm actually gonna go to my comic shop and read the issue. Not gonna buy it, gonna wait for the TPB, but now I'm very curious.

Now, you know we can't tell you that! It spoils the whole story! Yes they do, and it is quite dramatic

Can I re-sub this issue as The Pissing Contest?

I mean, the two major egos clashing here have some excellent exchanges, with the sleazy smarminess of one trumping the blind fanatism of the other. I think that Deathsaurus eyebrow image captures it perfectly.

Dr Va'al wrote:Can I re-sub this issue as The Pissing Contest?

I mean, the two major egos clashing here have some excellent exchanges, with the sleazy smarminess of one trumping the blind fanatism of the other. I think that Deathsaurus eyebrow image captures it perfectly.

I think that title works better, go for it! That was probably the hardest part too was coming up with a good title.

Also, the Deathsaurus eyebrow raise to me was the best "personal" image shown. It was just too good not to show

Rodimus Prime wrote:So do Megatron and Tarn actually fight finally?

I haven't read the issue, but I'm calling it now: If Megatron survives Diying of The Light, he will become Rodimus's mentor, sort of a surrogate Optimus, teaching him how to not be such a...whatever Rodimus can be called, and be a serious, mature leader. Whenever MTMTE winds down, the final fight will be between Rodimus and Overlord, with everything in the balance, and Megatron deciding the fight by killing Overlord and saving Rodimus, if he makes it that far. Otherwise, I'm actually gonna go to my comic shop and read the issue. Not gonna buy it, gonna wait for the TPB, but now I'm very curious.

I like that idea a lot.

So I can't say I'm too surprised about the reveal given what has been teased for the toy line next year, but with the idea if organics helping, is this going to be a tease for the future introduction of power/god masters?

This issue I have with overlord is "what is he doing here? He's not dying in the next issue or two. He's all set up for later and while it's a bit bold we can probably conclude is his secret benefactors are the cog faction Cybertronians and if that's what it is than I find it kind of just more build up to something that's already getting pretty built up and will not have a pay off anything soon. The DJD is more than enough of a threat, throw in 500 more deceptions that's even worse. The DJD alone killed 200 autobots, adding overlord in this story is just stupid at this point to me.

If we count the DJD's reveal in the beginning of this arc (debatable, I know), we've had a surprise character reveal in each issue so far. Wonder if the trend will continue .

I think that the Titans Return stuff should fit in well - hopefully it'll take the form of a "break" between the Dying of the Light arc and the eventual return to the Lost Light, the delay making the return to the LL more dramatic.

That said, I think their eventual return has been fairly clearly telegraphed - the prior few issues put a surprising amount of ink into establishing that they had a subspace window thing that people on Cybertron/Luna 1 could use to mail packages to the LL. Rodimus squeezing through an interstellar mailbox to take the ship back sounds like an incredibly MTMTE thing to do.

I don't think the organics are a lead-in to power/god-masters - remember, these organics are of a similar height to TFs (hence their pods being too big to fit through the "Quantum door").

RevTibe wrote:I don't think the organics are a lead-in to power/god-masters - remember, these organics are of a similar height to TFs (hence their pods being too big to fit through the "Quantum door").

What that made me think of was the Pretenders from the G1 comics. Their shells were "organic" to shield them from mecha-detection.

Also, after having read the issue at my comic book store, all I have to say is

Wow. A shocking issue.

wow. Overlord. I kinda sat there like a deer in the headlights for a few seconds while that one processed lol. But I have to say, is it kind of bad I'm rooting for him? I loved how he was trolling Tarn and co. I mean gosh, you know you're loosing it when a creep like Overlord has your number. I have a very good feeling that Tarn is going to loose his support system very very soon too. At the very least I imagine Nickel and Deathsaurus are going to have a change of heart very soon.

Poor Kaon (not!). Such an ironic death, and it was delicious. I may have missed it somewhere, but I kinda wish they explained why he is so attatched to that pet of his. oh well. Doesn't matter now.

It might just be me, but Rewind is giving me a lot of pause. I get why he is like that, he's lived through hell etc...but he is one cold son of a gun. It's almost like he doesn't really love Chromey. No fan of his, but I could almost imagine this rewind throwing him under the bus in a heartbeat if it meant he could have Dominus back. makes me sad and worried. this Rewind has no scruples about killing to get the job done either (he didn't hesitate with Megs after all). Dunno, feel some major red flags.


I also noticed that in the flashback they still didn't show Overlord's hands. Looks like Rewind #1 will be back too. though that would mean he is in the hands of Overlord's "benefactors". I can't imagine it will be pretty. Probably the same ones who stole Pharma's body...maybe even Tyrest now that I think about it. my money is on Quintessons.

Overall, I am stoked for the climax. It will be bloddy epic

Edit: I forgot to mention much I am loving Megs. I've never been a big fan, but damn I love him in this comic. he's the boss!

