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TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:35 am
by WhiteRabbit
The Universe of the Transformers is vast, and populated by many characters. Their universe is a large tapestry, made up of the stories and points of view of countless experiences that serve the larger whole.

These are some of those stories. This is:
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It should be noted that while this project has been recognized by IDW Publishing and Hasbro, none of the works presented have been commissioned or solicited by either company. The stories are not official canon, except where noted.
These stories are the result of Transformers enthusiasts taking the time out of their busy days to contribute to a universe they love.
No one has been paid for the production of these stories.


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Since our Legions of Mosaicons have been a bunch o' busy beaver-bots, we've built up quite the backlog of Mosaic pieces. So, until further notice, we're going to be cranking up the releases yet again!

We'll still be releasing on the same days of the week, but look for TWO pieces to make their debut in tandem on the usual days!

Thanks for reading, and without further ado...



"A Test Of Metal" Story by Liz "Jeysie" Calkins, Art and Letters by Dusan "Grimock Dinobot" M

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Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:12 am
by Pyrostrata
yay! I liked it bunches! Way to go! :) (Yay Jeysie on the story!)

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:07 am
by olokin
Wow! 2 G1 Mosaics. This one also features art that evokes old animation series. Nice work.

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:57 am
by Counterpunch
Not to be a jerk or anything, but what in Blitzwing's documented history/character traits would indicate that he'd suicide?

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:29 pm
by Duke of Luns
I like it :grin: . This is a very well written piece, and it draws on what I think is probably Blitzwing's best characterization in G1, cartoon-wise of course. Too bad they never revisited that storyline in the show(Blitzwing did pop up during Thief in the Night I believe, and in Headmasters too, so I guess Galvatron forgot about his treachery). The art's good too.

All in all, another top-notch piece, and a very good addition to Mosaic's library ;)^ .

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:10 pm
by Jeysie
Counterpunch wrote:Not to be a jerk or anything, but what in Blitzwing's documented history/character traits would indicate that he'd suicide?


This is a fair question, so I'll try to answer it.

My reasoning upon trying to think of how you'd fill this particular gap was... Octane's plight in "Starscream's Ghost" - reduced to peddling scrap to the Junkions, getting his ship blasted out from under him by a Galvatron-hired assassin anyway, and having to finally resign himself to crawling to the Autobots - suggests to me that there's not exactly a lot of options for an exiled Decepticon (especially considering that Octane strikes me as being a lot more charismatic/connected than Blitzwing).

So... way I see it, he's likely to eventually be reduced to a few general choices... join the Autobots (or someone else willing to provide sanctuary), finally finish wasting away from lack of energy, give up and have Galvatron come kill him and "win" after all, or find some way to go out in a blaze of glory.

The middle two options seem rather... ignominious to me for someone who's portrayed in the show as getting a great deal of glee out of being a fighter. And the Mosaic itself tried to address the first option. (Yes, I know he originally was going to be written as joining the Autobots after all instead of Octane. I still can't picture it; it just feels too out of place with the character to me.)

Which leaves... well. Plus, Blitzwing *is* sort of nuts. I could see him deciding that he just can't go out without getting to blast one last thing, even if the only thing currently available happens to be himself.

I do freely admit it's a pretty unconventional take, but not one I think is entirely out of whack. I can understand if you disagree, though!

At any rate, I might have some other notes on my writing process later... just wanted to address that particular thought. I'm relieved that people seem to find this interesting so far. Considering it's the first fanfic I'd written in eons, and the first comic page I wrote period, I was sort of nervous all this time! :>

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:12 am
by 8 bit
This is a really interesting mosaic, coincidently, I recently watched 5 Faces and I was just thinking about what Blitzwing meant when he said "Sometimes, it's better to be known for one's enemy's." Basically, I think he saw first hand that Galvatron may not be able to lead the Decepticons, that the days of glory were over. What would be the point in fighting for an empty cause?

Nice work! :grin:

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:36 am
by Counterpunch
Jeysie wrote:snip


I see what you're saying and how you got to that idea.

I think perhaps if Blitzwing was taking his suicide more seriously it would have been portrayed better. Remorseful, samurai-esq, not gleeful. That's just my opinion on it.

Re: TRANSFORMERS MOSAIC: "A Test of Metal"

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:28 am
by Jeysie
Counterpunch wrote:I think perhaps if Blitzwing was taking his suicide more seriously it would have been portrayed better. Remorseful, samurai-esq, not gleeful. That's just my opinion on it.


That's a fair point, too. I think my reasoning (it's been a while) was part trying to emphasize that I didn't think he'd feel depressed or sorry for himself here (Why should he be remorseful? Angry at Galvatron and maybe his luck, yes, but he didn't do anything that was stupid or untrue to himself, which IMHO was the interesting irony of that whole deal), and part the fact that he *is* a bit nuts.

But I respect the feedback; this was meant as an attempt to write something I hadn't before, so it's good to hear thoughts on what does and doesn't work.