Comic reviews: IDW More Than Meets The Eye ongoing [Archive] - Ozformers Transformers Club of Australia (otca.com.au)

Paulbot

12th January 2012, 07:47 AM

STL

12th January 2012, 09:31 AM

Hrm, interesting but I'm not biting.

I've bought enough versions of IDW stuff in HC and single issue in the past and there's enough crap that's come out from them in recent tiems I refuse to buy at cover price. I'll wait for the price to drop on the IDW app (which is powered by Comixology now btw).

Art style didn't look too bad. At times gnarling but I can live with it. Not like the G2 comics which were some of the low points in TF art imo.

Paulbot

12th January 2012, 09:41 AM

Been thinking about the last scene more. Would like to know if people think Prowl got that message before the ship left or after. My first thought was after but it's more interesting to think it was before (and in character for Prowl too).

I'll wait for the price to drop on the IDW app (which is powered by Comixology now btw).

Been taking a month to drop to $1.99 based on the Chaos issues (hopefully they don't follow Marvel's route and keep comics, like Fear Itself and the X-Relaunch) at cover price indefinitely). I bought via the app today because the preview was good enough. Unsure if I'll buy or wait a month for RID.

Doubledealer

12th January 2012, 01:23 PM

Issue 1 lives up to the promise of the preview. It's amazing how many interesting elements and unique takes they manage to squeeze into one issue. It's an interesting mix of characters. It's funny. I thought it was interesting to see them end with hints from the future within the story itself. This is the best #1 from IDW since LSOTW #1. Highly recommended.

You said it, this first issue sure has delivered the goods. :) I'm already attached to several of the characters, if anything happens to Rewind I don't know what I'll do, haha. Speaking of the small fry, I wonder what those disks are he purchased before climbing aboard the ship? :confused:

Tailgate definitely brought home the lols didn't he? Every scene with him was pure gold! And then in contrast you've got the rather disturbed Whirl who's equally engaging but for totally different reasons. It's just terrific stuff!

Shame that people may be put off by the art though but I grew up with US Marvel Comics and dodgy art never stops me enjoying a great story. Personally I think the art in this issue is great. I like the style and the characters are very emotive. It feels more Animated-style than anything else.

Yeah I hope the seemingly acquired taste of the art doesn't stop people from reading this series. Having said that, I love the style! What's more, with the digital copy you get all 5 comic covers one of which is in the exact same style as the Wreckers TPB cover style. Sooooo cool! The only character whose art I didn't like was Cyclonus, his face just isn't very well drawn imo.
The design for Whirl is truly fantastic however, he looks really insect-like which adds to his creepiness.

Re: Prowl I think he receives the message before they leave, mainly because of his comments in the last cell of page 7. Not too sure though!

Sam

12th January 2012, 07:15 PM

I enjoyed the story, I thought it was well written. The humour peppered throughout the pages helped move things along for me.

Not a fan of the art style - but it's not "bad" art, just different to how I prefer it. I've definitely seen worse art from IDW.

i_amtrunks

12th January 2012, 10:50 PM

Wow, that was an interesting issue.

Loved the mix of characters and I reallyenjoy the Roberts take on Prowl who has been one of the IDW standouts in recent months (much like Ratchet was in the Furmanverse) and hope that the creative team for RiD continue down the same path.

The hints of the "don'ts" are intriguing, they were nice and vague and sent by an unknown. I am in agreeance that Prowl received the datatrack before blast off and told no-one from spite.

Something that Roberts has done exceptionally well in his issues (and that Roche's art compliments well) is give character to the bots ands cons in his stories even if they only have a handful of lines. Rewind and Tailpipe are new characters to all and sundry (in this universe) and we already have a decent insight to their character, same goes for Whirl and Cyclonus who should make for a great combo team. And love to see Red Alert get some screen time, he and Magnus should be fun to read.

Very good start to the series, beautifully done covers (I went for Ratchet, but wouldve been happy with any, bar the Drift one) that really caught the eye with the silver title and excellent paper and print quality. If the level of quality can be retained this will be a better run than anything IDW has done (bar LSotW).

Sky Shadow

13th January 2012, 04:46 PM

A delight from first page to last.

Without doubt the best first issue of a Transformers comic since 1993, if not ever. Every character so far has a distinct personality (and they're almost all lunatics, so thank Primus they have a psychiatrist on board.) I care about Magnus and Cyclonus for the first time since the eighties - they're fantastic. And Roberts made me actually not hate Drift. I hope this series never ends.

I don't understand the complaints about the art - Roche does a much better job on art than any issue of a Transformers ongoing in years. And I can actually understand what's going on. The art in Chaos was... chaos.

Prowl is also back in fine form as the most manipulative and ruthless Transformer we've ever seen. I hope the writer of the other ongoing... whoever he is... manages to keep up Prowl's Machiavellian machinations. Unlike Mike Costa's abysmal Spotlight: Prowl. And speaking of that failure-of-a-previous-writer who lamented that he himself didn't know what he was doing - Costa: read More Than Meets The Eye #1. That's how you write Transformers with motivations and character.

"It's authentic. Check out the rubsign."

kup

13th January 2012, 08:27 PM

I have read the first issue and I am impressed so far.

Yeah, the art is stylized and that can take some getting used to but unlike the previous year long streak of horrid art, you can tell exactly what is going on. Each Panel is used efficiently and flows much better than the confusing mess they had before. It is almost as if you are reading an older comic which focuses more on what is needed to carry the story forward rather than what would look fancy. This makes the story a much better read and much more inmersive.

It pretty much reads in the same style as Last Stand of the Wreckers, the story flows logically and efficiently. There is no wasted space and the character banters are enjoyable rather than cringe inducing as it was before. There is also a lot of care and understanding of the characters as it once again feels as if you are dealing with the original G1 characters rather than some poorly made facsimile as previously - It truly captures the spirit of how Transformers should be and the writers also throw in the odd obscure easter egg to keep hardcore fans happy.

Did anyone notice the Japanese Micromaster Launcher with Tailgate? That was cool.

This was a well thought out first issue which introduces several of the characters well enough to establish their personalities and mindsets but doesn't give away everything about them wanting you to know more which is fantastic.

This first issue is much better than any single issue that I have read since Last Stand of the Wreckers even if Drift is in it ;)

I can't wait for the next!

Doubledealer

14th January 2012, 01:58 AM

I think Roche and Roberts complement each other incredibly well, and I'm personally gutted that Roche won't be doing the art of MTMTE for much longer.

The writing will obviously be as good as ever but a large part of what makes MTMTE#1 and LSOTW is the amazing synergy of art and dialogue. With Roche gone will we love the characters as much? Will the humour have as much impact?

This first issue is such a masterpiece, they can't break up this team! :(

kup

14th January 2012, 10:01 AM

Sam

14th January 2012, 11:39 PM

I think Roche and Roberts complement each other incredibly well, and I'm personally gutted that Roche won't be doing the art of MTMTE for much longer.

Oh wow, that's rather disappointing to hear. Is Roche being put to do another title?

Seraphim Prime

15th January 2012, 04:03 PM

Oh wow, that's rather disappointing to hear. Is Roche being put to do another title?

I think Roche has been on record about wanting to take a bit of a break. I think what he was doing on this first issue was helping the new guy into the swing of things. Take a look at the art credits and you'll see that it's Roche plus someone (can't remember who off hand) and they'll be taking over full time from issue 2 onwards, so we'll soon see how he works out.

RID is supposed to be written by John Barber, who is also the new TF editor. He wrote Sector7 and the movie prequels, which were all quite good.

kup

16th January 2012, 01:05 PM

When is Robots in Disguise out?

Paulbot

16th January 2012, 01:30 PM

When is Robots in Disguise out?

Next week. And the Digital-only Comic "Autocracy" (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12780) is out this week.

GoktimusPrime

28th January 2012, 09:03 PM

Art style didn't look too bad. At times gnarling but I can live with it. Not like the G2 comics which were some of the low points in TF art imo.
Do you mean Derek Yaniger and/or Manny Galan's art? Cos I thought Geoff Senior's art in G2 was pretty top notch -- a lot better than the other two IMO. Of course, Senior never bothered to use Yaniger's G2 models or emulate his artwork (which Galan has retrospectively admitted was a mistake on his part).

You said it, this first issue sure has delivered the goods. :) I'm already attached to several of the characters, if anything happens to Rewind I don't know what I'll do, haha.
Heh, yeah, I like how they're using a wider range of characters like Rewind and Chromedome (and Horri-Bull and Needlenose in RiD).

Speaking of the small fry, I wonder what those disks are he purchased before climbing aboard the ship? :confused:
Indeed... and I like Swindle's comment about it too... makes you wonder. ;)

Tailgate definitely brought home the lols didn't he? Every scene with him was pure gold!
Heh, yeah... poor bugger crawling around and passing out for millenia! :eek: I'm surprised those Energon cubes lasted that long... I guess they don't have any kind of expiry date ... does that mean Energon Cubes remain that way indefinitely until someone uses them? Wow.

And then in contrast you've got the rather disturbed Whirl who's equally engaging but for totally different reasons. It's just terrific stuff!
Yeah, I like how is character fits in with how we've seen Whirl previously too -- it's interesting to see an Autobot being portrayed as an absolute d!ck from time to time instead of always showing them as "goodie heroic" characters.

Re: Prowl I think he receives the message before they leave, mainly because of his comments in the last cell of page 7. Not too sure though!
More intrigue! :D

Every character so far has a distinct personality (and they're almost all lunatics, so thank Primus they have a psychiatrist on board.)
And the psychiatrist is a collector! :D I felt really bad for him when Cyclonus and Whirl made him drop his collection box... ouch. XD

I don't understand the complaints about the art - Roche does a much better job on art than any issue of a Transformers ongoing in years. And I can actually understand what's going on. The art in Chaos was... chaos.
I think it's the designs that some people may not like rather than the art itself. But I agree, at least the characters here are distinct and you can tell who's who. Hey, did anyone else spot Xaaron? ;)

"It's authentic. Check out the rubsign."
Yeah, that put a big smile on me. :)

Did anyone notice the Japanese Micromaster Launcher with Tailgate? That was cool.
Yup! :D

better than any single issue that I have read since Last Stand of the Wreckers even if Drift is in it ;)
You know why Drift isn't as annoying so far? Because he doesn't do that much! It's like Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars Episodes II and III... he's not as annoying as in Episode I because he was less prominent! Let's hope Drift stays this way (too bad he wasn't one of the ones who burnt up... poor Fizzle & Waverider :()

GoktimusPrime

1st February 2012, 02:38 PM

I must say that I do enjoy re-reading this issue. :) The artwork is reminiscent of Geoff Senior's stuff in G1 -- stylised and dynamic. :D

Ultra Magnus has, for some time, been becoming my favourite character in IDW's G1verse... and he really shines through for me here.

