IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 1:54AM CDT

Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al Views: 47,606

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

Nickel For Your Thoughts
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
RETURN OF THE D.J.D.! A punishment squad created by MEGATRON to hunt down dissidents, turncoats and cowards—no one believes more passionately in the DECEPTICON cause than the D.J.D. So what happens when they discover their founder has joined the Autobots? (Clue: it’s not pretty.)

Ruh-roh

Story

Long after their first introduction in More Than Meets the Eye issues #7-8, their brief if displaced return during #32-34, and as an almost direct follow-up to the latter we catch up with the big bad purple wolves of the Cybertronian race aboard their ship, the Peaceful Tyranny - the Decepticon Justice Division. And things have changed, quite a bit, since we last saw them all together.

Trojka

The issue that James Roberts brings with #39 is a wonderful, if twisted and definitely on the creepy scale, exploration of the truths behind the masks, literal and metaphorical, of the members of the DJD, as we see their downtime between slaughters, and awaiting the possible return of Vos and Helex from the events of issue #34.

The 'personal is political' angle of Tarn in particular comes back to the fore in the issue, though much more different than previously, with some Gorbachev parallels of impeccable internal bureaucracy and the effects of Megatron's defection having significant repercussions on him as a person and Decepticon faction leader.

And then the MTMTEnet imploded

We're also brought to some listed Decepticon characters that are popping up all over the IDWverse (and Seibertron.com, in some ways!), with Deathsaurus and his crew. Plus, the introduction of Nickel, the Winry of the DJD. And that is all I have the time and space to say about her without spoiling the issue. Onwards!

Art

The guest artist for the month in Hayato Sakamoto, who has worked with the TFCC previously, and who channels the trademark Alex Milne style, but definitely adding some of their own sensibilities (and with the collaboration of Phase6 and editor John Barber, one might assumingly add). There are some fantastic expressions for all the characters, from IDW's own to the Japanese G1 loans, and the Super Sentai UFOmaru inspired Nickel that add to this strangely contrasting issue, along with all the gore and terror and house chores.

If looks could kill. A Memoir

What Joana Lafuente brings to the table, of course, with her colours is a sense of cohesion with the wider MTMTE continuity, in terms of both aesthetics and general tone. The darker hues of the undercurrent in the story are perfectly balances by the landscape shots, wider scenes and all the optic glows that the DJD carry with them. And add all that to some great flashback, almost sepia, filters. Bam.

Flashback power

Tom B. Long's work in the issue is fantastic as usual, and I'm running out of ways to point it out. Just turn to later in the issue, to Deathsaurus' ship. See? There. Right there. That. That's mood setting, exemplary pacing and scene delimitation, and gorgeous fonts. On the cover front: If the DJD take the spot on the interiors, they definitely triumph on the variant covers - other than the main Deathsaurus one by Milne and Lafuente - with the glorious Tarn-centric Nick Roche/Josh Burcham collaboration (thumbnail) and the previously revealed Sara Pitre-Durocher Soviet propaganda variant.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

An issue that is going to sit on some very delicate scales for a lot of the readership, for multiple reasons and all equally valid/understandable, but one that, in my view, does a superb work of addressing criticisms of over-the-top powering of the DJD, while playing with established political grounds, franchise and IDW storylines, and set up the beginning of season 2's ending in over 11 issues from now. If anything, it'll generate a lot more talk than it already has.

Not your average reader

The art also perfectly captures the strange contrast and the bathos of the chilling, adorable, touching, emotional, terrifying nature behind what is essentially a bunch of supremacists with a cause, who lose that cause, and find another one within 20 something pages of a comic. I would not recommend missing this story, though the choice is ultimately down to the readers - it's a perfect example of what makes MTMTE, flaws, rough edges, sharp wit and all.

out of

Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

News Search

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Most Recent Transformers News

Legacy Wave 3 Preorders Live

Posted 2 days ago

April Fanstream Confirms Figures Coming to the Studio Series Line plus Comic Edition Leader Straxus

Posted 2 days ago

Early Listings for 2025 Transformers Exclusives Include Ironfist, Carnivac, Sonic Collab and Hearts of Steel Toys

Posted 2 days ago

Click here to post your comment about this news story!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672692)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:00am CDT

