misfire19d wrote:Va'al wrote:Targetmaster Kup wrote:That coloring on the B Covers is horrendous!
How so?
SEALIONING
Nah, actual curiosity! I really like Burcham's colours, and was wondering what made you dislike them.
misfire19d wrote:Va'al wrote:Targetmaster Kup wrote:That coloring on the B Covers is horrendous!
How so?
SEALIONING
Maybe it's just the Lee Sullivan homage in general not getting through? Marvel UK is still practically a lost antiquity to many fans.Va'al wrote:misfire19d wrote:Va'al wrote:Targetmaster Kup wrote:That coloring on the B Covers is horrendous!
How so?
SEALIONING
Nah, actual curiosity! I really like Burcham's colours, and was wondering what made you dislike them.
Rodimus Prime wrote:Yes, it is. In my opinion the quality of the story is what determines the quality of the writer. Of course, writers can write good and bad stories, their entire body of work is what they should be judged on. And that's where I can't let Roberts have a pass. I have the entire run of MTMTE and I find it to be decent. It has good parts and boring parts. It was better toward the beginning, and seemed to get progressively worse, and ended with a disappointing arc. (Dying of the Light was atrocious, considering how good it could have been.) This is a trend that seems to be carried into Lost Light, and the lack of proper editorial supervision only highlights it more. Now, I understand that Roberts didn't start writing with MTMTE, but that's where the reboot occurs, so that's where I begin my evaluation. I should also clarify something else: I should specify that I don't think Roberts is a good comic writer. Maybe he's much better at other types of fiction. And again, all of this is just my opinion based on my history of being an avid reader of all forms of written literature. I wasn't trying to tell Ironhidensh that he shouldn't like Roberts just because I don't. If it came off that way, my mistake.ZeroWolf wrote:But then isn't your opinion about Roberts writing based solely on if you like the story?If that's my opinion of him as a professional writer (which it is) then I absolutely can call him a hack. You don't have to agree, but my opinion is just that: mine. You think he's great? Okay. I will disagree, but I won't tell you that you can't call him great. It all depends on how one qualifies Roberts' work. What do you look for in his stories? If he meets those expectations for you, then you should consider him a good writer.Again, I point out, with all these talk of Roberts failings, shouldn't the editorial staff bare some of this blame? After all their job is to edit and keep oversight, unless of course they have no problems with the story which means it's down to personal perspectives. I guess what I'm trying to say is that just because you don't like their story decisions doesn't mean that you can call them a hack or anything like that. It just means that they've took the story where you don't think it should go.
As for the editors taking some of the blame, I agree. But is MTMTE a typical Roberts story with better editing? And Lost Light is typical work without close editing? If so, then Roberts is still mediocre at best, except now there's no one there to correct his mistakes before the story makes it to the pages of a book. And that's where the responsibility of the editor is. My favorite story from the last 5 years is Dark Cybertron. It was a well-told and interesting arc. Whatever collaboration took place to get that written is what should be happening all the time.
Let me reiterate: these are all my opinions, in no way am I trying to force my point of view on anyone else. I'm just very disappointed in Roberts' work lately and it's giving me a bitter outlook.
Daniel Adkins wrote:Its said in issue #8 that she learned about gender from the Primal Vanguard, so she had already transitioned prior to going to Caminus. Same thing easily could've happened in the FU.
Ironhidensh wrote:so Anode literally has a Eads up her ass. Dmax is gonna be thrilled.
So #LostLight 13 is out this week. The full preview has gone up, so I will share the line art for those 2 pages That Velocity face on panel 5 of page 5 is probably one of my favs. Can anyone spot the Star Trek reference I put into page 5? #transformers #IDW
ricemazter wrote:MagicDeath wrote:Nobody specifically answered my question, but I think I get the gist. I’m glad we can all express opinions without getting upset. I’m gonna go now before the conversation veers back towards stuff I haven’t read yet.
He can be a good writer. When the story is relatively small scale, Roberts can craft interesting and likeable characters that interact in equally interesting ways. I fully credit him with crafting some of my favorite transformers personalities at this point.
With proper editorial oversight, one might even call him great. However, as the story has gotten bigger and more sprawling, he's had a harder time keeping things together. I've explained in detail before, but one of the big issues with the current series, IMO, is that it's structured to basically fix "mistakes" in the story while setting up convoluted plot points and twists that'll only pay off later. He also has a tendency to insert himself in the story and editorialized on the comic in a way that can be grating, the whole "Swearth" and "Tarn" thing. That's just my 2 cents.
It wasn't, we're just having a discussion.ZeroWolf wrote:I apologise if my post sounded too aggressive, it really wasn't my intention I understand they are your opinions and I thank you for taking the time it took to write that post to explain them.