Hot Rod: "Magnus, your definition of a wayward character is an Autobot who wears his badge at an angle."
Ultra Magnus: "Yes. In direct contravention with the Military Regalia Act."
^LOVE IT! :D

Also when we see him looking at Hot Rod and Drift through Magnus' eyes and the footnotes that appear under each one, especially Drift and his "Must resist urge to arrest on sight" note. :)

He's really true to his original tech specs persona and the whole "Consistency is victory" motto (which is my own personal life motto ;)) Just another reason to love MTMTE (^_^)

i_amtrunks

1st February 2012, 03:23 PM

I must say that I do enjoy re-reading this issue. :)

It does hold up well to mutliple later re-reads and is an enjoyable issue even of the fifth or later reading.

Last comic (I only really read the tf ones) that I've re-read for enjoyment as many times as this one was Spotlight Kup...

liegeprime

1st February 2012, 07:15 PM

I missed out on buying this issue, so if anyone who is attending the Parra fair and has access to another issue #1 can please pick 1 up for me and Ill pay you there...

though from the teaser pages Ive seen it is a lighter fun approach whereas RID is a bit darker, grittier in theme... having read only RID that is my small observation...

RID is out now, for some time.. sadly PZ Parra wont re -order MTMTE #1 sigh...:(

i_amtrunks

2nd February 2012, 11:31 AM

RID is out now, for some time.. sadly PZ Parra wont re -order MTMTE #1 sigh...:(

Seems PZ sells out these #1 issues quickly, I only got one copy of Mtmte, but they were all out of RID by Friday afternoon. Had to get it for other means until I can acquire a paper copy, maybe even in the trade.

Mtmte is certainly the superior comic for now. (not that RID is bad!)

liegeprime

2nd February 2012, 10:24 PM

according to the sales lady there, a lot of the buyers buy all the variant covers which is why even if they order a lot seems still short :(:( ah well... who are these people?:mad::mad:

Paulbot

2nd February 2012, 10:46 PM

Speculators buy issue 1s. That's why IDW kept putting out new #1s every six months when they started. Boosts their sale numbers.

GoktimusPrime

3rd February 2012, 11:24 AM

according to the sales lady there, a lot of the buyers buy all the variant covers which is why even if they order a lot seems still short :(:( ah well... who are these people?:mad::mad:
Yeah, I've heard that too. :) Just get a standing order, dude.

GoktimusPrime

4th February 2012, 09:56 AM

Lost track of the number of times I've re-read this issue. It's really growing on me. ;)

Here's a scan of my favourite panel :D

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/militaryregalia.jpg

Paulbot

16th February 2012, 08:43 AM

Issue 2 was another great issue. The change in artists wasn't a problem, there's still a cartoony element to the panels. And I really love Skids redesign. The medbay scenes were my favourite, and the Tailgate Swerve dynamic is funy (in particular the comment about Swerve's function). The cameos from some of the rest of the crew were nice but surprisingly early G1 focused. At least many of those later-G1 names mentioned last issue aren't completely lost. I am in two minds however about the casualties in this issue are being red shirts.

Sky Shadow

18th February 2012, 07:29 AM

Issue #2 is fantastic, as expected. It feels like Alex Milne is aping Nick Roche rather than Pat Lee, so the art is good. The story is great - the only real flaw is that Tailgate has English letters written on his arm despite having been in suspended animation for six million years - I can't understand how that could be scripted, drawn and go through editing without someone being pulled up on it or going "huh?" Still, Tailgate is intriguing and I love the idea that his insides are so old they're basically clockwork. Skids is even cooler than he was when he got that roof job from Charlene, but (a bit like he was in Marvel UK,) he may be haunted - we know that he's connected to something bad from the 'warning from the future' - certainly those robots chanting '1984' are not going to be good for the crew either. I'm going to assume that the Duobots' names are a pun on 'Shock and Awe' unless we later find out names of any other Duobots or someone else has a better explanation. Good to see Mainframe and Rollout too, even if only one Action Master is conscious. Again, this is superb character-driven stuff and the best Transformers ongoing in decades.

SMHFConvoy

18th February 2012, 09:26 AM

I love this comic. RiD is a bit slow and ends with a shocker that's been telegraphed since, "The Death of Optimus Prime." MTMTE though is fun and adventure. Dumping the war was a great idea. A breath of fresh air.

GoktimusPrime

23rd February 2012, 12:06 AM

Swerve rocks! :D I love how they're putting more focus on not so prominent characters and just the wider mix of characters from across the G1 spectrum... much like what Furman did. So refreshing to see the story break away from the 'staple' early and more well known G1 characters all the time! :)

The medbay moment was an absolute classic. I also liked when Cyclonus "cuddled" Whirl (heh). ;) Skids does remind me of his appearance in the UK G1 comics, only he has a more fun attitude - in G1 he was kinda like "Oh crap, I'm haunted by monsters," whereas here he's like, "Fighting monsters, here take this." ;)

the only real flaw is that Tailgate has English letters written on his arm despite having been in suspended animation for six million years - I can't understand how that could be scripted, drawn and go through editing without someone being pulled up on it or going "huh?"
THANK YOU! I'm so glad I'm not the only person who is irked by that! I was also not fond of the whole "NAIL" thing, because it probably only makes sense as an acronym in English, and it's hard to believe that all these Cybertronians who fled Cybertron millions of years ago and have only just returned - most probably with NO contact with Earth - just happen to understand English and the "NAIL" acronym and the cultural connotations that makes it insulting?!? Then there was the graffiti in English (there didn't seem much attempt to "mask" it as Cybertronian script like with the text on Skids' shuttle controls) - but whatever, I kinda told myself that the NAIL acronym was made by Autobots who'd been to Earth (although why they'd continue using English on Cybertron is beyond me) and the graffiti was written in Cybertronian but visually "translated" for the audience... alright, let's go with that.

But the "OSAL" thing?!? That's just too much disbelief for me to suspend. It's nigh-impossible that a millions-of-years old alien language (English is a relatively young language even by Earth standards) would happen to have the same word for same word for disposal as in Modern English (a word which itself was derived from Old French and Latin); Some incredible intergalactic fluke?!? I wish they'd use a Cybertronian script (that's what FB does with a lot of their comics) and perhaps provide a small box in the corner of the frame for transliteration.

But otherwise a really enjoyable ish! Bring on the next one! :D

"You... you speak English!"
"I am actually speaking Rigellian. By an astonishing coincidence, both of our languages are exactly the same."
- The Simpsons ("Treehouse of Horrors" 'Hungry are the Damned')

i_amtrunks

1st March 2012, 09:45 PM

Great issue.

Art remains tight, it is driven forward by characters and their interactions rather than info dumps.

I love that while Drift is one of the "bigger" names in the selling of this series, he has so far been relegated to a joke character who spouts crud that Rodimus wants to hear.

Cant wait to see more Skids, Ratchet, Magnus, Swerve, Cyclonus and Red Alert!

i_amtrunks

13th March 2012, 10:32 PM

So preview for issue #3 (http://pulllist.comixology.com/sku/JAN120457/Transformers-More-Than-Meets-the-Eye-Ongoing-3?utm_source=Cover%2bGallery&utm_medium=retailers&utm_campaign=Retailers%2b2012-03-14&utm_term=Phantom%2bZone) is up.

Writing is excellent once again, the banter is so well constructed, and shared amongst the cast, Rewind, Rodimus and Ratchet all get lines in the first handful of pages.

Out this week.

Sworc

14th March 2012, 12:29 AM

Can't wait to pick this up on Thursday. :) Really enjoyed the first 2 issues.

Tend to not read the previews as they give away a bit too much of the issue for me. Great for those that want to see if it is for them though.

Sworc

15th March 2012, 02:50 PM

Just picked up a copy of MTMTE #3. Last one in the store. Owner mentioned how the recent TF comics are selling faster than he can get them in, so he has increased his order. Has previously mentioned that the last series did really poorly as far as sales go for him. So I think he is a bit surprised by the popularity of the two new series.

Can�t wait to get home, get all the usual jobs done and sit down with my fresh new transformers comic. I always read the previous issue first, as kind a of �Previously on Transformers: More than Meets the Eye!� type thing. Also extends the experience a bit, seeing as it doesn�t take too long to read an issue.

Post up thoughts a bit later.

GoktimusPrime

15th March 2012, 09:07 PM

Does your comic store allow you to set up a standing order? That way they reserve an issue for you as soon as it comes in and you can pick it up at your leisure without worrying about the issue being sold out. I've had my Transformer comics on standing order since 1990. :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/spoileralert.jpg

Anyway, picked up #3 today. Quite thoroughly enjoyable. A good mix of suspense with action with amusing banter between characters. I like how Ratchet continues to see everything through a scientific eye... especially with other Autobots freaking out around him about a 'monster' being aboard the ship and Ratchet clinically explaining what it is and how it works. Ratchet felt a lot like The Doctor (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Doctor) in this issue! (only somewhat more passive :p)

Rodimus' daredevil stunt to kill the Sparkeater at the end was something I didn't see coming and took me by surprise. Awesomesauce. :) Ultra Magnus is really out of his comfort zone here with all these rogues. Seeing Cyclonus explain the war to Tailgate from a Decepticon POV was interesting; although I felt it was a bit odd for Tailgate to want to become a Decepticon considering that he only heard about the war from someone who admitted to not having lived through it himself (not a terribly reliable source)... and in Tailgate's own admission, factions no longer matter... so... <shrug> Btw I really liked the dynamic between Cyclonus and Tailgate -- especially the way Cyclonus just dropped Tailgate on the floor! :D

Poor Rung... the ship's model collector who always has some busting in on him when he's either moving or setting up his collection! Gotta feel for him. :p Microphone in his finger? A neat little G1 reference (http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/a/a9/Scroungespecialhand.jpg) there. ;)

The way the Sparkeater killed Shock was just... macabre. I'd just finished eating when I read this issue, and watching him vomit up his own brain was... eww... even now I feel like I wanna wretch. A nice piece of horror there. Hey... now we finally know what a Turbofox looks like! (only had to wait 28 years :p) :D

Only gripe about this issue: The language issue still plagues this ish. It makes it continually hard to accept that they're speaking to each other in Cybertronian when they're making very Anglocentric references like the whole "mnemosurgeon" thing... I just can't suspend disbelief for this and it just spoils part of the fantasy for me. :( It's hard enough for me to suspend disbelief everytime I see English text written on doors and that thingamajiggy in Ore's hand.

