Sneak Peek - IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars Windblade #3 iTunes Preview

looking forward to reading this, see how Prime copes with being a combiner

Glad to Mensor is no longer an inarticulate rage monster.

And there is Optimus Maximus, with Prime inexplicably white after last issue.

Art foibles aside, I'm interested in seeing how all this plays out, particularly where Optimus and Prowl end up by the conclusion of this. I hope that Prowl will finally see some consequences for his actions. Optimus really needs to take a step back and try to reign in his natural inclination to take charge. He is a good leader, but if he truly wants a democratic government he needs to let the people choose him rather than either impose his will through a military government (Bumblebee's mistake) or by allowing himself to be seen as a religious figure (the mistake he is making now).

So then...is Sarah Stone no longer with the franchise? Having a new regular artist sounds that way to me. Does anybody know what for?

I don't like the art. No, seriously, that style could be ok, but not given how the rest of Combiner Wars has looked. In the context of this story, I passionately dislike how this looks.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:So then...is Sarah Stone no longer with the franchise? Having a new regular artist sounds that way to me. Does anybody know what for?

Workload issue perhaps? Keeping up with a monthly can be very difficult for a lot of artists, especially as comic art has gotten more detailed in recent years.

ScottyP wrote:I don't like the art. No, seriously, that style could be ok, but not given how the rest of Combiner Wars has looked. In the context of this story, I passionately dislike how this looks.

Both styles are a better match to Sarah Stone's work in the first issue, but are a marked contrast to Livio Ramondelli's work on the majority of the event.

Still, I like this much more than Livio's work.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:So then...is Sarah Stone no longer with the franchise? Having a new regular artist sounds that way to me. Does anybody know what for?

She might be back for the next miniseries. I think we can agree that, in spite of the subline, these issues of Combiner Wars haven't really been about Windblade.

Shuttershock wrote:

Nemesis Maximo wrote:So then...is Sarah Stone no longer with the franchise? Having a new regular artist sounds that way to me. Does anybody know what for?

She might be back for the next miniseries. I think we can agree that, in spite of the subline, these issues of Combiner Wars haven't really been about Windblade.

Windblade is now an ongoing, not just a miniseries. If Stone is gone, she's gone for a while.

The ongoing has Corin Howell on art duties.

I am not sure what has happened to Stone, but will report if/when I find out.

Va'al wrote:The ongoing has Corin Howell on art duties.

I am not sure what has happened to Stone, but will report if/when I find out.

is Corin responsible for the more cartoony pages? If so I won't complain. I love the expressions. Shame Stone bowed out though. hope she comes back someday

Va'al wrote:The ongoing has Corin Howell on art duties.

I am not sure what has happened to Stone, but will report if/when I find out.

According to her blog/website "Monster Boys and Robots" looks like she hasn't been feeling well as of two weeks ago. Doesn't seem like anything serious but might explain her recent absence.

TGS1985 wrote:

Va'al wrote:The ongoing has Corin Howell on art duties.

I am not sure what has happened to Stone, but will report if/when I find out.

According to her blog/website "Monster Boys and Robots" looks like she hasn't been feeling well as of two weeks ago. Doesn't seem like anything serious but might explain her recent absence.

Yeah, that's all I have on it too.

sabrigami wrote:

Va'al wrote:The ongoing has Corin Howell on art duties.

I am not sure what has happened to Stone, but will report if/when I find out.

is Corin responsible for the more cartoony pages? If so I won't complain. I love the expressions. Shame Stone bowed out though. hope she comes back someday

Yes! Pages one and two of the preview are Ferreira, the Swindle one is Howell.

who is the right arm?
nevermind
its prowl

That Bot wrote:(Swindle is) probably still alive since they need to make Bruticus eventually.

Or, he'll be the "replaced limb" for Bruticus, a la Slingshot, Wildrider, and Groove.

luks0r wrote:

That Bot wrote:(Swindle is) probably still alive since they need to make Bruticus eventually.

Or, he'll be the "replaced limb" for Bruticus, a la Slingshot, Wildrider, and Groove.

And then God Willing they'll make him for realsies down the line. Much as I enjoy Alpha Bravo and Offroad, their respective combiners don't mean as much to me as Bruticus does.

But this is a conversation to be had elsewhere, so I'll stop derailing before BURN sees.

