Wow, what a great end to the Rodimus/Getaway conflict! Sure, this issue had some problems, so I'll go over them.

First off, I have to agree with most people here in that the Cyclonus/Star Saber fight was WAY too underwhelming. I would've liked a page and a half at least instead of three short panels like that.

Also (This is a problem I have every time Roberts does this) it just takes me out of the story when Rodimus and Co. start using British and human dialect, specifically the "rubbish" and "son of a bitch" parts. I could move past these rather easily compared to let's say Ratchet saying "arse" back in MTMTE, but still it was rather annoying.

Rodimus' whole scene with sparing Getaway and dragging him out of the fire was perhaps the best part of the issue. To see how far Rodimus has come since the end of MTMTE is so satisfying for his character (Tho I will miss the blue and purple...loved it over the red and yellow).

Getaway's death was great too. I totally disagree with anyone saying it was too exaggerated, it was perfect for him. If anything, I would've liked to see Getaway show a little more fear in his death, maybe a shrill scream or two, but I'll take it.

And the Holiday Special was actually referenced! What a surprise! So proud of Daddy Whirl!

 

This issue reminds me a little of a Bay Movie, in the sense that on the first read it was like "WOO! EXCITEMENT! ViOLENCE! RESOLUTION! DEATH! COOL!!", but later your higher brain functions engage and you pick up on the flaws, problems, and pacing issues. I'm willing to chalk at least some of that up to the need to wrap-up. Then again, those grumpy that loose ends X, Y, and Z haven't been touched on yet should know there's still five issues. Just because Getaway was offed doesn't mean the story's finished yet.

Yeah the Cyclonus/Star Saber fight was quick and anticlimactic as all hell. The only way to make it less exciting would be if Cyclonus just dropped his sword in the path and SS impaled himself on it. (and then a banana peel)

While I felt the Rodimus/Getaway deal worked OK, it was also as transparently manipulative as Getaway himself. It is kinda cool to see Getaway pretty much just flailing as all his plans have fallen apart. Still, you have the whole deal of "Rodimus saves Getaway, thus displaying he's the 'bigger man' (with his colors changing back to accentuate the point) ... ... ... ... OK, now we can go ahead and kill him." I will agree the visual depiction of Getaway's death struck me as gratuitous. (though to be fair, MTMTE/LL never shied away from gruesome death imagery to rival a Bay film's "robo-gore-porn") Personally, I would've left out the close-up of scraplets chewing through Getaway's face in favor of a reaction shot or similar, for the same impact without the visceral showiness..

I'm in it to finish it.

 

compression aside, Cyclonus' kill was neat to see.

 

Star Saber's death was kinda... "meh".


But I gather that sword fights are pretty hard and consume lots and lots of panels.

 

I love how TFSource got the recolored Rodimus in stock the same day Rodimus went back to his original coloring.

 

I loved how swift Starsaber died. He was so full of himself and just ran into the trap. I cheered internally, because I was at work reading it.

 

Completely agree with this. The event itself was impactful and deserved to be. This slight modification would have made it perfect imo.

I think we have a problem with craving revenge, however much Getaway deserved his fate. I see a few people here saying they wished he’d screamed or begged more before he died. I mean, that is sadism. It’s not a question of whether the event was “too much”, it’s the portrayal and reaction to it. Wanting to see someone crying and begging before a painful death is sadistic, period. Should be obvious why that is a little disturbing.

 

I wouldn't say so. Scorponok both objects, and then just ditches him.

He does have a purpose in turning the crew into sparkeaters- no way Getaway has the firepower for that.


Hm, wonder what happened to our good old mind re-writer, Sunder... oh, maybe that's the game? Pick up Sunder and Froid, who actually matter, then ditch Getaway.

 

I've only just started reading the issue, so full thoughts in a bit. I just wanted to say though, baring the obvious lack of a Red Dwarf quote or recycled Morrissey lyrics, isn't this the most James Roberts exchange ever?



