Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3
Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 4:54AM CDT
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A Seibertron.com review of IDW ROM Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3
A Seibertron.com review of IDW ROM Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3
Synopsis
Crash-landed on a mysterious planet and pursued by both Decepticons and Dire Wraiths, the Solstar Knights and Autobots will have to set aside their differences in order to save themselves!
ROM: voice of every character in Hasbro Crossovers so far
Story
After the good story starter of issue 1 and then the stall out of issue 2, we are mostly back on track with a pretty good issue 3 of the Transformers vs ROM. The story progressed, we got some great characterization, and we got a good setup for the final 2 issue run.
Sata totally should have surfed on the little yellow rolling disk
Firstly, the positives: Ultra Magnus, at least in this past incarnation of himself, is a great character in the book, and may be the best overall. Following this incarnations actions, such as his dismissive attitude towards organics, how he feels about the Solstar order, and overall how he is such a hardnose to everyone around him, it really is quite a journey. and I love me some Magnus smack talk (or at least I think it was smack... he could be dead serious).
Wonder if he was taking "Talk 'em to death" lessons from Prowl
Livia is also a pretty great character to follow, and overall I am enjoying the 3 non-transforming Solstar knights we have featured. They each have some good characterization to them, though Livia with her points of view on Wraiths, Cybertronians, and how a planet needs to be razed because Wraiths have set down is interesting to read and follow.
Keeping with the knights, I enjoy this issue from ROM's perspective, though it felt like it did bog the issue down a few times, like the issue should have moved forward that extra step instead of giving that panel or 2 to ROM where it wasn't necessarily needed.
Stardrive and ROM: voices of reason
It was also good to get to Stardrive more, and she does finally regain her share of the issue. I enjoy her as a character, how she tries so hard and feels the pain of her 2 worlds colliding and her simple desire to help. Now mind you that last page is surely setting up the last 2 issues, and it will also set up her fate. It was not what I was expecting to happen, but then again I really should have seen something like that coming. Also, I liked how the actual act of Transforming is used here. It's good to see that seemingly sometimes forgotten aspect of Transformers get overlooked.
One last note is I love the Wraith/Con talk. The Wraiths are creepy and the cons are very distrusting and overall disgusted by the Wraiths, and it is fun to watch how uncomfortable they are with each other. Snarkscream is perfectly suited for his role here, and I continue to hear Steve Blum every time Screamer speaks. The comments thrown around by both sides make me smile too.
the Blum is strong with this one
Art
Art work for the series continues to be run by Alex Milne, and once again his art has done some justice to the series. One thing that has been stated in past reviews for the series and is worth restating here is his ability to draw the technical, the organic, and find ways to blend the 2. In a series where half the name is robotic and the other half is organic coated in chrome armor, and where the current setting is an organic planet, this attention to detail is key, and Milne continues on with that balance.
Also important is how the artwork handles the Dire Wraiths, which can be difficult considering the whole "organic transformer" sort of ideal behind them. But once again, the artwork is able to handle the transformations and that sort of infestation style the wraiths have in stride.
Taking lessons from the Fallen
Coloring is handled this issue by Josh Perez, who also does some very nice work, but with an ever so slight critique: the warmth of the environment throughout the issue. The issue makes many remarks on how cold the planet is, yet the coloring portrays a slightly warmer planet than described, with the sky using brighter colors than maybe a dimmer winter evening would usually have and the surrounding landmarks featuring a neutral green that should have been several degrees cooler to properly show the chill of the surrounding landscape.
See? The explosion blends in more than it super heats it
Lettering is handled by Shawn Lee, and the lettering is done well. One thing I love about the series is how anything associated with the Wraiths has the inverted speech bubble coloring and the font styling. It really helps them stand out and adds another layer of just how bad they really are.
If you're interested in the variant covers, you can find them all in our database entry here. In the thumbnail is the one by Casey Coller!
Final Thoughts
No... don't remind me
After going slightly off-track with issue 2, I feel issue 3 gets us back on track wonderfully. It was an overall good issue, but yet nothing wholly special. It didn't have that wow factor that left an impression on my mind and memory. But, I will say that with 2 issues to go, I feel this is the best crossover event that has happened thus far, I'd say better than the criminally underrated Revolutionaries series (which was great, honestly!). I look forward to seeing the end of the series, and I hope the final 2 issues can slam this thing home. This has great potential, good writing, great art, and a chance to hold the crown of best crossover event so far. Just avoid too much talk, add some action, and some sort of defining moment to end the series, and BANG! you got it!
Score
1/2 Out Of
1/2 Out Of Credit(s): IDW
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Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1914534)
Posted by DeadCaL on October 4th, 2017 @ 4:03pm CDT
Posted by DeadCaL on October 4th, 2017 @ 4:03pm CDT
This is my favourite TF comic at the mo 
Proper bad guys, proper space adventure, proper D'bag Starscream. And it's nice seeing Milne get cut to loose with the art.
Proper bad guys, proper space adventure, proper D'bag Starscream. And it's nice seeing Milne get cut to loose with the art.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1914535)
Posted by Va'al on October 4th, 2017 @ 4:04pm CDT
Posted by Va'al on October 4th, 2017 @ 4:04pm CDT
Thanks to the usual iTunes uploaders, we have a three page preview of the next issue of the miniseries from IDW Publishing Rom vs Transformers: Shining Armor! The fourth issue continues its quest of telling Stardrive's story, featuring on this version of Ultra Magnus as the running narrator - check it out below!
