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IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review

Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 8:23AM CDT

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Secrets or Lies, Perhaps?
A Review of Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #1

Minor/Contextual Spoilers Within
Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
Good luck not reading this in Counterpunch's voice. You know what I mean.

It's likely been said somewhere that the business of comic books is built on habits. There's the habit of going to your local comic shop on Wednesdays, the habit of ordering products a couple months ahead of time on the second-to-last Friday of the month, and of course the habit of actually reading the books.

The events of 2020 have shattered a great deal of these habits for numerous readers and many are still getting back into the swing of things where possible. We've fallen out of a habit here at Seibertron.com too: reviewing Transformers comics. With our apologies for the absence, let's get back to business with a review of Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #1, out this Wednesday, July 15th.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
Is it G2 Hook or the European G1 Hook that doesn't combine? You decide.

Our fandom must have bought a plenty profitable amount of last August's Transformers '84 #0, because not just one follow-up issue is upon us. This expansion of the early stages of the old Marvel G1 Transformers story continues on with the staple tradition of Transformers comics - a four-issue limited series. In many ways this first issue feels like the second, with the narration not missing a beat after Punch's guided tour through issue 0. Counterpunch takes the narrator role this time around, providing a not subtly taken opportunity to expand on the character. Even colorist John-Paul Bove's choice to add in G2 Color Changer Deluge (not to be confused with G2 Aquaspeeder Deluge - this has been your toy trivia for this comic review) and a yellow Hook adds a layer to something Counterpunch basically tells you himself anyway, which is that he's not a reliable narrator. It works really well and lends a coherency to the proceedings as the plot zigs and zags through small cracks in previously established works. The high-level plot and direction here are marvelously executed.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
I've made him cross

Readers not familiar with Marvel G1 will probably find plenty to enjoy on a quick read, but a deep-dive appreciation will be reserved for those familiar with the G1 books, and by that I mean both Marvel's US and UK output. While this slots into a chronologically similar position as issue 0, the plot plays with events that occur a bit after that first handful (or eight-full depending on your location) of original issues. Extra pages of notes by Simon Furman are provided at the end of the issue that really help guide the way, and these are very much appreciated.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
Déjà vu

A sub-plot of the story features the Dinobots (or Dynobots in this case since it's pre-Earth) in conflict with Skyfire and Shockwave. The former is novel but the latter is, to be frank, exhausted. I love the Dinobots but found myself getting a sense of déjà vu during this issue. G1, Dreamwave and IDW 1.0 incarnations of the characters feel like they're getting blended together here in a way that sadly feels stale in just their particular case. The story features some very fun moments and interactions, but just feels like the same thing seen before in a different setting. Guido Guidi took this given opportunity to provide some very cool new Cybertronian alt-modes for Slag, Sludge and Snarl, so I can't be too upset about this when all's said and done.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
Perfection

Guidi absolutely nails the line art, capturing the spirit of a book that knew it had to tell a story while also selling toys to kids. There's a grandeur to some of the larger panels that makes the Transformers look to be "more than meets the eye" while panels such as Dirge's toy accurate-ish transformation shown just above hit the "robots in disguise" beat that brand managers must crave. John-Paul Bove's colors are mostly good throughout but on the digital copy there were times the attempted replication of 1980s Marvel's cheapo coloring processes just didn't land for me. While the effort's appreciated, maybe some of those texturing details are better left in the past, and I think Bove's a talented enough colorist to convey a vintage look without having to rely on those stylistic callbacks. Letters are handled by now-regular Jake M. Wood, with careful attention paid to separation in narration and dialogue that keeps the reading experience comfortable. Kudos are also in order for the editorial team of David Mariotte, Tom Waltz and Riley Farmer for making space for the aforementioned continuity notes supplied by Furman, as these really help the experience and don't make me feel like I need to go start another re-read of hundreds of older comics.

