This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 3:13AM CDT

Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Va'al   Views: 23,653

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

Courtesy of IDW Publishing directly, and embargo dates passing, we have the full preview to share for this week's Transformers comics release in the form of Unicron #5 - the penultimate issue in the mini-series, and the end of the world as we know it!

The contents of the book do spoil a little of yet unreleased Optimus Prime #24, but nothing major from what is present in the preview below, so you're still clear to read if you're following the single issues. Take a look, and join us later this week for a Seibertron.com review and Energon Pub discussion!

Transformers: Unicron #5 (of 6)
John Barber (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)
THE END IS HERE! The Transformers bots make one last, desperate stand against Unicron, as Optimus Prime plunges deep into the monster—and into the dark history that spawned them both.
FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Bullet points:
• The final battle rages as Unicron attacks the Earth!
• Jam-packed with guest stars in a battle for survival—but will anyone make it out alive?
• Variant covers by Fico Ossio and Francesco Francavilla!


Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5

Transformers News: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5
Credit(s): IDW

News Search

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988281)
Posted by Black Bumblebee on October 9th, 2018 @ 7:42am CDT
After this issue publishes, everything else will be "last issues" and conclusions. :-(
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988290)
Posted by YoungPrime on October 9th, 2018 @ 9:19am CDT
I haven't read any of the Unicron books yet save for Zero.

Having BW characters as Unicron's minions or whatever is kind of a turn off. But I'll likely just binge read this entire series at some point.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988291)
Posted by Mr.MicroMaster on October 9th, 2018 @ 9:22am CDT
I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988296)
Posted by Flashwave on October 9th, 2018 @ 10:41am CDT
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.

Yeah, it’s hard to rule the world when someone else shows up and goes OM NOM NOM on it
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988297)
Posted by Mr.MicroMaster on October 9th, 2018 @ 10:42am CDT
Flashwave wrote:
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.

Yeah, it’s hard to rule the world when someone else shows up and goes OM NOM NOM on it

My thoughts exactly. :lol:
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988324)
Posted by Nexus Knight on October 9th, 2018 @ 1:31pm CDT
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:
Flashwave wrote:
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.

Yeah, it’s hard to rule the world when someone else shows up and goes OM NOM NOM on it

My thoughts exactly. :lol:

Till all are one. ;)
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988339)
Posted by Randomhero on October 9th, 2018 @ 2:25pm CDT
Black Bumblebee wrote:After this issue publishes, everything else will be "last issues" and conclusions. :-(



Still two issues of Optimus Prime left
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988390)
Posted by ScottyP on October 9th, 2018 @ 6:56pm CDT
In case anyone needs a reference or is curious:

Image
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988481)
Posted by Va'al on October 10th, 2018 @ 3:50am CDT
"G2"

:APPLAUSE: :APPLAUSE: :lol:
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988523)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 10th, 2018 @ 10:15am CDT
Va'al wrote:"G2"

:APPLAUSE: :APPLAUSE: :lol:

I not sure I get it...
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988537)
Posted by ScottyP on October 10th, 2018 @ 12:10pm CDT
YoungPrime wrote:I haven't read any of the Unicron books yet save for Zero.

Having BW characters as Unicron's minions or whatever is kind of a turn off. But I'll likely just binge read this entire series at some point.
It's a fun nod to Armada, and Beast Wars Neo to a much lesser extent. I only bring up BWN since Drancron was one of the first ones seen back in OP 14 (or 13 or whenever the Throttlebots stuff was.)

ZeroWolf wrote:
Va'al wrote:"G2"

:APPLAUSE: :APPLAUSE: :lol:

I not sure I get it...
Be forewarned that most jokes are not funny once explained and this will likely be one of those cases. Anyway, the middle of the scene has a big tub or container of Sparks. One of the few of them to become a Transformer so far is, more or less, G2 Sideswipe, hence the joke.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988723)
Posted by o.supreme on October 11th, 2018 @ 2:53pm CDT
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.


ok, I'm glad I'm not going insane when I saw that. Why in the world are there 3 Cobra Commanders...man i'm glad this is all coming to an end... :BANG_HEAD:

I also think I saw a G2 Sideswipe, but he's dead right...RIGHT???....
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1988805)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on October 12th, 2018 @ 12:30am CDT
o.supreme wrote:
Mr.MicroMaster wrote:I love how even Cobra is helping. Including three different Cobra Commanders.


ok, I'm glad I'm not going insane when I saw that. Why in the world are there 3 Cobra Commanders...man i'm glad this is all coming to an end... :BANG_HEAD:

I also think I saw a G2 Sideswipe, but he's dead right...RIGHT???....

