Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 9:57AM CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site ArticlesPosted by: Va'al Views: 36,296
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...fallen?
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
“The Falling,” Part 6. Bumblebee and Optimus Prime make a last, desperate bid to return to the real world as Shockwave teams up with the Autobots! Can Optimus stop what’s coming, or has he played right into the hands of the ultimate destroyer?
sup
Story
And lo! we reach the end of this penultimate narrative arc of the ongoing Optimus Prime series, and.. it gets weird? It definitely does things, and quite a few, but it also feels like it's trying to do more things than it wanted to do - to varying degrees of success - and The Falling just sort of hobbled and stumbled a bit there. Let's see...
thanks, Bee
If you've followed the Seibertron.com reviews of several of John Barber's work, you'll have noticed that one element keeps coming up when we reach the climax of his stories - two, actually: first, the climax is always magnificent and much earlier than the denouement; second, the latter, the endings, can have a tendency to not land entirely satisfactorily, to be generous in my wording.
...yeah..
If the script wanted to play more on Shockwave's evolution in time - plenty of it - it did so with probably too many tropes and clichés, reminding me too much of the Galvatron resolution in Combiner Wars, and an over the top, super evil villain element to an otherwise nuanced take on the senator's story, and his influence on titular character Optimus.
this guy, yknow
That said, there are still some very good individual character moments and scenes, mostly featuring Arcee and Aileron, Pyra Magna and her reluctant partnership with Optimus, and Bumblebee's presence as an almost outsider to the entire story - plus, some very nice callbacks to very early storylines seeded in the very first Shockwave story, and everything since, in true Barber continuity style. And final bang for the universe to go out on, for which a clue may or may not be in the cover...
Art
We have previously seen how Kei Zama and Sara Pitre Durocher can work really quite well together in the same book, even with theyir recognisably own style - and there are some very much both moments, spotlighting strengths from each of the two artists - but adding the third, very distinct style of Livio Ramondelli to the mix might not have worked that well. It does. Oh if it does: giving him the infraspace sections allows his style to be justified by the narrative itself, and the end result - of all three - is nothing short of masterful.
Arcee is the still the best
Josh Burcham is doing nothing short of a miracle, bringing a cohesion to three very distinct visual styles that would not have otherwise worked at all - and even with what may be Ramondelli's colours on his own lineart (has always been so, I wouldn't expect that to change), the final effect we get out of the three is truly a sight to behold, and probably the redeeming element of the whole book this time round.
I MEAN JUST LOOK
With the script being so baffling at times, in terms of its narrative linearity, I was a little thrown off at one specific instance of balloon placing in the very first pages, that threw me off entirely for a whole two days, until my third read. The rest of the lettering was Tom B Long's regular top shape, but I felt like my disappointed feelings just tainted a lot about this book.
As for covers, the Aileron / Arcee cover by Zama and Burcham is splendid, though without the colours it can be a little harder to decipher, though the spotlight still goes to the Pyra Magna-centric Casey Coller and JP Bove silhouette variant, the last in this gorgeous series (see thumbnail). Check them all out in full size in our database!
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
If the previous couple of issues was starting to feel as if the story was dragging on, this issue put a stop to that, and one that was a little too abrupt and perhaps undeserved - in its convoluted path to the end point, at least - to make up for the jarring feeling that came out of the close proximity of these last two issues. The story is tepid at best, thought there is nothing inherently wrong about it, but his landing not sticking well, even with that one scene with its wholesome, touching moment, and its lead into the Unicron happenings, just soured the whole experience for me.
oh, Starscream is in here too, yeah
There is some really good art present in this book, though, with some exquisite colours in the Ramondelli sections, and some poignant moments kept well balanced even with three separate sets of hands being worked on by a fourth, and some of the scenes alone are worth the scope of the book - but still not always enough to supersede the disappointment of a tepid resolution. I do want to see how this all ends, of course, but I'm less inclined to fully appreciate the Unicron story now that these cards are sliding off the table.
. 
½ out of
½ out of Credit(s): IDW
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Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1971971)
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:18am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:18am CDT
I was super confused by the ending. To a point I was upset and didn’t like it and had to read the tfwiki article to understand what happened to Optimus and Bumblebee.
However I think I was also mad because I expected this to lead straight into Unicron #1and it doesn’t. Obviously #22 is going to be an epilogue and after accepting that I really did like the issue.
Fair warning if you haven’t read it, don’t expect it to completely tie up with this issue and lead straight into unicron. It doesn’t. If you do you might enjoy it more but this very much like the final issue of Remain in Light. Too much happens and is way too crammed
However I think I was also mad because I expected this to lead straight into Unicron #1and it doesn’t. Obviously #22 is going to be an epilogue and after accepting that I really did like the issue.
Fair warning if you haven’t read it, don’t expect it to completely tie up with this issue and lead straight into unicron. It doesn’t. If you do you might enjoy it more but this very much like the final issue of Remain in Light. Too much happens and is way too crammed
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1971974)
Posted by ScottyP on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:32am CDT
But it does bear repeating that this shouldn't be necessary. A good summary by an outside source doesn't make up for the wandering experience in the issue itself. I can tell that Barber knew what was going on, and the artists probably did too, but something about the package together doesn't deliver the message with clarity. More words would help in some places, less in others? Not sure, but hopefully everything from here out is more coherent.
Posted by ScottyP on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:32am CDT
My respect for what Mr. McFeeley wrote up on TF Wiki for this issue is immense. He did a great job taking this scattered mess and putting it into a discernible sequence of events.Randomhero wrote:I was super confused by the ending. To a point I was upset and didn’t like it and had to read the tfwiki article to understand what happened to Optimus and Bumblebee.
But it does bear repeating that this shouldn't be necessary. A good summary by an outside source doesn't make up for the wandering experience in the issue itself. I can tell that Barber knew what was going on, and the artists probably did too, but something about the package together doesn't deliver the message with clarity. More words would help in some places, less in others? Not sure, but hopefully everything from here out is more coherent.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1971976)
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:52am CDT
100% agreed! I don’t think you should ever have to go to the wiki and Chris is an amazing with how much devotion he has to the comics. More than either of us and we’re both very pationate about the comics.
