This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Discuss anything about the Transformers cartoons and comics! You can discuss anything from G1 to Cybertron as well as the comics from Marvel, Dreamwave, IDW and more!

IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Fri Sep 20, 2013 5:54 am

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
It's an eventful week for Transformers comics, and we have a grand total of three previews for you, thanks to our friends over at IDW! First up, the highly teased, awaited and anticipated MTMTE 21 - check it out below.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #21
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Milne, Sean Chen (c)
ENDGAME! A handful of heroes stand in the way of a tyrant with the power to destroy AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS alike. But what if stopping him carries an even higher price? Get ready to say goodbye to some old friends as More Than Meets The Eye delivers on two years’ worth of promises.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Part of IDW’s “IDW Gets Animated” variant cover month!
The heart-rending finale to Remain in Light!
You’ll be talking about this one for years to come!
“IDW Gets Animated” variant cover by Andy Suriano!


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Last edited by Va'al on Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Seibertron » Fri Sep 20, 2013 11:53 am

Motto: "'Til All Are One!"
Weapon: Twin Shock-Concussion Missiles
I love the tease with the missing page 3. Wait until everyone reads the actual issue which the Seibertron.com Comic Staff was treated to last night! :D
Image
User avatar
Seibertron
Site Owner
Posts: 13547
News Credits: 3552
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2001 5:17 pm
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Watch Seibertron on YouTube
Buy from Seibertron on eBay
Alt Mode: Supersonic Cybertronian Jet
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 7
Endurance: 9
Rank: 10+
Courage: 8
Firepower: 5
Skill: 10+

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Fri Sep 20, 2013 12:24 pm

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Seibertron wrote:I love the tease with the missing page 3. Wait until everyone reads the actual issue which the Seibertron.com Comic Staff was treated to last night! :D


Yeah, that was Mariel Romero, and good call indeed! Working on the review this weekend, will have to tread lightly with spoilers after reading it.. :shock:
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby ScottyP » Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:12 pm

Weapon: Battle Blades
Seibertron wrote:I love the tease with the missing page 3. Wait until everyone reads the actual issue which the Seibertron.com Comic Staff was treated to last night! :D


Well put. I'm itching to discuss the whole issue, but I won't. Yet. :D
Listen to me ramble about robots on the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast
User avatar
ScottyP
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5559
News Credits: 637
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
Buy from ScottyP on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby sabrigami » Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:35 pm

Weapon: Semi-Automatic Rifle
Seibertron wrote:I love the tease with the missing page 3. Wait until everyone reads the actual issue which the Seibertron.com Comic Staff was treated to last night! :D


that's good to hear. The excitement for this reminds me of when the last issue of Wreckers was about to come out. only a couple more sleeps :KREMZEEK:
User avatar
sabrigami
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 567
News Credits: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:17 am
Location: Ontario, Canada
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 9
Courage: 9
Firepower: 7
Skill: 8

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Heckfire » Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:10 pm

Motto: "Nothing is impossible, just improbable."
Weapon: "Claw" Flame-Throwers
Cyclonus vs. Star Saber.

Oh, dis gunna be GEWD...
"Grab a shovel, I'm one skull away from a Mouseketeer reunion." - Bender
"I've never seen anything this beautiful in the entire galaxy...all right, give me the bomb." —Ultra Magnus
Image
You got WRECK-ROLLED!
Heckfire
Vehicon
Posts: 398
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:37 am
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 5
Endurance: 4
Rank: 1
Courage: 7
Firepower: 6
Skill: 8

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby harvester » Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:00 am

Heckfire wrote:Cyclonus vs. Star Saber.

Oh, dis gunna be GEWD...


