IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #55 Full Preview

Randomhero wrote:She's been with them for a year and seen them do horrific things.

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:She's been with them for a year and seen them do horrific things.

Yeah, but that isn't the reason she left. Hell, for all we know she's still as much a monster as Helex and Vos - the reason she left was because she was disgusted with Tarn's obsession. She's still a Decepticon through and through - but she doesn't see Tarn as deserving of that anymore.

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:She's been with them for a year and seen them do horrific things.

Yeah, but that isn't the reason she left. Hell, for all we know she's still as much a monster as Helex and Vos - the reason she left was because she was disgusted with Tarn's obsession. She's still a Decepticon through and through - but she doesn't see Tarn as deserving of that anymore.

What I mean is that the only version of the Decepticons is the version Tarn has given her. She lives on a ship and base that's got a bunch of statues of Megatron. That's why I find it surprising to see her go. I mean you don't see Helex, Vos, or Tesaurus leaving. Little surprised about Tesaurus especially since he's one of the few DJDs that have actually given something resembling a character back in their issue last year, instead they're just punching a bubble.

MrBlack wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:She's been with them for a year and seen them do horrific things.

Yeah, but that isn't the reason she left. Hell, for all we know she's still as much a monster as Helex and Vos - the reason she left was because she was disgusted with Tarn's obsession. She's still a Decepticon through and through - but she doesn't see Tarn as deserving of that anymore.

What I mean is that the only version of the Decepticons is the version Tarn has given her. She lives on a ship and base that's got a bunch of statues of Megatron. That's why I find it surprising to see her go. I mean you don't see Helex, Vos, or Tesaurus leaving. Little surprised about Tesaurus especially since he's one of the few DJDs that have actually given something resembling a character back in their issue last year, instead they're just punching a bubble.

I get the feeling Nickel hasn't been around the DJD long enough to really get to understand Tarn. The others have: They knew what happened to the former Vos, and they knew that for all his talk of loyalty, Tarn was fully capable of extreme violence against his "friends" if provoked. Nickel's reaction to Helex's death is proof enough that she hadn't experienced Tarn's wrath the way the others have.

Is Nickel a monster? Perhaps. She certainly hasn't thought much of the DJD's antics, although there's no indication she's ever taken part in them. Of course, we also know that that she is the only survivor from her colony and that the DJD rescued her, so she might have some serious Stockholm Syndrome going on.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So if the DJD (or at least Tarn) or Megatron doesn't get killed, what was the point of this whole arc? Just to show Megatron's attack of conscience? Will Tarn's true self even get revealed?

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:So if the DJD (or at least Tarn) or Megatron doesn't get killed, what was the point of this whole arc? Just to show Megatron's attack of conscience? Will Tarn's true self even get revealed?

Well, if you're looking for consequences...

-Getaway and the rest of the Lost Light have betrayed our main cast and left them stranded
-The Pet provided resolution to Chromedome and Rewind's arc
-The Necrobot is dead
-There's that whole thing with the hollow planet
-Megatron has come to terms with using violence when necessary
-Ratchet and Drift returned
-Overlord is established to still be alive, and the Galactic Council is established to be allied with him
-Skids is dead
-Nickle is betraying Tarn and allying with Deathsaurus
-Skids is dead
-Kaon is dead
-SKIDS IS DEAD

Dr Va'al wrote:Rung is Unicron.

Unicron is Rung.


(Trust me. I'm a Doctor.)

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:So if the DJD (or at least Tarn) or Megatron doesn't get killed, what was the point of this whole arc? Just to show Megatron's attack of conscience? Will Tarn's true self even get revealed?

Well, if you're looking for consequences...

-Getaway and the rest of the Lost Light have betrayed our main cast and left them stranded
-The Pet provided resolution to Chromedome and Rewind's arc
-The Necrobot is dead
-There's that whole thing with the hollow planet
-Megatron has come to terms with using violence when necessary
-Ratchet and Drift returned
-Overlord is established to still be alive, and the Galactic Council is established to be allied with him
-Skids is dead
-Nickle is betraying Tarn and allying with Deathsaurus
-Skids is dead
-Kaon is dead
-SKIDS IS DEAD

Kurona wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:Rung is Unicron.

Unicron is Rung.


(Trust me. I'm a Doctor.)

