IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #36 Full Preview
Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 2:44AM CST
Category: Comic Book NewsPosted by: Va'al Views: 49,458
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Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #36—Days of Deception
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)
OUTLAWS! Before the war, Orion Pax was part of the Establishment—until a friend opened his eyes to the truth behind the lies and he vowed to overthrow the system. Now, it seems as if his newfound enemies are willing to go to any lengths to see him dead—even if it means waiting four million years...
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Days of Deception continues!
The conclusion of James Roberts’ pre-war trilogy!
HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
30th Anniversary Variant Cover by Alex Milne!
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Posted by jogunwarrior on December 16th, 2014 @ 9:44am CST
I'm not a fan of time travel stories, but I trust Roberts. Since I read these in trade I'll have to wait a bit to find out how everything will work itself out in the end.
And since I read this in trade and am only up through Dark Cybertron, I have to ask: Who is the blue guy that speaks on the lower left panel of the last preview page.
Posted by Randomhero on December 16th, 2014 @ 9:45am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 16th, 2014 @ 9:51am CST
jogunwarrior wrote:And since I read this in trade and am only up through Dark Cybertron, I have to ask: Who is the blue guy that speaks on the lower left panel of the last preview page.
Riptide! New addition to the Lost Light crew, after the end of Dark Cybertron.
Posted by Va'al on December 16th, 2014 @ 9:59am CST
Here is my 30th Anniversary cover which was broken up between both issue 36 of MTMTE and (formally RID)
Originally when I created this image, it was for a totally different project that had something to do with the 30th anniversary, but wasn’t part of the homage covers that others had done. This is why the original date of the penciled image is 2013. I had planned to finish it on my own if it wasn’t going to get used and make a print out of it, but the time i needed wasn’t available, so it just sat in one of my portfolio’s. That was until I was asking if there were any 30th covers I could do and John Barber asked about using this image. This was perfect since I didn’t have to draw a new image up and I could finish this one I had already penciled.
looking back on it I might have changed a few characters for different ones, but this was before Windblade had come out.
There are 30 characters on this image. 30 for 30. I thought that would be nice. All of these characters are from the comics and are from comics IDW has printed. I guess I could have added in some Unicron Trilogy characters, but alas it did not happen.
The colours were done by the very talented Mr. Josh Perez who I enjoy working with and miss doing so on a more regular basis. Maybe one day we will work on a whole book together again
Enjoy
Posted by TulioDude on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:20am CST
Posted by steve2275 on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:21am CST
Posted by philswitch engage on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:23am CST
Anyone care to lend a hand on who those guys are?
Posted by Va'al on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:28am CST
philswitch engage wrote:I've been able to identify everyone in this except for the character above Soundwave and the character above Drift.
Anyone care to lend a hand on who those guys are?
Above Soundwave is Lockdown, in the MTMTE/ROTF incarnation.
As for above Drift, I can see movieverse Blackout in the background, and Prime Knockout closer to us.
That help?
Posted by Noideaforaname on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:31am CST
Posted by philswitch engage on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:48am CST
Va'al wrote:philswitch engage wrote:I've been able to identify everyone in this except for the character above Soundwave and the character above Drift.
Anyone care to lend a hand on who those guys are?
Above Soundwave is Lockdown, in the MTMTE/ROTF incarnation.
As for above Drift, I can see movieverse Blackout in the background, and Prime Knockout closer to us.
That help?
Yes, I can totally see now who they are now.
Posted by jogunwarrior on December 16th, 2014 @ 11:29am CST
Amazing artwork and I love how all the different incarnations blend so seamlessly together.
I'd be ecstatic if Prime Knockout were somehow integrated into the MtMtE comic!
Posted by griftimus prime on December 16th, 2014 @ 11:42am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 16th, 2014 @ 11:46am CST
jogunwarrior wrote:I'd be ecstatic if Prime Knockout were somehow integrated into the MtMtE comic!
Keep an eye on the upcoming Windblade series.
Posted by fenrir72 on December 16th, 2014 @ 4:18pm CST
Posted by prjkt on December 16th, 2014 @ 4:33pm CST
Randomhero wrote:It's really hard to figure this one out. Obviously brainstorms target isn't pax because we know the war doesn't happen and the Decepticons don't take over. I don't think brainstorm is actually a Decepticon but I don't see him as a functionist loyalist either because the "knock offs" get exiled and Brainstorm is constructed cold. It's possible he's like shockwave and his loyalty to cybertron and only cybertron.
