IDW Beast Wars #8 Review
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 6:42AM CDT
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You Say 'That's Just Prime', But It's Probably Just Another Situation Gone Wrong
A Review of Beast Wars #8
Spoiler Free-ish
A Review of Beast Wars #8
Spoiler Free-ish
The title of Beast Wars #8 is "Pod Part 02", as in the second part of a longer story just called "Pod". In my review of issue 7, I took issue with the book's pacing, and the same issues linger here. It's not terribly slow, but things don't pick up quickly with this most recent release either. As the last mention of this for most of the remainder of this particular review, I'll let Blackarachnia share a word for you if you had expectations that this latest installment would avoid the "writing for the trade" pace the series has been taking -
Blackarachnia: Still Mean
Writer Eric Burnham does well in this issue at making the events that do happen feel engaging. Even with an idea in mind on roughly what will happen (unless you're new to Beast Wars entirely) there's a sense of tension and plenty of character-appropriate dialogue, resulting in a final product that was very easy to get absorbed in. Outside of Nyx who is pure background decoration in this issue, Burnham shows that he knows who these characters are effectively communicates some of their traits as the story moves along.
"It don't matter. None of this matters."
Without going into spoiler territory, it can be pointed out that while this issue (and presumably this story arc as a whole) is repeating the beat from the show's plot about recovering Maximal Protoforms from orbit, there's enough difference here to be encouraged by what may be yet to come. Put another way, while you may still generally know from point A on page 1 to point B on page 20 that point B was always the destination, there's some road construction on the way with enticing potential for the future.
Cats: Also Still Mean
The artistic team on issue 8 is the same from 7, meaning Winston Chan's on the lineart again with colors by SidVenBlu and letters by Jake M. Wood. There's a lot to like here, with fun action scenes and a regular helping of close-up character portrayals during the scenes of just dialogue. There's a particular instance where Cheetor's running through the Axalon in cheetah mode and the panel layout has him overlapping multiple panels to express a sense of speed, which was very enjoyable and clever, at least to me. There were some instances again when I thought Chan's expressions went a bit stiff or where some characters' poses looked unnatural that prevent a full helping of solid praise for the art, but in general it's well executed here and still feels consistent with the rest of the series so far.
Cover options include Andrew Griffith's take on Optimus Primal and Megatron duking it out, Martin Gee's Blackarachnia cover which is used for this review's news story's thumbnail, as well as a 10-copy retailer incentive cover featuring both spider Predacons by Ryan Miller. As always, you can find all the cover images and full credits for the issue through our Vector Sigma Database page for Beast Wars #8.
Verdict
Slowly, in this case, but sure
Slowly, in this case, but sure
Beast Wars #8 was more fun to read than I expected, with just enough beneath the surface layer of plot to make things compelling despite a general overall expectation of events that went mostly fulfilled. The character development is proceeding smartly in most cases and while the art's not by any means perfect this time around it conveys the story effectively while still providing a standout moment or two. I'm excited to see where things develop, but please, please start getting us there quicker.
I really wanted to go up to a 4/5 this time, which is "very good" on my scale, but the pacing just won't allow me to go above the "good" below.
Final Score
.
½
out of
.
½
out of
Look out for this issue today, September 22nd, where you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.
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Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2116477)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 22nd, 2021 @ 3:55pm CDT
The pods' computers in the cartoon were essentially in sleep mode while in orbit and didn't activate until after the crash-landings. Here, their onboard computers can be accessed with a long-range signal from the ground, a technology the cartoon characters didn't have.
Posted by Sabrblade on September 22nd, 2021 @ 3:55pm CDT
It didn't "leave orbit on its own". It started falling because it had received part of the invasive code Tarantulas sent to it, which contained a command for the pod's onboard computer to activate its thrusters and send it down to the planet's surface.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:As I said, after reading the last issue, Burnham doesn't get how Stasis Pods work. For one thing, how they can't leave orbit on their own.