You didn't confirm nor deny Vos is a Tears for Fears fan [-(

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672694)
Posted by Va'al on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:05am CDT

SW's SilverHammer wrote:You didn't confirm nor deny Vos is a Tears for Fears fan

He said:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672697)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:20am CDT

Va'al wrote:
SW's SilverHammer wrote:You didn't confirm nor deny Vos is a Tears for Fears fan

He said:

I choose to take that as a yes, on the grounds of default.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672699)
Posted by Va'al on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:24am CDT

*shucks*

James Roberts wrote:@DrFumetts @seibertroncom I don't mean to patronise, and I'm not just saying this cos of the high score, but that was a v perceptive review.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672711)
Posted by Bounti76 on April 8th, 2015 @ 4:03am CDT

Wow. I'm still processing the issue. It was a complete shock to see the DJD act as they did in this issue, because it's never been seen before that they have downtime, and scheduled maintenance. Or performance reviews. Or are so bureaucratic! Or were anything but one-note sadistic killing machines.

And Nickel! Cute as a button, however, her entire civilization wiped out by the Black Block Consortia, and she's the lone survivor. That alone is enough to permanently screw her up psychologically. But then she joins up with the group who rescues her and who also shares an undying hatred of the Consortia, and it's easy to see why she'd ally herself with the Decepticons. I know that her introduction in the previews made her seem cute and funny (and she is), but to develop her character as far more than comic relief with a single sentence gives her so many layers that can last beyond one issue. She has such a tragic backstory. Poor little Nickel :-(

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672720)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 4:57am CDT

So Nickel isn't the mom medic after all, she's just thankful and f**ked in the head.

Tarn, is confirmed as being Roller, not really a spoiler, and I'm super torn about weather or not he's Agent 113, but currently I'm back at thinking that he's not Agent 113 and just a super dedicated Roller.

And damn, he's kinda like Alucard from Hellsing, dude drinks blood like a fine wine.

As for the whole "DJD used to make readers piss their pants", I'm sorry, but this is a comic about giant coloirful alien robots they're about as scary as the Paranormal activity and Exorcist movies.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672737)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on April 8th, 2015 @ 7:23am CDT

I'm still not happy with Nickel.

I should have seen the Brainstorm thing. :-x

Yes, they redeemed themselves somewhat, the DJD, and kudos for Roberts for his twists, I had no doubt something was coming up. I still think that he did rip some of the fear out of the DJD.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672742)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on April 8th, 2015 @ 8:00am CDT

And thus everyone is once again treated to a case of Roberts giving a thoughtful and questioning preview only to be mostly to completely satisfied by the end. Kudos to Roberts: You never disappoint

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672755)
Posted by MrBlack on April 8th, 2015 @ 8:50am CDT

I'm a bit surprised at the reaction to the DJD's depiction in this issue. We have been reading the same book, right? Roberts seems to subscribe to the notion of the banality of evil, and has always tried to humanize (for lack of a better word) his villains. Just because they're murderous psychopaths doesn't mean that they act differently from any other bot when they're "off the clock." I thought this issue did a lot to make the DJD a more three dimensional and believable unit, and I'm glad Roberts avoided making them a simple horror movie cliche.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672768)
Posted by Ironhidensh on April 8th, 2015 @ 9:25am CDT

Tarn vs. Megatron........ Coming soon.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672794)
Posted by pie-man on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:21am CDT

Dead Metal wrote:Tarn, is confirmed as being Roller, not really a spoiler, and I'm super torn about weather or not he's Agent 113, but currently I'm back at thinking that he's not Agent 113 and just a super dedicated Roller.

Just curious, but where is it confirmed that Tarn is Roller? In his flashback, he seesSkids... but nothing else significant to reveal him to be Roller.

I'm thinking that Skids was probably the previous Vos, and possible Agent 113.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672803)
Posted by Optimizzy on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:48am CDT

Ok, I read it this morning and, after reading it, my thoughts on how the issue went can be summed up in this graphic:

0e3.png

Not exactly what I thought it should be, but not really what I thought it was going to be either.

also:Blue Bacchus. That's so awesome.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672805)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:50am CDT

OK so now we have a hint as to why Skids knew The Empyrean Suite, as we see Skids's face (somewhat younger looking than his previous MTMTE appearances if you ask me) in Tarn's Flashback.