That's what I thought when it was going to be Star Saber vs Dai Atlas. I hope they don't make the cyclonus star saber thing only a couple panels.
harvester
Fuzor
Posts: 226
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:21 pm

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Sat Sep 21, 2013 3:43 am

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Cyclonus has a pretty big role in the whole issue. Fans of him will not be disappointed. :D
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Manterax Prime » Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:34 pm

Motto: "You honestly believed that The Leige Maximo was Prima's other half? How foolish of you!"
Weapon: Dark Saber Sword
Did they really need to have Star Saber refer to "God" and Primus separately?
INFINITY! PLEASE!
Hi-Sui-Fu-Do! Bo-Zaba-Byu-Dogon!
User avatar
Manterax Prime
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 827
News Credits: 3
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:44 pm
Watch Manterax Prime on YouTube
Buy from Manterax Prime on eBay
Strength: Infinity
Intelligence: Infinity
Speed: Infinity
Endurance: Infinity
Rank: Infinity
Courage: Infinity
Firepower: Infinity
Skill: Infinity

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Joetx » Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:48 pm

Manterax Prime wrote:Did they really need to have Star Saber refer to "God" and Primus separately?


Yeah, it is a bit disconcerting. Isn't Primus the TFs' god?

I think the same thing happened in Issue #20.
Joetx
Fuzor
Posts: 274
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:50 pm

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Manterax Prime » Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:50 pm

Motto: "You honestly believed that The Leige Maximo was Prima's other half? How foolish of you!"
Weapon: Dark Saber Sword
Why yes he is. As Thew put it, "basically he's the god of robots".
INFINITY! PLEASE!
Hi-Sui-Fu-Do! Bo-Zaba-Byu-Dogon!
User avatar
Manterax Prime
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 827
News Credits: 3
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:44 pm
Watch Manterax Prime on YouTube
Buy from Manterax Prime on eBay
Strength: Infinity
Intelligence: Infinity
Speed: Infinity
Endurance: Infinity
Rank: Infinity
Courage: Infinity
Firepower: Infinity
Skill: Infinity

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Henry921 » Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:45 pm

Motto: "All I have to be is exceptional."
Weapon: Battle Blades
Va'al wrote:Cyclonus has a pretty big role in the whole issue. Fans of him will not be disappointed. :D


Really?

Do we get payoff from the hug?

I mean Whirl did try to kill him once already and this is an even better opportunity...
User avatar
Henry921
Brainmaster
Posts: 1355
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 11:52 pm
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 4
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 3
Skill: 8

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:36 am

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Henry921 wrote:
Va'al wrote:Cyclonus has a pretty big role in the whole issue. Fans of him will not be disappointed. :D


Really?

Do we get payoff from the hug?

I mean Whirl did try to kill him once already and this is an even better opportunity...


Yes. And no. And you'll have to wait. :-$
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Review

Postby Va'al » Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:45 am

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Answers (?)
(Spoiler free-ish)



Synopsis

ENDGAME! A handful of heroes stand in the way of a tyrant with the power to destroy AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS alike. But what if stopping him carries an even higher price? Get ready to say goodbye to some old friends as More Than Meets The Eye delivers on two years’ worth of promises.

Image
Or does it?


Story
The highly awaited fifth part of the Remain in Light arc is here. Will Tyrest win and his mad plan kill everyone? Will Tailgate die? Will there be death death and more death aboard the Lost Light and Luna-1? Quite probably. Or maybe not. I mean, the death thing is certain, but not the victims. Will we get answers to all the questions so far? Read on!

Image
This close, people, this close


This is a heavily packed issue, with a lot of plotlines being tied up crossing paths, returning from previous collections and death. Of course. Tyrest's plan seems to be succeeding so far, inside Luna-1, while on the outside Whirl, Cyclonus and the Circle of Light fight against Star Saber and the Legislators. And I have to say, the fight scenes are well planned and thought out. Cyclonus in particular has some really good moments, and First Aid is getting better and better.

Image
Look at him, being all cool and brooding


The rest of the story, however, did not satisfy me as much as I thought it would. It's good, but it doesn't give enough closure for MTMTE to now lurch into Dark Cybertron. There are some fairly emotional moments, and some anger-inducing ones. There are some '..really?' moments, and some smirk-provoking ones. But sadly, I can't help but feel that the issue has been overhyped.

Image
The fandom, played here by Pharma


It's good writing, but there are tone discordances, using humour in the wrong places, dragging in plots and more plots and resulting in a chaotic sequence of facts, which work a lot better in the prose extracts included at the end of the issue than the issue itself. A similar thing happened to the Overlord arc, it's a shame to see it here again.

