IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review

Friday, July 24th, 2015 7:46AM CDT

Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al Views: 38,546

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(Top of the) DINOPILE!
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
GO TEAM ’BEE! BUMBLEBEE leads an all-star team of AUTOBOTS to Earth to find rogue DECEPTICONS… but in this all-new story based on the hit Cartoon Network animated series, they find more than… they bargained for! (You thought we were going to say “meets the eye,” didn’t you?)

DINOPILE

Story

After the Free Comic Book Day almost one-off issue by John Barber, new writer Georgia Ball has taken on the task of keeping this series up and going, with a new angle on the almost over first seasons of the new animated show Transformers: Robots in Disguise. And the angle is probably the closest we'll ever get to some continuity with Prime - but how does the rest of the series look with its first issue down? Read on!

Good old days

What readers need to keep in mind is that this comic series is aimed at a very similar target audience as the cartoon, and will not be playing into the wider TFverse that most of the other IDW titles are exploring right now. That said, the vibrancy and humour of the series is deftly transposed from screen to page, even with the monster of the week formula that only worked for so long in the show.

Genericon #1234

What Ball's writing brings, along with some really silly jokes (which I loved, I won't lie), is also an interesting look, perhaps even better than the show did, at Bumblebee's discomfort with his position as leader, the unruliness of his 'team' - and the feeling of utter betrayal arising from the final scenes in the book.

Art

A lot of the work done by Ball's script, both on the lighthearted and serious sides of the coin, is wonderfully heightened by Priscilla Tramontano's excellent visual rendition, showcasing a variety of expressions, body language interactions, panel dispositions and layouts, and just a general sense of *fun*!

Is it..?

Tramontano's colours, too, are sleek, stunning and fun, the characters are fun, are obviously having fun, and so is the artist/colourist! We get references to the wider IDWverse (with MTMTE's My First Blaster making an appearance early on in the issue), and some always excellent lettering from Tom B. Long, who can play around with a lot more sounds than usual. And two great tone-catching covers, by Tramontano and Travis Sengaus/Josh Burcham (thumbnailed).

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Given the target audience, the timescale of the comic compared to the show, and what the FBCD issue had set up, this is an excellent debut for a younger reader series, one that ensures to keep the light side of the dynamics between the characters on the show, pokes some fun around at things, and includes the excellent Grimlock and running gags - including the no-nonsense general recap - without driving them into the ground.

The Decepticon sticker! The Blaster! The teeth!

Ball and Tramontano are set to bring a fresher look at some of the moanings of the older readership, with the ending of both issue #0 and #1 just enough to keep us intrigued while the actual target fully revel in the (I'm running out of words to say) fun! Worth picking up for a new reader, for the art direction and colours, and always worth it for the bouncing dialogue, . And dinobot.

out of

Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

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Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712750)
Posted by ScottyP on July 24th, 2015 @ 8:28am CDT

Some additional fun Easter Eggs along with the MFB, particularly cool is the team playing "Return of Convoy" on the last page.

Also, app code inside the book that unlocks a "Cybertron Underbite" in the game, which is just Underbite with a slightly different color scheme, but it's still a neat touch. Wonder if that will keep up as a thing in further issues?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712798)
Posted by PrymeStriker on July 24th, 2015 @ 10:50am CDT

Optimus smiling?!

Arcee making a silly face?!

Was Bee high on Synth En when he recollected this??!?!?!?!?!??!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712953)
Posted by Deadput on July 24th, 2015 @ 4:43pm CDT

PrymeStriker wrote:
Optimus smiling?!

Arcee making a silly face?!

Was Bee high on Synth En when he recollected this??!?!?!?!?!??!

What are you talking about?

Optimus smiles quite a bit on Prime not every episode but he does smile.

Arcee is just smiling i don't know how your seeing a silly face but if smiling counts a s silly now then I don't know.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712954)
Posted by Sabrblade on July 24th, 2015 @ 4:46pm CDT

mirageandjazz1197 wrote:Arcee is just smiling i don't know how your seeing a silly face but if smiling counts a s silly now then I don't know.

She has her tongue sticking out.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712955)
Posted by Va'al on July 24th, 2015 @ 4:48pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
mirageandjazz1197 wrote:Arcee is just smiling i don't know how your seeing a silly face but if smiling counts a s silly now then I don't know.
She has her tongue sticking out.

I believe it's just her lower lip, actually.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712962)
Posted by Deadput on July 24th, 2015 @ 5:27pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
mirageandjazz1197 wrote:Arcee is just smiling i don't know how your seeing a silly face but if smiling counts a s silly now then I don't know.
She has her tongue sticking out.