He looks in distress, and he has a weird mark on his face. I scrolled in on my comixology page and took this screenshot

Look at that, the mark looks like The Matrix with a black aura (or maybe border?)

So what does this mean? Did Tarn torture Skids? Did Tarn discover that Skids was spying on the DJD (Agent 113) and what does the Matrix mark thing mean?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672807)
Posted by Optimizzy on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:55am CDT

Skids had that mark in Shadowplay. I thought it showed that he was a believer in the Matrix and was religious...or something. I honestly dont know what it means here.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672808)
Posted by pie-man on April 8th, 2015 @ 11:05am CDT

Dead Metal wrote:Look at that, the mark looks like The Matrix with a black aura (or maybe border?)

So what does this mean? Did Tarn torture Skids? Did Tarn discover that Skids was spying on the DJD (Agent 113) and what does the Matrix mark thing mean?

It's definitely a younger Skids, and he had a tattoo of the Matrix on his cheek. I vaguely remember him having that in one of his earlier appearances (timeline-wise), either in the 'Shadowplay' or 'Elegant Chaos' storylines. Can't remember what it means though.... something to do with a cult??

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672826)
Posted by Syn_13 on April 8th, 2015 @ 12:32pm CDT

Yeah, the Skid mark (sorry, just had to) is indicative of a religion he followed. Quote from TFWiki:

"Unlike many others, Transformers from this continuity hold a wide variety of religious reliefs, and the true nature of Cybertronian life remains a mystery into the modern day. The most common deistic belief is in the pantheon known as the Guiding Hand, five aspects of the warrior god Primus, a being conceived in reaction to an unknown 'opposite'. The creation myth known as the "Primal Sacrament" describes how these five gods populated Cybertron before falling in a war amongst themselves, their last remains becoming Vector Sigma, the Matrix of Leadership, and the archetypal brain module and transformation cog. Belief in these gods is known as Primalism Meet the Crew, and Primalists would sometimes wear a 'tattoo' of the Matrix on one cheek as a symbol of their faith. The religious texts known as the "Primal Prophecies" and belief in the Underbase are also associated with Primalism"

As for the issue, I liked it. It was quite cool to see them off the clock, and I for one am happy to see them humanised a little. Humanisation is what it's about for Roberts, and he's big on exploring moral grey areas. I don't mind it detracting from them being killing machines. When in the field they're brutal, and I guess that's often fuelled by their roid rage, but it's their zeal that still makes them fearsome. They're fanatics and they feel completely justified, and that zeal remains with them off the battle field, which is fearsome in itself. I love the idea of smart, articulated villains who are completely in control and at peace with the things they do.

Roberts basically built them up to be fearsome, almost Phase Sixer, type enemies who are just mindless, killing machines and what he's done with this issue is give them a personality. Some may not have wanted that, but I'm glad that we're not just seeing more generic nutjob psycho killers. Also, I liked that it explained why they're all so over-powered. Again, it goes in hand with Roberts' deconstruction of their psychopathic identities that everyone assumed they had (and by everyone I mean readers, as well as characters in the fiction).

Otherwise, I thought the idea of Tarn being incredibly by-the-book and beauratric in his leadership was amusing. It's all about instilling a sense of discipline and organisation, and I do get what Roberts was going for there, even if it's done largely for comedic effect.

I wasn't surprised that Roberts didn't address Agent 113 whatsoever (unless you count the Skids theory). However, I was surprised that he showed Brainstorm contacting the DJD. I did think it was him, after all he's a Decepticon, but I still don't get why Brainstorm would get them involved.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672828)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 12:41pm CDT

Holy crap, I totally forgot about Skids having the Matrix in Shadowplay! I went back and checked, it looked a bit different (missing the black) but it'S there an Optimus points it out.
Then I saw how Roller was in the the same task force, so I payed some more attention. You see, until Optimus points out that SKids has the Matrix tattoo in part 2, you only ever see Skids from the side, from the left side!
And then I noticed that there is one moment in which Skids makes such a face, at such an angle:

There is no denying it now, Roller is Tarn, it also tells us that that's not Tarn remembering a traitor he's about to torture.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672831)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on April 8th, 2015 @ 12:56pm CDT

I don't have a problem with humanization , I've said that from the beginning, it's the way it was introduced, and still, quite frankly, Nickel is still an overused plot device. I think there would be more interesting ways. (Also: Not crazy about romanticizing something that is meant to instill fear)

All of Tarn's talk about organics, there was plenty of opportunity to take a different route in 'humanizing' them. Even still using Nickel.

