The originals... ok, not exactly, but the original named "The TransFormers" anyway. Take THAT, Diaclone! Generation 1, Generation 2 - Removable fists? Check. Unlicensed vehicle modes? Check. Kickass tape deck robot with transforming cassette minions? DOUBLE CHECK!!!
Dominic wrote:I need to reread the Dreamwave series apparently. (I vaguely recall the cloning, but not the hate waves.....)
The story was called something like Passive Aggression. I think Blaster detects the waves, or something...? But yeah, Shockwave was trying to turn the planet against Megatron & co. I think. It's been a while.
Ultra Magnus was especially promising at first, too. A compelling debut. And I don't often say that about G1 remakes.
The name of that series' writer escapes me, but I remember reading an interview with him in which he said that the second Dreamwave mini-series was all about "Ultra Magnus making choices". He was put in one difficult situation after another and forced to choose. I thought it was an effective use of the character.
The story arc itself was called "War and Peace". Gomess is right there was a signal emanating on Cybertron to turn the populace more hostile. On top of that, Shockwave was also doing experiments on Alpha Trion and sent a signal to Unicron. I think it was Hot Rod or Smokescreen that found the signal. Or maybe it was Blaster.
Neither cover particularly appealled. I ended up with the modern cover in my file, and just went with it. The modern cover works on a symbolic level, even it is has more to do with an upcoming issue than this week's comic. The retro art cover references a plot point that was only touched on for a page or so.
Furman continues to run with the unification and division theme. And, if I had to guess, I would say that the end of the series is pretty well telegraphed here, hinting at Cybertronians syncing up with species that they have impacted over the years. Page/real time be damned. This issue feels like it was published ~20 years ago, using plot elements and ideas that we know Furman had on his "to do" list at the time. The fact that Jhiaxus shows up only reenforces this. (Aside, Wildman's Jhiaxus is.....bad. There is no nice way to say it. It is made that much worse by the fact that Wildman's Rook is a good stylistic upgrade. It is the visual analogue to IDW's "chaos Space Marine" themed Jhiaxus from "-ation".)
Just picked this issue up today, a few days late. Dom's absolutely right, this issue feels very retro, in a good way.
Skipping right to the end of the book, I'm delighted to see Jhiaxus and Rook make an appearance. I've always liked the original G2 Jhiaxus far more than the mad scientist from IDW. Presumably this is one reason the events of Generation 2 weren't taken into account for RG1, since Furman wanted to re-use the characters. Not to mention re-using the concept of Bludgeon and Warworld, and using the Matrix energy to build war machines. There's definitely some recycling of G2 plot elements here, but I can't say I mind.
There's an interesting parallel running here. Jhiaxus and Rook view the Autobots and Decepticons as inferior in much the same way that the Transformers on Cybertron view the underground creatures as inferior. And whoever is speaking on the last page views the whole lot as bad.
Lots of things happen, and I'm not going to touch on them all, but I'll just note that I enjoy Hot Rod's characterization and role in the storyline. He's fighting for a cause he believes in, and Kup comes across as a jerk for opposing him when he's probably just pragmatic. It's nice to see Soundwave as an independent agent, not playing second fiddle to Megatron. And it's good to see that Prime hasn't just abandoned everyone, but is still keeping an eye on things via Ultra Magnus.
Yeah, I liked this one as well. It felt like it paced itself better and got some ideas and concepts and interesting plot elements out there, as opposed to the messy blur of violence and circuitous speeches that had me kind of tuning out in the previous arc. It feels a lot more focused here, and the idea of the Proto-Cybertronians and Hot Rod's reaction to them was one thing from the previous arc that I actually got into. And yeah, seeing Jhiaxus ready to make a comeback is nice. I at least get the feeling that Furman will be able to give this the payoff and solid finale that Marvel G1 deserved and kept trying to get, but never managed to.
Anyone who thought Furman would actually kill off Grimlock clearly does not know the man that well.
Anderson wrote:It's nice to see Soundwave as an independent agent, not playing second fiddle to Megatron.
Marvel Soundwave is one of my favorite TF characters, period. I'm so glad he's still in form after all this time. I only wish they were still coloring him purple for this.
I grabbed the retro-looking cover that was drawn by the relatively young Italian guy whose are looks more like the art produced by the older Englishman.
One problem with this issue (though it is actually more a problem with the last issue) is that Prime seems to magically jump from one place to another. The art in issue 91 makes it look like Prime is aboard the Ark when he is communicating with Ultra Magnus. (There is one panel, that if scrutinized, makes it clear that Prime is on Earth. But, you have to be looking for the relevant detail.) In any case, Prime is on Earth, trying to make amends to the surviving human population.
The unification and division theme that Furman has been working with here works on two levels. Besides the basic plot points, it also serves to unify this series with the original Marvel series by picking up old threads and concepts. Given how many Head Masters died in issue 75, I tend to think that Furman was planning something similar to the current comics, with the Headmasters, 20 years ago.
The Mayhem Attack Squad puts in an appearance, consisting of Carnivac, Snarler and some other guy whose name eludes me. Carnivac (and arguably) Snarler more or less establish that the US comics and the UK "Earth Force" run having nothing to do with each other. "Earth Force" was always hard to reconcile with the comics, even in the UK. And, this is one more sign that Furman is largely ignoring the UK material.
Grade: B
Dom
-kind of wants good toys of G1 characters.....
Not much to say about "ReGeneratioin One #93. Furman moves some pieces around. The issue takes place on/around Cybertron.
I have not seen this list elsewhere (though I have not checked since Wednesday). Here is my list of Hot Rods that I can identify from the "reflection" spash page:
