Sneak Peek - IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #51 iTunes Preview

So we are setting up for a nighttime battle eh? cool. And somehow Ten is going to be a key part of what is about to come

I totally forgot about Velocity...

Megs is definitely regretting a lot now. Wonder what his and Tarn's confrontation will be like.

Whifflefire wrote:I totally forgot about Velocity...

Megs is definitely regretting a lot now. Wonder what his and Tarn's confrontation will be like.

I'm thinking Megatron getting the scrap beat out of him. But he won't get killed. Tarn will beat him, leave him alive, and then try to kill everyone else before Megatron dies

Eventually i will need to buy all of More Than Meets the Eye. It is consistently interesting.

Wait, wait, wait... they launch a devastating attack that knackers destroys their ship, severs limbs then... leave them alone holed up in a building for 8 hours...

Tarn obviously never watched the A Team then...

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Whifflefire wrote:I totally forgot about Velocity...

Megs is definitely regretting a lot now. Wonder what his and Tarn's confrontation will be like.

I'm thinking Megatron getting the scrap beat out of him. But he won't get killed. Tarn will beat him, leave him alive, and then try to kill everyone else before Megatron dies

Same, but I was wondering more about what they'd say to each other. How might he react to Tarn still following Megatron's cause, but not Megatron himself? Would he try to convince the DJD to abandon the cause as well, or will they not care, and try to kill him anyway?

Whifflefire wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Whifflefire wrote:I totally forgot about Velocity...

Megs is definitely regretting a lot now. Wonder what his and Tarn's confrontation will be like.

I'm thinking Megatron getting the scrap beat out of him. But he won't get killed. Tarn will beat him, leave him alive, and then try to kill everyone else before Megatron dies

Same, but I was wondering more about what they'd say to each other. How might he react to Tarn still following Megatron's cause, but not Megatron himself? Would he try to convince the DJD to abandon the cause as well, or will they not care, and try to kill him anyway?

I think Megatron will try to talk them down. He will try to use words somehow. But they won't be worth anything.

Whifflefire wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Whifflefire wrote:I totally forgot about Velocity...

Megs is definitely regretting a lot now. Wonder what his and Tarn's confrontation will be like.

I'm thinking Megatron getting the scrap beat out of him. But he won't get killed. Tarn will beat him, leave him alive, and then try to kill everyone else before Megatron dies

Same, but I was wondering more about what they'd say to each other. How might he react to Tarn still following Megatron's cause, but not Megatron himself? Would he try to convince the DJD to abandon the cause as well, or will they not care, and try to kill him anyway?

He's going to order, talk, then beg them to stand down, someone is going to be executed and he is going to snap.

Doesn't Megatron still have some space bridge powers? Or were those disabled at the conclusion of Dark Cybertron with the Fool's Energon? I'm thinking they'll play a role in this confrontation, much like how Whirl lost part of his arm to the space bridge parts still inside Megatron during his brawl with him.

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:Doesn't Megatron still have some space bridge powers? Or were those disabled at the conclusion of Dark Cybertron with the Fool's Energon? I'm thinking they'll play a role in this confrontation, much like how Whirl lost part of his arm to the space bridge parts still inside Megatron during his brawl with him.

I've said the same thing however he does mention the insides of his body is all twisted from shockwave back in Dark Cybertronian so it's probably not working right anymore.

there is still the fact that they are all standing in a giant quantum gateway hub but it is stated that all communications are being blocked so it probably impossible for them to use the gateway

Ok, really. Of all places to trap them?

Hold on, I just had a brainstorm(heuhuehue).

So in the beginning of last issue, they said they have just over 6 hours to live, but then in this issue there are 8 hours to sundown, when the DJD will come back and kill them all. So could that imply that it is not the DJD who are telling the Lost lighters to give their final goodbyes? Could this imply that there is a traitor in their midst? Someone who pulls the gun out and tells them all to give the final goodbyes, and then waits for the DJD to show up to actually kill them all? Like possibly Brainstorm actually still being a con agent, or Megatron turning, or someone else entirely?

Just a thought, as the references to time and the fact that any expectations will be broken as said by Roberts on twitter

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Hold on, I just had a brainstorm(heuhuehue).