The pods' computers in the cartoon were essentially in sleep mode while in orbit and didn't activate until after the crash-landings. Here, their onboard computers can be accessed with a long-range signal from the ground, a technology the cartoon characters didn't have.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2116516)
Posted by Nexus Knight on September 22nd, 2021 @ 8:09pm CDT
Whatever gave you that impression? Just coz we never saw them land on their own in the show, doesn't mean that it isn't possible. It seems to make perfect sense, actually, that the pods have both remote control and thrusters. Since the Axalon had to eject, it is presumable that this is a safety feature designed into the pods for the purpose it was used. Quickly get rid of the pods to keep them safe, they would need not only the ability to track and report on the status of the pod and the protoform within, but make it easy to retrieve. Giving the pods the ability to maneuver on their own makes perfect sense, thus a few commands to the computer's onboard computer to fire thrusters could very wasily send it into the planet's atmosphere.
Posted by Nexus Knight on September 22nd, 2021 @ 8:09pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:As I said, after reading the last issue, Burnham doesn't get how Stasis Pods work. For one thing, how they can't leave orbit on their own.
Whatever gave you that impression? Just coz we never saw them land on their own in the show, doesn't mean that it isn't possible. It seems to make perfect sense, actually, that the pods have both remote control and thrusters. Since the Axalon had to eject, it is presumable that this is a safety feature designed into the pods for the purpose it was used. Quickly get rid of the pods to keep them safe, they would need not only the ability to track and report on the status of the pod and the protoform within, but make it easy to retrieve. Giving the pods the ability to maneuver on their own makes perfect sense, thus a few commands to the computer's onboard computer to fire thrusters could very wasily send it into the planet's atmosphere.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2116541)
Posted by william-james88 on September 23rd, 2021 @ 12:21am CDT
Posted by william-james88 on September 23rd, 2021 @ 12:21am CDT
I prefer Burcham's art.
Also, not a fan of Burcham's art.
Also, not a fan of Burcham's art.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2116570)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on September 23rd, 2021 @ 9:21am CDT
I think it would be interesting to get a bit of artist rotation going in this book. A different one each arc. If these are being "written for trade", then give each trade it's own visual identity.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on September 23rd, 2021 @ 9:21am CDT
william-james88 wrote:I prefer Burcham's art.
Also, not a fan of Burcham's art.
I think it would be interesting to get a bit of artist rotation going in this book. A different one each arc. If these are being "written for trade", then give each trade it's own visual identity.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119619)
Posted by ScottyP on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:34pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:34pm CDT
You'll be singing "Hakuna Matata" on your way to the comic shop tomorrow, as the release of Transformers: Beast Wars #9 is upon us and, based one of the variant covers, it's time for Razorbeast to make his mark in the story. The five page preview below won't get around to that part, but hey, IDW Publishing shares these to help sell the books after all.
Check out the preview below and be sure to pick this issue up tomorrow at your local comic shop, through a licensed digital comics retailer, or via the Seibertron.com eBay store.
(W) Erik Burnham (A/CA) Josh Burcham
"Thicker Skin". The Predacons begin their hunt for other fallen protoform pods, containing potential reinforcements in their quest to crush the Maximals. But Skold, the Predacon powerhouse, is left behind because she'll slow the mission down, at least according to Terrorsaur. When Skold encounters a pod on her own, it'll be up to her to bring it to the Predacon's side... or put it down for good.
Check out the preview below and be sure to pick this issue up tomorrow at your local comic shop, through a licensed digital comics retailer, or via the Seibertron.com eBay store.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119620)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:44pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:44pm CDT
That dialogue almost seems to be mocking the plot of The Agenda. It isn't really a good idea to poke fun at something of higher quality.
Speaking of which, after last issue, I really need to stop reading the letters page. Someone comparing the dialogue of Dinobot in this to Code of Hero. Which there isn't even a subjective comparison to be made. It just reads as "tell us you're a shill, without telling us you're a shill".
Speaking of which, after last issue, I really need to stop reading the letters page. Someone comparing the dialogue of Dinobot in this to Code of Hero. Which there isn't even a subjective comparison to be made. It just reads as "tell us you're a shill, without telling us you're a shill".
