IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 7:53AM CDT

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Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal Views: 40,769

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The End Is Nigh
A Somewhat Spoilerish Seibertron.com Review of More Than Meets The Eye 56

Synopsis
TITANS RETURN! On Luna 1, nothing ever happens—and as far as FORTRESS MAXIMUS and RED ALERT are concerned, nothing ever will. After all, who else could possibly be interested in the Luna 1’s birthing field and its graveyard full of dead Titans?

Transformers News: IDW More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review

Who Indeed?

Story

With the ending of Issue 55, the main crew has been seen for the last time until December at least, the Lost Light has been seen for the last time until who knows when, and the Scavengers are not to be seen until More Than Meets The Eye: Revolution, so who does that leave? None other than IDW's Fortress Maximus, his partner Red Alert, and a bunch of guys and roboids that include Cerebros. Foreshadowing much?

Me and My Roboids

Well, it also seems that the crew has changed a good bit since they last put in an appearance too. For one thing, Cerebros is a wholly different character from before, but that should be nothing new, and it works for the story and the universe as a whole. Having a guy named after a head being associated with some distrustful pasts should be no surprise. It also plays well into Red Alert's story, and it is Red Alert who steals the whole story as well. But, one must not forget how Fortress Maximus has grown as a character, and it seems that he has finally progressed and fulfilled most of his storyline. Well done with the characterization of that duo.

These 2 Men, Well Done

Now as for the actual storyline, it has been pointed out many times and it is worth saying again for the purpose of the review: the comics did come out in an odd order, and thus this story feels like jumping in with not all the pieces ready, but that is hardly the books fault. Once Transformers 56 comes out, things will make much more sense. But for jumping in, it becomes very obvious right away that a lot of old plot lines are about ready to come to a close along with the More Than Meets The Eye name. It also means things are going out on a large, loud, fortissimo note, and the story is ready for it. It works for the dramaticism of an ending two-parter, and it is well written. Old plot points are dredged up, things that came out of nowhere make perfect sense in hindsight upon looking back over years of work, and of course fan favorites seem to never learn.

When someone asks why MTMTE came out first

There really isn't a bad part about the whole storyline. The only fault is the out-of-order release, but overall, we have a great 2-part story to round out the title, and it leaves us looking forward to the finale.

Art

Art for the Titans Return finale fall to Priscilla Tramontano, and compared to when we last saw her doing work on Windblade: Distant Stars, this is a very different beast. Tramontano bursts into the More Than Meets The Eye scene using some very nice and bold artwork, still incorporating her slight cartoony look, but producing something far different and more fitting for the book. Her art captures Milne's standard designs and work, but manages to soften them up a bit, producing something light yet beautiful to look at. The facial expressions are exactly what you would want, and despite having a faceplate, Cerebros manages to steal the show with his expressive speech. Sentinel also puts in a good show for the faceplates, but Fort Max and Red Alert don't disappoint either. There really are no flaws in art, everything is awesome!

Best of Both Worlds

Joana Lafuente does not disappoint with some nice coloring to go with the line art. The backgrounds are beautifully done, the up-close shots are nicely colored, the massive, sprawling titan yard is glorious to look at - and, of course, cannonfire.

Tom B. Long rounds out the full visual effect with some nice lettering and the ability to break up who is speaking and who is thinking words. He even gets in on the action of Red Alert's meta-commentary on comic speech bubbles, and makes that bit of meta-action truly enjoyable:

Downside to rooming with Swerve once upon a time: you too are subject to a Meta-Bomb

Final Thoughts

More Than Meets The Eye comes to a close next month with issue 57, and it seems that we are set to go out on a high note. The storylines are coming to a close in a very satisfactory way, the characterizations are on-point and are progressing in a good way, and the Titans Return aspect is present but is not intruding on the main comic point. The art is great, the colors and lettering are present and correct, the fourth wall was breached for a panel, and the scenery and characters are looking as they should. Everything for the story works, it all fits, and the only thing that is out of place is the release of the story, and even then the book is a great read. The finale has a lot to live up to, but I think that if this first part is any indication, it certainly will.