On covers there are a plethora of options, with the more readily available "A" cover featuring more work by Guido Guidi while the "B" cover has Casey Coller showing off his G1-style chops featuring colors by Bove. The dynamic (and sorely missed on interiors!) duo of Nick Roche and Josh Burcham supply the 10-copy retailer incentive cover, which is featured in this review's news story thumbnail image. Things don't stop there, as readers that visit shops who order large numbers of copies may be able to snag a 25-copy incentive cover featuring the Dinobots with art by Transformers legend Geoff Senior and colors by, well, Transformers legend Josh Burcham. There were several variant retailer and convention exclusive covers shown in the sample file distributed by IDW to Seibertron.com and other press outlets, however we do not have details on how, when, or even if these will be released at this time. As always, you can also find full credits for the issue in our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #1.

Verdict
Transformers News: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review
Big, deep... second opinions!

One word comes to mind that describes this comic: fanservice. Fans of Marvel G1 will feel the love here, as Simon Furman has taken great care to have fun while also not totally wrecking established continuity. The narrator's slightly unreliable slant helps give an opportunity to hand-wave any incongruity while also building up the character in entertaining fashion.

I had a lot of fun reading this book and you probably will too. My subjective opinion is pretty simple: if you like Transformers just go buy a copy, read it while messing around with G1 Dirge or something after school/work/whatever, and just enjoy the nostalgic ride. A more objective analysis is factored into the score below, mostly flavored by all those positive thoughts yet weighed down a bit by a slightly derivative Dinobots/Shockwave sub-plot and '80s Marvel color textures that need to be retired.

Final Score
. :CON: :CON: :CON: :CON:
out of
:BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT:


This issue's out today, so pick it up on the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to see if you have one nearby and remember to check first for special hours or restrictions related to public health matters.

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Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2071959)
Posted by partholon on July 15th, 2020 @ 12:15pm CDT
Nice nod to swoops "original" name :)

I didn't know this was out today so it'll be off to the lcs tomorrow to pick it up for me.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2071968)
Posted by 1984forever on July 15th, 2020 @ 1:19pm CDT
The best book IDW has ever published and the best Simon Furman has ever written, hands down. This issue deserves 5 Decepticon symbols.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2074983)
Posted by Ratbat on August 4th, 2020 @ 2:24pm CDT
I've already ordered the Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies paperback via Amazon.com on February 16 of this year.

On February 16, 2021--exactly one year later--the namesake trade paperback is scheduled to be released.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075731)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 11th, 2020 @ 6:49pm CDT
Thanks once more to the Apple books preview, we have our 2nd preview of the day, this time for Transformers 84: Secrets and Lies, the 4 part series narrated by Counterpunch. This comic tells some hidden never before heard stories related to the launching of the Ark in the original Marvel run. This comic kicks off with a quick flash forward to the con invasion of the Ark, and then a backwards glance to the aftermath of issue 1, with the Dynobots disabled and going into storage alongside the 1985 Autobot reinforcements for the Ark.

Check out the preview pages below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

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Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075732)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 11th, 2020 @ 6:54pm CDT
Oh, look. Another TFTM quote. How droll.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075734)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 11th, 2020 @ 6:57pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Oh, look. Another TFTM quote. How droll.

I almost called that out, but i didn't know if that was initially in the comic that that scene was in
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075755)
Posted by Ultra Markus on August 11th, 2020 @ 10:23pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Oh, look. Another TFTM quote. How droll.

i guess we shouldnt expect anything different
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075758)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on August 11th, 2020 @ 11:25pm CDT
That art is so beautiful. :x :x
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075792)
Posted by TheForgottenTaxi on August 12th, 2020 @ 10:24am CDT
I'm waiting for the trade on this series (and all comics these days), but preview art like this makes that wait really, really hard.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075808)
Posted by Big Grim on August 12th, 2020 @ 12:41pm CDT
The art is gorgeous!
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2075818)
Posted by partholon on August 12th, 2020 @ 2:16pm CDT
the bit with the dinos is VERY Andy Wildman.