So in the beginning of last issue, they said they have just over 6 hours to live, but then in this issue there are 8 hours to sundown, when the DJD will come back and kill them all. So could that imply that it is not the DJD who are telling the Lost lighters to give their final goodbyes? Could this imply that there is a traitor in their midst? Someone who pulls the gun out and tells them all to give the final goodbyes, and then waits for the DJD to show up to actually kill them all? Like possibly Brainstorm actually still being a con agent, or Megatron turning, or someone else entirely?

Just a thought, as the references to time and the fact that any expectations will be broken as said by Roberts on twitter

My guess is that they spend two hours trying to figure out a plan and then give up and start saying their goodbyes.

I hope that Roberts will explicitly address the fact that Censere's fortress contains some of the most powerful teleport tech in the galaxy. It makes sense that the DJD could block them (we have seen over in the ongoing that both sides have the tech to block orbital jump technology planet wide), but I would like to see it addressed given that it is central to the Necrobot's story, and an easy way out for the crew.

Or maybe this is how they wrap things up. Five issues in and Nightbeat remembers they can teleport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7kpuyPBr6U

I think somebody will donate pure energon, and Megatron will storm out, and remind everybody just exactly why he was ruler supreme of the deceptions for millions of years.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Hold on, I just had a brainstorm(heuhuehue).

So in the beginning of last issue, they said they have just over 6 hours to live, but then in this issue there are 8 hours to sundown, when the DJD will come back and kill them all. So could that imply that it is not the DJD who are telling the Lost lighters to give their final goodbyes? Could this imply that there is a traitor in their midst? Someone who pulls the gun out and tells them all to give the final goodbyes, and then waits for the DJD to show up to actually kill them all? Like possibly Brainstorm actually still being a con agent, or Megatron turning, or someone else entirely?

Just a thought, as the references to time and the fact that any expectations will be broken as said by Roberts on twitter

I still say it red alerts comment is a red herring. I believe it's Rodimus and Megatron giving them their final good byes if anyone can find their remains. I would believe that IF the DJD are telling to do it one of them would interrupt and say "haha! Trust me there won't be any bodies to find"

The brainstorm theory I don't believe. His story has been told, he joined up just to get their tech, the alternate brainstorm told them not to harm anyone if he hands over overlord and Tatn admits he was going to not harm them but things got out of hand becaus they saw drift.

MrBlack wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Hold on, I just had a brainstorm(heuhuehue).

So in the beginning of last issue, they said they have just over 6 hours to live, but then in this issue there are 8 hours to sundown, when the DJD will come back and kill them all. So could that imply that it is not the DJD who are telling the Lost lighters to give their final goodbyes? Could this imply that there is a traitor in their midst? Someone who pulls the gun out and tells them all to give the final goodbyes, and then waits for the DJD to show up to actually kill them all? Like possibly Brainstorm actually still being a con agent, or Megatron turning, or someone else entirely?

Just a thought, as the references to time and the fact that any expectations will be broken as said by Roberts on twitter

My guess is that they spend two hours trying to figure out a plan and then give up and start saying their goodbyes.

I hope that Roberts will explicitly address the fact that Censere's fortress contains some of the most powerful teleport tech in the galaxy. It makes sense that the DJD could block them (we have seen over in the ongoing that both sides have the tech to block orbital jump technology planet wide), but I would like to see it addressed given that it is central to the Necrobot's story, and an easy way out for the crew.

Or maybe this is how they wrap things up. Five issues in and Nightbeat remembers they can teleport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7kpuyPBr6U

Im sure it will be addressed and I'd bet roberts has already gotten a few dozen tweets by people asking that

As Newsarama breaks the seal, we can finally share the full preview of next week's IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #51, in which the Light keeps Dying, and dying and dying... or does it? Check it out below, and come back on Wednesday for the Seibertron.com review!

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #51
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)
"If you want to break someone—mentally, physically, emotionally—wait until they're happy. Let them live and love and thrive. Once they recognize the value of a life well lived... THAT'S when you move in for the kill. Because you can't take anything from someone who has nothing to lose." --Tarn
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The hunt for MEGATRON continues!
The Decepticon Justice Division will stop at nothing to bring the former Decepticon leader down!

Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

Wouldn't proteus have been executed by starscream with the rest of the senate?

ricemazter wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

Wouldn't proteus have been executed by starscream with the rest of the senate?

Never saw him get shot. Only saw starscream pointing a gun at his head.