Finally, I can buy a figure to represent Rung on my Lost Light display.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Overlord's involvement, then he's been the biggest waste of a character in the story so far. He's supposed to be a near-indestructible, merciless killer. And all he does is basically shrug his shoulders and leave? Roberts seriously dropped the ball on that one. Again.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:So if the DJD (or at least Tarn) or Megatron doesn't get killed, what was the point of this whole arc? Just to show Megatron's attack of conscience? Will Tarn's true self even get revealed?

Well, if you're looking for consequences...

-Getaway and the rest of the Lost Light have betrayed our main cast and left them stranded
-The Pet provided resolution to Chromedome and Rewind's arc
-The Necrobot is dead
-There's that whole thing with the hollow planet
-Megatron has come to terms with using violence when necessary
-Ratchet and Drift returned
-Overlord is established to still be alive, and the Galactic Council is established to be allied with him
-Skids is dead
-Nickle is betraying Tarn and allying with Deathsaurus
-Skids is dead
-Kaon is dead
-SKIDS IS DEAD

None of these are the main points of the story, though. Maybe the exception is Megatron resolving to violence, thus going against his initial statement of never using violence again, no matter what. But otherwise, this whole this is about the conflict between Megatron and Tarn, and perhaps some issues between them from long ago would come to a head as well. And, of course, Tarn's true identity. Isn't that what everyone is waiting for? Also, if what we saw in the preview wraps up Overlord's involvement, then he's been the biggest waste of a character in the story so far. He's supposed to be a near-indestructible, merciless killer. And all he does is basically shrug his shoulders and leave? Roberts seriously dropped the ball on that one. Again.

Dr Va'al wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:Rung is Unicron.

Unicron is Rung.


(Trust me. I'm a Doctor.)

Finally, I can buy a figure to represent Rung on my Lost Light display.

That figure is pretty amazing, craggy bought it at Auto Assembly last year and we both marvelled at it in the hotel room. I feel there should be a pun for it. But I just don't have en-hoof energy this eve.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Overlord's involvement, then he's been the biggest waste of a character in the story so far. He's supposed to be a near-indestructible, merciless killer. And all he does is basically shrug his shoulders and leave? Roberts seriously dropped the ball on that one. Again.

I don't entirely agree here. Overlord being a selfish, self-absorbed shrugger is perfectly in line with his character.He might just walk off panel and kick a moribund Ten on the ground, just because he can. Then steal Megatron's hoverboard and play himself out (Empyrean suite, of course, he's that kind of jerk).

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Overlord's involvement, then he's been the biggest waste of a character in the story so far. He's supposed to be a near-indestructible, merciless killer. And all he does is basically shrug his shoulders and leave? Roberts seriously dropped the ball on that one. Again.

I don't entirely agree here. Overlord being a selfish, self-absorbed shrugger is perfectly in line with his character.He might just walk off panel and kick a moribund Ten on the ground, just because he can. Then steal Megatron's hoverboard and play himself out (Empyrean suite, of course, he's that kind of jerk).

Oh I'd agree it certainly fits Overlord's character, but narratively it feels a bit disappointing and anticlimatic. You drop a bombshell as big as **** Overlord, the star of Last Stand of the Wreckers and MTMTE's first arc, and... you don't really do anything with him aside from establish he's still around and has certain allies. Not exactly very satisfying.

Dr Va'al wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Overlord's involvement, then he's been the biggest waste of a character in the story so far. He's supposed to be a near-indestructible, merciless killer. And all he does is basically shrug his shoulders and leave? Roberts seriously dropped the ball on that one. Again.

I don't entirely agree here. Overlord being a selfish, self-absorbed shrugger is perfectly in line with his character.He might just walk off panel and kick a moribund Ten on the ground, just because he can. Then steal Megatron's hoverboard and play himself out (Empyrean suite, of course, he's that kind of jerk).

Oh I'd agree it certainly fits Overlord's character, but narratively it feels a bit disappointing and anticlimatic. You drop a bombshell as big as **** Overlord, the star of Last Stand of the Wreckers and MTMTE's first arc, and... you don't really do anything with him aside from establish he's still around and has certain allies. Not exactly very satisfying.

That I can agree with.

Kurona wrote:Also because I forgot to respond to it before; yeah, I just want Battle Unicorn in general. He looks so cool and it's a Transformer that turns into a Unicorn

Kurona wrote:I'd agree it certainly fits Overlord's character, but narratively it feels a bit disappointing and anticlimatic. You drop a bombshell as big as **** Overlord, the star of Last Stand of the Wreckers and MTMTE's first arc, and... you don't really do anything with him aside from establish he's still around and has certain allies. Not exactly very satisfying.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Kurona wrote:I'd agree it certainly fits Overlord's character, but narratively it feels a bit disappointing and anticlimatic. You drop a bombshell as big as **** Overlord, the star of Last Stand of the Wreckers and MTMTE's first arc, and... you don't really do anything with him aside from establish he's still around and has certain allies. Not exactly very satisfying.