The reason there’s 3 Cobra Commanders is because there are 3 characters who have claimed that title: Krake (the dude in the cape) who led Cobra up until he disappeared between G.I. Joe vol. 3 and 4; Tomax (in the classic outfit) who took over leadership of Cobra from Krake but didn’t assume the Commander title until being forced into it by Baron Ironblood in Revolutionaries and now can’t remove the helmet; and the Baroness (in the cloth mask) who reorganized Cobra and declared herself the new Commander in G.I. Joe vol. 5.

Also, that G2 Sideswipe isn’t the same Sideswipe who died. He’s one of the new generation of protoforms that was born inside Trypticon back in OP #14.

I’m not sure you can really get mad if you haven’t read the other books.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1989586)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 17th, 2018 @ 3:28pm CDT
No Review yet?

Anyway, I've read issue 5 and this flowed a lot better than the previous issue. Felt considerably less like an exposition dump than the previous issues, although there was quite a bit here too. The "reveal" (I guess?) with Nemesis seems to both come out of nowhere and perhaps dilute the already underwhelming portrayal of Unicron. My issues with the panel to panel layout of the art persist. I gave up even trying to follow the big air battle that takes place here. Which according to the Wiki, someone dies, but I couldn't tell you who or where.
This one I would give a 6.5/10. An improvement, still held back by the (haphazard) visual narrative.
Not quite sure how this is going to all be tied up in one more issue, so I am cynically expecting an epilogue/Coda piece to follow.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1989587)
Posted by ZeroWolf on October 17th, 2018 @ 3:48pm CDT
Yeah the epilogue is the last issue of Optimus Prime.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1989589)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on October 17th, 2018 @ 3:57pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Yeah the epilogue is the last issue of Optimus Prime.



After reading this issue, I thought that would be the case. Ta ;)^
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1989606)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 17th, 2018 @ 7:16pm CDT
Rebirthing
A Seibertron.com Spoilerish Review of IDW Transformers: Unicron #5


Synopsis

THE END IS HERE! The Transformers make one last, desperate stand against Unicron, as Optimus Prime plunges deep into the monster—and into the dark history that spawned them both.

Image
I need a way out
I don't believe that it's gonna be this way
The worst is
The waiting
In this world I'm suffocating


Story

So here we are once more, with the issue before the end, the final non-final issue. And as a windup to the ultimate climax, did the book deliver? Well, see below.

Image
Feel Your presence
I take You in


So here's the thing about this particular book: the pacing felt much better in this issue and it feels the more cohesive compared to the other issues so far. While it was not particularly full of action, it wasn't supposed to be, as it is the calm after the destruction of Cybertron and before the final confrontation before the universe truly ends. And Jetfire and Prowl even say as much.

It also takes place following the Optimus Prime 24 comic that came out a week later (see the review from earlier today!), so it was spoilerish to review, hence the review waiting to give people time to access and process that book.

It was also cool that this book managed to make itself a Hasbro Universe book, more so than really any other book done so far. And unlike past Hasbro U events, this one finally has a proper team up across the board, even if the events feel a bit rushed, pushed, or forced. But hey, at least we got a large part of this mad universe together in some fashion!

Image
Breathe for the first time now
I came alive somehow


But the main issue I find in the story is the personalities of the people involved at times, as with little action and mainly setup, it feels like we got some big personalities that are clashing with each other more so than in previous issues. And with a grand total of 3 issues left in this Universe period after today with Optimus Prime 24, it feels like some of those characters may not get the ending of the story that they need or deserve. Slide is one that particularly bothers me, Spike is sort of there but not really, Prowl returning with a protege of sorts in Stardrive, and while Stardrive does play off nicely and her wraith moments are good, especially with other wraith-infected members, her taking a sort of Prowl approach doesn't really sit well with me, and it's kind of a bummer.

Shockwave is sort of still doing stuff, and the final standoff between masters of logic are set up, but I can't help but feel that this doesn't feel as rewarding as it should. The same way with the Maximals: we have memorable faces and names, but they have a small amount of lines between them, and nothing really to back them up beyond their mere recognizable appearance.

One thing the book definitely did get right though was Thundercracker, and as his story nears completion, I love the character that was made, and I love how he, Marissa, and Buster are a nice little family that loves and trusts each other. I also appreciated Trypticon and his direction, and the new generation and the protection so many feel over them. Well done there.

Image
I wanna break out
I found a way out
I don't believe that it's gonna be this way


But again, overall I felt there was a little bit more clashing than there could have been with different characters, and the story reads a bit less cohesively as it could, but the pacing here felt good as a pseudo-breath catcher. We got good moments, just maybe not as powerful as they deserved to be.

art

Art duties fall for the second-to-last time to Alex Milne and David Garcia-Cruz, and once again they do a masterful job. The art for the series has been fantastic, but seeing the different parts of Unicron looming over Earth, and really getting a good idea of the scale of the robot mode Unicron compared to the Earth is pretty awesome. We finally get a good scale done right for Unicron.