Rewind's intervention with "Shock!" was funny though. That's more clever -- it's like a fourth wall Anglocentric joke for the audience that more easily allows the audience to suspend disbelief and believe that they're still speaking to each other in Cybertronian. If they want to make more language jokes, then make them like this please.

i_amtrunks

15th March 2012, 10:46 PM

Three solid issues in a row, something that IDW has only ever done once before... Let's see if they can equal their previous best of 4 straight!

The story flows beautifully from both the artwork (the sparkstalker is brilliantly designed) and the internal dialogue. we get some clues and hints as well as confirmation of some threads that were started in issue #1, plus an (earlier than I was expecting) conclusion to the sparkstalker side story. So far it seems like a problem is being solved every issue (Autobots sucked into space, Sparkstalker) while also offering questions that need to be answered not only in MtMtE, but in RiD as well. (ie. what were some of the nails getting up to?)

Obvious question is why Rodmus or Red Alert didnt partake in a more thorough search before leaving (Sure they were in a rush, but that was a pretty big miss on their part). We had a couple of gory deaths, as well as some interesting interactions (Skids and Swerve continue to be brilliant) and Rung gets more interesting to this series every issue.
Rodimus's risk taking goes up to level 11, and his arrogance climbs as well, I can't wait until Magnus gets his "told you so" moment.

Writing is crisp and peppered with one liners and snappy dialogue, the art matches the story perfectly, you know who each bot is meant to be as soon as you see them, no need for caption boxes, and we re slowly seeing more and more of the Lost Light crew.

To top it off, Roberts continues to treat Drift like the junk that he is, whilst continuing to give us plenty of characters to focus on, Ratchet, Swerve, Rewind, Skids, Tailgate are all very intriguing and fun to read.

Obviously another great issue, let's keep hoping the creative team can keep this up for as long as possible and that sales remain strong so IDW leave them alone.

Seeing Cyclonus explain the war to Tailgate from a Decepticon POV was interesting.

I don't think Cyclonus is a Decepticon, he just a leaning towards their beliefs practices. He was part of the original ark crew and only really spent time with active Cons for the brief amount of time he was imprisoned with them after Cybertron's reformatting.

Only gripe about this issue: The language issue still plagues this ish. It makes it continually hard to accept that they're speaking to each other in Cybertronian when they're making very Anglocentric references like the whole "mnemosurgeon" thing... I just can't suspend disbelief for this and it just spoils part of the fantasy for me. :( It's hard enough for me to suspend disbelief everytime I see English text written on doors and that thingamajiggy in Ore's hand.

Sorry Gok, I doubt that you'll find many people who will agree with you, either partially or fully. Of course the Cybertronians have to speak in English and have English writing in their surroundings, or else we'd have little to no clue as to what was going on. You shouldn't have to be a linguistic expert in a fictional language just to be able to read a comic or two. :rolleyes:

GoktimusPrime

15th March 2012, 11:17 PM

I don't think Cyclonus is a Decepticon, he just a leaning towards their beliefs practices. He was part of the original ark crew and only really spent time with active Cons for the brief amount of time he was imprisoned with them after Cybertron's reformatting.
Oh yeah, he's definitely not a Decepticon - but I thought it was interesting hearing a recount of the war from a, I suppose Decepticon-sympathetic (or anti-Autobot) perspective... he certainly didn't paint the Autobots in a very positive light in his tale. :)

Sorry Gok, I doubt that you'll find many people who will agree with you, either partially or fully. Of course the Cybertronians have to speak in English and have English writing in their surroundings, or else we'd have little to no clue as to what was going on. You shouldn't have to be a linguistic expert in a fictional language just to be able to read a comic or two. :rolleyes:
Yeah but what grinds my gears is when they say stuff that only (or most probably only) makes sense in English. Stuff that doesn't seem to work if we imagine that they're speaking Cybertronian.

I can accept that we see the text in their speech bubbles in English; and okay, I can accept that text printed on doors and buttons might be in English (although I'd prefer it if they used a funky font to at least try to make it look Cybertronian) -- I can just pretend that the comic has some kind of "Universal Translator" or Babelfish happening... but there are some things that don't translate... like the "mnemosurgeon" thing.

I can happily accept:
"That's the biggest load of..."
"Shock!"
^This works. I can imagine this being said in an alien language. It would probably lose its comedic edge in translation, but it works. And the fact that it's funny when "translated" in English is what I meant by fourth-wall breaking humour.

But stuff like making light of the silent "m" in "mnemosurgeon" and how it sounds like without the "m"... what?!? :confused: You couldn't translate that joke into most other languages from Earth... the odds of that joke existing in an alien language that developed completely independently from any Earth language?? I'm afraid I just can't suspend disbelief on "untranslatable" stuff like this. The odds that this kind of thing could also work in another human language is remote... being translatable in an alien language is highly improbable.

Maybe I'm the only person in the world who's bugged by this... but it still bugs me all the same.

kup

1st April 2012, 02:31 AM

As mentioned, another fantastic issue! 3 solid issues in a row for IDW! This has to be some sort of record ;)

It is clear that the writing and art team this time around get what Transformers is about and it shows in such great writing and use of characters! It feels as if I am reading the Marvel comics during their glory days when every issue told a story as well provided bits to an overall story arc.

Faith in IDW: Restored.

I am looking forward to the next issue of MTMTE and also enjoying RID although it is the weaker of the two series.

i_amtrunks

18th April 2012, 10:19 AM

Preview for issue #4 is up (http://pulllist.comixology.com/sku/FEB120354/Transformers-More-Than-Meets-the-Eye-Ongoing-4?utm_source=Cover%2bGallery&utm_medium=retailers&utm_campaign=Retailers%2b2012-04-18&utm_term=Phantom%2bZone).

Not only does this preview indicate that the writing and art is at least on par with the previous issues, it connects (or intertwines) with the Last Stand of the Wreckers series. Some of it is only going to make sense if you have read the additional material to the Wreckers series "Bullets".

While I still feel that these previews show too much of the comic each week, this week it finishes on a good little cliffhanger of what will be left of Delphi.

And welcome back to Sunstreaker and Bob. I wonder how long it'll be until we get some AHM payback for Streaker from his brethren? (surely someone will let it slip out!)

Paulbot

19th April 2012, 03:27 PM

Loved issue 4, but it's the first issue of the series where the "to be continued" really left me hanging. One of the cons (I guess) of reading through Comixology on a phone is that you don't always notice what page you're on. One of the cons for sure is that I missed Sunstreaker. I did flick through the pages of issue 3 in store on the weekend and can't wait to have these in a hardcopy trade eventually.

I continue to love how many new Transformers world-building concepts (the history lesson, the Monoformer movement, the Decepticon Justice Division) James Roberts manages to get in to each issue, as well as the use of existing and obscure items (like the long awaited(?) return of the Mobile Autobot Repair Bay).

i_amtrunks

19th April 2012, 05:50 PM

One of the cons for sure is that I missed Sunstreaker.

Nah he's hard to spot even in print. I only saw him because of Bob. He is in Swerve's bar when Ratchet goes to get his drink.

Paulbot

19th April 2012, 09:56 PM

I can see him in the preview (and he was in crowd scenes in earlier issues)

On that page in comixology app though, that portion of the panel is unviewable. It goes from the establishing shot, to the bar shot, to the close up without being able to zoom to the left of the bar shot.

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2q6cnqAKT1qbguy1o1_500.jpg

It's still perfectly readable though and cheaper than buying the comic, but I'll be happily buying the hardcover collection eventually.

i_amtrunks

19th April 2012, 11:19 PM

Sharky

20th April 2012, 05:03 PM

We also got a brief glimpse of Powerglide in issue #4 as well.

Totally agree with Paulbot about the cliffhanger. Due to a few pages of ads at the back of the comic I thought I had another page or two when BAM there it is smacking you in the face.

Roberts sure packs alot into his issues, and the good thing is the art backs it up well, lots of detail, you really need to read this series once through for the story, read it again to process the art and images then read it a third time combining what you took in from the first two readings. Makes issues like Spotlight Mirage and the McCarthy issues seem even worse (if that was possible!)

The fact that this issue so heavily ties into LSotW without going so far as to making no sense without having read it, made it even more enjoyable to me. It has flow and consistency with stories that have come beforehand and that has allowed it to utilise leftover points from those stories to this series benefit.

Now to wait another month!

Who wants to bet on how long until the Lost Light finds ol' Grimmy? :D

I picked this issue up at lunch and waited for the train trip home to read it.. I really like how this series is moving along.... I loved the reveal at the end as i had been wondering how long before he popped up and especially since I have re-read a certain hardcover a couple of times since. And I like how they didn't ret con where he has been. I wonder how long before we see the other bot that was admitted at the same time. The art is really enjoyable and I am loving the ratchet spotlighting...

Can't wait for the next issue..

Sworc

22nd April 2012, 11:19 PM

Another really enjoyable read. The reveal at the end was a real surprise. Haven't read any of the more recent comics so wasn't expecting that particular bot to show up.

I think I should pick up a copy of LSOTW based on some of the comments on here.

Can't wait for the next issue.

Sharky

23rd April 2012, 03:51 PM

some highlights for those that want to see.. if not look away now..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/IMG_0532_powerglide.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/ssandbob.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/IMG_0517_sm.png

Paulbot

23rd April 2012, 04:23 PM

Am I the only one that thinks the silhouette in the last panel looks like Armada Megatron? That was my first thought when I got to that panel :o followed by no of course it couldn't be.

Sharky

23rd April 2012, 08:01 PM

Am I the only one that thinks the silhouette in the last panel looks like Armada Megatron? That was my first thought when I got to that panel :o followed by no of course it couldn't be.

Haha believe it or not I actually had "and a sneak peak of armada Meg's" before I added in bob to the post... I really did think that looked like him

i_amtrunks

23rd April 2012, 08:38 PM

Am I the only one that thinks the silhouette in the last panel looks like Armada Megatron? That was my first thought when I got to that panel :o followed by no of course it couldn't be.

That makes three of us. My first (stupid) thought was "and how does armada Megsy fit in here, I thought we were done with crossovers..." :p

Is my memory playing tricks on me or have we also seen cosmos onboard the lostlight? Starting to compile a few minibots!