Well I mean hasbro will make swindle as a toy, even if he dies; but honestly I doubt they'll kill swindle in story. It will probably be a like an allusion to Ace, I meana Thunderclash, where he has to be on life support in some form or another. Maybe he's essentially knocking on deaths door as an individual, but as part of bruticus he's doing fine.

Also, Nemesis Maximo, that quotes probably going on my epitaph at this rate.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:Well I mean hasbro will make swindle as a toy, even if he dies; but honestly I doubt they'll kill swindle in story. It will probably be a like an allusion to Ace, I meana Thunderclash, where he has to be on life support in some form or another. Maybe he's essentially knocking on deaths door as an individual, but as part of bruticus he's doing fine.

On the other hand, he hasn't actually had any interactions with the rest of the Combaticons proper at all in the IDW comics. When they first appeared, they were part of Banzaitron's Secret Service while Swindle was...swindling...Ultra Magnus way back when.

Also, Nemesis Maximo, that quotes probably going on my epitaph at this rate.

Combiner Wars is over - finished! At least, the major chunk of the IDW Publishing Transformers comics arc is, with this week's release of Windblade #3, featuring writing by Mairghread Scott, and art by Marcelo Ferreira (Angry Birds Transformers) and newcomer Corin Howell (new regular on the series, interviewed here) - check out the full preview below, and head back to Seibertron.com post-release for our review.

Transformers: Windblade—Combiner Wars #3
Mairghread Scott (w) • Sarah Stone (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)
FINAL BATTLE! The last of the Combiners face off… but who is in control of the ultimate combiner? And who will emerge with the key to dominating the galaxy?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
COMBINER WARS CONCLUDES!
WINDBLADE battles for CYBERTRON—and her homeworld!
The stage is set for the next era of TRANSFORMERS greatness!
Variant Hasbro Combiner Wars poster cover

What's the official publication date?

That Bot wrote:What's the official publication date?

Tomorrow (Wednesday 10th)!

I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist

Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist

Disappointed its not Sarah Stone, but I feel its a welcome change from Livio. Yes, it's quite cartoony.... but in a good way, in my opinion.

Seems like this is the end of Combiner Wars, aside from the aftermath and epilogue and all. Its been a pretty under-whelming series/story... unless the last issue redeems it all.

I haven't read it yet since I wait for the trades. Then I'm a sucker and replace those w/ the nice Hardbacks they do lol. I agree about Sarah Stone also, she is an amazing artist. I always feel bad saying I don't like someone's art simply because no matter how bad I perceive it, it's still better than mine (I can't draw a straight line w/ a ruler lol). I'm just an old school person when it comes to art, I like styles like Walter Simonson, John Byrne (from the 80's not his newer stuff), people such as that. Anyways, I'll still get it and maybe, just maybe that new style will grow on me.

Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.

Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist

She.

I think this jibes with Sarah Stone's style pretty well, and she is who I most associate with Windblade at this point. It is jarring after several issues of Livio's art, but I would still rather have this than another issue of stilted, muddy robot action.

Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.

The comics that come with the figures suck, and I say that as an IDW fan. They often have nothing to do with the character they come packaged with, they frequently have printing errors, and they are often a single part in a larger story and make no sense read alone.

If you're a regular reader, then you already have these comics, and getting another sub-standard copy isn't much of an incentive. If you are not a regular reader, I don't see how this is supposed to entice you for all the reasons I stated above.

I'd honestly rather have the cards than the comics. If the cards actually contained tech specs or biographical info, they would make fantastic collectables.

Seems a like Swindle's biting the dust.

Seems a like Swindle's biting the dust.

Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.

I believe the wave 2 of deluxes contain the comics, instead of the trading card. But if I remember correctly, the comics are the lead-up to Combiner Wars (RID/TF issues that covers the search for the Enigma of Combination), rather than the current CW storyline.

Having gotten a hold of the Megatron & Bombshell cards, I agree that these are a lot cooler. The art is based on the Legends mobile game, and is fantastic. However, comics... no matter how crappy... could have been handed over to my 5-year son.

Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.

Because Combiner Wars comics didn't exist when they packed the wave 1 and 2 toys, so they packed in the formation of Superion and Prowlestator, while the wave 3 toys focus on the Macguffin of Combination storyline that lead up to Combiner Wars.

pie-man wrote:

Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.

I believe the wave 2 of deluxes contain the comics, instead of the trading card. But if I remember correctly, the comics are the lead-up to Combiner Wars (RID/TF issues that covers the search for the Enigma of Combination), rather than the current CW storyline.

