There are two great new Transformers comics coming our way from IDW this week, the first of which is Issue #9 of More than Meets the Eye! This issue’s story is Shadowplay, “A totally epic story based on real events that definitely happened”, a story-within-a-story as told by Rewind and Chromedome! The backstory to several of the Crusadercons is set to be explored here – check out this preview, then pick up the full issue tomorrow and get the whole story!
ORIO
Not sure why you bump this thread from September. The two items you're referring to aren't even relevant to the topic.
Please look for the respective threads in our comic forum
Transformers Comics Discussion – TFW2005 – The 2005 Boards
Thanks
Jericho
Hey guys. So I picked up Regeneration 1 TPB, was that a bad idea or a good idea? Barnes and Noble had I think, MTME Vol 2. Should I just order MTME and Ongoing and be good to go?
SMOG
I agree. The old art style and new colouring is a bad mix on Regeneration… but then, I never liked Wildman's 80's art on Transformers anyway. I don't think Transformers ever had great art at Marvel (except for maybe the odd issue here or there… and I liked Geoff Senior's style, all things considered). The RID Annual worked for me only really in terms of evoking nostalgia. As an artistic experience though… it's kind of retrograde. I don't think I'd want to read that every month.
zmog
O.Supreme
I have to admit. I loved the RID annual. Probably my single favorite IDW TF comic since AHM ended. Of course as an Omega Supreme fan, it was great to actually see the story that was briefly told wayyy back in the Optimus Prime Spotlight. I know most people dont agree with me, but I just find RID so much more entertaining than MTMTE. Also the characters are at least recognizable. Metalhawk took a big leap towards being a favored character of mine as well. The only one to really ponder over what the Metrotitan said about Starscream.
Also I hope we see Metroplex again soon (in either series, though I would prefer it in RID). I want to know what the secret mission was all about. Also I was really irked by MTMTE since that it appears they are re-writing TF origin history, for what the 5th, 6th time? But then I figured I'd let it go, it really dosen't matter anymore, every fan pretty much has their own version of the origin of the Transformers.
Digilaut
The funny thing is: they were so close to doing that: Regeneration feature's old-school art – just not old-school coloring (apart from Guido's covers).
Not sure why, but my guess is it's probably alot harder to emulate the old coloring style than it is to giving it a more bland, modern coloring job. Missed opportunity in my opinion though, because without the nostalgia of the old printing techniques, the lineart seems just that more horrible.
Ravenxl7
The part made to look like the old comics looks great. If they had a comic that was entirely done like that, I would definitely be interested in it. Also, that close-up of Nova's head…did anybody else start hearing "you can dance if you want to…" in their head when they first saw that?
General Tekno
That they are. Though there's an Orion Pax spotlight coming up that'll also be in-continuity.
And, if it ever gets published, that Punch/Counterpunch mini they've had sitting around for ages.
SMOG
Despite the fact that they happen in totally different parts of the universe, RID and MTMTE have a surprising amount of overlap. They are the same continuity, of course… just following different groups of characters. However, Barber and Roberts seem to be coordinating their stories to some degree, so that certain revelations tend to line up across the two titles. Both series are up to issue #10 now. I generally prefer trade paperbacks, but I have to admit, I really am enjoying the monthly instalments.
I believe these two series are the only comics IDW is producing right now that are part of their own G1 Universe (Regeneration is a continuation of Marvel's G1 series, so it's a different thing).
zmog
Jericho
Thanks. I figured Ongoing took up after AHM, and while I liked AHM enough I barely remember how it ended. Do RID and MTMTE intersect with each other, or are they stand alone series'? IDW only seems to have the individual comics right now (four each??), I'd rather wait for TPB.
shamanking282
I love how the comics right now are so good that we can conveniently forget about LSotW. We shouldn't, but its nice to have more than that as the one bit of fiction to really place on a pedastal.
SMOG
OMG! How did I forget that?? Yeah, I fully endorse this. DEFINITELY get Last Stand of the Wreckers. It's a MUST!
