Issue #4 I found to be a winner.
Issue #5 is....another winner!
In place of unbridled mayhem, we are now getting some fleshed-out character development, which IMO, is where the strength in the Transformers license will always lie.
The character moments involving Jazz in particular these past two issues have been the creme-de-la-creme of Jazz moments in
TF history. He is for once living up to his billing as a true badass, someone truly worthy of stripping the mantle of second-in-command from Mr. By-The-Book himself. Taking down Springer, a character renowned for his batlle prowess and unflapabble resolve in battle (which is on full display when he saves his crew), further sends us a message about this Jazz. You just don't mess with him.
The human moments will always lack the excitement the bots bring for me. I just haven't found these characters in any way intriguing, and the whole tough guy army routine has worn thin. I was hoping Spike really was dead, just to make things a bit exciting with the humans, but twas not to be.
As effective as the bot moments have been the last few issues, I really hope to see them take more of center stage.
Though I will say the Ratbat moment was a nice touch. Very..eerily batlike, you could say.
The dialogue, though, I have found to be the biggest strength of this series thus far. I've harped on about Simon's dialogue vs. his storytelling, so I won't belabor that point. I will only say it's been like a breath of fresh air in that department with McCarthy.
Pacing is still a tad slow for my taste in the storytelling department, but in the face of good character moments, I can forgive this. It's what was missing the first three issues, and more the reason why those issues just dragged.
Not too keen on seeing the Matrix though. Here's to hoping it does not play the role of 'major plot device' as it has in times past. Maybe it will just get chucked into a 'solar pool'?
All in all, things are looking up. I get the feeling that the payoff is going to be big come series end, particular when read as a trade.
Artwork is, again, excellent.
An "A-". Pleased with the last two or three issues.
