TFW2005 is proud to provide another early Transformers comic review! Today, we review Transformers #7! Transformers #7 is out tomorrow – Wednesday, May 26th – from IDW Publishing. Check out the review and a few new images from the issue by reading on! Transformers #7
Credits
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Written by: Mike Costa
Art by: E.J. Su
Colors by: J. Brown
Letters by: Neil Uyetake
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Associate Editor: Denton J. Tipton
Assistant Editor: Carlos Guzman
Covers
Cover A – Art by Don Figueroa and Colors by J. Brown
Cover B – Art by Andrew Wildman
Retailer Incentive – Art by Don Figueroa
Review
What are we now? Where are we going? We are our plans for the future? Those are not only the underlying questions that are answered for the Decepticons in Transformers #7, but questions for the future of the ongoing story arc that is set up through this issue.
Transformers #6 ended by wrapping up the current mini-arc, promising a change in the tone of the series. Spike Witwicky and Skywatch seemed to come to a peace agreement with Optimus Prime and the Autobots after they helped defeat Menasor and the Swindle-led Decepticons that were left on Earth. Transformers #7 serves as a transitional issue, setting up events from not only upcoming issues but future storylines as well. While it does not necessarily move the story forward by leaps and bounds, it ensures that the puzzle pieces are in the correct place as the second big story arc of the ongoing series begins.
While Transformers #7 was promoted as a Megatron-focused issue, it is much more than that. While narrated by Megatron, the issue details the status of the non-Earth based Decepticons as well as the changes occurring between the newly-found Autobot-Skywatch alliance. Megatron’s presence in the issue is VERY minimal but profound.
The writer, Mike Costa, paints a grim picture for the Decepticons. Because resources are low, many of the soldiers have resorted to cannibalism to survive and replenish their Energon levels. Megatron is essentially on life support, Starscream’s sole obsession continues to be power and The Matrix he now possesses. Other high-ranking Decepticons have their own agendas, which may be contrary to those desired by Megatron. Without any major changes or reversal of fortune, the Decepticons appear to be doomed. Luckily, the conclusion of the issue provides hope for the Decepticons much like All Hail Megatron #9 provided hope for the Autobots. Costa’s material makes you actually root for the Decepticons just a little. It helps that Costa has chosen to include forgotten characters as savage characters, familiar quotes, and reveals that status of a certain gestalt leader and the status of a certain one-eyed Decepticon.
The other portion of this issue further expands upon the newfound peace between Skywatch, the Autobots, and the outcome of General Witwicky’s (Spike’s dad) visit to Skywatch. While it does help to advance the story to the point where the next arc will start, Costa’s writing here does seem a bit too wordy and slows down the pacing slightly. Regardless, the material itself is beneficial towards the movement of the story.
E.J. Su serves as the first new artist to assume the duties of the ongoing series, as Don Figueroa has provided the art for the first six issues. Regardless whether one liked Don’s new style or not, E.J. Su’s art will be a shock to the system for readers of the ongoing. While no different than his style featured in Spotlight: Prowl, E.J. Su’s art is a vast departure from the movie-verse style used by Don. If you liked E.J.’s style from Spotlight: Prowl, you’ll be happy with this issue. Unfortunately, J. Brown’s colors do not seem to work as well with E.J.’s art as it does with Don’s art. Some of the bright colors featured in the panels detailing the Decepticon story are way to vibrant when depicting the dark times the Decepticons are facing.
Regardless of the little flaws here and there with the issue, Transformers #7 is worth picking up while understanding it is a transitional issue that paves the way for upcoming storylines. While the first story arc from the ongoing series lacked major starring power from both the Autobot and Decepticon sides, Transformers #7 provides hope that those pieces will soon be back in play.
SMOG
Agree. I actually liked this issue… probably more than any other issue of the ongoing so far, in fact… but I concur that the whole situation on Charr is about as stupid (if not more so) as the whole situation on Earth has been up till now.
zmog
Infosaur
That COULD be really interesting. Even more so if it's Megatron imagining that his Decepticons are useless without him. Only the reality is that they're getting along just fine.