We'll considering the functionists are still in control, my guess is he went back to target Megatron, stop him from ever starting an uprising. The fact that his first test was aimed at the planet Megatron was on at the time might mean that his device is targeted to him somehow
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 16th, 2014 @ 5:15pm CST
fenrir72 wrote:Unicron is finally showing up? One critique, why put out the Matrix, which needs to be manipulated with two hands in order for it to work and hold a gun in the other hand? For artistic effect but not really practical.
I doubt it actually means Unicron is showing up yet as the whole picture is of the transformers multiverse. That would be a funny twist though, brainstorm is actually an agent of Unicron, a funcionist government probably wouldn't pose as much threat as the normal universe who are used to a lot of warfare.
Posted by BumbleDouche on December 16th, 2014 @ 10:44pm CST
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 7:39am CST
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
OUTLAWS! Before the war, Orion Pax was part of the Establishment—until a friend opened his eyes to the truth behind the lies and he vowed to overthrow the system. Now, it seems as if his newfound enemies are willing to go to any lengths to see him dead—even if it means waiting four million years...
Story
You will probably remember what happened all the way back during the 2009-11 ongoing series, in particular the Chaos Theory arc that James Roberts co-wrote. You might also have in mind the continuation of that story in Shadowplay, the Shockwave/Orion Pax arc during the first season of MTMTE. If you do not, you probably want to brush up for issue 36, as Elegant Chaos continues the pre-war story.
Though not exactly as we might all remember it so far (strange choice of words, I know, but you've seen what's been happening in MTMTE so fa r, right? The trousers of time have many legs, and several are unravelling at the same time). Time travel only muddles plotlines, by its own nature, and this issue is not exception.
Which, unfortunately, finds itself to come to standstill in the overall trajectory of the series post-Dark Cybertron. Don't get me wrong, the issue is a great read, fantastic interactions, good dialogue, characters and Whirl. Especially Whirl, in both his present and present-in-the-past situations, along with some amusing time-paradox musings.
But it doesn't really do much else, sadly. It reinforces old situations and concepts; it has a smirk-inducing conversation between two key players which is really a one-sided admission and reflection; it sets the stage, but only that smidge more than the last two-three issues, for Elegant Chaos. And I wanted it to do more.
Art
As far as unintentional bottle episodes happen, however, the art brought to the issue by Alex Milne is a joy to behold - especially in its cranked up expressivity in both facial and body language, including some of the least likely to be able to do so (looking at you Whirl). On top of that, action sequences are magnificently laid out, with a proliferation of double-spreads and panels spanning multiple pages.
Which are obviously but enhanced by Joana Lafuente's gorgeous colour approach, already from the very first panel of the very first page. And it just gets better from there, really, adding action to action, emotion to emotion, decoration to interiors, atmosphere to planets and making everything look just so good.
Tom B. Long and his lettering are not to be underestimated, either - and the title of the issue, and the arc, are an example of the font magic that man can do. The subtle sounds around the scene are also cleverly worked in, and never intrusive, but definitely still there. In terms of covers, we've seen the Alex Milne/Josh Perez Anniversary piece already, and the main one with juiced up Roller - check out the thumbnail for the moody Nick Roche/Burcham Orion Pax variant.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
As I said above, the issue is not a bad read, a bad comic or a bad piece of writing. It just did not do what other issues playing around with time, or indeed, arcs in the Functionist plotlines have done previously, such as the wonderful Shadowplay. That is not to say that we may very well see this all play out fantastically as of next month or the forthcoming issues in general.
From an artistic perspective, though, the book dazzles and deals a dizzying delight - not only because of some wonderfully executed double-spread pages, colours and composition, but as a general aid to extricate the intricacies of the potentially convoluted plot. Here's to you, visual storytelling. Make sure you track down a paper copy of this one.
Posted by Madeus Prime on December 17th, 2014 @ 9:17am CST
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 9:22am CST
Madeus Prime wrote:Oh, my, god. Happy Whirl is adorable.