1/2 Out Of

Credit(s): IDW, D-Maximus_Primal

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Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816071)
Posted by 1984forever on August 17th, 2016 @ 8:50am CDT

I didn't see any Red Alert.

False advertising.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816072)
Posted by MemphisR56 on August 17th, 2016 @ 8:54am CDT

1984forever wrote:I didn't see any Red Alert.

False advertising.

Is this a "that ain't my G1 red alert!" thing?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816102)
Posted by Kurona on August 17th, 2016 @ 11:16am CDT

Roberts is pretty happy with your review, D-Max

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 4203260928

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816103)
Posted by Va'al on August 17th, 2016 @ 11:18am CDT

Kurona wrote:Roberts is pretty happy with your review, D-Max

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 4203260928

Booyahkasha! :APPLAUSE:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816113)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 17th, 2016 @ 11:49am CDT

Dr Va'al wrote:
Kurona wrote:Roberts is pretty happy with your review, D-Max

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 4203260928

Booyahkasha!

Now that is awesome! Literally turned on my phone data for lunch only to see Roberts had liked my post. Finally! Happy, day made.

But really, all I have to say is in the review. It was a good book and I look forward to 57

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816163)
Posted by Bounti76 on August 17th, 2016 @ 1:46pm CDT

Has Red Alert always looked like this in IDW? I only started reading around Dark Cybertron, so I'm not used to seeing him in the comics. I'm not a geewunner by any means, but until now, I've always been able to pick out characters, but he doesn't look like anyone I'd recognize off the bat. I actually thought it was a flashback to Blaster at first.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816173)
Posted by Va'al on August 17th, 2016 @ 2:15pm CDT

Bounti76 wrote:Has Red Alert always looked like this in IDW? I only started reading around Dark Cybertron, so I'm not used to seeing him in the comics. I'm not a geewunner by any means, but until now, I've always been able to pick out characters, but he doesn't look like anyone I'd recognize off the bat. I actually thought it was a flashback to Blaster at first.

In early issues of MTMTE (#5? #6?) he shows up in flashbacks and current time, showing both the traditional design and this new rounder one. I can't remember if it's explained why the change is made, but it's an in-story thing rather than just stylistic choices (or rather, it's shown as happening in universe too).

First issue of MTMTE he already has this 'new' design, that's for sure.

EDIT: I still cannot remember my sources, but I found a similar discussion here: idw-red-alert-s-updated-design-t95137.php

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816178)
Posted by Bounti76 on August 17th, 2016 @ 2:32pm CDT

Dr Va'al wrote:
Bounti76 wrote:Has Red Alert always looked like this in IDW? I only started reading around Dark Cybertron, so I'm not used to seeing him in the comics. I'm not a geewunner by any means, but until now, I've always been able to pick out characters, but he doesn't look like anyone I'd recognize off the bat. I actually thought it was a flashback to Blaster at first.

In early issues of MTMTE (#5? #6?) he shows up in flashbacks and current time, showing both the traditional design and this new rounder one. I can't remember if it's explained why the change is made, but it's an in-story thing rather than just stylistic choices (or rather, it's shown as happening in universe too).

First issue of MTMTE he already has this 'new' design, that's for sure.

EDIT: I still cannot remember my sources, but I found a similar discussion here: idw-red-alert-s-updated-design-t95137.php

ahhh, thanks, Va'al! I thought it was just artistic license gone wild, but that makes more sense.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816372)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:01pm CDT

Wait, MTMTE is ending with issue 57? Why?

