IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO
Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 7:05AM CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site ArticlesPosted by: Va'al Views: 32,257
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You're Safe Now
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
PEACE IN OUR TIME! STARSCREAM and WINDBLADE have given everything to bring together CYBERTRON’s Lost Colonies into a Council Of Worlds. But when the increasingly brutal tactics of STARSCREAM’s secret police increase tension among the former DECEPTICONS… how long can the Council maintain this fragile peace?
By sitting in circles!
Story
We've seen the actions and influence that Windblade, as a character, has brought to the Transformers universe in recent years, from her introduction in Dark Cybertron, the first story arc in the mini, the creation of the Council of Worlds in the second - let's get back to where it started, then and see what the new Starscream-led Cybertron is up to.
Um...
Ironhide, actually, is the character getting the most page-time in this first issue, and a fitting choice it is: he's been a constant in the IDW verse, and he's gone through a lot of weird things, and as we know, is now at times a little lost in this new, wider world. Mairghread Scott uses Ironhide's almost neutral status as the pivot for a lot of the story, though sometimes misses his voice, as if unsure what he should be sounding like - which may, saying that now, be intentional given the above.
Mellow banter
One of the points I'd question concerns the Combaticon crew, Brawl in particular - whom we've seen up until recent as being a big player for the new Decepticons (both Soundwave and Galvatron's sides), and is now suddenly not really doing much. But with the team being so crucial to the story, there may be more for him to shine again.
SWINDLllgfgdfmmfm
Windblade is prominent, of course, though not more than necessary, as the streets of Iacon and their inhabitants are really what's at the fore. The Badgeless, the ex-factions, the factionless, the newcomers from the ex-colonies - something is bound to happen, and something does, and Starscream may or may not know what is what, and who is where. And we get a reference to the big unsolved Chromia moment from the first trade, as a result, too.
Art
Sara Pitre Durocher is on the full art duties for the book (except for Revolution) and we ok - it's phenomenal work. Moving between body language, panel layouts, facial expressions, we get a very unsure Ironhide, a determined Windblade, a nasty Starscream and a truly ominous Obsidian. Each character has their own demeanour again, which is just. great.
Variations on a theme of 'I want to murderkill you'
Priscilla Tramontano comes in with the mastery of colours, perfectly in sync with the linework, and playing wonderfully with tone and lighting, giving different hues and shades to the different locations. They're crisp, they're clean, they're clear, they're wonderfully appropriate. And the glow of the various optics - especially the Badgeless visors - is just great.
And we get some great backgrounds, too
This is probably the first time I will say something negative about the lettering, once more by Tom B. Long: the order of some of the dialogues seems a little off on certain pages (e.g. the first Council session), which through me a little. That said, the rest of the work is its usual excellency! Let's look at the covers, then - not only is Pitre Durocher's main cast piece lusciously triumphant, we also have the more tone-appropriate Tramontano Batman Ironhide one, and Teyowisonte Thomas Deer bring his skills to another Pitre Durocher Metroplex/Windblade (thumbnail); plus, more exclusives from Alex Milne and Josh Perez than you can shake a piston at!
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
Scott has always had a penchant for the more horrorific storylines, and the start to this new chapter is nothing different: yes, it's a political crime thriller, touching on authoritarian brutality, perceptions of differences and discrimination, the turmoils of an increasingly populated planet - but we're going to chop people's heads on the way too. It's a hook, and it got me.
There, tied in
Pair that, and the rising tension between all the major players, with some excellent art - both in composition and in expression - from Pitre Durocher, and of course Tramontano's colours, and you have a very strong start to a new Cybertronian chapter, and one that I am extremely intrigued and invested in already. Just look at my signature on here. Someone lives.
. 
out of
out of Credit(s): IDW, Dr Va'al
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Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797909)
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 7:51am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 7:51am CDT
This was a decent issue. Does a lot of good set up I'm hoping it keeps this way. Scott's first and second issues always stand out well but it always starts selling flat once it goes on. Hopefully with this being an ongoing that won't happen.
I liked blastoff, the one combaticon who has had no character at all in IDW, is getting so much attention. Once I saw the slingshot head I instantly thought "well there's going to be a lot of moaning about that" only for him to activate his mouth plate. That gave me a chuckle.
Glad to see this is not Windblade's book(for now). Honestly I'm just so burned out by her at the moment it's great to see so many other character shine. It really feels like the first dozen issues of RID ongoing. The politics is something I have missed a lot. Also nice to see obsidian for once is not a bunch of shapes that is just just colored solid blue. He actually looks great. Still wish he was a more greener blue to break up some of him though.
I liked blastoff, the one combaticon who has had no character at all in IDW, is getting so much attention. Once I saw the slingshot head I instantly thought "well there's going to be a lot of moaning about that" only for him to activate his mouth plate. That gave me a chuckle.