Nope its lipstick such as her redesign says

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712964)
Posted by Sabrblade on July 24th, 2015 @ 5:29pm CDT

Then them's sure some goofy big pink lips that she never had in show.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1712969)
Posted by Deadput on July 24th, 2015 @ 5:59pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:Then them's sure some goofy big pink lips that she never had in show.

Rid redesigns just like Bumblebee on that cover.

Just creative license or whatever its called.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1714315)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 29th, 2015 @ 12:38pm CDT

HA! Quite a fun little read. Gotta say: I'm liking the show and the comic. It's no Prime, but I love it for what it is

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1716195)
Posted by SlyTF1 on August 6th, 2015 @ 4:05pm CDT

Are the comics connected to the show or not?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1716196)
Posted by Va'al on August 6th, 2015 @ 4:13pm CDT

Tangentially, and only one way - the show direct the comics, not the other way round.
(What with the series being over and done for its first season, this should not come as a surprise, really.)

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718128)
Posted by mooncake623 on August 14th, 2015 @ 11:56am CDT

iTunes just put up a 3 page preview of Transformers: Robots in Disguise Animated #2! Check it out below!

Description
ROAD RAGE! While a DECEPTICON called TRANSIT wreaks havoc on afternoon commutes, Team Bee gets an unexpected visit… but will these new rivals combine forces without trusting each other?

Remember keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718131)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 14th, 2015 @ 12:06pm CDT

After Busby and Bendy-Bus Prime, we have our third official bus Transformer!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718143)
Posted by DecepticonFinishline on August 14th, 2015 @ 12:44pm CDT

I would buy the hell out of a bus transformer. Especially one that turned into a man-rhino-bot-man!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718150)
Posted by DeadCaL on August 14th, 2015 @ 1:43pm CDT

"Don't worry citizens, those giant robots attacking each other are just, erm... malfunctioning fairground... rides?"

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718160)
Posted by Shuttershock on August 14th, 2015 @ 2:55pm CDT

DeadCaL wrote:"Don't worry citizens, those giant robots attacking each other are just, erm... malfunctioning fairground... rides?"

You could tell them they're 20 foot costumes and no repercussions would be had. Little to much blood of Unicron in the water pipes in Crown City, if you ask me.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718170)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 14th, 2015 @ 3:11pm CDT

Those poor humans are in for a ride!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718177)
Posted by Flashwave on August 14th, 2015 @ 3:26pm CDT

"I gotta watch my intake" :-D

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718178)
Posted by Flashwave on August 14th, 2015 @ 3:30pm CDT

"I gotta watch my intake" :-D

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718249)
Posted by LevelRaze on August 14th, 2015 @ 9:46pm CDT

And a Spike and Carly cameo in the last panel, nice.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1718254)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 14th, 2015 @ 9:51pm CDT

LevelRaze1 wrote:And a Spike and Carly cameo in the last panel, nice.

My goodness.... you're right! what a catch!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720487)
Posted by Va'al on August 24th, 2015 @ 11:55am CDT

Coming up this week from IDW Publishing is the second issue of the Transformers: Robots in Disguise comics series, running alongside the story seen in the recently ended first season (BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) of the animated show. Check out the full preview below - because who needs embargo dates when you're Newsarama, right? Seibertron.com review coming on Wednesday, too.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Animated #2
Georgia Ball (w) • Priscilla Tramontano (a & c)
ROAD RAGE! While a DECEPTICON called TRANSIT wreaks havoc on afternoon commutes, Team Bee gets an unexpected visit… but will these new rivals combine forces without trusting each other?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
All-new stories based on the hit animated series!
As promoted on Free Comic Book Day!
Fan-favorite characters who appear only in this comic book!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720489)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 24th, 2015 @ 12:01pm CDT

"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720505)
Posted by Va'al on August 24th, 2015 @ 12:14pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720510)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 24th, 2015 @ 12:36pm CDT

Va'al wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Well, other countries haven't gotten the finale on TV yet either.

The first place to get the finale was iTunes. :-P

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720548)
Posted by Flashwave on August 24th, 2015 @ 2:59pm CDT

Va'al wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Just remember which continent the center of the universe this website is built on :-P

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720670)
Posted by Deadput on August 25th, 2015 @ 12:15am CDT

Hey Spoke and Curly in the last panel

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720712)
Posted by Va'al on August 25th, 2015 @ 7:44am CDT

Flashwave wrote:
Va'al wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Just remember which continent the center of the universe this website is built on

Brainstorm's briefcase?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720752)
Posted by Madeus Prime on August 25th, 2015 @ 11:07am CDT

Va'al wrote:
Flashwave wrote:
Va'al wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Just remember which continent the center of the universe this website is built on

Brainstorm's briefcase?

