Rattrap in RID... the problem there is that he'll most likely be in his Transmetal "rattletrap on wheels" form, and not his more fitting BW "Sumatra giant rat" form. At least Sky-Byte got turned into a sub and that worked out all right. Eh, bearing some hope. It's Rattrap, I love him!
Sub? Sky-Byte is a shark. The official explanation is that he got his alt-mode from a world with flying shark-like creatures. And as Yggdrasil pointed out, Rattrap is indeed a rat, so it's probably the same kind of thing.
Come to think of it yeah it seems that it could be a Megatron having a FOC Grimlock body. Suddenly I can see what the Thrilling 30 Megatron is being made for... Oh ok. I don't know much about RID to be honest.
In fairness, Metalhawk actually became a significant character, but I do feel like RID has cruised a lot on "Hey look! It's (insert name here) next issue!!" Yes, it looks like we're getting Star Saber in MTMTE, but I don't find that counterintuitive at all... the Circle of Light and the Knights of Cybertron seem to run with a Japan TF vibe, and I feel like Star Saber's appearance will be relevant. Rattrap (and Skybyte for that matter) don't feel so relevant. I mean, sure it's nice that they're sending a shout-out to the Beast Wars and RID fans, but but it really feels like IDW's RID tends toward more superficial sensationalism. Grimlock is a different case entirely, since he was long established in IDW's continuity, and his fate had been the subject of much speculation. It's not like he was just getting parachuted in... he seems to be part of an ongoing (if mysterious) plot. I will totally call bullshit on the cover for that issue though, with Grimlock going all John Rambo on those genericons. That was just weak. Not true. Sky-Byte was announced before his appearance in the series, to generate a little publicity flutter. Not a big deal of course... probably no different than this mention of Rattrap. Skids is a native G1 character that historically nobody cares about. Your argument kind of falls flat there. All of those characters, particularly Fort Max, Overlord and Grimlock (and Star Saber by faint implication), are already imbricated into the fabric of IDW's ongoing universe, most especially the events unfolding in MTMTE. Setting aside the fact that MTMTE is actually just much, much, much better than RID, it's also just a different issue entirely, compared to throwing fan favourite characters from other lines into the series to create a flash, and then going nowhere with it. Like I said earlier, Metalhawk actually became a major player, and I think that's fine. Maybe Rattrap will as well... but the lingering smell of Sky-Byte's "special guest nobody" appearance does make one a bit cynical, considering that his contribution to the series amounts to no more than any number of throwaway cameos we've had along the way. I'm not twisting anything, just making a prediction. Also, I'm under no obligation to give RID a "fair break"... I've been on board for the duration, and bought every issue. I've been more than fair. The truth of the matter is that RID has (in my opinion) consistently disappointed, while MTMTE consistently impresses. In that regard MTMTE has earned all of its passes, while RID has not. It's not a question of "guilty or innocent". It's simply the fact that one series is just not as good. Obviously promotion is promotion... if a character gets a paintjob in a new issue, someone will likely try to turn that into a selling point. But like i said, based on past experience with this title, I'm expecting something superfluous... even gratuitous with Rattrap. Who's twisting now? Nobody's commenting on the solicits... we all know that's shilling drivel. What we're commenting on is whether we predict that these upcoming stories will deliver the goods. Not one bit of that makes any sense. It is PERFECTLY sensible to pre-judge an upcoming comic based on our experience with the title, the writer, and the way it's shaping up in the promotions. After a year and a half following this series, I think we have some sense of what to expect. At this point, if I go in with my expectations realistically lowered, I only stand a better chance of being pleasantly surprised. This notion that everyone has to manufacture some kind of appearance of enthusiasm in order to show support for the product, or even to properly enjoy things in life, is absurd. But maybe you're right. Maybe we should all just lower our standards, and assume everything coming our way will be golden. This might be true.. though the history of Beast Wars comics says otherwise. Maybe we're just at that magical focal point, when the Beast generation is just old enough to start sucking back on the fumes of nostalgia like the G1 old-timers. I'm fine with Beast Wars being its own thing, but I don't find that it mixes well with G1 stylings. Honestly, I don't really mind if a few of the characters slip in (along with some of the others from other series... Lockdown, Metalhawk, Lugnut, Dai Atlas, etc.. ), as long as they are integrated into the setting well, and written interestingly. But if it's just a matter of "Hey look! Beast Wars!!"... well... Only if you give a shit about Beast Wars. I really don't. Rattrap was one of the more entertaining characters in the series, but while I realize others may feel differently, I don't really have any need/desire to see any of those characters ever again. You noticed that too, eh? I had exactly the same question when I enlarged that picture. I'd always assumed that the "cockpits" on Cybertronian modes were probably just sensor hubs or something. Now that we've seen a wide array of alien races (humanoid or otherwise) of various sizes in IDW, the presence of tiny seats does seem a bit questionable. zmog
You guys are absolutely right. I just threw my credibility right out the window with a post that was more based on personal feelings and false memories thant it was on facts (and totally drawing a blank when the very series I claim to do it better actually has the biggest offender: Overlord!). So yeah, I'd like to apologize for that. I just rechecked past solicits of both series' past issues (lol) and both comics don't really use the tactic a lot, or one more than the other. Some more replies to some of the things said. Not going to twist my own words, backpedaling, anything. I am wrong - but here's some clarifications. I'm not opposed to stunting with character introductions. It's a common (and smart) tactic to raise further interest in your book, and companies have been doing it for ages. Mind that I never used the word 'awful'. However, that kind of tactic has a downside: it's commonly used to promote books that just aren't very good. Look no further than what Marvel and DC have been doing for years (book needs a boost? Put Wolverine in it!), and what it has lead to: I can never seem to find a comic book by those two anymore that isn't