This cover just confirms that even when they're both drawn by Milne, I like Milne's own MTMTE Magnus design waaaaaaaaaaaay (way) more than this Siege version.

That's not a knock on this cover; he made the toy design look as good as possible. His original designs are just that much better.

 

Milne didn't design MTMTE Magnus, Nick Roche did.

 

I guess to each their own, me personally, cannot stand the MTMTE Magnus design! To me, of all the UM incarnation, MTME UM especially the Season 1 W/ red thigh is the worst of them all. He looks too goofy, I hated the proportion, the chest plate design, and the wheel on his forearm. I noticed MTMTE UM looks better if it's drawn by Milne and colored by Lafuente with the white thigh. Despite so, excluding the G1 design, the only IDW UM design that I love is still the Don Figueroa IDW UM.

 

Milne's take on the Siege UM design is incredible. I'm in love.

 

Shoot, you're totally right. I associate that design so closely with Milne after seeing him draw it for so many issues. And I like his slightly more realistic versions of Roche's cartoony designs.

Okay then, I like his version of Roche's Magnus more than his version of Siege Magnus.  

 

Just seeing Soundblaster on a cover is already really REALLY cool especially after seeing Star Saber in proper Star Saber looking glory. I still wanna pick up that issue just cuz of the cover and ditto for this one. Really hits me the right way. 

 

Oh shi- Straxus!

Lets gooooooooooo

 

That Coller cover with Straxus, Darkmount and the smelting pools is gorgeous! Love it!
But.... They couldn't put the "Secrets and Lies" banner more towards the blank space on the right so it wouldn't cover up Magnus' face.....?? Kinda amateurish....

 

I expected to see Straxus sooner or later. Wonder if we will see Trannis too, and how Straxus rose to power after his death?
That Thunderwing head is all wrong, though. This is the past, millions of years before Scorponok has invented Pretender technology, so he cannot be a Pretender yet. Should be the head of the inner robot. That said, I know that one is not very recognizeable.

 

All this art is fantastic.
I rarely buy both covers, but for this I make an exception.

 

Is this series based on Marvel G1-LORE or something new?

 

I believe it's a hybrid of Marvel Ideas woven/referenced into a new story.

 

Could be early experiments?

 

Okay cool. I guess because IDW has been nonexistent to me since the final issue of Lost Light, I've been using more Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror novels to fill in that void. Gave "Galaxies" a few chances but it just didn't cut it (especially after that Cliffjumper issue).

If you've read'em, how did you feel about the 1st two issues of this mini so far?

 

Personally I love them.

However I grew up with the original Marvel/UK comics so your mileage may vary.

I also just love that some TF characters who haven't had much "screen time" are getting a chance.