Transformers: Windblade—Combiner Wars #3
Mairghread Scott (w) • Sarah Stone (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)
FINAL BATTLE! The last of the Combiners face off… but who is in control of the ultimate combiner? And who will emerge with the key to dominating the galaxy?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Bullet points:
COMBINER WARS CONCLUDES!
WINDBLADE battles for CYBERTRON—and her homeworld!
The stage is set for the next era of TRANSFORMERS greatness!
Variant Hasbro Combiner Wars poster cover
IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
Posted by Va'al
Jun 9, 2015 at 4:12am CDT
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Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by King Kuuga
Jun 9, 2015
What's the official publication date?
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Tomorrow (Wednesday 10th)!
Comment by Va'al
Jun 9, 2015
That Bot wrote:What's the official publication date?
Tomorrow (Wednesday 10th)!
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Killraven
Jun 9, 2015
I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist 

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Disappointed its not Sarah Stone, but I feel its a welcome change from Livio. Yes, it's quite cartoony.... but in a good way, in my opinion.
Seems like this is the end of Combiner Wars, aside from the aftermath and epilogue and all. Its been a pretty under-whelming series/story... unless the last issue redeems it all.
Comment by pie-man
Jun 9, 2015
Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist
Disappointed its not Sarah Stone, but I feel its a welcome change from Livio. Yes, it's quite cartoony.... but in a good way, in my opinion.
Seems like this is the end of Combiner Wars, aside from the aftermath and epilogue and all. Its been a pretty under-whelming series/story... unless the last issue redeems it all.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Killraven
Jun 9, 2015
I haven't read it yet since I wait for the trades. Then I'm a sucker and replace those w/ the nice Hardbacks they do lol. I agree about Sarah Stone also, she is an amazing artist. I always feel bad saying I don't like someone's art simply because no matter how bad I perceive it, it's still better than mine (I can't draw a straight line w/ a ruler
lol). I'm just an old school person when it comes to art, I like styles like Walter Simonson, John Byrne (from the 80's not his newer stuff), people such as that. Anyways, I'll still get it and maybe, just maybe that new style will grow on me.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Rated X
Jun 9, 2015
Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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She.
I think this jibes with Sarah Stone's style pretty well, and she is who I most associate with Windblade at this point. It is jarring after several issues of Livio's art, but I would still rather have this than another issue of stilted, muddy robot action.
Comment by MrBlack
Jun 9, 2015
Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist
She.
I think this jibes with Sarah Stone's style pretty well, and she is who I most associate with Windblade at this point. It is jarring after several issues of Livio's art, but I would still rather have this than another issue of stilted, muddy robot action.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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The comics that come with the figures suck, and I say that as an IDW fan. They often have nothing to do with the character they come packaged with, they frequently have printing errors, and they are often a single part in a larger story and make no sense read alone.
If you're a regular reader, then you already have these comics, and getting another sub-standard copy isn't much of an incentive. If you are not a regular reader, I don't see how this is supposed to entice you for all the reasons I stated above.
I'd honestly rather have the cards than the comics. If the cards actually contained tech specs or biographical info, they would make fantastic collectables.
Comment by MrBlack
Jun 9, 2015
Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.
The comics that come with the figures suck, and I say that as an IDW fan. They often have nothing to do with the character they come packaged with, they frequently have printing errors, and they are often a single part in a larger story and make no sense read alone.
If you're a regular reader, then you already have these comics, and getting another sub-standard copy isn't much of an incentive. If you are not a regular reader, I don't see how this is supposed to entice you for all the reasons I stated above.
I'd honestly rather have the cards than the comics. If the cards actually contained tech specs or biographical info, they would make fantastic collectables.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Genericon #378
Jun 9, 2015
Seems a like Swindle's biting the dust.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Genericon #378
Jun 9, 2015
Seems a like Swindle's biting the dust.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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I believe the wave 2 of deluxes contain the comics, instead of the trading card. But if I remember correctly, the comics are the lead-up to Combiner Wars (RID/TF issues that covers the search for the Enigma of Combination), rather than the current CW storyline.
Having gotten a hold of the Megatron & Bombshell cards, I agree that these are a lot cooler. The art is based on the Legends mobile game, and is fantastic. However, comics... no matter how crappy... could have been handed over to my 5-year son.
Comment by pie-man
Jun 9, 2015
Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.