Yes, that happens with most writers. My issue with Roberts is that it's been happening with him quite a bit lately, since the end of Dark Cybertron, and it carried over into Lost Light. He may have been brilliant when he started with IDW, but sooner or later the law of averages has to kick in. Even a good writer can write only so much substandard material before he loses his status as 'good.' For me, Roberts passed that point a while ago. If somehow he pulls the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and ends Lost Light with a bang (instead of a whimper, like Dying of the Light), he'll most likely redeem himself, or at least break even. Like the saying goes:'Give them a good beginning and a great ending, and they'll forgive a lot in between.'My thing was just trying to separate the idea that because you may not like where he's taking the story, it doesn't mean he's a bad writers as even the worst plots can still be brilliantly written.
Rodimus Prime wrote:It wasn't, we're just having a discussion.ZeroWolf wrote:I apologise if my post sounded too aggressive, it really wasn't my intention I understand they are your opinions and I thank you for taking the time it took to write that post to explain them.Yes, that happens with most writers. My issue with Roberts is that it's been happening with him quite a bit lately, since the end of Dark Cybertron, and it carried over into Lost Light. He may have been brilliant when he started with IDW, but sooner or later the law of averages has to kick in. Even a good writer can write only so much substandard material before he loses his status as 'good.' For me, Roberts passed that point a while ago. If somehow he pulls the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and ends Lost Light with a bang (instead of a whimper, like Dying of the Light), he'll most likely redeem himself, or at least break even. Like the saying goes:'Give them a good beginning and a great ending, and they'll forgive a lot in between.'My thing was just trying to separate the idea that because you may not like where he's taking the story, it doesn't mean he's a bad writers as even the worst plots can still be brilliantly written.
I just hope he stays away from Transformers for a while after that. He's been doing it for over 10 years, time for a fresh style of writing. ZeroWolf, you said you're an aspiring writer, maybe you can take a shot at it.
As for the new designs, I like Cerebros, but not Red Alert. There's just too much going on with him.
Burn wrote:Hi kids!
Your weird Uncle Va'al wanted me to pop my thoughts in here on Lost Light issue #13. Well ... he wanted me to give them to him, but hey, why deny you guys and gals my sunny thoughts on a once great book!
I'll cut to the chase before you "IDW-can-do-no-wrong" folks start coming at me with torches and pitch forks.
I enjoyed this issue.
It felt like a return to the light heartedness that I use to enjoy, sure, there was still the more serious moments, but it was a great balance light and serious.
Cyclonus and Ultra Magnus? Absolutely loved their interaction. Magnus is Magnus, he's so stiff, such a stickler for the rules, and sure he's showing signs of being a despot, BUT.IT'S.MAGNUS. For some reason we can always over look how much of a control freak he is, BECAUSE.HE'S.MAGNUS.
And on the flip side, is Cyclonus, who is clearly hurting and all Magnus can offer is "I'm just going to sit over there". I guess I can relate ... because it's the sort of thing I would do, not too good if someone starts awkwardly pouring their heart out to me.
Of course with Magnus being no help whatsoever, Cyclonus continues to hurt, and this, to me, is good story telling. It of course leads into Whirl and Cyclonus having a moment. IDW's Whirl has always been a fascinating character to me, so much so I set out to replace Stinky Whirl the toy because of his appearance in this comic (that subsequently lead to Slightly Less Stinky Whirl).
Where Magnus is a stickler for rules and often distant, Whirl is just a **** with a heart of gold. He comes across as a tough bastard, desperate to keep everyone at arms length, except when it comes to Cyclonus, and that "relationship" is one I've always found interesting, again, because I see aspects of myself in Whirl.
The bulk of the book seems to revolve around Swerve and Anode, and it's light hearted fun. In fact, at least 75% of the book is light hearted fun, with the remainder taking the more serious tone to help propel the story line all to the final panel of the issue, ending with a "HOLY CRAP!" moment and an interesting cliff hanger.
TL;DR - Good book, grab it worth the read.
Leonardo wrote:Take your lips off my pipe!
Burn wrote:IDW's Whirl has always been a fascinating character to me, so much so I set out to replace Stinky Whirl the toy because of his appearance in this comic (that subsequently lead to Slightly Less Stinky Whirl).
ArmadaPrime wrote:Unrelated note to any of the Bigger discussion going on, but GOD I love Cerebros. Always loved the design (that head! ~swoons~) from even his few half-panel mid-transformation appearances in the old marvel comics; Titans Return gave him an actual bit of personality and now seeing Milne take the new design to such heights makes me a very happy lad.
seriously, I wish I knew why I loved him so much. I seriously considered getting a £100+ toy I have no space for just for the smaller toy that turns into its head...
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:And I fully agree with Burn on Cyclonus and Whirl. They have truly been the best characters of the book, and seeing them develop over time, it's awesome. They are 2 of my favorites from the overall IDW-verse, and really transformers in general
MACGUFFIN QUEST! The Scavengers have never had it so good. The war is a receding memory, their patchy service records have been forgotten, and the five of them can roam the galaxy as they please. All’s well that ends well? Not quite. Because unbeknownst to Krok and Co., their next adventure… will be their last.
Hotconvoy wrote:Whaaaaat tarn has a face?!
ricemazter wrote:I find it incredibly silly that Roberts spent so much time misleading the audience that Tarn was Roller, only for him to look exactly like Roller without his mask.
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