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119621)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:51pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:51pm CDT
To be fair, the characters in the show called Megatron's plan "madness" too.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:That dialogue almost seems to be mocking the plot of The Agenda. It isn't really a good idea to poke fun at something of higher quality.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119622)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:55pm CDT
True. But Megs himself rationalised it as: 'The ultimate risk... for the ultimate prize!' He knew what was at stake. But the benefits outweighed the potential drawbacks.
Always lamented the backtrack on that cliffhanger. Season 3 could have been so much more interesting. Set within a dystopian, alternate future
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 2:55pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:To be fair, the characters in the show called Megatron's plan "madness" too.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:That dialogue almost seems to be mocking the plot of The Agenda. It isn't really a good idea to poke fun at something of higher quality.
True. But Megs himself rationalised it as: 'The ultimate risk... for the ultimate prize!' He knew what was at stake. But the benefits outweighed the potential drawbacks.
Always lamented the backtrack on that cliffhanger. Season 3 could have been so much more interesting. Set within a dystopian, alternate future
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119624)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:07pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:07pm CDT
Would have been hard to sell the toys that were already in production at that point though 
I don't mind them poking fun at it. Might mean they're making more changes then we think.
I don't mind them poking fun at it. Might mean they're making more changes then we think.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119625)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:08pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:08pm CDT
Yet, he admitted to himself the enormity of what it entailed and, in his hesitance, held off going through with it until all of his other options were exhausted.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sabrblade wrote:To be fair, the characters in the show called Megatron's plan "madness" too.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:That dialogue almost seems to be mocking the plot of The Agenda. It isn't really a good idea to poke fun at something of higher quality.
True. But Megs himself rationalised it as: 'The ultimate risk... for the ultimate prize!' He knew what was at stake. But the benefits outweighed the potential drawbacks.
We got that dystopian future. It was called Beast Machines.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Always lamented the backtrack on that cliffhanger. Season 3 could have been so much more interesting. Set within a dystopian, alternate future
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119626)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:14pm CDT
If not for Blackarachnia, it might have paid off too.
Touché
To be fair, looking at how different the TM 2 line was. It wouldn't have been too far a leap to assume that was the "alternate" cast of Season 3. There was no Primal in that line, after all.
Cynically, I'd say that is a nod to the fans. With a realisation this series won't last long enough to reach that point.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:14pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Yet, he admitted to himself the enormity of what it entailed and, in his hesitance, held off going through with it until all of his other options were exhausted.
If not for Blackarachnia, it might have paid off too.
Sabrblade wrote:We got that dystopian future. It was called Beast Machines.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Always lamented the backtrack on that cliffhanger. Season 3 could have been so much more interesting. Set within a dystopian, alternate future
Touché
ZeroWolf wrote:Would have been hard to sell the toys that were already in production at that point though
To be fair, looking at how different the TM 2 line was. It wouldn't have been too far a leap to assume that was the "alternate" cast of Season 3. There was no Primal in that line, after all.
ZeroWolf wrote:I don't mind them poking fun at it. Might mean they're making more changes then we think.
Cynically, I'd say that is a nod to the fans. With a realisation this series won't last long enough to reach that point.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119628)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:23pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:23pm CDT
Only IDW would know that, unless they make their sales figures public.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119631)
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:36pm CDT
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:36pm CDT
Oh dear, we're back to "this" type of aesthetics now, are we? Perhaps this is the "dystopian" future mentioned in a post or two above?
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119632)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:39pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:39pm CDT
Indeed. I just sighed when I saw the preview. The idea I opted for a while back IE a different artist per arc, could have been a much better way to go. Unfortunately, instead, we are back to Beast Wars Roar
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119633)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:44pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:44pm CDT
He would have been better off not going through with it. The future without the timestorm ever happening at all would have yielded him a better conquest of Cybertron, this time with Predacons instead of Vehicons, and which would have lasted for years with Predacons hunting down and executing hapless Maximals before they'd finally give a more concerted fightback years after Megatron took over. Megatron's timestorm in the past changed all that and resulted in the Vehicon-takeover and Spark War instead.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Yet, he admitted to himself the enormity of what it entailed and, in his hesitance, held off going through with it until all of his other options were exhausted.
