IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015 7:31AM CDT

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Posted by: Va'al Views: 37,321

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Combiner Whaaa?
(Spoiler free-ish)

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

Could it be Swindle?

Story

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

But am in two minds..

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

Think of the press!

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

AND PUNCHING

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

Art

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

Not Very Optimist Maximus

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

In yo FACE

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

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

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

Me too, buddy

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

- out of

Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696705)
Posted by MrBlack on June 10th, 2015 @ 8:30am CDT

I'm on board with that review.

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696707)
Posted by Va'al on June 10th, 2015 @ 8:35am CDT

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696708)
Posted by Randomhero on June 10th, 2015 @ 8:36am CDT

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696716)
Posted by Alpha Dominus on June 10th, 2015 @ 9:14am CDT

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696721)
Posted by Henry921 on June 10th, 2015 @ 9:18am CDT

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

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696728)
Posted by megatronus on June 10th, 2015 @ 9:35am CDT

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

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

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696735)
Posted by MrBlack on June 10th, 2015 @ 10:15am CDT

Henry921 wrote:
Va'al wrote:I know, it just feels.. both short and rushed, while also drawn out. Strange.

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

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696766)
Posted by Munkky on June 10th, 2015 @ 11:18am CDT

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696777)
Posted by Super Megatron on June 10th, 2015 @ 12:26pm CDT

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696785)
Posted by King Kuuga on June 10th, 2015 @ 12:54pm CDT

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

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

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

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696786)
Posted by Genericon #378 on June 10th, 2015 @ 12:55pm CDT

Seriously IDW? What the hell were you thinking?! Killing Swindle? Ian's replacing him with some generic? :BOOM:

And don't think about asking why I'm not complaining about Slingshot and Wildrider being replaced, because I'll tell you why right now: those two were nobodies. Swindle is freakin' SWINDLE! He's the guy that sells you parts and other stuff for a really "great" price.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696793)
Posted by bluecatcinema on June 10th, 2015 @ 1:13pm CDT

Genericon #378 wrote:Seriously IDW? What the hell were you thinking?! Killing Swindle? Ian's replacing him with some generic? And don't think about asking why I'm not complaining about Slingshot and Wildrider being replaced, because I'll tell you why right now: those two were nobodies. Swindle is freakin' SWINDLE! He's the guy that sells you parts and other stuff for a really "great" price.

I can't help but wonder what this means for the rumored Combaticon set. Will Swindle be replaced by some other 'con?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696799)
Posted by King Kuuga on June 10th, 2015 @ 1:32pm CDT

As long as the actual Combiner Wars storyline is over, they don't care about tieing the toys in so closely. We'll probably get a full Bruticus, just like we're getting a full Devastator.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696801)
Posted by CaptainMagic on June 10th, 2015 @ 1:33pm CDT

Does it seem to anyone else that this story, which exists solely to support the CW toyline, totally fails to sell the combiners effectively? No media that I'm aware of has ever done a very good job of selling the mix and match aspect of combiners, but this story is actively discouraging it by having Superion state that Optimus Maximus doesn't exist without Prowl.

I really want to see the fiction latch on to the ability to use anyone as a limb and basically give all of the torsos Galvatronus's ability to force any bot to combine with them. I think the combiner side of the story would have been stronger with an angle like that, because it would encourage separating the combiners back into individual bots from time to time and they could play around with the idea of having bots suddenly be forced to fight against their own side, kind of like Fixit being that combiner's arm in the new RiD cartoon.

Still though, I'm excited to see the colonies and I think the main story is still going pretty strong. I just wish they would have done a better job of integrating the combiner stuff.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696802)
Posted by Gearslide on June 10th, 2015 @ 1:35pm CDT

Genericon #378 wrote:Seriously IDW? What the hell were you thinking?! Killing Swindle? Ian's replacing him with some generic? And don't think about asking why I'm not complaining about Slingshot and Wildrider being replaced, because I'll tell you why right now: those two were nobodies. Swindle is freakin' SWINDLE! He's the guy that sells you parts and other stuff for a really "great" price.

Did you read the comic? Because that rant makes it seem like you didn't read the comic. Unless you don't understand that Rattrap is known to lie and Swindle is known to act.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696807)
Posted by King Kuuga on June 10th, 2015 @ 1:39pm CDT

CaptainMagic wrote:Does it seem to anyone else that this story, which exists solely to support the CW toyline, totally fails to sell the combiners effectively? No media that I'm aware of has ever done a very good job of selling the mix and match aspect of combiners, but this story is actively discouraging it by having Superion state that Optimus Maximus doesn't exist without Prowl.