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

I'm in the Roller camp. In the time travel arc we see Roller using performance enhancers just to keep up with the outliers. In the DJD arc we see Tarn almost overdose on Performance enhancing energon. Also the side of his head is the same.

LE0KING wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

I'm in the Roller camp. In the time travel arc we see Roller using performance enhancers just to keep up with the outliers. In the DJD arc we see Tarn almost overdose on Performance enhancing energon. Also the side of his head is the same.

Starscream and his team used Ore-13 as performance enhancing energon back in the -ation series. just because 5 dudes also use it doesn't link to Roller, just means a lot of guys use an enhancement for more power.

see, that story was lousy with fingers pointing to Roller being Tarn. He was practically wearing a sign that says "hi! im going to be Tarn" how often does that happen in MTMTE? When is something spelled out like that? never. not once has that ever happened. Roberts did all that because ever since Roller's first appearance in Shadow Play hes gotten tweets, comments and messages regularly from people saying Tarn is Roller.

Roller knew Skids very well. they were part of Orion's first team of Autobots. Its heavily implied Tarn never met Skids until Grindcore prison. plus, Tarn is an extremely intelligent, poetic sadist. When have we ever seen Roller act like how Tarn acts? never. Ive never believed for once the hype that Roller is Tarn.

Lets not kid ourselves, the reveal of Tarn isnt going to be the masses saying "WE ALL KNEW IT FOR 3 YEARS!" its going to be the Minimus Ambus reveal that no one saw coming.

Randomhero wrote:

LE0KING wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

I'm in the Roller camp. In the time travel arc we see Roller using performance enhancers just to keep up with the outliers. In the DJD arc we see Tarn almost overdose on Performance enhancing energon. Also the side of his head is the same.

Starscream and his team used Ore-13 as performance enhancing energon back in the -ation series. just because 5 dudes also use it doesn't link to Roller, just means a lot of guys use an enhancement for more power.

see, that story was lousy with fingers pointing to Roller being Tarn. He was practically wearing a sign that says "hi! im going to be Tarn" how often does that happen in MTMTE? When is something spelled out like that? never. not once has that ever happened. Roberts did all that because ever since Roller's first appearance in Shadow Play hes gotten tweets, comments and messages regularly from people saying Tarn is Roller.

Roller knew Skids very well. they were part of Orion's first team of Autobots. Its heavily implied Tarn never met Skids until Grindcore prison. plus, Tarn is an extremely intelligent, poetic sadist. When have we ever seen Roller act like how Tarn acts? never. Ive never believed for once the hype that Roller is Tarn.

Lets not kid ourselves, the reveal of Tarn isnt going to be the masses saying "WE ALL KNEW IT FOR 3 YEARS!" its going to be the Minimus Ambus reveal that no one saw coming.

So you think that "Tarn" is just a suit of armor? Interesting.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

LE0KING wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Still leaning towards Tarn being Proteus.

I'm in the Roller camp. In the time travel arc we see Roller using performance enhancers just to keep up with the outliers. In the DJD arc we see Tarn almost overdose on Performance enhancing energon. Also the side of his head is the same.

Starscream and his team used Ore-13 as performance enhancing energon back in the -ation series. just because 5 dudes also use it doesn't link to Roller, just means a lot of guys use an enhancement for more power.

see, that story was lousy with fingers pointing to Roller being Tarn. He was practically wearing a sign that says "hi! im going to be Tarn" how often does that happen in MTMTE? When is something spelled out like that? never. not once has that ever happened. Roberts did all that because ever since Roller's first appearance in Shadow Play hes gotten tweets, comments and messages regularly from people saying Tarn is Roller.

Roller knew Skids very well. they were part of Orion's first team of Autobots. Its heavily implied Tarn never met Skids until Grindcore prison. plus, Tarn is an extremely intelligent, poetic sadist. When have we ever seen Roller act like how Tarn acts? never. Ive never believed for once the hype that Roller is Tarn.

Lets not kid ourselves, the reveal of Tarn isnt going to be the masses saying "WE ALL KNEW IT FOR 3 YEARS!" its going to be the Minimus Ambus reveal that no one saw coming.

So you think that "Tarn" is just a suit of armor? Interesting.

No. It's going to be the same as minimus in shock value. I think Tarn is a shadow played or Stockholm syndrome Senator Proreus.

That random con on page 2.... IDW Lugnut!!

