The Energon Pub

[Va'al]

Once again proving that some news outlets are more equal than others, we have via Newsarama an early preview for next week's IDW Publishing return to The Transformers, in the aftermath of Combiner Wars. Check out the transitory Epilogue preview below, and head back here on Wednesday for the Seibertron.com review!

Transformers #42—Combiner Wars Epilogue
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli & Andrew Griffith (a) • Griffith (c)
THE AFTERMATH! The COMBINER WARS are over, and OPTIMUS PRIME faces the aftermath. Meanwhile on Earth, ARCEE confronts GALVATRON over the fate of two worlds.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The COMBINER WARS are over, but the fallout has just begun!
Alliances are shattered, and heroes fall!
Variant Cover by Naoto Tsushima!

[steve2275]

astrotrain

as it should be

[Autobot N]

astrotrain

as it should be

He. Not it, He.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I'm looking forward to this new issue. I'm glad we get 2 in a row. Pretty excited! And Astrotrain mass shifts here, the fandom rejoices! And Arcee has found her big-ass sword. The big question: What does Prowl mean by Starscream controls the combiners "we know about"? Were there more accidentally created by Optimus Maximus's tumble through the space bridge or something?

[SW's SilverHammer]

Fascist.

I'm looking forward to this new issue. I'm glad we get 2 in a row. Pretty excited! And Astrotrain mass shifts here, the fandom rejoices! And Arcee has found her big-ass sword. The big question: What does Prowl mean by Starscream controls the combiners "we know about"? Were there more accidentally created by Optimus Maximus's tumble through the space bridge or something?

I think the reason Prowl said "That we know about" is because Starscream has the potential and means to make even more monstrosities.

[MrBlack]

So even after everything he's been through, Prowl still hasn't learned.

Barber has done a brilliant job taking what other writers have done with Prowl and running with it. He's developed him as a fascinating counter and contrast to Starscream. While Starscream is ruled by ambition and always attempted to undermine Megatron for his own ends, Prowl has no interest in personal recognition, and undermines Optimus Prime because he truly believes he has all the answers.

[Va'al]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

[SW's SilverHammer]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

Frustrated? I mean sure being in that position's frustrating, but I didn't mean fascist as an insult like most people do; I genuinely see that prowl's character is a fascist; like Odo from DS9. Doesn't mean hes a "bad" person just not a very nice one.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Fascist.

I'm looking forward to this new issue. I'm glad we get 2 in a row. Pretty excited! And Astrotrain mass shifts here, the fandom rejoices! And Arcee has found her big-ass sword. The big question: What does Prowl mean by Starscream controls the combiners "we know about"? Were there more accidentally created by Optimus Maximus's tumble through the space bridge or something?

I think the reason Prowl said "That we know about" is because Starscream has the potential and means to make even more monstrosities.

Ah, that would make sense. Then again, what about our female fan built combiner debuting next month? Will she be a Starscream creation?? Hmm the world wonders....

[MrBlack]

Fascist.

I'm looking forward to this new issue. I'm glad we get 2 in a row. Pretty excited! And Astrotrain mass shifts here, the fandom rejoices! And Arcee has found her big-ass sword. The big question: What does Prowl mean by Starscream controls the combiners "we know about"? Were there more accidentally created by Optimus Maximus's tumble through the space bridge or something?

I think the reason Prowl said "That we know about" is because Starscream has the potential and means to make even more monstrosities.

"The ones we can locate."

Monstructor is still at large.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Fascist.

I'm looking forward to this new issue. I'm glad we get 2 in a row. Pretty excited! And Astrotrain mass shifts here, the fandom rejoices! And Arcee has found her big-ass sword. The big question: What does Prowl mean by Starscream controls the combiners "we know about"? Were there more accidentally created by Optimus Maximus's tumble through the space bridge or something?

I think the reason Prowl said "That we know about" is because Starscream has the potential and means to make even more monstrosities.

"The ones we can locate."

Monstructor is still at large.

Ah yes true. I remembered Monstructor but forgot the actual wording. thanks!

[Va'al]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

Frustrated? I mean sure being in that position's frustrating, but I didn't mean fascist as an insult like most people do; I genuinely see that prowl's character is a fascist; like Odo from DS9. Doesn't mean hes a "bad" person just not a very nice one.

I'm so vain, I thought you were referring to my opening line in the news post.
I entirely agree on Prowl's account.

[SW's SilverHammer]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

Frustrated? I mean sure being in that position's frustrating, but I didn't mean fascist as an insult like most people do; I genuinely see that prowl's character is a fascist; like Odo from DS9. Doesn't mean hes a "bad" person just not a very nice one.

I'm so vain, I thought you were referring to my opening line in the news post.
I entirely agree on Prowl's account.

