FREE STOMPIN'
Premise
As we have seen with previous news pieces, the Transformers: Robots in Disguise animated series will be accompanied by an IDW Publishing comic, featuring writing by Georgia Ball and art/colours by Priscilla Tramontano. The introductory short story will be written by senior editor John Barber, and released for Free Comic Book Day (today! 2nd May!). A preview of the first three pages of issue #0 can bee seen here - and check out our quick review below!
In hand!
Story
The foundation for the story is firmly rooted in the established status quo of the animated series, and recapped in the credits page of the issue (with art by Travis Sengaus and colours by Tramontano): Bumblebee is sent on mission to Earth by the 'spirit' of Optimus Prime, is followed by Strongarm and Sideswipe; they encounter Fixit and a crash-landed prison ship full of Decepticons, including Grimlock, now a Team Bee member. The series follows their search for the escaped prisoners, and the help they get from humans Russell and his father.
Recap! Exclamation mark!
John Barber writes a light-hearted, if initially quite perilous plot for the humans involved, as a fire threatens to destroy a park by Crown City. The Autobots track the culprit down to Decepticon Flamefeather, and attempt to contain, restrain and detain the Con, and remain hidden to the human population.
LAMEfeather
The target is obviously the same as the TV show, with similar gags (Bumblebee's unsuccessful slogans), dynamics (Strongarm and Sideswipe bickering), punchlines (anything with Grimlock) and general action sequences with the Con-of-the-week formula - but there is also quite an intriguing twist at the end, which might have some older fans interested, and the jokes (both visual and textual) work quite well on the page too.
Art
The art, both colours and linework, is by newcomer to interiors but Transformers veteran Priscilla Tramontano - and she shines, truly. The expressivity of the characters, the contrasts between backgrounds and forefront, the action sequences; everything is executed really well, and brought together in a visually appealing and exciting package, bound to interest new readers.
Oh hey Prips
The colours do very much the same job, distinguishing between almost 3D and almost 2D shades for different elements on the page, with wonderful addition of Chris Mowry's lettering bringing the sass to the spunkiest characters, and the STOMP to Grimlock, as was needed.
STOMP STOMP
There is also a fun and unexpected additional section after the RID comic, with Barber and Tom Scioli joining up for a 'comic book funnies' centerfold page, based on the Transformers vs G.I. Joe ongoing hit series. Megatron's activity corner is a treat. And some extra advertising for Combiner Wars, the continuing RID series and other IDW properties.
Thoughts
The creative teams behind this have been clear about their target and intentions, as to how the comic series will relate to and link with the TV show, and it works quite well in this introductory issue. As I said above, the humour of the show is transported successfully to the page, and bodes well for the future, with Georgia Ball taking the reins next month.
I got my optic on you, RID
It's a fun little romp (stomp?) through the surroundings of Crown City, and Tramontano's debut makes it so attractive that I'll be following the series even just out of visual interest. But that final page reveal is bound to also leave a couple of questions that the show so far does not seem to be able to do. A fun issue to pick up for free, and definitely one for the younger readers!
