Cheers, pegged them both now, for some reason couldn't see Shadow at all until I went onto my laptop, then bang! There he is  

 

No worries, I think its a sign of a quality book that there's so much content, you're still discovering stuff on second and third reads. Finally feeling like I'm getting my money's worth on these books.

...which is saying alot, as I've been doubling up on the covers each month and buying the digital version.

 

Finally got a chance to sit down and read this. Excellence continues.  

BTW I know a few people have asked where Grapple is when Hoist was shown. Which then reminded me that Red Alert is there without Inferno......but aren't both Grapple and Inferno dead? I could've sworn they ended up dying in the same scene in one of the previous sub series.

 

According to the TF:wiki Grapple and Inferno are both onboard. They're both mentioned on the character list for #2

 

I've never really collected the comics before, but I think I may try to start with this series. The character designs and overall artwork really entices me...

 

Plus, he's a phase-sixer... which means he's a heavy who shares space with Sixshot and Overlord, a Con who is expected to be able to subdue an entire planet by himself. Should be interesting to see how the ol' "space gangster" is handled.

Well, they are indigenous to Cybertron... so I would assume that any living creature on Cybertron would have a spark, even a small, dim one. I'm not sure if it hints at any stronger link than that. Humans and Earth fauna share a lot of biological and genetic similarities too, after all.

Still, I'd want them to be cautious about how they handle "fauna" from Cybertron. I'm still staunchly in the camp that maintains that Ravage, Laserbeak and company are FULLY SENTIENT independent Cybertronians, not simply bestial "pets" for Soundwave.

Yeah, well what's a month in space anyway? Sometimes I miss the old "vorns" from Marvel's Transformers. I also noticed that Red Alert used "west" to describe a linearl direction onboard a spaceship, which is problematic. In space, there is no such thing as "west". There's a reason why the bow/stern/port/starboard system was devised for ships...

Right. I think Rodimus is just starting to buy into his own "chosen one" hype.

zmog

 

As I pointed out before:

He's not just missing the last 6 months. Read what Skids says in the first panel of page 10:

Much more than just a mere six months.

 

I can't remember most of my childhood or teens either. The fact is, it rarely comes up. Not remembering it wouldn't fundamentally change who I am now, AND give me kick-ass action hero abilities.

I mean, it doesn't matter that much. Roberts could say that Skids has TOTAL amnesia, and I would still find it to be a pretty tired, dubious plot device.

See, maybe he's going somewhere with it that will totally justify everything, and completely blow my mind. But until that happens, just reading as it comes... I'm still a skeptic about this whole Skids thing.

Yeah, I'd have a hard time accepting Grapple and Inferno dying off-camera in a story that takes place millions of years before the main continuity. That just seems wrong.

zmog

 

I'm looking forward to Skids moment of total recall. 'I did WHAT!'

I'm liking that he's using his time of self discovery to be a risk taker, and pushing himself to his limits to see what he's capable of. I think a lot of people who suffered memory loss would try try the same, the difference being that they're not giant robots with magnetic hands, and built in grappling hooks and shoulder cannons.

I'm reminded of Dr Who's last regeneration. 'Am I the kind of guy who'd do this? Let's try it and find out!'

I just want to know what the deal with the gun is!

 

I dunno... for me, the whole amnesia thing where someone gradually comes to terms with their true selves and discovers their full potential is like, the most overwrought old cliche. There is pretty much nothing that hasn't been done to death with amnesia plots, so it's already a hard sell for me.

zmog

 

Ah yes, the scene where they both had "guh?" faces on.

Boy has Milne's art imprved since then.

 

Loved the book. I think generally I preferred Milne's more robot-y designs, but I'm still very much enjoying his art here and I'm glad he's continued to be on board with Roche's style.

I think a bit much is being made of Chromedome and Rewind. I don't think it was anything more than Chromedome kinda fainted and Rewind was there to catch him.

I am very quickly liking Cyclonus. He's very different than his G1 self--more likeable IMO.

Also, Skids popping in and out of the ceiling was hilarious. So was his "Skids and Swerve" comment.

I definitely think it was the briefcase that stopped the spark eater from getting Brainstorm. It eats anything in its path, not just the brightest sparks (although it may be attracted to the brightest sparks). Roberts could have just had Brainstorm shield himself with his hands if the spark eater went after only the brightest sparks, but the briefcase and the emphasis on it makes me think otherwise.

Hopefully Rodimus gets some better hands from Ratchet.

I hope Magnus never backs down to Rodimus! The turbo-revving young punk needs SOMEONE to call him out.  

 

I think I like both books equally. This one definitely has more action, but I loves me a good political drama and seeing machinations unfold from behind the scenes.

 

I also loved this issue. I loved Ultra Magnus's speech to Rodimus, and the fact that Rodimus ignored it. It's a good character flaw that I look forward to evolving. Rodimus was so full of win.

I prefer the art and style of RID more than this one, but this isn't bad. I just love the WFC designs.

 

I'm picking this up tomorrow. Can not wait!

 

Poor Tailgate lol. Dude wants to be a Con. Great issue.

 

Or the next Prime, LOL! 

Some have compaired Skids to certain versions of Dr. Who.
Unfortunately, I'm not as familiar with Timelord cannon as some other fans but this could be valid.
(We haven't seen his altmode yet, save for concept art, but he is blue, his old G1 toy transformed into a small box-like car,,,, I'm juuuuussst sayin',,,,)

For some reason, I read Drift as more "japanese eager", and I feel that's a horrible cliche. (Think Speedracer's voice, "I will defeat the Decepticons, because once I was one, my sword shall bring great justice but I must only use it as a last resort, Hai!")

Actually,,,,,,,, Hmmmm, a Drift/Mach 5 kitbash? (off to the workshop)

I am curious about the briefcase thing though, doesn't it kill whoever opens it in the most horrible way? Do you think the Sparkeater could sense it. (Infact for a second, I thought the briefcase killed the Sparkeater.)

One thing I don't get though, Shock was killed when the Sparkeater "used the force" to pull his brain though his throat.  (DUDE!)  But Sparky never used that attack again. In fact, his kinda awsome looking tendrils were never used very effectively against anyone else (save Rung's door), so kind of an oversight there?

 

Well Animus had a mouthplate, and given that it seemed to take up 3 panels earlier, my guess is it takes some time. Rodimus

Spoiler

put him in the engine block

pretty quickly.