I gave the series 12 issues (two arcs) to settle in, and now I’ve got a clearer sense of it. Here’s my take so far: Before we get started: Four stars for killing off Bumblebee early. I’ve hated his overexposure, so I was relieved to see him go. The Art I give Daniel Warren Johnson a slight edge over Corona, but both bring a unique style to the table. It's a departure from what we're used to, which some readers might find refreshing. The art complements DWJ's writing style well. There are occasional awkward moments, particularly in Corona's splash pages and panels, where the use of space isn't always as interesting or effective as it could be. But overall, it gets the job done. Rating: 6.5/10 (DWJ) | 6/10 (Corona) The Story The series is unapologetically fun, mindless, and sometimes outright absurd. It embraces a kinetic, action-packed approach that's often over-the-top and doesn't take itself too seriously. Each issue delivers at least one or two significant events, keeping the pace brisk and the story moving. However, the narratives will need to build more depth and intrigue to ensure the series' long-term success. It's not quite treading water yet, but it's definitely doing the backstroke in terms of plot development. The ending of the most recent arc felt empty, and there were no logical, clearly-defined strategies being implemented from either side. Rating: 5/10 The Characters This is where I have the most concerns. Outside of Starscream, Shockwave, and Elita-1, most characters come across as flat and uninteresting. Some character changes are difficult to accept, while others are outright annoying. I'm all for fresh takes, but only when they enhance or add intrigue. Case in point: turning tough-guy Cliffjumper into a wimpy pacifist? Major misstep. Optimus Prime's portrayal is particularly disappointing. This version lacks the edge and competence of his cartoon counterpart, coming across as aimless, incompetent, and painfully dense. He’s far too passive, and has the tactical proficiency of a 20-something manager at your average Starbucks. His leadership decisions are often baffling, and he's devoid of the charisma that made him iconic. Elita-One's new direction, while not my preference, stands out as the most distinctive character evolution. She has a clear personality and relatable motivations, which is commendable even if I'm not entirely sold on her new direction. The Decepticons come across as a disorganized group of misfits, with no sense of order or intrigue. Shockwave's masochistic tendencies are an interesting touch, but I'd like to see more of his logical, calculating side emerge to truly challenge the Autobots. Initially, it seemed this might be the case, but he's been reduced to a one-note murder addict. Rating: 4/10 Final Thoughts: In essence, while the series has its moments, it's struggling to find its footing with character development and narrative depth. It's a wild ride, but one that needs more substance to truly shine.
I agree with you for the most part on the characters. DWJ clearly just wanted a Bumblebee-type character, but didn't want Bumblebee. So, instead of using a bot with a similar personality like Hound, he used Cliffjumper, probably just because he looks like Bee. I wish Cliff was built up as his usual tough guy self, that way, when he was given the opportunity to kill Starscream, it would've been more impactful when he couldn't pull the trigger. I disagree that all the characters are flat though. I would atleast add Thundercracker, Soundwave, and Arcee to your list. There are a lot of characters that I think are starting to gain more personality, but probably won't until the next arc or two, like Astrotrain, Beachcomber, and Magnus. I think the first six issues were a sort of test for this series. It functions more like a movie and doesn't leave too many loose ends to be explored later. The second arc, however, is more like a comic book and is setting up future storylines, which is why it feels weaker and why the characters feel underdeveloped.
This is a very fair assessment. Although I would add that the action itself is pretty boring, just punch punch shoot shoot. Especially since going through Transformers Universe recently and seeing how unique the weapons and abilities of each character are in it.
I just don't want Hound to show up. He's one of my favorites and I don't want to see him character-less and/or killed off randomly.