The one thing I didn’t have a problem and I know some people would and will is Shockwave. He never actually revealed what he was doing when he returned as Onyx. He comes, he stirs up a lot of stuff, revealed he’s Shockwave and stirs up more problems and then just stops and his response is “i miss my best friend”. There is a line that he intended to inoculate everyone to be able to be fueled by the tainted emerging but he caused so many problems just to try and save everyone. He didn’t need to kill Alpha trion, he didn’t need to bring Metrotitan to Cybertron and isolate tryipticon and he certainly didn’t need to ostracize Soundwsve. Really didn’t need to bring an army with him either. He does a lot of things that didn’t actually need to happen.
Now his change of heart I did love and get. Shockwave was known for being overly emotional and he got his emotions back and there’s parallels to Dark Cybertron. His emotions stopped him. It happens again here. He finally-after 12 million years- reunited with his best friend and seeing Optimus disintegrate and be engulfed into the singularity brought back how he felt. It’s not spelled out and in my opinion it should have shown him being conflicted because the end result wa adjust “I messed up”
All in all like you said Scott, you can see the attempt with this story and I’m just speculating but this story was planned 4 years ago and has been building to it and if it wasn’t for the universe ending and unicron coming then John could have spent more time laying it all out. Kinda hard to even say since this was a 7 issue story with one more to tie up the loose ends that this arc leaves.
When I get off with I intend to read this whole story and maybe it’ll all jell much better.
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:52am CDT
ScottyP wrote:My respect for what Mr. McFeeley wrote up on TF Wiki for this issue is immense. He did a great job taking this scattered mess and putting it into a discernible sequence of events.Randomhero wrote:I was super confused by the ending. To a point I was upset and didn’t like it and had to read the tfwiki article to understand what happened to Optimus and Bumblebee.
But it does bear repeating that this shouldn't be necessary. A good summary by an outside source doesn't make up for the wandering experience in the issue itself. I can tell that Barber knew what was going on, and the artists probably did too, but something about the package together doesn't deliver the message with clarity. More words would help in some places, less in others? Not sure, but hopefully everything from here out is more coherent.
100% agreed! I don’t think you should ever have to go to the wiki and Chris is an amazing with how much devotion he has to the comics. More than either of us and we’re both very pationate about the comics.
The one thing I didn’t have a problem and I know some people would and will is Shockwave. He never actually revealed what he was doing when he returned as Onyx. He comes, he stirs up a lot of stuff, revealed he’s Shockwave and stirs up more problems and then just stops and his response is “i miss my best friend”. There is a line that he intended to inoculate everyone to be able to be fueled by the tainted emerging but he caused so many problems just to try and save everyone. He didn’t need to kill Alpha trion, he didn’t need to bring Metrotitan to Cybertron and isolate tryipticon and he certainly didn’t need to ostracize Soundwsve. Really didn’t need to bring an army with him either. He does a lot of things that didn’t actually need to happen.
Now his change of heart I did love and get. Shockwave was known for being overly emotional and he got his emotions back and there’s parallels to Dark Cybertron. His emotions stopped him. It happens again here. He finally-after 12 million years- reunited with his best friend and seeing Optimus disintegrate and be engulfed into the singularity brought back how he felt. It’s not spelled out and in my opinion it should have shown him being conflicted because the end result wa adjust “I messed up”
All in all like you said Scott, you can see the attempt with this story and I’m just speculating but this story was planned 4 years ago and has been building to it and if it wasn’t for the universe ending and unicron coming then John could have spent more time laying it all out. Kinda hard to even say since this was a 7 issue story with one more to tie up the loose ends that this arc leaves.
When I get off with I intend to read this whole story and maybe it’ll all jell much better.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1971995)
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 12:09pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 12:09pm CDT
Good lord there’s only 4 issues left of those series. Where the Hell is prowl? Blackrock? Centurion? Bludgeon?! We know prowl will be popping up soon but there’s so many threads and plots that are dandling. One I don’t think will get touched in is Slag and what was going on there with his resurrection. He’s just back.
I’m surprised Blackrock and Centurion didn’t show in this story. They’re both connected to Shockwave and I hate to say it but it feels like they’ve been forgotten. I have faith in John but like I said 4 issues left. Never did learn why Shockwave sent Blackrock to retrieve the Enigma or what true role and plans he and for Sentinal in titans Return.
I’m surprised Blackrock and Centurion didn’t show in this story. They’re both connected to Shockwave and I hate to say it but it feels like they’ve been forgotten. I have faith in John but like I said 4 issues left. Never did learn why Shockwave sent Blackrock to retrieve the Enigma or what true role and plans he and for Sentinal in titans Return.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972003)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 18th, 2018 @ 12:29pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 18th, 2018 @ 12:29pm CDT
You know, I now understand the message to unicron at the end of first strike. Seems like one of those things though that if it didn't happen then there wouldn't be any threat...
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972044)
Posted by Sunstar on July 18th, 2018 @ 3:40pm CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 18th, 2018 @ 3:40pm CDT
I am hoping this will be posted on that site I browes, or my husband returns home with it tonight. I hope he picked it up for me. I'll be sad as pit. *I need my tf fix - not that I didn't have a whole weekend of fix*
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972054)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 18th, 2018 @ 5:57pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 18th, 2018 @ 5:57pm CDT
It was really a hard issue to follow for sure, and rang sort of hollow.
I did like the Pyra/Optimus/Bee thing in her head though, that was neat.
But, considering Shockwave made EVERYTHING up and the matrix is completely 100% gone now, A) how can they stop Unicron now? and B) how did the Matrix come into play to begin with if everything mythical was a false story made by Shockwave save Unicron and the Matrix?
Also, I do like Shockwave coming back, it's more a storytelling thing that I am not sure will be answered
I did like the Pyra/Optimus/Bee thing in her head though, that was neat.
