Once again, Seibertron.com is bringing you exclusive content first. This time, we got an chance to review the upcoming IDW Publishing release of Transformers Ongoing #1, the newest Transformers story arc to be published by the comic book producing company.
WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Written by Mike Costa and heralding the return to the Transformers Universe for fan favorite artist Don Figueroa, Transformers Ongoing #1 is everything that the Transformers catch phrase "More than Meets the Eye" encompasses.
It is two years after the end of the Great War. The human race spends its time rebuilding Earth from all the destruction unwillingly brought upon it by the Transformers, refusing the help of Optimus Prime and his band of Autobots, instead forcing them into hiding. Though it is believed that Megatron is dead, Optimus Prime feels that the Autobots must remain on Earth to protect it from any possible Decepticon attack. But the only threat that seems to confront the Cybertronian warriors is not that of the Decepticons, but of the humans!
Led by Major Spike Witwicky, the human force known as Skywatch has only one mission objective: apprehend and deactivate all Transformers.
One thing that I can tell you for certain is this: none of the previews that you have seen for this first installment of the Ongoing Series will prepare you for the outcome. Mike Costa and the team at IDW Publishing are taking our beloved Robots in Disguise into a completely new era to the likes of which we have never thought of. The story presented by Mr. Costa captures the true essence of the Transformers being, albeit from the Autobot perspective, and adds a twist that may leave you scratching your head saying "What?!".
As a Transformers fan before anything, I can say this: This story may leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. I can see that IDW is trying to venture out of the norm, away from the usual Autobot VS. Decepticon battle after battle, but if you're the type of fan that doesn't like being taken out of your "Transformers comfort zone", Transformers Ongoing may not be right for you.
Aside from the story, the new art style being used is also a hard pill to swallow, as evidenced by the ongoing debates right here on Seibertron.com's forums. The fusion between the G1 remeniscent Classicsverse and the newer style Movieverse Transformers seems to take the worst of both styles and mashes them together. The one problem that I see, and many Seibertronians here seem to agree, is that the facial construction of the Transformers makes it look like all of them are evil, regardless of faction. I don't know if Don got bit by the "Twilight" bug, but I just don't get some of the Transformers looking more like "Cullens" than Cybertronians, and this is coming from a fan who loves his Transformers art. To say that this book is different is far from an understatement.
Its great to see the presence of some fan favorites such as Prowl, Wheeljack and Hot Rod but painful to see the demise of a hero in Ironhide. Even a popular Stunticon makes an appearance in a very popular Classicsverse alt mode. It seems like Mike and Don really tried to connect with the hardcore G1 fanbase with the presence of so many of the original Transformers, but may lose them with such a radical take on their forward direction.
Overall, the book makes for a very interesting read. This isn't your old school Transformers kiddies, this is a whole new era, seperate from the Transformers of yesteryear and the current movieverse. Be prepared to accept a new universe, a new direction and a new style of Transformers.
Transformers Ongoing #1 is due to hit news stands this Wednesday November 18th, 2009. Prepare to have your perspective on the Autobots and Decepticons Transformed.
See Also ...
Transformers: Ongoing
Transformers: Ongoing #1
I can wrap my head around people not like the faces. Maybe it's because I'm absolutely biased and I have been a fan of Don's work since his fan fiction days but I don't mind the faces. Hell, I'm thinking of using that double page spread as a sig.