:D

whens this due out, this week or next?
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2077494)
Posted by partholon on August 25th, 2020 @ 9:35am CDT
turns our it came in last wednesday but managed to nab a copy (the LAST one it turns out- casey coller cover) yesterday (mon)

its a good read.

the art still bugs me. i really wish they'd drop the faux dot matrix style and let guido go back to a more modern style. some of this is practically delbo-esque so if your gonna go like that just hire jose. when you look at the utter tumblr style trash getting better treatment on the main book its frustrating in the extreme to see a genuinely competant artists work suffer under this editorial direction.

but i gotta say storywise it covers an angle i didnt think of. IDW HAVE no savage land in their universe so the original G1 marvel version of events for the intro to the dinos CANT happen in an IDW book. it still sticks to the guts of it but theres enough different to make this worth a buy and effectively blend it with what came later in the reprints and regeneration 1 .

and theres lovely nods of the head to early lore building stuff like the mind bank which gave us tracks hoist and co.

i did smile at the sheer joy of straxus getting his smelting pool though. that was done with just the right level of wry humour.

this and the terminator crossover (for all its flaws) are the only thing worth getting IMO.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078280)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on August 29th, 2020 @ 7:31pm CDT
If Secrets & Lies continues with the Shockwave/Dinobots story (while possibly revealing other behind-the-scenes shenanigans) I think the best place in the story for it to be inserted is between issues 4 and 5 of the Marvel comic, right after Shockwave returns and takes out everyone. (Throughout G1 and IDW, he seems to be good at that. But it's never permanent.)
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078294)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 29th, 2020 @ 11:15pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:(Throughout G1 and IDW, he seems to be good at that. But it's never permanent.)
Of course, he's a bad guy. Bad guys can't have permanent wins like that. ;)
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078386)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on August 31st, 2020 @ 4:07am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:(Throughout G1 and IDW, he seems to be good at that. But it's never permanent.)
Of course, he's a bad guy. Bad guys can't have permanent wins like that. ;)
You have to admit, this whole Shockwave-runs-things-behind-the-scenes idea is compelling, because I think most fans would agree that he made a much better leader than Megatron. If he actually got to be in charge, the Decepticons might actually have won the war. Shockwave's intellect and planning would have made up for most if not all of the Decepticon troops' shortcomings. I mean, he actually did it in IDW, even if it took him literally the length of the Transformers' existence to do it.

As for G1, I never understood why he acquiesced to both Ratbat and Scorponok after Megatron took his leap off a short bridge so to speak. He was more effective than both of them. It was a pure freak occurrence and a lucky shot that Maximus was able to damage him and knock him out of space. Had he been the actual leader, he would have remained on the island base and perhaps send Scorponok out to deal with Maximus.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078405)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 31st, 2020 @ 9:57am CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:As for G1, I never understood why he acquiesced to both Ratbat and Scorponok after Megatron took his leap off a short bridge so to speak. He was more effective than both of them. It was a pure freak occurrence and a lucky shot that Maximus was able to damage him and knock him out of space. Had he been the actual leader, he would have remained on the island base and perhaps send Scorponok out to deal with Maximus.
Scorponok wasn't there. He was the leader of his own separate crew unaffiliated with Shockwave and Ratbat at the time. The two teams of Decepticons wouldn't join together until much later during The Underbase Saga.

As for why Shockwave went out to face Fort Max himself, there are two reasons. First, in-story, for all of Shockwave's talk about pure cold logic, he really did have an ego that he tried very much to hide but didn't always keep in check. He would never admit it, but he wanted to take Fort Max out himself. He wanted to personally deal with that Autobot pest who was ruining everything in that moment. And the other reason is an out-of-story one, in that Shockwave had by then become "old product" who needed to be gotten rid of and replaced by "new product", so Budiansky wrote him out so that Ratbat could fully take over as the new Decepticon leader. Basically, TFTM syndrome.