Scale does seem to be a good strength of the book too, as we get Titans involved as well, and the background scenery is very well done considering we jump from the US to a destroyed Canadian cityscape to the African jungles to space. I appreciate the level of detail and the coloring that went into each shot as well. The colors are dark and foreboding where they are needed, vibrant and bright when action is intense or Unicron's glow is present, space is beautiful, and it does a good job of mixing together the darkness (figurative and literal) of the end while still bringing some natural beauty and properly expressing the mood of the series.

Image
Tell me when I'm gonna live again
Tell me when I'm gonna breathe you in
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside
Tell me when I'm gonna feel alive


If there is one complaint I would have, it would be that the Decepticons in Africa almost appear too lightly colored compared to what we see later and are used to, but it's a minor nitpick.

Letters are handled by Tom B. Long, who does his level best (and succeeds) in making sure those previously discussed lines and colors are enjoyed to the fullest extent to give us proper scenery and people on screen while still delivering the dialogue. Kind of a cool thing to note too is Bludgeon and his speech bubbles. He continues the "God of Death" black bubbles for most of the issue, but there is a particular moment where he loses that, and he falls back to regular Bludgeon, and the lettering pulling that off was a neat touch.

Final Thoughts

When writing up this review, it was hard to give this book a score and proper credit. It's a pretty good book, a decent read, and fun to look at. But while it is a good book, it's not necessarily a good Transformers book. It tries its hardest, but ultimately, I think the overall series needed a little bit better pacing to make it a proper and good Transformers book, especially when this book showed that proper pacing can allow you to better grasp what is happening and allow you to breath for a second and take in what you are reading.

Image
Rebirithing now
I wanna live my life
Wanna give You everything


Make no mistake though, it's still not bad. It is fun, dark, has some good character moments, some questionable characters, kind of a lot going on to the point of a bit too much, but also clever, and it even managed to make "Titan-Mastering" a verb.

So should you read this? Yes, I think you should. Is this Lost Light 22 good? Not quite. Is it Wreckers Trilogy good? Not by a decent amount. But is it still worth your time and effort? I'd say yes. Unicron himself may not be everything we wanted him to be, but he looks amazing, and his story ultimately fits in with what the Mythos is for this universe.

Take it like that, and you can enjoy this issue as a whole.

:MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL: out of :MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL: :MAXIMAL:


As has become the theme for the Unicron reviews, this week's issue anthem is Rebirthing by Skillet!
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1989852)
Posted by ScottyP on October 19th, 2018 @ 8:50am CDT
Based on this issue I don't see most of the remaining '84 cast surviving. Guess we'll see! I do wish this and OP 24 had been wrapped into one book with the final battle actually starting with this chapter. There is a metric ton of plot to resolve in Unicron 6 now.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993444)
Posted by william-james88 on November 10th, 2018 @ 8:02am CST
We have two pieces of news concerning the final chapter of the Unicron mini-series. Firstly, Scotty P has made us aware of a five page preview over at Comic Crusaders. For those unaware, this final issue is a double issue and Alex Milne will be accompanied by Sara Pitre-Durocher, Andrew Griffith, and Kei Zama for art duties.

The preview is below but before that we wanted to share a variant cover sent to us by artist John Paul Paras who also wrote to us the following:

I've been a Transformers fan all my life and when I heard they were doing a Unicron Mini Series, I knew I had to be apart of it. I wanted to do a cover homaging the Classic "Infinity Gauntlet" Issue 4 George Perez Cover. IDW and Hasbro approved of the concept and I was off into the creative phase. I wanted to show that although Unicron was small compared to vastness of space, he was ready to conquer it. KRSComics.com are taking Preorders for the Release date of November 14th. The Variant is limited to 500 copies and is only available their online. I'm proud to be apart of Transformers history and hope you guys enjoy my cover to Transformers Unicron issue #6.



Image

Image

Transformers: Unicron #6 (of 6)
Cover A: Alex Milne / Cover B: James Raiz
John Barber (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)

FC • 48 pages • $7.99

November 14 2018

This is it! The end of an era! Finishing off 13 years’ worth of continuity with a bang!

EARTH WAR!

With Unicron’s ultimate goal revealed, the shaky alliance of Autobots and Decepticons is all that stands between Earth and the planet-eater. Heroes will rise—and fall—as Optimus Prime journeys into the dark heart of Unicron for the final confrontation with evil. At stake: the soul of a universe.


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993445)
Posted by Nexus Knight on November 10th, 2018 @ 8:18am CST
Holy crap, Slide. You're... you're a special kind of idiot, aintcha?
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993459)
Posted by Randomhero on November 10th, 2018 @ 10:42am CST
Nexus Knight wrote:Holy crap, Slide. You're... you're a special kind of idiot, aintcha?



