The Energon Pub

We love those Transformers comics. But in lengthy ongoing series, which collected volume is your personal favorite? Do you like a self-contained arc like Last Stand of the Wreckers or a big climactic battle built on earlier plot points like Time Wars? Do you prefer a 12 issue omnibus like All Hail Megatron or just the trade paperback that happens to contain that one issue of More than Meets the Eye you love most? You liked that Ironhide mini-series or you really just enjoyed Chaos Theory's two issues and didn't care for the Space Opera storyline sandwiched in the same TPB. Perhaps you loved the story of Shadowplay (MTMTE Vol 3) but are more in love with the art from Autocracy because that style appeals to you more? Tell me which collected volume you love most and why.


For me...

Firstly, a few honorable mentions.

Transformers Generation One Vol. 2: War and Peace



Shockwave is my favorite Transformers character, and any time he takes center stage as a story's main villain I tend to be interested. Dreamwave's art style wasn't to my taste, but I loved the plot for this one. Cybertron is at peace?! Optimus and Megatron are being tried as war criminals?! Shockwave has captured Alpha Trion and learned dark secrets about Cybertron's past?! Oh, and the rest of the story was pretty solid too, what with a subplot about the Dinobots (clearing up a plot from the previous Dreamwave story, Prime Directive), the usual scheming from Starscream, and of course, a very conspicuous cameo in issue #5... a very solid package and a regular read of mine.




More Than Meets the Eye Volume 4



This one has a good mix of variety. Issue #12 provides some nice foreshadowing and lots of great character moments. Issue #13 made me love Swerve, a character I'd previously had no real frame of reference for, given most continuities seem to present him as a blank slate. Then after some comparatively light-hearted fare, we get issues #14-15, and Overlord's rampage and the sacrifice necessary to stop him. Issue #16 gave us the fallout and some great character moments, including a brief moment where I actually related to Rodimus (a bot I usually don't care for) and a real tear-jerker of an ending. Excellent storytelling works with incredibly solid visuals from Guido Guidi, Agustin Padilla, and especially Alex Milne to make a nearly perfect package.



And now, for the winner:


The Transformers: Monstrosity



As an avid gamer, I noted more often than not my favorite game of a trilogy is the second installment or 'midquel'. When done well, the second act of a three act structure tends to be not only crucial for the plot, but enjoyable for how it expands the narrative universe and adding further tribulations for the hero. I also really love stories that focus on the internal politics of the Decepticons, and the conflicting agendas of Megatron, Starscream, Scorponok, and Hun-Gar make for several enjoyable chapters. The subplot of the Dinobots struggle to control a dark, animalistic side and the pending threat of Trypticon throw a lot of chaotic elements together, and Livio Ramondelli really gets to show off his artistic chops in scenes on Junkion and a devastated Cybertron. Best of all, the story is self-contained enough one can enjoy it without needing Autocracy or Primacy, or even any knowledge of the greater IDW continuity. For its art, story, and characterization, this stands above the rest as my favorite Transformers TPB.


So, anyone else have a favorite to share? I know the competition is stiff for this one.

1 of my favorite TF stories ever is The War Within from the DW days. I have the Omnibus containing the 12 issues of the completed series. Unfortunately "Age of Wrath" was never finished. I wish Furman didn't lose his touch, maybe we could have gotten a decent ending to that story. After ReGeneration One, I don't want him near Transformers, though.