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IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review

Wednesday, February 10th, 2016 3:05AM CST

Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al   Views: 34,881

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SINS OF THE --wait
(Spoiler free-ish)



Synopsis
SHUTDOWN! A vengeful god stalks the corridors of the Lost Light, murdering everyone who makes eye contact. The crew must answer two questions: Why have they been singled out for punishment? And how do you stop someone who can kill you just by thinking about it?

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
..sure, that'll work


Story

We have reached the second part of the final arc before the 50th milestone, and the last chance to see what is going in some of the Lost Light's crew members' heads. Quite literally, with James Roberts' newfound torture instrument for our regular space-opera-meets-horror-meets-sitcom-meets: the Transformers god of death, Mortilus, and its vessel, the biggest mnemosurgeon around, Sunder.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
How?


With the horror side of the story (more on the other side below), Roberts actually brings us a lot closer to the initial arcs of this particular ongoing. A lot of the issue, in fact, feeds back into an older vibe for the book, also given Skids' first introduction to MTMTE as an outsider to the situation, and his clearly pivotal role in the grand scheme of things.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
Nope


The problems I had with the issue, and I find myself repeating a previous thought, are with the pacing - and with the fact that this is another conclusion that feels rushed, even actually cut short. I understand that the length of the comic can only allow so much. But still, some things feel like they're lacking a part to them, or that more could be said and told.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
Oh, and Tailgate's in it too


That is not to say that I don't realise and understand that there are, obviously other developments to be expected, especially with the preview and covers being what they are and featuring who they do. We will be seeing how a lot of what happens in here will affect the rest of the crew, of the series, and probably of the TFverse, without too many doubts on that last part, either.

Art

We've seen what Hayato Sakamoto can do in previous issues, and in his work on the TFCC and Takara Legends comics - what we get here is a shift further into the latter style, and something which feels more his, with some significant manga traits, and some definite horrorific, twisted, Junji Ito/Neon Genesis Evangelion-esque moments that add to the already present early feel of the MTMTE run streaming through this particular issue.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
Nightmares on the house


Even with the usual vibrancy of colours that Joana Lafuente brings to the palette, the choice of darker reds, blues, purples and oranges (interesting combination there...) really does add to the space horror elements this time round - though at times perhaps too bright for a ship that is supposedly in dim light to avoid eye contact.



There are oodles of lettering scattered around the book, with Sunder's voice bubbles and the multiple ...noises. And Tom B. Long has the arduous, but surely satisfying given the result, task of capturing them all, each and every time. The two main variant covers are as fitting as you would expect, with Tailgate and Thunderclash taking main stage for Alex Milne and Josh Perez, Rung staring down Sunder in the Nick Roche/Josh Burcham one - and then we have another piece of the gigantically glorious Milne/Perez puzzle in the retailer incentive variant (thumbnailed).


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

The not entirely new, but slightly modified/shifted visuals in the book are very fitting to the overall themes present in the issue, and offer a good background to the major narrative trajectories for Tarn, Skids, and their enabling link through Sunder - though, obviously, no resolution yet. This is still Roberts we're talking about.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review
Senpaaaaaai!


On that note... Much like everything else, from solicits to coverage, surrounding this issue, I have steered clear of any of the major turns taking place in the story, other than Skids' own tale, above. I'll take this last paragraph to just point out one little aspect that will lead to very interesting paths, if kept consistent, for The Dying of the Light and everything after issue #50 - Megatron's development, Tailgate's direction. Very interesting paths indeed.

. :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: out of :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT: :BOT:
Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765099)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 8:31am CST
I felt left wanting... *sigh*

Roberts obviously has a deep horror vein in him, if he he could just play it out to the fullest it would be spectacular. But he always seems to cut it short. Obviously it's time and editing, beyond his control... but I keep wanting a better conclusion.

*shakes fist at powers that be*
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765101)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 8:40am CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:I felt left wanting... *sigh*

Roberts obviously has a deep horror vein in him, if he he could just play it out to the fullest it would be spectacular. But he always seems to cut it short. Obviously it's time and editing, beyond his control... but I keep wanting a better conclusion.

*shakes fist at powers that be*


Pretty much yeah. I still feel the Sparkeater arc was a lot better developed than later stuff, despite the early time in the series.