If not for Blackarachnia, it might have paid off too.
There is no way Mainframe would have taken the existing cast they spent two seasons developing and discarded them for all-new people. Especially since that would have required creating completely brand new CG models for everyone when they were trying to save every buck they could when making the ones they already had (Tigatron and Blackarachnia being modified from Cheetor and Tarantulas, Ravage being modified from TM Cheetor w/ Tigatron's head, etc.).AllNewSuperRobot wrote:To be fair, looking at how different the TM 2 line was. It wouldn't have been too far a leap to assume that was the "alternate" cast of Season 3. There was no Primal in that line, after all.
In that interview I mentioned Burnham saying that Razorbeast was originally gonna be someone else that Hasbro vetoed, Burnham also revealed that the Ark and its occupants are currently "not on the table" for this series.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Cynically, I'd say that is a nod to the fans. With a realisation this series won't last long enough to reach that point.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119635)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:52pm CDT
Which he would have won, if had just killed Primal & co outright. When he first took control of Cybertron.
The eternal noose around the show's neck - the budget. Hence no Coneheads for the Nemesis finale.
That would lead me to believe this series has a predefined length of time attached to it, assigned by Hasbro. Given the Beast Wars show narrative pivoted entirely in that direction for Season Two.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:52pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote: Megatron's timestorm in the past changed all that and resulted in the Vehicon-takeover and Spark War instead.
Which he would have won, if had just killed Primal & co outright. When he first took control of Cybertron.
Sabrblade wrote:There is no way Mainframe would have taken the existing cast they spent two seasons developing and discarded them for all-new people. Especially since that would have required creating completely brand new CG models for everyone when they were trying to save every buck they could when making the ones they already had (Tigatron and Blackarachnia being modified from Cheetor and Tarantulas, Ravage being modified from TM Cheetor w/ Tigatron's head, etc.).
The eternal noose around the show's neck - the budget. Hence no Coneheads for the Nemesis finale.
Sabrblade wrote:Burnham also revealed that the Ark and its occupants are currently "not on the table" for this series.
That would lead me to believe this series has a predefined length of time attached to it, assigned by Hasbro. Given the Beast Wars show narrative pivoted entirely in that direction for Season Two.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119636)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:57pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 3:57pm CDT
Twelve issues is the current plan, with more to come should the series do well enough.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:That would lead me to believe this series has a predefined length of time attached to it, assigned by Hasbro. Given the Beast Wars show narrative pivoted entirely in that direction for Season Two.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119637)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:00pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:00pm CDT
Oh I see, one more arc I imagine? If only 12 ends up being the case, a third artist would have been a really good idea.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119638)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:14pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:14pm CDT
Was there any clues to who the vetoed character was?
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119639)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:18pm CDT
The only BW character that comes to mind that I could see Hasbro putting their foot down on is BW Grimlock, but it's fun to wonder if it could have been someone without any ties to G1.
I guess we'll have to see what kind of role Razorbeast plays. If he emerges from his pod a newly born Maximal, that'll make it harder to figure out who he replaced. But if he emerges as a preexisting person from Cybertron who was put into stasis, that might make it easier.
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:18pm CDT
No clue. Burnham wasn't allowed to say who it was nor what their beast mode was since that would have given away its identity.ZeroWolf wrote:Was there any clues to who the vetoed character was?
The only BW character that comes to mind that I could see Hasbro putting their foot down on is BW Grimlock, but it's fun to wonder if it could have been someone without any ties to G1.