I really want to see the fiction latch on to the ability to use anyone as a limb and basically give all of the torsos Galvatronus's ability to force any bot to combine with them. I think the combiner side of the story would have been stronger with an angle like that, because it would encourage separating the combiners back into individual bots from time to time and they could play around with the idea of having bots suddenly be forced to fight against their own side, kind of like Fixit being that combiner's arm in the new RiD cartoon.

I agree. Scramble City has been woefully undersold since.... pretty much always. Make a story about combiners switching limbs and how it impacts their combined personality. We got a little of that with Scoopastator but, ironically, Devastator is the only toy of the five combiners featured that DOESN'T have the ability to mix and match. Imagine if Prowl had bonded with Superion, or even Menasor. What if Defensor got both Alpha Bravo and Blades. There's a world of possibilities that deserve exploring.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696810)
Posted by TGS1985 on June 10th, 2015 @ 2:01pm CDT

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

I have to overall agree. It's not that Howell's art isn't good (it is good), it's just her style didn't seem to be a good fit. I see the similarities between her and Stone but where as Stone's was very animated when it comes to facial expressions and whatnot, Howell's is just overall cartoony. In fact her work reminds me a lot of the early Archie TMNT comics. So having said that, I would love to see her work on some less serious MTMTE oneshots in the future. But as what I assumed was an emergency/unplanned replacement for Stone, I think we could of ended up with a lot worse.

Super Megatron wrote:

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

I didn't take that scene as an "Emo Optimus" but more as a powered downed Optimus Maximus as he struggles to communicate internally with Prowl after just becoming an combiner for the first time.

Gearslide wrote:
Genericon #378 wrote:Seriously IDW? What the hell were you thinking?! Killing Swindle? Ian's replacing him with some generic? And don't think about asking why I'm not complaining about Slingshot and Wildrider being replaced, because I'll tell you why right now: those two were nobodies. Swindle is freakin' SWINDLE! He's the guy that sells you parts and other stuff for a really "great" price.

Did you read the comic? Because that rant makes it seem like you didn't read the comic. Unless you don't understand that Rattrap is known to lie and Swindle is known to act.

EXACTLY. I was worried Swindle was actually going to be killed off for good until Rattrap of all bots was the one and ONLY one to "confirm" his death. If anything that right there tells me that Swindle WILL be back.

CaptainMagic wrote:Does it seem to anyone else that this story, which exists solely to support the CW toyline, totally fails to sell the combiners effectively? No media that I'm aware of has ever done a very good job of selling the mix and match aspect of combiners, but this story is actively discouraging it by having Superion state that Optimus Maximus doesn't exist without Prowl.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696837)
Posted by CaptainMagic on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:09pm CDT

CaptainMagic wrote:Does it seem to anyone else that this story, which exists solely to support the CW toyline, totally fails to sell the combiners effectively? No media that I'm aware of has ever done a very good job of selling the mix and match aspect of combiners, but this story is actively discouraging it by having Superion state that Optimus Maximus doesn't exist without Prowl.

All I can say is that for me personally as an non-serious collector I never really found myself thinking to myself, "Man maybe I should throw some $$ down on these things." Actually I take that back, I am really interested in Generations Magnus... but that's solely thanks to the entirety of MTMTE. Then of course there's Devastator, which I totally realize is targeted to the hardcore collector. As an outsider looking in at the end of it all it just felt like Hasbro tried way too hard to sell the concept.[/quote]

Good point. The combiners, and by extension the whole event, seem like they were rushed into the story before the writers were really ready for them, and then they don't even inspire people to go buy the toys. I think that you're right in that it feels like they're trying to push the concept too much, but even worse than that I think they're pushing the wrong angle on the concept, hence my lament that they don't mention the mix and match idea at all.