Other than that, what's worthwhile? There are some decent Spotlights and random bits here and there…
–Spotlight Wheelie (believe it or not) is decent, and relates to current events in the series
–Spotlight Kup is more Nick Roche goodness… one of the first IDW issues that really pleased me.
Any others?
The Drift Miniseries can be skipped. Anything relevant in it is easily summed up in about a paragraph on the TFwiki. Maximum Dinobots is also pretty blah IMHO. The Bumblebee miniseries is pretty pointless. It's the series where Bumblebee takes over as Autobot leader, but you don't need to actually read it. The Galvatron:Heart of Darkness series is pretty weak.
The miniseries Autocracy is worthwhile if you don't mind the art… gives a bit of history, though admittedly, it isn't absolutely necessary.
zmog
shamanking282
One more. Be sure to read Last Stand of the Wreckers after you read AHM. Written by Roberts and his co-conspirator, Nick Roche, it sets the sort of tone that is picked up in MTMTE. Be sure to get the hardcover version for allthe bonus features.
bossprime
Ongoing started after All Hail Megatron ended, and right after ongoing ended in december 2011 2 new series Rid and Mtmte started in january of 2012, the final issues of ongoing lead into the death of Optimus prime which also came out in december, the death of Optimus prime leads into rid and the ever amazing mtmte, and as I said those came out in January of 2012.
Doc Wheeljack
Right on. I'll add those to the list too.
So it's AHM, Ongoing 22 and 23, the Death of Optimus Prime special, and then MTMTE and RiD.
Good to go!
Jericho
So skip the remaining Ongiong and stick with MTMTE?
What about Regeneration 1, I can't find that anywhere.
ZacWilliam
Take one pit stop at the end of the ongoing for the two flashback "Chaos Theory" issues by Roberts who writes MtMtE. They're great stories and important for things that come up in RiD and MtMtE
-ZacWilliam, other than that the ongoing's pretty skippable though.
ZacWilliam
MtMtE is the single best written AND most fun Transformers media ever made. It is literally the new gold standard. Every issue is just spectacularly exciting, funny, tragic, surprising, full of brilliant characterization… and this one is no exception. An amazing start to a new storyline.
And while RiD has been only "solidly good" in the shadow of MtMtE's amazingness this annual is a new high water mark for it as well. Great Retro-Frank Springer Marvel G1 art and a story that fills in a load of things from the past AND sets a new direction moving forward. Good stuff.
-ZacWilliam, in my opinion every TF fan should be buying every issue. They are that good.
Doc Wheeljack
Thanks zmog, you've been really helpful. If I can track down all of the issues of AHM for a reasonable price, I'll give it a try and then skip over to the two current ongoings. Cheers!
SMOG
Infiltration and Escalation are very cold. I liked the art and the sombre "realistic" tone, but the books were so devoid of life. None of the characters had vivid personalities. I felt removed from anything interesting. It's too bad… but hey, I guess it launched IDW, so mission accomplished.
All Hail Megatron… you will get some WILDLY different opinions on that. Those who hate it, tend to hate it a lot. I actually enjoyed All Hail Megatron, but with some caveats. It starts sort of awful, and then just gets steadily better and better, as if the writer is learning the ropes as he goes. There are a few questionable twists and plot holes, but overall I found its focus on exploring character relations and personalities more engaging than Furman's run. In particular, there is a lot of time spent fleshing out the actual dynamic between Megatron and Starscream, and how the Decepticons see themselves. It's not nearly as sharp as the recent titles, but it lays a lot of the groundwork for what follows.
The re-launched "Ongoing Series" that follows is a meandering 2 years of sloppy writing and disappointing stories, so I'd skip that if I were you. I wish I had.
zmog
Jericho
I am so damn confused now. I thought MTMTE was the 'ongoing' that started a couple years ago with the horrible faces, no? I have the 'For All Mankind' TPB and that's when I lost track of what was what.
So there's MTMTE, Ongoing and now Regeneration 1?