Glad to see this is not Windblade's book(for now). Honestly I'm just so burned out by her at the moment it's great to see so many other character shine. It really feels like the first dozen issues of RID ongoing. The politics is something I have missed a lot. Also nice to see obsidian for once is not a bunch of shapes that is just just colored solid blue. He actually looks great. Still wish he was a more greener blue to break up some of him though.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797911)
Posted by Va'al on June 15th, 2016 @ 7:58am CDT
YES. That was a good little moment to address the issue - or maybe poke fun at it. I chuckled too.
While we knew this was going to be the case, and I'm not tired of the character myself, I do agree with you that it's nice to see the wider world around the post-colony situation. Even the nameless characters in the various scenes get a chance to shine (for better or worse as the case may be), and it speaks to the size of scope that the books will have to play with. Let's hope for good things!
He a scary moddafodder.
Posted by Va'al on June 15th, 2016 @ 7:58am CDT
Randomhero wrote:I liked blastoff, the one combaticon who has had no character at all in IDW, is getting so much attention. Once I saw the slingshot head I instantly thought "well there's going to be a lot of moaning about that" only for him to activate his mouth plate. That gave me a chuckle.
YES. That was a good little moment to address the issue - or maybe poke fun at it. I chuckled too.
Glad to see this is not Windblade's book(for now). Honestly I'm just so burned out by her at the moment it's great to see so many other character shine. It really feels like the first dozen issues of RID ongoing. The politics is something I have missed a lot.
While we knew this was going to be the case, and I'm not tired of the character myself, I do agree with you that it's nice to see the wider world around the post-colony situation. Even the nameless characters in the various scenes get a chance to shine (for better or worse as the case may be), and it speaks to the size of scope that the books will have to play with. Let's hope for good things!
Also nice to see obsidian for once is not a bunch of shapes that is just just colored solid blue. He actually looks great. Still wish he was a more greener blue to break up some of him though.
He a scary moddafodder.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797912)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 8:12am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 8:12am CDT
Besides my Brawl concerns, this was a great start!
I like Ironhide's new role in the world and it is good to see him get the attention he deserves. He's been in need of some more screen time seeing as how he has been a lighter used character since season 1 of RiD ended, and throwing him into the middle of the badgeless is a good idea.
I love Knockout OK? He is awesome and he is drawn awesome. But, Obsidian definitely rules this book with regards to the council so far. He is a figurehead, a floating one at that, and the fact that he comes from a colony whose very titan is still up for questioning considering who it is and why it isn't someone else makes me excited. I want to see how he goes through this. He has potential to be a big story character. And, as Va'al said, He's a bit intimidating
I like Ironhide's new role in the world and it is good to see him get the attention he deserves. He's been in need of some more screen time seeing as how he has been a lighter used character since season 1 of RiD ended, and throwing him into the middle of the badgeless is a good idea.
I love Knockout OK? He is awesome and he is drawn awesome. But, Obsidian definitely rules this book with regards to the council so far. He is a figurehead, a floating one at that, and the fact that he comes from a colony whose very titan is still up for questioning considering who it is and why it isn't someone else makes me excited. I want to see how he goes through this. He has potential to be a big story character. And, as Va'al said, He's a bit intimidating
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797930)
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 9:28am CDT
She's just someone I'm tired of being told how amazing she is and her title of "fan favorite" when I've yet to see her do anything amazing other than not like starscream. She did nothing in her debut in Dark Cybetron, I wasnt thrilled with how she was handled in her own series and her contribution in Combiner Wars was 'stand there and give a line here and there and remind us you don't like starscream'. Remember how everyone felt that Drift was being choked down their throats 8 years ago? That's honestly how I feel with Windblade
"You created her two and half years ago so now you're going to get her in everything"
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 9:28am CDT
Dr Va'al wrote:Randomhero wrote:I liked blastoff, the one combaticon who has had no character at all in IDW, is getting so much attention. Once I saw the slingshot head I instantly thought "well there's going to be a lot of moaning about that" only for him to activate his mouth plate. That gave me a chuckle.
YES. That was a good little moment to address the issue - or maybe poke fun at it. I chuckled too.Glad to see this is not Windblade's book(for now). Honestly I'm just so burned out by her at the moment it's great to see so many other character shine. It really feels like the first dozen issues of RID ongoing. The politics is something I have missed a lot.
While we knew this was going to be the case, and I'm not tired of the character myself, I do agree with you that it's nice to see the wider world around the post-colony situation. Even the nameless characters in the various scenes get a chance to shine (for better or worse as the case may be), and it speaks to the size of scope that the books will have to play with. Let's hope for good things!Also nice to see obsidian for once is not a bunch o
f shapes that is just just colored solid blue. He actually looks great. Still wish he was a more greener blue to break up some of him though.