This issue also had two Power Rangers moments that I'm still trying to figure out what I think of... :-?
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765104)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 8:52am CST
I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765105)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 8:53am CST
Sorry double post.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765106)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 8:55am CST
The sparkeater arch was far more interesting and a lot more developed. Though this latest was better than the personality ticks arc (that one could have been fantastic classic Noir Fiction, they even had the detective, Nightbeat, but.... no).
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765112)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 9:12am CST
Randomhero wrote:I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.


( The reviewer at TFormers can have my attention once they include images in reviews of a visual medium. )
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765129)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 9:54am CST
Randomhero wrote:I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.


Considering the theme of the entire series (the comic book formerly known as RID, MTMTE, and the minis and one shots) I don't see why only one should be allowed to be handling a horror theme, especially when it fits far better into the MTMTE flow and setting and the fact that MTMTE is ongoing, which is a far better vein to handle it because of that. A mini series doesn't have the chance to truly explore the intricacies... though unfortunately it feels neither has the ongoing.

Personally, I find Sins of the Wreckers far too rushed and lacking and ultimately boring. It would likely be a better story of there wasn’t an issue limit. But the horror mark so far has been failing to engage me in that one... where as MTMTE has been grabbing me, and then dropping me short. :-(

Va'al wrote:
Randomhero wrote:I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.


( The reviewer at TFormers can have my attention once they include images in reviews of a visual medium. )


Hummm... interesting statement from our Va'al....

:WHISTLE:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765133)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:02am CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Randomhero wrote:I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.


Considering the theme of the entire series (the comic book formerly known as RID, MTMTE, and the minis and one shots) I don't see why only one should be allowed to be handling a horror theme, especially when it fits far better into the MTMTE flow and setting and the fact that MTMTE is ongoing, which is a far better vein to handle it because of that. A mini series doesn't have the chance to truly explore the intricacies... though unfortunately it feels neither has the ongoing.

Personally, I find Sins of the Wreckers far too rushed and lacking and ultimately boring. It would likely be a better story of there wasn’t an issue limit. But the horror mark so far has been failing to engage me in that one... where as MTMTE has been grabbing me, and then dropping me short. :-(


I don't see Sins as horror, but rather thriller. Yes, some aspects verge on the horror side of things, but they're messing with the psychology of the characters without necessarily falling into full horror. That's what MTMTE does, and both the Sparkeater and this two-issue arc show it really quite well.

As the title of my review mentions, though, there is quite the parallel here, I agree.

On the other hand, I disagree with the opinion on SOTW, but I can see what you mean by it!


As for my statement - what's so strange about it? It's a comics review that doesn't show the comics. What's the point in that?
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765136)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:04am CST
Va'al wrote:
Randomhero wrote:I think tformers did it best with saying "we're already getting a series that's dealing this this situation and it's called Sins of the Wreckers. And it's doing it better.

There's quite a few scenes that are kind of hard to follow and while James has been good using an issue to say a lot, this issue really doesn't. It's not a bad issue but it's just...ugh it's hard to describe.


( The reviewer at TFormers can have my attention once they include images in reviews of a visual medium. )


I don't like images that are not in the preview being shown. That is spoiling something for someone. You're showing unseen content and they used to but they don't anymore and I think that's why.

You can say you're not showing crucial parts but you're still showing something that hasn't been seen.

The Megatron scene was probably the best scene is this book and in my opinion the tailgate scenes were the worst. I'm tired of Tailgate continuing to be a McGuffin. He was a mcguffin in remain in light and now he's super hero mcguffin and it's annoying.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765138)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:08am CST
Oh, I get that! And I perfectly understand why people might want to wait to read a review - which is why I stick to release date, rather that rush it and send it out before the book comes out. :D


And of course, to each their own. ;)


As for Megatron - yes. And a lot of covers now make even more sense, not to mention something from earlier on in the series, as shown here:

Image
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765142)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:19am CST
Va'al wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Considering the theme of the entire series (the comic book formerly known as RID, MTMTE, and the minis and one shots) I don't see why only one should be allowed to be handling a horror theme, especially when it fits far better into the MTMTE flow and setting and the fact that MTMTE is ongoing, which is a far better vein to handle it because of that. A mini series doesn't have the chance to truly explore the intricacies... though unfortunately it feels neither has the ongoing.

