The Energon Pub

I thought that Devastation #2 deserved its own reaction thread as well.

My thoughts...Well I thought it was excellent, but i also thought it was a very short read. I looked back over each page and thought that there was a nice balance between the amount of text and the splash pages. I think that it had more to do with the nature of the scenes. When I read action scenes, I tend to read them faster so I can find out what's happening next. But at least, we didn't have to wait a month between #1 and #2 so it wasn't to bad.

I thought that the story moved ahead nicely. The bots are setup for their relocation to Ark-32, we'll get Ratchet's story next issue and I think we're really going to get some answers on the Hunter/Sunstreaker/Machination thread. I do wish that we had gotten some more on the Blitzwing/Astrotrain/Starscream front, or maybe more on why Ratbat is on earth, but I figure that will happen next issue or two. I really like how the E.J. redesigned the Headmasters (and Hot Rod). I'm anxious to see the Machination's reasoning for such upgrades. It was good to finally see a reference to Spotlight Hot Rod (other then Hot Rod himself) in the ongoing and I look forward to more from Dealer. I also really liked what they are doing with Hunter and where they are taking his story.

This series is about to be crazy. Before it's all said and done, we'll probably have Hound and Sideswipe (plus their team) on earth, Starscream will probably wake up, we'll "officially" know the head of the Machination, and if they aren't awake yet, then the stage will be set for Soundwave, Shockwave and the Dinobots to get into the fray. Plus all the Reapers and Dead Universe stuff. I can't wait for #3.

I love this series so much, but it always feels so short with every issue. I want more!

Wodicus wrote:I love this series so much, but it always feels so short with every issue. I want more!

aye, doesn't help that the back half of the book is ads. On the plus side, at least I can flick through the story pages without being assaulted by double page spreads for the new Civic or 7 bloody pages of Goldfish Crackers. Seriosuly, are DC and Marvel selling comicbooks anymore, or just Adverts with free comic pages included?

As far as the contents of the issue go, very good. The chase scene was pretty good, and the Ark barely avoiding the meatbags' homes was pretty cool, and played all cinematic-like in my head. In fact this series so far has done a lot better than the previous 2 in those terms. I've also noticed, a little in #1, but definitely in this issue, that Su has been slowly adopting a far more UK Transformers style. I don't know, or care, if it is intentional, but some variety and nostalgic-feelings can bee good every now and again.

craggy wrote:I've also noticed, a little in #1, but definitely in this issue, that Su has been slowly adopting a far more UK Transformers style.

What do you mean by that? (I'm just getting into the UK stuff with the IDW reprints).

clrobe wrote:

craggy wrote:I've also noticed, a little in #1, but definitely in this issue, that Su has been slowly adopting a far more UK Transformers style.

What do you mean by that? (I'm just getting into the UK stuff with the IDW reprints).

Hes being less technical about it all, and more emotive. When IDW started their TF runs the style seemed very much a continuation of the Dreamwave, show every nut and bolt and hinge and joint, even if they're not consistent from panel to panel, and everything was clearly visible and lighted quite flatly. Now, EJ Su at least, is giving us some dramtic lighting and varied camera angles, shading on the TFs faces and a lot of expression. It appears he's less concerned with drawing everything that would be there in real life than he is with giving us a dramatic interpretation designed to impart as much information as we need to enjoy the story to its fullest.

I'm kinda iffy on the whole Headmasters thing, but it DOES imply that A) Scorponok is still up to his games, and B) Magnus can't be far behind!

Man I thoroughly enjoyed this, it seemed very short, but quite a bit happened in the issue, so I'm not complaining.

Love how Sixshot did the good ol' "I'll say they are dead, without actually checking, I don't feel like getting my feet wet today" bit. And I think Blitzwing "whispering" to Astrotrain will stay with me for a looong time!

