Saga of the All Spark #2

[Dominic]

Saga of the Allspark: This is possibly the first IDW reprint series that I am buying as a "new" book, so multiple levels of novelty may be skewing my take on this book. This issue is basically 2 character studies, focusing on Ratchet and Devastator (Brawll). The writing shows both Furman's strengths and weaknesses, his ability to write around an established story and his habit of using wacky McGuffins. Either of these stories could have been easily reworked to be either flashbacks the characters remembered before the movie, or "things they did on the way to Earth", instead of the "blown across space and time by a wacky McGuffin bomb" story that we got. There is a definite "old UK comics" vibe here. I do not know if this is because Furman has a defacto editorial mandate to limit him or because he wrote this originally for a UK audience. Art-wise, this issue is pretty good. Wildman's art on the Ratchet story is not as good as it was 20 years back. While not as bad as his lack-luster showing on Tf/Avengers last year, it still lacks his eye for detail and continuity. (If this was any other artist, I would not really care, but I expect more from Wildman.) I also got a definite "Total Annihilation" vibe from this story, partly for the art, partly for the writing. I am not sure if it was a typing error or not, but Figureoa is credited with the art on the Devastator story. If it is Figueroa, then his art style is far more versatile than some might expect. Grade: B/C Not a great comic, but better than average filler.

[Decepticon Spike]

I bought the first issue a month ago. Even though I love Simon's writing on TF over the years, I didn't really care for this one. Maybe it's because all of the prequels contradict each other?

[Dominic]

I try to read this sort of thing as a stand-alone story. Furman pulls that much off pretty well.

Dom
=notes that Furman rips off "Infinite Crisis" in "Double Dealer".