IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015 10:38AM CDT

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The Not Knowing
A Review, Maybe

Spoiler Heavy Throughout

With our charming and prestigious Comics Editor and News Administrator Va'al otherwise indisposed, it's fallen on me to take up the reigns for this week's review of IDW's More Than Meets The Eye #44. As warned already, this one will be spoiler heavy throughout, because there's no way I can adequately review this thing if I'm trying to not tell you things about it. Since some of the text gets front paged, I'm just typing up things to delay the start of the actual review. This is your Swerve recap. Need a review with no spoilers? Here it is: stop reading my stupid words and go buy this. Now. Stop, really, and go spend $4 right the hell now on this book. I'm serious, if you want to read this issue (you do), and you read this review beforehand, you will regret it. Don't have regrets, the internet can wait.

So with all that out of the way, let me tell you what author James Roberts has done here. This is an issue about the value of life, dogma, love, hope, expectation, and consequences. Oh, and Transformers, I suppose. Strap in your feelings, we're going for a ride.

We'll start with Rodimus, like you do when writing about MTMTE. We're joined on the first page with Rewind attempting to tell Rodimus a story, this time about the mysterious, legendary Necrobot. Rodimus, naturally, seems to not care. There are more important things that can be done, like get attention for being The Best Guy because he's carved a map to Cyberutopia on a table. Forget this side-quest, The Best Captain has done a thing, so naturally, we have to follow up on this.

Only this doesn't go to plan for him, as Megatron, The Other Captain, thinks one more little side quest isn't such a big deal. Under the guise of continuing to be very, almost unusually, caring about Rewind, off they go to look for the Necrobot. Why do they do this?

Well that's something, isn't it? So off they go, eventually landing on the Necrobot's planet. Without going into too much plot summary (much of the above was in the previews anyhow), and without spoiling too much of the absolutely stunning art by Hayato Sakamoto, colored by Joana Lafuente in images, there are some other themes and points worth serious note.

First, the buddy cop duo that never was/is likely never to be: Nightbeat and the Necrobot.

At the start of this issue, we know positively very extremely little about the Necrobot. Within the confines of this one single comic, we learn a gigantic ton about him. The Necrobot, through his interaction with Nightbeat, is wholly fleshed out as a character. The storytelling here is simply marvelous, touching on Nightbeat's expectations that maybe, just maybe there's something more to the ideas of religious dogma, or supernatural powers existing in the universe. It turns out that the Necrobot doesn't live up to this, he's really just a guy (I told you there would be spoilers) named Censere. Censere tells him, in my favorite panel of the book, that he should still hope anyhow if he wants to. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Oh, and his cape. I want one. Just go read it, you'll see what I mean.

Next, but not last, it's time to reflect on the latest goings on in my favorite romance in fiction these days: Chromedome and Rewind.

Salt in the wound

As a guideline, I'm never much into fictional romance. Love is a fickle thing and it's extremely hard to make a compelling story about it without falling into, literally, a gillion tropes, cliches, and stretches of cringe-worthy dialogue. Roberts continues to utterly avoid all of this and provide a story about two souls on a journey that deeply care about one another to their core. I should also point out that this is yet more consistent, meaningful, and impacting character development that's handled in just the fewest of pages. It doesn't take a lot of time to be satisfying, and this is where I point out that the lettering of Tom B. Long really helps in setting the dialogue's tone appropriately. The voices in your head won't emphasize the wrong words, which can't always be said in comics.

Finally, the least obvious (until the end, that is) featured story in the issue. Who is this issue about, really?

To think, I once thought that smirk would never conceal anything except "evil"

The renaissance of Megatron is continued here, and he's always there in this one, just off to the side, sometimes being snarky, but then... well, I'm not going to post the last two page spread because it's incredible. With the last sentence of this book, any emotions I had to spend were spent. Sometimes consequences aren't as material as you want them to be. Instead, they end up being something more, something worse - true guilt.

Verdict

This one's an embodiment of Samwise Gamgee's very famous lines from Tolkien's The Two Towers, but everyone knows those, I think. Is this the best comic I've ever read? Probably. As I said at the start, go buy this. Maybe buy one for a friend too.

out of

Bonus! James Roberts' soundtrack suggestions for this issue:

The Smiths - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
A Camp - Song for the Leftovers

Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723221)
Posted by Randomhero on September 2nd, 2015 @ 11:23am CDT

Wow a perfect score for a book with quite a bit of continuity errors? Well okay then.