He a scary moddafodder.
She's just someone I'm tired of being told how amazing she is and her title of "fan favorite" when I've yet to see her do anything amazing other than not like starscream. She did nothing in her debut in Dark Cybetron, I wasnt thrilled with how she was handled in her own series and her contribution in Combiner Wars was 'stand there and give a line here and there and remind us you don't like starscream'. Remember how everyone felt that Drift was being choked down their throats 8 years ago? That's honestly how I feel with Windblade
"You created her two and half years ago so now you're going to get her in everything"
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797945)
Posted by Ironhidensh on June 15th, 2016 @ 9:55am CDT
Posted by Ironhidensh on June 15th, 2016 @ 9:55am CDT
Yeah, I don't really get the Windblade love either. Nautica, in the other hand, is vastly underused.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797948)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 10:01am CDT
She honestly is my favorite of the female transformers and has become one of my favorite in fiction. She really deserves some attention and I'm glad she gets to be a main character over in MTMTE.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 10:01am CDT
Ironhidensh wrote:Yeah, I don't really get the Windblade love either. Nautica, in the other hand, is vastly underused.
She honestly is my favorite of the female transformers and has become one of my favorite in fiction. She really deserves some attention and I'm glad she gets to be a main character over in MTMTE.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1797951)
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 10:04am CDT
Nautica is an amazing character! She's wonderfully established character oozing with personality that doesn't steal scenes and when she says something it's important to a scene of shows what her personality is. The only time I wasn't thrilled with her was that space barnacle story when it took 3 pages for her to say "we're forced to have friends on Caminus" other than that she's a wonderfully fleshed out character. It's something I'd like to see happen with Chromia and Windblade and its why ice said I wish Till All are One was a collaborative book with James and John. John handles the story and James handles the characterization
Posted by Randomhero on June 15th, 2016 @ 10:04am CDT
Ironhidensh wrote:Yeah, I don't really get the Windblade love either. Nautica, in the other hand, is vastly underused.
Nautica is an amazing character! She's wonderfully established character oozing with personality that doesn't steal scenes and when she says something it's important to a scene of shows what her personality is. The only time I wasn't thrilled with her was that space barnacle story when it took 3 pages for her to say "we're forced to have friends on Caminus" other than that she's a wonderfully fleshed out character. It's something I'd like to see happen with Chromia and Windblade and its why ice said I wish Till All are One was a collaborative book with James and John. John handles the story and James handles the characterization
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798032)
Posted by Va'al on June 15th, 2016 @ 3:42pm CDT
Posted by Va'al on June 15th, 2016 @ 3:42pm CDT
Concepts!
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798034)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 3:45pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 15th, 2016 @ 3:45pm CDT
I adore the faceplate on Blastoff.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798207)
Posted by 1984forever on June 16th, 2016 @ 8:18am CDT
Posted by 1984forever on June 16th, 2016 @ 8:18am CDT
I was finally able to find someone who downloaded this comic late last night so I could share their copy by logging into their account. Finding people who still read IDW Transformers comics is like trying to find a unicorn.
Anyways TAAO was awful as expected. Too humanized, too short and too weak. Ironhide gets punched in the olfactory sensors and it gets drawn as a bloody (energon) nose. Ironhide was portrayed as a tin plated twerp who still stuck up for his oppressors even after getting sucker punched. The Badgeless remind me of real world corrupt lunatic and psycho cops and their victims. But I'd rather read about those stories in the news instead of a Transformers comic. Their victim died too easily. If IDW Transformers didn't die so easily I might have a sense of gratification now.
The Combaticons were well behaved as expected. All the Transformers characters will become less violent in the coming months so that a crossover with My Little Pony will seem less jarring. The Combaticons don't need jobs, they need struts.
Anyways TAAO was awful as expected. Too humanized, too short and too weak. Ironhide gets punched in the olfactory sensors and it gets drawn as a bloody (energon) nose. Ironhide was portrayed as a tin plated twerp who still stuck up for his oppressors even after getting sucker punched. The Badgeless remind me of real world corrupt lunatic and psycho cops and their victims. But I'd rather read about those stories in the news instead of a Transformers comic. Their victim died too easily. If IDW Transformers didn't die so easily I might have a sense of gratification now.
The Combaticons were well behaved as expected. All the Transformers characters will become less violent in the coming months so that a crossover with My Little Pony will seem less jarring. The Combaticons don't need jobs, they need struts.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798229)
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 10:15am CDT
Those are some nice designs.
Va'al is it just me or are votex's rotars in that position homaging something? I don't think it invokes United's version but they seem so familiar. Maybe that's what his body looked like in Spotlight arcee
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 10:15am CDT
Dr Va'al wrote:Concepts!
Those are some nice designs.