Sharky

23rd April 2012, 09:12 PM

Is my memory playing tricks on me or have we also seen cosmos onboard the lostlight? Starting to compile a few minibots!

No trickery there.. We have seen cosmos in issue 2 page 19.. I also believe that huffer brawn and gears can also be seen in the same panel.

GoktimusPrime

23rd April 2012, 10:36 PM

Overall an enjoyable issue - though there's still a few things about it that I wish they'd improve on.

P.S.: I also thought Fort Max was Armada Megs. ;)
P.P.S.: Dear Hasbro, can we haz IDW-Fort Max inspired Generations Fort Max toy please? :)

Sky Shadow

24th May 2012, 04:33 AM

Issue #5 was - as always - brilliant. I love the fact that this series has been planned so meticulously with ideas seeded from issue one that slowly pay out. Rung's history with Red Alert... 19 (80) 4... Ratchet's Parkinson's... this is the best-written monthly on the shelves. It will be interesting to see if the voice under the ship is saying "kill me" or "me kill".

Paulbot

24th May 2012, 08:28 AM

The voice under the ship? I'm guessing it might be the voice of the ship...?

I think Ultra Magnus' seriousness was taken a bit too far but otherwise this series can do no wrong.

This story deserved the two part approach that allowed the mystery and threat develop, with a real sense of danger, that it wouldn't have had as a single issue.

I also really liked the surprise appearance (dating back to the first IDW comic) I never suspected we'd see again. It's a good way of acknowledging this is #13X of a long running series.

liegeprime

24th May 2012, 01:22 PM

P.P.S.: Dear Hasbro, can we haz IDW-Fort Max inspired Generations Fort Max toy please? :)

They'd prolly recolour an Armada Megs figure and say here you go....not a good thing

i_amtrunks

24th May 2012, 06:16 PM

Wow. Just wow.

We get a reasonable and clever answer to the mystery that was set up in the earlier issues, we get a great fix for Ratchet losing some ability, and also some freedom to use him in a multitude of different ways in coming stories (although I am sure we will get some focus back on other characters for a few issues).

Art again was fantastic, matched the story perfectly and not a panel is wasted.

Great to see the Lost Light gather up a few new recruits, and I wonder if we will get to see Prowl complaining about the events of the issue in a later RiD?

I'll add in more details to my thoughts after a few days so as not to spoilerfy it for anyone.

Sharky

24th May 2012, 06:29 PM

this was a really really good issue.

GoktimusPrime

3rd June 2012, 12:24 PM

I really enjoyed this issue. The story is certainly living up the the series title of being More Than Meets The Eye! :D Nice to see Ratchet's avatar making a reappearance, heh. ;)

Paulbot

28th June 2012, 08:24 AM

Sharky

28th June 2012, 01:22 PM

That preview for #6 was misleading... I expected a downtime issue, but instead a very satisfying all-in-one story that was revealing, and funny, and tense and I'll wait until more people have read it to ask the question on my mind at the end.

Really ancient transformations took 10 mins? Lol. Conceivable world-building details in a throwaway line. I love that sort of stuff.

this was a great issue..

i didnt expect one bot to do that

i didnt expect the other thing to happen..

and the backstory of another autobot....

and the the last page..... so many question now..

but a really good issue

now i got to wait a month for more..

GoktimusPrime

28th June 2012, 09:42 PM

Really ancient transformations took 10 mins? Lol. Conceivable world-building details in a throwaway line. I love that sort of stuff.
It's also like playing with your Transformer toys in real time! :D

Vvvvvrrmmmmm, ZZzzzzoooommm!
"Transfooooorm!"
<10 min later>
"Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!"
:p

i_amtrunks

28th June 2012, 10:47 PM

this was a great issue..

i didnt expect one bot to do that

i didnt expect the other thing to happen..

and the backstory of another autobot....

and the the last page..... so many question now..

but a really good issue

now i got to wait a month for more..

I agree. Wow. Just wow.

I could seriously just read hundreds of pages like the first half dozen, but the next dozen or so after I could read thousands of.

Nice to have writers who obviously want to flesh out their characters and use them to tell the story.

liegeprime

29th June 2012, 02:22 AM

Im really liking the way the stories for this comics is written. Alas poor .... we barely knew him.... He was even rubbed off now in the roster of who's who at the end. ah well. OH and that last page.... hmmm shouldnt he be more skeletal from all the damage he got from LSOTW? I sense a smackdown soon.:D:D:D

i_amtrunks

29th June 2012, 09:45 PM

Something else I realised about this comic: It didnt feel the need to advertise that a character was going to die (I know it is nothing new for this series). No tricks or gimmicks like in many tv shows where they foreshadow a death and make it either a) a dream etc or b) a newish/minor character.

ramifications of this issue are huge for a number of characters and the last page reveal will make for some must read issues in the near future!

Paulbot

2nd July 2012, 08:44 PM

i_amtrunks

2nd July 2012, 09:19 PM

On my first read through, I wondered if the "accident" wasn't an accident, but on subsequent readings I think it was and just intended to wipe the grin off someone's face. For a little while anyway.

Which accident are you referring too? I can think of a few instances that could e interpreted as accidents! :p

I think this will be one of those comics that when you re-read 12+ issues back to back you'll pick up on all these crazy "throw away" lines like Paulbot said that were more like a "foreshadowing" than just a funny line.

Everything happens in MtMtE for a reason.

Sharky

2nd July 2012, 09:28 PM

On my first read through, I wondered if the "accident" wasn't an accident, but on subsequent readings I think it was and just intended to wipe the grin off someone's face. For a little while anyway.

I love that some of the little throwaway lines from Red Alert in issue 5 all came to mean something this issue, like Whirl's multiple personality disorder and Rewind's discs. One thing I didn't get was why Red Alert needed a hand at the end? The drill I get but the hand?

I took it as red alert removed his hand and installed the drill piece, pretty talented one handed unless cybertronians can adapt/ self repair components.

This series is defiantly more enjoyable and meatier then the sister book,

Paulbot

2nd July 2012, 11:16 PM

Which accident are you referring too? I can think of a few instances that could e interpreted as accidents! :p

I meant the nasty head wound.

I took it as red alert removed his hand and installed the drill piece, pretty talented one handed unless cybertronians can adapt/ self repair components.

Ah. That makes sense. The last panel on page 25 does shows him with the drill in place of his right hand. The "listening in" panel doesn't make it clear that he's swapping the components, and the next panel doesn't make it clear how he's using the drill.

i_amtrunks

3rd July 2012, 12:28 AM

I meant the ...

Well he did mention he was a poor shot, and lets face it, none of Hot Rod Rodimus's plans have really gone like he planned in the IDW stories. Probably due to the lack of planning.

GoktimusPrime

12th July 2012, 04:04 PM

Wow... a pretty emotionally intense story! I like how the conflicts are principally psychological rather than physical. :) I still really enjoy the various individual personality quirks amongst the different characters...
* Rodimus: legend in his own lunchtime. Certainly not as competent as he thinks he is as leader, and the consequences of his ineptness is coming home to roost.
* Ultra Magnus: others fob him off as being too straight-laced, but Magnus knows the value and importance of adhering to protocols. He's watching Rodimus wantonly ignore protocols and the nightmarish chaos that's unfolding before his eyes. Magnus knows that none of this crap would have happened if he were in charge.
* Swerve: what's not to love about this dude? :D I kinda pitied him at the end when he was placed in the unenviable task of being the sniper. :(
* Rewind: this dude's got seriously pent up issues. ;)
* Whirl: psycho-maniac (but ultimately still not to be underestimated)
* Fortress Maximus: Vengeful ball of hate (with guns in his legs!). Ultra Magnus was so right... why would you let a guy like this, with all he's been through, walk around with a loaded weapon??
* Tailgate: the ancient noob trying to fit in... only one he considers a friend seems to be Cyclonus.
* Cyclonus: hated by all. Can't stand Tailgate.
* Red Alert: Unhinged and paranoid. As the "Meet The Crew" page says, he's 'somehow still' director of security. The somehow still meaning Rodimus' unwillingness to stand him down.

With so many of the Lost Light's crew getting wounded or killed, I reckon Ultra Magnus ought to relieve Rodimus of command. Also, I should care more about Rung's death than I do... I would if they'd used an existing toy-character instead of just inventing some random disposable mook. Why not use someone really obscure like Rescue Force Jalgar? <shrug> They could still call him Rung since those toys never had official individual names.

Also not fond of Transformers referring to themselves as "men." Lame.

kup

16th July 2012, 07:42 PM

SPOILERS

Oh No!!!

The whole Rung death caught me by surprise and I was sad! He may not have been a toy character but they had him around long enough for you to get to know him and he felt like an interesting new non-toy character - On hindsight, I should have known that this ultimately means he is fair game but it didn't click for some reason, possibly because he wasn't just some background or 'Hi&Bye' character :(

Rung was my favorite new Non-Toy character.

I am a little sad about Rung's death but at least that is what makes comics worth reading, the unpredictability of the story and certainly strengthens the impact at the end. I feel really bad for Swerve.

Lord_Zed

17th July 2012, 12:01 AM

Wow best TF comic issue in ages, I didn't see any of it coming, nice work.

More Spoilers.......................

I was caught of guard by Rungs death, He was one of the more interesting characters, why couldn't it have been that boring drunken one trick pony Trailebreaker.

With so many of the Lost Light's crew getting wounded or killed, I reckon Ultra Magnus ought to relieve Rodimus of command. Also, I should care more about Rung's death than I do... I would if they'd used an existing toy-character instead of just inventing some random disposable mook. Why not use someone really obscure like Rescue Force Jalgar? <shrug> They could still call him Rung since those toys never had official individual names.

Had quite the opposite effect on me, and I'm sorry to say this is partly because of IDW's habit of killing off toy characters from 1989 onward. Had Rung been some obscure toy from this period onward I would have been expecting his death every issue, because that's what happens when your not part of the first four years of toys. The fact that Rung was not a toy character and served a purpose made me think he was going to become a fixture, kinda like Emmirate Xarron in the Marvel UK series.

i_amtrunks

17th July 2012, 03:26 PM

The fact that Rung was not a toy character and served a purpose made me think he was going to become a fixture, kinda like Emmirate Xarron in the Marvel UK series.

That was my line of thinking too. I thought having a head doctor on board could open up lots of different stories and situations. I mean his death opens alot of doors for the crazies like Red Alert and Whirl to further deteriorate, but it would have been fun to have almost side stories looking back on characters past lives while in his chairs.