But, considering Shockwave made EVERYTHING up and the matrix is completely 100% gone now, A) how can they stop Unicron now? and B) how did the Matrix come into play to begin with if everything mythical was a false story made by Shockwave save Unicron and the Matrix?
Also, I do like Shockwave coming back, it's more a storytelling thing that I am not sure will be answered
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972061)
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 7:14pm CDT
Yeah that’s been on my mind too. I don’t care about the Matrix used to defeat Unicron. Unicron has been bested before without it in other stories but the matrix also not only reformatted Optimus twice in IDW but also reformatted the entire planet during chaos. So there’s that. What was it?
There still is the Guiding Hand and Primus. Shockwave didn’t make up all religion like he says. He made up the primes but now we know the Knights of Cybertron did exist and they did worship the guiding hand. They pre-exist shockwaves meddling by a smidge.
It’s like he made up the New Testament but not the Old Testament.
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 7:14pm CDT
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:It was really a hard issue to follow for sure, and rang sort of hollow.
I did like the Pyra/Optimus/Bee thing in her head though, that was neat.
But, considering Shockwave made EVERYTHING up and the matrix is completely 100% gone now, A) how can they stop Unicron now? and B) how did the Matrix come into play to begin with if everything mythical was a false story made by Shockwave save Unicron and the Matrix?
Also, I do like Shockwave coming back, it's more a storytelling thing that I am not sure will be answered
Yeah that’s been on my mind too. I don’t care about the Matrix used to defeat Unicron. Unicron has been bested before without it in other stories but the matrix also not only reformatted Optimus twice in IDW but also reformatted the entire planet during chaos. So there’s that. What was it?
There still is the Guiding Hand and Primus. Shockwave didn’t make up all religion like he says. He made up the primes but now we know the Knights of Cybertron did exist and they did worship the guiding hand. They pre-exist shockwaves meddling by a smidge.
It’s like he made up the New Testament but not the Old Testament.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972064)
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 7:22pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 18th, 2018 @ 7:22pm CDT
After posting my last all I can think about is in dark cyberton when they wanted to ask metroplex if the knights are real and Nautica did and said metroplex they don’t deserve to know. Well now we know they did exist and weren’t really anything. Damn metroplex was just being a dick.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972147)
Posted by Sunstar on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:29pm CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 18th, 2018 @ 10:29pm CDT
that was... not as good as I had hoped it would be.
Starscream appeared to regress, no idea how bee and prime get out and bee is returned to the real world... This is the last book? or is there one more after? I suppose unicron 0 - 1 are out so those are what follows after? I am left with many questions.
Starscream appeared to regress, no idea how bee and prime get out and bee is returned to the real world... This is the last book? or is there one more after? I suppose unicron 0 - 1 are out so those are what follows after? I am left with many questions.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972249)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 6:13am CDT
Optimus and Bumblbee were reduced to data in infraspace. Shockwave used Pyra Magna as a vessel for their minds due to her being a combiner so her being able to handle multiple minds was the best choice. This was the end of this story but issue 22 will be an epilogue to have Optimus and Bumblbee be transferred out of her mind and prepare for what’s coming. Hence why it ended with “unicron coming” not “unicron arrives”
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 6:13am CDT
Sunstar wrote:that was... not as good as I had hoped it would be.
Starscream appeared to regress, no idea how bee and prime get out and bee is returned to the real world... This is the last book? or is there one more after? I suppose unicron 0 - 1 are out so those are what follows after? I am left with many questions.
Optimus and Bumblbee were reduced to data in infraspace. Shockwave used Pyra Magna as a vessel for their minds due to her being a combiner so her being able to handle multiple minds was the best choice. This was the end of this story but issue 22 will be an epilogue to have Optimus and Bumblbee be transferred out of her mind and prepare for what’s coming. Hence why it ended with “unicron coming” not “unicron arrives”
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972261)
Posted by Sunstar on July 19th, 2018 @ 8:22am CDT
Posted by Sunstar on July 19th, 2018 @ 8:22am CDT
Okay, so there is an issue 22. I was under the impression that the 20 was the penultimate and 21 was the end. Thanks for clearing that up. Okay, I will settle down and allow my previous disappointment to fade as it wasn't an end.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972287)
Posted by ScottyP on July 19th, 2018 @ 9:34am CDT
Posted by ScottyP on July 19th, 2018 @ 9:34am CDT
21 is the end of "The Falling", but Optimus Prime the series runs until issue 25Sunstar wrote:Okay, so there is an issue 22. I was under the impression that the 20 was the penultimate and 21 was the end. Thanks for clearing that up. Okay, I will settle down and allow my previous disappointment to fade as it wasn't an end.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972303)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 10:35am CDT
Like I said earlier, I think everyone was just expecting the arc to end at 21. They never said everything will be tied up but I think-and I’m included- were just kinda expecting that.
And sadly it happened to be explained to you and me and others what was going on in this book and that’s never a good thing but once you know and go back read the issue it all does make sense. I’m not sure if that’s a problem with us or the book to be honest.
You do see Optimus and Bumblbee glowing and turning into streams of light and by the end of that page those streams of light going into pyra and the dialogue is very heavy and shockwave does explain they are just data that needs transferred.
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 10:35am CDT
Sunstar wrote:Okay, so there is an issue 22. I was under the impression that the 20 was the penultimate and 21 was the end. Thanks for clearing that up. Okay, I will settle down and allow my previous disappointment to fade as it wasn't an end.
Like I said earlier, I think everyone was just expecting the arc to end at 21. They never said everything will be tied up but I think-and I’m included- were just kinda expecting that.
And sadly it happened to be explained to you and me and others what was going on in this book and that’s never a good thing but once you know and go back read the issue it all does make sense. I’m not sure if that’s a problem with us or the book to be honest.