Stardrive is torn between joining her fellow Transformers and staying with Rom and his knights… and the fate of an innocent world rests in her choice!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1914678)
Posted by ScottyP on October 5th, 2017 @ 11:53am CDT
Posted by ScottyP on October 5th, 2017 @ 11:53am CDT
That was a good three pages. Hopefully this and issue 5 keep up the pace, took a little longer to get here than I'd have preferred but again, promising start to 4!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1914973)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 6th, 2017 @ 10:28am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 6th, 2017 @ 10:28am CDT
A good preview, though i really hope we don't get a Wraith/Magnus combo. Wouldn't that corrupt the whole trigger hand thing so he could teleport back?
Either way, I like this version of Magnus.
Either way, I like this version of Magnus.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1917065)
Posted by Va'al on October 17th, 2017 @ 5:53am CDT
Posted by Va'al on October 17th, 2017 @ 5:53am CDT
Our final IDW Publishing comic book preview for now features the penultimate chapter in the mini-series set in the past from both Rom's world and the Transformers - as Stardrive's story continues, and Ultra Magnus deals with some stuff right about now. Check it out, and head back here after its release for a review!
Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #4
John Barber & Christos Gage (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)
Stardrive is torn between joining her fellow Transformers and staying with Rom and his knights… and the fate of an innocent world rests in her choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
An all-star lineup of Christos Gage (Rom), John Barber (Optimus Prime), and Alex Milne (More Than Meets the Eye) tell the never-before-revealed secret history of Rom and the Transformers!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1917103)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 17th, 2017 @ 10:15am CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 17th, 2017 @ 10:15am CDT
I'm going to be writing the review in about an hour or so, but this issue is pretty great, there is some good stuff to look forward to! The preview itself is pretty good too
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1917237)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 18th, 2017 @ 3:01am CDT
Synopsis
My actual face come page 16
Story
Here we are, issue 4 of 5, the leadup to the grand finale, the final chance to brace ourselves for the great conclusion. And let me tell you: the issue is spectacular in so many ways. Barber and Gage have done their job in an awesome way.
Oh, it really has been
Let's get this out of the way straight out of the gate: this story is strange and weird, spectacularly so, and would not fit anywhere else but in the pages of a crossover from 200 years ago. The very concepts tackled over the course of the story, dealing with possession, wraith magic, and techno-organic fusions are very unique, and really only have 1 chance to be done right. And in this series, they are all done right. They are done in never before seen ways that really do capture your attention and make you want to see more (go to page 15's King Kong scene followed by the 16/17 shot to truly understand why this statement is so).
He's just jealous he's not getting all the praise
Outside of the absolute uniqueness of the story and the concepts, we have some fairly good characters to go with things. Character building, as was said in the previous reviews, is nothing to really be concerned about, seeing as how all characters involved already have good characterization already set up, or we won't really need to worry about what kind of characters they are for long. I liked how Magnus was used for the brief narration moments, how deliciously manipulative Starscream is, and how the character's voices work with each other, drowning out the more boring ones and providing a good overall balance.
So, good established characters, decent new characters, bizarre concepts and magics, and you have Shining Armor!
Art
Art duties are covered by the famous team of Alex Milne and Josh Perez, and while the story has been pretty good, save for some him-hawing around in issue 2, the art has not wavered from the amazing spectacle that it is. The characters, the backgrounds, and the spectacle that is the weirdness and outlandish of Shining Armor all shine through with Milne and Perez. The lines are great, the designs are good, the expressions are juicy, and the coloring works better this issue, with the nighttime better fitting the cold atmosphere described and the rising sun allowing the curtain to rise on the final sprint to the finish of the series a great scene.
Like I said, expressions
Shawn Lee covers the lettering in this issue, and while there is nothing really spectacular to write home about, there are no faults in the lettering. The speech bubbles don't inhibit the visuals in any way, and the standard knight/cybertronian speeches collected with the wraith bubbles are a nice balance.
The face you will make by the end of the issue
Final Thoughts
I laughed at this. Had to include it
This series has proven to be one of the best crossovers the shared universe has had so far, and I would go so far as to say it is the best, but Kup and Action Man over in Revolutionaries makes that a bit difficult. The story is a good one, even if the main new character, Stardrive, is a bit predictable. The Wraiths and the Decepticons are great in this story though, and the art is fantastic, perfectly capturing how unique this series is. This is an issue I would highly recommend, and I'm hoping issue 5 finishes this off nicely, because it deserves it.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on October 18th, 2017 @ 3:01am CDT
Kong: Wraith Island
A Seibertron.com review of IDW ROM vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #4
A Seibertron.com review of IDW ROM vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #4
Synopsis
Stardrive is torn between joining her fellow Transformers and staying with Rom and his knights… and the fate of an innocent world rests in her choice!
My actual face come page 16
Story
Here we are, issue 4 of 5, the leadup to the grand finale, the final chance to brace ourselves for the great conclusion. And let me tell you: the issue is spectacular in so many ways. Barber and Gage have done their job in an awesome way.