Honestly this was okay. I don't have a problem with the Necrobot and like I said before I didn't mind the reveal of 113 especially since he wasn't a very big deal to the IDW verse unless you read bullets and over hyped yourself about it.

The issue was fine, nothing mind blowing and pretty predictable. Last two pages were great, it was what I expected but had weight which is good.

It's an average issue. Collected as volume 8 I think this is the second lowest collection next to Remain in Light. Two good opening issues followed by a real "meh" red dwarf fanfic with transformers, then an over meta issue that isn't going to read well due to relying on the Swerve recaps that are not included in the previous trades when it was used and ends on a pretty average issue.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723228)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:01pm CDT

I thought it was an amazing issue. It really did speak volumes for Megatron and Nightbeat, plus chromedome and rewind. And I did not notice any real continuity errors, so I fail to see where that is coming from. This was both an explanatory read and an emotional one, and I for one am touched. Megatron has really grown on me, like a lot

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723232)
Posted by ScottyP on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:07pm CDT

Yeah, I'm curious about continuity errors. I didn't notice any, then again, the impact of the story would have distracted me from them. All I know of is a footnote error which JR acknowledged on Twitter, so I'm sure that'll get taken care of in the trade.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723234)
Posted by Randomhero on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:09pm CDT

ScottyP wrote:Yeah, I'm curious about continuity errors. I didn't notice any, then again, the impact of the story would have distracted me from them. All I know of is a footnote error which JR acknowledged on Twitter, so I'm sure that'll get taken care of in the trade.

I caught them while reading. Someone listed them on the issues page at tfwiki. They're sound

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723236)
Posted by ScottyP on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:14pm CDT

Randomhero wrote:
ScottyP wrote:Yeah, I'm curious about continuity errors. I didn't notice any, then again, the impact of the story would have distracted me from them. All I know of is a footnote error which JR acknowledged on Twitter, so I'm sure that'll get taken care of in the trade.

I caught them while reading. Someone listed them on the issues page at tfwiki. They're sound

From that page on TF Wiki, here are the errors:

The Necrobot introduces himself as "Censere", but when Nightbeat speaks his name during their farewell, he calls him "Censerre", with an extra "r". It's not clear which is the error.
When Nightbeat talks about his death, the footnote states he died in Spotlight: Nightbeat, rather than Spotlight: Hardhead.
Dominus Ambus's name is described as being "three from the bottom" on the monolith, but the art shows it being on the bottom line.

So a typo, a footnote issue that the author's noted, and something pretty much inconsequential.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723242)
Posted by 1984forever on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:37pm CDT

Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

I believe that MTMTE is aimed at the LGBT portion of the fandom and Hasbro knows this which is why MTMTE is never included as a pack in comic with the toys.

Since the MTMTE is not intended for me I will be dropping the book before #50. There won't be much to see after #50 since the book seems to be collapsing in on itself anyway.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723246)
Posted by snavej on September 2nd, 2015 @ 12:53pm CDT

Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723256)
Posted by Randomhero on September 2nd, 2015 @ 1:51pm CDT

Pretty sure errors would be dock if it was by costa and Schmidt...just saying

One error I actually noticed is nightbeat saying the Necrobot Is the oldest he's met yet he's met Alpha Trion- a thirteen-, Galvatron and nova prime. Not to mention Omega Supreme and a Titan, both of which were considered the oldest cybertronians in existence. Metroplex is believed to know the guiding hand and the Knights to which he won't speak of because the current generation is unworthy.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723262)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 2:27pm CDT

ScottyP wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
ScottyP wrote:Yeah, I'm curious about continuity errors. I didn't notice any, then again, the impact of the story would have distracted me from them. All I know of is a footnote error which JR acknowledged on Twitter, so I'm sure that'll get taken care of in the trade.

I caught them while reading. Someone listed them on the issues page at tfwiki. They're sound
From that page on TF Wiki, here are the errors:

The Necrobot introduces himself as "Censere", but when Nightbeat speaks his name during their farewell, he calls him "Censerre", with an extra "r". It's not clear which is the error.
When Nightbeat talks about his death, the footnote states he died in Spotlight: Nightbeat, rather than Spotlight: Hardhead.
Dominus Ambus's name is described as being "three from the bottom" on the monolith, but the art shows it being on the bottom line.
So a typo, a footnote issue that the author's noted, and something pretty much inconsequential.

