IDW Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #2 Review
Thursday, December 31st, 2015 7:14AM CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site ArticlesPosted by: Va'al Views: 105,241
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(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
FROSTY RECEPTION! THE WRECKERS journey to Nome, Alaska to track down the number one suspect in PROWL’s disappearance—their former human ally, VERITY CARLO!
Story
The holiday period has brought the second chapter in this new, updated Wreckers story, which deals with the old, outdated motives and reasoning of the Wreckers - and all the terrible terrible things they did at some point. Oh, and somehow Prowl - of course - is involved too. How does the story hold up?
The Noisemaze and Prowl's mind are explored a little further, as Nick Roche digs into the four-letter-P-word's ego and dreams (no electric sheep, unless they're in perfect, precise order), but despite the creepiness of off-panel Tarantulas Mesothulas, we're not looking at the core of the issue just yet. Though we also are, in another way. It's complicated, okay?
From the preview shown, there is nothing I want to say here that might spoil the enjoyment of the various reveals along the way, as the Chimeracons are a bit of a treat and a half, drawing from a range of sources close to Roche's enjoyment as a consumer of Transformers fiction - and it really shows in the rationale behind their presence here, too.
I am not entirely convinced at how some of the established characters are being used by Roche, especially in the case of Arcee - who while still has all the possible valid reasons to be suspicious of practically everyone involved in the book, still manages to have a ..peculiar exchange with Springer much later in the book. I may just be reading it the wrong way, however, so don't hold me to that.
Art
Roche is definitely having fun, balancing his writing with the attention he pays to his art. Again, there are many many spoilers that would come out of spending too much time on what he does with the design of a number of characters across the issue, but the action is nicely fluid, dynamic and hopping off the page with organic vitality.
Josh Burcham, additionally, plays with the sudden shifts of setting, both interior and internal, past and present, through flashbacks, PTSD-esque scenes and panels focused on Springer and Kup, and some seriously vibrant and slightly disturbing colours in eye-shades, Energon spillages, and.. yeah. Alaska and the team's past are very different palettes. Very.
In Tom B. Long's lettering work, we find the new cast of characters find their own voices, as shown in Mesothulas's scenes, the heightened scenes with some of the characters, and a smattering of SHEEEEAAAGGGHs across the book, too. On the cover front, we have a similar selection to issue 1, Roche and Burcham bring Stakeout close to the action, guest Stephen Mooney with Burcham show the still misfitting Arcee, and Andrew Griffith also teams up with Burcham for another LSTOW-centric variant (thumbnailed).
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
As you've seen until now, there is a lot in this issue which I really do not want to talk about too openly in a review, giving a chance to readers to appreciate in their own time and on their own reading - but, that said, if you're a fan of Beast Wars in any of its incarnations, and even some Armada, why not, you may just want to pick this up for the smug smirk factor.
The story is proceeding with enough mystery and dangling threads that it feels it could very much head *anywhere* from here. It also is a fairly dense read, with some seriously serious moments underpinned by dark, bleak humour, especially in the over-bulked shape of Guzzle, and confirms some of what Roche was saying in terms of LSTOW being a super-edit - there is a lot going on here, take your time, it's very much worth it.
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Posted by Genericon #378 on December 31st, 2015 @ 11:51am CST
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on December 31st, 2015 @ 1:14pm CST
Yeah I found the Arcee bit odd too. She's a bit with the bitchy and then it's like she's coming on to Springer later on. Women...
Anyways it's ok. I still get put off by a lot of the faces (I just don't like how Roche draws most of them, don't get why Springer has such a pudgy squishy looking nose either) but it's not bad.
Posted by RevTibe on December 31st, 2015 @ 1:21pm CST
Try to show a bit more class, mate. Anyways, after her comment about Springer's eyes - "It's hard not to notice that you - all of you - the worse things have gotten, the more... engaged you seem." Looks like it ties into an observation about all the Wreckers, not just Springer.Carnivius_Prime wrote:Yeah I found the Arcee bit odd too. She's a bit with the bitchy and then it's like she's coming on to Springer later on. Women...
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on December 31st, 2015 @ 1:30pm CST
RevTibe wrote:Try to show a bit more class, mate.Carnivius_Prime wrote:Yeah I found the Arcee bit odd too. She's a bit with the bitchy and then it's like she's coming on to Springer later on. Women...