Oh, it really has been
Let's get this out of the way straight out of the gate: this story is strange and weird, spectacularly so, and would not fit anywhere else but in the pages of a crossover from 200 years ago. The very concepts tackled over the course of the story, dealing with possession, wraith magic, and techno-organic fusions are very unique, and really only have 1 chance to be done right. And in this series, they are all done right. They are done in never before seen ways that really do capture your attention and make you want to see more (go to page 15's King Kong scene followed by the 16/17 shot to truly understand why this statement is so).
He's just jealous he's not getting all the praise
Outside of the absolute uniqueness of the story and the concepts, we have some fairly good characters to go with things. Character building, as was said in the previous reviews, is nothing to really be concerned about, seeing as how all characters involved already have good characterization already set up, or we won't really need to worry about what kind of characters they are for long. I liked how Magnus was used for the brief narration moments, how deliciously manipulative Starscream is, and how the character's voices work with each other, drowning out the more boring ones and providing a good overall balance.
So, good established characters, decent new characters, bizarre concepts and magics, and you have Shining Armor!
Art
Art duties are covered by the famous team of Alex Milne and Josh Perez, and while the story has been pretty good, save for some him-hawing around in issue 2, the art has not wavered from the amazing spectacle that it is. The characters, the backgrounds, and the spectacle that is the weirdness and outlandish of Shining Armor all shine through with Milne and Perez. The lines are great, the designs are good, the expressions are juicy, and the coloring works better this issue, with the nighttime better fitting the cold atmosphere described and the rising sun allowing the curtain to rise on the final sprint to the finish of the series a great scene.
Like I said, expressions
Shawn Lee covers the lettering in this issue, and while there is nothing really spectacular to write home about, there are no faults in the lettering. The speech bubbles don't inhibit the visuals in any way, and the standard knight/cybertronian speeches collected with the wraith bubbles are a nice balance.
The face you will make by the end of the issue
Final Thoughts
I laughed at this. Had to include it
This series has proven to be one of the best crossovers the shared universe has had so far, and I would go so far as to say it is the best, but Kup and Action Man over in Revolutionaries makes that a bit difficult. The story is a good one, even if the main new character, Stardrive, is a bit predictable. The Wraiths and the Decepticons are great in this story though, and the art is fantastic, perfectly capturing how unique this series is. This is an issue I would highly recommend, and I'm hoping issue 5 finishes this off nicely, because it deserves it.
.
out of
out of
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1919271)
Posted by Va'al on November 1st, 2017 @ 3:20am CDT
Posted by Va'al on November 1st, 2017 @ 3:20am CDT
Courtesy of Previews World, we have variant covers for the upcoming final issue in the Transformers vs Rom: Shining Armor miniseries set 200 years before current events, and featuring the first interaction between Cybertronians, the Solstar Order, and Dire Wraiths. Check out the art below and in our database entry, by Nick Roche and Josh Burcham first, by David Messina second, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub!
Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #5 Cover B
(W) John Barber, Christos Gage (A) Alex Milne (CA) Nick Roche
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off-this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
In Shops: Nov 29, 2017
SRP: $3.99
(W) John Barber, Christos Gage (A) Alex Milne (CA) David Messina
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off-this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
In Shops: Nov 29, 2017
SRP: $3.99
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1919284)
Posted by Kurona on November 1st, 2017 @ 9:08am CDT
Posted by Kurona on November 1st, 2017 @ 9:08am CDT
Ooft, I don't like that second cover much. Doesn't fit Bumblebee at all.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1922008)
Posted by Va'al on November 16th, 2017 @ 5:12pm CST
Posted by Va'al on November 16th, 2017 @ 5:12pm CST
In another bout of iTunes preview magic, we have an initial look at the final issue of the mini-series crossing over two of the current IDW Hasbro licensed franchises - set 200 years before anything we're currently seeing in-universe - Rom vs Transformers: Shining Armor #5!
We start straight off with the Ultra Magnus/Dire Wraith hybrid, so be ready for some eldritch and (robo)body horror from artist Alex Milne - plus obvious spoilers if you're not caught up yet - and some Starscream schadenfreude for those of you into that sort of thing. Check the preview out below, and join the conversation as we wait the couple of weeks left until the book's release.
We start straight off with the Ultra Magnus/Dire Wraith hybrid, so be ready for some eldritch and (robo)body horror from artist Alex Milne - plus obvious spoilers if you're not caught up yet - and some Starscream schadenfreude for those of you into that sort of thing. Check the preview out below, and join the conversation as we wait the couple of weeks left until the book's release.
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off—this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1922091)
Posted by Sunstar on November 16th, 2017 @ 11:14pm CST
Posted by Sunstar on November 16th, 2017 @ 11:14pm CST
Starscream and tentacles. OH BOY!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1922167)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 17th, 2017 @ 11:40am CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 17th, 2017 @ 11:40am CST
I'm still interested to see how they are going to handle Magnus and whoever is Magnus at this time. I'm excited to see how Magnus and Vekktral fight it out in mindspace, and I'm curious as to how the wraith takeover will affect the recall switch.