Personally, I find Sins of the Wreckers far too rushed and lacking and ultimately boring. It would likely be a better story of there wasn’t an issue limit. But the horror mark so far has been failing to engage me in that one... where as MTMTE has been grabbing me, and then dropping me short. :-(


I don't see Sins as horror, but rather thriller. Yes, some aspects verge on the horror side of things, but they're messing with the psychology of the characters without necessarily falling into full horror. That's what MTMTE does, and both the Sparkeater and this two-issue arc show it really quite well.

As the title of my review mentions, though, there is quite the parallel here, I agree.

On the other hand, I disagree with the opinion on SOTW, but I can see what you mean by it!


As for my statement - what's so strange about it? It's a comics review that doesn't show the comics. What's the point in that?


Okay, so, good. I thought I had missed the horror in Sins of the Wreckers considering Randomhero's statement. I tend to have the bar set higher when it comes to the label of horror. Prowl being locked up and tortured doesn't qualify as horror to me, but I can see others feeling that way. Like I said, my bar... very high.

If it were meant to be horror, it's fallen short, if it were to be a thriller, it's on par... but still feels lacking a bit (rushed, I still feel it's rushed, but I tend to like a lot more detail and time invested)


And now I'm risking derailing this with the Wreckers. So.... that aside...

What I have started wondering, considering that Roberts has managed to expertly weave in the romance side of the story1 into the ongoing plot is that maybe he's just hesitant about introducing a horror element. Maybe he's just testing the waters (though I do firmly believe he is constrained by time and the powers that be first and foremost). It could be entirely possible he's trying to gage how well us as the audience would take to the themes.



As for the review comment... just messing with you :-D Someone's gotta do it!
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765143)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:20am CST
Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to criticize you, you're an excellent reviewer. I may not share every opinion but I do appreciate your work.

I'm just remember how bad the reviews on fullmetalhero used to be(back when they existed) and would put the most spoiled panels ever in their reviews just to put a snarky commentary on it.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765147)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:27am CST
Randomhero wrote:Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to criticize you, you're an excellent reviewer. I may not share every opinion but I do appreciate your work.


Aw shucks, thank you. :D

ctrlFrequency wrote:What I have started wondering, considering that Roberts has managed to expertly weave in the romance side of the story into the ongoing plot is that maybe he's just hesitant about introducing a horror element. Maybe he's just testing the waters (though I do firmly believe he is constrained by time and the powers that be first and foremost). It could be entirely possible he's trying to gage how well us as the audience would take to the themes.


I'd be inclined to agree if it weren't for the fact that the series started with horror, before moving to romance and its other elements - including socio-political commentary. So.. I dunno. Definitely maybe.

As for the review comment... just messing with you :-D Someone's gotta do it!


:michaelbay:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765148)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:32am CST
Va'al wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:What I have started wondering, considering that Roberts has managed to expertly weave in the romance side of the story into the ongoing plot is that maybe he's just hesitant about introducing a horror element. Maybe he's just testing the waters (though I do firmly believe he is constrained by time and the powers that be first and foremost). It could be entirely possible he's trying to gage how well us as the audience would take to the themes.


I'd be inclined to agree if it weren't for the fact that the series started with horror, before moving to romance and its other elements - including socio-political commentary. So.. I dunno. Definitely maybe.


Don't think that didn't cross my mind... maybe a revisit to the test is better phrased.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765150)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:34am CST
My statement about sins of the wreckers isn't referring to horror. It's referring to a story about uncovering memories and repercussions of those memories and the guilt that comes with. That's really what this story was about with Skids.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765151)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:37am CST
Randomhero wrote:My statement about sins of the wreckers isn't referring to horror. It's referring to a story about uncovering memories and repercussions of those memories and the guilt that comes with. That's really what this story was about with Skids.



Ooohhh... sorry my bad!

Then let's pretend I didn't misinterpret what you said... cause now I'm embarrassed :oops: (I do tend to have 'moments' a lot!)
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765159)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 10:53am CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Randomhero wrote:My statement about sins of the wreckers isn't referring to horror. It's referring to a story about uncovering memories and repercussions of those memories and the guilt that comes with. That's really what this story was about with Skids.



Ooohhh... sorry my bad!

Then let's pretend I didn't misinterpret what you said... cause now I'm embarrassed :oops: (I do tend to have 'moments' a lot!)


Naaah it's all good.

That's where I was meaning to go with. I should have explained it better and apologize for that. The situation here is very similar to what's going on with prowl and Mesothulas in SOTW. A lot of stuff is being un earthed there.