Having gotten a hold of the Megatron & Bombshell cards, I agree that these are a lot cooler. The art is based on the Legends mobile game, and is fantastic. However, comics... no matter how crappy... could have been handed over to my 5-year son.

all true

MrBlack wrote:

Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist

She.

I think this jibes with Sarah Stone's style pretty well, and she is who I most associate with Windblade at this point. It is jarring after several issues of Livio's art, but I would still rather have this than another issue of stilted, muddy robot action.

I totally have to agree with this.
Windblade has been different from day 1 and that's one of the things I've enjoyed about the series. There is no confusion as to which book you are holding whereas the other two lines are a confused mess in terms of artwork and styles. Stone and Scott set out to make something different and they did it brilliantly and it irritates me greatly that, aside from a handful of us fans of their work, everyone else wants to radically change their styles into what has become a generic, muddled up, eye-jarring mess.
All I can say is that it brings me joy to see so many fans brought to some level of discomfort having to deal with a style that doesn't fit their selfish vision of what THEY think the TF universe should be.

But hey... just like horse-**** in a hurricane, opinions will fly and it will stink horribly all the way around.

All I can say is that it brings me joy to see so many fans brought to some level of discomfort having to deal with a style that doesn't fit their selfish vision of what THEY think the TF universe should be.




Um, I don't think having a different opinion of art than you do makes me selfish in anyway. Like you, I like what I like and I dislike what I don't. I also don't recall saying my vision is what it should be. I prefer styles like Walt Simonson and early John Byrne, that is what I stated before. Maybe you should get off your high horse and be a little less insulting when you respond to others.

Whoa, that art is jarring. I am not a fan. I can't place exactly what it is, but I like my Transformers to look like they actually transform. I like the combiners when they look they are made up of individual robots, as opposed just a big multi-colored.

jogunwarrior wrote:Whoa, that art is jarring. I am not a fan. I can't place exactly what it is, but I like my Transformers to look like they actually transform. I like the combiners when they look they are made up of individual robots, as opposed just a big multi-colored.

This.
I was really looking forward to Sarah Stone to see her combiners. She makes them believable. These guys here don't look near as "combiner-ish". Maybe back in the regular art theyll look better, like if Defensor returns to the Lost Light with Milne and the others get some Griffith time.

Definitely not a fan of the artwork here. Might suit something 'wacky' like Teen Titans but certainly not Transformers, or IDW's incarnation of it anyways.

The combiners look like a bunch of people in cosplay, not good looking!

Interesting issue. I will say that Barber and Scott managed to defy my expectations regarding what this story would be, if not always in a good way.

I'll try not to make this too spoilery, but there is a big thing in the conclusion that really bothers me (on a character level, not a story-telling one).

I didn't quite expect the Prowl story to resolve the way it did, although in hindsight I don't think it could have ended any other way. I'm satisfied with that, and it shows Optimus's strength as a leader and an individual that things turned out the way they did.

I am a bit bothered by the political fallout of all of this. Having Starscream out of the picture when it comes to the planetary council is a positive thing, but the influence that Optimus is showing over the council concerns me. He claims to want a democracy, but then he allows himself to be recognized as a demi-god and uses his influence to fill the council with his lackeys. Sounds like something Starscream would do to me.

In the end, I am less satisfied with this than I was with Dark Cybertron. That story, at least, had a reason to exist in universe as opposed to just being a toy commercial. Barber did a solid lead up to this story in the ongoing series, but his careful plotting fell apart in the rush to cram as many combiners into this story as they could, no matter how illogical. The rampant coloring errors (Why are Optimus's head and limbs white in combiner mode? Why is Scoop suddenly green?) and general editorial goofs (See if you can spot Rook's head!) contributed to making this event the worst thing to come out of IDW since the series relaunch. The one positive thing to come out of Combiner Wars is that Barber and Scott have sown the seeds for a lot of potentially interesting stories. I hope that they have the room to develop these plots now that their big toy commercial event is over.

Synopsis
FINAL BATTLE! The last of the Combiners face off… but who is in control of the ultimate combiner? And who will emerge with the key to dominating the galaxy?



Story

The final chapter, more or less, of the IDW Transformers Combiner Wars Mairghread Scott/John Barber crossover arc, takes place in the third issue of the new Windblade ongoing, with Scott taking the lead on the writing once more, and dwelling a little further on what Combiners actually are, and the ever expanding universe of our favourite transforming robots.