Plus I loved that his model ships were getting destroyed. Nice running gag.

GoktimusPrime

17th July 2012, 09:35 PM

I really do like how Rung is a model builder/collector... nearly as cool as Shortround (who collects transforming robot toys ;)).

The thing that really bugs me about non-toy characters is that I don't have toys of them to play out!! :( :( The most I can do is approximate them with similar looking toys if possible... which sometimes it's not (looking at you, Botanica!). :( What toy would you guys recommend as an approximation of Rung? e.g. I use MW Hubcap as an approximation of Emirate Xaaron.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Primal%20Scream%20Photocomic/primalscream017.jpg

Paulbot

25th July 2012, 07:03 PM

I was impatient and went to the comic store to buy issue 7 in physical copy instead of digitally tomorrow morning.

I'm yet to be let down by this series. Again the preview pages don't give away the plot. I've got a grin on my face because I enjoyed this so much.

The DJD look scary and all, but the reject Decepticons made my day. I so hope the survivors come on board the Lost Light. They'd fit right in, with their quirks, along the Autobot crew. I've always like Misfire's look and finally he's got something to do. The series has been lacking Decepticons, but finally we get a good team of counterparts, and a team to be reckoned with. And not a Geewun 'Con among them.

Bring on issue 8! :D

i_amtrunks

26th July 2012, 07:29 PM

Issue #7 is brilliant.

Lots of new characters and locales, the script and art continues to be amazing. The DJD are going to be a volatile threat. The new characters are so well written, you like them straight away, the banter is hilarious and enlightening. The word count for this issue must be more than all of Costa's run combined!

Issue #8 looks like it'll be great, can't wait to read what happens.

Also love that even though the focus is mostly on all the newbies, they still take a few pages to keep us up to date with the bots we know, love and will probably watch die! :p

Sam

26th July 2012, 11:34 PM

I find this series has a humourous quirkiness that keeps me interested, each issue is a pleasant read.

Lord_Zed

29th July 2012, 09:02 PM

I found this issue a bit slower than the previous few. it was still good though. I feel like I know where this is going though, so I'm hoping there going to do something different.

loved the humor again though, very Joss Whedonish, they even stole Evil Willows line.

Spoilers bit:

The DJD look scary and all, but the reject Decepticons made my day. I so hope the survivors come on board the Lost Light. They'd fit right in, with their quirks, along the Autobot crew. I've always like Misfire's look and finally he's got something to do. The series has been lacking Decepticons, but finally we get a good team of counterparts, and a team to be reckoned with. And not a Geewun 'Con among them.

Bring on issue 8! :D

Yes about that I liked the reject Decepticons too, however I don't want to get to attached to them, as I expect them all to be slaughtered within 2 issues probably by Grimlock (well maybe not Missfire). This a great series but the one thing that bothers me is with all IDW's stories is the immortality of the Geewun bots and the way almost any other bot post Headmasters may as well be called Red Chassis. When I can guess who is going to live and who is going to die I get bored, surprise me again MTMTE, you can do it!!!!!!!

Sharky

30th July 2012, 01:00 PM

i liked this issue, i read it twice..

Spoilers.

i like how crankcase has a head wound, i wonder if this is a carry over injury from stormbringer.. not sure if we have seen him since.

and i do like Flywheels and Misfire...... we really doo need some decepticon storys to balance it all out, it just all latley seems to be autobots in both titles....

who do you think the DJD is after is it as obvious as Fulcrum is the intended target he lived like the discussion between Vos and Tarn, or it could be Crankcase he survived nebulos and maybe deserted... or maybe Krok....

either way i look forward to the next issue of this more then any other book i am reading.. (i am bored to death with AvX and the 300 crossovers you need to read to understand what is happening.)

GoktimusPrime

31st July 2012, 11:18 PM

I find this series has a humourous quirkiness that keeps me interested, each issue is a pleasant read.
+1. :)

I'm also enjoying these misfit Decepticons; much moreso than the Decepticon Justice Division. I'm still not a fan of throwing in all these non-toy characters... it just takes some of the magic of Transformers away when there isn't a toy available to play along with. That's one thing that I enjoy about Transformers because it lets you "live" the adventures with the toys. How often do we sit in front of the TV or sit in front of open comic books and play along with the stories? Or after reading an issue or watching an ep, going off to recreate that adventure with your toys? I know that we've had non-toy characters since G1 and it's hardly a new concept... but I guess that during the 80s I was more accepting because they needed to flesh out characters more, especially in the early days when the Decepticons were outnumbered 3:1 (so they had to do crazy things like give us multi-coloured Seekers and other such generic 'Cons to fill the ranks). Also Hasbro often dictated which toys they could insert/remove from stories, so writers would need to insert characters that they could remove when they wanted to without worrying about what Hasbro thought. But now... IDW has access to 11 years worth of G1/G2 toys at their disposal, and since these comics aren't being used by Hasbro to sell toys, they're not as restricted in who they want to introduce or remove.

So yeah, consequently I'm enjoying the Decepticon misfits more... 'cept for Fulcrum. I don't dislike him per se... but he simply doesn't engage me as much. Watching the DJD torture and kill Sky^Black Shadow was pretty kewl... if they did the same thing to Fulcrum I just wouldn't care as much. I'd be like, "Ppffttt... I don't even have a toy of this guy. Hurry up and kill him please." It was the same during G1... watching Prowl, Ratchet, Ironhide, Starscream and Optimus Prime getting killed was upsetting... if they killed Arcee, I really wouldn't have cared.

Also...
+ Rigel IV -- home planet of Kodoss and Kang in the Simpsons! Lol! (and by an amazing coincidence the Rigellian language is identical to Modern English ;))
+ A fleet of Warworlds?! Phwoar!

GoktimusPrime

3rd August 2012, 10:28 AM

...something that bugs me about MTMTE is how the Transformers refer to themselves as "people" and occasionally "men." (-_-)

Paulbot

3rd August 2012, 10:44 AM

We know. You mention it a lot. But they are speaking Neocybex and use a word that translates to English as people to refer to themselves.

As for "men", blame Jihaxus. Ever since Arcee was created, most of the Transformers became "men" in difference to her.

kup

3rd August 2012, 10:49 AM

...something that bugs me about MTMTE is how the Transformers refer to themselves as "people" and occasionally "men." (-_-)

People does not necessarily mean 'Human' or organic. They are sentient and intelligent so 'People' does apply.

I will however agree with being annoyed when they use the term 'Men' to address each other.

Lord_Zed

10th August 2012, 12:03 AM

Yeah the only thing that could be better with the MTMTE dialogue is the use of the more typical (if corny) vernacular, bots etc...

It also bugs me a bit that they use "what the hell" expletive all the time. I would prefer to see something a bit more creative like the use of "slag" in Beast Wars. While I see no reason they can't have robot Hell, I just miss them giving a proper TF spin on things.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/557024_10151129875820396_248384462_n.jpg

Admitedly they did add "shadow of the underbase" to the transformer dictionary of expressions, which is cool.

i_amtrunks

10th August 2012, 06:13 PM

After getting the first trade I am a little disappointed that it contains only four issues.
- Death of Optimus Prime
- MtMtE 1-3.

Means it is already two issues behind the RiD trade. However the sketches and "sneak peek behind the scenes" are certainly worth getting a look at, as is getting all the covers inside.

Paulbot

10th August 2012, 06:18 PM

Comic book trades are getting shorter with the big two as well, been disappointing me with the relaunched X-Men titles.

I'm waiting for the MTMTE to be in Collection series now. :) [and I already own each issue as a comic and as a digital comic, four copies would be overkill ;)]

Sky Shadow

23rd August 2012, 09:58 AM

Issue eight was just a #*@%ing brilliant comic.

I'm exuberant that Roberts has given us a second crew that we already care just as much about as that of the Lost Light.

"Did I not mention that in my introduction?"

I love this series and hope it lasts forever. Just brilliant.

kup

23rd August 2012, 10:52 AM

I love this series and hope it lasts forever. Just brilliant.

lol Hopefully IDW won't suddenly decide that it isn't Geewunn enough and get us a second McCarthy who creates the uber cool character called Druft who is a total bad ass with attitude and wields dual stake shooting guns ;)

SuspectimusPrime

23rd August 2012, 08:34 PM

Spoiler alert!

Really glad that one of my favourite under-rated characters made it through this one, Krok :)

Was also hoping that Misfire's gun would transform :p

i_amtrunks

23rd August 2012, 10:14 PM

Wow! Loved every dot of this issue. Brilliant characters (especially since they are a meant to be a "B" crew) drive the story forward, the art is wonderful and clear, you know exactly who is who. Love the tease at the end, being set so soon in the near future makes me even more interested in how they will continue to make this book so impressive month after month.

This is honestly the worst part of the month for me, the longest point until the next issue (at least we get the annual next week!)

SuspectimusPrime

26th August 2012, 12:30 PM

i_amtrunks

26th August 2012, 03:01 PM

In reference to the conversation in the Oil Reservoir of MTMTE #8, is the MTMTE Annual 2012 released in retail yet? Or will it? :confused:

If not, I would probably jump on this (http://www.oneshallstand.com/shop/MTMTE/annual2012.html).

Should be out in this weeks previews.

-EDIT-
Just checked preview world via phantomzone and no listing... will have to see what happens with the international media/previews to see if it released this week or not after all.

Sharky

26th August 2012, 07:48 PM

From Previews World (http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/954)

September 5
Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Annual 2012
Transformers: Regeneration One #83
Transformers: Robots in Disguise #9

Big Week for the wallet....

Sworc

26th August 2012, 10:03 PM

What a great read!

My favourite line of the issue, and possibly the series: Wear my faaace. :D

BigTransformerTrev

26th August 2012, 10:32 PM

Poor Ol' Flywheels - would have loved to see his big feet save him in some fashion. Heh - the toy does have massive feet!

I've always had a soft spot for Crankcase as he was one of the few Decepticons I bought that year that seemed to have an Earth-Inspired vehicular form and wasn't in some garish purple & pink colours so great to see him get some page-time. Only bot I don't own from the scavengers is Krok (and now I wanna buy him lol)

I do like that they have a couple of the DJD with multiple arms - seems very handy for huge bots - especially those two who have to cram other bots into their chest compartments to kill'em. And one bot turning into an electric chair is just inspired!

Like many of you have said - I hope this comic lasts forever!