This is exactly what I was trying to say. Va'al, I don't disagree with your assessment of Overlord's character, but in this story, based on his previous appearance, just that non-confrontational ending of his involvement was a letdown. Of course, as it was pointed out, it's just a preview. He might change his mind in mid-flight and come back to stomp Megatron. As for Tarn and Megatron, I fully expected 1 of them (OK, Tarn, to be specific) to die in the confrontation. He's not THE main villain of the comic (I think Overlord should get that distinction, there's almost unlimited potential there), I don't think, but he does make a good villain for the 1st part of it. But he's not a deep enough character to carry the story all the way to a 100 issues. So it's time for him to go. This story has been building up to the showdown between Tarn and Megatron, fueled by Megatron's about-face, as well as the DJD's ruthless previous appearances. So yes, I think this confrontation needs to end with a fatality, to put a conclusive end to it. Otherwise, what's the point? I'm not saying Megatron has to kill Tarn, but maybe someone else could to save Megatron. Or some other resolution that is beneficial to at least 1 main character involved in this whole thing. As it stands right now, Megatron and Tarn are at a stalemate, and an anticlimactic one at that. The lack of development is a disservice to both of these characters, who are each very intriguing in their own right. I just wish they were utilized to their fullest potential. But, again, it's just the preview. I'll find out on Wednesday, I guess.

Randomhero wrote:One thing I didn't realize until it was just pointed out was everyone is happy that Getaway didn't sell out the crew to the DJD which a lot of people are saying "awe see? He's not so bad" but instead he sold them out to another group that has zero issues will killing Cybertronians if it furthers their own goals. Soooooo? Yay getaway?

Dr Va'al wrote:

Randomhero wrote:One thing I didn't realize until it was just pointed out was everyone is happy that Getaway didn't sell out the crew to the DJD which a lot of people are saying "awe see? He's not so bad" but instead he sold them out to another group that has zero issues will killing Cybertronians if it furthers their own goals. Soooooo? Yay getaway?

Getaway is a jerk.

Overlord is a jerk. Prowl is a prick. OP is a prick. We doin' good, guys.

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:So if the DJD (or at least Tarn) or Megatron doesn't get killed, what was the point of this whole arc? Just to show Megatron's attack of conscience? Will Tarn's true self even get revealed?

Well, if you're looking for consequences...

-Getaway and the rest of the Lost Light have betrayed our main cast and left them stranded
-The Pet provided resolution to Chromedome and Rewind's arc
-The Necrobot is dead
-There's that whole thing with the hollow planet
-Megatron has come to terms with using violence when necessary
-Ratchet and Drift returned
-Overlord is established to still be alive, and the Galactic Council is established to be allied with him
-Skids is dead
-Nickle is betraying Tarn and allying with Deathsaurus
-Skids is dead
-Kaon is dead
-SKIDS IS DEAD

Randomhero wrote:I've been in the boat of I don't think this was a very good story.

Sorry but there's a lot of things I don't like and believe would have happened. The DJD coincidently showing up on the Necroworld the exact same time getaway and the Council team up to dispatch Megatron. It's too perfect. The council even bothering to rebuild Overlord to dispatch Megatron when they have fleets of ships that are capable of leveling planets. It reminds of all the talk about how powerful and indestructible overlord is yet he was taken out by a couple missiles that blow up asteroids. I'm looking forward to this issue because that means it's over and we can move on.

MrBlack wrote:

Randomhero wrote:I've been in the boat of I don't think this was a very good story.

Sorry but there's a lot of things I don't like and believe would have happened. The DJD coincidently showing up on the Necroworld the exact same time getaway and the Council team up to dispatch Megatron. It's too perfect. The council even bothering to rebuild Overlord to dispatch Megatron when they have fleets of ships that are capable of leveling planets. It reminds of all the talk about how powerful and indestructible overlord is yet he was taken out by a couple missiles that blow up asteroids. I'm looking forward to this issue because that means it's over and we can move on.

It seems like the prevailing theory is that Getaway made a deal with the Galactic Council to isolate Megatron, and the Necroworld distress call/attack was just a convenient opportunity to carry out that plan.