Maybe a Spotlight Astrotrain would be something good to have in the future, perhaps showing why he is more loyal to Starscream than Megatron, if its from being on his team for so long, or for other reasons.

I always thought Hunter would be the prototype for the Headmasters, but he most certainly is not, seeing how he was only just finishing up his conditioning training whilst there were operatives already in the field. Makes me wonder why the Headmaster showed himself, maybe the Machination want to make a deal or something?

Ratchet and Sixshot will be the focus for the rest of the Devastation run I reckon, it's not quite G1 Ratchet and Megatron, but I'll take it.

Bring on Part #3, I can hardly wait.

i_amtrunks wrote:Bring on Part #3, I can hardly wait.

Aw man....ditto what trunks said. D:

That ending, man, really got me!

I saw the preview of what was on the inside front cover - of Hunter all...mechanized like that - and I was really really excited to go on and read the comic!

Then to top it all off, with Sunstreaker like that....

This is sooo uncool, haha... I shouldn't be this hyped over a comic. Now I gotta wait with the thought of the next issue in my mind.

*shakes fist* Great job Simon! I'm definately looking forward for the next issue!!

Here's a thought I jumped on while trying not to fall asleep. Will the Autobots adopt the Headmaster tech, with Hunter and the others taking the role of heads? Think about it. We have Nightbeat...and Hunter would sound like the right kind of name for his associate. Hardhead, well, Jimmy could hop on that I'm sure. And As for Verity? Well, isn't Arcee about to show up?

I loved issue 2, but as has been mentioned, I read it on my way home from picking it up, and when it came to the end of the issue, I was surprised how quick I seemed to go through it.
I love what Simon has done with the G1 series, the story arc really is stretching out, and while sometimes it's a bit short on action one issue, the next issue usually makes up for it.
The best part for issue 2 for me would be seeing Sunstreaker's head hung up like it was. The artwork on that picture was top notch to me since you could really see the pain and desperation on Sunstreaker's face as he begged to be killed. Loved it.

Brakethrough wrote:Here's a thought I jumped on while trying not to fall asleep. Will the Autobots adopt the Headmaster tech, with Hunter and the others taking the role of heads? Think about it. We have Nightbeat...and Hunter would sound like the right kind of name for his associate. Hardhead, well, Jimmy could hop on that I'm sure. And As for Verity? Well, isn't Arcee about to show up?

I think it's very possible for the Machination to utilize the Headmaster technology and it not get passed on to the bots and cons for a LONG time. I mean, we had the introduction of Pretender tech in Stormbringer and it hasn't even been aluded to sense. And we just had the gestalt technology introduction in Spotlight Prime. I could see the TFs file the technology away and then it may come back later when a crisis arises or there is some need for it. Maybe the people of Nebulos need to binary bond in order to survive.

I like how Furman introduces threads and then leaves them there while others develop. For example, Shockwave and the Dinobots were introduced in Spotlight Shockwave (Sept 06). They were mentioned again in Escalation #5 (Mar. 07) and in Escalation #6 (Apr. 07), it was implied that we wouldn't see them again for some time (probably Revelation). That means it could be 2 years before we see that thread continued in the main. We all know that they are being dug up, but while other threads (Headmasters, Reapers, etc) get the focus, you tend to forgot about them. I like that.

Yeah. this has had me thinking. What it the head of the mechanation isn't scorpinok, but Jhiaxus. I'm not saying scorpinoks not involved, i'm sure he is. But simon has thrown us curve balls before, what if jhiaxus is the 'head' and scorpinok is logistically running the show? I mean it would explain why he wasn't mentioned or shown directly in either galvatron's issue, or shown in the prime spotlight. His person has managed to remain the biggest mystery of the whole expansion issue.

Calvatron wrote:Yeah. this has had me thinking. What it the head of the mechanation isn't scorpinok, but Jhiaxus. I'm not saying scorpinoks not involved, i'm sure he is. But simon has thrown us curve balls before, what if jhiaxus is the 'head' and scorpinok is logistically running the show? I mean it would explain why he wasn't mentioned or shown directly in either galvatron's issue, or shown in the prime spotlight. His person has managed to remain the biggest mystery of the whole expansion issue.

