The latest issue was pretty good, all things considered. It feels like the story is crawling along to get to Dark Cybertron, and we've gone back over the same ground several times from the point of view of different characters, but it looks like we're finally there. This issue wraps up the look back at Soundwave's life and how he came to be who he is and to believe in the Decepticon cause. And it uses some character information from his original bio in a way that I don't think has been done before. Specifically his hearing and his mind reading, though here it's described as feeling all emotions from others, with the exception of Shockwave who has no real emotion. It's very well done, actually.
The flashbacks are in reverse chronological order, which is a little annoying, but it's worth it in the end with a scene of Soundwave as he was before the faceplate and before he became a Decepticon. The issue does manage to avoid killing either Soundwave or Shockwave when the inevitable fight occurs between the two, though I suspect that Shockwave should be able to win that fight. Soundwave is good, but Shockwave is more powerful. That's my guess anyway.It is said Soundwave can hear a fly sneeze. Uses anything he hears for blackmail to advance his status. Opportunist. Despised by all other Decepticons. Sensors can detect even lowest energy radio transmissions. Able to read minds by monitoring electrical brain impulses. Acts as radio link for others. Locates and identifies Autobots, then informs Decepticons. Carries a concussion blaster gun. Often target of retaliation by his comrades.
