Why are people complaining about the Insecticons? Aren't there already biological species on this version of Cybertron?
What's that got to do with it? The issue is that their designs are more or less the G1 designs by and through the Generations update. Those same G1 designs are by and large considered to be based on earth bugs, no matter how not like bugs they actually look: Seems like some people don't think they should look like earth bugs at all, and if that's how they're being viewed then I think it's a legitimate criticism. Some people legitimately don't care, and that's fine, too. However, I lean towards the designs being a little anomalous given the setting and the tone that's supposed to be set here - this is supposedly harder sci fi than prior iterations. However, there are several explanations that would allow a person to rationalize why they look like this if you don't like "just cuz" as a reason. Ultimately, it doesn't bother me overmuch, but I can see why some people wouldn't like it. Of course the real reason is the apparent Hasbro mandate to make everything look like an existing toy with the only deviation being artistic license. So the claim that this is the result of some kind of "hack writer" isn't really one that holds a lot of water. If anything it's just corporate meddling.
From within the narrative, I think there is enough wiggle room with their designs that they could potentially be any type of alien bug. From outside the narrative you're probably right. Hasbro does seem to have a lot more oversight for this new stuff.
Yeah. I agree. But I also see where some might find it annoying. It's no dealbreaker for me, but it is a little eyeroll-inducing.
Yeah, same. I hope he doesn’t get too over the top. Marvel Shockwave was awesome. I just like the dynamic in this continuity where it seems like Shockwave (and Soundwave to some extent) are the real brains behind the movement.
Everybody loves Marvel Shockwave because he did stuff. I do too because it beat that bootlicker version from the cartoon, but man was he a messed up son of a bitch. Guy's rattling on like a schoolyard bully. Being of pure logic my tuchus. My favorite Shockwave is Animated Shockwave.
See? This is exactly what I want to see him do. He’s been surviving out in the colonies during his banishment, so he’s probably tough as nails and not going to take crap from anyone. Especially this continuity’s Megatron. (Please let them throw down in one of these issues and have Shockwave come out on top and say they’re doing things HIS way now). Animated Shockwave is awesome too. Marvel and that one are probably my favorites.
I'm a little tired of the badass Shockwave. I'd love to see him show up one day as some kind of horrid little mutant Truman Capote pulling all the strings but never making any grandiose speeches or dramatic gestures.
Yeah I get that. Just keep him behind the scenes, quietly scheming from the shadows Emperor Palpatine style. Btw, I know this goes against the basis of Transformers, but I’m really interested to see a version where Megatron isn’t the leader or is kind of irrelevant for a while. This story is PERFECT for that because he’s an extremely idealistic (maybe to the point of naïveté), overemotional politician who doesn’t really know what he’s doing. Hasn’t been in a real fight for who knows how long. Isn’t even functioning at full capacity. This is someone I’d like to see actually earn the leadership position through blood, sweat, and tears after being beaten by Shockwave and working hard to earn respect. I hope it’s not just the Rise and Ascenticons combining and “whelp, I’m the leader now because Transformers. You know how this story goes. Get in line, Shockwave.”
I get people have a problem with their modes being "earth modes" more or less. But their function is to scurry around eating waste and corpses off the ground, what other modes could they take? In The War Within Bombshell was a tank, Kickback a motorbike and Shrapnel a jet. Seeing a tank drive on top of a corpse and start eating it would be pretty funny.
We just got that with IDW1 Shockwave though. He was intimidating, quiet, irrelevant until Dark Cybertron.
I’m feeling a bit sentimental so let me say this: I’ve grown to enjoy two things on two Wednesdays a month - reading the new book and then coming here to read people’s opinions. Thanks to everyone who is contributing thoughtfully, irrespective of your point of view. It’s great.
Amen. I used to read tons of comics, but it got too expensive to keep going to the store and getting them every Wednesday. It’s nice to jump back into a series and look forward to Wednesdays again. And now that Galaxies was added it’s even better. I love my comiXology subscriptions.
I had some very harsh things to say about issue 1. This one I enjoyed very much. I had a real issue with the ending of issue 1 and how they seemed to stupidly chuck a random pipe at a passerby and I hoped such a contrived thing wouldn't be how they got set on a darker path. Here they seemed to imply that the constructions are being manipulated by the insections in some way who engineered the accident so they could get a body to eat. Not sure exactly how that worked out yet but hey, it's not as blatantly stupid as I feared and I like that there was more to it. That point aside I just really liked this one. The insections essentially being banished for cannibalism is a creative twist and the team seems to be devolving towards violence in a very organic way. Great turnaround from my first impression and I'm really looking forward to issue 3.
I got the feeling it was an accident on Hooks part and Bombshell was implying the accident wasn't related to a building accident like the others. I didn't think any manipulation was implied. Surprised it didn't take much to kill that guy, pipe thrown to the back of the head, I guess being under powered on low energon rations made him weaker?
Whilst I do like to see Shockwave pulling the strings I'm kind of worried we'll get the same thing as we got in IDW1 again. Nothing wrong with that, but would prefer something slightly more interesting. Otherwise the chapter was pretty good imo. Bonecrusher's Megadeth reference felt really weird though
I just want the plot to be somewhat grounded. I’m fine with Shockwave being cunning, but I’m not really keen with the idea of him being a puppet master across 100+ issues. He should be fallible, and I want to see character based conflict. Megatron should put him in his place at some point.
But why? It always seems like the dynamic between these two characters has to be "someone putting someone in their place". I get that conflict drives a story, but I've always found it infinitely more interesting when the bad guys actually get along, or have reasonable differences in opinion as opposed to yet another plot based on infighting. One of the things that's always bugged me about Transformers is that the Decepticons are ostensibly a more militaristic faction. However, even tribal, horde or gang-style organizations have a fairly well defined pecking order. While low ranks can squabble, it's usually not something that happens so overtly in the upper echelons. Having a functional combat unit almost depends on the ability to at least work together and that's something that doesn't happen if you're constantly worried about backstabbing and betrayal. I get that infighting is sort of baked into the character concepts, but just once I'd like to see the Decepticons act as an actual functioning military. It would make the Autobots wins against them more substantive and satisfying. It would make far more sense to me if the Decepticon leadership breaks down AFTER repeated losses against an inferior force than the usual "infighting from the get go" that we usually see.
I wouldn't mind seeing Megatron and Starscream getting along in the beginning because it would make for a reasonable explanation as to why Megatron even keeps Starscream around later. But I think the desire to see Megatron and Shockwave at odds among fans is because it's...Cathartic. Megatron is the main antagonist at the end of the day. We're typically not really rooting for him and we see the havoc he brings throughout the galaxy coupled with a typically barbaric or sadistic megalomaniac personality. I think people enjoy seeing Megatron get usurped by Shockwave because it's a way to see this unstoppable force belittled and subordinate. Sure, Optimus can defeat Megatron, but he wouldn't have Megatron following his orders and acting like a grunt, Shockwave can though and he has. Edit: To add more to this last sentence though. There is something equally satisfying about watching Megatron crawl back to his throne after being humiliated.