I'm also bummed this series has gotten little discussion. It is a good series, and one of the best actual crossovers
I'm also bummed this series has gotten little discussion. It is a good series, and one of the best actual crossovers
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1922904)
Posted by Sunstar on November 20th, 2017 @ 11:48pm CST
Posted by Sunstar on November 20th, 2017 @ 11:48pm CST
I find anything involving good starscream writing is a fair story. TAAO and this has been wonderful.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923133)
Posted by Big Grim on November 22nd, 2017 @ 4:27am CST
Posted by Big Grim on November 22nd, 2017 @ 4:27am CST
Decided to pick this up on Comixology and admit, I've really enjoyed it. Great art, solid story and Starscream being awesome. Quite like this version of Magnus too.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923147)
Posted by Daniel Adkins on November 22nd, 2017 @ 7:47am CST
Posted by Daniel Adkins on November 22nd, 2017 @ 7:47am CST
So just a quick PSA for anyone reading this series. If you enjoy this series, you might wanna pick up Optimus Prime #13.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923166)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 22nd, 2017 @ 9:40am CST
I'm honestly shocked more people won't read this. It is a great story, and a great crossover!
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 22nd, 2017 @ 9:40am CST
Big Grim wrote:Decided to pick this up on Comixology and admit, I've really enjoyed it. Great art, solid story and Starscream being awesome. Quite like this version of Magnus too.
I'm honestly shocked more people won't read this. It is a great story, and a great crossover!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923195)
Posted by Big Grim on November 22nd, 2017 @ 11:09am CST
It's fun seeing Starscream being a smarmy, evil shit again!
Posted by Big Grim on November 22nd, 2017 @ 11:09am CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Big Grim wrote:Decided to pick this up on Comixology and admit, I've really enjoyed it. Great art, solid story and Starscream being awesome. Quite like this version of Magnus too.
I'm honestly shocked more people won't read this. It is a great story, and a great crossover!
It's fun seeing Starscream being a smarmy, evil shit again!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923197)
Posted by Sunstar on November 22nd, 2017 @ 11:35am CST
Posted by Sunstar on November 22nd, 2017 @ 11:35am CST
As evil as he is, I like to see them attempt at seeing how he would fare as a leader. Since most series bait him with it but never go through with it.
This is delightful though - its just so him. I hopefully can pick up all my books from the pull file next week.
This is delightful though - its just so him. I hopefully can pick up all my books from the pull file next week.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923307)
Posted by Big Grim on November 23rd, 2017 @ 9:18am CST
Oh agreed! I'm loving him as ruler of Cybertron. This is just a nice kick back to his villainy.
Posted by Big Grim on November 23rd, 2017 @ 9:18am CST
Sunstar wrote:I like to see them attempt at seeing how he would fare as a leader.
Oh agreed! I'm loving him as ruler of Cybertron. This is just a nice kick back to his villainy.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923344)
Posted by Sunstar on November 23rd, 2017 @ 12:35pm CST
Posted by Sunstar on November 23rd, 2017 @ 12:35pm CST
Just a side note: is there no quote buttons to quote someone?
@Big Grim: Yep, he's got some lovely characterisation, and sarcasm that goes with his villainy. I love how he manipulates a situation. I love how he gets himself out of a pickle too.
@Big Grim: Yep, he's got some lovely characterisation, and sarcasm that goes with his villainy. I love how he manipulates a situation. I love how he gets himself out of a pickle too.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923372)
Posted by Va'al on November 23rd, 2017 @ 5:06pm CST
There is, but some of the icons have disappeared in their image form. This is being worked on!
Posted by Va'al on November 23rd, 2017 @ 5:06pm CST
Sunstar wrote:Just a side note: is there no quote buttons to quote someone?
@Big Grim: Yep, he's got some lovely characterisation, and sarcasm that goes with his villainy. I love how he manipulates a situation. I love how he gets himself out of a pickle too.
There is, but some of the icons have disappeared in their image form. This is being worked on!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1923912)
Posted by Targetmaster Kup on November 27th, 2017 @ 9:11pm CST
Posted by Targetmaster Kup on November 27th, 2017 @ 9:11pm CST
News@Rama has a preview of Lost Light #11 at https://www.newsarama.com/37512-thunder ... eview.html
ROM VS. TRANSFORMERS: SHINING ARMOR #5 also has a FULL Preview at https://shar.es/1MvzDh
ROM VS. TRANSFORMERS: SHINING ARMOR #5 also has a FULL Preview at https://shar.es/1MvzDh
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924050)
Posted by Va'al on November 29th, 2017 @ 2:12am CST
Posted by Va'al on November 29th, 2017 @ 2:12am CST
A couple of Seibertron.com community members have linked to us to the full previews of this week's comics by IDW Publishing featuring our very own Cybertronian favourites, in two separate series, both on entertainment site Newsarama - second and last to the list is the final issue of the prequel to some of the recent events, and probably more still to come, in the Rom Vs Transformers: Shining Armor mini-series.
Issue #5 tries to bring us to some sort of closure on the plot threads so far, but it mostly looks like the Dire Wraiths have the upper hand as we head back to Vekktral!Magnus, Stardrive, Bumblebee, and Starscream's failed machinations. Check it out below, and check out our review of the issue later this week!
Issue #5 tries to bring us to some sort of closure on the plot threads so far, but it mostly looks like the Dire Wraiths have the upper hand as we head back to Vekktral!Magnus, Stardrive, Bumblebee, and Starscream's failed machinations. Check it out below, and check out our review of the issue later this week!
Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #5
John Barber & Christos Gage (w) • Alex Milne (a & c)
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off—this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
- An all-star lineup of Christos Gage (Rom), John Barber (Optimus Prime), and Alex Milne (More Than Meets the Eye) tell the never-before-revealed secret history of Rom and the Transformers!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924119)
Posted by Va'al on November 29th, 2017 @ 11:36am CST
Synopsis
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off—this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
Rom reference
Story
We reach, with issue five, the last part of this mini-series uniting both Transformers and the Solstar Order of Rom and the other Knights. And I'll admit, I'm both glad the conclusion was as satisfying as it was, and a little saddened that the story is entirely over as far as we're concerned in the current IDWverse. Though it's true, repercussions retroactively are felt through Revolution and First Strike, and we have some continuations elsewhere too, Stardrive's story is currently done with.
Or is it
I had my concerns earlier in the series - issue two specifically, as you can read again here - but since then, both John Barber and Christos Gage have been able to diverge from the potentially platitude-filled plot, into a cosmic cluster-truck of a comic, and a truly enjoyable mini-series that attempts to introduce new characters to old stories, and new stories with established characters.
Bonus: added Star Wars reference
The best part of the combination of the two styles, for me at least, was the amount of fun that they clearly had in filling in the stories. The interactions between the Decepticon team, Starscream included, are some of the best examples of robot-banter that come to mind in recent books, and play entirely into good fanservice and references. And best of all, they don't cause tonal whiplash that can be common in this type of story, as we switch to other scenes in the book.
Astrotrain: the new Waspinator
If there is one major critique I have about the issue, and perhaps the series as a whole, it's its supposedly titular character: Stardrive does have a lot of moments, and she does appear a lot more after the initial qualms I had earlier in the series, but there is still a lingering sense of not having had enough about her, with a not entirely satisfying resolution by the end of it all. Which is a shame, given the potential of her story, and I do want to see more of it.
Art
Alex Milne really gives in - as we started seeing in the past numbers - to his technorganic leniencies, as Vekktral!Magnus is pretty much centre-stage for the entire issue, and the reason around the rest of the cast to rally and find their own resolution to their respective plots, with some really exciting choices in the Magnus side of the story, and some fantastic action sequences all the way through.
Borders literally bleeding into panel
The colouring, perhaps, is what is the newest addition to the visual style, and what sets the recognisable Milne hand from other Transformers titles so far - in the best way possible, of course! Josh Perez has been amazing for the entire series, and the gradual sunset in this issue just proves it - plus the addition of Priscilla Tramontano's work to cap it all off towards the end, and I am one visually satisfied reader.
The choom is back!
Tom B. Long on the side of production and lettering has some truly excellent moments too, balancing the work of the artists in such a way that the fonts chosen and the words placed do never cover what the focus should be, and instead draw attention to them. In terms of covers, the one in the thumbnail is the splendid Nick Roche / Josh Burcham action portrait, while the other two (previously seen in news stories) can be found as always in the Database entry for the issue here.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
The new approach, for this side of IDW comics at least, of going plot-first was an interesting one - especially given the position that this series would occupy as a generic prequel to a lot of current galactic politics in the Hasbroverse - but it turned out to be an excellent one too. Milne's detail-oriented artwork provided a playground in which Barber and Gage could easily work their stories once the framework was established, without burdening the art with too much exposition.
FURMANISM KLAXON
And as a result, with the effort of the entire visual team, we get a comic that is extremely enjoyable as a piece of art (read: it's pretty to look at), and successful in doing what it had to do: establish the links in the universe that had to be established after the universe had already been set years ago. Barber's contribution was perhaps the most valued in keeping the threads tidy, but Gage had no small feat either, and they synchronised very well.
There are some flaws, such as the second issue's slump, and the trade will undoubtedly prove a much smoother reading overall - and what is perhaps the best outcome of the series is that both target readerships probably got enough page-time each to satisfy being 'lumped together' feelings that inevitable rose at the start. We do find out a lot more about the Order, and the Dire Wraiths are better established as antagonists throughout, and even through the humour - at times almost surreal - there are some really touching moments. Do yourself a favour, and give this series a read!
Posted by Va'al on November 29th, 2017 @ 11:36am CST
Oh, To Be Young and (Star)Driven
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
Bumblebee vs. Rom vs. Starscream vs. the Dire Wraiths! All alliances are off—this is a fight for survival! Torn between her Cybertronian heritage and her Solstar Knight upbringing, Stardrive takes control of her fate!
Rom reference
Story
We reach, with issue five, the last part of this mini-series uniting both Transformers and the Solstar Order of Rom and the other Knights. And I'll admit, I'm both glad the conclusion was as satisfying as it was, and a little saddened that the story is entirely over as far as we're concerned in the current IDWverse. Though it's true, repercussions retroactively are felt through Revolution and First Strike, and we have some continuations elsewhere too, Stardrive's story is currently done with.
Or is it
I had my concerns earlier in the series - issue two specifically, as you can read again here - but since then, both John Barber and Christos Gage have been able to diverge from the potentially platitude-filled plot, into a cosmic cluster-truck of a comic, and a truly enjoyable mini-series that attempts to introduce new characters to old stories, and new stories with established characters.
