IDW Transformers Vs. GI JOE #8 Review

Prime's chest looks a little like Shockwave's face

The full preview for next week's Transformers vs G.I. Joe did make it online, but via ComicsAlliance this time! You can check the opening pages of this viscerally weird issue mirrored below, and head back here once it's released for a full review from the Seibertron.com team. Go Jo-bots!

Transformers vs G.I. JOE #10
Tom Scioli, John Barber (w) • Scioli (a & c)
REMEMBER US?! The most titanic tale of the twenty-first century takes an unexpected twist—BUT WHEN HAS TRANSFORMERS VS. G.I. JOE DONE ANY LESS?! Expect the unexpected—then throw your expectations out the window!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Boom!
BOOM!
BOOOOOOOM!

“I'd argue there isn't actually a lot of nostalgia here. I'd argue that every page, every moment is built on innovation. And Tom's looking to the past for some of the cues, but what he's actually building is what comics will be like in the future, not the past.”

“I think every page, every panel of this comic is Tom on a tightrope without a net, and he's trying a complicated jump that he's never really done before.”

-John Barber in a COMIC BOOK RESOURCES interview



I don’t think truer words have been spoken about this title…

Or there's that.

THE SYNOPSIS (what’s the, so far)-

OPTIMUS PRIME returns—-in time to fall to Megatron. Now the undisputed ruler of Cybertron, the Decepticon leader has impaled the planet Earth. The surviving G.I. Joe team remains on the alien planet, confronting a harsh new reality: there is no hope.

THE STORY-
Subtle reminder: each issue of TF VS GIJOE is meant to be read as a stand alone adventure, but there is a string and overall story running through. Last issue was an issue about Destro’s past, nay his entire family history, and how it was effected and changed by the ark even with the Transformers lying dormant.

This issue picks up a bit after #8… when that very big thing happened to Earth with those very long spikes coming from Cybertron. Oh and that other big event where you-know-who bad guy seemed to destroy the just-returned-savior good guy. Believe it or not it's all about change though. Adapting.


We are BORG...

In this installment, the Joes are learning how to survive on their new home. Cobras and Deceptions are celebrating their victory and alliance. There’s some history explained and a cool prose only story included at the end.

ART-
Tom Scioli provides it all—lines, inks, colors— with unique perspectives, and daring visuals to push the story boundaries. Often criticized, and rarely understood, Scioli continues to work his vision channeling so much from resources obscure and not obscure.

Of note, though, is the fantastically detailed, gorgeous subscription variant cover of a gargantuan Metroplex done by Ulises Farinas. Just pick-your-jaw-up-off-the-floor awesome!


I serve the will of the Primes...


MY THINKS-
Contains spoilers
SPOILERS...sad face

I’ve been critical. I understand the criticisms. But something about this being an otherworldly ‘What If’, ‘Elseworlds’-type, ‘Deviations’ if you will story… makes it all okay, and (mostly) acceptable. I read comics for enjoyment, and this series, never seems to fail in surprising me--although, I'm not sure I would characterize how I interact with this series so much as 'enjoyment'. I love to read the mainstream stories much more than this. But this has its place for me, and maybe it has found its place for you. I read on to see what Tom and John can come up with—what they 'cook' up—. And after I have my own thoughts, I like to read their banter on what inspired their choices when it's done.


I seem to remember it differently. I got a V.A.M.P., Starscream, and Prowl that year. It was the best though.

Speaking of cooking up, this issue doesn’t disappoint, it's a gourmet feast for the eyes and mind. With a few, ‘oh-no-you-didn’t’ moments that may just have you shaking your head, one we already saw in the preview—Megatron becoming a connoisseur of human flesh now…and the poisoned feast…W..O..W! There's also clever dialogue dropping some excellent one-linersn for easing those hard to take moments.


We all knew that there were Autobot and Decepticon chefs and bakers, right? CONFEKTOR...bake!