You do see Optimus and Bumblbee glowing and turning into streams of light and by the end of that page those streams of light going into pyra and the dialogue is very heavy and shockwave does explain they are just data that needs transferred.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972316)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 11:03am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 11:03am CDT
I think everyone was just expecting Optimus to use the matrix to walk out of that but we did see him completely shredded in an earlier issue. John Barber is a genius and crazy person. Thinking about this story and syndromica from RID and plots like dark Cybertron and making hearts of steel part of the IDW-verse, barber and Roberts and others treat their audience like they’re smart. So much media nowadays is dumbed down. I went back this spring and read infinity gauntlet, war and crusade and there’s some heavy stuff in those books. I don’t think modern day and casual readers would want to finish those stories or even understand some of the stuff in those books. Personal I think marvel just dumbs down their books so everyone can enjoy them. DC not so much but I find it hard read anything that’s DC.
I’m not trying to defend OP 21 but going back and reading this arc. Some really deep and heavy stuff in here.
And no one has mentioned it but the Aileron and Arcee scene was great. First actual onscreen kiss between two transformers in 34 years! That nuts. Closest was silvebolt and black arachnia but they always cut away or did camera tricks.
I’m not trying to defend OP 21 but going back and reading this arc. Some really deep and heavy stuff in here.
And no one has mentioned it but the Aileron and Arcee scene was great. First actual onscreen kiss between two transformers in 34 years! That nuts. Closest was silvebolt and black arachnia but they always cut away or did camera tricks.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972366)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 19th, 2018 @ 12:47pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 19th, 2018 @ 12:47pm CDT
Most likely because Silverbolt didn't technically have a mouth, as such. Although I think the 34 year gap can be attributed more to the relevance of such an event, than it being some watershed moment.
Segue..
One of the first stories that really grabbed my interest in the revamp going on in IDWverse was Spotlight: Arcee. Arcee's dubious origins always rang of hollow marketing and yet since her last stint in G1 being relegated to Secretary, the Spotlight made her 1000 times more interesting. An entirely fresh perspective on a previously one-note Marketing mandated character.
So then, through the Wiki, I read on about the "Later Retcon"...
I've said before, IDWverse never reached an age wherein Retcon was needed. I'd say the benchmark should be if your series has lived beyond a generation of fans IE 20-30 years. The more I read on the Retcon and the subsequent fuss generated, I see as just another reason why this Reboot has become necessary.
In other words, If you're only at issue 50 and you're already trying to re-write issue 5, it's time for intervention.
Segue..
One of the first stories that really grabbed my interest in the revamp going on in IDWverse was Spotlight: Arcee. Arcee's dubious origins always rang of hollow marketing and yet since her last stint in G1 being relegated to Secretary, the Spotlight made her 1000 times more interesting. An entirely fresh perspective on a previously one-note Marketing mandated character.
So then, through the Wiki, I read on about the "Later Retcon"...
I've said before, IDWverse never reached an age wherein Retcon was needed. I'd say the benchmark should be if your series has lived beyond a generation of fans IE 20-30 years. The more I read on the Retcon and the subsequent fuss generated, I see as just another reason why this Reboot has become necessary.
In other words, If you're only at issue 50 and you're already trying to re-write issue 5, it's time for intervention.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972378)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 1:15pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 1:15pm CDT
Let’s not bring retconning again. We don’t need 3 days of people explaining that word to you again. You have your version of that word and everyone else uses the actually meaning and definition.
Also they have over 300 issues of transformers comics.
Also they have over 300 issues of transformers comics.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972402)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:10pm CDT
Oh, I didn't realise IDWverse had been going for that long.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:10pm CDT
Randomhero wrote:Also they have over 300 issues of transformers comics.
Oh, I didn't realise IDWverse had been going for that long.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972415)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:30pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:30pm CDT
Idwverse all adds up to an impressive number, though does that include the twenty (?) Odd issues of regeneration 1?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972418)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:45pm CDT
No just what’s in continuity. Literally they hit 125 issues December 2011. They have done a lot. That’s not even including regeneration one or the Beast Wars and the infestation cross overs. That’s just the IDW-verse
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 2:45pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Idwverse all adds up to an impressive number, though does that include the twenty (?) Odd issues of regeneration 1?
No just what’s in continuity. Literally they hit 125 issues December 2011. They have done a lot. That’s not even including regeneration one or the Beast Wars and the infestation cross overs. That’s just the IDW-verse
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972431)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 19th, 2018 @ 3:10pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 19th, 2018 @ 3:10pm CDT
That is a good number then reminds me of the run the UK comic got before it concluded.
reminds me of the run the UK comic got before it concluded.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972449)
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 3:38pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 19th, 2018 @ 3:38pm CDT
Still sad it’s going.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972632)
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:57am CDT
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:57am CDT
Okay, so what panel was "the panel" that Twitter kept referring too?
I'm just very lost in this book? Maybe once it's all out and I read it in one go, it'll make more sense to me.....
I'm just very lost in this book? Maybe once it's all out and I read it in one go, it'll make more sense to me.....
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972679)
Posted by ScottyP on July 20th, 2018 @ 9:33am CDT
And it was hard to follow for many, me included. Maybe some location text or clearer transitions/panel layouts/bubble placements would have helped. I get that it was meant to be chaotic and not-entirely-linear but I don't think it was meant to be confusing, which it was.
Posted by ScottyP on July 20th, 2018 @ 9:33am CDT
"The panel" had Arcee and Aileron on it, with Arcee being either flirty or inappropriately forward or romantic or all three. I'll let the rest of the story tell me which later!Ironhidensh wrote:Okay, so what panel was "the panel" that Twitter kept referring too?
I'm just very lost in this book? Maybe once it's all out and I read it in one go, it'll make more sense to me.....
And it was hard to follow for many, me included. Maybe some location text or clearer transitions/panel layouts/bubble placements would have helped. I get that it was meant to be chaotic and not-entirely-linear but I don't think it was meant to be confusing, which it was.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972749)
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 3:08pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 3:08pm CDT
The arcee and Aileron panel reminded me of the sailor and lady in the famous post war photo.
People arnt complaining about this are they?