I also liked the portrayal of Skywarp in the BumbleBee Mini, as some sort of near fanatical religious zelot, (shades of the Cyclonus/Galvatron relationship)
I saw this issue as filler, and a huge disapointment this early in ANY comic's run.
You could argue that somehow the Cons that ended up on Charr are only a fraction of the army, and coincedently had many of the leaders. Like shooting down a flagship in a battle, you loose a lot of experienced people in one shot. And since Decepticon's default mode is treachery, it's only natural that they fall in on each other.
Conversely,,,
(unlikely but one could hope)
There may be another group of Decepticons out there unifying and forming a more cohesive fighting unit. Time for a minor Decepticon to rise from the ranks and unite a new Decepticon cause? Or perhaps even start a Decepticon civil war. (For example look at what Overlord was able to do on Garrus-9? Not bloody much!)
Still there are some valid Con leaders that are not accounted for yet. Hun-grrr, the pretenders (not counting Blugeon), the Decepticon (first wave) Targetmasters and Headmasters, none of which had an Earth form, Ratbat hasn't been seen since AHM, Trypticon.
If IDW gave me the reigns right NOW, I think I'd do a story on how Megatron's crew is stranded on some pothole of the universe and there are still other things going on out there.
As for the art, I take it as artistic licence and don't let it bother me too much. That said if I wanted to read Hell-boy, I'd read Hell-boy, I prefer the more technical style art, but I understand how it could be hard to draw that level of detail on a regular basis.
Blitz Wing
Yeah I always appreciate seeing some obscure characters from the 87-90 lines. Pounce, Dreadwind, Needlenose and Quake were nice additions.
SMOG
Yup. Quake is probably one of the few TFs of his vintage that I'd recognize on sight like that because I have a KO version of him kicking around. At the time though, I'd pretty much stopped keeping track of Transformers.
This issue sure is a treasure trove of late-80's characters, eh?
zmog
Blitz Wing
OK, cool. I don't think anyone in the thread mentioned him by name, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one who picked up on that.
SMOG
It WAS Quake, wasn't it? I mean, they don't call him by name, but it's clearly him.
Which is interesting considering that his bio mentions that he's so triggerhappy, the other Cons worry he might start shooting at them next… so maybe he just got crazy with nobody around to blast, and decided to go for Starscream.
zmog
SharkyMcShark
As I understand it they're rotating artists now a lot, as opposed to the 6 issue run Don Fig had at the start of ongoing.
Nice Roche and GG are signed up to do some of the forthcoming issues.
Blitz Wing
I agree with those of you that didn't like the fact that the Decepticons couldn't get their act together just because Megatron wasn't around. There are way too many great leaders among the Decepticons for them to fall to where they were at this issue. Also, I'm getting really bored with the Spike storyline. It is taking up way more page space than it deserves.
So is Don not doing art at all for the ongoing anymore, or was this just a one issue stint for E.J.? I like both of them, but for some reason I haven't warmed up to either of their styles presented in the ongoing.
Also, am I the only one that thought the Decepticon who tried to attack Starscream was Quake?
WhiteRabbit
Why would they do that?
It's not like Hasbro doesn't get to read these stories until the rest of the audience does. Every step of the process has to go through their approval.
If Hasbro wasn't happy with what IDW was doing, it wouldn't be in stores. Period.
SMOG
Hard to say. I never liked the depiction of Soundwave as an emotionless Megatron loyalist… his Tech Spec portrayal was more interesting. What I always liked about Soundwave though, is that he's one of the few ambitious Decepticons that understands that he doesn't have to lead to have power. As long as Soundwave is an indispensable right hand to whoever is in command, he retains his status, even through the revolving door of Con leadership. He is the spy-master, the keeper of secrets, the power behind the throne… so to speak.
So at a time like this when the balance of power could really go any way, it makes sense to keep himself scarce until a clear successor distinguishes himself.
zmog
UltraMagnus3786
I agree with your characterizations. The one shot of Razorclaw watching over the cons was pretty satisfying.