Also, I still think Tarn is Dominus Ambus. That is still my thought. Roller is, as said, way too obvious.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:That random con on page 2.... IDW Lugnut!!

Also, I still think Tarn is Dominus Ambus. That is still my thought. Roller is, as said, way too obvious.

Only reason I don't I don't think he's Dominus is due to rewind interacting with the DJD on the lost light. Also depends on if Dominus and rewind were still off planet during skids time in grindcore when he was interacting with Tarn.

Randomhero wrote:Only reason I don't I don't think he's Dominus is due to rewind interacting with the DJD on the lost light. Also depends on if Dominus and rewind were still off planet during skids time in grindcore when he was interacting with Tarn.

I feel that Skids encounter came later in the war, whereas Dominus went missing earlier in the war. Also, the reason Rewind survived that alternate lost light may be because of Dominus recognizing him, and since Dominus and Minimus both are piloting larger armors, Dominus knew to slice off the hand of Magnus so he could not recall and thus actually die. Not to mention now we are on the Necroworld, and Tarn could see that Dominus is dead but the whereabouts are unknown, and it will be dramatic like "He is dead, as he became me" sort of deal.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Only reason I don't I don't think he's Dominus is due to rewind interacting with the DJD on the lost light. Also depends on if Dominus and rewind were still off planet during skids time in grindcore when he was interacting with Tarn.

I feel that Skids encounter came later in the war, whereas Dominus went missing earlier in the war. Also, the reason Rewind survived that alternate lost light may be because of Dominus recognizing him, and since Dominus and Minimus both are piloting larger armors, Dominus knew to slice off the hand of Magnus so he could not recall and thus actually die. Not to mention now we are on the Necroworld, and Tarn could see that Dominus is dead but the whereabouts are unknown, and it will be dramatic like "He is dead, as he became me" sort of deal.

Well Dominus isn't a load bearing spark. He is a point one percentor(maybe, we only know minimus is, it's probable spark brothers can be different) but it's never been mentioned that he's the same as Minimus and he has a tiny guy inside of him. Especially since we saw him in the alternate universe and his head was a screen. If he was a little guy in there he could just remove that suite and talk to everyone.

I don't know. Think the Dominus story will come later on and be a full blown arc in itself. Seems like that would be more appropriate for that character.

Randomhero wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Only reason I don't I don't think he's Dominus is due to rewind interacting with the DJD on the lost light. Also depends on if Dominus and rewind were still off planet during skids time in grindcore when he was interacting with Tarn.

I feel that Skids encounter came later in the war, whereas Dominus went missing earlier in the war. Also, the reason Rewind survived that alternate lost light may be because of Dominus recognizing him, and since Dominus and Minimus both are piloting larger armors, Dominus knew to slice off the hand of Magnus so he could not recall and thus actually die. Not to mention now we are on the Necroworld, and Tarn could see that Dominus is dead but the whereabouts are unknown, and it will be dramatic like "He is dead, as he became me" sort of deal.

Well Dominus isn't a load bearing spark. He is a point one percentor(maybe, we only know minimus is, it's probable spark brothers can be different) but it's never been mentioned that he's the same as Minimus and he has a tiny guy inside of him. Especially since we saw him in the alternate universe and his head was a screen. If he was a little guy in there he could just remove that suite and talk to everyone.

I don't know. Think the Dominus story will come later on and be a full blown arc in itself. Seems like that would be more appropriate for that character.

Eh, it could be, But i'm fairly convinced that both spark brothers can be load bearers. They never mentioned it, but it is a possibility. However, they do need to resolve the Dominus, Roller and Terminus arcs throughout the story (not this arc but the overall story) and one of them could and should be solved in this arc

I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

Randomhero wrote:I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

Hummmmm....

Randomhero wrote:I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Randomhero wrote:I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

I'm not gonna say that Proteus is not an option, but this is something can never be resolved until that mask comes off

Randomhero wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Randomhero wrote:I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

Proteus is essentially a nobody. If the mask comes off and it's him the vast majority of the fandom will go "who?" He's a background character who's name doesn't carry enough weight for Tarn's big reveal.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:I'm not gonna say that Proteus is not an option, but this is something can never be resolved until that mask comes off

wouldnt it be so anticlimactic if its just a nobody? its bumper! he survived megaton stepping on his head in Megatron Origins and was rebuilt as Tarn lol

aside from the Tarn talk I am starting to worry about this story. its ten damaged autobots and not even their best warriors against not just five stupidly over powered psychopaths that killed two hundred autobots on a duplicate Lost Light but five stupidly over powered psychopaths that killed two hundred autobots on a duplicate Lost Light and FIVE HUNDRED decepticons. for all intended purposes, theyre all dead. 10 or so damaged autobots should all die but this isnt the end and we know maybe one might die.