GoktimusPrime

31st August 2012, 10:20 AM

I felt crushed when Flywheels died! Way more upset than when Rung was shot. I find that I really do emotionally invest myself way more in toy-characters than made-up non-characters. I guess for me, looking at guys like Misfire, Flywheels, Spinister, Krok and Ruckus -- I've "known" these guys for decades. So if anything happens to them, I care. When Fulcrum transformed into bomb mode and dropped, I thought "Oh okay, he's going to blow himself up," but beyond that expectation I didn't really care. And when he failed to detonate, I didn't feel relieved or disappointed... just nothing. Although the character concept is pretty cool I'll admit... but without a toy I just find it difficult to invest in that character. Meh.

I also liked the little social commentary that was delivered in the Flywheels character... like when Flywheels started praying and Crankcase asked him if he seriously thought if Primus would save them, "Yes!" <transforms> :D lolol

Also... "practicing"? As a verb shouldn't it be spelt "practising"? Practice = noun, practise = verb. :confused:

SuspectimusPrime

31st August 2012, 02:35 PM

I was initially confused over Misfire's eulogy for Flywheels, mentioning his obsession with tracking down the Necrobot. This was originally mentioned in the last issue as Misfire's obsession. I suppose the writer intended the irony to fall on Flywheels instead.

I've enjoyed Fulcrum's character being portrayed as simply a Decepticon soldier without the usual sadism. If a toy ever eventuates from this character (Hah, good luck!) either from HasTak or 3P, I would be very interested in how impressive they can sculpt his chin :p

Sky Shadow

31st August 2012, 05:37 PM

without a toy I just find it difficult to invest in that character.

Keep in mind that we live in an era when Drift, Straxus and Impactor get toys, so it's not entirely impossible that Rung and Fulcrum will also one day be plasticised.

But yes, it was a shame to lose Flywheels - still, it's more powerful from a creative standpoint to kill people we care about than ones who make us go 'meh'.

Also... "practicing"? As a verb shouldn't it be spelt "practising"? Practice = noun, practise = verb. :confused:

Yes indeed.

i_amtrunks

31st August 2012, 05:37 PM

Sharky

31st August 2012, 07:02 PM

Grrr, where is the annual? It is bad enough there was a reference to an unreleased issue in the last comic, but know it is getting longer and longer a wait to know what they were referencing. Guess I am just impatient! :D

yeah i am a little annoyed the annual is not out... it is something i have been looking forward too...

as for misfires necrobot mention.... James Robets has addressed this over in the IDW forums (http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=12478)

It seems that a line of dialogue on the last page of issue 8 is causing some confusion. Standing over Flywheels' remains, Misfire says, "His ludicrous search for the Necrobot remains unfulfilled." Yet in issue 7, it is clearly established that Misfire himself is the Scavenger with the Necrobot obsession.

This is what is known - in comic book industry jargon - as a big, fat mistake.

I could try and explain how this big, fat mistake came about, but to do so would be to give far too much of an insight into the creative process here at MTMTE Towers. A creative process that involves fear, rage, lust and Peanut M&Ms. All I can say is I'm sorry. (Last pages are my downfall - remember when a pre-war Orion Pax was referred to as 'Optimus Prime' at the end of 'Chaos Theory'?)

If this were a different comic company, we'd be offering No Prizes to those of you who could explain away Misfire's comment. As it is, I've been summoned to IDW HQ to be strapped into the Humiliationizer. You won't see me for a while...

P.S. We'll fix the dialogue for the trade - unless someone comes up with a truly amazing explanation.

tinyJazz

31st August 2012, 08:28 PM

I don't get it, what's this Annual thing? Is it just a bumper issue? A recap? and will it be included in the MTMTE Volume 2 trade? :confused:

Absolutely loving this series so far, nice to have writers that really care about the property.

GoktimusPrime

31st August 2012, 09:32 PM

I don't get it, what's this Annual thing? Is it just a bumper issue? A recap? and will it be included in the MTMTE Volume 2 trade? :confused:
I don't really know actually... I'm hoping that it's like the G1 annuals (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Annual). <shrugs> :confused: I thought that maybe the annual had already come out and that I'd missed it.

Sharky

31st August 2012, 10:31 PM

I don't really know actually... I'm hoping that it's like the G1 annuals (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Annual). <shrugs> :confused: I thought that maybe the annual had already come out and that I'd missed it.

They r nothing like the old marvel ones, its more a bigger issue with a story that touches on a few of the mysteries they books are set on, Hopefully the 12th it comes out

solicits....spoiler warning

MTMTE

THE ORIGIN OF THE KNIGHTS OF CYBERTRON! Rodimus and the crew of the Lost Light finally reach Crystal City, home to the mysterious Circle of Light. But what they find waiting for them is going to change everything-and not necessarily for the better!

RID

CRASHING DOWN! The mysterious Metrotitan from last month�s More Than Meets the Eye Annual arrives on CYBERTRON�smashing into the ruins of the legendary Crystal City! Starscream and Prowl begin a battle of wills over the fate of this behemoth�and the outcome will shock you!

Paulbot

2nd September 2012, 09:46 PM

kup

2nd September 2012, 10:27 PM

Well it's September already. Is the annual out?

i_amtrunks

2nd September 2012, 10:30 PM

The flashforward was interesting. Poor Dipstick.

The odd thing about the Annual's story having already happened, is the question of when did it happen? It must have been between 5 and 6, as there wasn't really much of a gap between issue 6 and 8.

I thought it may have taken place in the future (between issues in the teens) but it cannot be now because of the asterisk in #8. Seems like a pretty bid thing in terms of the story to not be mentioned or referenced.. Unless the annual time skips a bit?

As for the timeskip, it is a nice and easy way to build tension for the next lot of issues. We know who will die (not as many characters as I had thought) but not how or when. (other than the order).

Wonder how many Red Alert will take out due to his paranoia? :D

Paulbot

2nd September 2012, 10:46 PM

Not even the order. Since Flywheels would seem to have died before all those on the list. It's just that the Necrobot didn't get to him until after those others.

The Annual may have multiple stories too. The story referenced might be a backup story not the major one? We'll know soon.

SuspectimusPrime

5th September 2012, 11:32 PM

Wonder how many Red Alert will take out due to his paranoia? :D

I hope Red Alert doesn't come to that sort of end. I'm liking his character more with the last issues. Hope he goes trying to save/warn everyone of the impending danger.

Lord_Zed

9th September 2012, 07:23 PM

Finally read this great issue. And yes awesome.

Fulcrum was actually interesting this issue in that I wasn't sure whether I liked him or hated him for most of the issue, which was half the point.

Poor old Diewheels, umm I mean Flywheels like those other flip changing big footed bots, Runamuck, Runabout, Topspin and Twintwist he came to an untimely end. Those guys just can't catch a break.

I was relieved to see that Krok survived though (sorta). He was already shaping up as an interesting character but historically Action Masters are not renowned for long lifespans.

The Necrobots cheatsheet is interesting to,there's actually geewun Autobots on it, I'm shicked!:p

The only problem is not I want to see more of the B crew.

liegeprime

9th September 2012, 08:42 PM

So Necrobots are like Shinigamis?

SuspectimusPrime

9th September 2012, 09:38 PM

The only problem is not I want to see more of the B crew.

I hope that the B crew stays safe if they ever get to Cybertron. Just caught up with RID last week, and was distraught to find Decepticons being sliced up like Sushi (Why Ratbat...??!?! :( He was my favourite Marvel Classic Decepticon accountant).

kup

10th September 2012, 10:29 PM

So Necrobots are like Shinigamis?

No, the Necrobot records the death of every Transformer but does not partake in it.

A Shinigamis 'guides' the spirit of the newly dead from the body to the afterlife.

i_amtrunks

13th September 2012, 10:42 PM

The annual continues the short but fine tradition setup by the first 8 issues. It is character driven, funny and interesting.

The start feels like one of the more light-hearted Doctor Who episodes, before getting deep and heavy, mythological/religious, introduces a new non cybertronian faction, introduces a new spin on the transformers origins, puts everyone in mortal peril fleshes out the feelings and thoughts of a number of characters relating to their actions in the ongoing, insults Prowl further and has more one liners than it is reasonable to fit in before ending with a convenient scientific guessing solution.

Can't wait to discuss finer details at a later date once everyone has had a read. This was a long and satisfying read, I genuinely laughed several times and instantly re-read it cover to cover to make sure I didn't miss anything. The art gets a bit sketchy in the last third, but the less finished art works in that part of the issue. Roberts has surpassed himself this time, and the fact it will tie directly into the RiD annual is pure gold.

kup

13th September 2012, 11:12 PM

GoktimusPrime

13th September 2012, 11:22 PM

I found the artwork to be a bit on the ordinary side.

Sharky

14th September 2012, 06:47 AM

Is it out already at places like King Comics?

yes it is

i have read it a couple of times now... and there was so much good in it, it is worthy of "Annual"

i was a little disapointed that we didnt see anything on Red Alert bar a mention...

kup

14th September 2012, 11:04 AM

yes it is

Thanks! :)

GoktimusPrime

14th September 2012, 01:17 PM

Spoilers

Random thoughts about the Annual:

+ Poor Ultra Magnus... I really feel for him. Though I like how the story ended with them showing his softer smile (i.e. declining the aliens' offer and leaving with a smile)
+ Rodimus comment about war and religion was funny. :D
+ Cyclonus' creation story was cool - a different take from what we've been previously used to. Now... I wonder how accurate this is. Because if it is completely accurate for the IDWverse, then that contradicts Hasbro's "Multiversal Singularity" (re: Continuity Shoehorning) that they've been pushing since 2005) Unless it's not that accurate and Cyclonus is merely recounting a legend/mythology.

I like the new take on Transformers theology though -- it feels more Classical than previous theology (which was more Zoroastrological/Judeo-Christian)... rather than having Primus being a single/central supreme being, he divided himself into 5 Gods... so in that sense the original Primus was like a Titan, whereas the 5 beings who came from him and formed the Hand are like Gods in the Classical sense (re: Pantheon/Olympus). And each of those Gods is specialised and may have been worshipped for their attributes by the early Transformers -- which is also really cool and more believable if these Transformers practised a form of polytheistic religion in the beginning. It stands to reason that if you believe in polytheism that each God would have a different purpose/function. The destruction of Mortilus granting the Transformers immortality but killing or near-killing the other Gods was a fascinating story. Also, portraying the original Primus as a Titan gives more meaning to the name "Metro Titan(s)"

The origin story was SO beautifully written... I loved how Cyclonus referred to Cybertron as the "miracle world" which gives us a different perspective to the way he sees things, and not just a shallow "evil Decepticon". It also harkens to the language used in The Headmasters, where the Targetmasters were called "Miracle Warriors" ;)

Guido Guidi's artwork in the recount scene was also beautiful. I loved the intentionally Marvel US like pixelation to make it feel more old school! Ironically even when pixelated, Guidi's artwork still looked much better than the artwork in the rest of the book with modern digital colouring. In fact, if not for that colouring I don't think the majority of the art would look that good. The inking is good, but really not a fan of the core pencilling/drawing. When I look at the way most of the Transformers are drawn -- ignoring the colouring and inking -- to me, it looks like good (but not excellent) fan art. Assuming that these artists are trained professionals, I expect better.

i_amtrunks

14th September 2012, 06:56 PM

i was a little disapointed that we didnt see anything on Red Alert bar a mention...

