The Energon Pub

Transformers Ongoing #16 Review



Transformers Ongoing has been one of the most controversial Transformers comic book series ever. From the art to the plot development, fan opinions are all over the map. Issue #16 is likely to evoke more of the same.

The issue, as expected, is available in three covers, two by Marcelo Matere and one by Nick Roche. Internal artist in Alex Milne. Milne's approach to the artwork hearkens back to recent TF Ongoing (controversial) designs by Figuero. However, the aesthetics that displeased many fans don't seem to be as harsh in Milne's version. I, for one, really like Milne's Ultra Magnus at the bottom of the fourth page.

Moving on to the story itself, this issue finds Bumblebee still in recovery, and the Autobots attempting to avoid violent confrontations with humans. Megatron is back and making his intentions clear. Revenge on the humans is his sole purpose in returning to Earth. Starscream is up to his old tricks, believing Megatron to be obsessed with Earth and leading the Decepticons toward ruin. There's a great conversation between Starscream and Thundercracker in this issue. It seems there's a lot of bad blood between the Seekers this days.

I'd love to tell you more, but I fear I'm giving too much away already. The story still seems to be progressing slowly, and the issue feels too short even at 22 pages. However, the dynamics between the characters seem to be setting us up for some very complex, mature, and entertaining events in the near future. The art will likely still be controversial to some readers, and I personally find elements of it that I like and some that I don't. This issue gets a solid B+.

I want a toy of that Ultra Magnus! Now!

What the hell are those things on Ultramagnus shoulders?

Dragging story?

B+?

What ever...

Ugh another 5$ of slagtastic nonsense. Get with it IDW either make the comics 50+ pages or give us two issues in a month, that way it actually seems like we are getting somewhere with the story instead of you just gouging our pocketbooks.

Powermaster Jazz wrote:I want a toy of that Ultra Magnus! Now!

Hah, thats exactly what I thought.

Here's hoping the story is better than the art.

Those things on Ultra Magnus' shoulders remind me of the reflex cannon on the SDF-1, of Robotech fame. Are they gonna swivel down and obliterate everything in it's path? I bet some folk wish they would... lol

The ongoing is terrible. No other words for it, if IDW are smart they cancel this sorry excuse for a story as soon as possible. 16 issues in, and still nothing has happened. Why the hell is Mike Costa still writing this??

I stopped buying Ongoing after Issue #10. The storyline was terrible. I don't have an issue w/ Fig's artwork, unlike the person who did the Bumblebee series (terrible!!!).

I enjoyed this story and enjoyed the art more as well.

I think Milne's pencils are refreshing. Even though they lean toward Don's style more, there are less of the issues here that some folks got riled up with when Don first introduced this.

I enjoyed this one. Megatron shows up and it gets ugly! Squishies!

tigertracks 24 wrote:I enjoyed this story and enjoyed the art more as well.

I think Milne's pencils are refreshing. Even though they lean toward Don's style more, there are less of the issues here that some folks got riled up with when Don first introduced this.

I enjoyed this one. Megatron shows up and it gets ugly! Squishies!

I agree overall its a great concept and story and I like the idea of giving new artists a chance in the spotlight, but the pacing needs some improvement it is just far too slow.

You know what, if I may be permitted to make a statement here, I stopped reading the Ongoing with issue 4, because the series was doing way more wrong than right in my modest opinion.
But that being said, I am so, so greatful that TT and others review the series, because it allows me to stay semi-current with my favorite universe full of giant alien robots.
I'm not trying to get all mushy or anything, but thanks guys, and keep up the great work of keeping me informed!

Dagon wrote:You know what, if I may be permitted to make a statement here, I stopped reading the Ongoing with issue 4, because the series was doing way more wrong than right in my modest opinion.
But that being said, I am so, so greatful that TT and others review the series, because it allows me to stay semi-current with my favorite universe full of giant alien robots.
I'm not trying to get all mushy or anything, but thanks guys, and keep up the great work of keeping me informed!

Thanks for saying that. It puts us in an interesting position. Hopefully we (I) haven't passed on too much poor opinions of the stories or art.

I don't mind the series that much!! The only thing that gets me is just how friken easy the auto bots get beat!!!
I understand that they have to make megatron look bad ass but lets have magnus punch him in the face or have the arkbot's hurt him just a little before they go down. This is the reason i got out of allot of aname!!!!!!

The story's as boring and unnecessarily drawn out as it's always been.

The artwork's an improvement, though.

tigertracks 24 wrote:Hopefully we (I) haven't passed on too much poor opinions of the stories or art.

As a matter of fact, you guys are very nice considering the quality of the book (or lack thereof), imo.

I dug it. Love Megatron's return to Earth, which goes to a very dark place.

I was able to figure out previous events when Starscream confronts Thundercracker but it makes me want to pick up All Hail Megatron.

Hans wrote:

tigertracks 24 wrote:Hopefully we (I) haven't passed on too much poor opinions of the stories or art.

As a matter of fact, you guys are very nice considering the quality of the book (or lack thereof), imo.

Thanks Hans. I really thought after my INFESTATION review when looking back at it, that I have just been too jaded toward the new TF series at IDW, and too critical, and not enough middle grounded.

However, even if I was not reviewing them, I still have to say this... I would still be buying them. BUT, that's because I like to see and hear my TFs in action in stories, and not just have toys, so IDW does not hear from my money, that I dislike their product.


I do know that there are people who really enjoy them, and I say to them, keep enjoying, and share what you are enjoying about them.

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Dagon wrote:You know what, if I may be permitted to make a statement here, I stopped reading the Ongoing with issue 4, because the series was doing way more wrong than right in my modest opinion.
But that being said, I am so, so greatful that TT and others review the series, because it allows me to stay semi-current with my favorite universe full of giant alien robots.
I'm not trying to get all mushy or anything, but thanks guys, and keep up the great work of keeping me informed!

Thanks for saying that. It puts us in an interesting position. Hopefully we (I) haven't passed on too much poor opinions of the stories or art.

Nope, I had negative opinions about this already. But I meant what I said. I find myself less and less and less interested in the Transformers universe these days, but I still love the characters and their stories, but Ongoing lost me long, long ago. That said, I still do like knowing what's going on, and I hope my lulled interest is going to break when the third movie is over with, so I'd like to stay connected somehow, and these threads help me with that.

I haven't pushed anyone aside to get to this issue yet...but I'm sure I'll end up with it eventually. I can't help but to buy Ongoing - it's that persistent hope that something exciting will happen.

Megatron...."I could strip you down like a FIELD RIFLE."

Optimus probably thinking "damn I hope they have some of those fans project trailor armors left....."