I guess we'll have to see what kind of role Razorbeast plays. If he emerges from his pod a newly born Maximal, that'll make it harder to figure out who he replaced. But if he emerges as a preexisting person from Cybertron who was put into stasis, that might make it easier.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119640)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:29pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:29pm CDT
I see, thanks Sabrblade. In some cases, if the comic survives past 12, it'd be good to see more toy only characters. There shouldn't be that many that hasbro say no to, other then the magnaboss combiner of course, if the bw grimlock theory holds true.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119641)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:39pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:39pm CDT
We did get Magnaboss Ironhide in the first issue.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119642)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:42pm CDT
I did mean more of the ongoing cast.
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 26th, 2021 @ 4:42pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:We did get Magnaboss Ironhide in the first issue.
I did mean more of the ongoing cast.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119648)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 26th, 2021 @ 6:47pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 26th, 2021 @ 6:47pm CDT
Glad to see Burcham back, love his art.
I'm hoping the 1st TPB comes out soon. I am eager to actually read the whole first arc proper
I'm hoping the 1st TPB comes out soon. I am eager to actually read the whole first arc proper
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119658)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 7:11pm CDT
Of course, later episodes directly calling back to BW season 3 ruin this, but still.
Posted by Sabrblade on October 26th, 2021 @ 7:11pm CDT
In fact, now that I think about it, if one were to jump immediately from watching "The Agenda (Part III)" to "The Reformatting" and "Master of the House", that would kinda feel like history was rewritten, with only Blackarachnia being chummy with the Maximals and Megatron's dragon mode unexplained but which be written off as part of the history rewrite.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sabrblade wrote:We got that dystopian future. It was called Beast Machines.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Always lamented the backtrack on that cliffhanger. Season 3 could have been so much more interesting. Set within a dystopian, alternate future
pic
Touché
Of course, later episodes directly calling back to BW season 3 ruin this, but still.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119669)
Posted by Triggerdick Megatron on October 26th, 2021 @ 9:36pm CDT
Posted by Triggerdick Megatron on October 26th, 2021 @ 9:36pm CDT
I see they went back to the horrible art.
I thought the change to the much better style was permanent?
I thought the change to the much better style was permanent?
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119671)
Posted by IHaveQuestions on October 26th, 2021 @ 10:43pm CDT
I personally love Burcham's style. It brings something different to the table and adds dynamicism to the characters' movements. It lends the book its own identity. Plus, Burcham draws the best faces. They're so expressive and fun!
Posted by IHaveQuestions on October 26th, 2021 @ 10:43pm CDT
Triggerdick Megatron wrote:I see they went back to the horrible art.
I thought the change to the much better style was permanent?
I personally love Burcham's style. It brings something different to the table and adds dynamicism to the characters' movements. It lends the book its own identity. Plus, Burcham draws the best faces. They're so expressive and fun!
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119674)
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 26th, 2021 @ 10:55pm CDT
Fixed it for you.
Posted by primalxconvoy on October 26th, 2021 @ 10:55pm CDT
IHaveQuestions wrote:Triggerdick Megatron wrote:I see they went back to the horrible art.
I thought the change to the much better style was permanent?
I personally love the inane scribblings of three year-olds. They bring something different to the table and add dynamicism to the characters' movements. They lend the book its own identity. Plus, little kids draw the best faces with thick, unwieldy pastels. They're so expressive and fun!
Fixed it for you.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119675)
Posted by IHaveQuestions on October 26th, 2021 @ 11:04pm CDT
There's no accounting for taste, I suppose.
Posted by IHaveQuestions on October 26th, 2021 @ 11:04pm CDT
primalxconvoy wrote:IHaveQuestions wrote:Triggerdick Megatron wrote:I see they went back to the horrible art.
I thought the change to the much better style was permanent?
I personally love the inane scribblings of three year-olds. They bring something different to the table and add dynamicism to the characters' movements. They lend the book its own identity. Plus, little kids draw the best faces with thick, unwieldy pastels. They're so expressive and fun!
Fixed it for you.