Your point about Magnus is also a good indicator of what's wrong with this event. We've had a few years now to get to know Magnus and we've seen him in so many different situations that almost everyone should have been able to find a reason to like him by now. CW expects us to grow that same sort of attachment with five issues of the combiners doing nothing other than beating the crap out of each other. The only characters that I really found myself connecting with were ones that are already out of stores or don't have toys yet (Rattrap, Swindle, and that's actually it). It's a shame too because the comic formerly known as RiD has been doing such great things with characterization post-Dark Cybertron. Hopefully we get back to that now that CW is over.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696838)
Posted by Bounti76 on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:13pm CDT

Am I the only one who is completely creeped out by Elita One in this issue? That weird smile, broken helmet, sitting on a chair/throne made out of Transformer corpses? I'm creeped out, but curious how this version of Elita will turn out.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696844)
Posted by budmaloney on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:21pm CDT

I didn't like this comic that much. It wasn't the art. I prefer this Animated cartoon feel. It felt like went by too fast and dragged on forever like you mentioned in the review. Kind of like Dragon ball Z. This whole series was lots of teasing and pretty much "drifting" in pacific rim is their inspiration for combining. Not a fan of Optimus combining. Bigger doesn't always mean better in this case.

Nice to see all the new colonies though

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696859)
Posted by TGS1985 on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:44pm CDT

CaptainMagic wrote:Good point. The combiners, and by extension the whole event, seem like they were rushed into the story before the writers were really ready for them, and then they don't even inspire people to go buy the toys. I think that you're right in that it feels like they're trying to push the concept too much, but even worse than that I think they're pushing the wrong angle on the concept, hence my lament that they don't mention the mix and match idea at all.

Your point about Magnus is also a good indicator of what's wrong with this event. We've had a few years now to get to know Magnus and we've seen him in so many different situations that almost everyone should have been able to find a reason to like him by now. CW expects us to grow that same sort of attachment with five issues of the combiners doing nothing other than beating the crap out of each other. The only characters that I really found myself connecting with were ones that are already out of stores or don't have toys yet (Rattrap, Swindle, and that's actually it). It's a shame too because the comic formerly known as RiD has been doing such great things with characterization post-Dark Cybertron. Hopefully we get back to that now that CW is over.

Exactly, I wish they had focus on making sure the writers where able to write a great story as a way of selling the products rather than have the focus be mainly on product placement. But then again I'm sure new collectors wasn't their key target, kids and hard cores were.

Bounti76 wrote:Am I the only one who is completely creeped out by Elita One in this issue? That weird smile, broken helmet, sitting on a chair/throne made out of Transformer corpses? I'm creeped out, but curious how this version of Elita will turn out.

That was quite the nice surprise. But it's even creepier than that, because if you take a second look even the floor is made out of transformers, or at the very least their faces. Overall that whole scene with Elita gave off a cultist/obsessive girlfriend vibe to it. I get the feeling that they're setting up Elita-One to be the polar opposite of the Mistress of the Flame in regards to Optimus Prime.

budmaloney wrote:Not a fan of Optimus combining. Bigger doesn't always mean better in this case.

Which is why I'm thankful that they set it up to be a one time deal.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696864)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:53pm CDT

That Bot wrote:As long as the actual Combiner Wars storyline is over, they don't care about tieing the toys in so closely. We'll probably get a full Bruticus, just like we're getting a full Devastator.

There were rumors going around that the full and proper Bruticus was coming out. A walmart listing I believe showed that all 4 regular limbs are being used, and it has even been theorized here that Swindle is a retool of Offroad. He'll still be there when Bruticus comes out, pretty sure if the listing is to be believed.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696866)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 10th, 2015 @ 3:58pm CDT

Super Megatron wrote:

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

I took this as an internal fight between Optimus Maximus's components, not Optimus Primes personality. He had pretty well abandoned it since Dark Cybertron chapter 8, so I do think that is "Self-pity/emo"

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696922)
Posted by Deadput on June 10th, 2015 @ 5:53pm CDT

Didn't know this was Transformers Animated!

Wait its not?

Who approved this art seriously? (It's not bad art just really out of place in a Transformers story especially after switching from a very different one)

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696923)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on June 10th, 2015 @ 5:54pm CDT

Va'al wrote:

Think of the press!

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696941)
Posted by Optimizzy on June 10th, 2015 @ 7:12pm CDT

I just read this and...had this thought. The head behind Elitakinda reminded me of someone. The fallen/ Megatronus? maybe??

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696947)
Posted by Optimizzy on June 10th, 2015 @ 7:18pm CDT

as for the complaints of the story being muddled. I totally agree, it seems rushed really but you know what? All its supposed to do is to lead us up to the next issue. Nothing is going to get too resolved really. But I do think it needed another issue.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696949)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 10th, 2015 @ 7:21pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:as for the complaints of the story being muddled. I totally agree, it seems rushed really but you know what? All its supposed to do is to lead us up to the next issue. Nothing is going to get too resolved really. But I do think it needed another issue.