People arnt complaining about this are they?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972758)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 3:41pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 3:41pm CDT
I'm not going to say they're not but at the same time it wouldn't surprise me...however why does it seem that chromedome and rewind caused more outrage?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972768)
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:10pm CDT
Probably. It’s not a ridiculous as people demanding and waiting and making slashfic of Cyclonus and tailgate when Cyclonus was being physically and verbally abbysive to him. That wasn’t that relationship in the slightest for a long time and the fanart that people were making of them...it’s why I’m not a fan of Sarah in the slightest.
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:10pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:I'm not going to say they're not but at the same time it wouldn't surprise me...however why does it seem that chromedome and rewind caused more outrage?
Probably. It’s not a ridiculous as people demanding and waiting and making slashfic of Cyclonus and tailgate when Cyclonus was being physically and verbally abbysive to him. That wasn’t that relationship in the slightest for a long time and the fanart that people were making of them...it’s why I’m not a fan of Sarah in the slightest.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972769)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:16pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 4:16pm CDT
Sarah? As in Sarah stone the artist who worked on the first windblade mini?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972783)
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 5:00pm CDT
No the other one. Till all are one. I followed her twitter until she was posting her fan art of Cyclonus and tailgate and it just turned me away. It was too intimate for what was currently happening in the book. Their story took time. Some good but some pretty bad moments. By the end it’s earned but it took time. But years before people were just gushing and just wanting them to “bang” and I’m like “you don’t understand that relationship. It started off very one sided abuse and people didn’t care. They loved it because it’s big strapping handsome bot and young and cute little boy.
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 5:00pm CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Sarah? As in Sarah stone the artist who worked on the first windblade mini?
No the other one. Till all are one. I followed her twitter until she was posting her fan art of Cyclonus and tailgate and it just turned me away. It was too intimate for what was currently happening in the book. Their story took time. Some good but some pretty bad moments. By the end it’s earned but it took time. But years before people were just gushing and just wanting them to “bang” and I’m like “you don’t understand that relationship. It started off very one sided abuse and people didn’t care. They loved it because it’s big strapping handsome bot and young and cute little boy.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972788)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 5:11pm CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 20th, 2018 @ 5:11pm CDT
I see, I started mtmte just at the beginning if "dawn of the autobots" so cyclonus and tailgate were just friends with hints of something greater like when getaway was talking to tailgate in swerves bar and cyclonus just leaves looking moody, I managed to catch up with tpbs. Sometimes I find other fans scarier then most things fiction can throw out, though I sympathise to some extent as they are passionate but everything in moderation
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972810)
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 6:51pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 20th, 2018 @ 6:51pm CDT
So I’ve been reading IDW from the beginning. Comics have always been my thing so I’ve been reading from day one and I’m always baffled by th idea of people picking up the comics at at certain points. You said you started with essentially season two of MTMTE so I gotta ask, was it confusing at all when they made fereferencing to stuff you hadn’t read?! James and John have always been referencing so I’ve wondered did you ever get confused at all?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972905)
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 21st, 2018 @ 3:08am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on July 21st, 2018 @ 3:08am CDT
At first it was but as I say i caught up with the trades. If I was really stuck in consulted the wiki to get the cliff notes.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972993)
Posted by Randomhero on July 21st, 2018 @ 2:14pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on July 21st, 2018 @ 2:14pm CDT
Moonbase 2 podcast recently released a very lengthy interview with john barber and it’s with th listen.
Key points:
IDW verse was always heading toward an ending. Even before unicron. John says he planned on leaving the book a year ago when the Falling wrapped up pretty much and James Roberts was also planning on ending lost light around the same time.
John went to hasbro about ending the IDW-verse. It wasn’t about poor sales it was about closing a long enjoyed universe.
Magnus in Rom vs Transformers was never intended to be Minimus. While the early issues seemed like the contradicted MTMTE/LL they were red herrings.
Arcee and Galvatron weren’t originally siblings from the start. John saw her age and saw previous interactions with her and decided to do it.
The falling was planned out with Onyx and shockwave for years.
Key points:
IDW verse was always heading toward an ending. Even before unicron. John says he planned on leaving the book a year ago when the Falling wrapped up pretty much and James Roberts was also planning on ending lost light around the same time.
John went to hasbro about ending the IDW-verse. It wasn’t about poor sales it was about closing a long enjoyed universe.
Magnus in Rom vs Transformers was never intended to be Minimus. While the early issues seemed like the contradicted MTMTE/LL they were red herrings.
Arcee and Galvatron weren’t originally siblings from the start. John saw her age and saw previous interactions with her and decided to do it.
The falling was planned out with Onyx and shockwave for years.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1972997)
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 21st, 2018 @ 3:07pm CDT
See I read stuff like this a lot, regarding comics in general. People always saying how "hard" is it to get into comics, "where to start?" etc
For someone who has read comics for around three decades, the answer is very simple: just pick a book you like the look of and start reading. I'll give you an example, the first issue of Uncanny X-Men I ever bought was #314. Wherein Emma Frost possesses Iceman and runs amok before discovering her previous students were all dead. I had no context for any of that, But, I liked what I read so I kept reading. Filling in the blanks over time.
Most comics have been going for decades and the trick is, no one expects you to have encyclopedic knowledge of all of it. Batman for example, has been going since longer than most fans of anything from the 80's have been alive. Now they may reference an issue from that time, but they don't expect you to read it.
I'm only reading MTMTE/LL and RiD/OP through the part work, that is skipping over issues to cover big arcs. Yet I don't have trouble following it. If there is a reference I don't get, either it will be explained further down the line or it won't. The latter isn't a deal breaker. As long as you enjoy what you read and it makes sense to you, even out of context, it doesn't matter what issue you buy.
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on July 21st, 2018 @ 3:07pm CDT
Randomhero wrote:So I’ve been reading IDW from the beginning. Comics have always been my thing so I’ve been reading from day one and I’m always baffled by th idea of people picking up the comics at at certain points. You said you started with essentially season two of MTMTE so I gotta ask, was it confusing at all when they made fereferencing to stuff you hadn’t read?! James and John have always been referencing so I’ve wondered did you ever get confused at all?