I had to settle on one panel, but there are SO MANY.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 10:28am CST
I'm not loving the double page spreads..... though it was okay on the PC, my tablet couldn't do it without sliding it all over the place. I prefer reading on the tablet. (Comixology... Kindle handles double pages far better, but even then, it's still more difficult on the small screen)
Oh and Rodimus saying "'Sup." with the smirk. I know that's just something we should expect from him, but man it made my day.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 10:37am CST
Also, I loved when Whirl forgot he had been in prison at this point. Also, Wheelimus Prime is looking for something to take out of context. Ask and you shall recieve!
Also, did Roller survive? His fate was left somewhat ambiguous. I fear the worst.
Also, i liked the lead up to Trailbreaker's alcoholism.
Also, also.
But I agree with Va'al; not a whole lot happened in this issue, and it kinda felt like filler. Like, Ready Whip. Tasty, but little substance.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 11:01am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:I loved Megatron's conversation with Orion. He's so classy.
Also, I loved when Whirl forgot he had been in prison at this point. Also, Wheelimus Prime is looking for something to take out of context. Ask and you shall recieve!
Also, did Roller survive? His fate was left somewhat ambiguous. I fear the worst.
They never show it, so I guess we assume he survived. He was too prominent to the story to simply be cannon fodder.
Nemesis Maximo wrote:But I agree with Va'al; not a whole lot happened in this issue, and it kinda felt like filler. Like, Ready Whip. Tasty, but little substance.
I came to the conclusion that Roberts can't break out of the novel style of writing. Which is great, I'm willing to bet he's already written of the issues for the next 2 years, it leads to a very cohesive story, and very little subplots getting forgotten. But with a limit of 20 some pages per issue, we get a lot of 'build up' issues that would, in a novel, be just a blurb (you know, a page or two of set up before the chapter of action). But we have it fed to us in bits. So it gets boring.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 11:31am CST
CTRLFrequency wrote:They never show it, so I guess we assume he survived. He was too prominent to the story to simply be cannon fodder.
That's my hope. But I could see Roberts dealing with it later on in a posthumous way, like out of the blue somebody says "Man, I miss Roller" and then later we get flashbacks or explanation to how he may have been killed.
As to Roberts' writing style, I somewhat agree. Usually, he doesn't put out too many build up issues that feel like build up issues. By comparison, most of RID was paced specifically to BE a build up Prowl's actions and consequences. Right before Dark Cybertron, Barber's Monologues were pretty slow, even by RID standards. What I would love is more miniseries by Roberts.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 11:44am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:CTRLFrequency wrote:They never show it, so I guess we assume he survived. He was too prominent to the story to simply be cannon fodder.
That's my hope. But I could see Roberts dealing with it later on in a posthumous way, like out of the blue somebody says "Man, I miss Roller" and then later we get flashbacks or explanation to how he may have been killed.
As to Roberts' writing style, I somewhat agree. Usually, he doesn't put out too many build up issues that feel like build up issues.
Sometimes it's unavoidable. I think that's where it is at right now. Especially when laying ground work for something big, if you're laying a lot of ground work, slow paced build up might not be able to be avoided.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 12:06pm CST
As for letter statement, that was a little non sequitur. I was just making an observation; miniseries are always my favorite Transformers stories.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 12:21pm CST
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 1:27pm CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:CTRLFrequency wrote:They never show it, so I guess we assume he survived. He was too prominent to the story to simply be cannon fodder.
That's my hope. But I could see Roberts dealing with it later on in a posthumous way, like out of the blue somebody says "Man, I miss Roller" and then later we get flashbacks or explanation to how he may have been killed.
As to Roberts' writing style, I somewhat agree. Usually, he doesn't put out too many build up issues that feel like build up issues. By comparison, most of RID was paced specifically to BE a build up Prowl's actions and consequences. Right before Dark Cybertron, Barber's Monologues were pretty slow, even by RID standards. What I would love is more miniseries by Roberts.
Roller is Tarn.
That is what the internet has declared. Discuss.
As for the 'meh' element of this issue, I agree pretty much with all the comments made by the two of you - unavoidable lulls in a sustained stretch of good storytelling. It's a shame that it coincided with the beginning of a fairly convoluted plot.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 1:37pm CST
Va'al wrote:Nemesis Maximo wrote:CTRLFrequency wrote:They never show it, so I guess we assume he survived. He was too prominent to the story to simply be cannon fodder.
