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IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review

Posted by Va'al Sep 27, 2013 at 1:44pm CDT 46,212 views
Operation: Colour Sounds
(Spoiler free-ish)



Synopsis

SHOCKPOINT! In the wastelands of CYBERTRON, SHOCKWAVE makes his move—and SOUNDWAVE and the DECEPTICONS step up to stop him! While the battle of the century rocks the ancient ruins of the Crystal City, dig back into the history of these titanic rivals!

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Cyclopic, even


Story
Dark Cybertron draws ever closer, but with MTMTE finishing off its arc this week, RID chooses to stall another month, giving us some insight into another of the major players in what lies ahead for the Transformers universe. This time, we take the superior vantage point of the observer and Decepticon communications expert: Soundwave.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Affirmative


While the technique is essentialy the same as previous issues with Bumblebee, Arcee and Starscream, Barber has added some time-shifting into the mix, allowing for Soundwave's tale to shed some light onto his own past and Shockwave's, through his interactions with and observations of him, and reveals more of our protagonist's personal beliefs.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Soundwave: Fanboy


We find out in the first couple of pages about Soundwave's synaesthesia, his relationship with emotions and feelings, his distrust of Shockwave and loyalty to Megatron, how it all began, how it worked, and how it might end up now that all is crumbling (again). His attachment and relationship with some of the cassettes is also briefly explored, in passing.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Smells a funny colour


Yes, it's another stalling issue. Yes, it's another caption monologue focused on one character. But it's Soundwave, it's well-written, it bounces around it time and continuities and actually gives us some inkling as to what's about to happen!

Art

The artwork. Barber had a brilliant idea here, getting both Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli to work together, one taking over the present-day narrative, the other on flashback duties. And the writing blends in perfectly, by the way. But the two very different styles, with different incarnations of the characters work amazingly together.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Griffith and Ramondelli, not necessarily in that order


Colour duties are down to Ramondelli for his own pages and linework, and the amazing Priscilla Tramontano for Griffith's work. Once again, she does not disappoint, getting some nice red visor flare in Soundwave's features, and a particularly effective use of appropriate lighting in different settings.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
Peekaboo


Shawn Lee's lettering continues to pleasantly surprise, too, with some excellent work on soundwords and speechbubbles throughout, meshing well with the different characters. And it's very nice to see three very different covers by Griffith, Ramondelli and Casey Coller with Joana Lafuente's colours.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

An issue that showcases Barber's writing talents at his best: the upcoming crossover, continuity references and inner monologues, while flicking through time. It may not advance the plot much, or at all, stalling once more before the beginning of Dark Cybertron, but boy does it deliver by focusing on Soundwave.

Transformers News: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review
And so does Barber


The mixture of artwork is brilliant, using Ramondelli's flashbacks with Griffith's present, and the issue just looks fabulous all round. Highly recommended Spotlight: Soundwave part 2, with some great Shockwave backstory to boot!

. :CON: :CON: :CON: :CON: out of :CON: :CON: :CON: :CON: :CON:

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Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by gothsaurus Sep 27, 2013
I have to disagree... I HATE mixing these styles together in the same comic. Love them separately though.
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by Va'al Sep 27, 2013
gothsaurus wrote:I have to disagree... I HATE mixing these styles together in the same comic. Love them separately though.


Don't you think they worked well with the different stories being told? :-?
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by gothsaurus Sep 27, 2013
I just think each transition is jarring.
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by Va'al Sep 27, 2013
gothsaurus wrote:I just think each transition is jarring.


To each their own, I suppose. I thought it worked quite well! :D
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by reluttr Sep 28, 2013
I find it interesting how soundwaves minions represent different versions of the characters.

-Ravage is based on Energon Battle Ravage, just a bit more rounded out and correctly deco'd.
-Laserbeak is based on WFC/FOC laserbeak
-Buzzsaw is based on G1
-Frenzy and Rumble are based on Classics/Universe/Generations

Im not 100% sure about ratbat, but he appears to be based on the new MP one. Which would also count as g1 I suppose. XD
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by Manterax Prime Sep 28, 2013
Maybe Hasbro will finally give us Frenzy and Rumbla as the deluxe tankformers in the new Generations line at some point.
Re: IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21 Review (view post)
Comment by Va'al Oct 2, 2013
Some of you may still be waiting for September's issue of Robots in Disguise (21), and wondering what has happened to it. Mariel Romero, digital assistant at IDW, has the answer! Both 21 and 22 will be release in October, one on the 9th and one on the 30th - so make sure you pick your copy up next week. In the meantime, check out the preview and review.

OK BREATHE! #Transformers comics digital release dates: #MTMTE 22: 10/16, #RID 21: 10/9, RID 22 = 10/30 :D You're welcome.
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