If we remember back to the -ation series, Soundwave tried to team up with Bludgeon against Megs and was frozen in his altmode due to a weapon made by Shockwave. The guy has never had an opportunity to 1-up Megs until now– I wouldn't be surprised if he actually tries to double cross him now. Or, if not that, that he's got his own agenda.
With regard to Bombshell, I'm wondering when he'll make his own moves, potentially for leadership, now that he's got his little devices. The shot of him and Starscream standing over that fallen Decepticon hinted at something, and we all know from G1 that the Insecticons and other Decepticons have a rocky relationship at best.
SMOG
Okay, so I bought it and read it.
Honestly… I liked it. Nobody could be more surprised by this than me.
To put some things in context, I still think that the circumstances that lead to the events in this issue are full of problems. The rapidity of the Decepticon collapse, the retreat to Charr, the total mishandling of the whole situation of the Bots' presence on Earth (not to mention the fact that they're "here to say", despite there being just about NO SENSIBLE REASON for refugee Bots to feel entitled to stay on Earth when they are not welcome)… it's all extremely dodgy.
I also have been very unimpressed with Costa's run so far. However, if he has actually found his footing and gotten past his Transformers awkward phase in the first 6 issues, I'm willing to give him another chance. Hopefully this will mark a turning point.
The level of decay evident in the Decepticon power structure is way over the top, but I did find the story structure interesting, with Megatron's voice over giving us insight into his motives… it's a level of exploration we could have benefited from with Prime in the first 6 issues, rather than him coming off as a whiny, ineffectual, self-indulgent idiot.
I also think that Costa managed to handle some of the varied personalities in the Con ranks well… Shockwave is cagey but still a valid threat. I like that he's there, working in the background, but too sensible to play his hand too soon. Megatron doesn't trust him though, and hopefully with good reason.
Razorclaw's depiction was also interesting… I hope it continues to play out well. Although he only appears in a single frame, what we see of him makes perfect sense. Razorclaw is incredibly intelligent, but his "survivalist" and "game warden" motif here combine to make him an unsettling presence. It works very well with his established personality… he wastes nothing, and makes no effort unless it is absolutely necessary. He merely needs to sit back and watch the thinning of the herd, until he has a force he feels is strong enough to suit his needs. Shockwave? Starscream? He watches them, but realizes there's no need to act until they become a direct hindrance to him. Nice.
Bombshell's portrayal follows nicely from AHM. Reminds me a bit of Tarantulas from Beast Wars, and it fits him nicely. Soundwave… Megatron calls him "loyal", but I'm not sure if that's it. Soundwave is a manipulator and a sycophant. The reason he separates himself from events is likely because he simply doesn't know who (which prospective leader) he should be sucking up to. No sense in making allegiances when things are still so unresolved.
On the artwork… I'm enjoying it. I'm not sure if the blatant cribbing from Mignola works in all cases… Hellboy jaws and fingers for everyone!! There are also times when the forms become too simplistic, but despite the fact that I miss the intense detail of his older work, in most cases you can still see Su's underlying skill with mechanical detail shining through (the last panel of Megatron… NICE!). Also, his panel layouts and storytelling are better than ever, and it really contributes to the mood and pacing of this story. Even the weird colours and random shadowy patches aren't bugging me too much.
So all in all, a nice surprise. I hope the series continues to improve from here, and that Costa will manage to keep it together without resorting to the contrived scenarios that started his run. Remember Costa… SMARTER IS GOOD.
zmog
UltraMagnus3786
Bluestreaker
It's true. I just want to see Takara's Disney Label Mickey and Donald TFs become cannon. I'm so busted!
UltraMagnus3786
Maybe then Mickey will get an appearance in TF mainstream fiction.
Bluestreaker
Is this supposed to be a fill-in issue? Isn't Guido picking up art duties with issue 8?
At any rate, having read the issue, the scripting is decent, but – as has been stated – nothing really happens.
As a fan of E.J.'s art, I can appreciate the homage to Mignola, but it just doesn't fit in with IDW's other detailed TF art. It comes across like TF animated, which is fine for some folks, but I don't think it's any more appropriate than Don's movie-style for the main G1 title. Is this a time-saving measure on E.J.'s part?
