The Energon Pub

Hey y'all, just wanted a quick opinion on everything up to date on the comics. Ish.

With RID and MTMTE going well, and strong, and amazingly, I'd like to focus on the stuff prior to that, in one way or another.
I know it's being collected in the big IDW editions, but I have no money for that, to be honest, and I see it as unnecessary. Pretty, yes, but not for me.

Sooo.. I have Megatron:Origin, Autocracy, Maximum Dinobots, Drift, All Hail Megatron, Last Stand of the Wreckers, Chaos Theory and Chaos. I've read some of the others, and wasn't particularly impressed (hence the choice for ownership) but I'd like to have a more well-rounded timeline on my shelf.

What are people's opinions on:

pre-AHM
- Infiltration
- Stormbringer
- Escalation
- Devastation
- Revelation

post-AHM
- For All Mankind
- International Incident
- Revenge of the Decepticons
- (I will not get this, no matter what) Heart of Darkness
- Police Action

As I said, I've read most of them at least once, but didn't catch my eye enough to buy them.
Willing to give them a second chance.

Va'al wrote:- Infiltration

A bit too heavy on those horrible humans, but a great power showcase for Megatron. Might be worth having the first volume to go with your prequels, but not the best story.

Va'al wrote:- Stormbringer

Absolutely worth owning. A great self contained arc, and one of the better Bludgeon stories, in my humble opinion. Also full of second-tier characters dying horribly, in classic Furman style.

Va'al wrote:- Escalation

Very good all around, but full of lingering plot threads leading into the third arc. One of the best Optimus/Megatron battles in comics. Probably worth it for chapters 5 and 6 alone.

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Va'al wrote: Devastation

If you're a fan of Starscream, Sixshot and IDW Galvatron, you might want this one. If you don't meet those qualifications, skip it. Story's not too interesting, and while it contains a few important plot points, it's nothing that you can't infer from Maximum Dinobots and AHM.

Va'al wrote:- Revelation

Rushed, and a bit garbled as a result. Spotlight: Doubledealer is a decent read and the only significant fiction ever made of the character, but the other three aren't too great, and Cyclonus's story is completely contradicted later on anyway.

Va'al wrote:- For All Mankind

Not too great. I'd pass on this one, unless you're a big fan of Bumblebee or IDW Spike.

Va'al wrote:- International Incident

If you're a fan of the Combaticons and IDW Thundercracker, yes. Otherwise, I'd say it's skippable.

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Va'al wrote: Revenge of the Decepticons

Not too great, though the final chapter is one of Costa's better efforts. Probably not worth it for that one chapter.

Va'al wrote:- (I will not get this, no matter what) Heart of Darkness

Then why list it?

But since I like a challenge... the art is terrible, but the story's great. If you like IDW Galvatron, this one is a must-have. Otherwise... yeah, it's really hard to look at.

Va'al wrote:- Police Action

No. Just no.




I'd say you've already got the best IDW stories. Add Stormbringer and you don't have any arcs I can claim to be any better reads.

Henry, that's an excellent reply, thank you!

How about the two Bumblebee and Ironhide mini-series?
As I said, I've read most of this stuff, but planning on owning some of the missing volumes.

I re-read Stormbringer last night, and yeah, it's good. I might get it.

I didn't care for the Bumblebee mini-series. It's a decent story, and I like the focus on Skywarp (in one of those rare instances where he seems like a credible threat), but I absolutely detest the art. I only own it because I'm a completionist and had some disposable income.

The Ironhide series, on the other hand, is a regular read of mine. It's got some important plot points for the ongoing, but more than that, the characterization of both Ironhide and Alpha Trion is top notch. I'd get that one if you can afford it.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought.

I'll give it another ponder.


Thanks for your help!

Happy to help!

...

So, uh, what exactly do you have against Heart of Darkness anyway?

The artwork. And the colouring. I just can't get over them.
I don't usually mind simpler styles, but this one just doesn't work for me. At all.


I'm not a massive fan of Figueroa's work on For All Mankind either, I prefer his War Within/Stormbringer a lot more!

Other than Issues 21-23, I can't stomach the 2009-2011 Ongoing anymore. Just not worth a second look.

Blurrz wrote:Other than Issues 21-23, I can't stomach the 2009-2011 Ongoing anymore. Just not worth a second look.

You didn't like Chaos?

Blurrz wrote:Other than Issues 21-23, I can't stomach the 2009-2011 Ongoing anymore. Just not worth a second look.

Uh-greed, it's all pretty forgettable. Issues 21-23 were pretty decent, I suppose. I like the ye olde Megatronne stuff. Oh, and the International Incident is pretty funny because of Chinese/North Korean involvement.

As for the rest... Stormbringer's a safe choice, Infiltration is nice for the Megatron/Starscream moments. Otherwise... meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh.