Last Stand of the Wreckers discussion

[Dominic]

Last Stand of the Wreckers #4:
Damn you Nick Roche. Damn you to hell. Damn you for making me want a bunch of obscure and expensive UK toys. Damn you for writing a layered story that, (in typical Roche fashion), floors me towards the end...and leaves threads dangling for follow-up. While Roche presents Overlord as a hype character who almost knows he is a hype character, (as evidenced by his actions and "higher" motives), there are a few Autobots who know they are not hype characters. Roche nearly breaks the wall and takes these characters into a meta-narrative, but does so without being self-indulgent. Grade: B

[andersonh1]

Last Stand of the Wreckers
Issue 4
By this point in the story, all traces of good humor are gone, to be replaced by more torture and violent deaths, as well as a number of plot revelations. The identity of Aequitas is revealed, and the supposed reason for Impactor’s imprisonment is also revealed, though it’s strongly implied that the official story isn’t true at all.

They killed Topspin and Twin Twist! I knew it. And the manner of their death is a more than a little contrived, truth be told. I’m not sure I’m buying a security system that, in the absence of operating codes, only works with the willing donation of a Transformer’s spark. Still, for those of us who suspected that Nick and James would avoid just killing off the newbies, since using unknowns as cannon fodder would be too obvious, the death of the Jumpstarters isn’t really a surprise. I figured that some of the more prominent characters would buy it at some point. And given the nature of the story, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kup or Springer didn’t make it out alive either. But we’ll see next month when the series wraps up.

Ah well. Some of the remaining Wreckers get a chance to shine. Kup in particular shows that while he’s old, he’s still quite a fighter. Nick and James demonstrate yet again that they are the type of writers who pay attention to who should be where as they reveal that Kup was looking for Grimlock, last seen in Ultra Magnus’ custody at the end of “Maximum Dinobots”. Grimlock is gone, and I have to wonder if Shockwave took him.

There are plenty of other little character moments throughout the story, both from the main characters and from minor Decepticons like Snare. Characterization has been a strong point of this series. Dialogue is often natural and/or lively and entertaining rather than just functional, making it enjoyable to read. And there needs to be some enjoyment, given the brutality of the torture and deaths that take place throughout the series. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Transformers story this violent, and yet the violence makes sense and is “realistic” (if I can use that word about the Transformers) given the circumstances our main characters find themselves in.

We’re heading for the finish line. I can’t wait to see how everything ties up next month in the final issue. Nick and James have raised a lot of interesting questions that I want to see answered. I’m betting the payoff will be worth it.

[Dominic]

I am betting both Kup (who Roche has invested a huge amount of effort into building up) and Springer will both survive, likely playing into Pyro's rant this issue. (Pyro strikes me as a Mary Sue minus the ability to be a Mary Sue.) Fisitron is likely to be left in a "maybe better off dead" sort of place.

Good call on Grimlock. It makes sense that Shockwave would have taken him.

I am assuming that Aquitas is valuable enough to require the kinds of security shown in issue 4. Think about the sheer amount of (likely politically sensitive) information it would have. That is the sort of thing one would want to be careful with.

Dom
-wow, Optimus is a dingus in this issue.

[Onslaught Six]

(Pyro strikes me as a Mary Sue minus the ability to be a Mary Sue.)

I think it's more like he wants to be a Mary Sue 'really bad.' And that's partially the joke, since Pyro is majorly a Prime stand-in. Red and blue Autobot leader, faceplate, etc...

[Dominic]

I can see it.

Anyone else notice how this is thematically consistent with "All Hail Megatron"? Dunno if it is deliberate or not.

Dom

[Onslaught Six]

It almost has to be. I can't imagine it not being.

[Dominic]

There is no reason for LSotW to be inherently similar to AHM beyond just being a "Transformers" comic. The thematic consistency is what I am talking about. In fact, there would actually be a marketing/editorial incentive to avoid such similarities.

Dom

[andersonh1]

I can see it.

Anyone else notice how this is thematically consistent with "All Hail Megatron"? Dunno if it is deliberate or not.

Dom

How so?

[Dominic]

I am talking partly about the flawed leadership theme. Ironfist, (the most star-struck member of the team), seems to have more than a few illusions shattered in issue 4. This is not wholly unlike Megatron's leadership crumbling during AHM when Starscream and the others realize that Megatron has no real plan.

Dom
-not really explaining this right.

[andersonh1]

I am talking partly about the flawed leadership theme. Ironfist, (the most star-struck member of the team), seems to have more than a few illusions shattered in issue 4. This is not wholly unlike Megatron's leadership crumbling during AHM when Starscream and the others realize that Megatron has no real plan.

Dom
-not really explaining this right.

I don't know that I would have said that flawed leadership was one of the main themes. To me, if there is an underlying theme beyond the action and violence, it's one of shattered illusions, which your mention of Ironfist references. The four newbies think they're joining an elite and legendary group that has exciting adventures. What they've actually joined is the equivalent of the suicide squad, the guys who go in to handle very difficult and dangerous jobs, get their hands very dirty, and often don't come back alive. Ironfist makes this very complaint after watching Rotorstorm get his head blown off, and Topspin calls him out for his unrealistic and romantic views of what the Wreckers are.

It's not that leadership isn't addressed. It is, and we get glimpses of Impactor's leadership, along with a contrast between Prowl and Springer's styles. I'm not sure we could call what Overlord is doing 'leadership', but we get to see his rule by fear. But I wouldn't say that any of these are the primary focus of the story.