Va'al is it just me or are votex's rotars in that position homaging something? I don't think it invokes United's version but they seem so familiar. Maybe that's what his body looked like in Spotlight arcee
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798241)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:33am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:33am CDT
I'm not Va'al, but I can tell you that is how his Unite Warriors body looks.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798245)
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:44am CDT
It does but I swear I've seen that look somewhere else too and it bugging the hell out of me
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:44am CDT
D-Maximus_Primal wrote:I'm not Va'al, but I can tell you that is how his Unite Warriors body looks.
It does but I swear I've seen that look somewhere else too and it bugging the hell out of me
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798248)
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:51am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:51am CDT
I just looked up Spotlight Arcee and he had regular rotars but I wear I've seen someone have Rotars like that in the comics.
Speaking of spotlight Arcee there's a nice line from Blastoff mentioning fighting an autobot with flaming swords. While she did plenty of that at the beginning of RID it's a call back to when she stabbed blastoff in the chest during the first attack on Garrus 9
Speaking of spotlight Arcee there's a nice line from Blastoff mentioning fighting an autobot with flaming swords. While she did plenty of that at the beginning of RID it's a call back to when she stabbed blastoff in the chest during the first attack on Garrus 9
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798249)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:53am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 11:53am CDT
IDW spotlight Arcee?
Fall of Cybertron?
Animated Vortex?
Or was it even Vortex? I'm trying here dude, but I'm not really sure where the look has been seen before
Fall of Cybertron?
Animated Vortex?
Or was it even Vortex? I'm trying here dude, but I'm not really sure where the look has been seen before
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798268)
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 2:02pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 2:02pm CDT
Ya know I think it was fall of cybertron. Like the concept art for the guy
And what the hell is that animated vortex?!
Can't say I'm the biggest fan of Brawls design though. Looks like it's straight out of Pat Lees art book. He looks like he can't even walk. He'd have to have wheels on his feet and be pushed in and out of rooms.
And what the hell is that animated vortex?!
Can't say I'm the biggest fan of Brawls design though. Looks like it's straight out of Pat Lees art book. He looks like he can't even walk. He'd have to have wheels on his feet and be pushed in and out of rooms.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798271)
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 2:55pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on June 16th, 2016 @ 2:55pm CDT
Seeing these guys take center stage is really making me consider getting Takara United set but not for the reasons most want it. I don't like the cartoon colors, he's too vibrant I like the muted almost melancholy colors of hasbro, and blast off does nothing for me and speaking of colors the chest plate just doesn't look right IMO. I do however like the retooling of Vortex, I want a grey head instead of the black one and I'm a huge fan of Swindle. I have a small swindle collection, original, G2, the FOC versions, animated and the Kreo and maybe the red car one from the movie in a box somewhere
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1798305)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 5:35pm CDT
Finally! Hit a home run
And I think that was fanart for an animated Vortex. Still all kinds of funny though
And as for Brawl, I like his design. He has the bulk he really needs and he looks good. Still angry at him over Sideswipe still.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 16th, 2016 @ 5:35pm CDT
Randomhero wrote:Ya know I think it was fall of cybertron. Like the concept art for the guy
And what the hell is that animated vortex?!
Can't say I'm the biggest fan of Brawls design though. Looks like it's straight out of Pat Lees art book. He looks like he can't even walk. He'd have to have wheels on his feet and be pushed in and out of rooms.
Finally! Hit a home run
And I think that was fanart for an animated Vortex. Still all kinds of funny though
And as for Brawl, I like his design. He has the bulk he really needs and he looks good. Still angry at him over Sideswipe still.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800840)
Posted by Va'al on June 26th, 2016 @ 9:15am CDT
Posted by Va'al on June 26th, 2016 @ 9:15am CDT
Courtesy of the iTunes page for the issue, we have the usual three-page preview of the upcoming Transformers: Till All Are One #2 from IDW Publishing. It looks like the first page is actually cut out, but you can take a look below before the full preview hits in a couple of weeks!
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF CYBERTRON! As STARSCREAM’S secret police continue on their rampage, IRONHIDE is caught between the BADGLESS and a population looking for retribution!
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800918)
Posted by BumbleDouche on June 26th, 2016 @ 2:19pm CDT
Posted by BumbleDouche on June 26th, 2016 @ 2:19pm CDT
Is it just me, or is Obsidian's vehicle mode kinda dumb looking? It looks like Generations Scourge with some arbitrarily placed propeller blades, not very imaginative...
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800920)
Posted by Kurona on June 26th, 2016 @ 2:25pm CDT
Posted by Kurona on June 26th, 2016 @ 2:25pm CDT
It looks kind of like they figured modelling him after Generations Scourge was a good idea, then at the last minute remembered what he originally transformed into.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800974)
Posted by BumbleDouche on June 26th, 2016 @ 4:22pm CDT
Yeah, exactly. Or there's a crummy, last-minute figure in the works from HasTak lol.