Art

Artistically, Milne had a lot to do for this one. There are multiple characters in most panels, and Roberts did not go easy on the details! While the story may be very dense, the artwork makes it a lot easier to follow what is happening on the page. No inker is credited, either, so it must all be Milne's work.

Image
It is clear here that Whirl is being awesome


Colours on the issue are done by both Josh Burcham and Joana Lafuente, and they look stunning. The Cyclonus parts have some excellent work on shading and lighting, and really set the tone of his story. Some amazing colours show up in Skids' panels, but I cannot show them here, for good reasons.

Image
So have some cool mood shading with fire sparks


Same for the lettering, by personal favourite Tom B. Long. He shines best in all the scenes I can't show in the review, as the soundwords are mostly of characters killing, being killed or revealing the secrets of life the universe and everything. A shout goes to the cover artists, Nick Roche, Josh Perez and Andy Suriano, who did an amazing job, especially the latter's Samurai Jack Rodimus special variant!


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Overall, the end of Remain in Light is good. But there are so many nagging questions and unresolved issues and hand-waving resolutions that I'm left with the feeling that an extra issue would have made it a lot better. As I said, the prose extracts at the back are a lot more helpful and enjoyable to the overall understanding of the plot, and give a better sense of closure, after a fashion.

Image
As I unleash an unfavourable review out to the fandom


The artwork is good, as usual, but it's the colours that really stand out for me in this particular issue. Cyclonus and Tailgate get some great palettes in their personal storylines, and Skids has some excellent colour and sound stuff going on. So yes, pick this up, but be prepared to still feel hungry.

. :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: ½ out of :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT:
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby sabrigami » Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:30 am

Weapon: Semi-Automatic Rifle
A bit harsher than I thought, but it's fair. This comic has always suffered from bad pacing in the final issues. That rarely bothers me though. As long as the more current and pressing issues get answers I'll most likely be satisfied.

Is it bad I think that pic of Pharma is swoon worthy? That expression makes my inner fangirl melt. Come tomorrow that will probably change to horror or anger once that photo gets more context :P As usual Milne does an amazing job.

Ty for the review Va'al. Yet another bang up review to whet my appetite :D
User avatar
sabrigami
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 567
News Credits: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:17 am
Location: Ontario, Canada
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 9
Courage: 9
Firepower: 7
Skill: 8

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby ScottyP » Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:01 am

Weapon: Battle Blades
I don't agree with everything here, though a lot of it is dead on point as well. Guess I'll talk more about it tomorrow so I don't accidentally get all spoiler on ya'll ;)
Listen to me ramble about robots on the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast
User avatar
ScottyP
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5559
News Credits: 637
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
Buy from ScottyP on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby 1984forever » Tue Sep 24, 2013 9:55 am

I have one question... Why is Orm calling himself Tyrest?
1984forever
Targetmaster
Posts: 654
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 6:04 am
Location: Brooklyn NY

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Tue Sep 24, 2013 10:51 am

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
ScottyP wrote:I don't agree with everything here, though a lot of it is dead on point as well. Guess I'll talk more about it tomorrow so I don't accidentally get all spoiler on ya'll ;)


Oh, I'm interested to see what you think I got right. :P

I realise I may have been a little harsh, but it's mostly out of conflicting sentiments out of which bitterness prevailed.
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby sabrigami » Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:24 pm

Weapon: Semi-Automatic Rifle
I thought Va'al was being a bit harsh with this review, but now that I've read it I kinda agree with him. I did really enjoy this issue. I think that the part that's holding it back from being amazing is my expectation of it. This issue raises so many questions it really outweighs any resolutions it presents. This was advertised as a conclusion and that's what I expected it to be. there's just so much new unanswered stuff now. it just seems like the beginning of a new ark (which it is I guess) not an ending. this arc needed to be put to rest properly, and then move forward. It was a great read, just not the conclusion I was hoping for. Given time, I will forget what I expected it to be and just enjoy it.
User avatar
sabrigami
Headmaster Jr
Posts: 567
News Credits: 2
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:17 am
Location: Ontario, Canada
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 9
Courage: 9
Firepower: 7
Skill: 8

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Va'al » Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:36 pm