However, that didn't stop the UK comics from continuing to use him. The panels of his burning up in Earth's atmosphere and those right after were rewritten in the UK version to make his "death" more ambiguous and instead merely have him "fall to Earth" so that he could survive and keep working his own machinations on Earth, operating out of the Decepticon's original Earth base from the early issues that they abandoned to relocate to their new base in Wyoming.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078480)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on September 1st, 2020 @ 12:15am CDT
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:As for G1, I never understood why he acquiesced to both Ratbat and Scorponok after Megatron took his leap off a short bridge so to speak. He was more effective than both of them. It was a pure freak occurrence and a lucky shot that Maximus was able to damage him and knock him out of space. Had he been the actual leader, he would have remained on the island base and perhaps send Scorponok out to deal with Maximus.
Scorponok wasn't there. He was the leader of his own separate crew unaffiliated with Shockwave and Ratbat at the time. The two teams of Decepticons wouldn't join together until much later during The Underbase Saga.
That's right. It's been a while since I read the G1 comics, those events all run together in my memories. Shockwave and Scorponok didn't get together until their fight in New York/New Jersey, where Shockwave would have handed Scorponok his skidplate if it wasn't for the Neo-Knights. :SICK: more useless human characters.
As for why Shockwave went out to face Fort Max himself, there are two reasons. First, in-story, for all of Shockwave's talk about pure cold logic, he really did have an ego that he tried very much to hide but didn't always keep in check. He would never admit it, but he wanted to take Fort Max out himself. He wanted to personally deal with that Autobot pest who was ruining everything in that moment. And the other reason is an out-of-story one, in that Shockwave had by then become "old product" who needed to be gotten rid of and replaced by "new product", so Budiansky wrote him out so that Ratbat could fully take over as the new Decepticon leader. Basically, TFTM syndrome.
Makes sense, I hadn't thought about it. This was issue 39, which would put it in summer of '87, and Shockwave didn't appear past TFTM in the cartoon. He was too good a character to discard, but like you said, newer toys had to be shilled.

And since you mentioned TFTM, I just realized after 34 years that Prime was killed off both on screen and on page roughly at the same time. Until, of course, the magic of floppy disk. :lol:
However, that didn't stop the UK comics from continuing to use him. The panels of his burning up in Earth's atmosphere and those right after were rewritten in the UK version to make his "death" more ambiguous and instead merely have him "fall to Earth" so that he could survive and keep working his own machinations on Earth, operating out of the Decepticon's original Earth base from the early issues that they abandoned to relocate to their new base in Wyoming.
I never read the UK comics. I need to track down a set of collections like Titan did with the US version. Unless I can find them all online. I'd like to read the actual comics instead of just going through all the wiki entries.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078483)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 1st, 2020 @ 12:27am CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:And since you mentioned TFTM, I just realized after 34 years that Prime was killed off both on screen and on page roughly at the same time. Until, of course, the magic of floppy disk. :lol:
Yep. That was on purpose too. Hasbro wanted Prime killed off so the order came from on high for not just TFTM but for the comics to kill him off as well. Of course, Prime's first death in the Marvel comics was his worst death ever, IMHO, but that would later be redeemed in his second death, the one where he died fighting Unicron, being his best death ever, IMHO.

Rodimus Prime wrote:I never read the UK comics. I need to track down a set of collections like Titan did with the US version. Unless I can find them all online. I'd like to read the actual comics instead of just going through all the wiki entries.
PM me. I can help you out. ;)
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078515)
Posted by ScottyP on September 1st, 2020 @ 11:40am CDT
Continuing with our three previews for Transformers comic books being released tomorrow, enjoy a look at the first five pages of Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #3. Check out the synopsis, main cover and preview pages below for a taste of the next chapter of Counterpunch's wild ride, with some familiar faces from the classic Marvel G1 stories "The Smelting Pool!" and "The Bridge to Nowhere" making an appearance.

Look for this issue tomorrow at your local comic shop, on the Seibertron.com eBay store, or via digital release on Comixology, Apple Books and other authorized digital retailers. Speaking of the Seibertron.com eBay store, you can visit now to experience the aforementioned The Transformers #17 and The Transformers #18 for yourself, or possibly just to upgrade your current beaten up vintage copy.

(W) Simon Furman (A/CA) Guido Guidi
With Megatron, Shockwave, and the Decepticon brass gone, the power vacuum on Cybertron leads many Decepticon commanders to stake their claims on the world. And with the Decepticons divided, which Autobots will step up to take command? Meanwhile, on Earth, Grimlock wanders into the strangest battle yet!


