The Energon Pub

[clrobe]

I haven't picked this up yet, but I'll be picking it up on my lunch break today. I hope it's a good one.

[Jokopoko]

It's a good one, but in my opinion ultimately pointless...

SPOILER WARNING



I mean yes it's a interesting take on the Ramjet character, the artwork is sound and I actually enjoyed Josh Burchams colouring this time. And I liked the personalities of the Mini-Constructions, actually laughed out loud at the bus stop heh. But the story, as I said, seems ultimately pointless as it adds absolutely nothing to the over all story.

Its essentially "Oh, btw Ramjet was doing this while the story was happening and then Megatron pwn'd him" so over all, a big meh for this one

[Cascadia]

I will have to wait until next week...my local comic store did not get any this week.

[Josh]

and I actually enjoyed Josh Burchams colouring this time.

just this time???

[prowl13f]

So...how did Starscream get away with so many insane schemes and not Ramjet?

I feel that this issue equals out to a lot of nothing, but that seems to be intentional. Maybe it's IDWs way of wrapping up the tragedy of the NA/TF story while devoloping a minor character to add some diversity. You have to admit, IDWs Ramjet is a far cry from any previous Ramjet.

I'd still like to see another underdevoloped character or two join the spotlight ranks.

[commander shockwav]

Huh. That was darn good stuff.

As a stand alone story that fit's into the overall continuity, it's a really nice effort by Moore. Very strong dialogue, some of the best from IDW yet. Good characterization, something I wasn't expecting given Moore's performance on the New Avengers crossover bit. It's like the guy has been spending his free time getting caught up on TF lore or something, because on this front he delivers the goods.

And the artwork was fantastic! No problem here telling what's going on, I'll tell you that. This Musso/Burcham effort is crisp, clear, and cool. I hope to see more from this team, as it's some of the best I've seen from IDW.

The plot, though simple, was presented in such a way that I was hooked despite the cliche 'subordinate attempting to overthrow leader" theme. Wasn't expecting that. For a minute there, I actually believed Ramjet might pull it off.

And the Miniconstruciticons were the breath of fresh air that I have been hoping for for a long time. Now that's the kind of characterization I like to see. It shows how dialogue can infuse even characters that last but a few panels with some real character. It's not cookie-cutter characterization, let's just say that.

Pleasantly surprised by this comedic spotlight. I give it an "A-", finding very little not to like here.

[Geekee1]

I may be totally off base with this, but it seemed to me that Ramjet thought that he was a lot smarter than he was. His schemes seemed very Dr. Evil to me and Megatron made him pay for it. It was a fun read for me, but not quite as engaging as the other Spotlights have been. I really enjoyed the artwork though.

[DarkPrimus]

Ramjet's own hubris was his downfall. He was so focused on the intricacies of his multi-layered plot that he forgot the big picture and ended up giving it away to the doggedly-loyal Skywarp, who was, I'm sure, only too happy to inform Megatron.

[Judge Deliberata]

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this issue. My only beef with the spotlights thus far is that they were never self-contained, which is something I was more or less expecting some degree of. This issue filled that void for me.

When the concept of Ramjet as an usurper was first mentioned, I was skeptical. Certain characters are destined for certain roles; Starscream's stance as the power-hungry traitor of TF is IMO as staunchly a part of the series as, say, Alfred's place in the Batman books as Bruce Wayne's confidante and ally. I didn't see any particular need for yet another character to rise to claim the throne - that's what Starscream was made for, and Shockwave's filled that role in the past as well.

But they almost made me buy it (spoiler-text follows)...

For a while there, I thought they were taking elements from Armada Ramjet, who was a tactician of sorts, and I became intrigued at thew possibilities. I wouldn't have minded seeing a military adviser about the Decepticon camp.

Some things threw me for a bit though, like his choice of using mini-constructicons (wtf) as his assistants. And it began to dawn on me that they weren't reinventing Ramjet entirely - they kept an element of his old characterization in. He was never all that bright, and although they depicted him here as being able to form plans, the fact remains he still didn't have any common sense. I liked that.