Yeah, there are no real continuity errors present. That thing about Nightbeat eh, he may not consider them meeting considering he never spoke to several or may not know the age of the rest. (Like he does not know A3 is a thirteen, only a very few do). So what Nightbeat says is really no continuity error.
And I would not totally agree with that writers comment. Roberts and Barber (considering they co-edit each others work) have been extraordinary with continuity. couple hiccups (but when is there not) but they really have done tons for the continuity of the IDW run

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723264)
Posted by Sagitta on September 2nd, 2015 @ 2:31pm CDT

1984forever wrote:I believe that MTMTE is aimed at the LGBT portion of the fandom and Hasbro knows this which is why MTMTE is never included as a pack in comic with the toys.

Since the MTMTE is not intended for me I will be dropping the book before #50. There won't be much to see after #50 since the book seems to be collapsing in on itself anyway.

I agree whole heartily.

Transformers & the Combiner series seems to be putting it on thick at times as well. But I've mostly kept up with the MtMtE side of things.

It would have been been better for the writer(s) to have kept the stories on the level as their more highly acclaimed. (Rewind's woven tale for Rung & Remain in the Light to name two popular story arcs for example. No romance necessary. Just very good storytelling.)

Ratchet's farewell issue to the Lost Light was my own official last.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723265)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 2:32pm CDT

1984forever wrote:Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

I believe that MTMTE is aimed at the LGBT portion of the fandom and Hasbro knows this which is why MTMTE is never included as a pack in comic with the toys.

Since the MTMTE is not intended for me I will be dropping the book before #50. There won't be much to see after #50 since the book seems to be collapsing in on itself anyway.

I fail to see how it is collapsing in on itself. #38 made headlines on social media when it finally came out, and the Autobot Megatron has received so much attention. If anything it is doing amazing and is by far my favorite comic ever.
As for the comment about LGBT, I have never gotten that feel. Yes, Domey and Rewind have a relationship, but it has never panned out to be anything similar to human relationships. others have been mentioned, but considering this is not humans, completely different rules apply. And Rodimus has maintained that design since issue 1, so I fail to see how it is feminine. That is how Roche originally drew him, and all others have simply followed.
And #22 was a pack-in comic (Skids).

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723266)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 2:34pm CDT

snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723283)
Posted by Optimizzy on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:34pm CDT

what a good issue. I think im going to get this one signed by Roberts when he is in Charlotte. I loved it.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723284)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:34pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

It's actually quite touching seeing Megatron realize how many Autobots he killed.

(heart of a graveyard)

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723286)
Posted by Optimizzy on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:40pm CDT

SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

It's actually quite touching seeing Megatron realize how many Autobots he killed.
(heart of a graveyard)
[img]3LYJ3Z36r3o[/img]

Isnt it though? I mean, the feeling I get for Megatron is that he is secretly tired of it all, but he keeps going. With this revelation hitting him in the face...I mean abstract numbers are one thing. When you see a field of the consequences, man. That's hard-hitting. I really really really hope Hasbro lets things continue and they are allowed to keep Megatron how he is and develop him into a heroric figure. Not a good guy and not really a happy ending, but a worthy ending. Let him try to atone for what he's done. That's far mor einteresting than megalomanical megatron. Besides, they have a GREAT character in Galvatron for that and he fits that role so much better.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723287)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:42pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

It's actually quite touching seeing Megatron realize how many Autobots he killed.
(heart of a graveyard)

Isnt it though? I mean, the feeling I get for Megatron is that he is secretly tired of it all, but he keeps going. With this revelation hitting him in the face...I mean abstract numbers are one thing. When you see a field of the consequences, man. That's hard-hitting. I really really really hope Hasbro lets things continue and they are allowed to keep Megatron how he is and develop him into a heroric figure. Not a good guy and not really a happy ending, but a worthy ending. Let him try to atone for what he's done. That's far mor einteresting than megalomanical megatron. Besides, they have a GREAT character in Galvatron for that and he fits that role so much better.

Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723288)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:51pm CDT

SillySpringer wrote:
Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

No they are very different characters. Galvatrons vastly predates Megs.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723290)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 2nd, 2015 @ 3:52pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

No they are very different characters. Galvatrons vastly predates Megs.