one big chain of character introductions, shock value pageturners and all-star crossover events, all in the way of proper storytelling. The original point that I was trying to make (very poorly, and now useless since I've already been proven wrong) was that apparently MTMTE doesn't need to rely on that tactic to do well, while RID does - which is a reflection of my opinion on both books' content: MTMTE IS riding on the success of the writer's previous effort, Last Stand of the Wreckers, but apart from that is mostly quality writing which has turned virtual nobodies into fan-favorite characters (Rodimus' chain of command excluded, of course). RID on the other hand feels -to me- like a continuous chain of both high tier and obscure fan-favorite characters (and Turmoil) being airdropped in, which makes sense from a story perspective (every Cybertronian is coming home), but I don't feel has been handled very well at all, with most characters being absolutely boring or mishandled. But again: I was wrong in claiming that the solicitations do that - because they don't, really. I don't feel I'm 100% prejudging the content of a comic not out for four months. I'm basing my feelings on how this book has previously handled such introductions, which worries me. My 'complaints' (which really is too harsh a word, but I know the internet/written text has a way of making it look like what you're saying is super-serious ) are with how this series overall is relying on character introductions, not on substance - and how I thought that was being reflected in the way they try to sell this book. But again, I've been proven wrong on that. If a book is good, it's good. I have no problem picking up issues of this comic, but being burned by RID before (after continuing to support it financially for a long time, just hoping it would get better), it's no longer an impulse buy for me, and I'll wait for some reviews before I decide to pick up new issues. This series is probably not for me - and more power to the people who are in love with RID, because that way, with two consecutive series, everybody gets what they want -, but you can be sure I'll buy and read any RID issue if it's good, whether it keeps throwing in new characters into the mix or not. I'm not sure if the introduction of Waspinator, Rattrap and BW Megatron (good catch Knightdramon!!) is because fans wanted it, you're probably right that it simply connects with what Hasbro is doing toywise. We've been told from numerous interviews that Hasbro is actually pretty laidback when it comes to demanding things in the IDW comics, but that doesn't mean they won't request stuff - especially since the strength of franchises is more and more determined not just by a good quality main product, but by the overall experience (in Hasbro's case: not just the toys...but the movies, cartoons and comics as well). In order to get maximum success/awareness/profit, they probably want(ed) to align all their products. That's why there's the 'aligned' continuity, and probably why upcoming Generations deluxes will have interconnected comics. And how about the current event in the Transformers Legends card game, that connects back to Beast Hunters? We've already seen that BW Megatron is getting a toy, and Waspinator we've seen as at least a targetmaster for Cyberverse Starscream, after being present in Spotlight: Thundercracker (and upcoming RID issue). I have the feeling there will be more Beast Wars era products coming from Hasbro in the upcoming line. And right now it makes perfect sense to use them in the comic's story. I am vocal about my disappointment in John Barber's writing, but I will admit this right away: the man is really really really really really really REALLY good at finding creative ways to tie things together - there's a reason he has a good reputation: he took the mess that was the movie comics universe and made it into a coherent whole. John Barber = continuity god. I have the feeling he will tie it all together into something bigger. Do I want to stay around and actually read those comics? I dunno...but the idea he will come up with will probably be good in theory. My guesses for now: 1.Ironhide's vision of the future will not come to pass, and the future will be ruled by techno-organic development. 2.Ironhide's vision WILL come true, and the mechanical Transformers will move to Gorlam Prime, while Cybertron is slowly turning into a techno-organic world (thanks to the reset, and the influx of NAILS who have evolved into different shapes than the 'regular' Autobots and Decepticons). Since I was busy checking up facts I got wrong for the solicitations, I found out a couple ones that mention that Cybertron will change and evolve (like RID #11 'The next stage of Cybertronian evolution begins here!'). Hinting to Megatron's plan of turning everybody into combiners? Or hinting at something else? It is. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing characters I like. That was never the problem for me.
Anyone recognize the other guy in the background of the cover of RiD (the guy climbing a ladder, opposite Rattrap). MtMtE can't come soon enough.
He no longer a Decepticon. Screamer basically tore off the glass over his cockpit because it had the Decepticon's insignia. RID #16
Metalhawk and Megatron are also native to the G1 family. Digilaut complained about solicts "relying" on them, so Skids is completely fair game. See my above response. Also, seeing as how Waspinator and Rattrap haven't even shown up yet, the only character in RiD you can really say that about is Sky-Byte, who has STILL got to do more and had plenty of more lines than many other characters in the book. Good thing that wasn't solely aimed at you then, huh? As you said, that's your opinion. More power to you. SMOG... please stop arguing on others' behalf and deciding what they said and didn't say. Digilaut specifically said that "MTMTE's sollicitation often doesn't need to rely on 'hey, this guy is in it, it's awesome!' and instead relies mostly on just a synopsis of the plot." You may not have been commenting on the solicits, but then I wasn't quoting you, now was I? And no problem, Digilaut. I also apologize for maybe sounding a little harsh and snappy in that post... bad habit of mine.
IDW is doing more with unknown and relatively minor characters now is why I love them. Skids, poor guy is going have rough moments in the near future. Yeah he is definite fair game.
Also, I really don't think that guy in the background is BW Megatron. But... it really does look like him... and... AUGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE
I heard this theory on The Allspark on who the guy besides Rattrap and Starscream on the cover is. Spoiler It's Scoop. Who other than Scrapper transforms like that. And he has the red Autobot lines.
Put your window back on, for goodness sake, Starscream. Your seats are hanging out! Cover your shame!