And I'm just going to say this: the entire plot of that and LSTOW is get Aquitas and stop it from revealing the atrocities that were committed by the autobots...THERES AN AUTOBOT IN THIS STORY THATS A SERIAL KILLER AND CAN TURN YOU INSIDE OUT AND NO ONE WORRIES ABOUT THE TERRIBLE THINGS HE'S DONE.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765166)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:14am CST
Randomhero wrote:
And I'm just going to say this: the entire plot of that and LSTOW is get Aquitas and stop it from revealing the atrocities that were committed by the autobots...THERES AN AUTOBOT IN THIS STORY THATS A SERIAL KILLER AND CAN TURN YOU INSIDE OUT AND NO ONE WORRIES ABOUT THE TERRIBLE THINGS HE'S DONE.


Yeah, that's my problem too. Horrible things hapoen, and then suddenly.. "well, that's done, nice work, ooh! You look good! How's things? Nice epiphany there Megs... what's for lunch?"


I need to edit in...

Once I got to the end, it was clear this issue was about Megatron's epiphany at the end, he had to be involved in the horror of those he's starting to grow to care about to finally come to the realization that violence can not be given into, and the 'person' he is becoming has to shed violence because it is no longer part of him.

All well and good, it's a great way to handle it, someone who caused such horror in his past to be part of it on the opposite end is the perfect way to put it in perspective from a character stand pount.... however....

Megatron wasn’t part of it. Same with the personality ticks. The main 'heroes' get walked in at the very last moment and save the day, have their 'moment' and that's it. It would have been a more satisfying ending if we could have seen Megatron's part in this from the start... as in as soon as Rung made them aware, that Megatron had seen more than just the last few momemts. The impact would have felt greater, and that's where the whole things shuts down and drops the ball.

Big lead up to a convenient end, with the hero conveniently walking in last minute to save the day/learn something.
We could have had a masterpiece of horror that brought Megatron face to face with sheer maddness and depravity of the monsters that mirrored the ones he created (the DJD as one example) and it would have meant more as an ending if he had to have truly faced Froid and Sunder. There would have been impact if it had been explored.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765168)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:25am CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
And I'm just going to say this: the entire plot of that and LSTOW is get Aquitas and stop it from revealing the atrocities that were committed by the autobots...THERES AN AUTOBOT IN THIS STORY THATS A SERIAL KILLER AND CAN TURN YOU INSIDE OUT AND NO ONE WORRIES ABOUT THE TERRIBLE THINGS HE'S DONE.


Yeah, that's my problem too. Horrible things hapoen, and then suddenly.. "well, that's done, nice work, ooh! You look good! How's things? Nice epiphany there Megs... what's for lunch?"



Exactly. We only know 2 court cases from Aquitas, flame did a lot of illegal experimenting and Impactor killed unarmed prisoners. "Nope we gotta seal this stuff up!!!'" Sundar? Murders and forces people to forget how to transform forcing them to turn inside out. Public knowledge, no political repercussions. Yes he was on his way to G9 but he was public knowledge. I'm not knocking on SOTW. I'm saying this character -for the grand scheme of everything- should not exist.

I also cant stand him because every time I look at him I can't help but think of that waitor from Simpsons that's all smiles because he had a stroke..."YYYYYEEEEEESSSS?!?!?!"
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765172)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:33am CST
OK, so I can see exactly why Skids sealed away that memory. It was terrible and at least we now have connections from Skids to Brainstorm to Tarn. And Sunder was just horrifying with what he could do.

And now we have mini-Hulk Tailgate. Sweet to me considering I like him.

The art for this issue was so amazing and detailed. It was like nothing seen before and it captured everything dark and dangerous so well.

And Getaway: I'd like to see him live up to his name now.

And Megatron: I like this direction. to me this proves that he is changing :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765175)
Posted by Va'al on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:36am CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The art for this issue was so amazing and detailed. It was like nothing seen before and it captured everything dark and dangerous so well.


If I'm honest: no.
It had a little too many silly moments (see Power Rangers comment above), and I'd like IDW to STAY AWAY from what the Legends comics are doing. Just, no, please.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765176)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:39am CST
I wish I could like tailgate but I'm really not feeling it. It really feels like James is starting to get his ideas from the fanfic section of tumblr.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765178)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:46am CST
Va'al wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The art for this issue was so amazing and detailed. It was like nothing seen before and it captured everything dark and dangerous so well.