I've been behind in the comics world, and only finished LSoTW #5, TF #55 or 56 which ever is actually out, and MTMTE #55. How am I going to get my James Roberts fix? How is he supposed to answer for killing off Skids? What am I going to do with my self without this comic?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816376)
Posted by MemphisR56 on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:17pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Wait, MTMTE is ending with issue 57? Why?

I've been behind in the comics world, and only finished LSoTW #5, TF #55 or 56 which ever is actually out, and MTMTE #55. How am I going to get my James Roberts fix? How is he supposed to answer for killing off Skids? What am I going to do with my self without this comic?

Its renaming and renumbering as Transformers Lost Light. Same staff, same cast, same quest. It'll be MTMTE in all but name.

BUT IT STRIKES ME AS INTENSELY SUSPICIOUS THAT WE ARE EXACTLY HALF WAY TO ISSUE 113 RIGHT NOW.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816377)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:19pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:Wait, MTMTE is ending with issue 57? Why?

I've been behind in the comics world, and only finished LSoTW #5, TF #55 or 56 which ever is actually out, and MTMTE #55. How am I going to get my James Roberts fix? How is he supposed to answer for killing off Skids? What am I going to do with my self without this comic?

MTMTE is being renamed Lost Light and will be starting up in December. It is a continuation of the story with the same writer and characters, just minus Milne as the primary artist (he will be sharing with Jack Lawrence). Think of it as MTMTE season 3, but where the name is changed

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816381)
Posted by Kurona on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:26pm CDT

MemphisR56 wrote:BUT IT STRIKES ME AS INTENSELY SUSPICIOUS THAT WE ARE EXACTLY HALF WAY TO ISSUE 113 RIGHT NOW.

You cracked the Jro'Vinci code

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816385)
Posted by MemphisR56 on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:30pm CDT

Kurona wrote:
MemphisR56 wrote:BUT IT STRIKES ME AS INTENSELY SUSPICIOUS THAT WE ARE EXACTLY HALF WAY TO ISSUE 113 RIGHT NOW.

You cracked the Jro'Vinci code

Either that, or Red Alert is my spirit animal. In all seriousness I think he actually is.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816387)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on August 18th, 2016 @ 12:42pm CDT

MemphisR56 wrote:
Nemesis Maximo wrote:Wait, MTMTE is ending with issue 57? Why?

I've been behind in the comics world, and only finished LSoTW #5, TF #55 or 56 which ever is actually out, and MTMTE #55. How am I going to get my James Roberts fix? How is he supposed to answer for killing off Skids? What am I going to do with my self without this comic?

Its renaming and renumbering as Transformers Lost Light. Same staff, same cast, same quest. It'll be MTMTE in all but name.

BUT IT STRIKES ME AS INTENSELY SUSPICIOUS THAT WE ARE EXACTLY HALF WAY TO ISSUE 113 RIGHT NOW.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816840)
Posted by Kurona on August 19th, 2016 @ 5:21pm CDT

So having finally read it... pretty interesting. Sentinel took control of Red Alert by giving him a different head when he jumped into the oil reservoir, huh?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816848)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 19th, 2016 @ 6:05pm CDT

Kurona wrote:So having finally read it... pretty interesting. Sentinel took control of Red Alert by giving him a different head when he jumped into the oil reservoir, huh?

Either that or Sentinel made him a ghost agent when he had him brainwashed all the way back before the war

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1816921)
Posted by MemphisR56 on August 20th, 2016 @ 6:22am CDT

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:
Kurona wrote:So having finally read it... pretty interesting. Sentinel took control of Red Alert by giving him a different head when he jumped into the oil reservoir, huh?

Either that or Sentinel made him a ghost agent when he had him brainwashed all the way back before the war

We actually see when Prowl and Chromedome are investigating the Translucentia heights crime scene back in shadow play, there are mnemosurgery scars on the back of red's neck when he's stood under the blacklight. He's been a sleeper agent for quite some time. No wonder he's paranoid.