Could Drift and Ratchet or the Protectobots or both show up and help out? maybe but 1. none of them know where the Necrobots planet is because they all already left before anyone found it and I doubt Crosscut will tell them where it is.

the only way i see this ending is the dicks that mutinied having a change of heart and the Lost Light showing up to save them. just starts bombing the Decepticons with those missiles that took out overlord. that was my biggest problem with how this story started. everyone on the lost light was okay with dropping Rodimus and crew on a planet with the DJD and expecting them to be unharmed if the deliver Megatron. Riptide saw what happened to the other lost Light. Personally i dint it hard to believe guys like Hoist, Blaster, Mainframe and especially Perceptor would be okay with this.

I am hoping that some members of Deathsaurus is actualy loyal to Megatron and is waiting to start stabbing the DJD in the back. probably wont happen.

I do kind of wanna see Tailgate fight Lugnut. Im not really fan of the DJD as a group, they're 4 over powered generics led by another overpowered generic that has only finally been given character in the past 12 months but LUGNUT! GLORIOUS!!!!

LE0KING wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Randomhero wrote:I never figured they'd have the same kind of spark type due to the fact that identical twins can have different blood types. Especially since forged sparks apparently "grow" I'd figure minimus was small like his name and Dominus was big like his name.

I'm just not convinced he's Roller. I feel that's a story that needs Optimus guest starring or even ratchet. Nobody else has a relationship with him. Skids was with Orion's team with roller but skids doesn't have memories of that time. He doesn't know who roller is and I don't think Rodimus's jump to past to say "hi" essentially counts as a relationship to roller.

I can see the first part of your answer. I have been assuming that they both are the same load-bearers. they could possibly not be both load bearers.

now as for the second part: I agree. Roller is just too obvious. and yeah, Skids may be the only one who can be said to have a relationship with Roller, but the memory thing makes things tricky.

It feels like Tarns reveal needs to not just be for fans. It needs to be for the audience in the book as well.

If it's Roller, whose that for? A bunch. Guys that shared one miner adventure with him and one character saying "Roller? Wasn't that Primes buddy from 4 ,ill ion years ago?!" Doesn't leave much of an impact with the groups. Fan? Yes, the characters in he book? No, not really.

Dominus Ambus. That does have repracusions for Rewind, Chromedome and Magnus.

Senator Proteus. That has repracusions for everyone. Everyone knew who he was, everyone kind of hated him because he was the physical empbidment of corrupted Cybertron. I can everyone in the book shocked about that since everyone thinks he's been dead since the war started.

I can see both Dominus and Proteus just because they both can leave an impact with the group.

Proteus is essentially a nobody. If the mask comes off and it's him the vast majority of the fandom will go "who?" He's a background character who's name doesn't carry enough weight for Tarn's big reveal.

oh I disagree. fans of IDW and mostly MTMTE know exactly who Proteus is. Hes one of the main reasons Megtron is who is and what he became and he is the reason Shockwave became what he was. He was the main villain in Chaos Theory's flashbacks and Shadow Play. Proteus holds plenty of weight because he is one main people who was responsible for the war starting.

He's like the emperor in Star Wars. He is not required to show up in panel all the time, his presence is felt.

Randomhero wrote: oh I disagree. fans of IDW and mostly MTMTE know exactly who Proteus is. Hes one of the main reasons Megtron is who is and what he became and he is the reason Shockwave became what he was. He was the main villain in Chaos Theory's flashbacks and Shadow Play. Proteus holds plenty of weight because he is one main people who was responsible for the war starting.

He's like the emperor in Star Wars. He is not required to show up in panel all the time, his presence is felt.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk here, but I think you're playing up a character you like (dislike) Besides unless shadow play was involved, (possible I guess) the guy's personality and build are just too different.

And even if I accepted him as The Emperor archetype, it'd be like finding out tr-8r was the emperor in disguise. Difficult to believe to say the least.