Wow am I behind on the comics. -_-
I am more into the G1 concept of them being one and the same.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723297)
Posted by ScottyP on September 2nd, 2015 @ 4:14pm CDT

SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

No they are very different characters. Galvatrons vastly predates Megs.

Wow am I behind on the comics. -_-
I am more into the G1 concept of them being one and the same.

They've made it work pretty well. I'm very ok with them being two distinct characters, especially after the UT-era cartoons ran that train into the ground, which was still going on when IDW started all these books :lol:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723298)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on September 2nd, 2015 @ 4:16pm CDT

ScottyP wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

No they are very different characters. Galvatrons vastly predates Megs.

Wow am I behind on the comics. -_-
I am more into the G1 concept of them being one and the same.
They've made it work pretty well. I'm very ok with them being two distinct characters, especially after the UT-era cartoons ran that train into the ground, which was still going on when IDW started all these books

"Between the time when the Knights of Cybertron left paradise, and the rise of the sons of Megatron, there was an age undreamed of. And onto this, Galvatron, destined to wear the jeweled crown of the Cybertronian empire upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!
*DUN DUN!*

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723299)
Posted by Optimizzy on September 2nd, 2015 @ 4:45pm CDT

SW's SilverHammer wrote:

"Between the time when the Knights of Cybertron left paradise, and the rise of the sons of Megatron, there was an age undreamed of. And onto this, Galvatron, destined to wear the jeweled crown of the Cybertronian empire upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!
*DUN DUN!*

Yes! lol.

"Galvatron, what is best in life?"

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723300)
Posted by Va'al on September 2nd, 2015 @ 4:48pm CDT

Thanks Scotty for taking care of this. Good stuff, and with a lot of appropriate depth to the story (and good call on the lettering!).

Sakamoto's facial expressions have changed a bit, I feel, since #39, too.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723303)
Posted by night18mare on September 2nd, 2015 @ 5:03pm CDT

EDIT by Va'al: Please refrain from posting full page spoilers, or links to sponsored pages to read the comic. The book is already available via a number of established digital retailers, such as iTunes or ComiXology. Thank you.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723308)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on September 2nd, 2015 @ 5:54pm CDT

1984forever wrote:Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

(I'm sorry I can't help it, I have to do it)
Why are you looking that closely at Rodimus' lower regions? (They've been drawing him like that for awhile now... actually, many, many of them have been drawn less boxy over the years, but Rodimus has a big upper half, and he's a sports car.. not an armored van)

On topic....

It was a nicely touching issue. I'm ready some action though, been for a few issues, though I can't complain, it was some nice character building, and Nightbeat has always been a favorite of mine, so seeing him come to terms was very fulfilling.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723329)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 2nd, 2015 @ 8:26pm CDT

ctrlFrequency wrote:
1984forever wrote:Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

(I'm sorry I can't help it, I have to do it)
Why are you looking that closely at Rodimus' lower regions? (They've been drawing him like that for awhile now... actually, many, many of them have been drawn less boxy over the years, but Rodimus has a big upper half, and he's a sports car.. not an armored van)

On topic....

It was a nicely touching issue. I'm ready some action though, been for a few issues, though I can't complain, it was some nice character building, and Nightbeat has always been a favorite of mine, so seeing him come to terms was very fulfilling.

Lol Rodimus can have a big ass if he wants too. The question is, is he attractive to any girls? Cuz I've heard that girls like smaller butts. :lol:

But seriously now, I don't think it looks too bad. He just looks athletic to me. (in the comic itself, not on someone's drawing on Deviantart.)

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723374)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 10:00pm CDT

SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
Is Galvatron the same as Megatron in the comics?

No they are very different characters. Galvatrons vastly predates Megs.

Wow am I behind on the comics. -_-
I am more into the G1 concept of them being one and the same.

I think they are better off as different characters here. I mean with the way things are now, we have Galvatron leading the decepticons and Megs an autobot! Never before!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723376)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 2nd, 2015 @ 10:02pm CDT

ctrlFrequency wrote:
1984forever wrote:Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

(I'm sorry I can't help it, I have to do it)
Why are you looking that closely at Rodimus' lower regions? (They've been drawing him like that for awhile now... actually, many, many of them have been drawn less boxy over the years, but Rodimus has a big upper half, and he's a sports car.. not an armored van)

On topic....