Still, I did not expect him to bite the bullet right away like that. It was a surprise, to be sure. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first real casualty among the major G1 cast (I do not count Outback as such) we've seen since the beginning of IDW's stories. It's almost a shame that we didn't get to see more of him, but it is again even better to finally see a version of G1 Megs that tolerates no insubordination. This is Megs as he always should have been.

And how about that Skywarp, ladies and gents? It is beyond awesome to see him finally really start to have prominence in a series. Hate to say it, but Ramjet really got what he deserved for telling him. Yessir, between this, and being commemorated with a Masterpiece figure, it looks like good times ahead and some long overdue recognition for ol' Warp. I think the people are REALLY gonna call for a Spotlight issue from here on out. Between recent events in Devastation, going behind Megs' back with the rest of the group, and this ish, he's pretty well shaping up to be the single most untrustworthy 'con around!

[Jokopoko]

and I actually enjoyed Josh Burchams colouring this time.

just this time???

Just saying, I prefer this to Ascending issue #1 EDIT: My bad, I got you confused with Mark Bristow...carry on!

[Tekka]

Yessir, between this, and being commemorated with a Masterpiece figure, it looks like good times ahead and some long overdue recognition for ol' Warp. I think the people are REALLY gonna call for a Spotlight issue from here on out. Between recent events in Devastation, going behind Megs' back with the rest of the group, and this ish, he's pretty well shaping up to be the single most untrustworthy 'con around!

I second that. Let us band together as brothers until we get what's rightfully ours. A six part Spotlight: Skywarp.

Perhaps that's just a little too ambitious... Just one then? ... Okay, I can live with that.

Seriously though I can't see him getting one on his own. Perhaps a Spotlight: Thundercracker & Skywarp. And we can see what shenanigans they get up to in their spare time.

[jazzrules]

It's a good one, but in my opinion ultimately pointless... as it adds absolutely nothing to the over all story.

I think it added something to the overall story, even if it's only minor as the tracker that Ramjet was developing could have use in Devastation

[Prime Evil]

This issue was kind of right in the middle for me. I thought the artwork was great. Robby's work has improved over his Magnus spotlight. Honestly, I love Josh's coloring. I think the current Beast Wars series made me realize how much I prefer Josh's work.

The overall story was...just ok. I kinda have to agree that we have waaay to many usurpers in the Decepticon Army. Not only that, but I had no idea why we kept on seeing Greenwich Mean time and then the local time. Can someone explain that to me. I kinda got an good idea of when this all takes place, except for the part where Megatron owns Ramjet. When did he have time for that. Maybe we'll still see that.

So Megatron now has the spark of Ramjet. Does that mean he's offline or will we see him in the future. Honestly, I hope we get to see more of him as I feel this was kind if incomplete. Nice to see Ramjet had some ideas. Humans possibly coming up with an alternative form of Energon, something about his miniconstructicon virus, and he wanted to create a space bridge. I like those ideas. Hopefully, we'll get to see Ramjet play one of his aces in the future.

[jazzrules]

I think the GMT thing for this was because the story was supposed to take place within 24 hours.

[Briggs]

I think he had to get his butt served to him by megatron, because those plans of his were indeed bad @$$.

I was pretty surprised by this issue and enjoyed it more then I did. Artwork was really nice too. I enjoyed those first few pages of him and Skywarp flying around.

And it indeed was a shock when he tore out his spark, just not something I'm use to seeing.

Pretty good I'd say.

[Dr. Caelus]

I think the GMT thing for this was because the story was supposed to take place within 24 hours.

Also the Meantime/Localtime gives you his approximate location at any given scene.

Well, his approximate longitude anyway.

Will be interesting to see if Megatron kept Ramjet's spark, or if he just allowed it to dissipate into nothingness.

And it'll also be interesting to see if he kept any of the tech.

What really threw me was the fact that, apparently, the Avengers story-line does not occur when I thought it did. All the more reason to just regard the crossover as noncanon - like professional Fanfic.

[Tigertrack]

I liked the art, I liked the use of Ramjet, the coloring was great, the dialogue was good, I just wanted it to be more significant in some way to the overall G1 picture that is being painted for us.

It seems that Ramjet could have been left out, or replaced with practically any 'con, and we would have had the same results.