Synopsis
"If you want to break someone—mentally, physically, emotionally—wait until they're happy. Let them live and love and thrive. Once they recognize the value of a life well lived... THAT'S when you move in for the kill. Because you can't take anything from someone who has nothing to lose." --Tarn



Story

There is one big story being told here, and it's quite clear who the main character is - despite what Rodimus may think, what the various pairings have brought, this is now Megatron's tale, and his relationship with the Decepticon credo, its precepts, its inception, its ultimate corruption and downfall, and how all that reflects back onto him through his greatest admirer and follower: Tarn.



If the main story concerns Megatron, his decisions and his past and present colliding, there are so many other spotlights allowed across the entire cast, especially on the Lost Light/Team Rodimus side. Swerve and Ten, in particular (but not just them), get some excellent advancement in their own personal arcs, especially the latter.



And then we have the other side, the freakily, scarily, horrifyingly charismatic leader of the DJD, and the expression of what Megatron has been in the eyes, minds and lives of innumerable lives across the galaxy: Tarn. We begin - begin - to see what will be coming soon in the arc, and the tension is really just kept to build and strain.



The moments are heartfelt, there are tough choices and decisions, and even tougher talks to be had. The tension is still building up, and there is no resolution as yet of course, but this issue takes the story into some heavy territories, while drawing on some narrative beats we have encountered before in James Roberts' writing, and this series in particular.

Art

Alex Milne brings some excellent composition to the table, for the issue. We have several shots of ensembles, but the solo poses are probably some of the best in a while in this run, and not just for the major players in the game. We get magnificent layouts, linework, plus strained cheerfulness for Swerve, some actual affection shown among the crew, and some of the saddest/most mortified Megatrons around.



The emotional turmoil running through Megatron and the Lost Lighters, even with Swerve and Whirl, is particularly highlighted by the impressive colouring and lighting contrasts, deftly deployed by Joana Lafuente. Once again, and yes, I'm falling into repetition, Tarn and Megatron get some nice specular and parallel treatments, in terms of how shadows fall (and who casts them), and the whole book carries the weight of it.



While a lot of the action is contained to the initial pages, even just the title page is a wonderful example of what Tom B. Long's good lettering can do to a book. I mean, look at the first image of this review. There are a number of instances where the font and letters make or break a panel, again, still, always. As for covers, I am still wondering where the colourist credit for the Andrew Griffith (gorgeous) Tarn variant, but we also get Livio Ramondelli's first venture in DJD territory (thumbnailed) and the regular, terrifying slot with Alex Milne and Josh Perez.



Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

You will have noticed, I have used mostly images from the public preview in this review - there are some many excellent pages and panels that I'd rather readers took time and space to enjoy themselves, I didn't want to ruin the experience. One passage in particular is almost moving, and the writing and visuals are a masterful blend to convey the number of emotions (particularly on one side of the spectrum) in the book.



As fellow critical comics reader ScottyP said to me, as I was preparing the review: The Hype Was Real. This is a truly well done, well thought out, well crafted book, touching on all the major themes that the series has explored so far, and venturing into a new one altogether, with some returning elements that were almost left to one side, and some that have been a long way coming.

Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue. Only thing I think I liked in the whole issue was the last page.

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

If I had to spend money to read MTMTE #51 I would feel ripped off right now. A good portion of the story was wasted debating on what to do with the Necrobot's meat locker. The most disturbing part of the book was not Milne's decision to continue drawing Rodimus as a fembot, but Roberts putting in a letters page so people could heap praises upon his fanfic and talk about how it saved their life

I thought it was pretty well done. It's certainly not perfect. The reason for nobody using the quantum transport door I don't feel was the best executed. In a situation like this someone should have gone through. That thing can go anywhere in the galaxy and can link up to anyone's spark signature. We know space bridges and quantum engines can work in sync. Low power or not there's not good excuse that can't make a jump to Cybertron, let the council know what is transpiring and send every damn soldier and combiner to that planet and fight. Just my personal opinion.

Glad with the last page. It's been almost 3 years for drift and 1 for ratchet. Don't know how they knew to go there since they've only been on that planet for a couple hours and would have needed to be in the area and everything but it's fine. Things are happening.