It was a nicely touching issue. I'm ready some action though, been for a few issues, though I can't complain, it was some nice character building, and Nightbeat has always been a favorite of mine, so seeing him come to terms was very fulfilling.

they have definitely taken on a more athletic look, and I dig that. it works so well, especially with the current artists. besides: Rather to be lithe and mobile than boxy and awkward here

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723451)
Posted by MaverickPrime on September 3rd, 2015 @ 12:40am CDT

Eodimus design in MTMTE has always been very slender, but I did notice him doing a very feminine stance in a full body shot, maybe that's why some think his body looked like a fembot's.

But on topic, I really, really enjoyed the issue it had a lot to tell in a very limited space and yet I feel it achieved it very nicely.

And oh my god, that ending! Won't spoil anything, it MUST be read and seen, kudos to Roberts and the artists, it's sublime :BOWDOWN:

I don't care if I only have digital copies of the rest of the series(I hate distribution in Mexico), I NEED THIS ISSUE PHYSICALLY. :BANG_HEAD:

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723469)
Posted by night18mare on September 3rd, 2015 @ 1:48am CDT

night18mare wrote:EDIT by Va'al: Please refrain from posting full page spoilers, or links to sponsored pages to read the comic. The book is already available via a number of established digital retailers, such as iTunes or ComiXology. Thank you.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723477)
Posted by Beardy on September 3rd, 2015 @ 4:48am CDT

1984forever wrote:Just ... weird.

Why was Rodimus drawn as a fembot from the waist down?

I believe that MTMTE is aimed at the LGBT portion of the fandom and Hasbro knows this which is why MTMTE is never included as a pack in comic with the toys.

Since the MTMTE is not intended for me I will be dropping the book before #50. There won't be much to see after #50 since the book seems to be collapsing in on itself anyway.

Generations Skids was packed with MTMTE #22 so I don't think your theory is on point.
Some of the Dark Cybertron in pack comics were More than Meets the Eye issues too.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723495)
Posted by ScottyP on September 3rd, 2015 @ 8:42am CDT

MaverickPrime wrote:And oh my god, that ending! Won't spoil anything, it MUST be read and seen, kudos to Roberts and the artists, it's sublime
I don't care if I only have digital copies of the rest of the series(I hate distribution in Mexico), I NEED THIS ISSUE PHYSICALLY.

Yeah, I need a print of that ending yesterday. Like a big 'ol poster sized one.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723500)
Posted by MrBlack on September 3rd, 2015 @ 9:08am CDT

This issue throws a wrench into the "Dominus Ambus is Tarn" theory. Something happened to Dominus which caused his spark to disappear from the Necrobots sensors. I can't imagine that simply building him a new body did that; otherwise, Megatron would have been presumed dead on multiple occasions. I suppose that the manifestation of Tarn's powers might interfere with the sensors, but it still seems a bit of a stretch.

I do like the idea that Tarn could be Terminus. It would explain his loyalty to both Megatron and the Decepticon cause, and I like the idea that Terminus, a lifelong low class miner, would take on the trapping of sophistication as Tarn. Honestly, I still think Roller fits better though.

I'm still thinking there might be something to my completely wacky "Dominus Ambus is Ten" theory. It may be significant symbolically that Minimus is playing with the Ten plushie while discussing his brother. The process of turning a bot into a Legislator may be why Dominus' spark reading disappeared; the process is so invasive as to change or negate whatever emanations the Necrobot's sensors detect. Of course, the timing is totally off, since Dominus disappeared near the beginning of the war, and Tyrest didn't lose his mind until after the Aequitas trials, which were relatively recently. Of course, we don't know exactly WHERE the Legislators came from. Perhaps they were developed independently of Tyrest, and he simply co-opted the technology after taking Luna 1. We do know that Dominus Ambus spent years looking for the missing satellite; perhaps he found it and triggered some long dormant technology which transformed him (and which Tyrest would later adopt as his own).

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723521)
Posted by Syn_13 on September 3rd, 2015 @ 11:12am CDT

Randomhero wrote:Pretty sure errors would be dock if it was by costa and Schmidt...just saying

One error I actually noticed is nightbeat saying the Necrobot Is the oldest he's met yet he's met Alpha Trion- a thirteen-, Galvatron and nova prime. Not to mention Omega Supreme and a Titan, both of which were considered the oldest cybertronians in existence. Metroplex is believed to know the guiding hand and the Knights to which he won't speak of because the current generation is unworthy.