Posted by BumbleDouche on June 26th, 2016 @ 4:22pm CDT
Kurona wrote:It looks kind of like they figured modelling him after Generations Scourge was a good idea, then at the last minute remembered what he originally transformed into.
Yeah, exactly. Or there's a crummy, last-minute figure in the works from HasTak lol.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800985)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on June 26th, 2016 @ 5:45pm CDT
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on June 26th, 2016 @ 5:45pm CDT
Actually if anything, it looks like G2 Dreadwing by way of movie Mindwipe
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1800988)
Posted by Randomhero on June 26th, 2016 @ 6:05pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on June 26th, 2016 @ 6:05pm CDT
I honestly thought it was Dreadwing which made me go "what the Hell is going on?"
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1801496)
Posted by DeadCaL on June 28th, 2016 @ 2:32pm CDT
Posted by DeadCaL on June 28th, 2016 @ 2:32pm CDT
There's some nice use of 'camera' angles in this. Very dynamic.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803103)
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2016 @ 2:49am CDT
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2016 @ 2:49am CDT
This week we see another issue of the new IDW Publishing ongoing, Transformers: Till All Are One, looking at the life on Cybertron in the new sort of unified world - check out the full preview below, via Newsarama, and head back on Wednesday for the Seibertron.com review!
Transformers: Till All Are One #2
Mairghread Scott (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a & c)
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF CYBERTRON! As STARSCREAM’S secret police continue on their rampage, IRONHIDE is caught between the BADGLESS and a population looking for retribution!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
CYBERTRON takes center stage—can STARSCREAM hold on while power slips through his fingers?
Fan favorite character WINDBLADE tries to keep the peace!
Part of IDW’s month-long variant cover program, celebrating the return of ROM!
Variant cover by Carlos Valenzuela!
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803106)
Posted by Rainmaker on July 4th, 2016 @ 3:17am CDT
Why couldn't they have looked like this in CW?
Can anybody identify the white robot yet? (The one that looks like Obsidian?)
Posted by Rainmaker on July 4th, 2016 @ 3:17am CDT
Dr Va'al wrote:Concepts!
Why couldn't they have looked like this in CW?
Can anybody identify the white robot yet? (The one that looks like Obsidian?)
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803107)
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2016 @ 5:24am CDT
Which one do you mean? The one on the cover in the thumbnail? (I can't think of any other white robots in those pages..)
If so, that is ROM, part of the cross-branding promotional covers, and nothing to do with the story itself so far.
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2016 @ 5:24am CDT
Raintime Rainmaker wrote:Can anybody identify the white robot yet? (The one that looks like Obsidian?)
Which one do you mean? The one on the cover in the thumbnail? (I can't think of any other white robots in those pages..)
If so, that is ROM, part of the cross-branding promotional covers, and nothing to do with the story itself so far.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803112)
Posted by Randomhero on July 4th, 2016 @ 6:43am CDT
Because they're toys?
Posted by Randomhero on July 4th, 2016 @ 6:43am CDT
Raintime Rainmaker wrote:Dr Va'al wrote:Concepts!
Why couldn't they have looked like this in CW?
Can anybody identify the white robot yet? (The one that looks like Obsidian?)
Because they're toys?
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803113)
Posted by BumbleDouche on July 4th, 2016 @ 6:53am CDT
Posted by BumbleDouche on July 4th, 2016 @ 6:53am CDT
There's something unusually beautiful about that first cover by Sara... Windblade looks as though she's made of porcelain or something, it's great!
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803652)
Posted by Va'al on July 6th, 2016 @ 11:50am CDT
Synopsis
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF CYBERTRON! As STARSCREAM’S secret police continue on their rampage, IRONHIDE is caught between the BADGLESS and a population looking for retribution!
Yyup
Story
We're back on Cybertron once more, as the second issue of the new Transformers: Till All Are One ongoing series from IDW Publishing hits the stands (be they digital or physical) - and there is little time lost since last month's issue, as the streets boil, the 'law' is questioned, and Starscream looks on, apprehensive.
In his own way
We had already seen Ironhide as being one of the major players in the first issue, but it feels like he's more of an instrument of the new orders trying to establish themselves than anything fully agent - though time will tell on this front. He is charismatic, and his dialogue works better now that emotion runs a little higher, too.
See? Charming
Who really gets the spotlight this time round though, are the Combaticons, with Onslaught and Blastoff in particular hogging all of the spotlight. Mairghread Scott has not only tapped into their 'original' writing, but has given them an extra spin in the new post-colonial, post-war, post-combiner, and the interactions all show their individual voices, in both clash and rapport.
Con-raderie?
While Starscream is a pleasure to read in this new take on his dry approach to life, the weariness and edge to his voice is palpable, and an interesting way to see where it might all go. Add that to the fact that Obsidian is obviously planning things with Elita One, and you got yourself the political intrigue we were (/I was) looking for. More thoughts below.