I don’t think anyone is suppose to like Slide but I can understand her. She believed in optimus. Saw him as a god and he indirectly got her brother killed. Not brother in arms, her actual brother, but not just her brother but her entire ability to transform. Her entire life has been ruined. She reminds me a lot of Prowls views on Megatron by the finale of Lost Light. It didn’t matter how much good he does he ruined lives and you can’t get passed that.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993461)
Posted by Nexus Knight on November 10th, 2018 @ 11:24am CST
Randomhero wrote:
Nexus Knight wrote:Holy crap, Slide. You're... you're a special kind of idiot, aintcha?



I don’t think anyone is suppose to like Slide but I can understand her. She believed in optimus. Saw him as a god and he indirectly got her brother killed. Not brother in arms, her actual brother but not just her brother her, but not just her brother but her entire ability to transform. Her entire life has been ruined. She reminds me a lot of Prowls views on Megatron by the finale of Lost Light. It didn’t matter how much good he does he ruined lives and you can’t get passed that.


No, she has the right. OP took advantage of their faith and basically used it to build his army to take Earth. Oiler died because of Prime. The thing that makes her species unique was yanged away because of it. She has every right to be pissed. I'm talking about the time and place. People are literally dying around her and she is hesitating trying to help because she has a beef with the person leading the charge.

Anyways, who thinks Thundercracker is gonna bite Unicron's bullet?
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993465)
Posted by Randomhero on November 10th, 2018 @ 11:42am CST
Nexus Knight wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
Nexus Knight wrote:Holy crap, Slide. You're... you're a special kind of idiot, aintcha?



I don’t think anyone is suppose to like Slide but I can understand her. She believed in optimus. Saw him as a god and he indirectly got her brother killed. Not brother in arms, her actual brother but not just her brother her, but not just her brother but her entire ability to transform. Her entire life has been ruined. She reminds me a lot of Prowls views on Megatron by the finale of Lost Light. It didn’t matter how much good he does he ruined lives and you can’t get passed that.


No, she has the right. OP took advantage of their faith and basically used it to build his army to take Earth. Oiler died because of Prime. The thing that makes her species unique was yanged away because of it. She has every right to be pissed. I'm talking about the time and place. People are literally dying around her and she is hesitating trying to help because she has a beef with the person leading the charge.

Anyways, who thinks Thundercracker is gonna bite Unicron's bullet?


I kinda wonder is she’s just snapped. Like her brain has and she just can’t truly fathom what is happening around her. Thy does happen and not defending her really but it’s how I’m interpreting it.

I hope thundercracker doesn’t. I don’t wanna day he’s got a survival bubble on him but he’s been in my top five transformers since he saved everyone in All Hail Megatron 12
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993476)
Posted by Deadput on November 10th, 2018 @ 1:05pm CST
God Slide is the most annoying character that isn't a Visionary in IDW

Randomhero wrote:
I kinda wonder is she’s just snapped. Like her brain has and she just can’t truly fathom what is happening around her. Thy does happen and not defending her really but it’s how I’m interpreting it.

I honestly doubt that, I just chalk it up to Slide being a terribly written character.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993487)
Posted by Randomhero on November 10th, 2018 @ 1:33pm CST
Deadput wrote:God Slide is the most annoying character that isn't a Visionary in IDW

Randomhero wrote:
I kinda wonder is she’s just snapped. Like her brain has and she just can’t truly fathom what is happening around her. Thy does happen and not defending her really but it’s how I’m interpreting it.

I honestly doubt that, I just chalk it up to Slide being a terribly written character.



A terribly written character in the same book as IDW Thundercracker, Needlenose Tracks and Acree...

Yeeeeeeeeah no. She’s written that way for very specific reasons. The people who continue to complain about her character constantly are really wearing their Captain Obvious costumes real well.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993494)
Posted by Deadput on November 10th, 2018 @ 2:09pm CST
Randomhero wrote:A terribly written character in the same book as IDW Thundercracker, Needlenose Tracks and Acree...

Yeeeeeeeeah no. She’s written that way for very specific reasons. The people who continue to complain about her character constantly are really wearing their Captain Obvious costumes real well.


I mean there are people who would say that those characters aren't written well either. (Not me but some people would, although I do think that Thundercracker having a dog is stupid...not bad writing but stupid)

Slide's character could work but the way she is written is completely stupid.


And this is the same comic with other badly written idw characters like Pyra Magna and Optimus himself. (Optimus just straight up sucks as a character in the last few years in IDW)
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993499)
Posted by Randomhero on November 10th, 2018 @ 2:44pm CST
Deadput wrote:
Randomhero wrote:A terribly written character in the same book as IDW Thundercracker, Needlenose Tracks and Acree...

Yeeeeeeeeah no. She’s written that way for very specific reasons. The people who continue to complain about her character constantly are really wearing their Captain Obvious costumes real well.


