The Energon Pub

[Kurona]

There is, funnily enough, a similar situation that happened with IDW Devastator - the constructicons combined... when Scrapper was still dead. Devastator literally had a dead leg and was crippled because of it.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

There is, funnily enough, a similar situation that happened with IDW Devastator - the constructicons combined... when Scrapper was still dead. Devastator literally had a dead leg and was crippled because of it.

I do remember that, which is why I wonder how this will work, but I believe this guys right:

We've seen from Prowl's run with the Constructicons that combining with others can lead to a sort of shared point of view and sympathy, maybe the hope Onslaught has is that combining with Swindle will jumpstart his brain module, using all of their memories of him much like how Rewind's storytelling group helped Rung in MTMTE.

I believe this will be right since Swindle is completely dead

[Va'al]

There has been a bit of a quiet spell on the comics front from IDW Publishing, but we do have a new three-page preview of the next Transformers: Till All Are One issue - the fourth - via the iTunes page for the book. You can check out the short look at a Bruticus in progress below, and get ready for its release in the next couple of weeks!

SWINDLE LIVES! And ONSLAUGHT knows the perfect way to unlock the secrets in his head. As the COMBATICONS rampage through Iacon, can IRONHIDE and his newly formed police force stop them before they annihilate STARSCREAM—and anyone else who gets in their way?

[King Kuuga]

Here's those last two pages stitched back together for the full effect.

[Bounti76]

Daaaaaaaaaamn. Pitre-DuRocher is knocking it out of the park. Loving the art.

[Kurona]

... okay, so.

Admittedly, the last three issues... haven't been amazing. They haven't been bad either; but they've just been good, y'know? A fun little read but that's about it.

But already this preview is blowing me away. What always disappoints me about Combiner stories is how they don't really focus much on how their being a Combiner effects the components psychologically; what the mental effect and strain on them is; what it means to be a Combiner. IDW's been pretty good with it recently by showing some complicated stuff with Superion, but we barely if ever get a good look at how the components feel.

But we do now. And it's perfect. THIS is the combiner story I wanted! I wanted to see what it means for the components within; what this does to their heads; what it's like to still be yourself but at the same time 5 guys but AT THE SAME TIME the new combiner! Hopefully this keeps up throughout the issue because if it does, this is by far the best representation we've gotten of a Combiner by a long shot aside from maybe Prowlastator who because of CW never got to fulfill his true potential. And maybe Optimus Maximus, but this is still proving to be a bit more interesting.

[steve2275]

indeed kurona

[Microraptor]

... okay, so.

Admittedly, the last three issues... haven't been amazing. They haven't been bad either; but they've just been good, y'know? A fun little read but that's about it.

But already this preview is blowing me away. What always disappoints me about Combiner stories is how they don't really focus much on how their being a Combiner effects the components psychologically; what the mental effect and strain on them is; what it means to be a Combiner. IDW's been pretty good with it recently by showing some complicated stuff with Superion, but we barely if ever get a good look at how the components feel.

But we do now. And it's perfect. THIS is the combiner story I wanted! I wanted to see what it means for the components within; what this does to their heads; what it's like to still be yourself but at the same time 5 guys but AT THE SAME TIME the new combiner! Hopefully this keeps up throughout the issue because if it does, this is by far the best representation we've gotten of a Combiner by a long shot aside from maybe Prowlastator who because of CW never got to fulfill his true potential. And maybe Optimus Maximus, but this is still proving to be a bit more interesting.

Yeah. They always pay lip service to the idea, but never actually explore it. Combine it with the fabulous art and I'm really excited for this issue.

[Kurona]

Also, just noticed that Swindle's flashing back to Combiner Wars. While that event was easily the worst arc of post-DoOP IDW, it's still nice to see that they're still dealing with it's consequences and repercussions instead of just sweeping it under the rug and trying to pretend it never happened. I love it when fiction does this; instead of trying to scrub a bad story out of it's history, they use it as a springboard to improve other stories.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Great art. And I too am glad for the perspective of the individuals, it shows so much more about combining.

And Blastoff is going to be fun for this issue

[Flashwave]

Onslaught is using Combining as a method of interrogation. This is epic. But if he's doing that, who's driving Bruticus?

[Glarryg]

Onslaught is using Combining as a method of interrogation. This is epic. But if he's doing that, who's driving Bruticus?