Character #1: Really long and complicated scientific explanation that the reader's eyes basically just gloss over.

Character #2: Dumbed down version of what was just said, clarifying to the reader that if we do something really simple, yet really stupid, we can basically pull a deus ex machina out of our exhaust pipes?

Character #1: That's right.

Character #2: Amusing one-liner, likely said with a British accent.

We love you Roberts.

 

This issue still felt a little rushed. I was just getting into it, and then it ended. It was better paced than last time though, and we can forgive a bit of rushed storytelling all things considered. Other than that though, great issue.

Loved Getaway's death. I hate him so much and have spent the last three years (yes it's really been that long since Getaway started being a jerk) waiting eagerly to see him die in some horrific manner, ready to cheer with excitement when he finally died screaming. Well, he died in some horrific manner, screaming, and to my surprise, I felt sorry for him. In the end, I was genuinely sad to see him go. Turns out he wasn't a villain after all, more of a tragic hero. And that moment that Rodimus went in to save him, perfect. The fact that Roberts wrapped this plot up so perfectly genuinely fills me with hope that the rest of the dangling threads might just receive equally as fantastic conclusions, something I wasn't so confident about before.

Star Saber's death I'm a little more on the fence about. On the one hand, I don't like how sudden it was. On the other hand, I loved how sudden it was. I don't know, it's confusing. As much as I enjoyed him, Star Saber was never as well rounded a character as Getaway, and never really needed to be. As such, I never really needed or expected a big emotional send off for him. Even so, this was a little sudden. Still, I'm happy it was Cyclonus that killed him, that was really all I wanted, but then there was never any doubt that it would be Cyclonus.

And everyone's seemingly been saved from being Sparkeaters. That was genuinely unexpected. I thought that was it for the crew of the Lost Light, but I guess not. It did seem a little deus ex machina, but I'll wait to see how it plays out before judging it.

What I'm really interested in though is what's next? The Getaway arc is done, so what now? I know it's going to be the Grand Architect, but we really know nothing about them or their plan. Scorponok and Tyrest are obviously working for him, but that's genuinely all we know about what's next for this storyline. Really, anything could happen now.

 

A part of me almost kind of hopes Saber pops out revealing that, like Magnus, he's nothing more than a tiny bot in huge battle armor. Another part of me also really hopes we get a toy for him. Come on Takara/Hasbro. PotP Leaders were MADE for this sort of character.

 

They were but everyone wanted Optimus Primal so there ya go

 

Star Saber's death? Appropriate. He was a complete non-character. I never got his motivation, or really his purpose other than "Hey look it is Star Saber!" So a non fight leading to an unimportant moment: Great.
Getaway - Well damn! He ain't gonna be in Rush Hour 3.

All in all, rushed, but resolved. Grand Architect - don't be shockwave. Be a Quintesson.

 

No reason they can't still make Star Saber. Actually, he'd be the perfect Leader Class for the all inclusive Prime Wars line. Brain of Courage could be a Titan Master that plugs into a Deluxe-ish size Saber and the whole thing could then combine with the V-Star to make Leader Star Saber.

 

Same. We didn't see star saber fully in that frame. Who knows what happened off frame  

 

Unfortunately, and I guess this is flirting with a political hot take, a good portion of society seems perpetually preoccupied with making sure the average person who f*cks up 'gets what they deserve' in the end.

 

-How was "kill him" one dimensional? Rodimus clearly struck a nerve.
-Scorponok wasn't taking orders from Getaway, he was taking orders from either Tyrest or the Grand Architect.
-Cyclonus Vs Star Sabre was weak but I don't think he's dead. But if he is, oh well.... Roberts is wrapping things up and certain stories had to be compromised.

The issue overall was still good despite this.

8/10 for me.

 

Or was denied due to too much "Mary Sueing" (Megatron's Orders)

 

Oh, shut up.