See I read stuff like this a lot, regarding comics in general. People always saying how "hard" is it to get into comics, "where to start?" etc
For someone who has read comics for around three decades, the answer is very simple: just pick a book you like the look of and start reading. I'll give you an example, the first issue of Uncanny X-Men I ever bought was #314. Wherein Emma Frost possesses Iceman and runs amok before discovering her previous students were all dead. I had no context for any of that, But, I liked what I read so I kept reading. Filling in the blanks over time.
Most comics have been going for decades and the trick is, no one expects you to have encyclopedic knowledge of all of it. Batman for example, has been going since longer than most fans of anything from the 80's have been alive. Now they may reference an issue from that time, but they don't expect you to read it.
I'm only reading MTMTE/LL and RiD/OP through the part work, that is skipping over issues to cover big arcs. Yet I don't have trouble following it. If there is a reference I don't get, either it will be explained further down the line or it won't. The latter isn't a deal breaker. As long as you enjoy what you read and it makes sense to you, even out of context, it doesn't matter what issue you buy.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1973264)
Posted by william-james88 on July 23rd, 2018 @ 8:57am CDT
Posted by william-james88 on July 23rd, 2018 @ 8:57am CDT
We now have an image of Cover B from artist Sara Pitre-Durocher, for Transformers: Optimus Prime #22 Cover B. She shared it on Twitter and you can read her tweet below.
This is the big finale to the current Shockwave centered arc which ties directly with the Unicron event which will probably end all IDW continuity as we know it.
This is the big finale to the current Shockwave centered arc which ties directly with the Unicron event which will probably end all IDW continuity as we know it.
Optimus Prime #22—Cover A: Kei Zama
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a) • Kei Zama (c)
END OF THE ROAD! Trapped between Shockwave’s attack and Unicron’s onslaught, Optimus and the Autobots struggle to make sense of what’s left of their world. Shockwave reveals ancient truths—as an old friend tries to reconnect with Cybertron.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Optimus Prime #22—Cover B: Sara Pitre-Durocher
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a & c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1973431)
Posted by steve2275 on July 23rd, 2018 @ 5:57pm CDT
Posted by steve2275 on July 23rd, 2018 @ 5:57pm CDT
doing it with style
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1973442)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 23rd, 2018 @ 6:23pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on July 23rd, 2018 @ 6:23pm CDT
What's kinda funny about RiD/TF/OP is that the whole thing is basically the same book but with 3 different names, like MTMTE/LL. And considering both are 1 long narrative, both will end with more issues to them than the original US Marvel run, which is very impressive.
Also, with what Shockwave has done, it still raises a few questions for me:
1) The Matrix. Where, why, how does this fit in with everything being made up?
2) Shockwave didn't know anything about the colonies before he got sent back in time, so how did he know which planets would host colonies?
3) Shockwave, the Maximals, and Unicron. Connection please.
4) How did Galvatron know OnxyWave was coming? How did he know what was going to happen?
5) more Unicron, but still applies here: 13th colony?
6) Poor Scoop. He's super dead Jim.
7) If OP and BB are simply data, does that really mean they still have sparks? it sounds like resurrection is a bit too easy, unless sparks can survive being turned into pure data and somehow reignited. Wholly possible I know, but a bit funky.
Also, with what Shockwave has done, it still raises a few questions for me:
1) The Matrix. Where, why, how does this fit in with everything being made up?
2) Shockwave didn't know anything about the colonies before he got sent back in time, so how did he know which planets would host colonies?
3) Shockwave, the Maximals, and Unicron. Connection please.
4) How did Galvatron know OnxyWave was coming? How did he know what was going to happen?
5) more Unicron, but still applies here: 13th colony?
6) Poor Scoop. He's super dead Jim.
7) If OP and BB are simply data, does that really mean they still have sparks? it sounds like resurrection is a bit too easy, unless sparks can survive being turned into pure data and somehow reignited. Wholly possible I know, but a bit funky.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1973480)
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 23rd, 2018 @ 7:53pm CDT
Heh. Mine was #307, where they play some football, and Scott and Jean make an announcement.
Posted by Ironhidensh on July 23rd, 2018 @ 7:53pm CDT
AllNewSuperRobot wrote:For someone who has read comics for around three decades, the answer is very simple: just pick a book you like the look of and start reading. I'll give you an example, the first issue of Uncanny X-Men I ever bought was #314. Wherein Emma Frost possesses Iceman and runs amok before discovering her previous students were all dead. I had no context for any of that, But, I liked what I read so I kept reading. Filling in the blanks over time.
Heh. Mine was #307, where they play some football, and Scott and Jean make an announcement.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1973687)
Posted by Ms. Trebuchette on July 24th, 2018 @ 1:32pm CDT
Posted by Ms. Trebuchette on July 24th, 2018 @ 1:32pm CDT
Just popping in to say, after having re-read exRID #44 (Aileron's first appearance) straight through to OP #21, both of Arcee and Aileron's character arcs have been building to that moment and their friendship (and feelings for each) really starts to kick off in OP#8. <3 <3 <3
It's also really easy to see a whole new subtext as to why Aileron was such a basket case during First Strike (OP#11&12) which doesn't payoff entirely until OP#15.
As a re-read, Arcee and Aileron and the REAL B plot of whole "The Falling" arc.
The A Plot is obviously the "falling" of the entire belief of Cybertronians.
The B Plot is Arcee and Aileron falling for each other, literally and figuratively and it happens throughout the whole arc leading up to OP#21.
Re-reading Aileron's narration in OP#17 is almost like reading a love poem now.
I'm dying to see the fallout from both the kiss and everyone's least favorite time-traveling furry's plan to kill belief in OP#22.
From the 5-page preview from Unicron #2, it doesn't really seem like Aileron minded too much.
It's also really easy to see a whole new subtext as to why Aileron was such a basket case during First Strike (OP#11&12) which doesn't payoff entirely until OP#15.
As a re-read, Arcee and Aileron and the REAL B plot of whole "The Falling" arc.
