The modern comics universe has had such a different take on G1, one that's significantly represented by the Generations toys, so they share a forum. A modern take on a Real Cybertronian Hero. Currently starring Generations toys, IDW "The Transformers" comics, MTMTE, TF vs GI Joe, and Windblade. Oh wait, and now Skybound, wheee!
Sparky Prime wrote:Roberts has made him like the Batman of Transformers.
And that's still a pretty bad example. I guess I was expecting an answer that expounded on what Ultra Magnus is beyond simply this story, but to the franchise as a whole. Silly me for thinking three words would be enough to cover that.
At the end of the day we have someone who's not Magnus saying they are Magnus. I'm pretty sure that's the definition of imposter.
Shockwave wrote:And that's still a pretty bad example. I guess I was expecting an answer that expounded on what Ultra Magnus is beyond simply this story, but to the franchise as a whole. Silly me for thinking three words would be enough to cover that.
You're welcome to come up with a better example. Like I've said, I don't think that there is a human comparison that'd really fit this situation perfectly. But a super hero taking over the legacy is the best one I can think of that comes the closest to it. As for expounding Ultra Magnus to the franchise as a whole... Why would you have expected that when we've been talking specifically about the IDW version here? Besides other versions of Ultra Magnus are very different from one another. You want an overview anyway? Animated Ultra Magnus essentially takes Optimus Prime's usual place as the overall Autobot supreme leader. RiD Ultra Magnus decides he was snubbed for not being selected to carry the Matrix and becomes an obsessive loner forced to work with Optimus over it. Prime's Ultra Magnus is the stereotypical uptight military commander that does everything by the book. IDW Ultra Magnus is a legacy to uphold the law as laid out in the Tyrest Accord. G1 Ultra Magnus, even though Optimus choose him as his successor, was happy as Rodimus Prime's trusty second in command. Each version pretty much as their own thing doing for them.
At the end of the day we have someone who's not Magnus saying they are Magnus. I'm pretty sure that's the definition of imposter.
Except Ambus Minimus has been 'our' Ultra Magnus this entire time in the IDW universe. For all intents and purposes, he is Ultra Magnus, he just wasn't the first or the original Ultra Magnus in this universe.
Eh, if nothing else it's given us something to discuss other than "this happened and that happened". It's been a discussion based around a character, which is always good. I did like Rodimus' remark in the latest issue when they come across the Magnus armor (or I think Rodimus said it): "I don't believe he was hiding in there the whole time!"
Shockwave wrote:At the end of the day we have someone who's not Magnus saying they are Magnus. I'm pretty sure that's the definition of imposter.
Absolutely right. In the IDW universe, Ultra Magnus has been an impostor the entire time we've been reading him. Ugh.
MTMTE #21
Just to get it out of the way: I called it. Magnus (or the guy impersonating Magnus) lives. I said months ago that it was unlikely that a prominent character like Ultra Magnus would be killed off, and I turned out to be right. Or sort of right, since the original Magnus is long since dead, but the current holder of the Magnus identity has survived being stabbed through the spark, so that counts. Though I have to admit, the way he survived having his head crushed by Tyrest is eye-rolling. There's an even smaller Mimimus inside the Minimus that was inside the Ultra Magnus armor? Really? The "Remain in Light" story arc has not been kind to Ultra Magnus in any way.
Roberts must be a Doctor Who fan, because last issue we had the cliffhanger, and this issue we get a revised cliffhanger that answers the "how are they going to get out of that one?" dilemma. Doctor Who watchers have seen a few of those over the years, where an extra bit of information in week 2 solves a problem that seemed unsolvable in week 1. Like the really small Minimus inside the slightly larger Minimus, it's a cheat, since we saw Tyrest walking into the portal last time, but this issue he never makes it. He's stopped before he enters. That's fine, because the payoff is generally worth it.
A lot gets resolved in this issue. Cyclonus in particular gets some great scenes and character moments. Who would have thought that a character who was originally a Decepticon in other continuities would turn out to be one of the more admirable characters in this book? He outshines just about every Autobot. He's largely played the role of straight man to every other character's comedy, which has helped.