Edit: pix for posterity

IMG_20160820_123000-600x800.jpg

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817258)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 21st, 2016 @ 1:10pm CDT

MemphisR56 wrote:
D-Maximus_Primal wrote:
Kurona wrote:So having finally read it... pretty interesting. Sentinel took control of Red Alert by giving him a different head when he jumped into the oil reservoir, huh?

Either that or Sentinel made him a ghost agent when he had him brainwashed all the way back before the war

We actually see when Prowl and Chromedome are investigating the Translucentia heights crime scene back in shadow play, there are mnemosurgery scars on the back of red's neck when he's stood under the blacklight. He's been a sleeper agent for quite some time. No wonder he's paranoid.

Edit: pix for posterity
IMG_20160820_123000-600x800.jpg

That was exactly what I was thinking about. guy had his head messed with millions of years ago. Who knows what kind of stuff has been happening. Plus, that W pattern that showed up 3 times is the exact shape of the needle marks

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817414)
Posted by william-james88 on August 22nd, 2016 @ 8:37am CDT

I wasnt fond of this issue. I didnt know it was a Ttans Return Crossover. Is there a reading order? Must we read the other titans return issues tounderstand these 2 MTMTS issues?

It really didnt feel much like a finale to me since we dont get to be with the main MTMTE cast.

I just felt a bit lost since the previous issue ended on a cliffhanger of the planet exploding.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817416)
Posted by Kurona on August 22nd, 2016 @ 8:41am CDT

william-james88 wrote:I wasnt fond of this issue. I didnt know it was a Ttans Return Crossover. Is there a reading order? Must we read the other titans return issues tounderstand these 2 MTMTS issues?

It really didnt feel much like a finale to me since we dont get to be with the main MTMTE cast.

I just felt a bit lost since the previous issue ended on a cliffhanger of the planet exploding.

Technically ex-RiD #56 is supposed to be read before MTMTE #56, but due to an error MTMTE got released first. The reading order is supposed to be TR One-shot > ex-RiD 56 > MTMTE 56 > ex-RiD 57 > MTMTE 57. It might be a good idea to wait until they're all out and read through them all at once due to this error.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817444)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 22nd, 2016 @ 12:10pm CDT

Kurona wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I wasnt fond of this issue. I didnt know it was a Ttans Return Crossover. Is there a reading order? Must we read the other titans return issues tounderstand these 2 MTMTS issues?

It really didnt feel much like a finale to me since we dont get to be with the main MTMTE cast.

I just felt a bit lost since the previous issue ended on a cliffhanger of the planet exploding.

Technically ex-RiD #56 is supposed to be read before MTMTE #56, but due to an error MTMTE got released first. The reading order is supposed to be TR One-shot > ex-RiD 56 > MTMTE 56 > ex-RiD 57 > MTMTE 57. It might be a good idea to wait until they're all out and read through them all at once due to this error.

I actually saw that the order was supposed to go TF56 -> TF57 -> then MTMTE issues 56 and 57. MTMTE was supposed to be able to tell its story without TF since the main story would carry over and TF56 would provide the spoilerish details and the issues could be read coming out in different months without delaying anything.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817689)
Posted by Va'al on August 23rd, 2016 @ 3:13am CDT

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:
Kurona wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I wasnt fond of this issue. I didnt know it was a Ttans Return Crossover. Is there a reading order? Must we read the other titans return issues tounderstand these 2 MTMTS issues?

It really didnt feel much like a finale to me since we dont get to be with the main MTMTE cast.

I just felt a bit lost since the previous issue ended on a cliffhanger of the planet exploding.

Technically ex-RiD #56 is supposed to be read before MTMTE #56, but due to an error MTMTE got released first. The reading order is supposed to be TR One-shot > ex-RiD 56 > MTMTE 56 > ex-RiD 57 > MTMTE 57. It might be a good idea to wait until they're all out and read through them all at once due to this error.