Bonus: added Star Wars reference
The best part of the combination of the two styles, for me at least, was the amount of fun that they clearly had in filling in the stories. The interactions between the Decepticon team, Starscream included, are some of the best examples of robot-banter that come to mind in recent books, and play entirely into good fanservice and references. And best of all, they don't cause tonal whiplash that can be common in this type of story, as we switch to other scenes in the book.
Astrotrain: the new Waspinator
If there is one major critique I have about the issue, and perhaps the series as a whole, it's its supposedly titular character: Stardrive does have a lot of moments, and she does appear a lot more after the initial qualms I had earlier in the series, but there is still a lingering sense of not having had enough about her, with a not entirely satisfying resolution by the end of it all. Which is a shame, given the potential of her story, and I do want to see more of it.
Art
Alex Milne really gives in - as we started seeing in the past numbers - to his technorganic leniencies, as Vekktral!Magnus is pretty much centre-stage for the entire issue, and the reason around the rest of the cast to rally and find their own resolution to their respective plots, with some really exciting choices in the Magnus side of the story, and some fantastic action sequences all the way through.
Borders literally bleeding into panel
The colouring, perhaps, is what is the newest addition to the visual style, and what sets the recognisable Milne hand from other Transformers titles so far - in the best way possible, of course! Josh Perez has been amazing for the entire series, and the gradual sunset in this issue just proves it - plus the addition of Priscilla Tramontano's work to cap it all off towards the end, and I am one visually satisfied reader.
The choom is back!
Tom B. Long on the side of production and lettering has some truly excellent moments too, balancing the work of the artists in such a way that the fonts chosen and the words placed do never cover what the focus should be, and instead draw attention to them. In terms of covers, the one in the thumbnail is the splendid Nick Roche / Josh Burcham action portrait, while the other two (previously seen in news stories) can be found as always in the Database entry for the issue here.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
The new approach, for this side of IDW comics at least, of going plot-first was an interesting one - especially given the position that this series would occupy as a generic prequel to a lot of current galactic politics in the Hasbroverse - but it turned out to be an excellent one too. Milne's detail-oriented artwork provided a playground in which Barber and Gage could easily work their stories once the framework was established, without burdening the art with too much exposition.
FURMANISM KLAXON
And as a result, with the effort of the entire visual team, we get a comic that is extremely enjoyable as a piece of art (read: it's pretty to look at), and successful in doing what it had to do: establish the links in the universe that had to be established after the universe had already been set years ago. Barber's contribution was perhaps the most valued in keeping the threads tidy, but Gage had no small feat either, and they synchronised very well.
There are some flaws, such as the second issue's slump, and the trade will undoubtedly prove a much smoother reading overall - and what is perhaps the best outcome of the series is that both target readerships probably got enough page-time each to satisfy being 'lumped together' feelings that inevitable rose at the start. We do find out a lot more about the Order, and the Dire Wraiths are better established as antagonists throughout, and even through the humour - at times almost surreal - there are some really touching moments. Do yourself a favour, and give this series a read!
. 
½ out of
½ out of
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924127)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 29th, 2017 @ 11:53am CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 29th, 2017 @ 11:53am CST
I'll say it again: best crossover in the Hasbro verse.
Though with Stardrive now appearing in Optimus Prime, I wonder where they will go with that very last panel?
I really liked the Magnus part too, the fighting the infection and then taking control was great to see. And at least we got that patch with Minimus' role and longevity in there.
Though with Stardrive now appearing in Optimus Prime, I wonder where they will go with that very last panel?
I really liked the Magnus part too, the fighting the infection and then taking control was great to see. And at least we got that patch with Minimus' role and longevity in there.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924135)
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 12:22pm CST
Yeah you can tell that it wasn’t the plan to shoe horn the ending with Minumus but is anyone is gonna fix something it’s John barber.
Certainly an better patch job than what Lost alight #11 with Thunderclash and Getaway. People were pointing out the error on twitter and Roberts said he’lll have to do some rewriting in the dialogue for the trade.
Great issue and great series this was
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 12:22pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:I'll say it again: best crossover in the Hasbro verse.
Though with Stardrive now appearing in Optimus Prime, I wonder where they will go with that very last panel?
I really liked the Magnus part too, the fighting the infection and then taking control was great to see. And at least we got that patch with Minimus' role and longevity in there.
Yeah you can tell that it wasn’t the plan to shoe horn the ending with Minumus but is anyone is gonna fix something it’s John barber.
Certainly an better patch job than what Lost alight #11 with Thunderclash and Getaway. People were pointing out the error on twitter and Roberts said he’lll have to do some rewriting in the dialogue for the trade.
Great issue and great series this was
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924138)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 29th, 2017 @ 12:29pm CST
I think it worked out pretty well. Kinda odd to have Minimus step out and then back in, but it works. although that then raises the question of that prose story from the end of MTMTE 21 where Minimus was surprised Ratchet knew the Magnus secret
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on November 29th, 2017 @ 12:29pm CST
Randomhero wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:I'll say it again: best crossover in the Hasbro verse.
Though with Stardrive now appearing in Optimus Prime, I wonder where they will go with that very last panel?
I really liked the Magnus part too, the fighting the infection and then taking control was great to see. And at least we got that patch with Minimus' role and longevity in there.