It's Alpha Bravo you numpty.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720758)
Posted by Va'al on August 25th, 2015 @ 11:23am CDT

Madeus Prime wrote:
Va'al wrote:
Flashwave wrote:
Va'al wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:"Recently ended"?

Not in America, at least.

I forget you forget the world exists outside that landmass sometimes.

Fiiiiiiiiine, I'll fix it.

Just remember which continent the center of the universe this website is built on

Brainstorm's briefcase?

It's Alpha Bravo you numpty.

Unless Roberts changes it again.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720760)
Posted by Sabrblade on August 25th, 2015 @ 11:29am CDT

In all seriousness, has any country in the world gotten the season 1 finale aired on TV yet?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720766)
Posted by Va'al on August 25th, 2015 @ 11:54am CDT

France, I believe.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720813)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 25th, 2015 @ 2:26pm CDT

Brainstorms briefcase is the center of all universes, the multiverse!

And IDK if the finale has aired anywhere but online yet. wouldnt think so

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720934)
Posted by Va'al on August 26th, 2015 @ 6:42am CDT

The Magic Con Bus
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis
ROAD RAGE! While a DECEPTICON called TRANSIT wreaks havoc on afternoon commutes, Team Bee gets an unexpected visit… but will these new rivals combine forces without trusting each other?

Can they even deal?

Story

With only a couple of weeks left until the end of season one of the animated series, the second issue of Robots in Disguise still falls a little behind plot-wise, but Georgia Ball delivers an entertaining, intriguing and suspenseful enough script to keep interest even in older readers.

..and what?!

After my own heart, the humour - a Cybertronian perspective on Earthling behaviour, media and general popular culture - allows for a number of puns, plays on concepts, wordplay via Fixit's pixlexia (yes yes yes I know that's not it but bear with me). All within a frame that does not jar with the silliness, at all.

Legit assessment

Additionally, it keeps the light side in the running mystery we had been made aware of since the FCBD issue #0. While team Prime does make its appearance, and that is not spoiling anything, something else is definitely afoot with the various cast members, and Ultra Magnus in particular. Plus another special cameo, too...

Art

Priscilla Tramontano delivers an excellent arrangement of panels - though I might have some comments at a later stage on the fluidity of the layouts - with some fan-tastic cameos from across the multiple incarnations of the Transformers fictions, not only Prime. Plus, we get some magnificent expressivity across the entire board, from background to main cast.

Oh hey Spike and Carly

You wanted a colourist? Well, you get three, as Tramontano is joined by the Joshes, Perez and Burcham, in colouring in her own linework. And as much as they usually have their own identifiable styles, the transitions and collaboration here are strikingly fluid. Which is never a bad thing, and leads to some excellently vibrant pages, in tone with the series.

Express delivery!

Also, a title such as this one allow, nay, calls for some fun on the fonts and letters side of things, and Tom B. Long does not disappoint. Enjoying the multiple opportunities to play with soundwords and squiggles, Long adds the finishing touches of lightness even where scenes may get more serious. Cover-wise, Burcham returns from interior colours to overall cover work in the Subscription variant (thumbnailed), while Tramontano still has the great main cover we've seen for a while now.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Again, as for last month and the first issue, the target audience of the book is obvious, and may deter some of the older readers (who do have three other series at least, to be fair) - but what Ball brings to the table is the same good blend of lighthearted humour with enough of a twist to keep the mind intrigued and willing to go along for the (bus)ride.

But no DINOPILE?

And of course, the visual result of Tramontano, Perez, Burcham and Long are a feast for the optic sensors, too. The vibrancy, cameos, hints, slapstick and more subtle humour are excellently enjoyable, and work well as a parallel reflection of the animated series - obviously with its own take, and all the better for it.

out of

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720950)
Posted by Noideaforaname on August 26th, 2015 @ 9:35am CDT

As someone who hates public buses, I feel obligated to pick this issue up.
(seriously, "bus turns into a rhino and fights a T rex" would be expected after some of the crap I've had to sit thru...)

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1720996)
Posted by durroth on August 26th, 2015 @ 1:50pm CDT

DeadCaL wrote:"Don't worry citizens, those giant robots attacking each other are just, erm... malfunctioning fairground... rides?"

Blackrock Entertainment presents: Five Nights at Fixit's

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1731846)
Posted by Va'al on October 6th, 2015 @ 2:02am CDT

This week's release from IDW Publishing sees the continuation of the parallel adventures of the cast of both Transformers Robots in Disguise and Transformers: Prime, as Bumblebee finds himself between the two teams. Come back on Wednesday for the Seibertron.com review!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Animated #3
Georgia Ball (w) • Priscilla Tramontano (a & c)
BUMBLEBEE’s investigation of a mysterious DECEPTICON’s past uncovers a new lead… but unraveling this mystery may not reveal the answer he wants to hear.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Based on the hit Cartoon Network television series!
All-ages Transformers adventures!
Featuring fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS PRIME characters ULTRA MAGNUS, ARCEE, and BULKHEAD you’ll only see here!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1731874)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 6th, 2015 @ 8:34am CDT

Poor Sideswipe. And another Buffaloid!