I know Roberts likes to humanize the characters. That's one thing I love about his writing. Just because they are giant robots from outer space doesn't mean they don't have qualities that we consider 'humanizing' (I mark it up to sentience, even if you aren't human, you can share some qualities, after all, animals can exhibit 'human like' qualities emotionally and even in their societal structures. I consider some things universal rather than human centric, so humanizing Transformers isn't hard to grasp)

Not everyone has the same sort of 'humanization' too, ya know. For instance, most people love a nice sunny day.
I don't. Hate it actually. I prefer cloudy, rainy days. I don't like romantic movies. I hate the color pink (I'm a freaking ray of sunshine, aren't I?). But stereotypically, because I'm a human female, I should like those things.

So that's my point. Why should we humanize the DJD by the stereotypical way that most writers do by showing a contrast? Why should we humanize any character that way?

My opinion is we don't, but that's just my opinion. We all know Roberts is capable of some very beautiful intricacies, I would have really loved to see some non traditional, complex, humanization.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672832)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:02pm CDT

The DJD have been noted to be someone you can reason with though, remember when they picked p first Aid? Tarn had a deal with the Autobot hospital, that he would spare the hospital, its staff and its patients if they supplied him with fresh T-Cogs.

Here's a bit of a thing I did for the Skids flashback

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672834)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:09pm CDT

Dead Metal wrote:The DJD have been noted to be someone you can reason with though, remember when they picked p first Aid? Tarn had a deal with the Autobot hospital, that he would spare the hospital, its staff and its patients if they supplied him with fresh T-Cogs.

Here's a bit of a thing I did for the Skids flashback

So, just because you can reason with someone means they have to have 'normal' lives?
Crap. I gotta change a few aspects of myself :p

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672837)
Posted by Jeen0808 on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:22pm CDT

Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672840)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:44pm CDT

Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

Eh, it still fits the scene and fits the way stuff gets referenced in this series, remember, this is done by a different artist than the previous ones.

A nice little note, Tarn offers Tesaurus innermost Energon, as in the closest to human blood Transformers have in this series. On top of that, he mentions what vintage it is, it's the same "vintage" as Tailgate.
Tarn, is literally casually drinking the blood of the fan-favourite cute cute Autobot of the series.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672841)
Posted by Optimizzy on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:44pm CDT

Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672842)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:45pm CDT

Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

I agree. It's a stretch; a plausible stretch, but still a stretch nonetheless.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672843)
Posted by avidgamer on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:46pm CDT

However, I was surprised that he showed Brainstorm contacting the DJD. I did think it was him, after all he's a Decepticon, but I still don't get why Brainstorm would get them involved.

Crazy theory - in the previous issue(s), Megatron surmised that Brainstorm wanted to be free and clear to attempt his plan. SO, he contacted the DJD the first time, but they slaughtered the crew of the alternate Lost Light. Meanwhile, Brainstorm is still waiting for them to appear, and figures they won't show. So, later, he convinces Chromedome to talk to Overlord, thinking that if Overlord gets free, he'll kill everyone on the ship. When THAT didn't work out, finally, he spikes everyone's drinks.

This would allow him to be free and clear of eliminating anyone who might stop him and he wouldn't have to do it directly (since he's shown to have qualms about killing people by himself).

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672844)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:49pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

That was what I thought it would be, but then there is the Matrix tattoo and the angle fits.
Seriously, check out the two issues, Skids is always shown from the left, and the first time we get to see his full face is when Optimus notices the mini matrix.

The ES, Skids could still have heard it somewhere else, but the main thing I'm saying here, is that the flashback is to establish Tarn as Roller, and not hint at who Agent 113 is.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

I agree. It's a stretch; a plausible stretch, but still a stretch nonetheless.

