"Wow I feel so close to you guys, don't you? I feel so... connected, like we combine in our ports. I'm devastated by how combinable I feel with you guys, such a connection, such a closeness. I feel like I'm in a box set with you, it's weird." Other than turgid, banal dialogue, Enigma McGuffinism (Like, come up with an interesting reason a team might need to, or want to, combine for some benefit other than a Magic-Diamond-Matrix-Stuck-Your-Arm-in-My-Butt, whoops) and the standard LivioBrand-Photoshop-Textured-Cardboard-Box-Robots, I'm really not sure what this issue brought to the table. Maybe it's wrong for me to want Licensed-Comic-Books-Based-on-a-Children's-Intellectual-Property to be less Licensed-Comic-Books-Based-on-a-Children's-Intellectual-Property and more just interesting, but more likely I'm just too old to be trying to read this, I guess. Also, Termagerd is the worst name for a Made-Up-For-No-Reason-Transformer, but that's not on this Cliff Blezinski fellow.
There has been worse art from IDW - Heart of Darkness was definitely the worse, but I just find Livio’s art to be just so muddy, unclear, under-detailed and hard to see what’s going on. And he keeps getting work. He needs to change up his style.
Loved the characterization of the Constructicons in this. I'm a bit less happy to see the return of the Enigma. I'd rather combining just be something certain Transformers are built to do.
Kind of like how it was just some newly developed technology (by Shockwave of course) in the original Marvel run.
Exactly. Make it costly or something complex to convert a bot too or whatever, you don’t need mystic mumbo jumbo to answer the question “well, then why not make everyone a combiner”
...because having Shockwave create literally EVERYTHING IMPORTANT hasn't also been grossly overdone lately? The Ancients possessing knowledge and tech that borders on magical is a staple of TF lore, even going back to G1. For example, nothing in modern times is as advanced as Vector Sigma; even by the Beast era -- a future when TFs have upgraded themselves to the extent that they're almost impossible to kill -- the ancient supercomputer still has essentially magical powers in comparison to their state of the art post-G1 technology. So who created that? In comparison to an ancient computer with totally unknown origins that can literally create LIFE out of nothing, I'd say an ancient artifact that can -- under the proper conditions -- lead to TFs combining is just fine. It's also noteworthy that this iteration of the Enigma is FAR less powerful than the previous one, which could forcibly combine ANYBODY. This one at least requires unity of purpose. If any sufficiently skilled TF can turn other TFs into combiners, it begs the question why wouldn't they make EVERYBODY into one. (Imagine if the Combiner Wars toyline was the ACTUAL STORYLINE.) Also, a semi-mystical McGuffin creating the FIRST combiner doesn't mean SUBSEQUENT ones can't still be created by Transformers. After all, even though Shockwave has been responsible for inventing pretty much everything important in modern times in both the Aligned and IDW series, at least in Aligned his inventions were often based on studies (or successfully reverse-engineering) ancient artifacts. And in IDW, he basically traveled back to the past with knowledge of future tech, which is kind of the same thing; imagine being an immortal engineer with the know-how to build a quantum computer, then being transported into a past that somehow still contained the raw materials to build them; that would functionally be seen as magic by everybody except you. Shit, my four-year-old thinks technology is magic.
Okay but it still begs the question "why not make Optimus Prime and his four most trusted lieutenants combiners?" ...or what have you. If TFs can just make combiners at will, ultimately any constraint on their ability to do that will be just as contrived as 'stumbling upon ancient technology they barely understand'.
Yeah, that’s what I was trying to say subtly. Furthermore, magic macguffins really suck. Especially when they have stupid names like da enigmuh.
You're not wrong that it's all a matter of perspective here, and you are right that Enigma is at least more constrained in this continuity. I also fully admit I'm okay with just never answering or even raising the question of "okay, so why don't we do that to everybody or at least character x".
Interesting analysis. Thanks for posting this man. This view of Termagax actually adds a sinister layer to the flagship series, particularly with her relationship with Megatron.
Galaxies is a better book than the main book, but not by much in my opinion. So far it's been more talking heads as opposed to action. The Constructicon story is supposed to be a few books, so I'd wait until #2 to make a decision based on what limited information I have on your tastes.
I had to look up the term "cop this," because I've never heard of it. Now I know it means should I "buy it?" I would say that if you like the constructicons and you want to get an idea for a series that is character driven, I'd say yes.
Honestly, I don't think it's worth it unless you're in for the main story. It doesn't seem to be very standalone so far, but a piece of the larger picture. The whole continuity so far is turning out to be a giant bet for most of us who're buying into it. It's enjoyable as long as you have faith that it's going somewhere, but I can't see any need to revisit earlier issues - including this one - if it all fizzles out.
Haha. Yeah. One of the things I enjoy about talking with @Nelomaxwell is the wholly different perspective and language he brings to the table.
Thanks, fam. I appreciate your even handed insight. I'll wait on this. I really hope the comics come through though.