That was one thing I wasn't quite sure of when I read it. However, when Censere said he was around before "the first war" I just assumed it was before the events that were shown in the previous ex-RiD issue(s) that contained Galvatron, Alpha Trion and Nova Prime. I'm guessing he predates Galvatron and Nova Prime. The likes of Alpha Trio, Omega Supreme, Metroplex and the other Titans predate them too and Censere is probably of this era, or of a time shortly after.

With regards to the issue - I really enjoyed it. ScottyP's review is pretty much spot on. I probably would've scored 4 rather than 5, only because there are a few other issues that have hit home more and left me thinking about them for weeks. The Megatron scene at the end, however, was stunning. It truly personified the talent of all those involved in the creation of this issue.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723522)
Posted by MrBlack on September 3rd, 2015 @ 11:23am CDT

Syn_13 wrote:
Randomhero wrote:Pretty sure errors would be dock if it was by costa and Schmidt...just saying

One error I actually noticed is nightbeat saying the Necrobot Is the oldest he's met yet he's met Alpha Trion- a thirteen-, Galvatron and nova prime. Not to mention Omega Supreme and a Titan, both of which were considered the oldest cybertronians in existence. Metroplex is believed to know the guiding hand and the Knights to which he won't speak of because the current generation is unworthy.

That was one thing I wasn't quite sure of when I read it. However, when Censere said he was around before "the first war" I just assumed it was before the events that were shown in the previous ex-RiD issue(s) that contained Galvatron, Alpha Trion and Nova Prime. I'm guessing he predates Galvatron and Nova Prime. The likes of Alpha Trio, Omega Supreme, Metroplex and the other Titans predate them too and Censere is probably of this era, or of a time shortly after.

With regards to the issue - I really enjoyed it. ScottyP's review is pretty much spot on. I probably would've scored 4 rather than 5, only because there are a few other issues that have hit home more and left me thinking about them for weeks. The Megatron scene at the end, however, was stunning. It truly personified the talent of all those involved in the creation of this issue.

Do we know whether Nightbeat has actually met Omega Supreme or Metroplex? Both have been long absent from the Autobot forces, and only reappeared after Nightbeat's death. It's true that he likely lived inside Metroplex for a time after the Dark Cybertron arc, but I'm not sure that counts as "meeting" someone.

Alpha Trion's status as one of the 13 Primes was a secret to everyone, so Nightbeat would not have known exactly how old he was.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723535)
Posted by ScottyP on September 3rd, 2015 @ 12:56pm CDT

MrBlack wrote:Do we know whether Nightbeat has actually met Omega Supreme or Metroplex? Both have been long absent from the Autobot forces, and only reappeared after Nightbeat's death. It's true that he likely lived inside Metroplex for a time after the Dark Cybertron arc, but I'm not sure that counts as "meeting" someone.

Very good question. I'm not sure if he expressly has, though maybe there's a scenario when they're drawn in the same scene (looking at you, Autocracy/Montrosity/Primacy series) for no good reason together. Goodness, when was the last time we even saw Omega? Chaos? And I'd agree that being in Metroplex doesn't count as meeting him for now given his state.

MrBlack wrote:I do like the idea that Tarn could be Terminus. It would explain his loyalty to both Megatron and the Decepticon cause, and I like the idea that Terminus, a lifelong low class miner, would take on the trapping of sophistication as Tarn. Honestly, I still think Roller fits better though.

Yeah, I agree and think Roller = Tarn is a case of Occam's Razor and not a Red Herring. Never do know, of course, but that'd seem to be the case.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723545)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 3rd, 2015 @ 1:19pm CDT

ScottyP wrote:
MaverickPrime wrote:And oh my god, that ending! Won't spoil anything, it MUST be read and seen, kudos to Roberts and the artists, it's sublime
I don't care if I only have digital copies of the rest of the series(I hate distribution in Mexico), I NEED THIS ISSUE PHYSICALLY.
Yeah, I need a print of that ending yesterday. Like a big 'ol poster sized one.

that scene is what really hit this issue home. all the way.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723552)
Posted by MrBlack on September 3rd, 2015 @ 1:42pm CDT

ScottyP wrote:
MrBlack wrote:Do we know whether Nightbeat has actually met Omega Supreme or Metroplex? Both have been long absent from the Autobot forces, and only reappeared after Nightbeat's death. It's true that he likely lived inside Metroplex for a time after the Dark Cybertron arc, but I'm not sure that counts as "meeting" someone.
Very good question. I'm not sure if he expressly has, though maybe there's a scenario when they're drawn in the same scene (looking at you, Autocracy/Montrosity/Primacy series) for no good reason together. Goodness, when was the last time we even saw Omega? Chaos? And I'd agree that being in Metroplex doesn't count as meeting him for now given his state.