If I'm honest: no.
It had a little too many silly moments (see Power Rangers comment above), and I'd like IDW to STAY AWAY from what the Legends comics are doing. Just, no, please.


I agree with you on that. The one that pulled me out were the two guards at the beginning. Their guns are the size of them and their proportions are all the over the place.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765179)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:47am CST
Randomhero wrote:I wish I could like tailgate but I'm really not feeling it. It really feels like James is starting to get his ideas from the fanfic section of tumblr.


Sorry D-Max, I gotta go with Randomhero on this one. Tailgate started great but suddenly... superpowers! Super strength! Super speed! Invincibility! He 'evolved'! (This smacks of XMen)

I liked Tailgate as he was. He gave us a different perspective of the events. Now he's super cool fanboi pumped up just cause...
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765183)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:53am CST
Understandable reasonings and I can see them and hear you guys.

To me, there may have been those silly moments, but when you have basically 2 large sections dedicated to guys turning themselves inside out and another scene where 50 some guys are melted down and someone loses their faith that is where the art was good for me.

And while Tailgate did start off young, naive and easily tricked, it feels like a natural progression that he is developing. maybe not necessarily the way he did, but the progression was bound to happen. If he was always that little annoying naive guy, there would be a different set of complaints. Now making him a Mini-Hulk is something I never saw coming and is very far out there, but we did receive hints that he was a point-one percenter, his 6 millions years of radiation from the planet, Cyclonus' recharged spark reviving him, time travel and quantum travel, it all did have a point that it finally got to :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765185)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 11:57am CST
Tailgate is jimmy Olson and nobody wants jimmy Olson to become superman and now he is and it annoys me.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765187)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 12:14pm CST
I can agree, whole heartedly, that a character must grow. Remaining static in an ongoing story is poor writing.

However, previously everyone grew at a different pace. Slowly, as you would expect. But lately it's been major change.

Previously the story with Cyclonus and Tailgate took time, they grew, they changed, and they did it at a pace that didn’t seem... jarring and out of the blue. It was natural and felt real.

No keeping Tailgate naive would have been bad, but his perspective will always be different from his experiences, he missed so much life and war, he will always have an outside view. And that's what makes him special, his view as someone who did not have to live through the horror.

The super powers feel trope-y.

Even though I feel Megatron's change was a bit jarring (and still don't like it, but I can accept it as the character growing and realizing he had strayed from his original beliefs) at least it was less suoer...

If you like mini hulk Tailgate, great :) i'm not going to convince you it's wrong, we all are entitled to opinions :) I just think it was handled wrong. But the whole issue was. I still believe it was rushed and that's the reason why it feels wrong.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765195)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 12:26pm CST
I feel that after the time travel tales, there was realization that there was more to put to rest before Dying of the Light than was realized, not to mention the loss of 2 pages per issue. The way things had been handled, I think this was supposed to be a bit more gradual, but the big 50th issue took precedence and things sped up just a bit, and seems to be consistent with all the comics that came out within the past month or 2. They all felt a bit pressed for speed, and I think it had to deal with wanting to settle more stuff than previously thought in time for the big storylines to basically end "Season 2."

And, despite the sudden shift and the abnormality of it, I like Mini-Hulk :D :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765198)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 12:33pm CST
Filthy Autobot, you would like it :-P

I agree, everything is rushed, I don't like it. I wish Roberts could have waited to give the stories their proper time.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765200)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 12:36pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:Filthy Autobot, you would like it :-P

I agree, everything is rushed, I don't like it. I wish Roberts could have waited to give the stories their proper time.

Evil Megatron: I have an army
Optimus: [i]We have a Hulk MiniHulk Tailgate!

Given 4 or 5 more issues, I feel the last 2 or 3 storylines could have been done better, but hey, DJD v. Lost Light! Something to look forward to, not to mention it comes out in 2 weeks (supposed to) and it is a double issue :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765220)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 1:26pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:Filthy Autobot, you would like it :-P

I agree, everything is rushed, I don't like it. I wish Roberts could have waited to give the stories their proper time.

Evil Megatron: I have an army
Optimus: [i]We have a Hulk MiniHulk Tailgate!