Go back to the issue, Skids was acting tough, due to what he was doing at the time, Roller interrupted him and stopped him, this could very well be just before the shocked expression in issue 10

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672846)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on April 8th, 2015 @ 1:56pm CDT

Dead Metal wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

That was what I thought it would be, but then there is the Matrix tattoo and the angle fits.
Seriously, check out the two issues, Skids is always shown from the left, and the first time we get to see his full face is when Optimus notices the mini matrix.

The ES, Skids could still have heard it somewhere else, but the main thing I'm saying here, is that the flashback is to establish Tarn as Roller, and not hint at who Agent 113 is.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

I agree. It's a stretch; a plausible stretch, but still a stretch nonetheless.

Go back to the issue, Skids was acting tough, due to what he was doing at the time, Roller interrupted him and stopped him, this could very well be just before the shocked expression in issue 10

Huh, that's a good point. You may be on to something - I guess if you look at it as though the scene was extended for this POV, yeah...

I'm Imagining how it would play out as a TV show as opposed to a static image, and I can see it.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672855)
Posted by pie-man on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:23pm CDT

A couple of things that still confuse me...

Brainstorm contacted Tarn about Overlord, let the DJD into the Lost Light.... but how did he end up getting killed during the slaughter?

And the DJD killed everyone on board the Lost Light... but that happened to be an alternate Lost Light (without Rodimus & Megatron). Now they're going to track down Megs, and look to kill crew of the Lost Light again?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672861)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on April 8th, 2015 @ 2:47pm CDT

pie-man wrote:A couple of things that still confuse me...

Brainstorm contacted Tarn about Overlord, let the DJD into the Lost Light.... but how did he end up getting killed during the slaughter?

Tarn said their intention was to only kill Overlord, but when they saw Drift, they killed him and they got out of control, they killed everyone (One thing lead to another and boom, everyone was dead)

pie-man wrote:And the DJD killed everyone on board the Lost Light... but that happened to be an alternate Lost Light (without Rodimus & Megatron). Now they're going to track down Megs, and look to kill crew of the Lost Light again?

Yes.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672892)
Posted by Dead Metal on April 8th, 2015 @ 4:14pm CDT

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Dead Metal wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

That was what I thought it would be, but then there is the Matrix tattoo and the angle fits.
Seriously, check out the two issues, Skids is always shown from the left, and the first time we get to see his full face is when Optimus notices the mini matrix.

The ES, Skids could still have heard it somewhere else, but the main thing I'm saying here, is that the flashback is to establish Tarn as Roller, and not hint at who Agent 113 is.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

I agree. It's a stretch; a plausible stretch, but still a stretch nonetheless.

Go back to the issue, Skids was acting tough, due to what he was doing at the time, Roller interrupted him and stopped him, this could very well be just before the shocked expression in issue 10

Huh, that's a good point. You may be on to something - I guess if you look at it as though the scene was extended for this POV, yeah...

I'm Imagining how it would play out as a TV show as opposed to a static image, and I can see it.

Yup, it would be cool to see this in the form of a TV show!
I can't wait to get more information.

One thing that just hit me, remember back when we first saw Tarn? Black Shadow said the war is over and that Megatron was dead. Tarn replied that the war is only over once Megatron personally tells the Decepticons that the war is over and to lie down their weapons and badges, and that should Megatron do that the DJD would disband and cease their mission.
Well, what did Tarn do when he heard Megatron say the exact words he said would make him stop? He set himself a new mission to kill for.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672917)
Posted by BATTLEMASTER IIC on April 8th, 2015 @ 5:06pm CDT

Dead Metal wrote:One thing that just hit me, remember back when we first saw Tarn? Black Shadow said the war is over and that Megatron was dead. Tarn replied that the war is only over once Megatron personally tells the Decepticons that the war is over and to lie down their weapons and badges, and that should Megatron do that the DJD would disband and cease their mission.
Well, what did Tarn do when he heard Megatron say the exact words he said would make him stop? He set himself a new mission to kill for.

Not to mention that they killed Whirl on the alternate Lost Light when Megatron ordered all Decepticons to not kill him.

This seems like a huge lapse in continuity.

EDIT: Me and Flashwave posted at about the same time :shock:

That explanation of why the DJD would go after Megatron makes sense.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1672918)
Posted by Flashwave on April 8th, 2015 @ 5:06pm CDT

Dead Metal wrote:
Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Dead Metal wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

That was what I thought it would be, but then there is the Matrix tattoo and the angle fits.
Seriously, check out the two issues, Skids is always shown from the left, and the first time we get to see his full face is when Optimus notices the mini matrix.