MrBlack wrote:I do like the idea that Tarn could be Terminus. It would explain his loyalty to both Megatron and the Decepticon cause, and I like the idea that Terminus, a lifelong low class miner, would take on the trapping of sophistication as Tarn. Honestly, I still think Roller fits better though.
Yeah, I agree and think Roller = Tarn is a case of Occam's Razor and not a Red Herring. Never do know, of course, but that'd seem to be the case.

I'm starting to think the Tarn/Roller thing is itself a red herring. Roberts is throwing a really obvious mystery at the audience, knowing that it will distract from some other, deeper mystery that isn't as apparent.

Oh, and the last time we saw Omega active was when he got blowed up real good just before Megatron's return in Robots in Disguise. Last time we saw him in any capacity, he was getting repairs under Wheeljack's guidance.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723558)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 3rd, 2015 @ 2:02pm CDT

MrBlack wrote:
ScottyP wrote:
MrBlack wrote:Do we know whether Nightbeat has actually met Omega Supreme or Metroplex? Both have been long absent from the Autobot forces, and only reappeared after Nightbeat's death. It's true that he likely lived inside Metroplex for a time after the Dark Cybertron arc, but I'm not sure that counts as "meeting" someone.
Very good question. I'm not sure if he expressly has, though maybe there's a scenario when they're drawn in the same scene (looking at you, Autocracy/Montrosity/Primacy series) for no good reason together. Goodness, when was the last time we even saw Omega? Chaos? And I'd agree that being in Metroplex doesn't count as meeting him for now given his state.

MrBlack wrote:I do like the idea that Tarn could be Terminus. It would explain his loyalty to both Megatron and the Decepticon cause, and I like the idea that Terminus, a lifelong low class miner, would take on the trapping of sophistication as Tarn. Honestly, I still think Roller fits better though.
Yeah, I agree and think Roller = Tarn is a case of Occam's Razor and not a Red Herring. Never do know, of course, but that'd seem to be the case.

I'm starting to think the Tarn/Roller thing is itself a red herring. Roberts is throwing a really obvious mystery at the audience, knowing that it will distract from some other, deeper mystery that isn't as apparent.

Oh, and the last time we saw Omega active was when he got blowed up real good just before Megatron's return in Robots in Disguise. Last time we saw him in any capacity, he was getting repairs under Wheeljack's guidance.

Yeah, combiner wars is over, we need Omega back online. And I am still convinced Roller is way too obvious as Tarn. But I am willing to guy into the theory that Dominus was raw material and ended up as Ten

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723590)
Posted by padfoo on September 3rd, 2015 @ 5:31pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

It's actually quite touching seeing Megatron realize how many Autobots he killed.
(heart of a graveyard)
[img]3LYJ3Z36r3o[/img]

Isnt it though? I mean, the feeling I get for Megatron is that he is secretly tired of it all, but he keeps going. With this revelation hitting him in the face...I mean abstract numbers are one thing. When you see a field of the consequences, man. That's hard-hitting. I really really really hope Hasbro lets things continue and they are allowed to keep Megatron how he is and develop him into a heroric figure. Not a good guy and not really a happy ending, but a worthy ending. Let him try to atone for what he's done. That's far mor einteresting than megalomanical megatron. Besides, they have a GREAT character in Galvatron for that and he fits that role so much better.

Agree!

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723592)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 3rd, 2015 @ 5:57pm CDT

padfoo wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
snavej wrote:Is that grass in the Autobot graveyard? Are those graves on Cybertron or another world? We need to know! [Personally, I think that it would be much more economical to recycle Autobots for their parts than to bury them uselessly, especially during wartime.]

It's just symbolic. It isn't actually in the story. more it is symbolizing the fact that we learn so much about the dead and how some peoples actions have lead them to discover an almost magical place concerning the deceased

It's actually quite touching seeing Megatron realize how many Autobots he killed.
(heart of a graveyard)

Isnt it though? I mean, the feeling I get for Megatron is that he is secretly tired of it all, but he keeps going. With this revelation hitting him in the face...I mean abstract numbers are one thing. When you see a field of the consequences, man. That's hard-hitting. I really really really hope Hasbro lets things continue and they are allowed to keep Megatron how he is and develop him into a heroric figure. Not a good guy and not really a happy ending, but a worthy ending. Let him try to atone for what he's done. That's far mor einteresting than megalomanical megatron. Besides, they have a GREAT character in Galvatron for that and he fits that role so much better.