The A Plot is obviously the "falling" of the entire belief of Cybertronians.
The B Plot is Arcee and Aileron falling for each other, literally and figuratively and it happens throughout the whole arc leading up to OP#21.
Re-reading Aileron's narration in OP#17 is almost like reading a love poem now.
I'm dying to see the fallout from both the kiss and everyone's least favorite time-traveling furry's plan to kill belief in OP#22.
From the 5-page preview from Unicron #2, it doesn't really seem like Aileron minded too much.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1975976)
Posted by Va'al on August 2nd, 2018 @ 3:07am CDT
Posted by Va'al on August 2nd, 2018 @ 3:07am CDT
We have three more previews of IDW Publishing Transformers comics, coming from both the publisher themselves and regular outlet iTunes for the one included below to begin with - a three page preview for the ongoing series Optimus Prime and its issue #22, as we lead towards the Unicron event already starting in its own mini-series.
Check out the three mirrored pages below, featuring art by Sara Pitre-Durocher, and prepare for the full issue out soon.
Check out the three mirrored pages below, featuring art by Sara Pitre-Durocher, and prepare for the full issue out soon.
Description
END OF THE ROAD! Trapped between Shockwave’s attack and Unicron’s onslaught, Optimus and the Autobots struggle to make sense of what’s left of their world. Shockwave reveals ancient truths—as an old friend tries to reconnect with Cybertron.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1975978)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 2nd, 2018 @ 3:15am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 2nd, 2018 @ 3:15am CDT
Is it me or does bee look even shorter there?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976009)
Posted by Randomhero on August 2nd, 2018 @ 8:43am CDT
Posted by Randomhero on August 2nd, 2018 @ 8:43am CDT
It’s available at IDW too
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976082)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 2nd, 2018 @ 4:56pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 2nd, 2018 @ 4:56pm CDT
I'm liking the fact that we are coming back to the dreams OP had in All Hail Optimus
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976201)
Posted by Va'al on August 3rd, 2018 @ 5:37am CDT
Posted by Va'al on August 3rd, 2018 @ 5:37am CDT
Courtesy of both IDW Publishing's website and artist Kei Zama on Twitter, we have the full cover reveal for Cover A of the upcoming Optimus Prime #23 issue of the ongoing Transformers comics series, which features, as you can see below, the Junkion rulers Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar, along with background Sharkticons.
Also included below, thanks to Zama, are the lineart for the cover, the initial sketches and pencils, and a reminder of the concept designs for both Junkion leaders. Check it all out!
Also included below, thanks to Zama, are the lineart for the cover, the initial sketches and pencils, and a reminder of the concept designs for both Junkion leaders. Check it all out!
The battle against Unicron forces Optimus Prime’s colonist soldiers to contend with a brutal reality—they have no homes to return to. But when they make a move against Trypticon, the human-controlled home of the next generation of Cybertronians… can the end be far behind?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976972)
Posted by Va'al on August 7th, 2018 @ 2:40am CDT
Posted by Va'al on August 7th, 2018 @ 2:40am CDT
The first of our full previews for upcoming IDW Publishing Transformers comics this Tuesday comes in the form of Optimus Prime #22, running to catch up to the Unicron event in the overall scheduling, and sort of sliding in both before and just after the first issues of that mini-series.
Check it out below, and head back for a review here on Seibertron.com once the book is released!
Check it out below, and head back for a review here on Seibertron.com once the book is released!
Optimus Prime #22—Cover A: Kei Zama
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a) • Kei Zama (c)
END OF THE ROAD! Trapped between Shockwave’s attack and Unicron’s onslaught, Optimus and the Autobots struggle to make sense of what’s left of their world. Shockwave reveals ancient truths—as an old friend tries to reconnect with Cybertron.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Optimus Prime #22—Cover B: Sara Pitre-Durocher
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a & c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
Variant cover by Kei Zama!
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976981)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 7th, 2018 @ 3:40am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 7th, 2018 @ 3:40am CDT
Poor cliffjumper, he never gets a break.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976988)
Posted by Deadput on August 7th, 2018 @ 7:01am CDT
Yeah besides the occasional background cameo Cliff sure was forgotten by idw after the death of op issue.
Sigh I remember spotlight Cliffjumper which makes me all the sadder.
Posted by Deadput on August 7th, 2018 @ 7:01am CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Poor cliffjumper, he never gets a break.
Yeah besides the occasional background cameo Cliff sure was forgotten by idw after the death of op issue.
Sigh I remember spotlight Cliffjumper which makes me all the sadder.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1976996)
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 7th, 2018 @ 7:27am CDT
Posted by ZeroWolf on August 7th, 2018 @ 7:27am CDT
Although..
Wasn't he one of the ones who died in the movie?
Wasn't he one of the ones who died in the movie?
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1977016)
Posted by Big Grim on August 7th, 2018 @ 9:55am CDT
Posted by Big Grim on August 7th, 2018 @ 9:55am CDT
Nope, he survived with Jazz, Bumblebee and Spike.
Re: Review of IDW Transformers Optimus Prime #21 (1977241)
Posted by Va'al on August 8th, 2018 @ 3:32am CDT
Synopsis
END OF THE ROAD! Trapped between Shockwave’s attack and Unicron’s onslaught, Optimus and the Autobots struggle to make sense of what’s left of their world. Shockwave reveals ancient truths—as an old friend tries to reconnect with Cybertron.
just, generally
Story
The Falling is over, now comes the fallout. As we pick up the pieces of what took place during the latest story arc in the Optimus Prime ongoing, we also finally connect to the story continuing over in the mini-series that is the Unicron event finale - even with the lateness and repercussions that this has, more so than previously in this book specifically.
err.. surprise?
Other than the return of both Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, with the former's troubled and questioning ethical and personal issues about how the entire universe may be right in not being that happy with him or Cybertron after all, both being utterly spoiled by now by the Unicron book, there are some interesting aspects of returning characters and intersecting universes that work well in the issue.
heads up: recap puns
In particular, we get to see how Rom is involved in the situation at hand (before the events of Unicron #0), along with many of the other characters previously seen in the Hasbro Universe and still/back on Earth since they were last shown in the series in recent months. And, for someone who mildly enjoyed the titular series, there was some stand out, emotional beats that entirely justify the inclusion in the story.