Motto: "Till All Are Pun!"
Yeah, that's the thing. The hype made it to be so much more in terms of resolutions, loose ends, closure and whatnot that the story felt a bit crammed. And as someone mentioned on the IDW boards, the prose piece was actually necessary for some things to be explained, rather than an added bonus.
User avatar
Va'al
God Of Transformers
Posts: 17010
News Credits: 6188
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:00 am
Location: Italy
Buy from Va'al on eBay

Re: IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #21 Preview

Postby Henry921 » Thu Sep 26, 2013 1:12 am

Motto: "All I have to be is exceptional."
Weapon: Battle Blades
Va'al wrote:Yeah, that's the thing. The hype made it to be so much more in terms of resolutions, loose ends, closure and whatnot that the story felt a bit crammed. And as someone mentioned on the IDW boards, the prose piece was actually necessary for some things to be explained, rather than an added bonus.


And don't forget the cop outs:

Oh, Tailgate didn't die! Cyclonus healed him by offering up spark energy from his Great Sword. Wow. That sounds a bit dirty.

And apparently Ambus wore so many layers of armor that he was A-OK mega fine, despite his spark shrinking which was magically fixed by plot convenience Ratchet finding a cure for everything, apparently.

At least Pharma and the Legislators actually died to provide some resolution.

And c'mon, Cyclonus, why do you deny yourself resolution to your ongoing subplot? Well, at least the fake out was fun while it lasted...
User avatar
Henry921
Brainmaster
Posts: 1355
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 11:52 pm
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 4
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 3
Skill: 8


Return to Transformers Cartoons and Comics Forum

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL + ECHO #3 var Marvel Comics 2023 MAY230925 (CA) Wolf (W) Taboo +B Earl"
DAREDEVIL + ECHO # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SHE-HULK #13 var 1:50 Marvel Comics 2023 MAR230861 (CA) Land (W) Rowell"
SHE-HULK #13 var 1 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SHE-HULK #10 var Marvel Comics 2023 OCT221161 (CA) Talaski (W) Rowell"
SHE-HULK #10 var M ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL #11 var 1:50 Elektra Marvel Comics MAR230889 (CA) Chew (W) Zdarsky"
DAREDEVIL #11 var ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SHE-HULK #14 Marvel Comics 2023 APR230840 (CA) Bartel (W) Rowell (A) Genolet"
SHE-HULK #14 Marve ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL #2 var Skrull Marvel Comics 2022 MAY220880 (CA) Woods"
DAREDEVIL #2 var S ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL #1 var foil Marvel Comics 2023 JUN231142 (CA) Lozano (W) Ahmed"
DAREDEVIL #1 var f ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #1 var Marvel Comics 2023 AUG230651 (CA) Young"
SENSATIONAL SHE-HU ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL #2 Marvel Comics 2023 AUG230682 (CA) Romita (W) Ahmed (A) Kuder"
DAREDEVIL #2 Marve ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "GHOST RIDER #15 var Marvel Comics 2023 APR230855 (CA) Hotz (W) Percy (A) Smith"
GHOST RIDER #15 va ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "GHOST RIDER #13 Marvel Comics 2023 FEB230864 (CA) Barends (W) Percy 231222Y"
GHOST RIDER #13 Ma ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DAREDEVIL Woman Without Fear #1 1:25 Marvel Comics 2022 NOV210820 (CA) Romita Jr"
DAREDEVIL Woman Wi ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "MOON KNIGHT #10 Spider-Man Marvel Comics 2022 FEB220997 (CA) Segovia (W) MacKay"
MOON KNIGHT #10 Sp ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "GHOST RIDER #11 var Planet Apes Marvel Comics 2023 NOV220966 (CA) Shalvey"
GHOST RIDER #11 va ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers MPM04 Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Attacker 15 Kramer Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Voyager Class Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Slug" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe Ratchet Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Solus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Bumblebee -- Energon Igniters Nitro Series Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Cyberverse Warrior Class Windblade" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Robots in Disguise Combiner Force Team Combiner Menasor, 8.5-inch" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Robots in Disguise Warrior Class Autobot Ratchet" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Masterpiece MP-21 Bumble Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Titan Master Autobot Stylor and Chromedome" on AMAZON