Agreed. Hopefully the "Aftermath" comics fix this up a bit better and the "Combiner Hunters" comic does good too.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1696959)
Posted by TGS1985 on June 10th, 2015 @ 7:45pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:I just read this and...had this thought. The head behind Elitakinda reminded me of someone. The fallen/ Megatronus? maybe??

I thought it was suppose to be a reference to Optimus Prime, considering the history the two traditionally have had.

But on second thought I guess it wouldn't make must sense to have a bunch of real transformers parts making a throne just to put a fake head on it...

Also I just realized the following... That throne is more than likely a reference to Game of Thrones, in which case I have to wonder (not a GoT spoiler)are we going to end up seeing a brutal Cersei-One or a benevolent Elita-Daenerys? Hmmmm...

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1697130)
Posted by MrBlack on June 11th, 2015 @ 6:00am CDT

Super Megatron wrote:

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

Except that the next panel shows that it is PROWL attempting to get Optimus to buy into his own personal philosophy.

Optimus has been anything but mopey since Dark Cybertron.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1697146)
Posted by MemphisR56 on June 11th, 2015 @ 7:38am CDT

Is Sarah Stone ill?

I've been following her tumblr and she's not updated it at all since she posted up the designs for the camiens in CW Part 1. With her suddenly being replaced with Corin, I'm starting to get a bit worried.

Anybody know anything?

EDIT: Her twitter has been dead since november too,

but there are a few tweets about her being really behind and struggling with artist block.

Was she maybe "let go"? :shock:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1697166)
Posted by Optimizzy on June 11th, 2015 @ 8:33am CDT

MemphisR56 wrote:Is Sarah Stone ill?

I've been following her tumblr and she's not updated it at all since she posted up the designs for the camiens in CW Part 1. With her suddenly being replaced with Corin, I'm starting to get a bit worried.

Anybody know anything?

EDIT: Her twitter has been dead since november too,

but there are a few tweets about her being really behind and struggling with artist block.

Was she maybe "let go"?

That would be unfortunate. She is very talented. However, I don't think she had a great deal of comic experience? Maybe it was too much for her? She's a talented artist and maybe the deadlines hampered her creativity? I hope not but if so, I wish her well and maybe they can get her to do some awesome covers.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1698605)
Posted by ZeroWolf on June 15th, 2015 @ 7:38am CDT

I have to say, I'm feeling a bit deflated with the ending for this event. As others have said it seemed pushed this direction by their strong collaboration with hasbro. Unless future issues can make up for these turn of events then a lot of character potential has been lost (okay, mainly talking prowl here).

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1698635)
Posted by Va'al on June 15th, 2015 @ 9:15am CDT

Do not lose hope. The Transformers #42 is all that CW's ending was not, in my opinion. So wait for that one this week!

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1699220)
Posted by King Kuuga on June 16th, 2015 @ 2:02pm CDT

Do you have early access or something?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1699224)
Posted by Va'al on June 16th, 2015 @ 2:14pm CDT

That Bot wrote:Do you have early access or something?

I have access to review material, usually on the Friday/Saturday prior to release date (Wednesday).

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1699238)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on June 16th, 2015 @ 3:02pm CDT

Va'al wrote:
That Bot wrote:Do you have early access or something?

I have access to review material, usually on the Friday/Saturday prior to release date (Wednesday).

Okay, so just so I have the schedule, Wednesday the 17th is The combiner wars epilogue, then the 24th is this issue of windblade; where dose "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times" MTMTE #42 fit in? was that delayed? If son, are we gonna get a double dose of MTMTE with swerve's novel and Cyclonus's pretty holomatter avatar?

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1699249)
Posted by Va'al on June 16th, 2015 @ 3:40pm CDT

No idea. I only have releases on the Friday for the Wednesday, not the full schedule!

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1699473)
Posted by TGS1985 on June 17th, 2015 @ 11:06am CDT

Va'al wrote:Do not lose hope. The Transformers #42 is all that CW's ending was not, in my opinion. So wait for that one this week!

Man you weren't kidding. Had to be one of the best issues I've read in a while.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706100)
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2015 @ 9:04am CDT

While IDW Publishing's The Transformers and Windblade series have started exploring the aftermath of Combiner Wars, the upcoming one-shot Combiner Hunters goes a little bit further - and you can check out the iTunes three-page preview below too, featuring Arcee, Chromia and Windblade in their SDCC colours drawn by Sara Pitre-Durocher!