Hit and Run is one of my all-time favorite Joes, stating the obvious.

For me, the most interesting parts of this issue came near the end. I’ll try not to spoil it for those reading the series, but there are some really thought-provoking Transformers history moments presented with verbal and visual references that any fan of the brand, and pre-brand will embrace with a sense of interest and a little awe… at least I did.


I'm a chef too...I cook up life!


AND THE BONUS-
At the very end of the issue we get a nice bonus, instead of the normal Barber and Scioli back and forth breaking down pages and giving us the behind-the-scenes, we get a short-story called ‘Black Cybertron’ (along the lines of the now infamous Wreckers story,‘Bullets’) involving Ravage, Snake-Eyes, Shockwave, and the cassettes. A journey into Hades or is it the workshop of Daedalus? Either way, it shows the length that some will take for a loved one...loved one...really? Expect the unexpected.

FINAL THOUGHT-
If you’re still with TF VS GIJOE, you know what to expect, and that’s to not know what to expect! This issue doesn’t disappoint, but adds a great morsel for consumption at the end.

B.I.O - Believe in Optimus!


A teaser for an image you just have to see!

out of

Via Comics Alliance, and much earlier than usual, we have a full preview of next week's IDW Transformers vs G.I. Joe issue #11, by John Barber and - mostly - Tom Scioli. You can check it out mirrored below, as the madness of the ongoing series continues, and come back next week for the Seibertron.com review!

Transformers vs G.I. JOE #11
Tom Scioli, John Barber (w) • Scioli (a & c)
ESCAPE FROM PRIMUS! With Earth no more, the G.I. JOE team battles to make CYBERTRON their new home—but MEGATRON has something to say about that. Hint: it’s “no, I’m not going to let you do that.” Plus: the secret history of DUKE!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
·The most intense crossover in comics history races toward the destruction of another planet!
·Nothing is sacred, and nothing is safe!

Transformers Versus GI JOE #11

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!”

-Rocky Balboa-


"Yo Jo...Adrianne!!!!!!"

Story so far:
Earth is gone. The last remnants of humanity- the G.I.Joe team- joins forces with the heroic Autobots to battle Earth’s destroyers- the Decepti-Cobra alliance. Whatever hope remains races from the center of Cybertron- into an uncertain future!

Recap:
Deceptions starting to eat humans as a delicacy, the planet Cybertron coming alive, and the Earth is gone… this shift just got real, and it’s about to get realer (well next issue, maybe).

Spoiler free review (try anyway):
It’s time for a BRO-mance. Bro-hugs around. Brobots before Deceptifoes!


Get to the chopper!

Sadly, this issue is very, very JOE-centric (sad to the TRANSFORMERS FAN anyway). The meat of the story is about DUKE and his relationship with his brother (step), one Lt. Falcon. DUKE leads the next generation of greenies through the Joe’s Decepticon stomping boot camp, told in a flashback—which writer Scioli states he was not going to have in his stories, and yes, he admitted to breaking his own rule- and his little brother is recipient numero uno of all of his angst, fear, frustration and love. The growth of their relationship, the motivations, and some heavy realizations make this possibly resonate with those with a sibling or two that they have either tried to live up to their older sib’s accomplishments, or tried to teach the younger sib the ways of the world along with a heaping dose of humility. DUKE meet FALCON. FALCON…DUKE.



Oww, Oww, Oww...painful childhood memories relived. Thanks bro.

(MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Topspin, Twintwist, or Tracks and Needlenose- none to be seen though-.)

Part ‘Rocky’, part ‘Patton’, part ‘Stripes’, we see Scioli once again shine in the writing and art as he takes a break from homaging his favorite comic artists and writers to now pay tribute to some of his favorite inspirational war/combat related movies. The only problem is, unless you’re big fan of those things, you don’t really catch the subtleties until you read his recap of the the pages at the end (a welcome piece to the experience, as always).