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Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078530)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 1st, 2020 @ 12:44pm CDT
Welp, there goes "Cybertron: The Middle Years!" down the drain.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078557)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on September 1st, 2020 @ 2:48pm CDT
So if Magnus apparently knows where the Ark crashed, why not make an effort to recover them? Or does he know Prime wouldn't want that? Is he privy to the actual secret plan?
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078561)
Posted by Sabrblade on September 1st, 2020 @ 2:56pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:So if Magnus apparently knows where the Ark crashed, why not make an effort to recover them? Or does he know Prime wouldn't want that? Is he privy to the actual secret plan?
It's like Magnus says, they're stretched to the breaking point. They don't have the resources to do much of anything, let alone embark on another space voyage.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078570)
Posted by Optimutt on September 1st, 2020 @ 4:13pm CDT
This 5 page preview has mastered the tease.

"Go ahead, Fortress Maximus..." but no picture. Guess I'll have to get the book!
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078628)
Posted by TulioDude on September 1st, 2020 @ 10:34pm CDT
Star Saber looks so cool,I hope they give him something awesome to do.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2078730)
Posted by partholon on September 2nd, 2020 @ 11:47am CDT
those five pages are just utter transformers porn :D

im REALLY enjoying straxus.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2079771)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on September 10th, 2020 @ 4:39pm CDT
I just finished reading this and I must say I'm disappointed. Barely anything happened. Yeah, we got some fanwank with Star Saber and Deathsaurus, but were they necessary? I wish they had given their panels to Scorponok or Thunderwing, 2 characters much more relevant to the G1 comics. Hopefully issue 4 will make up for it. A Grimlock/Megatron fight should be good, even if it's not *really* Megatron.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2080668)
Posted by Spirit of '86 on September 19th, 2020 @ 9:56am CDT
How have I only just seen this?? :shock:

Gorgeous artwork on Screamer and Jetfire, thanks for sharing! :BOT: :CON: :BOWDOWN:
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2082961)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 7th, 2020 @ 12:27am CDT
I was looking forward to the ending of this, just to have it be pushed back 3 weeks... >:oP
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2084980)
Posted by partholon on October 22nd, 2020 @ 4:25pm CDT
which now means i cant get it at all as my entire country has gone into lockdown for 6 weeks.

thanks alot IDW. if you'd published on time idve bought your product.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085321)
Posted by william-james88 on October 27th, 2020 @ 12:04pm CDT
We have a new preview from IDW for the upcoming fourth issue of Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies. You can see it below. We also have the covers from Casey Coller and Nick Roche along with the line art.

(W) Simon Furman (A/CA) Guido Guidi
In Shops: Oct 28, 2020
SRP: $3.99

The epic conclusion to Secrets and Lies! On Earth, Grimlock stands alone against… Megatron?

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, The Wreckers take on their very first mission! The secret history of Earth and Cybertron is revealed!


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Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085329)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 27th, 2020 @ 12:34pm CDT
Hell. Yes. I've been waiting for this for a while now. Hopefully it doesn't get ruined with unnecessary fanwank like last issue did.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085641)
Posted by ScottyP on October 30th, 2020 @ 10:09am CDT
Our dog passed away on Monday so I didn't have it in me to do any reviews this week.

TF 84 4 was a pretty big let down though. Furman wrote himself into a corner with the Grimlock vs Auntie Megatron battle, took the cheapest way out possible and I was so disappointed. Great art and the Wreckers stuff was fun enough, but overall a lousy ending to what had been a pretty cool mini-series.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085643)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 30th, 2020 @ 10:19am CDT
What was even the point of the Coneheads being on Earth? Why did Furman put them on the Nemesis in the first place? They could have remained on Cybertron with Straxus with little to no consequences.

Honestly, the only important thing they do when on Earth is let Grimlock know about Megatron's antimatter. Is that why Furman put them there? To have someone there to tell Grimlock about it?

And what about the Autobots that AUNTIE reactivated last issue? They're still up and about outside of the Ark in this issue, but their fates are left unresolved.