The ES, Skids could still have heard it somewhere else, but the main thing I'm saying here, is that the flashback is to establish Tarn as Roller, and not hint at who Agent 113 is.

Nemesis Maximo wrote:
Jeen0808 wrote:Looks more "angry" than "shocked" in #39.

I agree. It's a stretch; a plausible stretch, but still a stretch nonetheless.

Go back to the issue, Skids was acting tough, due to what he was doing at the time, Roller interrupted him and stopped him, this could very well be just before the shocked expression in issue 10

Huh, that's a good point. You may be on to something - I guess if you look at it as though the scene was extended for this POV, yeah...

I'm Imagining how it would play out as a TV show as opposed to a static image, and I can see it.

Yup, it would be cool to see this in the form of a TV show!
I can't wait to get more information.

One thing that just hit me, remember back when we first saw Tarn? Black Shadow said the war is over and that Megatron was dead. Tarn replied that the war is only over once Megatron personally tells the Decepticons that the war is over and to lie down their weapons and badges, and that should Megatron do that the DJD would disband and cease their mission.
Well, what did Tarn do when he heard Megatron say the exact words he said would make him stop? He set himself a new mission to kill for.

You are absolutely rigbt, and this sets up an interesting possibility for the DJD doing exactly what they hunt others down for, defying the Decwpticon cause in the name of the Decwpticon cause. But, I think theres two differences here. 1) Tarn is not looking past the Autbot logo on Megs' abdomen. In his eyes, defection is not the same as giving up or ceasing hostilities. 2) as a fanatic, i doubt the concept of Megatron losing is something he is prepred to grasp. In his mind, the only way Megatron would put down his fusion cannon, would be if every opponent was dead and Cybertron was his.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673012)
Posted by Umbra on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:30pm CDT

Very nice issue, and it brings a large new cast for possible toys, since they seem to like pulling from the comics. I'm now hoping for a Tarn figure, which seems like they could easily release as Roller as well

I will be upset though if that is really all their is to Brainstorm's decepticon story. I am still hoping for another twist, such as he forged the logo as he thought DJD were the only ones who could stop Overlord

Can anyone help out and identify notable people in Deathsaurus' crew?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673013)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on April 8th, 2015 @ 10:37pm CDT

I doubt that about Brainstorm, Umbra. He would've brought that up when the Crew said it.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673019)
Posted by Flashwave on April 8th, 2015 @ 11:42pm CDT

Umbra wrote:Very nice issue, and it brings a large new cast for possible toys, since they seem to like pulling from the comics. I'm now hoping for a Tarn figure, which seems like they could easily release as Roller as well

I will be upset though if that is really all their is to Brainstorm's decepticon story. I am still hoping for another twist, such as he forged the logo as he thought DJD were the only ones who could stop Overlord

Can anyone help out and identify notable people in Deathsaurus' crew?

There is another twist coming though, because Brainstorm says "Do not kill anyone else. I mean it, if you do, you'll blow my cover, and I'm close to The Jackpot."

So who, or what is the Jackpot? (Unless its the time machine, but we have no reason to think that had anything to do with the Cecepticon plo, especially since he was going to kill Tarn's idol.) The mass illing was before Megs' defection, or at least before Megs was known, and Drift was hardly a prize.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673035)
Posted by pie-man on April 9th, 2015 @ 1:25am CDT

Flashwave wrote:So who, or what is the Jackpot? (Unless its the time machine, but we have no reason to think that had anything to do with the Cecepticon plo, especially since he was going to kill Tarn's idol.) The mass illing was before Megs' defection, or at least before Megs was known, and Drift was hardly a prize.

Can't help giggling here, but there *is* a Lost Light crew member called Jackpot!!!