Good theory! Especially since we know Jhiaxus made Arcee one very peeved bot, perhaps her revenge leaves him body-less...

clrobe wrote:Maybe the people of Nebulos need to binary bond in order to survive.

If there are any survivors of Nebulos, then that also makes sense, their planet was ravaged by Thunderwing...

i_amtrunks wrote:Maybe a Spotlight Astrotrain would be something good to have in the future, perhaps showing why he is more loyal to Starscream than Megatron, if its from being on his team for so long, or for other reasons.

Obviously this doesn't have any bearing on IDW's continuity but it's interesting to note that in the animated movie Starscream, when he is being crowned, is flanked by Astrotrain and Ramjet (as if they were his favourites or strongest supporters).

Leonardo wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:Maybe a Spotlight Astrotrain would be something good to have in the future, perhaps showing why he is more loyal to Starscream than Megatron, if its from being on his team for so long, or for other reasons.

Obviously this doesn't have any bearing on IDW's continuity but it's interesting to note that in the animated movie Starscream, when he is being crowned, is flanked by Astrotrain and Ramjet (as if they were his favourites or strongest supporters).

But knowing the way Furman writes he could easily be working upon a minute reference like that...

Guess we will see what Ramjet thinks of Starscream, Megatron and what the hell is going on on Earth in Ramjet's Spotlight later in November.

I think that the stage could be set for us to finally see who the "head" of the Machination is. Between Dante asking to view his exo-carapace and the scientists standing around looking at the monitors, we might get the reveal next issue. Simon promised that we would know by the end of Devastation, but I hope he doesn't stretch it out until issue #6. It isn't solicited anywhere, but neither was Ratbat and Ravage's appearance in issue #1, so here's hoping.

Personally, I kind of hope that the "head" isn't Scorponok, because it's been set up since the Spotlight Magnus, but I know that it will be. I mean, we had the headless drones in the Spotlight Magnus, headless Sunstreakers in Escalation #6, and now the Machination have exo-carapaces very similar to ones seen in Spotlight Magnus. I won't be disappointed if it is Scorponok, but it would be nice if there was a another curve ball.

Calvatron wrote:Yeah. this has had me thinking. What it the head of the mechanation isn't scorpinok, but Jhiaxus. I'm not saying scorpinoks not involved, i'm sure he is. But simon has thrown us curve balls before, what if jhiaxus is the 'head' and scorpinok is logistically running the show? I mean it would explain why he wasn't mentioned or shown directly in either galvatron's issue, or shown in the prime spotlight. His person has managed to remain the biggest mystery of the whole expansion issue.

I like this thinking...i theorised in the IDW thread that there is more connection between the Scorponok/Machination saga and Nova Prime's dead universe than we are seeing at the moment. Take Gorlam Prime, that has been advanced and they look like headmasters..

I tend to see the two threads of headmasters and expansion being more intertwined as time goes on.

Does anyone else think Gorlam Prime was the very start of the experiements for headmasters then they moved elsewhere so as not arouse suspicion?

Gorlam Prime has to be where something started, there's just something about the way the planet was written in Nightbeas Spotlight that made me think we would be seeing/hearing more from it.

I don't think it had to do with Headmasters though, unless of course Jhiaxus is the Head, because that would tie it all together very nicely.

i_amtrunks wrote:Gorlam Prime has to be where something started, there's just something about the way the planet was written in Nightbeas Spotlight that made me think we would be seeing/hearing more from it.

I don't think it had to do with Headmasters though, unless of course Jhiaxus is the Head, because that would tie it all together very nicely.

After quickly flicking through Stormbringer etal again there are three bots not easily identified during the whole conference the Cybertron scientists have.

