While the issue came out last week, we were only able to review it now. Only Spoilers ahead.
I will start by saying that as with the previous issues, I did not find this to be all that good. It was not terrible, but there was very little in it that I found worthwhile to recommend to any Beast Wars or Transformers fan.
I had found this comic series' version of Dinobot's rebellion against the Predacons to be an unwelcome change from the original idea that he is a Predacon that chooses to team with the Maxmimals more out of hatred/rivalry against Megatron and slowly leans into their ideals. Instead, here, he really is just one note. Like to a T, as you can read in the panel below. If you are wondering if there is a lead up to that panel in this comic, not really. It's like it was written by a kid. "I like honour, but my colleagues who are known to be murderous phychos don't seem to have any, maybe you do. So can I join?". This is beyond amateurish. And a formal request no less, my good sir. Is Dinobot a warrior or a senior asking a father if he can take his daughter to prom?
I did like some of the writing. Optimus has a nice moment of characterization here. As I had previously said, I don't mind changes if they make it worth my time. This version of Optimus is different and they have fun with it. I'm here for that. I would of course prefer that he only use his pop up forearm weapons in robot mode since him doing it in beast mode makes my eyes twitch, but that's just me.
After 4 issues, you'd think it would be best to just accept the art, but it is damn hard. There are shots that just highlight how odd the style is. Like this Megatron shot were his legs just go for miles. Plus I really could do without that underbite in the T-Rex head. These stylistic elements just undo any threat or presence he may have. And Nyx's Bat face is just really ugly and jarring as you can see from the picture I posted at the top.
That isn't my biggest problem with the art in this issue though, we get some really messed up scale. A big chunk of the issue is dedicated to a confrontation with a seemingly alien beast (so, are we not on Earth? We'll see) and it's size compared to the bots changes from panel to panel. It seems colossal when fighting Nyx but Dinobot looks even bigger than it in another panel. Yet, while Nyx is small, Dinobot doesn't tower over her like the beast did.
Look, if anyone out there likes this book then I am glad. It means this book found an audience. It just didn't find it with me so far. In the end, it's just average with very little to offer me.
out of This issue is out now, and you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.