I'll say this immediately - I am still pondering about this issue, for a number of reasons. I like Scott's writing, and the dialogue between the multiple characters (perhaps too many for one issue?) is sharp, well-paced and placed, and gives some good insights on them. The overall script, on the other hand, feels like it suffers from similar problems that affected the middle portion of the arc, and may again be due to the sheer number of sides, plots and stories it's trying to combine together under the event banner.



What does emerge from it all, though, is Good Stuff: Starscream is a questionable, but also capable ruler after all, in his own way; Optimus is a good leader, but there is something uncomfortable about his influence; Prowl is still being used, by his own self and others, but may find peace eventually; the Camiens and their dynamics are shifting, slowly but surely, and we might see further friction - just to name a few repercussions on the IDWverse.



Additionally, this ending (and the ending of the book itself, which is fabulous) leaves some extremely tantalising openings for what's to come in Windblade and The Transformers, for sure, and it does enough to show a more ominous side to characters who we'd think we'd be able to place on a political chessboard by now. And for that, it leads in nicely in what I hope the ongoings will develop - it's unfortunate that it feels attached to a wider story that could've done much more.

Art

The art took a surprise turn, and one that also still leaves mixed feelings, as the expected Sarah Stone saw instead two new artists take her place: Marcelo Ferreira and Corin Howell. The former, working on just over half of the issue, takes a ragged edge to the art we've seen by them previously, and together with Yamaishi's colours and the inks by Brian Shearer and John Wycough, does an impressive inside job of the workings of many minds as one in a very good sequence in the book - though with some unexplained moments in character palettes.



Howell, on the other hand, begins to show the Animated-esque work she will bring to the Windblade series, with some excellent body language, facial expressivity and interactions between the diplomatic sides of aggressive negotiations in the new, wider world(s) of the Spacebridge network far far beyond Cybertron, and her line and inks work well with Thomas Teyowisonte Deer's smooth colour skills.



I have nothing to add on Tom B. Long's fantastic lettering work, nor on the selection of covers: Optimus Maximus, from Marcelo Matere's packaging art, is shown again in the retailer incentive, while Prowl takes Enigmatic centre stage with Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente, and we finally get to see the second half of Livio Ramondelli's ensemble combiner poster on cover B (thumbnail). The one thing that does not work as much, art-wise, is the sudden arrival of the very different styles that, taken on their account I have no qualms with at all (crosshatching and expressions, put me down for those any time) - but in a series dominated by sudden art shifts, feel a little jarring as a shift into the final issue.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As the conclusion of the Combiner Wars event, which has done some interesting, if wavering, things to the Transformers universe as we currently know it in IDW - this issue was not up to any expectation I had. It did some things very well, such as show the inner workings of gestalt technology, establishing Starscream's role, and some added very intriguing ramifications for the two series to continue - especially with Windblade, as we have seen practically nothing of Earth these past months. But.



I think I'm pleased that we will see a little more of what happened here, and what is starting to happen, in the Combiner Hunters one-shot and 'arcs' in the coming months, but much like the middle chapter in this particular event, there was an uncomfortable feeling of rushed, unfinished, rough script, which did not allow the two artists to shine as much as they could. I am, however, hopeful about both ongoings from this point onwards.

I'm on board with that review.

There is some really good stuff in Combiner Wars, but it's crammed into a too-full story with a number of glaring flaws.

Something that just struck me: Who has the Enigma of Combination now? Prowl was the last one to use it, but did he keep it (and would Starscream let him)? Did he hand it off to Rattrap after using it? Does Optimus have it?

I know, it just feels.. both short and rushed, while also drawn out. Strange.

As for the question, Rattrap was the last to handle it, in part 4, when Optimus Maximus was formed. But I have not seen it since, I assume Starscream/Rattrap still have it.

I don't know what to think about this series. I have and will defend Dark Cybertron, but I really didn't enjoy this series. This issue was satisfying but as a whole, it just felt like it went nowhere and did very little. I don't even feel it started strong. I'm glad it's over(aside from the epilogue coming soon) just so we can get back to what's going on back on earth, but this story will have a big effect on characters in Johns ongoing.