COMBINER WARS FALLOUT! Because you demanded it—WINDBLADE and CHROMIA team up with ARCEE to put an end to the menace of the COMBINER WARS—but will they end each other first?!

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706128)
Posted by Sir Soundwave42 on July 4th, 2015 @ 11:24am CDT

It looks like Ironhide is still using his WFC/FOC body and kinda upsets me that we never got a FOC Ironhide/Ratchet mold.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706176)
Posted by zwann on July 4th, 2015 @ 6:03pm CDT

I gotta say, I don't like this look of Arcee being a badass. Her design back in G1 movie was as a stereotype female character. Her design lacks this certain x factor.

Couldn't they just work with Prime-verse's Arcee look to the main continuity? Prime-verse's Arcee has the sleek look, and a battle ready design.

Arcee here, I just don't like her G1-like design which strike to me as a pacifist bot. I always found this look to be more of a caretaker bot, rather than a badass killing machine. The black repaint doesn't do much, that and her toy's body proportion compared to Chromia and Windblade.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706187)
Posted by CrankyOldTruck on July 4th, 2015 @ 6:52pm CDT

zwann wrote:I gotta say, I don't like this look of Arcee being a badass. Her design back in G1 movie was as a stereotype female character. Her design lacks this certain x factor.

Couldn't they just work with Prime-verse's Arcee look to the main continuity? Prime-verse's Arcee has the sleek look, and a battle ready design.

Arcee here, I just don't like her G1-like design which strike to me as a pacifist bot. I always found this look to be more of a caretaker bot, rather than a badass killing machine. The black repaint doesn't do much, that and her toy's body proportion compared to Chromia and Windblade.

So you're saying something has to LOOK bad-ass to be lethal? That's funny because I happen to be the skinniest, most unassuming looking amongst all my friends and yet when the **** hits the fan, they all stand behind me because I'm the fastest, most precise and powerful fighter of all of us. I'm trained in the martial arts and proficient with 6 of the nastiest silent weapons to ever devastate a human body.
From my POV, having Arcee look unassuming and matronly is EXACTLY what you need in a deadly assassin bot. You can't really get close to your target if you are bristling with cannons and blades and 5 times larger than life. Kinda paints a big ol' bulls-eye on ones chest and fairly screams "Here comes the Death Squad! You better run!"

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706192)
Posted by Optimizzy on July 4th, 2015 @ 7:31pm CDT

Ok. After the first panel...I'm ok with this. More one shots please.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706203)
Posted by Henry921 on July 4th, 2015 @ 8:42pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:Ok. After the first panel...I'm ok with this. More one shots please.

As long as it gets collected in a TPB too. Punishment looks so awkward just sliding in between my RID volumes.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706244)
Posted by Bounti76 on July 5th, 2015 @ 3:30am CDT

Looks good so far.

And I wish Pitre-DuRocher could be permanent artist on Windblade. Howell's work (to me), is far too cartoonish and silly looking for serious storylines. Yes, P-D's bots are drawn a touch too toyetically correct, but they have a realness to them that Howell's don't.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706790)
Posted by TGS1985 on July 6th, 2015 @ 7:18pm CDT

Ironhide, "I think it looks nice."
Chromia, "Shut up!"

Please you two. You could cut the... whatever you'd call that type of tension, with a energon knife.

Kidding aside, I enjoyed the sample of writing (never would I have imagined "sitting-box" as an analogy for "ass") and I'm digging the artwork also. I wouldn't mind Sara Pitre-Durocher on the Windblade series to be perfectly honest.

Other than that, knowing that Chromia's new look is city speaker influenced (which now knowing that it seems obvious) I kind of want her Combiner Hunter figure more now.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1706904)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 7th, 2015 @ 9:39am CDT

I'm excited. This looks cool. "did you really think it would be that easy" :lol:

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review (1724998)
Posted by Va'al on September 9th, 2015 @ 8:32am CDT

Did you miss the monthly releases during the IDW Publishing Combiner Wars crossover? Were you waiting for the trades? Would you rather have them digitally, and at a cheaper price? ComiXology is here to help, with a sale on the two volumes that make up the Combiner Wars event in the current IDW Transformers universe! Collecting The Transformers #33-38 (First Strike) and #39-41 plus Windblade #1-3 (Combiner Wars), the two trades can be purchased at half the price until September 14th - head over here to digitally purchase and catch up now!