Agree!

It does make sence, but I like the classic concept more, but I guess that's just because I'm a Geewunner. :B

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723615)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 3rd, 2015 @ 8:30pm CDT

with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723624)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 3rd, 2015 @ 8:50pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

Agreed.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723761)
Posted by MrBlack on September 4th, 2015 @ 12:15pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

If nothing else, it will make him a better character if he ever does become a villain again.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723813)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 4th, 2015 @ 4:00pm CDT

MrBlack wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

If nothing else, it will make him a better character if he ever does become a villain again.

Yeah! I think it is a great breath of fresh air for Megatron to turn around for the better! It kinda reminds me of Megatron in the end of the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising movie, when he kinda wanted to stop being a bad guy.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723890)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on September 4th, 2015 @ 10:08pm CDT

SillySpringer wrote:
MrBlack wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

If nothing else, it will make him a better character if he ever does become a villain again.

Yeah! I think it is a great breath of fresh air for Megatron to turn around for the better! It kinda reminds me of Megatron in the end of the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising movie, when he kinda wanted to stop being a bad guy.

that was a Megatron who learned from very personal and nearly tragic experience. I like how this Megatron was touched by a friend who then died, making it very personal on a friendship level for him

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1723903)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on September 4th, 2015 @ 10:28pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
SillySpringer wrote:
MrBlack wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:with him being the big bad for like ever, I actually like Autobot Megatron even better than the best evil Megatron. I love this version of him! And the fact that this story is showing that he truly has changed in heart just makes it that much more powerful

If nothing else, it will make him a better character if he ever does become a villain again.

Yeah! I think it is a great breath of fresh air for Megatron to turn around for the better! It kinda reminds me of Megatron in the end of the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising movie, when he kinda wanted to stop being a bad guy.

that was a Megatron who learned from very personal and nearly tragic experience. I like how this Megatron was touched by a friend who then died, making it very personal on a friendship level for him

I said it REMINDED me of it, not necessarily that it was the same situation, but you're right, I think it's quite touching for him to consider Bumblebee as a friend after he died.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1724035)
Posted by Crosscheck on September 5th, 2015 @ 3:31pm CDT

Another possibility for Dominus (though I like the theory of him being Ten) is that he somehow ended up in the world that Skids went to in Remain in the Light. It would explain why he can't be located. But him being Ten is interesting. Ten is an artist and master craftsman, which fits very well. It also wouldn't be the first time he has lost his vocabulary. But he seems to like Magnus as more of a boycrush. I kinda just like Ten as a Legislator that is rediscovering his Spark.

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1724162)
Posted by Sagitta on September 6th, 2015 @ 2:12am CDT

Why does it have to involve a crush? Makes it sound like IDW portraying itself as a robotic soap opera in all its titles.

If any crushes appears in "Sins of the Wreckers"...I lost all hope. :BANG_HEAD:

Why can't it be just Ten in child-like awe looking up to his hero? Magnus/Minimus who's simply voicing support for Ten and his rights when Ten's unable t do so himself? Would be much more plausible IMHO. :-D

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1724699)
Posted by DarkEnergon on September 7th, 2015 @ 10:01pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:and he left Rewind alive on the other lost light, so it's possible he remember his old conjux endurae and let him live instead of killing him

but he would kill his brother...

Still, i'm liking the dominus theory. Think back to how much Tarn is about process, rules, regulations... just like minimus/magnus, hm?

Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #44 Review (1724701)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on September 7th, 2015 @ 10:05pm CDT

DarkEnergon wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:and he left Rewind alive on the other lost light, so it's possible he remember his old conjux endurae and let him live instead of killing him

but he would kill his brother...

Still, i'm liking the dominus theory. Think back to how much Tarn is about process, rules, regulations... just like minimus/magnus, hm?

Dominus authored a work called The Ascetic Cybertronian, in which he wrote, "Pleasure is a distraction from pursuit of truth." It's never been shown if Dominus had hobbies, tarn has a few.

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