Given 4 or 5 more issues, I feel the last 2 or 3 storylines could have been done better, but hey, DJD v. Lost Light! Something to look forward to, not to mention it comes out in 2 weeks (supposed to) and it is a double issue :BOT:



Just pray it's not DJD on one side and lost light on another and they're charging at each other AND then it goes to 4-6 pages of a small group talking about how they feel then ONE PAGE OF FIGHT(!!!!) 4 more pages of standing and talking. Then ONE MORE PAGE OF A BATTLE(!!!!!) then comic ends with people talking.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765222)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 1:29pm CST
Randomhero wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:Filthy Autobot, you would like it :-P

I agree, everything is rushed, I don't like it. I wish Roberts could have waited to give the stories their proper time.

Evil Megatron: I have an army
Optimus: [i]We have a Hulk MiniHulk Tailgate!

Given 4 or 5 more issues, I feel the last 2 or 3 storylines could have been done better, but hey, DJD v. Lost Light! Something to look forward to, not to mention it comes out in 2 weeks (supposed to) and it is a double issue :BOT:



Just pray it's not DJD on one side and lost light on another and they're charging at each other AND then it goes to 4-6 pages of a small group talking about how they feel then ONE PAGE OF FIGHT(!!!!) 4 more pages of standing and talking. Then ONE MORE PAGE OF A BATTLE(!!!!!) then comic ends with people talking.

I'm waiting for "Tailgate!....smash!" to come out....and then Defensor shows up.

I think it is gonna take at least 2 or 3 issues for the DJD and Lost Light to actually come to blows really. And when it does, I want an all out battle. Battle banter is welcomed, and maybe a stare down or 2, but I'm ready for space wars :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765228)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 1:40pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:Filthy Autobot, you would like it :-P

I agree, everything is rushed, I don't like it. I wish Roberts could have waited to give the stories their proper time.

Evil Megatron: I have an army
Optimus: [i]We have a Hulk MiniHulk Tailgate!

Given 4 or 5 more issues, I feel the last 2 or 3 storylines could have been done better, but hey, DJD v. Lost Light! Something to look forward to, not to mention it comes out in 2 weeks (supposed to) and it is a double issue :BOT:



Just pray it's not DJD on one side and lost light on another and they're charging at each other AND then it goes to 4-6 pages of a small group talking about how they feel then ONE PAGE OF FIGHT(!!!!) 4 more pages of standing and talking. Then ONE MORE PAGE OF A BATTLE(!!!!!) then comic ends with people talking.

I'm waiting for "Tailgate!....smash!" to come out....and then Defensor shows up.

I think it is gonna take at least 2 or 3 issues for the DJD and Lost Light to actually come to blows really. And when it does, I want an all out battle. Battle banter is welcomed, and maybe a stare down or 2, but I'm ready for space wars :BOT:


Just don't get your hopes up. The example I just made is every action sequence in MTMTE. Build up, move away, pop in for a page than spend a ton of time some where else. That was remain in light, the overlord fight, even the recent scavengers story had grimlock busting through a door and attacking fort max only to cut away to the scavengers standing out talking and then showing up to break up the fight. That is Roberts formula and that is why I am worried everyone is building up this big fight with DJD and the lost light and tarn vs Megatron and were probably not even going to see it because it's gonna start, cut away and show it ending with one panel or page snippets through out.


Just don't try to envision and huge confrontation that we won't be getting
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765239)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 1:54pm CST
And let's not kid ourselves with tailgate growling as a character and become less naive. He's been in the door since issue one m, some several heroic things and learned many lesson yet less than 24 hours ago(comic time) he tried to inject Megatron with what he thought was an anti-evil virus.

The kid has animated bumblebee syndrome. He doesn't really learn from mistakes.

He's not gonna "hulk out" and be a backup plan. He's gonna abuse his gift, get someone really hurt that he cares about and we're gonna have to spend an issue with someone telling him "with great power comes great responsibility" -puke-
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765242)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 1:56pm CST
Something to remember too: With Overlord it was just one guy, so it could cutaway, same with Sunder. When it came to something like the Dark cybertron there was more action and less cutaway, and Roberts had a hand in all of that, and there were lots of guys.

I see it as this is basically a whole ship vs. a whole ship, not a ship vs. one or a few guys like the past. Until the ammonites and the return home, there was really no large cybertronian force to act against. and considering this will be a larger force, I can see there being more focus being on individuals or groups dueling. And when it came to the Lockdown battle of issue 18, it wasn't a fight but more running away as they could not really fight. but it still ran with it.