[Insurgent]

Loved the art, great story and good characterisation on Ramjet as someone who can plan, but fails to see beyond his own nosecone. The GMT thing is to show how much time has elapsed before he is due to meet Skywarp, and the miniconstructicons were a great little add. Shame Ramjet had to blast two of them.

I also loved it when Megatron just appeared and pwnd Ramjet. I don't think he'll be making an appearance again, as why would Megatron go to the effort of removing his spark, only to keep it around?

Does it add anything to the overall story? No. But it shows how other characters are reacting to the events in the main storyarcs.

I am confused as to why Megs decided to drop limbs of RJ around the places he was trying to infiltrate. Like leaving his leg at the power plant. Great ending shot though.

As I haven't read the Avengers crossover, nor do I intend to, could someone explain how this fits in with that? I've read a synopsis for it, and can't make the connection, other than RJ wanting to use mind control and mind control was mentioned in the crossover. Although RJ wasn't even mentioned in the synopsis I read.

[skyshadowprimus]

I cant quite understand how this fits into the Escalation Storyline. We see scenes as they happen in escaltion which we are given the impression are running concurrently, but as soon as megatron smashed through prime it was non stop action all the way until prime came back & blasted megatron.

I just dont see how megatron found the time to leave the battle deal with ramjet and get back fits into the story in a convincing way, unless this all happends after escalation 6 which wouldnt really fit in with the time frames although it could explain megatron's desire to bring sixshot in, 2 of his warriors try to take him down, prime comes back to life and ore 13 is a bust.

Aside from venting all that rage on ramjet he probably doesnt give a toss about earth any more and wants it leveled.

Anyone else able to help with where the story fits in though?

[Josh]

those scenes from the other series are flashbacks [thus the black page bkgs vs white on all the rest. i know, coulda been defined better but..thats my fault.]

so no, the ramjet spotlight doesnt take place while all that stuff is. its after. Its just Ramjet talking and us getting a little flashback of what Megs was doing

[skyshadowprimus]

those scenes from the other series are flashbacks [thus the black page bkgs vs white on all the rest. i know, coulda been defined better but..thats my fault.]

so no, the ramjet spotlight doesnt take place while all that stuff is. its after. Its just Ramjet talking and us getting a little flashback of what Megs was doing

Ah ok thanks for clearing that up. My only point of constructive criticism is both flashback scenes happened in order and were a short time apart from one another leading me to think they were happening concurrently with the main Ramjet storyline.

I see the point you were trying to convey now, not too sure how to stop people like me from jumping to conclusions, but hey guess that what the editor is there for

[Insurgent]

those scenes from the other series are flashbacks [thus the black page bkgs vs white on all the rest. i know, coulda been defined better but..thats my fault.]

so no, the ramjet spotlight doesnt take place while all that stuff is. its after. Its just Ramjet talking and us getting a little flashback of what Megs was doing

Flashbacks? I thought they were running over that day, and after Megs gave that talk to them in Esc 1 or 2, I forget which, about not suffering any more traitors, and to then advance to the next phase, he sent Skywarp out to Africa, which is when this starts. Over the course of that day, Esc 3-6 happens and after Megs retreats from battle at the end of 6 and gets repaired, he orders Sixshot to Earth and leaves to dispatch of Ramjet. Which is where he was walking off to at the end of the issue. Vent some anger at his defeat. Which explains why he was fully repaired as well. With Ramjet's death taking place around the time Spotlight Prime starts. But if it's flashbacks, then my little timeline is now free floating. It would also explain why there were times on those scenes.

I do like the way every spotlight ends with

"The End?"

except for this one which has no ? at the end. Nice touch there.

[i_amtrunks]

Interesting..

Maybe this issue was just to tie in with Ramjet becoming the most used Conehead (Classics, Movie Repaints).

If Megatron has kept Ramjet's spark and not extinguished it, it must be for a reason, I expect to see Ramjet again in the future, perhaps as a science experiment?

[Sunstar]

Ooooh that was fun. I giggled like a lunatic when I was sitting in games workshop just before I got into my paint.

I did enjoy it very much.

[trence5]

damn..............................















No more Ramjet.