Though I seriously doubt that Brainstorm is referring to him. I did wonder about his statement, but I thought that it was the time machine he was referring to.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673046)
Posted by Va'al on April 9th, 2015 @ 1:57am CDT

Umbra wrote:Very nice issue, and it brings a large new cast for possible toys, since they seem to like pulling from the comics. I'm now hoping for a Tarn figure, which seems like they could easily release as Roller as well

I will be upset though if that is really all their is to Brainstorm's decepticon story. I am still hoping for another twist, such as he forged the logo as he thought DJD were the only ones who could stop Overlord

Can anyone help out and identify notable people in Deathsaurus' crew?

Via TFWiki:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673053)
Posted by Sagitta on April 9th, 2015 @ 2:22am CDT

Optimizzy wrote:Remember skids had a memory of the empyrean suite? Tarn plays that when he interrogates his victims. That flashback might be revealing something different than roller meeting skids.

Go back issue 8#. Chromedome does use his talents on Skids mentioning he sees some of his memories as well as why they were psychologically and mentally blotted out. It's a basic internal self-defence mechanism. When something so traumatic occurs the individual subconsciously buries the memories.

I highly doubt the "Duo Blaster" (or whatever Brainstorm called the gun) had anything to do with that. From what I recall the messed up memories were before Skids and Getaway had that assignment from Prowl.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673093)
Posted by Umbra on April 9th, 2015 @ 7:27am CDT

Va'al wrote:
Umbra wrote:
Can anyone help out and identify notable people in Deathsaurus' crew?

Via TFWiki:

Thanks a bunch, that is definitely a part of the Transformers universe I'm not terribly familiar with. I was looking through the new Liokaiser gallery though and realizing between current and expected combiner wars figures (aerialbots, brawl, nosecone) it seems like they could pull off a version of it. Maybe a future club/con figure set.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673159)
Posted by MrBlack on April 9th, 2015 @ 10:25am CDT

avidgamer wrote:
However, I was surprised that he showed Brainstorm contacting the DJD. I did think it was him, after all he's a Decepticon, but I still don't get why Brainstorm would get them involved.

Crazy theory - in the previous issue(s), Megatron surmised that Brainstorm wanted to be free and clear to attempt his plan. SO, he contacted the DJD the first time, but they slaughtered the crew of the alternate Lost Light. Meanwhile, Brainstorm is still waiting for them to appear, and figures they won't show. So, later, he convinces Chromedome to talk to Overlord, thinking that if Overlord gets free, he'll kill everyone on the ship. When THAT didn't work out, finally, he spikes everyone's drinks.

This would allow him to be free and clear of eliminating anyone who might stop him and he wouldn't have to do it directly (since he's shown to have qualms about killing people by himself).

Well, back in #33, we learned that Drift publicly admitted that Overlord was on board the Lost Light after Rodimus was killed. Brainstorm may not have wanted that to be publicly known. As long as he was in charge of building an Autobot Phase Sixer, he could control the process and prevent the Autobots from making any headway. With the crew now knowing that Overlord was on board, his work would come under more scrutiny, at the very least, and he could be taken off the project due to his role in the cover-up. Thus, he called the DJD to take Overlord out before the Autobots could figure out his secrets.

This scenario never happened on board the off-course Lost Light. Overlord's status was secret until his breakout, and when he was blown up there was no longer any point to keeping the investigation secret.

As to the question below of the "Jackpot" that Brainstorm mentioned to the DJD, I assumed that the Decepticons were aware, to some degree, of his time machine research. They probably wanted him to take out Orion Pax, while Brainstorm clearly had his own reasons for creating the tech.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673162)
Posted by MrBlack on April 9th, 2015 @ 10:29am CDT

Dead Metal wrote:Holy crap, I totally forgot about Skids having the Matrix in Shadowplay! I went back and checked, it looked a bit different (missing the black) but it'S there an Optimus points it out.
Then I saw how Roller was in the the same task force, so I payed some more attention. You see, until Optimus points out that SKids has the Matrix tattoo in part 2, you only ever see Skids from the side, from the left side!
And then I noticed that there is one moment in which Skids makes such a face, at such an angle:

There is no denying it now, Roller is Tarn, it also tells us that that's not Tarn remembering a traitor he's about to torture.

I don't think that's the same scene we saw in that issue. Skids looks worse for wear in #39, which is not the case in this scene, and the expressions in both scenes are also different. It's possible Tarn is remembering something from the time the two spent together under Pax's command, but given the other hint's we've gotten (Skids' amnesia, except for the Empyrean Suite), it seems likely that the image from #39 is from some point after Roller became Tarn (a theory I am more convinced is correct than ever).