The DJD set up the distress call/attack independently to lure the Lost Light to them, and the crew saw an opportunity to carry out the mutiny. They made sure all the Megatron sympathizers were on the Rodpod, sabotaged its new engine so they could not escape the planet, and sent them on their way. The crew expected the Galactic Council to take care of Megatron; they didn't know that the DJD was on Necroworld. That's why Overlord showed up much later: The Galactic Council didn't know where Megatron and Team Rodimus were until Getaway told them.

Kurona wrote:Yeah, it's... not really a coincidence. The comics themselves state that the DJD was luring them to the planet, the rest of the Lost Lighters found that and figured it was a good opportunity to dump them off and done that.

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:Yeah, it's... not really a coincidence. The comics themselves state that the DJD was luring them to the planet, the rest of the Lost Lighters found that and figured it was a good opportunity to dump them off and done that.

But it's been stated the mutineers did not know. If th y had would they allow Rodimus and crew to go there? Before we knew he made the deal with the galactic council? Absolutely not. That was my biggest problem that people like hoist and percepter were okay with this. Now we know they didn't know the DJD were involved. It is a coincidence. They didn't know

MrBlack wrote:I feel dumb for not having realized sooner that the reason Megatron is cowering behind the force field on the last page of the preview is because he's also subject to the effects of the distress signal.

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:Yeah, it's... not really a coincidence. The comics themselves state that the DJD was luring them to the planet, the rest of the Lost Lighters found that and figured it was a good opportunity to dump them off and done that.

But it's been stated the mutineers did not know. If th y had would they allow Rodimus and crew to go there? Before we knew he made the deal with the galactic council? Absolutely not. That was my biggest problem that people like hoist and percepter were okay with this. Now we know they didn't know the DJD were involved. It is a coincidence. They didn't know

Yeah, they didn't know the DJD was there at all. Look, to put it simply...
DJD are on the hunt for Megsy and his new little ragtag buncha nerds. They figure a good way to do this is to send out a fake distress signal and set up camp on the necroplanet; probably because it's isolated.
Meanwhile, Getaway, Blaster, Riptide, Mainframe, Atomizer; all those guys have made a deal with the Galactic Council that they would hand over Megatron to be assassinated by their agent/agents, possibly - most likely, even - unknown to them to be a certain bastard phase-sixer. They've made that deal, but they need a way to do it. They need a way to hand over Megatron while also getting rid of Rodimus. Not the easiest thing in the galaxy to do. So they pick up a mysterious signal/psychic attack - perfect. They can use that to send Megatron, Rodimus etc. down there. They don't know who's down there, but does it matter? They're at the end of their tether and desperately need a way to get rid of these guys; might as well use this - when is an opportunity like it gonna come up again?


It's really quite simple.

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:Yeah, it's... not really a coincidence. The comics themselves state that the DJD was luring them to the planet, the rest of the Lost Lighters found that and figured it was a good opportunity to dump them off and done that.

But it's been stated the mutineers did not know. If th y had would they allow Rodimus and crew to go there? Before we knew he made the deal with the galactic council? Absolutely not. That was my biggest problem that people like hoist and percepter were okay with this. Now we know they didn't know the DJD were involved. It is a coincidence. They didn't know

Yeah, they didn't know the DJD was there at all. Look, to put it simply...
DJD are on the hunt for Megsy and his new little ragtag buncha nerds. They figure a good way to do this is to send out a fake distress signal and set up camp on the necroplanet; probably because it's isolated.
Meanwhile, Getaway, Blaster, Riptide, Mainframe, Atomizer; all those guys have made a deal with the Galactic Council that they would hand over Megatron to be assassinated by their agent/agents, possibly - most likely, even - unknown to them to be a certain bastard phase-sixer. They've made that deal, but they need a way to do it. They need a way to hand over Megatron while also getting rid of Rodimus. Not the easiest thing in the galaxy to do. So they pick up a mysterious signal/psychic attack - perfect. They can use that to send Megatron, Rodimus etc. down there. They don't know who's down there, but does it matter? They're at the end of their tether and desperately need a way to get rid of these guys; might as well use this - when is an opportunity like it gonna come up again?


It's really quite simple.

Except they didn't send the signal. The necrobot sent the signal. They already said that he sent out the signal that was a warning, not a cry for help. The DJD showed up attacked and th necrobot sent it just before he was killed. Again it's all coincidental that the DJD are there and it's not that good of story telling

Randomhero wrote:What doesn't make sense is why the Necroworld to begin with? Getaway and the council had a plan to lure team Rodimus to the Necroworld so they could abandon the crew and deliver Megatron to the the galactic council and be on their way to find the Knights.