I actually saw that the order was supposed to go TF56 -> TF57 -> then MTMTE issues 56 and 57. MTMTE was supposed to be able to tell its story without TF since the main story would carry over and TF56 would provide the spoilerish details and the issues could be read coming out in different months without delaying anything.

Nup. TF and MTMTE come out once per month. I'm not sure where this New Order has come from. :-?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817721)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 23rd, 2016 @ 7:48am CDT

Dr Va'al wrote:
D-Maximus_Primal wrote:
Kurona wrote:
william-james88 wrote:I wasnt fond of this issue. I didnt know it was a Ttans Return Crossover. Is there a reading order? Must we read the other titans return issues tounderstand these 2 MTMTS issues?

It really didnt feel much like a finale to me since we dont get to be with the main MTMTE cast.

I just felt a bit lost since the previous issue ended on a cliffhanger of the planet exploding.

Technically ex-RiD #56 is supposed to be read before MTMTE #56, but due to an error MTMTE got released first. The reading order is supposed to be TR One-shot > ex-RiD 56 > MTMTE 56 > ex-RiD 57 > MTMTE 57. It might be a good idea to wait until they're all out and read through them all at once due to this error.

I actually saw that the order was supposed to go TF56 -> TF57 -> then MTMTE issues 56 and 57. MTMTE was supposed to be able to tell its story without TF since the main story would carry over and TF56 would provide the spoilerish details and the issues could be read coming out in different months without delaying anything.

Nup. TF and MTMTE come out once per month. I'm not sure where this New Order has come from.

I can't remember where I saw it, but it appeared that TF was entirely supposed to go first, covering Sentinel's time on Earth and then after 57 heading to Luna 1 for MTMTE 56/7. Now that does not mean they were supposed to actually be released in that order for obvious reasons, but it meant that MTMTE could tell the story of Luna 1 with Sentinel with TF56, which was supposed to go first, giving away the major spoilers and then 57 doing something else ending with Sentinel headed to Luna 1.

So the story had an order, but the release dates would not allow the correct order, so the MTMTE part was designed to go and not be majorly spoilerish to the TF story, if that makes sense. I think Roberts actually tweeted that a few weeks ago, but I'd need to look. I saw this for sure

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817722)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 23rd, 2016 @ 7:57am CDT

Got it!

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 2558505985

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817795)
Posted by Va'al on August 23rd, 2016 @ 1:06pm CDT

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Got it!

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 2558505985

Roberts didn't even know that TF 56 had not yet come out when MTMTE 56 was released, so it may have been planned storywise that TFs come first, but they will only release one of each per month. If the order he suggests is indeed the 'proper' one, it'll have to be until the trade that we'll actually see it happen.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817816)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 23rd, 2016 @ 1:33pm CDT

Dr Va'al wrote:
D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Got it!

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 2558505985

Roberts didn't even know that TF 56 had not yet come out when MTMTE 56 was released, so it may have been planned storywise that TFs come first, but they will only release one of each per month. If the order he suggests is indeed the 'proper' one, it'll have to be until the trade that we'll actually see it happen.

I was agreeing with you that only 1 would come out per month, just that the order might be funky

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1817824)
Posted by Va'al on August 23rd, 2016 @ 1:42pm CDT

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:
Dr Va'al wrote:
D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Got it!

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 2558505985

Roberts didn't even know that TF 56 had not yet come out when MTMTE 56 was released, so it may have been planned storywise that TFs come first, but they will only release one of each per month. If the order he suggests is indeed the 'proper' one, it'll have to be until the trade that we'll actually see it happen.

I was agreeing with you that only 1 would come out per month, just that the order might be funky

Oh I know! I was just telling JRo to shush. :-P

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56 Review (1818671)
Posted by Kurona on August 25th, 2016 @ 3:39pm CDT

Wasn't quite sure where else to put this since there isn't a general MTMTE thread as far as I can see, but this makes me happy

https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 2563943424