1984forever wrote:If I had to spend money to read MTMTE #51 I would feel ripped off right now. A good portion of the story was wasted debating on what to do with the Necrobot's meat locker. The most disturbing part of the book was not Milne's decision to continue drawing Rodimus as a fembot, but Roberts putting in a letters page so people could heap praises upon his fanfic and talk about how it saved their life

Again for someone who does nothing but complain about how much they don't like IDW, you sure do read the books and know all about them and their continuity extensively.

Here's a suggestion, don't read them. They're not for you. Move on to another media. Grow up.

Dr Va'al wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

I think it's a strong 4. It's not perfect and personally I can see where some people would be a little disappointed with it. It's very 'standing around with a mcguffin that can get us all out of here but we're staying and going to die. Why? Because'

Reason I say that is because Megatrons speech about organics is a little bit contradictory to how the Cybertronians have been portrayed in IDW. At the beginning with the -ation series it very much stated that organic life is not important to the autobots or Decepticons. The infiltration protocol for the autobots was "try and stop the decepticons" TRY. Optimus during escalation even says they may not be able to save earth. Their duty is to stop the decepticons but if they can't, then they bail out and try another time on another planet. We saw the wreckers even bail out and consider a planet a lost cause. One of Optimus most memorable and controversial lines in Simons run was "earth will have to fend for itself" it wasn't till the end of all hail megatron for Optimus to realize they need to change their outlook and we saw that in costas run, not everyone shared his feelings about working with and helping organics. We still are seeing that in johns book.

Personally I wasn't comvinced that everyone would share that idea of saving 60 organics because right now they still think they're all going to die when they decide to stay. By that point they're not saving anyone. Honestly the DJD were already in the nectobots home and didn't find that room, they could just lock it up and hope they don't find it and leave, it was buried pretty deep.

Assuming that Prime and Megatron have remained the same height over these years, barring Megatron's time as a B2 stealth bomber, they've been roughly equal to each other in the time, haven't they?

Therefore Tarn's current height is substantially shorter than Roller's was.

Height wise: Roller > Megatron / Prime > Tarn

Significant?

Bearing in mind Alex Milne himself has defined the above scales, this should be a fair test.

Excellent issue this month, although the ceasefire was a bit of a clunky conceit.

Randomhero wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, that was an increasingly disapointing issue.

How so? I'm intrigued.

I'll give you a good post, worthy of you, later. I'll need free time when I'm off of work, plus we need to let the foul taste of 1984s post Leave our mouths.

I think it's a strong 4. It's not perfect and personally I can see where some people would be a little disappointed with it. It's very 'standing around with a mcguffin that can get us all out of here but we're staying and going to die. Why? Because'

Reason I say that is because Megatrons speech about organics is a little bit contradictory to how the Cybertronians have been portrayed in IDW. At the beginning with the -ation series it very much stated that organic life is not important to the autobots or Decepticons. The infiltration protocol for the autobots was "try and stop the decepticons" TRY. Optimus during escalation even says they may not be able to save earth. Their duty is to stop the decepticons but if they can't, then they bail out and try another time on another planet. We saw the wreckers even bail out and consider a planet a lost cause. One of Optimus most memorable and controversial lines in Simons run was "earth will have to fend for itself" it wasn't till the end of all hail megatron for Optimus to realize they need to change their outlook and we saw that in costas run, not everyone shared his feelings about working with and helping organics. We still are seeing that in johns book.

Personally I wasn't comvinced that everyone would share that idea of saving 60 organics because right now they still think they're all going to die when they decide to stay. By that point they're not saving anyone. Honestly the DJD were already in the nectobots home and didn't find that room, they could just lock it up and hope they don't find it and leave, it was buried pretty deep.

Entirely convincing? No.
But as ScottyP pointed out to me, look at the parallels with the Sparkeater arc at the very start - basically same situation, same resolution. And you have a much more diverse cast this time round, too, though all 'loyal' (ironic, given Brainstorm's in there) to the cause at this stage.

I think the dialogue, the speeches, the tension between the different characters made up for what the story lacked, and that is my minus in the score.


Also, my favourite panel of them all, which I will share tomorrow for a fair chance for other readers.

And I totally respect yours and Scottys thoughts. As I said I did enjoy this book. And I think for past couple reviews you guys can tell that if I have a problem, unlike some people, I will explain very thoroughly why I have a problem and am totally willing to hear anyone defense on it.

Great review by the way as always. Sorry I didn't say that early