As to the inconsistency of designs and alt modes: I think that's just inexcusable. Any good editor should maintain continuity between titles, and DEFINITELY within the same title. Isn't that the editor's JOB?
It seems like IDW is just lost in the wilderness. They have no idea what they're doing with the franchise; they're just throwing crap against the wall – causing me to mix my metaphors! At this point, I'd say Hasbro should just yank the license for IDW when it expires, and just give it back to Marvel.
cgibsonREX
Answer to Shockwave
Andersonh1
E.J.'s art makes quite a contrast with Don's first six issues, not to mention his own earlier style from the -ations. I'm normally someone who prefers as much artistic consistency as possible in a book, but I find that I'm enjoying the variety of styles from Transformer book to Transformer book.
One of the things I'm enjoying about Costa's run, which this issue continues, is that we're getting all sorts of G1 bots thrown into the story that we haven't seen before during IDW's run. Simon started with the usual core cast and slowly introduced a variety of characters from all across G1 here and there, but it seemed like he had just scratched the surface even after many issues. Shane McCarthy adhered mainly to the 84-86 cast. Costa continually throws in all sorts of G1 bots that rarely get any attention, even if they just get a few pages. In this case Sunstorm and Acid Storm get an appearance. So do Pounce, Needlenose, and Dreadwind. Keep the cameos coming, I say.
The focus on Decepticons is welcome, and as we always suspected, Starscream proves to be an ineffective leader. I have to admit, it's never made sense to me that he could rise to be one of Megatron's lieutenants, with all the responsibility that rank entails, without some degree of competence. The old cartoon could get away with Starscream being a fool, but I always hope for more from the comics. Sadly that proves not to be the case, as the Decepticons fall apart around him, and Starscream is unable to motivate or lead them. His use of Bombshell's cerebro shell is amusing though. In a nice nod to Spotlight Blaster, the cerebro shell actually looks like a miniature Bombshell. Starscream's use of it is amusing.
Spike's actually becoming tolerable. And his subordinates aren't happy with his rule-breaking. Nice realistic characterization there.
Three years later and Megatron is still on the mend? Actually, considering the damage he took, I think it's fine that it's taking that long, particularly since resources are low and he's on the back burner. It's his thoughts we follow through the issue, so he's come a long way from the nearly brain-dead figure we saw in AHM Coda.
Good dialogue, more cameos by obscure G1 characters, and nice art. A good issue.
MECHADOOM
I would LOVE for this issue to be an "as interpreted through Megatron's mind's eye thinking in the tank" kinda thing, with the next issue introducing Su's interpretation of Don's designs.
But I really don't think that's gonna happen.
UltraMagnus3786
I actually lol'd at your comment here. Pretty odd coming from Prime.
If I were eating, there'd be a combo of food and bile on the ground now.
I agree with you wholeheartedly here. Megatron's monologue at the front and (really) the back end are the redeeming factors of this issue. For the most part I've largely enjoyed Costa's run so far. This issue was his first disappointment. I understand it was a transition issue, but as so many people have pointed out before, the Cons had won at the end of AHM. Sure, they lost earth, but supposedly they had taken out all of the Autobots' outposts. Starscream chose "Char" to search for energon? No help from Shock/Sound-wave? Razorclaw has bots turning on each other? This issue needed more middle story. It actually makes me want Megs to recover sooner so they can stop messing around on the asteriod from Starscream's Brigade.
It's just not believable SS would lead them to someplace barren when they have the rest of the galaxy.
Designs didn't bother me as much, but it is wearing on me.
Also the camo look isn't working– loved Spotlight Prowl though, so let's hope the next round is more like that.
SS wearing the matrix like '86 movie Galvatron is kinda funny, especially as he parades around.
The hunting of that 'con could've been shortened to a few pages, we would've gotten the drift.
Lastly, I like that the humans still have some tricks up their sleeves. That shot of Prime standing separately from the two Gundams was pretty nice.