I mean there are people who would say that those characters aren't written well either. (Not me but some people would, although I do think that Thundercracker having a dog is stupid...not bad writing but stupid)

Slide's character could work but the way she is written is completely stupid.


And this is the same comic with other badly written idw characters like Pyra Magna and Optimus himself. (Optimus just straight up sucks as a character in the last few years in IDW)



Why because they arent devoted to him? Both never fought side by side with him for millions of years. Pyra is the way she is because she grew up around the devotion of Primes and witnessed first hand a Prime murdering her leader. She doesn’t believe in him because she doesn’t think he has the right to be followed by someone like Mistress Flame who also witnessed the evils of a Prime but chose to pretty much ignore that incident.

Slide again lost everything because she believed in him and at this point OP 24 happened where he fully admitted to her in ways he’s a fraud and manipulated people. What’s she’s saying right now is literally an hour or so after her conversation with Optimus from issue 24 where he admits to doing pretty bad stuff for the greater good.

I legitimately believe John is wrote her like this due to her having post dramatic stress and post partum because when you have that you’re not always thinking properly
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993534)
Posted by DerrikDGreat on November 10th, 2018 @ 8:08pm CST
“A place to call our own.” Where you gonna live if Unicron eats your universe slide?
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993736)
Posted by Big Grim on November 12th, 2018 @ 8:19am CST
Wait, was Trypticon just taken out there? Jeez-o!
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993761)
Posted by ScottyP on November 12th, 2018 @ 11:18am CST
DerrikDGreat wrote:“A place to call our own.” Where you gonna live if Unicron eats your universe slide?
Right? She's a selfish heel. Basically IDW Spike in robot form.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1993763)
Posted by o.supreme on November 12th, 2018 @ 11:34am CST
Big Grim wrote:Wait, was Trypticon just taken out there? Jeez-o!


What's funny about this is, wayyyy back in 1986, just prior to the release of TF:TM, my friends and I were speculating how Metroplex and Trypticon were going to be a part of the film (I mean their toys had just come out, so of course they'd be in the movie right... ;) )

We only knew there was a *monster planet* (It's name wasn't revealed in the trailers), and envisioned how Metroplex and Trypitocn would be part of this grand battle. Only took 32 years to see it (sort of) actually happen 8-)
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994001)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 13th, 2018 @ 9:39pm CST
I Need a Hero (to Save Me Now)
A Seibertron.com semi-spoilerish review of IDW Tranformers: Unicron #6


EARTH WAR! With Unicron's ultimate goal revealed, the shaky alliance of Autobots and Decepticons is all that stands between Earth and the planet-eater. Heroes will rise-and fall-as Optimus Prime journeys into the dark heart of Unicron for the final confrontation with evil. At stake: the soul of a universe.


Image
I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losin' my faith today
Fallin' off the edge today


And so the story ends. The finale comes, and the universe shakes, rocks, rattles, and rolls. But the question is, did the conclusion finally bring the show to justice?

Well, let's discuss this shall we?

Image
I am just a man
Not superhuman


For starters, let's talk about our main cast. Aileron is here, and she does her part, but there is nothing really spectacular. Arcee is her typical badass self, but really doesn't need to do much to be a part of the action. She's there, and she does what she does best. Windblade and Bumblebee are also sort of just here, not really doing too much to the overall story despite previous prominence. Which is OK, all of the named characters have had some moments to shine, so their lack of doing much is forgivable.

Especially when you consider our big 3: Soundwave, Starscream, and Optimus Prime. To me, this story finally got Starscream back in line with what Till All Are One had set him up to be, and finally seems to shake loose from the later Barber runs and revert back to what IDW appears to have wanted him to be, and that is a good thing. He and his seekers got some really nice moments together and individually, so I appreciate this. Soundwave continues to pull the heart apart, and I love his part in the conclusion of this story, very well done. And Optimus is not quite Optimus. His retraction of the faceplate and the fact that he never wears it again after he gets ready to go to orbit to fight Unicron is very telling, as is the (near) conclusion of his storyline. He is Orion once more, the masks, as he puts it, are gone. He is who is he is, and he helps smooth a few of his bumpy points.

Image
It's just another war
Just another family torn
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live


We also had some other nice character moments, from all corners of the Transformers and the Hasbro Universe in general. Action Man gets in a good shot, the seekers are great, the Dinobots do a nice part, the return of a fan favorite character by Mount Rushmore was awesome to see, Prowl, Stardrive, and Rhinox with their moments of light, and even some Sharkticons and Junkions. The wind down pages in particular, with several important character interactions, was done very nicely as well, a good bookend to the series.

Image
Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die


But for every good moment we had, there seemed to be a dim bulb preventing the light from fully shining. Slide is without a doubt the worst part of the book, and the worst part of IDW's Optimus Prime run if I'm honest. She ended up as such an unlikable character that I feel didn't deserve the storyline she ended up getting. The continued random cameos of Maximals that don't really do anything and don't really get any development besides Rhinox in any way was disappointing. Unicron himself and how he relates to his creator, and indeed his creator in general were lacking. The way Bludgeon, Monstructor, and the Dinobots resolved felt like a bit of a mess.