I like to think that something like this can be handled like that. Roberts is no slouch and he is a good story teller. And I am prepared for storytelling during those issues. Action is not the only thing that is brought up and used during a fight.

long story short: that is my dream, i am prepared for fights with words and not actions, but i also believe we will get that fight that has been so long hinted at :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765251)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:06pm CST
Remember that battle with Hedonia? Huge battle with the lost light and and army of decepticons? 3 pages of that fight and the rest was either the post battle or tailgate and rewind talking while refusing a bomb. Or the same decepticons trying to free megaton during the trial? We saw two punches thrown and then it was over
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765256)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:10pm CST
A knock down, drag out fight would be glorious. However, I reserve judgement either way. Since I can not predict the the future, I will simply hope for the best but not get too excited either way.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765261)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:12pm CST
Randomhero wrote:Remember that battle with Hedonia? Huge battle with the lost light and and army of decepticons? 3 pages of that fight and the rest was either the post battle or tailgate and rewind talking while refusing a bomb. Or the same decepticons trying to free megaton during the trial? We saw two punches thrown and then it was over

Hedonia, yes that was a battle, but it was one where there were no major con players. it was basically like the prime autobots vs a pack of vehicons. And then the prison break was that same group of general unknowns with no real big part in any storyline other than being locked up barging into an arena packed with autobots (and neutrals yes), so no matter what that was more grab and run, not meant to be a fight.
What we will have here are 5 large characters described as being the big bads of the comic thus far coupled with a fierce con and his army, and that was made known. Plus this isn't just a skirmish like the Hedonia battle or a smash and grab like the prison break. this is 5 issues of big bad versus good, and big bad has an army. and the whole point of the big bads is to kill, not incapacitate (like Tyrest).

I can see your points though, don't think I'm ignoring them. :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765264)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:18pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:A knock down, drag out fight would be glorious. However, I reserve judgement either way. Since I can not predict the the future, I will simply hope for the best but not get too excited either way.

Sorry, I saw this after I posted. I too want that fight, and see how it could work and why it should, but there is always the chance it won't be, and i will be a bit sad, but I will not be disappointed. I like the book, and Roberts can take things so many ways that even when it doesn't make complete sense it can work.

I do agree with you though. I will hold final judgement, but it can go both ways. I just want one a bit more than the other :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765265)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:20pm CST
It's something that's really frustrating. James doesn't seem to know how to write action. When it comes to sad robots talking about heir feelings? Sure he excels at that but when it comes to action it's gotta be fluffed with other people standing around Distracting you from a huge action scene that were not seeing
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765266)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:23pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:A knock down, drag out fight would be glorious. However, I reserve judgement either way. Since I can not predict the the future, I will simply hope for the best but not get too excited either way.

Sorry, I saw this after I posted. I too want that fight, and see how it could work and why it should, but there is always the chance it won't be, and i will be a bit sad, but I will not be disappointed. I like the book, and Roberts can take things so many ways that even when it doesn't make complete sense it can work.

I do agree with you though. I will hold final judgement, but it can go both ways. I just want one a bit more than the other :BOT:

:) no worries! I didn't add much!

I like the way Roberts writes. I think he does a great job. And I do think there needs to be more than just "err fight! Death!" To a fight. You Have To Bring An Emotion to it, even if it'S anger, but that needs to be dialoged in.

I.just never like to build myself up to let myself down (the solicits do that all well enough for me!)
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765268)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:26pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
I.just never like to build myself up to let myself down (the solicits do that all well enough for me!)

this is very true. Like issue 29 with Tailgate and Megs (which never happened). But I am ok with some hype, as it gives me a chance to think it all out and then see what actually happens and see how it ends up different. I'm good with it not ending up how I want though. This is all someone elses designs and I am just spending the money to enjoy it
Randomhero wrote:It's something that's really frustrating. James doesn't seem to know how to write action. When it comes to sad robots talking about heir feelings? Sure he excels at that but when it comes to action it's gotta be fluffed with other people standing around Distracting you from a huge action scene that were not seeing