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1731881)
Posted by psj333 on October 6th, 2015 @ 9:23am CDT

Upon viewing the RID2015 #3 of the comic book online, I've recently noticed that Steeljaw has just recently formed his own army by recruiting Springload, Bisk, and along many others, which leads me to believe that it is expected that the captured Decepticons would soon escape once again and join Steeljaw's group in order for him to form a powerful Decepticon army in Season 2, as shown in the comics. But what is really interesting to me is that there is another female Decepticon in the comic under the name, Overhead, which I don't know if she is really Terrashock's girlfriend or a direct relative of his. What I do already know is that Overhead is identical to that of Terrashock, only pink instead of orange. I do have a strong feeling that Overhead will likely appear in Season 2, have Terrashock released, and finally get revenge on the Autobots for what they had done to him. Do you really think that 3rd issue of this comic book will be most closely related to what will happen in Season 2? Ever since that the Cons were already and before prisoners, they were not organized, but I do believe that in Season 2, they definitely will be, thanks to Steeljaw and Kickback.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1731882)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 6th, 2015 @ 9:28am CDT

From what this preview has, I'm more inclined to say they simply share a body type, like Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen, not any others sort of thing. Fixit even says they are buffaloids, a specific body style

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1731978)
Posted by Flashwave on October 6th, 2015 @ 3:29pm CDT

Wait. This dropped last week. I read it! Why are we getting the preview, or did Comixology goof?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735799)
Posted by Va'al on October 21st, 2015 @ 7:27pm CDT

Directly from the blog of Georgia Ball, the current writer for IDW Publishing's Transformers: Robots in Disguise (the cartoon tie-in of sorts) we have some sad news for the series, which has been confirmed as ending with issue #6 in December 2015. You can find out more about the decision and motivation behind this here, and snippets below.

I’ve been waiting for this question to come along so I can answer - Yes, we were not given the green light to continue the comic past six issues. I’m turning in the script for #6 tomorrow and it will be the last issue in the regular series.

There are a lot of factors that went into this:

1. Almost all comics are pitched in short sets even if they are solicited as ongoing.

[...]

2. Comics are sold to retailers, not fans.

[...]

3. It was not digital-first.

[...]

All of that said, the reviews were good and the fan response couldn’t have made me happier. Priscilla did a brilliant job and made everything easy. Hasbro LOVED this book and it’s possible more of it could come out in the future but I can’t give out any details! Thank you all so much for posting about the comic, sending me questions and letting me get to know you.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735810)
Posted by MrBlack on October 21st, 2015 @ 8:15pm CDT

Well, that's disappointing. I was enjoying this comic.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735812)
Posted by Sabrblade on October 21st, 2015 @ 8:20pm CDT

Well that's a bummer.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735815)
Posted by misfire19d on October 21st, 2015 @ 8:23pm CDT

And yet transformers vs G.I. Joe continues to torment me. I'm living in a world I don't understand.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735820)
Posted by Break on October 21st, 2015 @ 8:47pm CDT

I think the problem the comic had is that the toyline sucks. I regularly go to Wal-Mart and Meijer to check for Combiner Wars, and rarely ever see a limb stick around, but boy do I see fully stocked RID stuff.

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735856)
Posted by Black Bumblebee on October 21st, 2015 @ 9:24pm CDT

I think this goes along with the number of episodes of RID being cut short. RID isn't selling toys. The cartoon isn't going to be on the air much longer. Why continue with a property that is clearly dying, when more energy can be put towards properties that will last a bit longer?

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735867)
Posted by Starsaber468 on October 21st, 2015 @ 9:42pm CDT

I enjoy the RID toyline actually because its fun for me to customize my RID figures to make them more accurate the most heavily customized one is My RID warrior class optimus prime

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735869)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 21st, 2015 @ 9:43pm CDT

This is a real shame. I was enjoying this too

Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 Review (1735876)
Posted by Starsaber468 on October 21st, 2015 @ 9:48pm CDT

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:This is a real shame. I was enjoying this too

I did too :/ sad that its ending but I guess I could save some money but oh well I like RID just if it hadn't been somany repaints it probably would of been a lot popular but i can understadn that the repaints & the cw repaints were for the RID decepticons/etc and the Titan's Returns Figures

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