Was meant to be a lil snarky joke on the characterization of many female characters in mostly male-centric comic books and the rather unlikable portrayal of IDW's Arcee but yeah sorry. I'll shush now.
Posted by LE0KING on January 1st, 2016 @ 1:51am CST
Seriously though, it was like he wrote each characters' dialogue separately, for a couple panels Springer and Arcee are arguing, while on the same panel verity is talking about something completely different. I found myself rereading pages just to follow the story. I think that's why so many people were confused with Arcee commenting on Springer's eyes. It just wasn't well written.
The art was fun though! (except that guzzle scene... gross)
Posted by Va'al on January 1st, 2016 @ 3:32am CST
Posted by Va'al on January 1st, 2016 @ 3:33am CST
LE0KING wrote:The art was fun though! (except that guzzle scene... gross)
Guzzle is really not well. At all.
Posted by Syn_13 on January 1st, 2016 @ 10:42am CST
I've really enjoyed IDW's post-war Transformers, and Roche is building upon the themes that Barber and Roberts have handled so well. The emotional fallout of the war, soldiers bred for killing that have had to reintegrate into society, outcasts given a chance for retribution and redemption. This issue explored these themes - Carnivac's dialogue, Springer's PTSD, Roadbuster defaulting back to hostility to get answers, Kup's regret after the realisation of what he had done. Even the brutal scene with Guzzle effectively drinking the 'blood' of his victim just shows how f***ed up these individuals have become as a result of the things they've gone through.
I liked the reveal of the 'Chimeracons', amsuing since I thought nothing of the animals in the first issue. I wasn't ever a Beast Wars fan but I did like their inclusion, nice to see more characters drafted into the IDW family.
There are still plenty unanswered questions - Verity's clearly not right, perhaps dying. Hubcap just seems off to me, I think there's more to him. Prowl's captor is pretty obvious and I doubt there's going to be a curveball there, but it's the why that's making me wonder more than the who.
I know some people aren't big on the artwork, but it works for me. Admittedly, I had to warm up to it, but now we're a couple of issues in I do appreciate the gritty, dark style that Roche brings.
After the first issue I wasn't pumped or excited for #2, but I can now say that Roche has piqued my interests and I'm intrigued to see where he's taking this.
Posted by RevTibe on January 1st, 2016 @ 11:24am CST
Oh, gotcha (guess this is a consequence of text communication). Personally, I think Arcee's actions here work well enough w/ the context and her characterization to not be out of place, but that's certainly a matter of taste.Carnivius_Prime wrote:RevTibe wrote:Try to show a bit more class, mate.Carnivius_Prime wrote:Yeah I found the Arcee bit odd too. She's a bit with the bitchy and then it's like she's coming on to Springer later on. Women...
Was meant to be a lil snarky joke on the characterization of many female characters in mostly male-centric comic books and the rather unlikable portrayal of IDW's Arcee but yeah sorry. I'll shush now.
Personally, I'm just sitting here chanting "please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw,".
Va'al: Thanks for mentioning the eyes thing to Roche, I forgot how accessible comics writers/artists are these days!
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 1st, 2016 @ 4:12pm CST
ProfessorParis wrote:Stampy???
Golly ge wiz, he was right. awesome beast wars stuff here.
Guzzle needs help. Fast. and now.
Posted by MaverickPrime on January 1st, 2016 @ 10:43pm CST
RevTibe wrote:Personally, I'm just sitting here chanting "please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw,".
THIS, SO MUCH THIS! Claw Jaw was my very first Transformer, so the moment I saw a squid, I squealed out loud thinking "OH MY GOD, COULD IT BE?!?"
So please, Nick, be gentle
Posted by MaverickPrime on January 1st, 2016 @ 10:57pm CST
RevTibe wrote:Personally, I'm just sitting here chanting "please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw, please don't kill Claw Jaw,".
THIS, SO MUCH THIS! Claw Jaw was my very first Transformer, so the moment I saw a squid, I squealed out loud thinking "OH MY GOD, COULD IT BE?!?"