The DJD showed up out of nowhere and killed the necrobot.

Here's my problem: what would have happened if the DJD didn't show up? They all show up and find him just hanging out saying "what are you all doing here?" This is my problem. If the DJD never showed then concere wouldn't have sent out a mental attack which means they would never have stopped there sooooo yeah this makes no sense.

Kurona wrote:

Randomhero wrote:What doesn't make sense is why the Necroworld to begin with? Getaway and the council had a plan to lure team Rodimus to the Necroworld so they could abandon the crew and deliver Megatron to the the galactic council and be on their way to find the Knights.

The DJD showed up out of nowhere and killed the necrobot.

Here's my problem: what would have happened if the DJD didn't show up? They all show up and find him just hanging out saying "what are you all doing here?" This is my problem. If the DJD never showed then concere wouldn't have sent out a mental attack which means they would never have stopped there sooooo yeah this makes no sense.

There's literally nothing to say Getaway and the Galactic Council had any plan whatsoever to lure them specifically to the Necroworld.

Kurona wrote:

MrBlack wrote:I feel dumb for not having realized sooner that the reason Megatron is cowering behind the force field on the last page of the preview is because he's also subject to the effects of the distress signal.

... oh damn, yeah...

The Knowing
A Review of Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #55

As spoiler-free as I can make it


Seriously, finding non-spoiler filled images was legitimately difficult.

Probably not a good way to get your security deposit back.

A small sample of the intensity that awaits.

No really, this will be the reaction some of you have. But to which part?

Let's all talk about this in the thread below. I don't think we've got closure on this point.

I told you - non-spoiler images just aren't abound in this issue!

I think that what is tinfoil may never a'luminate. And I'm sorry.

Verdict

. & 1/2 out of "Don't Change Back"
aka 4.5/5

• The Sundays - Here's Where The Story Ends
• Villagers - Everything I Have Is Yours
• Ben Folds Five - Missing The War

Randomhero wrote:I said seven months ago this story will probably be much better in trade all together. I was very unhappy with certain individual issue but as a whole it came together just fine

i love the fact that once tarns mask came off underneath was exactly why I imagined, he looked like everyone else. Other than his scars there's nothing that would have identified him to anyone. "Once we pull that mask off it'll be Roller!" Roller looks like everyone, it's the generic face. and Glitch! Anyone who says they saw coming is a liar!im honestly not disappointed I was wrong about him being proteus. I'd rather be wrong and surprised than right

Randomhero wrote:I said seven months ago this story will probably be much better in trade all together. I was very unhappy with certain individual issue but as a whole it came together just fine

i love the fact that once tarns mask came off underneath was exactly why I imagined, he looked like everyone else. Other than his scars there's nothing that would have identified him to anyone. "Once we pull that mask off it'll be Roller!" Roller looks like everyone, it's the generic face. and Glitch! Anyone who says they saw coming is a liar!im honestly not disappointed I was wrong about him being proteus. I'd rather be wrong and surprised than right

MrBlack wrote:

Randomhero wrote:I said seven months ago this story will probably be much better in trade all together. I was very unhappy with certain individual issue but as a whole it came together just fine

i love the fact that once tarns mask came off underneath was exactly why I imagined, he looked like everyone else. Other than his scars there's nothing that would have identified him to anyone. "Once we pull that mask off it'll be Roller!" Roller looks like everyone, it's the generic face. and Glitch! Anyone who says they saw coming is a liar!im honestly not disappointed I was wrong about him being proteus. I'd rather be wrong and surprised than right

It being Glitch makes sense. The powers are an evolution of his earlier ability to stop non-sentient machines (I would guess his earlier power was never displayed because there was just never a chance for him to use it), the evolution of his powers harkens back to his first appearance where Shockwave said his powers would continue to grow, Skids recognized his voice at Grindcore because he previously knew Glitch, and recruiting him would hurt Optimus Prime because Glitch was one of his earliest allies.

I'll admit that the reveal lacked some emotional resonance because we never got to know Glitch in his two appearances in the book. That said, I think I'm okay with it. If it had been, say, Roller or Terminus, Tarn's quick end would have felt anticlimactic. Tarn being an almost non-entity in the book seems fitting: He truly is just a thug who thinks too highly of himself. Plus, it means we get both Roller and Terminus in the cast of Lost Light, thanks to a twist I did not see coming.