Looks like maybe Brawl. Isn't that him on the top of the splash page?

Glarryg

[Kurona]

Onslaught is using Combining as a method of interrogation. This is epic. But if he's doing that, who's driving Bruticus?

Looks like maybe Brawl. Isn't that him on the top of the splash page?

Glarryg

That's Vortex. Brawl is in Swindle's eye having a massive freakout.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I'm not sure anyone is driving Bruticus. It seems more like they are all adapting to a meshed mind very differently

[Ballistic90]

It looks to me that Bruticus is acting out Onslaught's action of reaching for the memory.

Anyways, this may be the first Transformers issue i have ever gone out of my way specifically to buy....

[Shuttershock]

I wonder if this is what it was like that one time the Constructicons combined with Scrapper's dead body? Explains why his memory haunted them long after his death.

One think I really hope doesn't happen after this is all over is for this newfound characterization of the Combaticons to be dropped or forgotten. The problem with Transformers having such a big cast and so much to do is that these spotlight moments of individuals frequently get dropped in favor of the main characters.

ESPECIALLY so with the combiners, who to often merge into one character.

[King Kuuga]

I wonder if this is what it was like that one time the Constructicons combined with Scrapper's dead body? Explains why his memory haunted them long after his death.

One think I really hope doesn't happen after this is all over is for this newfound characterization of the Combaticons to be dropped or forgotten. The problem with Transformers having such a big cast and so much to do is that these spotlight moments of individuals frequently get dropped in favor of the main characters.

ESPECIALLY so with the combiners, who to often merge into one character.

At least this series is acknowledging that Combiners have individual components and aren't just big robots, unlike Machinima.

[Shuttershock]

I wonder if this is what it was like that one time the Constructicons combined with Scrapper's dead body? Explains why his memory haunted them long after his death.

One think I really hope doesn't happen after this is all over is for this newfound characterization of the Combaticons to be dropped or forgotten. The problem with Transformers having such a big cast and so much to do is that these spotlight moments of individuals frequently get dropped in favor of the main characters.

ESPECIALLY so with the combiners, who to often merge into one character.

At least this series is acknowledging that Combiners have individual components and aren't just big robots, unlike Machinima.

True. Another thing that doesn't seem to get touched on enough after Combiner Wars is the notion that staying combined all the time is BAD for them, as it erodes their personalities and makes them all think and act the same like the Constructicons.

[Kurona]

I wonder if this is what it was like that one time the Constructicons combined with Scrapper's dead body? Explains why his memory haunted them long after his death.

One think I really hope doesn't happen after this is all over is for this newfound characterization of the Combaticons to be dropped or forgotten. The problem with Transformers having such a big cast and so much to do is that these spotlight moments of individuals frequently get dropped in favor of the main characters.

ESPECIALLY so with the combiners, who to often merge into one character.

At least this series is acknowledging that Combiners have individual components and aren't just big robots, unlike Machinima.

Psht, Machinima CW doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as this. Even ROTF done combining better.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I wonder if this is what it was like that one time the Constructicons combined with Scrapper's dead body? Explains why his memory haunted them long after his death.

One think I really hope doesn't happen after this is all over is for this newfound characterization of the Combaticons to be dropped or forgotten. The problem with Transformers having such a big cast and so much to do is that these spotlight moments of individuals frequently get dropped in favor of the main characters.

ESPECIALLY so with the combiners, who to often merge into one character.

At least this series is acknowledging that Combiners have individual components and aren't just big robots, unlike Machinima.

True. Another thing that doesn't seem to get touched on enough after Combiner Wars is the notion that staying combined all the time is BAD for them, as it erodes their personalities and makes them all think and act the same like the Constructicons.

I agree with this. We all know and love the big combiners, but rarely do the components get that good characterization, and I'm glad to see we are getting that here

[Sunstar]

I agree with this. We all know and love the big combiners, but rarely do the components get that good characterization, and I'm glad to see we are getting that here

that is what I am enjoying for sure. Such personalities.

[Big Grim]

Man, I cannot wait for this issue. This should be awesome! *Fingers crossed*

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Newsarama has updated with the full preview for Transformers: Till All Are One, which is to be released next Wednesday. Check out the full preview below, featuring Bruticus, and check back here on Wednesday for the review!

[steve2275]

alright

[Samsonator]

Air Hammer!