(None of these are spoilers since they're all given in the 5-page preview)
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085644)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 30th, 2020 @ 10:23am CDT
If anything the biggest disappointment for me was the setup of Star Saber and Deathsaurus, but they did almost nothing
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085676)
Posted by ScottyP on October 30th, 2020 @ 7:10pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Honestly, the only important thing they do when on Earth is let Grimlock know about Megatron's antimatter. Is that why Furman put them there? To have someone there to tell Grimlock about it?
In the commentary at the end he mentions how Megatron's connection to anti-matter isn't used enough in TF fiction. It was almost verbatim to what Roberts says in one of the TF UK commentaries, which came before he used it himself in MTMTE. My theory? He was just keeping up with the Joneses. Or Robertses.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:If anything the biggest disappointment for me was the setup of Star Saber and Deathsaurus, but they did almost nothing
100% agreed. Cool to see them but I don't get it now


I worry that this is continuing/getting converted to an ongoing and that's why this ending felt incomplete and abrupt. I was fine with it as a mini-series!
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085712)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 30th, 2020 @ 10:51pm CDT
ScottyP wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Honestly, the only important thing they do when on Earth is let Grimlock know about Megatron's antimatter. Is that why Furman put them there? To have someone there to tell Grimlock about it?
In the commentary at the end he mentions how Megatron's connection to anti-matter isn't used enough in TF fiction. It was almost verbatim to what Roberts says in one of the TF UK commentaries, which came before he used it himself in MTMTE. My theory? He was just keeping up with the Joneses. Or Robertses.
But that still doesn't answer my question. Why did Furman put the Coneheads on the Nemesis (especially when they were never indicated to have ever boarded that ship in the first place back in the Marvel Comics) and bring them to Earth at all if they were only just going to get sent right back to Cybertron so quickly?

Furman might as well have just left the Coneheads on Cybertron, period.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085715)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on October 31st, 2020 @ 1:33am CDT
My suggestion would be to promote the release of the ER 2-pack, but the timing is off for that, so the best guess I can take is a tie-in for the figures now in-hand. That, plus the fact that they didn't do a lot in the original run, so it gives them something to do.

As for Deathsaurus and Star Saber, I said it before and I'll say it again: they had no business in this comic whatsoever. They were never in the original US version, and it was just a waste of panel space to put them in. That space should have gone to Straxus or Thunderwing. Same with the Wreckers. They were a UK-only concept and should have been kept that way. This was my main gripe with Regeneration One as well, but in that story I at least got satisfaction by enjoying Springer's execution.

It's obvious Furman has lost a step or 2 as far as storytelling goes and his attempts to shoehorn characters and concepts that weren't in the original US Marvel comic is both annoying and kinda pathetic. Unfortunately I couldn't help myself in following this story and purchasing the issues because even with all its faults it's still better than the current ongoing, not to mention the gorgeous Guidi art that blows away anything else being produced. That's the best part. My opinion only, of course.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085730)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 31st, 2020 @ 9:13am CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:My suggestion would be to promote the release of the ER 2-pack, but the timing is off for that, so the best guess I can take is a tie-in for the figures now in-hand. That, plus the fact that they didn't do a lot in the original run, so it gives them something to do.
But they still didn't do anything, except get their butts kicked by Shockwave and Grimlock.

Their role was completely pointless.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085761)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 31st, 2020 @ 8:39pm CDT
I am probably one of the few, but I loved ReGen1. That was a fun comic. This felt like they were trying to capture that same feel and story in the early days of the war instead of after, but they didn't succeed in sticking the landing
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085771)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 31st, 2020 @ 11:24pm CDT
I wish they had used Guido's art in ReG1 like they used in here. It feels more like the classic Marvel art than what ReG1 used (ironically, since ReG1 used artists from the classic Marvel run).
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085813)
Posted by partholon on November 1st, 2020 @ 10:52am CST
well thanks to covid i had to sail the high seas to read this one. (issue 4)

TBH the whole series now feels like a "test" for potential spin off series set in the "middle years" period.

which in fairness i'd be ok with if the same team is involved (bar the "dot matix" colouring effect which is annoying the hell out of me now. john paul is a BRILLIANT colourist as it is so at least let him colour to 80s UK level - which was far superior to the US one of the time)

its the only thing that makes sense of the introduction of deathsaurus and star sabre - beyond fan service that is.