The final revelation about Rodimus and his role in allowing Overlord on board doesn't seem to carry as much weight as it should. It would be shocking if a version of Hot Rod from another continuity had done it, but sadly it seems very much in character for IDW's Rodimus. It does make me dislike this version of Rodimus even more than I already did. This guy was one of my favorite characters back in the day, and indeed remains one over in Regeneration One, but MTMTE has long since turned Rodimus into a character that's very hard to enjoy reading about. He's very, very flawed with little in the way of redeeming qualities. And he left Drift take the fall for something he was complicit in. What a jerk.
Overall: good story, lots of good ideas, but a lot of damage has been done to various characters in my opinion, Rodimus in particular. Makes me wonder where things will go from here, and if Rodimus will redeem himself.
Why is it so important for Rodimus to be a nice guy in order for him to be worth reading about? (I really do not get this.) IDW Rodimus is a sack of shit. We get it. But, we are getting good comics, so that should make it okay. I am reading Gillen's "Uber" at the moment. None of the characters are particularly likable. But, the book is good enough that it does not matter. (One of the less detestable characters is Gillen's fictionalized take on Heinz "I was only following orders" Guderian. But, it is more important that Guderian is useful in the story.)
As for Magnus, the name "Ultra Magnus" is clearnly meant to be a rank or legacy ID of sorts. In real terms, the guy wearing the armour *is* Ultra Magnus. Again, not sure why this is an issue.
Dominic wrote:Why is it so important for Rodimus to be a nice guy in order for him to be worth reading about?
I didn't say he wasn't worth reading about, I said I don't enjoy what's been done to his character. Obviously it hasn't put me off the book, but it's worth commenting on. The guy in charge of the ship is clearly not fit for the job, and not someone worth following. Yeah, it makes things interesting, but I vastly prefer past takes on the character to this one.
Still, he expressed a desire to make up for what he's done, so maybe he's turned a corner. We'll see.
As for Magnus, the name "Ultra Magnus" is clearnly meant to be a rank or legacy ID of sorts.
Sorry, I don't see that at all, and I'm not sure why you'd assume that. What makes the name "clearly" a title? We don't assume Omega Supreme is a title, or Fortress Maximus, both grandiose sounding names that would seem to belong in the same category as Ultra Magnus. Why would Magnus be any different?
andersonh1 wrote:Roberts must be a Doctor Who fan, because last issue we had the cliffhanger, and this issue we get a revised cliffhanger that answers the "how are they going to get out of that one?" dilemma. Doctor Who watchers have seen a few of those over the years, where an extra bit of information in week 2 solves a problem that seemed unsolvable in week 1.
He is. There actually has been several references to Dr. Who in MTMTE. Like the concept of 'attention deflectors' that the Magnus armor is equipped with to prevent the inner robot from being detected? The concept was based on the "perception filters" that helps TARDIS be perceived as normal for a Police Box to be where ever it landed.
As for Magnus, the name "Ultra Magnus" is clearnly meant to be a rank or legacy ID of sorts.
Sorry, I don't see that at all, and I'm not sure why you'd assume that. What makes the name "clearly" a title? We don't assume Omega Supreme is a title, or Fortress Maximus, both grandiose sounding names that would seem to belong in the same category as Ultra Magnus. Why would Magnus be any different?
Omega Supreme and Fortress Maximus aren't a smaller bot in a suit of armor like Ultra Magnus is. And this comic establishes Ultra Magnus to be a legacy identity.
Last edited by Sparky Prime on Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
andersonh1 wrote:Roberts must be a Doctor Who fan, because last issue we had the cliffhanger, and this issue we get a revised cliffhanger that answers the "how are they going to get out of that one?" dilemma. Doctor Who watchers have seen a few of those over the years, where an extra bit of information in week 2 solves a problem that seemed unsolvable in week 1.
He is. There actually has been several references to Dr. Who in MTMTE. Like the concept of 'attention deflectors' that the Magnus armor is equipped with to prevent the inner robot from being detected? The concept was based on the "perception filters" that helps TARDIS be perceived as normal for a Police Box to be where ever it landed.
Soooo... Ultra Magnus is the Russian Doll Transformer? I now have to wonder if inside Miniminimus if there's yet another mini mini minimus. No wonder he's named Minimus, what the hell else would you call something that small in a race of giants.