Oh I didn't notice that, I took that more of a response to what sources you had available for the news posting.

[Va'al]

(This is a rant: All sites that deal with IDW media receive the preview and review material at the same time. We are also given an embargo, usually the day before release. BUT Newsarama, CBR and ComicsAlliance - because they're clearly 'more serious' or whatever reason that is definitely not business deals, nope - get the exclusive status. I had that story ready at 8 am UK time. Almost 12 hours before it made it to Newsarama. Had they not posted it today, it'd have to sit as a draft until Tuesday. It is seriously frustrating. End of rant.)

Yay comics!

[SW's SilverHammer]

Well since i'm not part of new staff, I can say I think it's business deals *
*The views of SW'S Silvehammer Do not reflect those of the Seibertron.com editorial staff. 2015 all rights reserved

[MrBlack]

(This is a rant: All sites that deal with IDW media receive the preview and review material at the same time. We are also given an embargo, usually the day before release. BUT Newsarama, CBR and ComicsAlliance - because they're clearly 'more serious' or whatever reason that is definitely not business deals, nope - get the exclusive status. I had that story ready at 8 am UK time. Almost 12 hours before it made it to Newsarama. Had they not posted it today, it'd have to sit as a draft until Tuesday. It is seriously frustrating. End of rant.)

Yay comics!

At least the smaller publishes will talk to you. Marvel and DC won't give anyone who isn't Newsarama or CBR the time of day, and if you attempt to circumvent official channels for news or interviews you get "blacklisted."

[steve2275]

astrotrain http://static.seibertron.com/images/com ... 940_t5.jpg
as it should be

He. Not it, He.

that too

[Va'al]

(This is a rant: All sites that deal with IDW media receive the preview and review material at the same time. We are also given an embargo, usually the day before release. BUT Newsarama, CBR and ComicsAlliance - because they're clearly 'more serious' or whatever reason that is definitely not business deals, nope - get the exclusive status. I had that story ready at 8 am UK time. Almost 12 hours before it made it to Newsarama. Had they not posted it today, it'd have to sit as a draft until Tuesday. It is seriously frustrating. End of rant.)

Yay comics!

At least the smaller publishes will talk to you. Marvel and DC won't give anyone who isn't Newsarama or CBR the time of day, and if you attempt to circumvent official channels for news or interviews you get "blacklisted."

You are correct, I should be grateful for that.

[CrankyOldTruck]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

Frustrated? I mean sure being in that position's frustrating, but I didn't mean fascist as an insult like most people do; I genuinely see that prowl's character is a fascist; like Odo from DS9. Doesn't mean hes a "bad" person just not a very nice one.

Prowl is what you would get if you gave Grimlock a near-genius level IQ and the combined personalities and mindsets of the top Allied AND Nazi strategists of WWII. He's also the ultimate "political statement" and tool of expression for the writers at IDW.
He is exactly what the Autobots need to fight the Decepticons and actually have a definitive Win and make it last and he is also the perfect example of what our own society in RL needs. More specifically, what our government here in the States needs thrown against it on a massive scale.
Actually, all governments need it at this point so we really need "Prowl" level cold, methodical, clinical yet brutal thinking on a global scale. That is quite obviously apparent just by the fact that so many people seem to want to vilify him. Myself, I think the guys a friggin' hero and I only hope and pray that Prime gets enough of his influence during their time in combined mode to finally develop an edge and understand what truly must be done. The only way to fight monsters and win is with monsters of your own. This whole "Light always beats Darkness" crap has to stop because even Prowl is smart enough to see that light creates shadow which means that the creatures of the dark will forever have a place to safely hide. He's not an idealist, he's a realist.

[Va'al]

Nah.

[SW's SilverHammer]

The only thing admirable about fascism is Hugo Boss and it's sense of fashion.

[Shuttershock]

Fascist.

Try again.


Starts with F, has 'strated' at the end, and it's not a ruse.

Frustrated? I mean sure being in that position's frustrating, but I didn't mean fascist as an insult like most people do; I genuinely see that prowl's character is a fascist; like Odo from DS9. Doesn't mean hes a "bad" person just not a very nice one.

Prowl is what you would get if you gave Grimlock a near-genius level IQ and the combined personalities and mindsets of the top Allied AND Nazi strategists of WWII. He's also the ultimate "political statement" and tool of expression for the writers at IDW.
He is exactly what the Autobots need to fight the Decepticons and actually have a definitive Win and make it last and he is also the perfect example of what our own society in RL needs. More specifically, what our government here in the States needs thrown against it on a massive scale.
Actually, all governments need it at this point so we really need "Prowl" level cold, methodical, clinical yet brutal thinking on a global scale. That is quite obviously apparent just by the fact that so many people seem to want to vilify him. Myself, I think the guys a friggin' hero and I only hope and pray that Prime gets enough of his influence during their time in combined mode to finally develop an edge and understand what truly must be done. The only way to fight monsters and win is with monsters of your own. This whole "Light always beats Darkness" crap has to stop because even Prowl is smart enough to see that light creates shadow which means that the creatures of the dark will forever have a place to safely hide. He's not an idealist, he's a realist.