personally i'd love the idea of an ongoing set then .

on this issue have to commend the portrayal of abominus. it was RIGHT out of the headmasters mini on the art front. well done guido. im actually not against cybertronian combiners as theres precedent in the aformentioned headmasters mini and theres no reason to think the tech couldnt have been perfected in the 4mil years the ark was on earth.

its just a shame its sooooo CLOSE to when shockers was still active.

but anyway getting back to the issue. this really didnt end well for me. maybe sommat happened in editorial to leave the ending we got (spin off?) i certainly cant see grimlock just topping himself for al intents and purposes.

all in all the messiest ending of a furman comice ive seen.

i dunno.

STILL . the best TF comic out there though. saddly.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085823)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 1st, 2020 @ 12:11pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:I wish they had used Guido's art in ReG1 like they used in here. It feels more like the classic Marvel art than what ReG1 used (ironically, since ReG1 used artists from the classic Marvel run).

I actually preferred the RG1 art too, it spoke more to me, I just liked it more
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085825)
Posted by Sabrblade on November 1st, 2020 @ 12:17pm CST
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:I wish they had used Guido's art in ReG1 like they used in here. It feels more like the classic Marvel art than what ReG1 used (ironically, since ReG1 used artists from the classic Marvel run).

I actually preferred the RG1 art too, it spoke more to me, I just liked it more
That's not what I said.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085850)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 1st, 2020 @ 7:53pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:I wish they had used Guido's art in ReG1 like they used in here. It feels more like the classic Marvel art than what ReG1 used (ironically, since ReG1 used artists from the classic Marvel run).

I actually preferred the RG1 art too, it spoke more to me, I just liked it more
That's not what I said.

You worded that very confusingly.

Either way, RG1 was my preferred of the 2 art styles, this wasn't as nice
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085870)
Posted by ScottyP on November 2nd, 2020 @ 6:52am CST
partholon wrote:all in all the messiest ending of a furman comice ive seen.

i dunno.

STILL . the best TF comic out there though. saddly.
Botanica was messier. I like Botanica and Beast Machines but RG1's ending was a real slop imo. With you on this being the best TF comic during its run but it wasn't a steep hill to climb.

Rodimus Prime wrote:As for Deathsaurus and Star Saber, I said it before and I'll say it again: they had no business in this comic whatsoever.
Given the end result, totally agreed. I'd guess he wanted to use them after getting to do something with them in Earth Wars, but the lack of planned toys may have been a factor for editorial to want to limit their presence. Could have still done the shot of Magnus, Maximus and Saber in issue 4 without Star Saber needing to show up earlier, we'd all have followed.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2085999)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on November 4th, 2020 @ 4:12am CST
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:My suggestion would be to promote the release of the ER 2-pack, but the timing is off for that, so the best guess I can take is a tie-in for the figures now in-hand. That, plus the fact that they didn't do a lot in the original run, so it gives them something to do.
But they still didn't do anything, except get their butts kicked by Shockwave and Grimlock.

Their role was completely pointless.

Well, the title of this story is Secrets&Lies, and they did keep the location of the Ark a secret for all that time. So I guess that's the point of them being there. Otherwise the only ones who know are Straxus and Punch/Counterpunch. So really the only ones who lived up to the title were Shockwave, before he got taken out by the Dinobots, P/CP, Straxus and the Coneheads. And of course the original secret by Optimus Prime, from the prequel, that their mission was really a suicide run to get Megatron away from Cybertron at all costs. And maybe the fact that Grimlock pretty much tried to commit suicide at the end...?