Art
In how many ways can one Starscream be depicted as bored, despondent, scheming and trying to feign superiority? Sara Pitre-Durocher manages quite a few, with a truly entertaining and impressive array of facial expressions. That, and some really effectively used cinematographic techniques in the more fraught discussion and scenes, create a palpable sense of underlying tension across the whole book - as there should well be.
Mob. Tense
Much like last issue, again, Priscilla Tramontano bring some clean, crisp colouring to the linework, and gives some nice depth to the larger crowd scenes, picking out details where needed, and making the mob more mob-like on the other side of the coin. The glow of the various optics is a nice touch, too, and one I keep going back to admire.
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Tom B. Long, despite not having the space to have too much fun with the fonts, does a great job, and my quibbles with last month's issue are nowhere to be found this time. I have also tried showing off the multiple covers in previous stories, with the regular, and powerful Pitre-Durocher Windblade taking the main stage, followed by her collaboration with Thomas Teyowisonte Deer on the ROM variant, and finally, this review's thumbnail variant, by Carlos Valenzuela.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
Allow me an excursus: I have some ideological concerns with the direction that some of the story is taking, especially in terms of handling powers and justice systems - trying not to spoil anything here - but am also willing to see how it's employed in the larger picture. The political drama being set up (the multiple stages, even) are promising something fairly big, and I don't just mean another combiner.
While a little slower than the previous issue, this month's TAAO brings the set-up that the new status quo on Cybertron probably needs, from a fictional standpoint, and it does it well; it also manages to sneak in a number of issues that can easily be found in our own reality, and that is where I am really interested in their handling and development, hoping for a critical evaluation of sorts, really. Plus, it all looks So Good.
Posted by Va'al on July 6th, 2016 @ 11:50am CDT
Mobbing Along
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF CYBERTRON! As STARSCREAM’S secret police continue on their rampage, IRONHIDE is caught between the BADGLESS and a population looking for retribution!
Yyup
Story
We're back on Cybertron once more, as the second issue of the new Transformers: Till All Are One ongoing series from IDW Publishing hits the stands (be they digital or physical) - and there is little time lost since last month's issue, as the streets boil, the 'law' is questioned, and Starscream looks on, apprehensive.
In his own way
We had already seen Ironhide as being one of the major players in the first issue, but it feels like he's more of an instrument of the new orders trying to establish themselves than anything fully agent - though time will tell on this front. He is charismatic, and his dialogue works better now that emotion runs a little higher, too.
See? Charming
Who really gets the spotlight this time round though, are the Combaticons, with Onslaught and Blastoff in particular hogging all of the spotlight. Mairghread Scott has not only tapped into their 'original' writing, but has given them an extra spin in the new post-colonial, post-war, post-combiner, and the interactions all show their individual voices, in both clash and rapport.
Con-raderie?
While Starscream is a pleasure to read in this new take on his dry approach to life, the weariness and edge to his voice is palpable, and an interesting way to see where it might all go. Add that to the fact that Obsidian is obviously planning things with Elita One, and you got yourself the political intrigue we were (/I was) looking for. More thoughts below.
Art
In how many ways can one Starscream be depicted as bored, despondent, scheming and trying to feign superiority? Sara Pitre-Durocher manages quite a few, with a truly entertaining and impressive array of facial expressions. That, and some really effectively used cinematographic techniques in the more fraught discussion and scenes, create a palpable sense of underlying tension across the whole book - as there should well be.
Mob. Tense
Much like last issue, again, Priscilla Tramontano bring some clean, crisp colouring to the linework, and gives some nice depth to the larger crowd scenes, picking out details where needed, and making the mob more mob-like on the other side of the coin. The glow of the various optics is a nice touch, too, and one I keep going back to admire.
New Instagram Filter - DOWNLOAD NOW
Tom B. Long, despite not having the space to have too much fun with the fonts, does a great job, and my quibbles with last month's issue are nowhere to be found this time. I have also tried showing off the multiple covers in previous stories, with the regular, and powerful Pitre-Durocher Windblade taking the main stage, followed by her collaboration with Thomas Teyowisonte Deer on the ROM variant, and finally, this review's thumbnail variant, by Carlos Valenzuela.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
Allow me an excursus: I have some ideological concerns with the direction that some of the story is taking, especially in terms of handling powers and justice systems - trying not to spoil anything here - but am also willing to see how it's employed in the larger picture. The political drama being set up (the multiple stages, even) are promising something fairly big, and I don't just mean another combiner.
While a little slower than the previous issue, this month's TAAO brings the set-up that the new status quo on Cybertron probably needs, from a fictional standpoint, and it does it well; it also manages to sneak in a number of issues that can easily be found in our own reality, and that is where I am really interested in their handling and development, hoping for a critical evaluation of sorts, really. Plus, it all looks So Good.