I'm reminded very much of Col. Jessup from A Few Good Men:

"...my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way..."

Sure he's the villain of THAT story, but I hear a lot of the same thoughts in Prowl.

[Va'al]

Still nah.

[Va'al]

The Morals of the Story
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
THE AFTERMATH! The COMBINER WARS are over, and OPTIMUS PRIME faces the aftermath. Meanwhile on Earth, ARCEE confronts GALVATRON over the fate of two worlds.

Sticks and Stones, G

Story

Combiner Wars is over. Sort of. There were many plotlines and threads left more or less dangling, some tidier than others, at the end of the fifth chapter of the IDW event. As both John Barber and Mairghread Scott were responsible for the arc, it's only appropriate that Barber takes the reins again in his view of the CW aftermath in his own title.

Not Pictured: The Aftermath

There are two major plots being explored in this issue, with the focus splitting between Cybertron and Earth once again. On the latter, Arcee and Galvatron have a not really amicable (but more than expected, really) confrontation, allowing all external parties to Prime, Prowl, and Scoop's swift defection to the newly forming Council of Worlds, to catch up and start progressing out of the crossover arc.

(Not) A Recap

The other point of focus, and a magnificently executed one, is Prowl. Prowl and whatever has been chewing at him in the IDWverse. Prowl and his problems with Optimus. Prowl facing his turmoil, and Optimus responding in kind, in an exchange which is just... really well done. I cannot say more than that really, as it has to be followed and read to be fully appreciated.

Good evening Clarice

The issue has all the excellence of early xRID stories, in pacing and dialogue, with the added emotional power of dragging the personal back into the wider scheme of things. Arcee, Prowl and Galvatron obviously take the spotlight, with Prowl above the others - but even Optimus is finally more of a rounded character than he has been at certain turns, and one which confirms the raised eyebrow from past CW issues.

Art

The two plots are complemented by two separate art teams, with a welcome return from artist Andrew Griffith, whose bulky, solid Galvatron and Astrotrain (now with visible mass shifting) bring a good contrast to the edgier, sharper, stealthier Arcee - and which colourist Josh Perez makes sure to give suitable masterful (and toy appropriate) decos to them all, with some dusking, cold lighting surrounding them.

Beefy old man

The Prime/Prowl thread, on the other hand, keeps the continuity of Livio Ramondelli, in what is probably his best work so far on a prolonged sequence, and what a sequence it is. His cinematographic sensibilities, take on the angles, shots and choice of pacing to align with Barber's dialogue is the most suited to such a powerful exchange, that we couldn't have asked for better.

How the tables have flipped

Both the sides of the issue, of course, could not carry their voice strongly enough without the work that Tom B. Long brings to the lettering, adding extra font work where characters make more of an impact, and with D.O.C.'s adorable voice. The cover roster this month sees the established Optimus Prime by Griffith and ..Perez? Burcham? (IDW! CREDITS!), the viscerally stunning Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente Prowl vs Optimus, a maniacally beautiful Galvatron (thumbnail) by Naoto Tsutshima and Lei Kagami plus the SDCC exclusive Combiner Hunter Arcee, by Sara Pitre Durocher.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As I said, we get both a blend of what worked in older, pre Dark Cybertron xRID issues and stories, coupled with the heightened political is personal/personal is political aspects of both Combiner Wars and the general direction that IDW writers seem to be taking of recent, and no punches are held back. Or elbows. Or heads. Literally.

Oh, and these two are in it, too!

This was a stellar issue, managing to transition effortlessly from the event storyline back into Earth, the Decepticon commune and still deal with the aftermath of some of the major players from both pre- and during Combiner Wars. Transitions which worked from both the writing and the artistic perspectives, and a welcome return to the more political (and personal) side of The Transformers. You do not want to miss it.

. out of

[Tigertrack]

Nice review Alex! I'm glad CW is over... Mostly. While its getting us awesome toys, I'm finding it to be less than inspiring in its overall telling. I'm looking forward to the world building, the extension to new Cybertroninan colonies. I'll be glad to have some of these guys take a backseat, I hope, in lieu of new characters to focus on. I love Prowl, but I need him to be imprisoned for awhile, and put in the background. Too bad, it doesn't seem entirely like that will happen.