Yeah you can tell that it wasn’t the plan to shoe horn the ending with Minumus but is anyone is gonna fix something it’s John barber.
Certainly an better patch job than what Lost alight #11 with Thunderclash and Getaway. People were pointing out the error on twitter and Roberts said he’lll have to do some rewriting in the dialogue for the trade.
Great issue and great series this was
I think it worked out pretty well. Kinda odd to have Minimus step out and then back in, but it works. although that then raises the question of that prose story from the end of MTMTE 21 where Minimus was surprised Ratchet knew the Magnus secret
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924158)
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 2:02pm CST
Yeah I was thinking the same. It does seem a bit out of character for Minimus to step out of the armor and come back by request. He was shot as they said and I guess that was him saying I’m out however in MTMTE he says the mantle of magnus is the only thing that he felt gave him a purpose and it was everything to him.
While it’s a bit pushed maybe it should have been “the previous magnus was shot and has been in a coma for the past century but ratchet thinks he can finally come out of it and return as Magnus” or that convoy was just a temporary Magnus while Minimus has been recovering.
The ratchet part doesn’t bother me. I’ve kind of taken it as-like ratchet said in #21- he’s always known about the Armor. Ratchet may be the one who helps Tyrest choose who can handle the Magnus Armor and work from behind the curtain. He doesn’t have to be there for the fitting in person but he’s there in some way.
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 2:02pm CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Randomhero wrote:D-Maximus_Prime wrote:I'll say it again: best crossover in the Hasbro verse.
Though with Stardrive now appearing in Optimus Prime, I wonder where they will go with that very last panel?
I really liked the Magnus part too, the fighting the infection and then taking control was great to see. And at least we got that patch with Minimus' role and longevity in there.
Yeah you can tell that it wasn’t the plan to shoe horn the ending with Minumus but is anyone is gonna fix something it’s John barber.
Certainly an better patch job than what Lost alight #11 with Thunderclash and Getaway. People were pointing out the error on twitter and Roberts said he’lll have to do some rewriting in the dialogue for the trade.
Great issue and great series this was
I think it worked out pretty well. Kinda odd to have Minimus step out and then back in, but it works. although that then raises the question of that prose story from the end of MTMTE 21 where Minimus was surprised Ratchet knew the Magnus secret
Yeah I was thinking the same. It does seem a bit out of character for Minimus to step out of the armor and come back by request. He was shot as they said and I guess that was him saying I’m out however in MTMTE he says the mantle of magnus is the only thing that he felt gave him a purpose and it was everything to him.
While it’s a bit pushed maybe it should have been “the previous magnus was shot and has been in a coma for the past century but ratchet thinks he can finally come out of it and return as Magnus” or that convoy was just a temporary Magnus while Minimus has been recovering.
The ratchet part doesn’t bother me. I’ve kind of taken it as-like ratchet said in #21- he’s always known about the Armor. Ratchet may be the one who helps Tyrest choose who can handle the Magnus Armor and work from behind the curtain. He doesn’t have to be there for the fitting in person but he’s there in some way.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924207)
Posted by ScottyP on November 29th, 2017 @ 7:51pm CST
Posted by ScottyP on November 29th, 2017 @ 7:51pm CST
Fun, visually gorgeous series that just doesn't stick for me. Liked it, didn't love it. Would have liked to see more world-building, I think? Maybe it's that the Solstar Order seems to say the same thing in different ways in every book they appear in and being one of the 18 people that read the entire recent Rom run has me wanting more out of them.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924212)
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 8:58pm CST
Posted by Randomhero on November 29th, 2017 @ 8:58pm CST
I think the only thing that would have made this better would have been if instead of Ramjet, Dirge and Thrust we’d gotten Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy instead. Starscream continues to insult them throughout the series as a crap team. Woulda been fun to see those three pop up as a team of seekers before they all went their separate ways.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924248)
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 1:54am CST
This is what I meant a long while ago, when I lamented the lack of Gage's noticeable input in the story. Admittedly, I do agree with you in part, but I felt like the closing scenes probably gives us a lot more than the rest of the series on the Order - and the focus really was the Dire Wraiths after all.
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 1:54am CST
ScottyP wrote:Fun, visually gorgeous series that just doesn't stick for me. Liked it, didn't love it. Would have liked to see more world-building, I think? Maybe it's that the Solstar Order seems to say the same thing in different ways in every book they appear in and being one of the 18 people that read the entire recent Rom run has me wanting more out of them.
This is what I meant a long while ago, when I lamented the lack of Gage's noticeable input in the story. Admittedly, I do agree with you in part, but I felt like the closing scenes probably gives us a lot more than the rest of the series on the Order - and the focus really was the Dire Wraiths after all.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924263)
Posted by Burn on November 30th, 2017 @ 5:22am CST
This is something I can agree on.
While I've never really enjoyed any Transformers cross over with another brand, I can say that I actually did enjoy this and actually looked forward to each issue.
While I still loathe the whole Hasbro-IDWverse, this one kept itself self contained enough that I could consider it just another Transformers story.
Posted by Burn on November 30th, 2017 @ 5:22am CST
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:I'll say it again: best crossover in the Hasbro verse.
This is something I can agree on.
While I've never really enjoyed any Transformers cross over with another brand, I can say that I actually did enjoy this and actually looked forward to each issue.