...
There are other peaks in terms of how the extremely large cast is being placed in relation with one another. Pyra Magna in particular leans even further into her role, as played pretty much against every major Cybertronian - something that will continue in Unicron - Bumblebee being used as exposition in the best way possible, and Optimus pretty much just taking it all in for the whole book, his silence actually quite tangible.
Art
Sara Pitre Durocher is the sole artist on the issue this time, and her work on the eyes of the characters (as well as what seems to be thicker inks, to me) is what stands out in particular on the page. From the very opening of Optimus' awakening, running through several close-ups, the layouts bring us closer and closer in to the story and how it's affecting the characters
starting point
I am still impressed by how much of the series' tone has been given by the tonalities that Josh Burcham brings to his colours, which mark it as its own unique thing even when different artists are concerned, and this issue is no exception to that. With the multiple different settings and scenarios, the lighting strikes just right, and some on staff didn't even realise the artist had changed again!
cold
As for the lettering from Tom B. Long, we only have a couple of particularly visible elements of font work, but the script is one of those exceptions to Barber's style which don't take captions to tell the story, and rather rely on dialogue - meaning that the job may not be as striking, but the careful laying out of the speech bubbles is meticulously done, and precisely on point.
In terms of covers, you can find all three in full size in our database entry, but the Pitre-Durocher one in the thumbnail in particular highlights my point about this book's character focus, while the Zama/Burcham main variant dwells on the story.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
What initially seemed to be mostly exposition, as I pointed out above with Bumblebee, and as is partially also true with Shockwave, is also deployed by Barber really quite effectively as it sets in motion a number of cogs that the book itself remarks upon, though quite subtly, and it's probably the most intriguing hook from an issue that would otherwise be utterly flattened by knowing the general conclusion - and which may be the sole biggest fault of the book.
*curses against scheduling*
On the other, very positive hand, it was a pleasure to see how Rom and other Hasbro Universe characters and storylines are being brought in finally without it feeling like a strain. Dinobots, Jazz, the Council and Marissa, Trypticon, the colonists on Earth - all pieces being set up for the next in the game, which OP's removal from the conversation actually shows how much his presence can be a hindrance to their development. (That sentence itself may have foreshadowing hues on what is left of this story.)
Posted by Va'al on August 8th, 2018 @ 3:32am CDT
...fallen?
(Spoiler free-ish)
(Spoiler free-ish)
Synopsis
END OF THE ROAD! Trapped between Shockwave’s attack and Unicron’s onslaught, Optimus and the Autobots struggle to make sense of what’s left of their world. Shockwave reveals ancient truths—as an old friend tries to reconnect with Cybertron.
just, generally
Story
The Falling is over, now comes the fallout. As we pick up the pieces of what took place during the latest story arc in the Optimus Prime ongoing, we also finally connect to the story continuing over in the mini-series that is the Unicron event finale - even with the lateness and repercussions that this has, more so than previously in this book specifically.
err.. surprise?
Other than the return of both Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, with the former's troubled and questioning ethical and personal issues about how the entire universe may be right in not being that happy with him or Cybertron after all, both being utterly spoiled by now by the Unicron book, there are some interesting aspects of returning characters and intersecting universes that work well in the issue.
heads up: recap puns
In particular, we get to see how Rom is involved in the situation at hand (before the events of Unicron #0), along with many of the other characters previously seen in the Hasbro Universe and still/back on Earth since they were last shown in the series in recent months. And, for someone who mildly enjoyed the titular series, there was some stand out, emotional beats that entirely justify the inclusion in the story.
...
There are other peaks in terms of how the extremely large cast is being placed in relation with one another. Pyra Magna in particular leans even further into her role, as played pretty much against every major Cybertronian - something that will continue in Unicron - Bumblebee being used as exposition in the best way possible, and Optimus pretty much just taking it all in for the whole book, his silence actually quite tangible.
Art
Sara Pitre Durocher is the sole artist on the issue this time, and her work on the eyes of the characters (as well as what seems to be thicker inks, to me) is what stands out in particular on the page. From the very opening of Optimus' awakening, running through several close-ups, the layouts bring us closer and closer in to the story and how it's affecting the characters
starting point
I am still impressed by how much of the series' tone has been given by the tonalities that Josh Burcham brings to his colours, which mark it as its own unique thing even when different artists are concerned, and this issue is no exception to that. With the multiple different settings and scenarios, the lighting strikes just right, and some on staff didn't even realise the artist had changed again!
cold
As for the lettering from Tom B. Long, we only have a couple of particularly visible elements of font work, but the script is one of those exceptions to Barber's style which don't take captions to tell the story, and rather rely on dialogue - meaning that the job may not be as striking, but the careful laying out of the speech bubbles is meticulously done, and precisely on point.
In terms of covers, you can find all three in full size in our database entry, but the Pitre-Durocher one in the thumbnail in particular highlights my point about this book's character focus, while the Zama/Burcham main variant dwells on the story.
Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead
What initially seemed to be mostly exposition, as I pointed out above with Bumblebee, and as is partially also true with Shockwave, is also deployed by Barber really quite effectively as it sets in motion a number of cogs that the book itself remarks upon, though quite subtly, and it's probably the most intriguing hook from an issue that would otherwise be utterly flattened by knowing the general conclusion - and which may be the sole biggest fault of the book.
*curses against scheduling*
On the other, very positive hand, it was a pleasure to see how Rom and other Hasbro Universe characters and storylines are being brought in finally without it feeling like a strain. Dinobots, Jazz, the Council and Marissa, Trypticon, the colonists on Earth - all pieces being set up for the next in the game, which OP's removal from the conversation actually shows how much his presence can be a hindrance to their development. (That sentence itself may have foreshadowing hues on what is left of this story.)
. - out of
- out of 