But most importantly, several moments in the book that were supposed to be huge just didn't ring. They sort of thudded. Starscream, the Maximal's victims, and Unicron's creator fall heavy in this category. They needed some more oomph. And the climatic finale itself needed some extra bits in the final resolution, as I feel the true climatic moment was with Soundwave, not with Unicron or Orion.

Image
Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I've got a hero (I've got a hero)
Livin' in me


Art duties were very heavily scattered with this book, bringing in artists from almost all the main IDW ongoings over the past few years, including Alex Milne, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Kei Zama, and Andrew Griffith. While there were noticeable shifts between most of the artist changes, with Zama using her more monstrous features, Milne his pointy-ness and detailings, and Griffith's and Pitre-Durocher's smoother and less complicated look, there was never a feeling of real disconnect, thanks to the efforts of David Garcia Cruz and Joana Lafuente. While they did give some coloring liberties to pages with certain artists, calling back to said artist's previous books and color stylings, such as Zama's pages having a more dark, metal look while Pitre-Durocher's was more clean, smooth, and bright, They did a pretty good job of keeping the look and feel of the book consistent while still giving each artist that special spice of uniqueness. Tom B. Long also continues his work of letting the art be enjoyed to its fullest extent while giving us the important dialogue needed for the story.

Image
A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me just in time


So in conclusion, this story fell somewhere in the middle ground. The story wasn't particularly bad overall, but it certainly felt like it lacked the excitement factor, the big push, that big wow moment that it really needed to be spectacular. The characters in the book and their screen time were handled pretty well, we just needed some characters to shine more in their moments (Starscream) and others who really needed to be given fewer pages and didn't feel like they got more than they deserved (Slide). Soundwave for me was the shining point of the book, which says a lot seeing as what role others played in the grand scheme of things. We also needed more of that expanded universe, the little shots were nice, but I feel we could have used a bit more of the Hasbro Universe itself, especially seeing as how ROM has played such a small role in this issue considering he started out the book as one of the seemingly more important characters.

But most importantly, we got a new take on Unicron, but it didn't quite live up to expectations. The destruction he caused and the look were impressive, but what he ended up being was a bit disappointing. I feel like we could have gotten a lot more from this badass villain who was the end. I feel like the moments inside him would have done very well for a personality of his own to shine through, but we did not get that. And considering how big of a deal he was, I wish we could have gotten a bit more from him.

And the series itself feels like that overall. It had potential, but for some reason, the big moments just never got quite the flare they needed. It needed something more, a bit more life to it, and maybe a bit less of the Main Cast and a bit more of the small moments, like Blurr's moment, but for others. It also needed a bit more of Unicron, and maybe a bit better executed finale. But overall, again not bad, just not quite up where I wish this book could overall have been.

:BOT: :BOT: :BOT: 1/2 out of :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT:


This final Review of Unicron #6 features the Skillet song Hero, a personal favorite of mine, and the fitting end to this book.

As I tried but ended up not being able to work it into a single issue review, I decided to make my personal favorite song of all time the theme song for the series itself, and I feel this song in a way encapsulates how several characters felt in the series, never giving up in spite of overwhelming odds, and keep their faith. The theme song for the Unicron series is: Feel Invincible, also by Skillet. As it is the theme, I have also linked the video below for listening without leaving this page:

Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994012)
Posted by ScottyP on November 13th, 2018 @ 10:45pm CST
I agree in almost every way with this review. There's so much good stuff in this book! There's also so much dull surprise. John Barber at his best, coupled with moments of overbooked, meandering plots elsewhere. Maybe if they'd kept some cards off the table after their removal this would've been a little cleaner.

Anyway I don't want to be too negative. This is a fun story that I enjoyed a lot and I think everyone on a TF website like this will at least like it, and some of you will love it and think me and D-Max have gone loopy ;)
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994027)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on November 14th, 2018 @ 12:12am CST
Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994038)
Posted by Randomhero on November 14th, 2018 @ 6:10am CST
Daniel Adkins wrote:Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.



Second.

Both were cluster f$&@s but one was as cluster f$&@ because the amount characters while the other was due to the writer not self editing and jamming everything possible in a handful of issues because he wouldn’t change stuff and abandon ideas that didn’t matter (omega guardians) and using the final issue as post story instead using it to really wrap stuff up.