I've only just read the first issue of the Windblade mini so's I can't really comment much on story development. Based on what I've seen of the actual artwork so far,sadly,it falls short.(Pun intended)Every time I see a combiner their scale seems to match any other Transformer. This is how the power of extreme angles can do much to sell their awesomeness. Rather than a standard eye-level shot, any time a combiner is at a mid to wide view, they should be drawn at an extreme low or elevated angle. "Aerial" shots would do much to convey their size in comparison to their environment just as a low angle shot would exude their sheer might and enormity over all unfortunate opponents in their path. For all the (much deserved) condemnations against Dreamwave their artists could sure express the massive scale of these robots. For now,the combiners all look so ordinary and the art fails to capture any intimidating qualities that would portray them as unique or powerful.

Va'al wrote:I know, it just feels.. both short and rushed, while also drawn out. Strange.

As for the question, Rattrap was the last to handle it, in part 4, when Optimus Maximus was formed. But I have not seen it since, I assume Starscream/Rattrap still have it.

IDW hasn't had the best track record with their "event" comics, have they? They always get a bit muddled. Dark Cybertron had a great plot that got bogged down a bit by minutiae and three panel cameos of new toy characters. Combiner Wars seems to have suffered from more real world problems with delays and reshuffling of artists, hence the numerous errors in these last three issues. Pacing is usually solid from both Barber and Scott, but the numerous cameos at the end seem to be Scott seeding the rest of the Windblade ongoing rather than giving this story arc a complete resolution. Interesting plot threads to be sure, but we needed a tiny bit more resolution, especially for the Optimus Maximus components, who got buildup for three issues and then... no real payoff.

This arc was merely a shuffle towards more interesting things, as evidenced by the ending. I'm glad it's over.

This is Exhibit A for where increased collaboration between IDW and Hasbro goes the other way; rather than the comics influencing the toys, we have the toys as a line seriously constricting what IDW can do with the comics beyond the occasional Starscream body swap or random Tankor-type cameo.

This arc also continued to be less focused on Caminus in favor of perpetuating the struggle for power and influence on Cybertron. I'm glad the Mistress of Flame is back, but I can't help but feel more could have been done to characterize or empower the Camiens, or flesh out the world, history and belief system a bit more. I recognize that may be an unrealistic expectation, but it's still something I'd like to see.

The upside of this latest issue: we now know which Combaticon is going to be replaced!

Henry921 wrote:

Va'al wrote:I know, it just feels.. both short and rushed, while also drawn out. Strange.

As for the question, Rattrap was the last to handle it, in part 4, when Optimus Maximus was formed. But I have not seen it since, I assume Starscream/Rattrap still have it.

IDW hasn't had the best track record with their "event" comics, have they? They always get a bit muddled. Dark Cybertron had a great plot that got bogged down a bit by minutiae and three panel cameos of new toy characters. Combiner Wars seems to have suffered from more real world problems with delays and reshuffling of artists, hence the numerous errors in these last three issues. Pacing is usually solid from both Barber and Scott, but the numerous cameos at the end seem to be Scott seeding the rest of the Windblade ongoing rather than giving this story arc a complete resolution. Interesting plot threads to be sure, but we needed a tiny bit more resolution, especially for the Optimus Maximus components, who got buildup for three issues and then... no real payoff.

Dark Cybertron suffered a bit for the fact that the first half of the event was moving characters into place for the last half. The story really picked up towards the end, and was ultimately a great Shockwave tale.

More than anything I just can't wait until Eukaris is explored. I've read on TFWiki that Airazor and Tigatron cameo at the end, which is excellent, and I'd love it if Cheetor, Terrorsaur and Tarantulus appear as well.

The self-pity/emo quality of Optimus is obviously dominating the gestalt in this scene. I'm really hoping IDW will eventually writing out this annoying aspecting of Optimus in the future stories.

Okay, the fights were decent, and it was nice to see the inner struggle of Optimus Maximus as Prowl fought for control from Optimus and the others, and they eventually swayed him to their way of thinking. Also, we finally saw the world the way Prowl sees it, as numbers and probabilities. Kind of depressing. But they came together in the end!

Very interesting how they basically say we won't see Optimus Maximus again, not that I think anybody is shedding any tears over that. He was the epitome of product placement and the story probably would have worked better without him.

The resolution was too short, too rushed, as others have said. It's not exactly a return to status quo, but it doesn't seem to shake things up as much as it could have. The biggest thing to come out of this event seems to be the reunion with Caminus and the preparation to reunite with the other lost colonies. Bring on Combiner Hunters!