This gag never gets old...and you thought they called him Cutter because he was in the Coast Guard! Ha hah.


And as I mentioned, Transformers fans may be bored for about 10 of the middle pages or so ‘cause it’s all JOE and mainly DUKE (and I loathe the Duke character, even though I'm a big fan of Michael Bell's Prowl). But the beginning (as seen in the preview pages) and most certainly the events happening in the end involving both franchises, continues the epic NOW BECOMING COSMIC implications of Megatron’s ambitious desires… And I’m not sure where it will all head…seriously.


Nightmare inducing.


Where are we going next?

Rating:
I give this issue a pretty average rating. It’s an issue that slows down a bit from what’s been happening lately, focuses mainly into one or two Joe characters, and the story progression…well, it makes it look like the next issue is going to be HUGE anyway! I’ve never been a huge DUKE fan, but I do love me some obstacle course action!


"Dunk this, Big Lob!--Meowwwwrr!!!!"

There are always great easter eggs here and there for both the Transformers fans and G.I.Joe fans to enjoy, and for those who know the G.I.Joe movie, and the squad of guys that Lt. Falcon was training with in it, you’ll have some fun. It’s nice to see Springer, becoming a part of the story. His alt mode is something between fan-favorite helicopter the Tomahawk, and Springer’s Cybertronian helicopter mode.

The series still feels like something I wanted to cook up as a kid and a fan--with much more thought put into it-- and that’s why I’m still reading it. I also really like reading what Scioli thinks and does in his creation of each story.

*I really wish Colonel Flagg would lose the VERY slouched cap, though. Please.*



Hmmm...

out of


This picture of Quarrel reminds me of some portrait of a female before, I just can't place it.

Despite its incredible success and ambition, especially outside established readerships and fandoms, we have news via Comics Alliance of the ending in sight for the IDW Transformers vs G.I. Joe comics series - as imagined by Tom Scioli, and probably reined in by John Barber. You can read some of the reasons, solicitation for the 13th and final issue, plus the cover, below, and the full piece here.

Now, it seems like reality is finally catching up with us. When Transformers vs. GI Joe #13 hits shelves in June, it’ll be an extra-sized 48-page final issue that ends the series — and possibly the entire universe.

We reached out for comment, and Tom Scioli had this to say about the book’s epic conclusion:



I’ll say it. It’s the greatest crossover of all time. This is the new standard by which all crossovers will be judged.

What a rare privilege in comics to begin something and to end it exactly as you envisioned. To create a universe and then torch it in the most explosive way imaginable. In the end, the creative challenge is the only thing that matters. When you push the limits, the world gets bigger. We wanted to see just how much juice you can squeeze out of these concepts and out of the comics page itself. How much story can fit into a comic book before the staples pop out? I look forward to seeing how the next generation of cartoonists builds on these innovations, the way we built on the work of those who came before us. I look forward to seeing the inevitable movie adaptation of this comic.

Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #13: Armageddon
Tom Scioli & John Barber (w) • Tom Scioli (a & c)
THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!

FC • 48 pages • $7.99

Bullet points:
·One of the most talked-about comics of the 21st century—see what everybody’s been yelling about!
·Visionary writer-artist Tom Scioli’s canvas has never been so big!
·Far-flung cosmic action in the scintillating Scioli style!
·The epic conclusion!

I won't be a bit sad to see this go. I've never felt like there's any room for me to like this book with Scioli's ego in the way. Every time I read his interviews and commentary, I get the impression that somewhere in his house he has copies of everything he's ever written autographed and dedicated to himself as his #1 fan.

jogunwarrior wrote:That cover is probably Tom Scioli's best artwork on that book.

Exactly what I was going to say, lol.

I started out liking this series but eventually it just became too weird for me. Perhaps it was going over my head but it was just beyond me.

I don't really follow G.I. Joe and Transformers crossovers, but...

Why does Arcee turn into a pair of pink underwear for Defensor now?

Defensor.....what the hell......