More stalling. Nothing really happened, just some of Tarn's bluster between him and Megatron. And then again with Overlord.I wish I hadn't gotten impatient after reading all the previous trade paperbacks because I agree this will probably end up being pretty decent to great if read in a single sitting or two. Issue by issue, though, it feels like a whole lot of nothing with a bunch of potentially good interactions being glossed over for the sake of getting to the next one to the next, etc. Who knows, maybe the finale of this arc will save it for me.

But yeah, Overlord... I got the feeling the Quintessons were involved as well. No real reason for it, just the first thing that came to mind.

As far as the organics possibly being pretenders, well maybe they're also Titanmasters underneath all the tissue and junk and that's how it all ties into the upcoming line. They save Team Rodimus by pairing with and powering up Rod, Megs, and whoever else. Then after the day is saved the Titanmasters contact their people(another of the lost tribes, or a combination of a couple tribes) and they go back to Cybertron offering upgrades to anyone willing.

Could be why it feels like they're taking so long to wrap this up. Hasbro might have handed down the order and Roberts needed to adapt.

Just some wild speculation. I'd be more okay with that as a Mcguffin scenario rather than something else like someone teleporting and calling for backup.

sabrigami wrote:Wow. A shocking issue.

It might just be me, but Rewind is giving me a lot of pause. I get why he is like that, he's lived through hell etc...but he is one cold son of a gun. It's almost like he doesn't really love Chromey. No fan of his, but I could almost imagine this rewind throwing him under the bus in a heartbeat if it meant he could have Dominus back. makes me sad and worried. this Rewind has no scruples about killing to get the job done either (he didn't hesitate with Megs after all). Dunno, feel some major red flags.

Yes. Yes. There was a lot of pause, emphatically so, on that scene. Something doesn't feel right here either.

I was bored. I'm now frustratingly bored with this story arc. It's just been drawn out too long. Wrap it up already.

Burn wrote:I was bored. I'm now frustratingly bored with this story arc. It's just been drawn out too long. Wrap it up already.

Sitting around in flowery fields for more than several issues isn't an interesting story arc?


I honestly couldn't believe nothing really happened yet again.

Mr Skram wrote:Sitting around in flowery fields for more than several issues isn't an interesting story arc?

Oh don't get me wrong, I really do love all the flowers ... they're awesome, in fact I wish they'd do an entire series on TF's gardening habits.
It would be awesome.
Totally awesome.
Gawd I wish this issue had gone somewhere.

Overload was kind of a "jumping the shark". Moment for me. Totally came out of left field, and not in a good way. The further insight into Megatron's mind was good though.

Burn wrote:

Mr Skram wrote:Sitting around in flowery fields for more than several issues isn't an interesting story arc?

Oh don't get me wrong, I really do love all the flowers ... they're awesome, in fact I wish they'd do an entire series on TF's gardening habits.
It would be awesome.
Totally awesome.
Gawd I wish this issue had gone somewhere.

Megatron: City Planner is in the works, as I gather.

snavej wrote:If Tarn was so against Kaon and the others having a pet, he should have got rid of the pet before the DJD became attached to it. Tarn is a very experienced commander. He should know that affection leads to all kinds of problems in the ranks. Now, he has lost a valuable team member for no good reason. His judgment is seriously flawed and I would not be surprised if he and the DJD are in big trouble in the long run.

I think it's more like Tarn liked the pet, but after his talk with Megatron he realized emotion was an issue, so when Kaon's judgement was clouded by the captured pet, he got angry. He thinks emotion is bad now and wants rid of it

I can't believe that he only now realises that 'emotion is an issue'. He has been fighting for millions of years. He is very experienced, not a teenager.

snavej wrote:I can't believe that he only now realises that 'emotion is an issue'. He has been fighting for millions of years. He is very experienced, not a teenager.

Well, he is kinda deranged. The whole torture-hobby, he drinks "blood" in his spare time, steroid-induced rages, hangs corpses on his wall, general intense zealotry etc. That, and after meeting the turned Megatron in person, only to have him slip away, Tarn's going to be even more unbalanced than usual.

Who knows what extreme old age and battle fatigue do to Transformers, anyway? It is beyond our experience.

It would be badass if Dying of The Light ended with Megatron fighting the DJD, Overlord and Deathsaurus troops on his own and rescuing the Autobots.

"I can't believe that he only now realises that 'emotion is an issue'. He has been fighting for millions of years. He is very experienced, not a teenager."

Uh, being a veteran makes people MORE at risk of emotional and psychological problems, not less.

If anything, after a few million years of low intensity warfare, you would think there would be more Transformers with such problems

I'd love to see more fiction delving into the psych aspects of millions of years of warfare, especially now that we have the colony TFs to act as a foil to the more warlike Cybertronians. Starscream's secret police etc. might just be a symptom of a culture that doesn't value individual lives that highly anymore.