As was I. Although, if done correctly, there could be a years worth of stories based around 'ol Red just by himself.

I seriously loved all the little jokes and references in this issue, it really was worth the noticeable dip in art quality just to get it in my hands to read. Everything is so consistent and enjoyable.

I liked the Galactic council rep having a similar name to a certain Starship captain, and that Magnus went down the path that he did. Ratchet and Chromedome get some zingers and anytime Drift is put down is good in my book.

Sky Shadow

14th September 2012, 07:53 PM

Guido Guidi's artwork in the recount scene was also beautiful. I loved the intentionally Marvel US like pixelation to make it feel more old school!

As well as being a homage to TFUK#150, I'm pretty sure that the abundance of Kirby krackle and Celestial-style god designs was a nod to Jack Kirby's origins of the Marvel universe itself.

GoktimusPrime

14th September 2012, 09:10 PM

Yeah, there's a distinct "Marvel flavour" in those pages. :) Lack of Red Alert was kinda odd... I got Cover B which shows Red Alert on the cover, yet he's not in the book! Also... seeing Rewind fly in his memory stick alt mode was weeeiiird!

SuspectimusPrime

14th September 2012, 10:15 PM

I liked the Galactic council rep having a similar name to a certain Starship captain, and that Magnus went down the path that he did.

It's interesting how Roberts chose to use the four-armed aliens as the Galactic council, when the same/similar species was also used as slave traders during the assault on Crystal City against Drift/Wing/Dai Atlas.

Lack of Red Alert was kinda odd... I got Cover B which shows Red Alert on the cover, yet he's not in the book!

I would have thought that Red Alert would be among those to detect the Metro Titan's screams, given his sensitivity of hearing. Maybe Red Alert was meant to be in this issue but was edited out?

GoktimusPrime

18th September 2012, 11:33 AM

Jhiaxus' review on the Annual (http://80pagegiant.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-first-ever-transformers-annual.html?spref=fb)

kup

18th September 2012, 11:40 AM

Jhiaxus' review on the Annual (http://80pagegiant.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-first-ever-transformers-annual.html?spref=fb)

He didn't like it very much.

i_amtrunks

25th September 2012, 11:51 PM

Preview for #9 (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-ongoing-9-preview/25887/)

Nightbeat!

Looks solid, once again the characters just jump off the page.

Sharky

27th September 2012, 07:41 AM

i_amtrunks

28th September 2012, 10:19 AM

had a read of #9 this morning and another good issue, i loved the story telling and the reveal at the end

the one liners through the issue was great too..

and skids talking about prowl.. made me chuckle...

this series is just great.

Prowl has been one of my favourite ongoing / Roche characters, but I too enjoy all the Prowl bashing that has been going on from Rewind and Chromedome. I'd pay good money for a comic series (digital or otherwise) set back during the olden days before the war if it was written the same way that the flashbacks were in this issue.

It was fantastic to see Nightbeat again, although why he wasn't in the police/forensics department I have no idea.

The final reveal was exactly what I was expecting, but maybe not so soon. Rodimus is obviously wrong, but hey, we learnt that Grapple is part of the Lost light crew, it's been fun meeting the non core characters each issue.

Sharky

28th September 2012, 01:18 PM

after the annual and the last few issues, i have really enjoyed how they have given life to characters such as swerve, tailgate and rewind...

they are great to see regular even if it is for two panels and and a but.

GoktimusPrime

28th September 2012, 02:56 PM

I quite enjoyed this issue, especially the way that it was told in a recount narrative, and also playing on how history can be diluted by inaccurate recounts (and the unreliability of eyewitness testimonies, especially when said witness is totally mind-scrapped :p) :)

It was fantastic to see Nightbeat again, although why he wasn't in the police/forensics department I have no idea.
Mebbe he was still a rookie? And yet Chromedome was a cop... :confused: See... this is the thing I kinda simultaneously like and hate about IDW -- on one hand they do flesh out characters in interesting ways and giving them cool personality quirks like with Chromedome... but on the other hand, it's completely inaccurate to their original G1 personas, that they might as well be completely different characters (the only similarity they share is name and visual likeness). Yeah, I know, different continuity blah blah blah -- but still, I gotta say that one thing I liked about Dreamwave Comics, despite their flaws, was that their characters were more "true to G1." And honestly, DW's later series were pretty well written - they just suffered from appalling artwork (from Pat Lee and others mimicking his style :rolleyes:) and occasional poor editing.

I'm all for fleshing out characters in more depth, and I'm definitely a lover of seeing Transformers written with a variety of personality quirks -- that's something that was always cool about G1 when you read their toy tech spec bios, they all had some individual ability and weirdness to them (e.g. Breakdown can shut down machines, but he's a total paranoid schizo! :D) -- I'd just like to see such things done in a way that's more true to G1. <--JMHO.

The final reveal was exactly what I was expecting, but maybe not so soon. Rodimus is obviously wrong, but hey, we learnt that Grapple is part of the Lost light crew, it's been fun meeting the non core characters each issue.
Rodimus is such a bad leader... I'm just waiting for the moment when Ultra Magnus snaps and relieves Rodimus of command (kinda surprised that it hasn't happened already -- unless there's some rule that currently disallows him from doing it... Magnus may be waiting for Rodimus to make the "right mistake" that allows him to assume command).

Seraphim Prime

28th September 2012, 07:31 PM

MtMtE goes from strength to strength!

Loved this issue. The interaction between Drift and Ratchet is fantastic, as well as finally seeing how Drift actually feels about Rodimus' approach to things.

I kinda like seeing the characters we know in situations that we're not used to seeing them in. Sure, we know who Chromedome, Nightbeat, Prowl, etc are in the present. But who's to say that they were always that way. Seeing the same person in a different context gives us a better understanding of the whole character, rather than just the job title, as other bits of their character are allowed to show.

I think that's the big strength of MtMtE over RiD, because we get these multi-faceted characters, people who are more than just a one-trick pony (Trailbreaker aside :) ), with these reveals coming as part of the story than being the story.

Paulbot

28th September 2012, 07:57 PM

I didn't like the Annual much. I think the regular art suits the book so well and makes this series kick butt IMHO. Now I really enjoyed this issue. The top of page 15 (the old infomercial) was the biggest laugh out loud moment in a comic I've seen in ages. Absolutely brilliant sight gag.

bassbot

29th September 2012, 07:05 PM

Paulbot, you're right - Alex Milne with Josh Burcham on colours make this series amazingly deep, alongside Roberts' writing! The annual, whilst I enjoyed the story (and Guido's flashback stuff) did lack the punch the ongoing has from the art.

#9 is amazing though. Can't believe the goodness of it... Loved seeing Nightbeat again, and wonder if this opens the doors to seeing how he became the detective that Prime calls on in Infiltration! More flashbacks please!

Lord_Zed

3rd October 2012, 07:25 PM

Just to break up the praise for Issue #9, I thought it was just ok and far preferred the Annual.

While the flashback gave us some insight into the past lives of several of the characters It felt a bit slow to me as if they are still setting the scene for a stronger follow up issue (further evidenced by the shock ending).The writing was good as usual but some of the gags fell flat for me, though I did like how Ratchet got spray paint on Drifts face.

Maybe it's just because with Autocracy and the like it feels like there has been a lot of flashbacks of late... dunno.

The Annual on the other hand (while having pretty ugly art) was an awesome stand alone story, AND delivered a defining character development point for both Magnus and Swerve, not to mention showcasing Rodimus brash leadership style and love of uttering "Till all are one!" Loved it.

i_amtrunks

3rd October 2012, 07:29 PM

It felt a bit slow to me as if they are still setting the scene for a stronger follow up issue (further evidenced by the shock ending)

I'm waiting to see how the flashbacks will help solve/confirm/deny Hotrods suspicions. I will be very surprised if the events in the flashback do not have any correlation to the events in the ongoing.

Lord_Zed

3rd October 2012, 07:34 PM

I'm waiting to see how the flashbacks will help solve/confirm/deny Hotrods suspicions. I will be very surprised if the events in the flashback do not have any correlation to the events in the ongoing.

I feel the same, but I see this issue as being just a piece of a larger puzzle and one which will be better when re-read once we have the next couple of issues and answers, as much of the foreshadowing is not immediately clear.

SuspectimusPrime

3rd October 2012, 08:14 PM

Seraphim Prime

3rd October 2012, 08:58 PM

Does MTMTE end with issue 12?

If so, with the last 3 issues being set aside for the final story arc, would there be any chance of the Krok's Scavenger Crew getting some show-time? :o
With the DJD heading towards the Lost Light, and the Weak Anthropic Principle making a beeline towards Cybertron, I can't see how they'll fit into future MTMTE pages :(

MTMTE as far as I'm aware (and I haven't heard anything yet to the contrary) is supposed to be one half of an ongoing storyline, with RID being the other half. Given how well it's been received, I'd be surprised if it ended any time soon.

i_amtrunks

3rd October 2012, 09:33 PM

Does MTMTE end with issue 12?

If so, with the last 3 issues being set aside for the final story arc, would there be any chance of the Krok's Scavenger Crew getting some show-time? :o
With the DJD heading towards the Lost Light, and the Weak Anthropic Principle making a beeline towards Cybertron, I can't see how they'll fit into future MTMTE pages :(

Both MtMtE and RiD are ongoing series and (as yet) are not limited to any number of issues. Hopefully as long as numbers and reviews are good they will be around for a while to come. With IDW you never know what they will do next with the franchise, they have already proved they are capable of making monumental stuff ups, are not afraid of cutting their losses and getting in new art or writing teams, and can redeem previous bad choices with excellent ones.

i_amtrunks

31st October 2012, 10:39 PM

More please.