Said it before, people are too bias to James Roberts and overly critical of John barber
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994039)
Posted by ZeroWolf on November 14th, 2018 @ 6:20am CST
You know the proverb "Never Dare a Fool"

I'm a fool, so I'll say it:

I gladly prefer lost lights ending. But it's worth a caveat that it will all hinge on the true unicron finale, which is op 25#. I do prefer James writing, I appreciate your mileage may vary and there's nothing in existence that has 100% approval rate with zero dislikes. For me though LL was the best ending...At least so far.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994040)
Posted by X3ROhour on November 14th, 2018 @ 6:29am CST
A CHRISTIAN ROCK BAND!
oh well

THAT JAM ROCKS!!!!
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994043)
Posted by ScottyP on November 14th, 2018 @ 7:17am CST
Randomhero wrote:
Daniel Adkins wrote:Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.



Second.

Both were cluster f$&@s but one was as cluster f$&@ because the amount characters while the other was due to the writer not self editing and jamming everything possible in a handful of issues because he wouldn’t change stuff and abandon ideas that didn’t matter (omega guardians) and using the final issue as post story instead using it to really wrap stuff up.

Said it before, people are too bias to James Roberts and overly critical of John barber
Alternate take: I could have told both of you this would be your opinion before reading either. You guys are Barber fanboys, I'm a Roberts fanboy (this is an actual reason Va'al reviewed as many issues of LL as he did), it's all good and I'm glad there are these different approaches for different fans ;)^
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994048)
Posted by Randomhero on November 14th, 2018 @ 8:53am CST
ScottyP wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
Daniel Adkins wrote:Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.



Second.

Both were cluster f$&@s but one was as cluster f$&@ because the amount characters while the other was due to the writer not self editing and jamming everything possible in a handful of issues because he wouldn’t change stuff and abandon ideas that didn’t matter (omega guardians) and using the final issue as post story instead using it to really wrap stuff up.

Said it before, people are too bias to James Roberts and overly critical of John barber
Alternate take: I could have told both of you this would be your opinion before reading either. You guys are Barber fanboys, I'm a Roberts fanboy (this is an actual reason Va'al reviewed as many issues of LL as he did), it's all good and I'm glad there are these different approaches for different fans ;)^



Exactly. You are a Roberts fanboy and you shouldn’t have been the person to reviewed it because you gave it a complete bias review. Va’al should have reviewed it because that’s someone who reviews it unbiased. The fact that it got a perfect score is appalling. The final arc to lost light is a giant mess and makes Revelations and Maximum Dinobots look like a masterpiece in comparison.

And I wouldn’t say I’m a Barber fan boy. I think he’s a better writer because he knows he’s writing a comic and knows how to structure one. Plenty of Roberts writings I’ve loved and I admitted months ago the reveal of Rung got me choked up pretty bad but doesn’t change the fact that it was a train wreck as a whole
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994052)
Posted by ZeroWolf on November 14th, 2018 @ 9:49am CST
Va'al couldn't of reviewed it, a general marches to war with whatever army he has. Plus how can someone review a series ender without bias?
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994059)
Posted by Coptur on November 14th, 2018 @ 10:29am CST
Ok I've now read it and I didn't like it.

I genuinely hope that a fresh team and company will be given the reigns for the next comic continuity.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994060)
Posted by ZeroWolf on November 14th, 2018 @ 10:37am CST
Coptur wrote:Ok I've now read it and I didn't like it.

I genuinely hope that a fresh team and company will be given the reigns for the next comic continuity.


Fresh team yes, fresh company no.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994090)
Posted by Skritz on November 14th, 2018 @ 4:46pm CST
Well that was a big clusterfuck which, to me anyway, ended as a big pile of rushed nothing and empty nonsense. A wet fart of an ending. Sue me.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994098)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 14th, 2018 @ 5:57pm CST
Z3ROhour wrote:A CHRISTIAN ROCK BAND!
oh well

THAT JAM ROCKS!!!!

Oh well? What does "oh well" mean here?

@Random, yeah, Va'al is gone, so it was pretty much Scotty to do the review.

I worked on that review for a good while, trying to articulate thoughts. Slide really wasn't good, and the character deaths were many, but most were killing the remnants of a war that looks to finally be gone.

Also, the spirits of the dead page was lacking Starscream and Stormclash, which are pretty big misses considering Scattershot and the Clones were apparently in there. Starscream could be deliberate though
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994142)
Posted by Coptur on November 15th, 2018 @ 2:47am CST
what happened to Va'al?
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994144)
Posted by ZeroWolf on November 15th, 2018 @ 2:59am CST
Coptur wrote:what happened to Va'al?

