Out on iTunes Australia.

Beautiful artwork, first and foremost, I really enjoy Stone's work in this issue. Its so refreshing after the Opening Salvo's art and was probably the best thing about the issue.

Spoiler

As many had guessed the whole thing was a ploy for Starscream to be able to send in Superion to save the day. He recruited Blackjack personally, who has horrible temper problems, in order to make a Menasor that would go into uncontrollable rages and he sends in Superion after making Prime desperate who makes short work of Menasor. Again, as most people guessed, Caminus is devoted to Solus Prime and view Matrix holders as Gods, so they honor Optimus. Windblade also mentions that the Matrix was the hilt of the Star Saber. UGH. The issue ends with Optimus raining on Starscream's parade by opening his chest to show the Mistress of Flame his empty Matrix, which is now burning with a firey light.

Decent issue. Hate the Aligned crap, but either then that there's some good Starscream moments, who is now trying to decide on what color he should make his new body and some pretty good action scenes. Sarah does the epicness of Combiners so, so much better then a certain other Combiner Wars artist... Windblade is also clearly angry at Chromia too, so it seems that her awfulness won't be swept away after all.

One thing I was "meh" on is that Powerglide's gun mode looks completely different to the toy.

 

Windblade: Combiner Wars Part 1

Yay, the start of the new Windblade ongoing, and the second entry in the Combiner Wars story. Things are really kicking off now.  

First off: it has to be said: art is great. Vibrant colors, good sense of action and emotion. I feel Stone might have taken a *slight* step back compared to that very first Windblade issue..maybe things are a bit more sketchy, but it makes for a very consistent look through the entire book.
Readability gets slightly cluttered in one or two panels, but overall, stellar job. I have the feeling panels from this issue will find their way into people's blogs and board signatures soon.  

Story: decently written. My only complaint here would be the 'combiner banter' that I was never a fan of to begin with. It's that dumbed down, talking in third person speech pattern - let's agree that it makes sense though, so can't fault the writer, it's just always been a personal pet peeve of mine.  


Some interesting tidbits:

Spoiler

-I think it was Omegashark18 who theorized this, but he/she was right: Starscream's plan seemed to be sending in Menasor to wreak havoc, then saving the day to seem like the hero.
-Blackjack is apparently undercover in the Stunticon team, reporting to Starscream. He has anger issues, so I guess he fits in perfectly, or might even enhance Menasor's anger.
-Caminus is finally, fully confirmed to be started by Solus Prime, and their religion is a full belief in the Thirteen, with an extra special place for Solus Prime and her artifact/element. Still not a fan of shoving the Aligned into this all, but at least we sort of know that the Thirteen aren't the 'real' gods in this continuity (for now).
-This gives Windblade and Optimus a political advantage that Starscream did not account for: being a living Prime bearing (half of) the Matrix, Camiens will see Optimus as a god, giving him a lot of influence there.

 

I liked it. Starscream looks a bit strange, but Optimus looks definitely best in this comic.

 

Haven't bought it myself (I am in Australia but would rather wait for the physical copy) but that last bit with Chromia means I may not wait for the TPB.

 

Sorry for the block of black but i Don't want to spoil on the first page

Spoiler

I enjoyed this issue. The art is fantastic as always and I am floored by how amazing the combiners look. Optimus showing up Starscream by just existing is just so fun. Although I am confused by his light show at the end did I miss something or did the matrix just reignite. Starscream coming in as the cavalry is odd if i was on Caminus him flying in with a bunch of supplies would have been just as good if not better.

 

Loved this issue, and I can't wait to see the rest of this story.   The artwork continues to be beautiful.

 

Well sounds like we mostly called it about

Spoiler

Menasor being a ploy by Screamer. I'm not as crazed about the Aligned stuff, but at the same time it's too early to freak out. This is what the Caminusians believe, not neccisarly what's true. Hopefully. Also if they like matrix holders, they must have loved Thunderclash. After all the matrix did. Now lets wonder how things are going to go horribly wrong. I mean we got 4 parts left, and this is more like a Combiner scuffle than war right now.

 

I love how Optimus uses Prowl as a threat.

"Starscream, y'all best stop being a brat or I'll sic Prowl on you!"

 

I like the Aligned Theme they are putting in the comics
i dont get it why other people hate it

 

They're just trying to find a reason to hate it. *sighs* Which, in my opinion, is a very silly excuse.

 

Also happy with this issue. Art was awesome. Some fantastic colours and a great looking Menasor. Everybody was well written and, given a lot of the panels were taken up by action shots, this is an achievement. Starscream, especially, was amazing. It's great seeing him indulge and not just scheme and plot (though much of that too obviously). I wasn't too sure about the way in which he had been maneuvered (by Barber) into his new position, but he's finally starting to really grow into that role for me. His interactions with Optimus were pure fun and Optimus looking very uncomfortable there at the end at being worshiped was a nice touch!

 

Starscream probably realized his new desk he got wouldn't last two seconds with Mr. Table flipper on the job.

As for the issue itself it was a pretty great read. I absolutely loved the fact that the non-Devastator Combiners are getting actual dialogue now, and not just "shouting who I am!" and "Graaaaah!". Unlike the previous issue where I had an idea where things were going I am stumped here aside from knowing Starscream is going to have something up his sleeve, so in that regard please bring on the next issue.  

And maybe I missed something from the previous issues or it was explained elsewhere but what's up with

Spoiler

Superion having chest hole manipulation? Menasor punches a hole in his chest before getting shot in the head by Superion, and next page it's all patched up like nothing happened.

 

I'll be picking it up this afternoon, but I haven't bought formerly-RID. Does it seem that this series will be intelligible on its own (via the recap page, I suppose)? Maybe it's too soon to tell...?

 

Its like a mini arc.The only thing you might need to kbow is the Enigma and Starscream.

 

I just wonder, if Camiens will wonder what kind of people the Cybertronians are, that Optimus merely has half a Matrix of their beloved Solus Prime's forged sword hilt.

 

I believe his chest opened up so that Menasor's hand would just go through it (hence Menasor's shock) and then closed it after he shot him. Seems to be a new ability for Superion.

 

He did not punch a hole. Silverbolt just got out of the way of Menasor's punch. Like some kind of transformation. So the punch goes right through him, but nothing is torn apart.

 

Personally, I like that Superion talks in the third person.

 

I loved it, fantastic writing, beautiful art, really looking forward to the next part and I really want my Menasor to arrive.