While I still loathe the whole Hasbro-IDWverse, this one kept itself self contained enough that I could consider it just another Transformers story.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924284)
Posted by ScottyP on November 30th, 2017 @ 8:31am CST
Posted by ScottyP on November 30th, 2017 @ 8:31am CST
I agree in this one, would have been a good way to give them some backstory especially with Misfire in MTMTE/LL and Slugslinger showing up in OP on the Jupiter base. I did like the Coneheads' portrayal as a Seeker 'B' Team though. My first real introduction to them as a kid was Optimus running one over so they never came across as threatening.Randomhero wrote:I think the only thing that would have made this better would have been if instead of Ramjet, Dirge and Thrust we’d gotten Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy instead. Starscream continues to insult them throughout the series as a crap team. Woulda been fun to see those three pop up as a team of seekers before they all went their separate ways.
Yeah the part of the ending with D'rge made sense, and the stuff with Orphion basically telling the GC to feck off was quite enjoyable. Stardrive's ending confused me. I feel like I should get it, but I just don't. Is she part wraith now? Some weird hiveminder like Fy-laa before Rom super murdered that exoplanet?Va'al wrote:This is what I meant a long while ago, when I lamented the lack of Gage's noticeable input in the story. Admittedly, I do agree with you in part, but I felt like the closing scenes probably gives us a lot more than the rest of the series on the Order - and the focus really was the Dire Wraiths after all.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924289)
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 8:46am CST
Super murder is a good term. Stealing it.
I feel like we may have more on that ending by the time we reach the next event in Hasbroverse - if not sooner, with more magic making its way into the 'technological' worlds already established. I mean, Stardrive is back, and Prowl - who is with her - has some organic stuff going on with him too. I think there may be something in the lines that Vekktral speaks on 'the next step in Wraith evolution', and how Stardrive may in fact be a 'better' version of the hybridisation process.
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 8:46am CST
ScottyP wrote:Yeah the part of the ending with D'rge made sense, and the stuff with Orphion basically telling the GC to feck off was quite enjoyable. Stardrive's ending confused me. I feel like I should get it, but I just don't. Is she part wraith now? Some weird hiveminder like Fy-laa before Rom super murdered that exoplanet?Va'al wrote:This is what I meant a long while ago, when I lamented the lack of Gage's noticeable input in the story. Admittedly, I do agree with you in part, but I felt like the closing scenes probably gives us a lot more than the rest of the series on the Order - and the focus really was the Dire Wraiths after all.
Super murder is a good term. Stealing it.
I feel like we may have more on that ending by the time we reach the next event in Hasbroverse - if not sooner, with more magic making its way into the 'technological' worlds already established. I mean, Stardrive is back, and Prowl - who is with her - has some organic stuff going on with him too. I think there may be something in the lines that Vekktral speaks on 'the next step in Wraith evolution', and how Stardrive may in fact be a 'better' version of the hybridisation process.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924292)
Posted by ScottyP on November 30th, 2017 @ 9:04am CST
Posted by ScottyP on November 30th, 2017 @ 9:04am CST
Isn't that one of the Vamparc Ribbons he totally followed orders on and destroyed at the end of Autocracy?Va'al wrote:and Prowl - who is with her - has some organic stuff going on with him too.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1924293)
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 9:14am CST
Surely not. Not outstanding pillar of morality Prowl.
Posted by Va'al on November 30th, 2017 @ 9:14am CST
ScottyP wrote:Isn't that one of the Vamparc Ribbons he totally followed orders on and destroyed at the end of Autocracy?Va'al wrote:and Prowl - who is with her - has some organic stuff going on with him too.
Surely not. Not outstanding pillar of morality Prowl.
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1931442)
Posted by Va'al on January 14th, 2018 @ 4:40am CST
Posted by Va'al on January 14th, 2018 @ 4:40am CST
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1945842)
Posted by Va'al on March 13th, 2018 @ 3:38am CDT
Posted by Va'al on March 13th, 2018 @ 3:38am CDT
In other preview news from IDW Publishing this week, we return to the prequel crossover series that sees John Barber and Christos Gage bringing together the worlds of Transformers and the Solstar order, with Rom, Bumblebee, Starscream, Dire Wraiths all taking the stage, as new character Stardrive is introduced to the IDWverse in Shining Armor - and Alex Milne takes the art wheel!
Due out next month, but with a preview available already, check out the images below, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub.
Due out next month, but with a preview available already, check out the images below, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub.
AVAILABLE: April 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68405-143-4
CREATORS:
Christos Gage (Author) • John Barber (Author) • Alex Milne (Artist, Cover Artist)
IMPRINT: IDW
PAGE COUNT: 128
Rom and the Transformers star in an all-new series revealing their secret shared history… plus a major new character is introduced!
Hundreds of years ago, Rom discovered Stardrive, the sole survivor of a doomed space probe. Stardrive committed herself to protecting the galaxy from the Dire Wraiths… but when the Decepticon called Starscream makes a deadly deal, Rom and the Transformers are forced onto a collision course… with Stardrive caught between two worlds!
Re: Review of IDW Rom Vs. Transformers: Shining Armor #3 (1946956)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 18th, 2018 @ 8:04pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 18th, 2018 @ 8:04pm CDT
Can't wait to pick this up!