That's my hope. But I could see Roberts dealing with it later on in a posthumous way, like out of the blue somebody says "Man, I miss Roller" and then later we get flashbacks or explanation to how he may have been killed.
As to Roberts' writing style, I somewhat agree. Usually, he doesn't put out too many build up issues that feel like build up issues. By comparison, most of RID was paced specifically to BE a build up Prowl's actions and consequences. Right before Dark Cybertron, Barber's Monologues were pretty slow, even by RID standards. What I would love is more miniseries by Roberts.
Roller is Tarn.
That is what the internet has declared. Discuss.
That is the internet rumors I have heard too. I can see it. And there's certainly a basis for it being set up. And it would be a good time to fit it in. I won't discredit it.
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 1:47pm CST
Addiction to transforming - only really the one scene in this issue where it happens.
Blind devotion to Megatron's writing - probably being set up in this issue, with Pax recommending it to Roller.
Music/sound/spark manipulation stuff - not much in terms of that yet.
Point one percenter - yes, that's there.
The shape sort of fits, too. And the March solicits bring the DJD back to the fore, too.
I love speculation.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 1:58pm CST
Va'al wrote:I'm not sure all quirks are accounted for, yet.
Addiction to transforming - only really the one scene in this issue where it happens.
Blind devotion to Megatron's writing - probably being set up in this issue, with Pax recommending it to Roller.
Music/sound/spark manipulation stuff - not much in terms of that yet.
Point one percenter - yes, that's there.
The shape sort of fits, too. And the March solicits bring the DJD back to the fore, too.
I love speculation.
There's totally plenty of time to build the not present traits into Roller to make him Tarn. That's why I can see it. Of course, who knows, we could be wrong and Rollers dead. But there's always that 'who knows what happens to him after that scene ends'. Since we really don't know who was up in that ship hovering up above the field.
Posted by prjkt on December 17th, 2014 @ 2:04pm CST
Posted by Randomhero on December 17th, 2014 @ 2:21pm CST
prjkt wrote:I wonder if Brainstorm's journey has something to do with the point percenter spark he harvested from Luna 2...
You wouldn't be wrong. There are two distinc spark types that went. Vitreous-positive abd ferrum-negative.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 2:31pm CST
Va'al wrote:Roller is Tarn.
That is what the internet has declared. Discuss.
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 2:34pm CST
Va'al wrote:Roller is Tarn.
That is what the internet has declared. Discuss.
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 4:20pm CST
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on December 17th, 2014 @ 4:34pm CST
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 4:38pm CST
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 5:13pm CST
New theory Va'al is actually Whirl.
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 5:31pm CST
If anything, I am either Vos or Windblade. Linguists, interpreters, trying to keep things in order, take pleasure in what I do, nowhere I really call home at the moment.
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:10pm CST
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:13pm CST
Posted by ctrlFrequency on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:21pm CST
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:40pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:Okay... then new, new theory... you'really Vos. You don't give me the Wind blade vibe.
Should post more photos of me in makeup.
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:40pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:42pm CST
SW's SilverHammer wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
And your knees in tight!
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:46pm CST
Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
And your knees in tight!
But it's the pelvic thrust ,That really drives you insa-a-a-a-ne.
Posted by Va'al on December 17th, 2014 @ 6:53pm CST
SW's SilverHammer wrote:Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
And your knees in tight!
But it's the pelvic thrust ,That really drives you insa-a-a-a-ne.
Let's..
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 17th, 2014 @ 7:06pm CST
Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
And your knees in tight!
But it's the pelvic thrust ,That really drives you insa-a-a-a-ne.
Let's..
Is rocky horror now as much part of MTMTE pop mythos as, spoiler warning, muppets take manhattan?
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 17th, 2014 @ 7:09pm CST
Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:Va'al wrote:SW's SilverHammer wrote:ctrlFrequency wrote:Let's do the time warp again!!!!
With your hands on your hips!
And your knees in tight!
But it's the pelvic thrust ,That really drives you insa-a-a-a-ne.
Let's..
Is rocky horror now as much part of MTMTE pop mythos as, spoiler warning, The Muppets Take Manhattan and Zulu?