I believe the wave 2 of deluxes contain the comics, instead of the trading card. But if I remember correctly, the comics are the lead-up to Combiner Wars (RID/TF issues that covers the search for the Enigma of Combination), rather than the current CW storyline.
Having gotten a hold of the Megatron & Bombshell cards, I agree that these are a lot cooler. The art is based on the Legends mobile game, and is fantastic. However, comics... no matter how crappy... could have been handed over to my 5-year son.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Because Combiner Wars comics didn't exist when they packed the wave 1 and 2 toys, so they packed in the formation of Superion and Prowlestator, while the wave 3 toys focus on the Macguffin of Combination storyline that lead up to Combiner Wars.
Comment by King Kuuga
Jun 9, 2015
Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.
Because Combiner Wars comics didn't exist when they packed the wave 1 and 2 toys, so they packed in the formation of Superion and Prowlestator, while the wave 3 toys focus on the Macguffin of Combination storyline that lead up to Combiner Wars.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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all true
Comment by steve2275
Jun 9, 2015
pie-man wrote:Rated X wrote:Why dont these combiner wars comics come with combiner wars deluxes ? Instead they insert old IDW stuff that has nothing to do with the figures. And to make it worse the pages are all mixed up with two or more totally different stories happening every other page. I dont even bother to read them.
I believe the wave 2 of deluxes contain the comics, instead of the trading card. But if I remember correctly, the comics are the lead-up to Combiner Wars (RID/TF issues that covers the search for the Enigma of Combination), rather than the current CW storyline.
Having gotten a hold of the Megatron & Bombshell cards, I agree that these are a lot cooler. The art is based on the Legends mobile game, and is fantastic. However, comics... no matter how crappy... could have been handed over to my 5-year son.
all true
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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I totally have to agree with this.
Windblade has been different from day 1 and that's one of the things I've enjoyed about the series. There is no confusion as to which book you are holding whereas the other two lines are a confused mess in terms of artwork and styles. Stone and Scott set out to make something different and they did it brilliantly and it irritates me greatly that, aside from a handful of us fans of their work, everyone else wants to radically change their styles into what has become a generic, muddled up, eye-jarring mess.
All I can say is that it brings me joy to see so many fans brought to some level of discomfort having to deal with a style that doesn't fit their selfish vision of what THEY think the TF universe should be.
But hey... just like horse-**** in a hurricane, opinions will fly and it will stink horribly all the way around.
Comment by CrankyOldTruck
Jun 9, 2015
MrBlack wrote:Killraven wrote:I really don't like that style the new artist uses. It's way too cartoony for me...it's going to be rough reading thru that on windblade if he is in fact the permanent new artist
She.
I think this jibes with Sarah Stone's style pretty well, and she is who I most associate with Windblade at this point. It is jarring after several issues of Livio's art, but I would still rather have this than another issue of stilted, muddy robot action.
I totally have to agree with this.
Windblade has been different from day 1 and that's one of the things I've enjoyed about the series. There is no confusion as to which book you are holding whereas the other two lines are a confused mess in terms of artwork and styles. Stone and Scott set out to make something different and they did it brilliantly and it irritates me greatly that, aside from a handful of us fans of their work, everyone else wants to radically change their styles into what has become a generic, muddled up, eye-jarring mess.
All I can say is that it brings me joy to see so many fans brought to some level of discomfort having to deal with a style that doesn't fit their selfish vision of what THEY think the TF universe should be.
But hey... just like horse-**** in a hurricane, opinions will fly and it will stink horribly all the way around.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
(view post)
Comment by Killraven
Jun 9, 2015
All I can say is that it brings me joy to see so many fans brought to some level of discomfort having to deal with a style that doesn't fit their selfish vision of what THEY think the TF universe should be.
Um, I don't think having a different opinion of art than you do makes me selfish in anyway. Like you, I like what I like and I dislike what I don't. I also don't recall saying my vision is what it should be. I prefer styles like Walt Simonson and early John Byrne, that is what I stated before. Maybe you should get off your high horse and be a little less insulting when you respond to others.