There's no accounting for taste, I suppose.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119683)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 4:43am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 4:43am CDT
Taste is pretty much subjective, personally, I love his art as well.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119696)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 9:09am CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 9:09am CDT
Indeed. While at the same time, just because you like something, doesn't mean it's good. Especially when it comes to this art on an objective level.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119697)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 10:15am CDT
Even then I doubt you'll get consensus. I mean, look at modern art, or something I recently learned about in the NFT thread, invisible art. You may not care for this style but it doesn't make it bad. It just means it doesn't do anything for you. The ultimate decider on the art will be when IDW look at sales data, which will be very soon.
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 10:15am CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Indeed. While at the same time, just because you like something, doesn't mean it's good. Especially when it comes to this art on an objective level.
Even then I doubt you'll get consensus. I mean, look at modern art, or something I recently learned about in the NFT thread, invisible art. You may not care for this style but it doesn't make it bad. It just means it doesn't do anything for you. The ultimate decider on the art will be when IDW look at sales data, which will be very soon.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119698)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 10:24am CDT
As I said, objectively, this art is bad. In terms of panelling, composition, anatomy, scaling, perspective etc IE All the important arty-farty bits a professional should be trained in. Even genuinely stylised comic book art at least follows the basics.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 10:24am CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:You may not care for this style but it doesn't make it bad.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Indeed. While at the same time, just because you like something, doesn't mean it's good. Especially when it comes to this art on an objective level.
As I said, objectively, this art is bad. In terms of panelling, composition, anatomy, scaling, perspective etc IE All the important arty-farty bits a professional should be trained in. Even genuinely stylised comic book art at least follows the basics.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119700)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 11:16am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 27th, 2021 @ 11:16am CDT
I'm pretty sure IDW themselves would disagree with that.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119702)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 11:31am CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 11:31am CDT
I doubt that. The general metric for the talent of the last few years seems either inexperienced and/or cheap.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119711)
Posted by bluecatcinema on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:02pm CDT
Posted by bluecatcinema on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:02pm CDT
I like how Blackarachnia isn't open to taking any lip from Terrorsaur.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119712)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
It reminded me of how much more interesting a character Blackarachnia was, in Season One. Before she was diluted into "love interest".
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119715)
Posted by william-james88 on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:54pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:54pm CDT
This art aint got nothing on John Romita Jr
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119716)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:57pm CDT
Given their output since IDWverse 2.0, ironically I imagine even JRJR and Rob Liefeld are likely out of IDW's price range
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 27th, 2021 @ 2:57pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:This art aint got nothing on John Romita Jr
Given their output since IDWverse 2.0, ironically I imagine even JRJR and Rob Liefeld are likely out of IDW's price range
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119739)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2021 @ 5:55pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 27th, 2021 @ 5:55pm CDT
Jar Jar?AllNewSuperRobot wrote:JRJR
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2119920)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 29th, 2021 @ 2:18pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on October 29th, 2021 @ 2:18pm CDT
Just read #9. An interesting character piece. Razorbeast is very likable and I'm very glad that he was not killed off. Hope to see more of him interacting with more of the main cast in forthcoming issues.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120240)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 1:45pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 1:45pm CDT
Yep, as something new, I liked the approach to Razorbeast in this issue. Unlike the return of the Graffiti Vok.
I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series. But I only previously knew of him in media from The Gathering/Ascending (wherein he seemed a bit too generic).
If this series does end in 12 issues, however. The main positive for me would be that Skold and Nyx are cast into obscurity, toyless, where they belong.
Once more, on the art front...
It is so sad we go from this sublime cover art by Alex Milne :
To, perhaps the worst Beast Mode so far...
Perspective? Hello?
I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series. But I only previously knew of him in media from The Gathering/Ascending (wherein he seemed a bit too generic).
If this series does end in 12 issues, however. The main positive for me would be that Skold and Nyx are cast into obscurity, toyless, where they belong.
Once more, on the art front...
It is so sad we go from this sublime cover art by Alex Milne :
To, perhaps the worst Beast Mode so far...
Perspective? Hello?
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120241)
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 1:57pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 1:57pm CDT
He was a Wave 1 Hasbro toy.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120242)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:00pm CDT
I assumed he was part of the BW2/Neo series, based on his prevalence and importance in The Gathering/Ascending. I had the original figure.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:00pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:He was a Wave 1 Hasbro toy.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series.