He retired, and went to pastures new.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994155)
Posted by Sunstar on November 15th, 2018 @ 7:51am CST
As a Starscream fan, who is usually disappointed in how his inevitable end is handled, I was pleased he went out with honour and as a hero. I was surprised he would sacrifice himself in that manner, yet not surprised. I know that he loves his world and his people - I was happy he did not shy away from the responsibility that was thrusted upon him. I guess he was indeed the chosen one, the saviour of Cybertronians. I agree his scene was rather short and felt a little lacking. But at least he died with an impish smile, as opposed to terror. I know he was at peace with the decision. The bitchy character, Slide I guess it was, had too much - this I also agree with. I am glad Thundercracker was reunited with buster.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Also, the spirits of the dead page was lacking Starscream and Stormclash, which are pretty big misses considering Scattershot and the Clones were apparently in there. Starscream could be deliberate though


I was disappointed in the lack of Starscream there. I wondered if the talisman obliterated his spark.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994157)
Posted by YoungPrime on November 15th, 2018 @ 8:27am CST
Daniel Adkins wrote:Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.

Or anyone who feels it necessary to even make this a topic is likely a bitter, annoying, troll.

By right a modern IDW-verse book about UNICRON should be better BUT because majority of Barber's cast in this book and OP are so darn annoying I haven't bothered reading a single Unicon book yet. Whereas with LL I've bought both the physical and digital copy of each of the last 10 issues and miss that series already.

A book about 2nd, 3rd and 4th tier characters that has become memorable that you desperately have to force take a back seat to a book staring OP, BB, Starscream and many other A-lister's speaks for itself!

The main reason that I'm eventually going to read Barbers remaining books is in hopes that it properly ties in with the LL.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994158)
Posted by Stormshot_Prime on November 15th, 2018 @ 8:39am CST
YoungPrime wrote:
Daniel Adkins wrote:Anyone who says LL has a better ending than this book is crazy.


The main reason that I'm eventually going to read Barbers remaining books is in hopes that it properly ties in with the LL.


Don’t get your hopes up on that one. Besides homages and brief visions the series kind of end on a weirdly separate note, as if everyone in both series forgot their friends.
Re: Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Unicron #5 (1994172)
Posted by Cyberstrike on November 15th, 2018 @ 11:33am CST
Skritz wrote:Well that was a big **** which, to me anyway, ended as a big pile of rushed nothing and empty nonsense. A wet fart of an ending. Sue me.


Maybe because the creators involved didn't want to write or draw it, because it supposedly means the end of a 13 year old comic book universe because some trolls didn't like it or wanted to see it end, because they just hate filled trolls, and now they got their wish.

So yeah I wouldn't give my time and energy to give a great book under those conditions either.

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #25 Cvr A IDW Comics 2020 SEP200483 25A (CA) Hernandez"
TRANSFORMERS #25 C ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #6 Cvr B IDW Comics 2021 MAY210469 6B (CA) Schoening"
TRANSFORMERS BEAST ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #5 Cvr C 1:10 Image Comics 2024 Skybound 1223IM325 5C (CA) Arocena"
TRANSFORMERS #5 Cv ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers KING GRIMLOCK #5 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2022 OCT210414 5RI (CA) Byrne"
Transformers KING ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #6 Cvr D 1:25 Image Comics 2024 Skybound 0124IM322 6D (CA) Canete"
NEW!
TRANSFORMERS #6 Cv ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "COBRA COMMANDER #3 Cvr A Image Comics 2024 3A 0124IM238 (CA) Milana + Leoni"
NEW!
COBRA COMMANDER #3 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS #36 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2021 AUG210582 36RI (CA) Montfort"
TRANSFORMERS #36 R ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers My Little Pony MAGIC OF CYBERTRON #1 Cvr B IDW Comics 2021 1B"
Transformers My Li ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "VOID RIVALS #5 2nd ptg Cvr A Bitterness Image Comics 2023 1023IM898 (CA) Howard"
VOID RIVALS #5 2nd ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS + MY LITTLE PONY #1 1st ptg IDW Comics 2020 MAR200688 (CA) Fleecs"
TRANSFORMERS + MY ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #35 Marvel Comics 1987 (W) Budiansky (CA) Springer 231010P"
NEW!
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Transformers War Within DARK AGES #1 Dreamwave Comics 2003 (CA) Figueroa"
Transformers War W ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE TRANSFORMERS #18 Marvel Comics 1986 (CA) Trimpe (W) Budiansky 231222G"
NEW!
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #13 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2022 DEC210545 13RI (CA) Griffin"
TRANSFORMERS BEAST ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #348 - Uno
Twincast / Podcast #348:
"Uno"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, April 20th, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers Attacker 15 Bania Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Quintus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Swoop" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Leader Evolution Rodimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Legends Class Autobot Outback" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 08 Leader Class Movie 1 Decepticon Blackout" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Power of the Primes Punch-Counterpunch and Prima Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Cyberverse Warrior Class Acid Storm" on AMAZON
Buy "TRANSFORMERS PLATINUM EDITION HOT ROD JUNKION SCRAPHEAP WRECK GAR SET" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers B1798AS0 Warpath Figure Combiner Wars" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight Premier Edition Deluxe Barricade" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Titan Master Apeface" on AMAZON