. ½ out of
½ out of
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803658)
Posted by Randomhero on July 6th, 2016 @ 12:15pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 6th, 2016 @ 12:15pm CDT
I liked this issue but the 4 page prelude was my favorite. It's four pages that explains how GI Joe and MASK are in this universe and its makes complete sense. I read it and said "alright that works for me"
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803831)
Posted by Randomhero on July 7th, 2016 @ 2:15pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 7th, 2016 @ 2:15pm CDT
Did no one else read this it is there just nothing to discuss about it?
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803918)
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 3:56am CDT
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 3:56am CDT
I read it! 
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803922)
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 8th, 2016 @ 4:20am CDT
With revolution coming, I've kinda lost interest in the comics.
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 8th, 2016 @ 4:20am CDT
Randomhero wrote:Did no one else read this it is there just nothing to discuss about it?
With revolution coming, I've kinda lost interest in the comics.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803925)
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 4:30am CDT
I think that's not ideal right now, there's definitely good stuff happening before the event hits. I mean, I get what you're saying, but I'm still sticking to it until it burns (if it does, that is).
I may have to go update the Revolution thread, actually..
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 4:30am CDT
Ironhidensh wrote:Randomhero wrote:Did no one else read this it is there just nothing to discuss about it?
With revolution coming, I've kinda lost interest in the comics.
I think that's not ideal right now, there's definitely good stuff happening before the event hits. I mean, I get what you're saying, but I'm still sticking to it until it burns (if it does, that is).
I may have to go update the Revolution thread, actually..
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803940)
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 7:24am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 7:24am CDT
Revolution should not be anyone's reason to stop reading the comics. Like I've said and others have, there is a preview story in TAAO and it's good! It makes sense! Please people! Have faith. This isn't marvel and DC with over a dozen editors that don't follow they're own stuff. It's a small group of people that are communicating and making this work.
People are so worked up about MTMTE getting ruined and James has said so many times "stop worrying, I'm still writing what I always had plans for"
People are so worked up about MTMTE getting ruined and James has said so many times "stop worrying, I'm still writing what I always had plans for"
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803980)
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 11:37am CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 11:37am CDT
I can see the sort of world weary of Starscream. I am not sure if it is why the artist seems to draw Starscream with his head frequently tilted to the right - this lends an extremely fatigued sense.
I don't think bumblebee is a hallucination, I am starting to think he is actually there, as a spectre, trying to help Starscream rule their world. I am liking the artwork.
I am curious as to where this comic goes, I almost feel like Starscream is dying.
I don't think bumblebee is a hallucination, I am starting to think he is actually there, as a spectre, trying to help Starscream rule their world. I am liking the artwork.
I am curious as to where this comic goes, I almost feel like Starscream is dying.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803987)
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:04pm CDT
The head tilt is actually a thing with starscream. He does it a lot in fiction
It's a sign of arrogance
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:04pm CDT
Sunstar wrote:I can see the sort of world weary of Starscream. I am not sure if it is why the artist seems to draw Starscream with his head frequently tilted to the right - this lends an extremely fatigued sense.
I don't think bumblebee is a hallucination, I am starting to think he is actually there, as a spectre, trying to help Starscream rule their world. I am liking the artwork.
I am curious as to where this comic goes, I almost feel like Starscream is dying.
The head tilt is actually a thing with starscream. He does it a lot in fiction
It's a sign of arrogance
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803989)
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:10pm CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:10pm CDT
Yeah, that as it may be, this is not the same. he has life in those pics, he lacks life in the comic. its as if his head is too heavy to hold and he just wants to lay down and die type position. There is no life or power in his drawings. Only just extreme fatigue.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803990)
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:15pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:15pm CDT
Those are just two quick examples I found online. I just typed in starscream in Google and there's examples of him tilting his head. It's a small thing not many notice or discuss. He did it even back in 1986 when he tossed megatron out of astrotrain. He said "how it pains me to do this" and then tilts his head.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803995)
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:44pm CDT
I agree on the fatigue (the whole point of this issue, as I hoped to highlight in the review, was that he's kind of had enough of things - he caught the car, now he's getting bored of it) but I disagree on the lack of life or dynamic art. I think both Sarah Stone and Sara Pitre Durocher have had and are having a lot of fun with the expressive elements of the body language that these characters can have.
Look at him sitting into his place at the Council - look at how weary and tired he looks:
Then compare to his nonchalant pose at the beginning of the issue:
Starscream has always been a favourite for fan art, too, and - on my part - I see the appeal is in the 'aloof', 'not caring', 'bad boy' vibes that his character has brought to the fiction. His power is sleek, subtle and lean, he is not a bulky, strong, imposing Megatron, in that sense.