I've got Thunderwing, Jetfire, Soundwave and possibly Perceptor but the others are un-named. There was also a bot who looked like Marvel Thunderwing in spotlight Galvatron.

Given J'hiaxus was chief scientist and was responsible for a number of creations like gesalt tech and we have Scorponok and Thunderwing giving us pretender and Headmaster tech maybe J'haixus isn't in the dead universe after all??

He was said to have vanished at the same time as Ark 1, but never confirmed he was on board.

God all this speculation all these subtle maybes and what ifs making me re-read every issue for a detail i may have missed...this is what good story-telling is all about.

Hard to believe it will be 2009 before we are well into expansion...seems so far away but adds to the story that a lot can happen over a year...

skyshadowprimus wrote:After quickly flicking through Stormbringer etal again there are three bots not easily identified during the whole conference the Cybertron scientists have.

I've got Thunderwing, Jetfire, Soundwave and possibly Perceptor but the others are un-named. There was also a bot who looked like Marvel Thunderwing in spotlight Galvatron.

Perceptor was there, and Mixmaster and Swerve were also in on that panel.

I was disapointed in this issue because of the action the cover promised portraying Sixshot stalking the survivors of the Autobot shuttle crash - which obviously did not happen.

I was also very disapointed with how Sixshot just assumed there was no survivours of the attack on the shuttle. In his spotlight he came across as being highly intelligent, the same when he was talking with Megatron and there is no way that he could have missed the Ark changing direction from hitting the houses to hitting the drink instead.

It was one of those "we'll pretend the character is dumb or did not see the obvious" just to suit us.

Having said all that - once I got over the disapointment listed above, I really enjoyed this issue. Loved the way Prime took over command of the Ark when Prowl froze showing why he is Prime.

Can't wait for the next issue to come out and seeing how Hot Rod and Wheeljack get out of their little prediciment and to seeing if Ironhide can be rescued in time.

I see what you mean about Sixshot. I thought it was slightly odd he'd assumed there were no survivors.

I really like the Headmaster heads...much darker and more menacing than having replicas of Sunstreaker's original head.

Leonardo wrote:I see what you mean about Sixshot. I thought it was slightly odd he'd assumed there were no survivors.

I really like the Headmaster heads...much darker and more menacing than having replicas of Sunstreaker's original heads.

It's the convenient "I dont wanna get my feet wet/dirty/I cant be bothered" to 100% confirm they are dead like I should; plot device that is used so much in films and books.

It seems out of character for someone who is more or less a living weapon to be so (in lack of a better term) lazy. Maybe it was a Furman joke/nod or something?

Not that it matter, Ratchet takes the focus next! Wheee!!

i_amtrunks wrote:

Leonardo wrote:I see what you mean about Sixshot. I thought it was slightly odd he'd assumed there were no survivors.

I really like the Headmaster heads...much darker and more menacing than having replicas of Sunstreaker's original heads.

It's the convenient "I dont wanna get my feet wet/dirty/I cant be bothered" to 100% confirm they are dead like I should; plot device that is used so much in films and books.

It seems out of character for someone who is more or less a living weapon to be so (in lack of a better term) lazy. Maybe it was a Furman joke/nod or something?

Not that it matter, Ratchet takes the focus next! Wheee!!

Megatron and Sixshot know that an escape pod was launched so they know that there could be survivors. I like where devestation is taking off.

Down_Shift wrote:Megatron and Sixshot know that an escape pod was launched so they know that there could be survivors. I like where devestation is taking off.

But he knows that not everyone could be on board, so he is still presuming that the majority of the Autobot forces have been killed without checking. Just seems a little odd for a character like Sixshot to be so unprofessional.

Something I had not really thought about though, now the US Armed Forces know that there was something flying in the sky, they were shown scrambling to get there. Is Sixshot going to get some target practice, or will he be ordered to "hide" from the military?