Um, I don't think having a different opinion of art than you do makes me selfish in anyway. Like you, I like what I like and I dislike what I don't. I also don't recall saying my vision is what it should be. I prefer styles like Walt Simonson and early John Byrne, that is what I stated before. Maybe you should get off your high horse and be a little less insulting when you respond to others.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by jogunwarrior
Jun 9, 2015
Whoa, that art is jarring. I am not a fan. I can't place exactly what it is, but I like my Transformers to look like they actually transform. I like the combiners when they look they are made up of individual robots, as opposed just a big multi-colored.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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This.
I was really looking forward to Sarah Stone to see her combiners. She makes them believable. These guys here don't look near as "combiner-ish". Maybe back in the regular art theyll look better, like if Defensor returns to the Lost Light with Milne and the others get some Griffith time.
Comment by D-Maximal_Primal
Jun 9, 2015
jogunwarrior wrote:Whoa, that art is jarring. I am not a fan. I can't place exactly what it is, but I like my Transformers to look like they actually transform. I like the combiners when they look they are made up of individual robots, as opposed just a big multi-colored.
This.
I was really looking forward to Sarah Stone to see her combiners. She makes them believable. These guys here don't look near as "combiner-ish". Maybe back in the regular art theyll look better, like if Defensor returns to the Lost Light with Milne and the others get some Griffith time.

Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by Carnivius_Prime
Jun 9, 2015
Definitely not a fan of the artwork here. Might suit something 'wacky' like Teen Titans but certainly not Transformers, or IDW's incarnation of it anyways.
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by padfoo
Jun 9, 2015
The combiners look like a bunch of people in cosplay, not good looking!
Re: IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Full Preview
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Comment by MrBlack
Jun 10, 2015
Interesting issue. I will say that Barber and Scott managed to defy my expectations regarding what this story would be, if not always in a good way.
I'll try not to make this too spoilery, but there is a big thing in the conclusion that really bothers me (on a character level, not a story-telling one).
I didn't quite expect the Prowl story to resolve the way it did, although in hindsight I don't think it could have ended any other way. I'm satisfied with that, and it shows Optimus's strength as a leader and an individual that things turned out the way they did.
I am a bit bothered by the political fallout of all of this. Having Starscream out of the picture when it comes to the planetary council is a positive thing, but the influence that Optimus is showing over the council concerns me. He claims to want a democracy, but then he allows himself to be recognized as a demi-god and uses his influence to fill the council with his lackeys. Sounds like something Starscream would do to me.
In the end, I am less satisfied with this than I was with Dark Cybertron. That story, at least, had a reason to exist in universe as opposed to just being a toy commercial. Barber did a solid lead up to this story in the ongoing series, but his careful plotting fell apart in the rush to cram as many combiners into this story as they could, no matter how illogical. The rampant coloring errors (Why are Optimus's head and limbs white in combiner mode? Why is Scoop suddenly green?) and general editorial goofs (See if you can spot Rook's head!) contributed to making this event the worst thing to come out of IDW since the series relaunch. The one positive thing to come out of Combiner Wars is that Barber and Scott have sown the seeds for a lot of potentially interesting stories. I hope that they have the room to develop these plots now that their big toy commercial event is over.
I'll try not to make this too spoilery, but there is a big thing in the conclusion that really bothers me (on a character level, not a story-telling one).
I didn't quite expect the Prowl story to resolve the way it did, although in hindsight I don't think it could have ended any other way. I'm satisfied with that, and it shows Optimus's strength as a leader and an individual that things turned out the way they did.
I am a bit bothered by the political fallout of all of this. Having Starscream out of the picture when it comes to the planetary council is a positive thing, but the influence that Optimus is showing over the council concerns me. He claims to want a democracy, but then he allows himself to be recognized as a demi-god and uses his influence to fill the council with his lackeys. Sounds like something Starscream would do to me.
In the end, I am less satisfied with this than I was with Dark Cybertron. That story, at least, had a reason to exist in universe as opposed to just being a toy commercial. Barber did a solid lead up to this story in the ongoing series, but his careful plotting fell apart in the rush to cram as many combiners into this story as they could, no matter how illogical. The rampant coloring errors (Why are Optimus's head and limbs white in combiner mode? Why is Scoop suddenly green?) and general editorial goofs (See if you can spot Rook's head!) contributed to making this event the worst thing to come out of IDW since the series relaunch. The one positive thing to come out of Combiner Wars is that Barber and Scott have sown the seeds for a lot of potentially interesting stories. I hope that they have the room to develop these plots now that their big toy commercial event is over.