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1673274)
Posted by ebonyleopard on April 9th, 2015 @ 3:54pm CDT

I swear, reading the forums makes me feel like a TF rookie. I've read every single issue, yet every time I come to the forums you guys manage to point out stuff in the story or in an image that I completely over look or forget about. It's like reading comments typed by an army of Nightbeats.

Well done.

Also, I know I'm not the only one who's now hoping Hasbro or some third party gives us a Nickel toy. What an awesome name for a female bot (sounds like a robot version of Nicole. )

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1676113)
Posted by Va'al on April 16th, 2015 @ 2:58pm CDT

Some Roberts stuff.

Okay, so it's been two weeks and I promised to answer some questions about Nickel. So here goes.
I wrote #39 thinking that Alex would be drawing it.
I write *every* issue thinking Alex will be drawing it. When we have a guest artist, it's usually decided once the script has been handed in
Before writing #39 I already had in my mind a very specific 'look' for Nickel: she was to be an androgynous Minibot with a retro, '50s vibe.
I wanted more female TFs in MTMTE and I in particular wanted a female Decepticon, so... Nickel. #NoBrainer
The 50s retro vibe is evident, I think, in the head design. She turns into a rocket/car which looks '50s Cold War'. You'll see it eventually. When you see Nickel again she might be a different color, or have highlights: she was originally silver and chrome, per the retro look. In the script (written with Alex in mind), in addition to the aforementioned design cues, I asked for lightbulb fingertips and a rocket pack. Ultimately it was Hayato Sakamoto who was given #39 to draw. He sketched 3 versions of Nickel, all excellent. I chose elements of each.

Until #39, all you'd seen, very deliberately, was the 'front facing' DJD. As readers, you knew them principally by their reputation. Where was I? Right, the DJD. Prior to #39 you knew them by their reputation + when you saw them in action, it was through the eyes of others. I didn't want to show any behind-the-scenes stuff until #39, the 'Spotlight: Tarn' issue. The intention was always to build to a contrast between the 'outward' and 'inward' DJD. The DJD were never going to be utterly murderous, terrifying, super-evil monsters 24/7, because who is like that, really? But given that, as readers, you weren't afforded a privileged 'off-stage' glimpse into their lives until #39, but instead saw them as the 'in universe' characters did, of course based on the info given you're gonna assume they're 100% awful - everyone 'in universe' does.
None of which is to say that the DJD *aren't* truly appalling creatures. They are! The things they do are AWFUL. Is that incompatible with their behaviour towards each other when in private? In my mind, no. Was #39 my attempt to belatedly 'humanise' the DJD because I'd made them TOO awful? No. But it was about making them less 1D, albeit that for plot purposes to date, 1D is what they needed to be.
NB: Not One Direction.
Do I think Nickel is cute? No. She's a foul-mouthed and quite possibly traumatised genocide survivor who facilitates torture and death. Do I object to people finding her cute? Course not. What you think of her is up to you!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1676361)
Posted by MrBlack on April 17th, 2015 @ 8:12am CDT

In Roberts we trust. That was a wonderful explanation.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1678016)
Posted by MrBlack on April 22nd, 2015 @ 5:26pm CDT

Oh man, page 7, look at what is in Tarn's drink. :shock:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1678022)
Posted by Va'al on April 22nd, 2015 @ 5:31pm CDT

YES. I knew I saw it, but forgot about it until now! Good catch!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1678143)
Posted by Flashwave on April 23rd, 2015 @ 1:51am CDT

Va'al wrote:YES. I knew I saw it, but forgot about it until now! Good catch!

Tarn has a bendy straw, (Tailgate??? :lol:

)but the other glass's swirl pattern looks like a Kremzeek, or is it just me?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #39 Review (1716438)
Posted by Va'al on August 7th, 2015 @ 3:51pm CDT

As is usual for a Friday evening in the UK (?), IDW writer James Roberts is feeling generous, and has shared with his Twitter followers the original Hayato Sakamoto designs for Nickel, the last of her kind who joins the DJD in Transformers More Than Meets The Eye #39. Refresh your memory about the issue with our review here, and check out the mirrored image below!