And I quote this as an example. There is so much art about Starscream tilting, and one panel in particular in issue two captured his character wonderfully, I thought (same tilt and position as first image I just used, but look at the overhaul that comes from the expression change and bold font):
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 12:44pm CDT
Sunstar wrote:Yeah, that as it may be, this is not the same. he has life in those pics, he lacks life in the comic. its as if his head is too heavy to hold and he just wants to lay down and die type position. There is no life or power in his drawings. Only just extreme fatigue.
I agree on the fatigue (the whole point of this issue, as I hoped to highlight in the review, was that he's kind of had enough of things - he caught the car, now he's getting bored of it) but I disagree on the lack of life or dynamic art. I think both Sarah Stone and Sara Pitre Durocher have had and are having a lot of fun with the expressive elements of the body language that these characters can have.
Look at him sitting into his place at the Council - look at how weary and tired he looks:
Then compare to his nonchalant pose at the beginning of the issue:
Starscream has always been a favourite for fan art, too, and - on my part - I see the appeal is in the 'aloof', 'not caring', 'bad boy' vibes that his character has brought to the fiction. His power is sleek, subtle and lean, he is not a bulky, strong, imposing Megatron, in that sense.
Randomhero wrote:Those are just two quick examples I found online. I just typed in starscream in Google and there's examples of him tilting his head. It's a small thing not many notice or discuss. He did it even back in 1986 when he tossed megatron out of astrotrain. He said "how it pains me to do this" and then tilts his head.
And I quote this as an example. There is so much art about Starscream tilting, and one panel in particular in issue two captured his character wonderfully, I thought (same tilt and position as first image I just used, but look at the overhaul that comes from the expression change and bold font):
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1803998)
Posted by Kurona on July 8th, 2016 @ 1:16pm CDT
Posted by Kurona on July 8th, 2016 @ 1:16pm CDT
One thing to comment on,
This is a complete lie. Screamer's totally hot for Onslaught
This is a complete lie. Screamer's totally hot for Onslaught
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804009)
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 1:50pm CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 8th, 2016 @ 1:50pm CDT
I am not saying its drawn with a lack of life.... HE has a distinct lack of life... its drawn well. Other pics of him shows intensity of life, but he has that sort of intense depression. the art is well done and portrays his exhaustion.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804037)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 8th, 2016 @ 2:54pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 8th, 2016 @ 2:54pm CDT
I loved the Ironhide bits. He is my character to watch for this storyline. Enjoying him being back in the spotlight
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804039)
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 2:56pm CDT
Oooooh, I get you now, sorry! Misread your post.
Posted by Va'al on July 8th, 2016 @ 2:56pm CDT
Sunstar wrote:I am not saying its drawn with a lack of life.... HE has a distinct lack of life... its drawn well. Other pics of him shows intensity of life, but he has that sort of intense depression. the art is well done and portrays his exhaustion.
Oooooh, I get you now, sorry! Misread your post.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804373)
Posted by Sunstar on July 10th, 2016 @ 11:21am CDT
sometimes my working can be clunky. Its a side of Starscream we don't usually see.
Posted by Sunstar on July 10th, 2016 @ 11:21am CDT
Dr Va'al wrote:Sunstar wrote:I am not saying its drawn with a lack of life.... HE has a distinct lack of life... its drawn well. Other pics of him shows intensity of life, but he has that sort of intense depression. the art is well done and portrays his exhaustion.
Oooooh, I get you now, sorry! Misread your post.
sometimes my working can be clunky. Its a side of Starscream we don't usually see.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804519)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on July 10th, 2016 @ 11:17pm CDT
I still want Blackarachnia and Starscream to hook up
(he's so not into it, but she is)
Though thinking about it, it would be an interesting plot development if Starscream had to get a Conjunx Endura for political purposes; provided he stays ruler which i hope he does.
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on July 10th, 2016 @ 11:17pm CDT
Kurona wrote:One thing to comment on,
This is a complete lie. Screamer's totally hot for Onslaught
I still want Blackarachnia and Starscream to hook up
(he's so not into it, but she is)
Though thinking about it, it would be an interesting plot development if Starscream had to get a Conjunx Endura for political purposes; provided he stays ruler which i hope he does.
Re: IDW Transformers: Till All Are One #1 Review #TAAO (1804871)
Posted by Kurona on July 12th, 2016 @ 11:08am CDT
Posted by Kurona on July 12th, 2016 @ 11:08am CDT
Finally got around to reading this - had to get through ex-RID and Windblade first, but now I've actually caught up on all of them and MTMTE.
I just have one thing to ask... what's the thing everyone was talking about that 'explains' Revolution? I couldn't find anything about that.
I just have one thing to ask... what's the thing everyone was talking about that 'explains' Revolution? I couldn't find anything about that.