So please, Nick, be gentle
Posted by RevTibe on January 1st, 2016 @ 11:01pm CST
Posted by MaverickPrime on January 1st, 2016 @ 11:05pm CST
RevTibe wrote:I kinda get a vibe that Roadbuster or Guzzle are going to do something awful in addition to their current beating/eating the subdued, "Sins of the Wreckers" and all, and there's Claw Jaw sitting around as a defenseless prisoner, wouldn't that be a nice callback to the execution of Squadron X in Last Stand...
Oh god please no...they gotta show they've grown as characters, right?
Also, mods, the spoiler tags aren't working properly, they hide stuff in the formus, but on the news they don't work at all(and sorry for the double posting)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 11th, 2016 @ 12:17am CST
And I doubt Roche will be anywhere near "gentle"
Posted by Va'al on January 16th, 2016 @ 4:04pm CST
SECRETS AND SINS! PROWL’s past—shrouded in mystery—begins to come to light… and the revelations aren’t pretty. But to get ahold of the missing AUTOBOT, the WRECKERS will have to face… the NOISEMAZE.
Posted by Microraptor on January 16th, 2016 @ 4:15pm CST
Posted by Va'al on January 16th, 2016 @ 4:39pm CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 16th, 2016 @ 4:40pm CST
Posted by Windsweeper on January 16th, 2016 @ 4:59pm CST
But then they are both agents of Unicron. Nothing saying they can't all be the same individual.
Posted by Twitchythe3rd on January 16th, 2016 @ 5:03pm CST
Windsweeper wrote:Mesothulas really reminds me of Armada Sideways rather than Tarantulas as some had speculated.
But then they are both agents of Unicron. Nothing saying they can't all be the same individual.
Considering he's likely got some kind of bio-disguise like the Mayhem squad, he's both.
Posted by Samsonator on January 17th, 2016 @ 10:27pm CST
Posted by Va'al on January 18th, 2016 @ 4:25am CST
(Someone else said it above/in the podcast too, I just can't find it right now!)
Also, Prowl is definitely about to shove him into the Noisemaze.
Posted by Samsonator on January 18th, 2016 @ 6:53pm CST
Posted by CombaticonsCombine? on January 20th, 2016 @ 6:37pm CST
All those funky wavelengths in his head (and probably his inbuilt communications filters and systems) just made him the underdog hero for the time being.
Or maybe he's actually a traitor.
I hope not.
I like him.
Posted by CombaticonsCombine? on January 20th, 2016 @ 8:32pm CST
Not only does he remind me of a darker counterpart to Brainstorm in personality, he appears to share the penchant for devastating weaponry as well. If you look in the top-right corner of the first page? That looks an awful lot like the Protoform X pod. There's some other nice possible touches here too. Next to that weird pillar thing in the center, there are three bodies connected to each other through chestports. Their overall shape looks a lot like the Reflector trio.
And here's some real conspiracy-level stuff: The protoform in the weird pillar thing in the center actually looks quite a bit like Rung. Seriously. Look at the eye placement, the central torso design...It's a bit of a stretch, but there's something there.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 20th, 2016 @ 9:08pm CST
Posted by Va'al on January 21st, 2016 @ 2:09am CST
idw-publishing-april-2016-transformers-comics-solicitations-megatron-vs-tarn-sins-aho-tpbs-t106213.php
Posted by ScottyP on January 21st, 2016 @ 3:01pm CST
Posted by ScottyP on January 21st, 2016 @ 3:04pm CST
Not too far away from this either:Samsonator wrote:Mesothulas's head is pretty clearly the non-mutant head from the original Tarantulas figure.
Transformers Armada Crosswise (Shadow) Gallery
This book is so much fun to speculate on. I can't wait for us to all be wrong
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 21st, 2016 @ 3:18pm CST
Posted by CombaticonsCombine? on January 21st, 2016 @ 3:32pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The covers are awesome and I love them. especially the chess game with Prowl
The fact that the offed Wreckers are knocked over makes me a bit salty, though.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 21st, 2016 @ 3:34pm CST
CombaticonsCombine? wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The covers are awesome and I love them. especially the chess game with Prowl
The fact that the offed Wreckers are knocked over makes me a bit salty, though.