Assuming we won't get any other stories like this, which I hope we do, there's 1 glaring continuity hole I won't forget. In issue 1 of the original Marvel comic, all the Bots and Cons wake up inside the Ark, including Megatron. But at the end of this story, Megatron drops outside. How does his body get back inside the Ark?
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2086006)
Posted by Sabrblade on November 4th, 2020 @ 8:10am CST
Rodimus Prime wrote:Assuming we won't get any other stories like this, which I hope we do, there's 1 glaring continuity hole I won't forget. In issue 1 of the original Marvel comic, all the Bots and Cons wake up inside the Ark, including Megatron. But at the end of this story, Megatron drops outside. How does his body get back inside the Ark?
Yeah, and the other Autobots AUNTIE awoke are still outside too. They all gotta get put back inside the Ark (and destroyed again in the Autobots' case), but they were all left unaccounted for.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2086083)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on November 4th, 2020 @ 5:31pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Assuming we won't get any other stories like this, which I hope we do, there's 1 glaring continuity hole I won't forget. In issue 1 of the original Marvel comic, all the Bots and Cons wake up inside the Ark, including Megatron. But at the end of this story, Megatron drops outside. How does his body get back inside the Ark?
Yeah, and the other Autobots AUNTIE awoke are still outside too. They all gotta get put back inside the Ark (and destroyed again in the Autobots' case), but they were all left unaccounted for.
Like I said, Furman has lost a couple of steps in the last 25 years.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2088859)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on December 4th, 2020 @ 10:11pm CST
Another big continuity issue with this series, judging by TFWiki, is that it screws with "Man of Iron" even as it tries to set it up.

Furman bringing the Wreckers in shouldn't be a surprise - they're his pet unit, and the 2005-2018 IDW comic (which in some ways he seems to have forgot he wasn't writing here) dragged them into the U.S. spotlight. And I'm pretty sure he was trying to better reconcile the US and UK comics, especially since the UK comic - which he was the main writer for and which had 252 more issues - gave several characters a lot more page-time and fleshing-out than the US one did.

Of course, IMO trying to fix-fic the Marvel comics is an exercise futility regardless unless they're willing to completely overwrite (or otherwise somehow deal with) the festering mold stain on the entire lot that is "Afterdeath." Especially if they're going to try to go all IDW-gritty with Optimus like they did here.
Re: IDW Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #1 Review (2088864)
Posted by Sabrblade on December 4th, 2020 @ 10:59pm CST
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Another big continuity issue with this series, judging by TFWiki, is that it screws with "Man of Iron" even as it tries to set it up.
Erm, you're thinking of the one-shot "Transformers '84" issue. This spinoff series, "Secrets & Lies", didn't touch upon the stuff from "Man of Iron".

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Furman bringing the Wreckers in shouldn't be a surprise - they're his pet unit, and the 2005-2018 IDW comic (which in some ways he seems to have forgot he wasn't writing here) dragged them into the U.S. spotlight.
Right, the Wreckers weren't much of an issue here. If anything, this series shows how they came to be the Wreckers, which is fine since the Wreckers were already a group by the time of "Target: 2006".

With that said, however...
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:And I'm pretty sure he was trying to better reconcile the US and UK comics, especially since the UK comic - which he was the main writer for and which had 252 more issues - gave several characters a lot more page-time and fleshing-out than the US one did.
Except, that's not what he did in this case. If anything, he overrode the continuity of the UK comics with this series as, back in the pages of "Target: 2006", he wrote a back-up story called "Cybertron: The Middle Years!" in which he told a summary of events that happened on Cybertron during the 4-million-year time gap between the Ark's crash-landing on Earth and its occuprants awakening in the 80s.

In that story, Furman told of a Decepticon warlord named Trannis who rose to power in Megatron's absence and brought the Autobots to their knees. He was eventually succeeded by Straxus. "Secrets & Lies", however, completely throws all of that out the window, ignoring Trannis entirely to instead put Straxus, Scorponok, and Thunderwing all in power right away.

In his commentary pages, Furman even acts like he's treating the US and UK comics as separate continuities. One such example is when, in two of his commentaries, he says that he included Scourge and Cyclonus in this series because of how they appeared in the old Headmasters mini-series with no backstory for either. But, in his own UK issues, he did give them a backstory that made them the same Scourge and Cyclonus created by Unicron in the future, after they got sent back in time to join up with Scorponok and become Targetmasters on Nebulos.

Yet, in this series, Furman put them on four-million-year-old Cybertron because of the Headmasters mini giving them no backstory, so he chose to actively ignore what he had written before in the UK comics and regard them as separate from the US ones. >:oP

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Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #345 - The Roast
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