IDW First Strike #5 Variant Covers by Duenas, Fabbri / Kubina, Manco #HasbroFirstStrike

Big Grim wrote:Ugh, they really cannot draw the masks, can they. The original worked. That does not look like any version of Viper I've known.

All the Masks got redesigned in the IDW continuity.

I feel like a massive douche about putting down the pushups thing now. Apparently it's a real thing that happens. https://twitter.com/MairghreadScott/sta ... 5095305216

ScottyP wrote:I feel like a massive douche about putting down the pushups thing now. Apparently it's a real thing that happens. https://twitter.com/MairghreadScott/sta ... 5095305216

That is fascinating (and horrifying) - but it doesn't change my opinion of the reading, unfortunately.
The way in which Scarlett and Optimus are tied in the issue still falls a little short of what it could be, especially with his presence constantly being played down by the actual characters around him such as Elita, Windblade, Starscream - even Ironhide's defense recognises he's an old dude out of his element.


Personally, I'm not a fan of the very US-based military narrative that runs in a lot of the comics we see coming out of Hasbro universe (and I realise that's a lot, and I realise it happens in such wider comics circles too - we commented upon it with John Barber way back in our first interview with him on the Twincast). It may have kicked those sensors in my brain, and made it feel ..meh.

That said, I am hopeful for a pick up in the next issue, leading to the finale.

I'll be honest, I don't really get a "'Murica" vibe. Unless you're referring to Colton being a white baby boomer who appropriates German iconography who thinks foreigners are ruining his home. Of course, we also have Elita being a political candidate who paints an entire group of people as dangerous criminals.

I feel there's something kinda meta about the fact that all the Cybertronians brush the humans off as not being a substantial threat, considering that that idea has been one of the most common criticisms I've seen naysayers of Revolution/First Strike bring up.

One thing I don't get in regards to Scarlett's monologue is how it doesn't line up with IDW Joe history. The Joes aren't a group of wash-outs. In fact, they're usually the best of the best. And Hawk recruited her, not Colton.

Coming to us via iTunes, we have the three page preview for the penultimate issue in the First Strike event! Keeping right on schedule, this issue will be released on October 11th, after which we invite you all to spacebridge back to the Energon Pub Forums to discuss it!

Prison Break! After a daring escape, Optimus Prime, the Autobots, Scarlett, G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. must venture into the heart of Cybertron to stop Cobra’s devastating weapon that will kill every Transformer on the planet!

WreckerJack wrote:Pyra looks so sad on the cover I don't follow this series normally but I wish I knew what's going on on that cover. Prime doesn't look so good himself.

While covers aren't always a reliable source for what goes on inside the book, my guess is that Pyra Magna, Optimus, and the rest of the figures on the cover have fallen to Ironblood/Colton, and it's up to Scarlett to stop him.

Hell, Fat Tankor has featured on more than one cover in this series for some reason despite having I think all of one panel. Covers are usually weird, but they get extremely moreso during crossovers.

Also via iTunes is a three-page preview at another of the tie-in one-shot comics for the Hasbro Universe First Strike event: Optimus Prime! Bringing back characters from the Revolutionaries series (which just ended this week, by release if not narratively), check out the opening scenes below.

With Cybertron under siege by Baron Ironblood's forces, Optimus Prime and Arcee defend their homeland! Caught in the middle is the human/Transformer team known as the Revolutionaries—and one of them has a secret that puts everyone at risk!

Also directly from IDW Publishing is the full preview of next week's First Strike #5, the penultimate issue in the Hasbro Universe crossover event, collecting Transformers, GI Joe, MASK, Micronauts and ROM, with Revolutionaries playing a major part plot-wise! Check it out below.

First Strike #5
Mairghread Scott & David Rodriguez (w) • Max Dunbar (a) • Freddie E. Williams II (c)
Prison Break! After a daring escape, Optimus Prime, the Autobots, Scarlett, G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. must venture into the heart of Cybertron to stop Cobra’s devastating weapon that will kill every Transformer on the planet!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The Hasbro comic book event of 2017 continues!
It’s a race against time as Cobra reaches their goal! Can our heroes catch up? Or is Cybertron doomed?
Filled with the action, drama and humor you’ve come to expect!
Variant covers by Jay Fosgitt, Davide Fabbri, Leonardo Manco, and Whilce Portacio!

Big Grim wrote:I totally read Primes last word bubble in Cullens's voice...

The first clause sounds like a young, bright, 1985 Peter Cullen line while the second sounds like a grim, stern TLK line ><