The Energon Pub

I picked up Transformers: Heart of Darkness #1 out of curiosity. I know Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning's Marvel work and it comes highly recommended. However, I know the mini-series spins out of Infestation, which I want to read in paperback and skipped the single issues. Fortunately, the issue doesn't refer to Infestation. On top of that, I'm not familiar with the IDW Galvatron as I've only read the current ongoing series.

The art is serviceable and tells a sequential story but I felt artist Ulises Farinas doesn't quite know how to draw Transformers as they all appear puffy and doughy with weird facial expressions, which doesn't fit well for the menacing Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. It's a shame because Farinas' cover looks pretty great.

However, I was able to look over the art because I was interested in the story. Galvatron was thought dead when Optimus Prime threw his body in the Solar Pool. However, it activated the Anti-Matrix that was inside this body and was reborn. Now with more power, he sought out to heal Scourge and Cyclonus, who were on the verge of death. They head to Techworld to find Jhiaxus. They also discover Jhiaxus' bodyguards: Micromasters!

After Galvatron heals Jhiaxus, he discovers a trans-dimensional gate, which is what he's looking for. Before they Decepticons pass through the gate, Arcee and Hardhead stop them.

It's not cover to cover robot fighting but it's a good set up for the mini-series. I'll check out the rest!

Question: does Galvatron and Co count as Decepticons given that they don't refer to themselves as such?

Sorry I only now found this.

I'm writing a review for Seibertron on HOD #2 Supreme Convoy. After reading the first issue, I felt very strongly that I needed to get in some kind of feedback on this.

I enjoyed the written word. It's getting deep, but returns to Furman's IDW run, so it's good in that matter.

But I had a horrendous time trying to enjoy the writing past the art. I kept looking for who would have drawn pages, but could only find the one creator. He is so scattered in his style, and consistancy, in that he lacks consistancy.

He looks like he really likes to draw Galvatron...most of the time. The rest of the characters seem to baffle him. Hardhead he does a good job on, but it looks like he may have done a lot of reference work/research on.

Issue #2 steps up from this, I want to say pathetic, because this is a professional, but I've seen many, many, many MOSAICS with better art, and at one time may have professed that I could have done a much better job.

I think the artist does seem to do much better with large, but not entirely close images. However, close ups on faces, and far away background images of bots are very difficult for this person.

The chain link goatee... how did HASBRO approve that?

I am glad to see improvement in the art from Issues #1 to #2, and I think the writing is good, the story, can be good, but I'm having a hard time with the Dvoid thing (issue #2).

Read issue 2 and let us know what you think. Like I said, I have a review coming soon.

trence5 wrote:Question: does Galvatron and Co count as Decepticons given that they don't refer to themselves as such?

Ah. That explains why they don't have Decepticons logos on them. I'm not sure the exact IDW origin with these characters.

tigertracks 24 wrote:The chain link goatee... how did HASBRO approve that?

I just looked this up... I can't believe I missed that the first time. Now I can't look past it