Why, if I may ask
Posted by CombaticonsCombine? on January 21st, 2016 @ 4:12pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:CombaticonsCombine? wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The covers are awesome and I love them. especially the chess game with Prowl
The fact that the offed Wreckers are knocked over makes me a bit salty, though.
Why, if I may ask?
Because being reminded of their deaths sucks. Seriously, they made most of the Wreckers in LSOTW so likable and proceeded to kill some of the best ones off.
salt.png
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on January 21st, 2016 @ 4:16pm CST
CombaticonsCombine? wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:CombaticonsCombine? wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The covers are awesome and I love them. especially the chess game with Prowl
The fact that the offed Wreckers are knocked over makes me a bit salty, though.
Why, if I may ask?
Because being reminded of their deaths sucks. Seriously, they made most of the Wreckers in LSOTW so likable and proceeded to kill some of the best ones off.
salt.png
Ah, understandable.
Posted by sol magnus on January 22nd, 2016 @ 8:19pm CST
Posted by Va'al on January 23rd, 2016 @ 1:20am CST
Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #3 (of 5)
Nick Roche (w & a & c)
SECRETS AND SINS! PROWL’s past—shrouded in mystery—begins to come to light… and the revelations aren’t pretty. But to get ahold of the missing AUTOBOT, the WRECKERS will have to face… the NOISEMAZE.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
The sequel to the acclaimed LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS continues!
No Cybertronian is safe—and no reader’s heart will be unbroken!
Caught in the web of lies and betrayals!
Written and drawn by Nick Roche (New Warriors, Transformers Spotlight: Megatron)
Variant Cover by Priscilla Tramontano!
Posted by Bounti76 on January 23rd, 2016 @ 2:21am CST
Also, the fact that the Noisemaze isn't affecting Hubcap makes me think he's going to turn out to be a traitor. Too bad. I like seeing more of the Minibots in fiction, and not killed off after a couple of appearances *Cough*Bumper*Cough*
Posted by Warpstorm on January 23rd, 2016 @ 3:01am CST
Posted by Deadput on January 23rd, 2016 @ 3:15am CST
I know that the article says that there are maybe spoilers but I'm pretty sure those are major spoilers including the reveal of Tarantulas and Hubcap's suspicious position.
Posted by Deadput on January 23rd, 2016 @ 3:18am CST
I know that the article says that there are maybe spoilers but I'm pretty sure those are major spoilers including the reveal of Tarantulas and Hubcap's suspicious position.
Posted by Ironhidensh on January 23rd, 2016 @ 4:30am CST
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on January 23rd, 2016 @ 7:09am CST
Posted by Randomhero on January 23rd, 2016 @ 7:53am CST
Nemesis Maximo wrote:I love how that's basically Tarantulus' Transmetal body, without actually being Transmetal. If we don't get a toy, I riot.
I doubt we'll get one but it does look amazing. Maybe someday but with Hasbro in full blown gimmick mode again I don't see it happening. First combiners, now (head)masters, I'm really hoping the next one will be the return of Armada style minicons. We got some but I want them back in full force.
The original Transmetal Tarantulus still holds up enough to have him with Generations figures too in my opinion.
Posted by Randomhero on January 23rd, 2016 @ 8:21am CST
Really not a sins of wreckers(yet) and more sins of prowl which, hey, it's prowl. His nickname is Prick to the fandom.
Posted by Mindmaster on January 23rd, 2016 @ 10:42am CST
Oh, look, he's actually terrifying!
Posted by Munkky on January 23rd, 2016 @ 11:52am CST
Posted by Deadput on January 23rd, 2016 @ 12:27pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote:Interesting. IDW seems to successfully be bring in Beast Wars, only for Hasbro to soon crush it with their forced Titans Return story line.
Forced?
Just because Hasbro is doing something else and not what you want doesn't mean it's forced.
And Hasbro has not crushed anything and thinking otherwise is ridiculous.
Posted by Whifflefire on January 23rd, 2016 @ 1:07pm CST
That tarantulas would look very nice in toy form, yes indeed.
Posted by Genericon #378 on January 23rd, 2016 @ 1:46pm CST
Whifflefire wrote:Noisemaze is misspelt "Noicemaze" in the recap
That tarantulas would look very nice in toy form, yes indeed.
Don't you mean "noice"?