I assumed he was part of the BW2/Neo series, based on his prevalence and importance in The Gathering/Ascending. I had the original figure.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120243)
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
While yes, his toy was released in Japan redecoed in gold as the Beast Wars Neo character Randy (one of the most notorious, self-destructive victims of GPS ever), but he was only ever a single-episode guest star and very one-dimensional. 99% of the Western fandom hadn't even seen Randy's episode (let alone the majority of either JBW cartoon) back when The Gathering/Ascending came out. Nobody gives a hoot about Randy as a character.
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
His importance in those comics was purely Furman picking some non-show character and making them important, like what he did for Thunderwing and Bludgeon back in Marvel G1. It's a thing that Furman was known for doing.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sabrblade wrote:He was a Wave 1 Hasbro toy.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series.
I assumed he was part of the BW2/Neo series, based on his prevalence and importance in The Gathering/Ascending. I had the original figure.
While yes, his toy was released in Japan redecoed in gold as the Beast Wars Neo character Randy (one of the most notorious, self-destructive victims of GPS ever), but he was only ever a single-episode guest star and very one-dimensional. 99% of the Western fandom hadn't even seen Randy's episode (let alone the majority of either JBW cartoon) back when The Gathering/Ascending came out. Nobody gives a hoot about Randy as a character.
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120244)
Posted by william-james88 on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
I thought the op was referring to the fictional appearance of th character, not the toy
Posted by william-james88 on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:10pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:He was a Wave 1 Hasbro toy.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:I assume Razorbeast was part of the BW2/Neo series.
I thought the op was referring to the fictional appearance of th character, not the toy
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120245)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:24pm CDT
All these years and I assumed Razorbeast featured because he meant something to the Japanese series. Furman's character choices for The Gathering/Ascending continue to be infuriating...
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:24pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:His importance in those comics was purely Furman picking some non-show character and making them important, like what he did for Thunderwing and Bludgeon back in Marvel G1. It's a thing that Furman was known for doing.
While yes, his toy was released in Japan redecoed in gold as the Beast Wars Neo character Randy (one of the most notorious, self-destructive victims of GPS ever), but he was only ever a single-episode guest star and very one-dimensional. 99% of the Western fandom hadn't even seen Randy's episode (let alone the majority of either JBW cartoon) back when The Gathering/Ascending came out. Nobody gives a hoot about Randy as a character.
All these years and I assumed Razorbeast featured because he meant something to the Japanese series. Furman's character choices for The Gathering/Ascending continue to be infuriating...
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120246)
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:32pm CDT
As for Furman, it's just what he did in Transformers fiction. Take nobodies and try to turn them into somebodies.
Well, that, and give spotlight to Grimlock. He loves Grimlock (crafty comics Grimlock, not dumb caveman cartoon Grimlock).
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:32pm CDT
Japan mainly only cares about Lio Convoy when it comes to the JBW-original characters.AllNewSuperRobot wrote:All these years and I assumed Razorbeast featured because he meant something to the Japanese series. Furman's character choices for The Gathering/Ascending continue to be infuriating...
As for Furman, it's just what he did in Transformers fiction. Take nobodies and try to turn them into somebodies.
Well, that, and give spotlight to Grimlock. He loves Grimlock (crafty comics Grimlock, not dumb caveman cartoon Grimlock).
Re: IDW Beast Wars #8 Review (2120247)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:37pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on November 4th, 2021 @ 2:37pm CDT
Oh yeah, Furman has always had his favourites. From the Part Work, I know he couldn't think higher of Grimlock or Galvatron in the Marvel run. To a lesser extent in the -Ations run too.
As per The Gathering/Ascending, there were so many (relegated to visual cameos) that would have been more interesting to use than a Warthog... Sigh
As per The Gathering/Ascending, there were so many (relegated to visual cameos) that would have been more interesting to use than a Warthog... Sigh