I will give you this. His stories are very successful due mainly to plot, and the plot is really what has driven the book. his action has been lacking, but then again, he is trying to write about 200 some characters who have just found peace after 4 million years of war, so it is a bit more rehabilition and not war as it had been. the war isn't speeding up, it's stopped save some who don't want to quit. So yes, I do agree with you about lacking action, but if anything his is more the story than the show. :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765271)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 2:38pm CST
I don't even really care about the Megatron vs tarn fight anymore. After the scene with tarantulas and prowl over Ostaros with tarantulas about to just tear into prowl and instead he breaks down infront him. I'd rather have something like that. Especially with Soundwave being so heartbroken with Megatron and him not even wanting to go after Megatron makes me want more from the two than just "you betrayed us you need to die!"
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765339)
Posted by Mr Skram on February 10th, 2016 @ 4:12pm CST
So, I just read about 66 issues in the span of a week(Last Stand of the Wreckers, MTMTE, and the Dark Cybertron crossover event) ending with MTMTE #49 last night. I was slightly underwhelmed with how the Sunder thing played out. Tailgate suddenly gaining super powers to save the day? The only way that'll sit well with me is if it correlates to Tarn(aka Roller) gaining his outlier ability later in life somehow? I recall he mentioned something about when his abilities developed, but I don't remember which issue exactly. The two bots known for wanting to be special(if Tarn is indeed Roller) end up in the showdown rather than Tarn v Megs. Tailgate stepping in to protect the now pacifist co-captain from the DJD. I suppose Skids will have a big part to play as well since his flashbacks have been ramping up to a Tarn encounter.


All of that is a side note compared to the real question this issue brought up: Was the Rod Pod 2.0 destroyed when Tailgate threw it? And if so, will the glorious machine be rebuilt a third time or will Rodimus accept the fate of his beloved face-ship?
:lol:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765385)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 5:47pm CST
Mr Skram wrote:All of that is a side note compared to the real question this issue brought up: Was the Rod Pod 2.0 destroyed when Tailgate threw it? And if so, will the glorious machine be rebuilt a third time or will Rodimus accept the fate of his beloved face-ship?
:lol:


We can only hope that The Ego accepts that (if it's destroyed) that the universe is too small to contain that much glory (God let's hope... please!)
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765390)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 5:51pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Mr Skram wrote:All of that is a side note compared to the real question this issue brought up: Was the Rod Pod 2.0 destroyed when Tailgate threw it? And if so, will the glorious machine be rebuilt a third time or will Rodimus accept the fate of his beloved face-ship?
:lol:


We can only hope that The Ego accepts that (if it's destroyed) that the universe is too small to contain that much glory (God let's hope... please!)

Awe come on guys! The Rodpod is boss! :-D :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765391)
Posted by ctrlFrequency on February 10th, 2016 @ 5:53pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Mr Skram wrote:All of that is a side note compared to the real question this issue brought up: Was the Rod Pod 2.0 destroyed when Tailgate threw it? And if so, will the glorious machine be rebuilt a third time or will Rodimus accept the fate of his beloved face-ship?
:lol:


We can only hope that The Ego accepts that (if it's destroyed) that the universe is too small to contain that much glory (God let's hope... please!)

Awe come on guys! The Rodpod is boss! :-D :BOT:


Filthy Autobot.
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765393)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on February 10th, 2016 @ 6:01pm CST
ctrlFrequency wrote:
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:
ctrlFrequency wrote:
Mr Skram wrote:All of that is a side note compared to the real question this issue brought up: Was the Rod Pod 2.0 destroyed when Tailgate threw it? And if so, will the glorious machine be rebuilt a third time or will Rodimus accept the fate of his beloved face-ship?
:lol:


We can only hope that The Ego accepts that (if it's destroyed) that the universe is too small to contain that much glory (God let's hope... please!)

Awe come on guys! The Rodpod is boss! :-D :BOT:


Filthy Autobot.

Wretched con, talking smack on the pod of the rod, that which helped save Metroplex and then resolve the Slaughterhouse story :BOT:
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765401)
Posted by BATTLEMASTER IIC on February 10th, 2016 @ 6:23pm CST
Knowing that the DJD and Deathsaurus' army will eventually meet up with the Lost Light, I think Rung chose a bad time to give up his psychiatry, and Megatron chose a bad time to renounce violence.

Of course they have no idea 8-}
Re: IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 Review (1765406)
Posted by Randomhero on February 10th, 2016 @ 6:31pm CST
IF tarn is Roller. I'm still saying Tarn is either the original Ultra Magnus or Senator Proteus

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