Saw Pre-Prime kicking butt and taking numbers, the transformation and evolution of Whirl, Chromedome and Prowl on the case and Roller as more than just a drone.

Barber is a genius in the way he is taking all these small parts and pieces and weaving them into a larger, richer tapestry of writing. Furman was good at constructing large galaxy spanning stories, Barber does all that, and he backfills in time just for a laugh.
He has seen that one way to move a story forward is to have characters learn from events that have happened (until now) offscreen in their history, and utilises it in an engaging and relevant manner.

Honestly I would be a happy reader if this level of writing came out weekly and had sketches/barebones pencils for art that was used purely to tell who was who, the writing level is that good and has been for 10 issues thus far, and does not look like slowing down anytime soon.

By the by, the art is fantastic, the flashback robot designs are beautiful, love the big differences in Whirls design due to the events of this comic. The cameo's are fast and furious, I am sure I missed a whole heap of them.

This will read wonderfully as a trade, the 3 issues are going to have to be followed by a very strong present day story to top what we have been delivered, I have never read a comic that takes so long to read because of the content, and will be enjoyable and allow for more discoveries on subsequent reads.

We have come a long way since Spotlight Mirage and Ramjet!

Clutchkick

1st November 2012, 10:56 AM

...its written by James Roberts, not barber. But yes, the level of storytelling, worldbuilding and characterisation is amazing. It's gonna be long wait for part 3!

i_amtrunks

1st November 2012, 03:36 PM

...its written by James Roberts, not barber. But yes, the level of storytelling, worldbuilding and characterisation is amazing. It's gonna be long wait for part 3!

My bad.

So much Prowl and Pax action that I thought I was reading a funnier RiD issue or something!

Clutchkick

1st November 2012, 10:59 PM

My bad.

So much Prowl and Pax action that I thought I was reading a funnier RiD issue or something!

Lol sorry, my man-love of everything Roberts writes compelled me to defend his honour. Or something. You are right though, great comedy again this issue. I love the way the last line of each issue is so awesome, so final, and such a cliffhanger all at once.

GoktimusPrime

3rd November 2012, 01:41 AM

Wow! Great ish! :D Also found the subtle bromance between Chromedome and Prowl rather interesting too. ;) The interrogation scene with Cyclonus was cool too - showcasing what I love about Ultra Magnus. :)

Damnit... now I want a Classicsverse Chromedome toy so I can play stuff like this out with my toys!

Sky Shadow

4th November 2012, 01:40 AM

Wow! Great ish! :D Also found the subtle bromance between Chromedome and Prowl rather interesting too. ;)

I loved the way that Rewind was jealous of Chromedone's ex. Fantastic last line this issue - looking forward to the heist. :-)

Paulbot

14th November 2012, 08:56 PM

I thought this was a two-parter so was quite surprised that it all didn't get wrapped up. To be con-what? They're going to do what next issue? This book does a good cliffhanger.

Paulbot

21st November 2012, 10:53 PM

i_amtrunks

22nd November 2012, 08:17 AM

Anyone get the latest issue tonight? I'm curious what other people think.

There's some interesting historical elements, a cool use of a character who's never got much of a chance to shine, and I like the way not everything is spelt out but it makes sense as you make the connections.

But something about the issue just didn't quite work. Maybe it ended up feeling a bit rushed. Not sure. I think this is probably my least favourite issue of the series so far, but a poor issue is still so much better than many other comics. Going to reread again tomorrow and see my thoughts on a second read.

I'd have loved to have read it, but for some reason the local store didnt get enough copies in. Enough people are ordering it in that they put a sign up where it should have been saying they didn't have it in stock. Thats a good indicator that at least MtMtE is somewhat popular.

Sky Shadow

22nd November 2012, 12:15 PM

This is the Mission Impossible/Prime's Eleven/The Cybertronian Job heist issue and it's glorious. It was good to see... that guy who can only be seen in flashbacks now. And I loved the 'twist' for Tailgate. And that was an actually intriguing and yet weird twist on the last page. I'd been wondering who that guy was.

What I love about this series is that unlike pretty much every other modern comic, I unhappily think I'm near the end and then I realise with elation that I still have more than half to go. It packs in so much into one issue.

(Xaaron's on page 4 in modern times! [If I could ever actually be bothered to make a Transformers: Mosaic, it would be about Emirate Xaaron.])

Paulbot

22nd November 2012, 12:36 PM

Yep Xaaron's been around in the "present" several times in Roberts' stories, popping up in his first two-parter and he's been seen aboard the Lost Light several times but clearly just putting his feet up these days.

I like that there's a bunch of recognisable and not so recognisable characters in the crew who are just being used as extras, rather than genericbots.

That last page made me forget about the other cliffhanger in this issue until I flicked through the issue again. Ratchet's little fumble was some great comic visual storytelling too, the timing was spot on.

Sky Shadow

22nd November 2012, 01:06 PM

Also, how did we get to a point where MTMTE and RiD are being shipped on the same day? Did one speed up or did the other slow down?

Paulbot

22nd November 2012, 01:38 PM

Bit of both. MTMTE is usually last week of the month, RID is usually the first week of the month.

Spitcurlboy

25th November 2012, 12:19 PM

up till the very last page i was thinking the senator could have been magnus and the insitute made him the by the books bot he is today....then BAM...excellent work Roberts

i_amtrunks

26th November 2012, 06:51 PM

Yup, didn't see the last page twist coming at all. Guess it does trump RiD #11 in terms of surprise (with our new senator friend)

I think we need a third monthly series set in the past. I don't care if the art is black and white and basic, just so we can tell who is who, but the details and links the two main books get from delving into the past is wonderful.

I wish I could tell who more of these "blink an you'll miss them" bots are both in the past and on the lost light. I love that the guards we saw in the past will likely turn up in the future (DJD possibly?) even if it is just to die!

Spoiler time now, but it has been a week: Did Red Alert remove his head and commit spark fading suicide as he expects Overlord to escape and flat out massacre everyone? Has it got to do with maybe being done in by the spies/ those in on the "secret"? It's a story thread I was somewhat expecting to have more exposure and closure this issue. I hate that Drift's opinion was so necessary to Rodimus, even if it was the same as Magnus.

Also glad Rung is back. If he was indeed the observer throughout TF history, he could be the source of many a flashback based story.

So we know that the next issue deals with the rogue decepticons (and grimlock?) intercepting the Last Light, will the battle reveal Overlord? Thoughts? theories?

Sam

26th November 2012, 07:32 PM

My local store said MTMTE #11 was short shipped for them, so haven't got it yet. :(

i_amtrunks

26th November 2012, 07:35 PM

My local store said MTMTE #11 was short shipped for them, so haven't got it yet. :(

Parra PZ was the same, and it doesn't look like it is on the shipping list this week either (the annuals for both MtMtE and RiD are available as second printings).

Ended up getting Kings to post mine to me.

Lord_Zed

26th November 2012, 07:38 PM

And so Shadowplay comes to an end, as good as the issue was I have to admit it is for now probably my least favourite arc (though still better than most other comics atm). Quite a few interesting reveals but most of them tie directly in to stories like Autocracy and the Megatron Origin more than they do the current MTMTE story. Obviously I expect that to change in time.

I didn't see the final page coming either, although for now I don't get it either. Why do that? How is it relevant to what's happening now?

I'm hoping next issue ramps the tension up a bit (looks like it will). Shadowplay was fun and all, but it does feel like a calm moment.

i_amtrunks

27th November 2012, 07:59 AM

I'm hoping next issue ramps the tension up a bit (looks like it will). Shadowplay was fun and all, but it does feel like a calm moment.

A lull before the next wave of "holy expletitive"? :p

Nothing happens in these books (both RiD and MtMtE) without it having some impact later on. I expect the payoff of the final page reveal to appear sooner rather than later, possibly even to tie into the Spotlight prime issue (I expcet Prime goes looking for Roller).

After a second read through I am trying to figure out if Prime threw the bomb towards where Roller had been tossed? Roller also reminds me of a certain DJD character, anyone have thoughts on the link?

SuspectimusPrime

27th November 2012, 09:54 AM

Parra PZ was the same, and it doesn't look like it is on the shipping list this week either (the annuals for both MtMtE and RiD are available as second printings).

Really glad to hear that - originally thought I missed the boat :eek:, ran in for RID11 but couldn't find MTMTE11 and forgot to query to girl.

Sam

27th November 2012, 10:17 PM

Parra PZ was the same, and it doesn't look like it is on the shipping list this week either (the annuals for both MtMtE and RiD are available as second printings).

Ended up getting Kings to post mine to me.

This is the local store I was referring to. :)

As local as it is for me, anyway.

bassbot

10th December 2012, 09:40 AM

hey gang, Ys (from Phantom Zone) said that because it was on previous listings it won't be listed again, it should just show up. So he doesn't know when. Sucks

So i bought it on comixology.

Man, that last page reveal! Huge repercussions for Pax and where he put his trust, and whether or not the truth will be revealed.

BigTransformerTrev

10th December 2012, 10:57 AM

Yup, didn't see the last page twist coming at all. Guess it does trump RiD #11 in terms of surprise (with our new senator friend)

Yeah, my optics widened at the end! Think it was the first month I enjoyed RID more than MTMTE. That said I loved that we finally got to see Windcharger make use of his magnetic powers in MTMTE :)

bassbot

10th December 2012, 11:32 AM

Not clear but: http://bwmedia.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/transformers-mtmte-11-best-scene.jpg

BigTransformerTrev

10th December 2012, 01:00 PM

Not clear but: http://bwmedia.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/transformers-mtmte-11-best-scene.jpg

Sweet! Never understood why he didn't use his powers to throw other bots around in battle, plus he beats Magneto because Magneto doesn't have tyres and can't rip a human in half if he's bored ;)

GoktimusPrime

12th December 2012, 11:52 PM

liegeprime

13th December 2012, 07:18 AM

lucky I have these all in standing order :D:D

SuspectimusPrime

15th December 2012, 01:11 AM

zOMG!! This was one of the most emotionally captivating and thrilling TF comics I've ever read! :eek: I nearly wanted to cry when the Senator turned and smiled at Orion Pax and said, "Remember me as I was." - and if that wasn't freaking heart-wrenching enough, the final page reveal... PHWOAR!! :eek:

Needless to say that we definitely require a new toy to be made for the aforementioned character, and there's an existing mould just waiting to be retooled/repainted again... ;)

GoktimusPrime

15th December 2012, 07:38 AM

I'ma gonna use TFA Longarm. :)

Paulbot

20th December 2012, 12:24 PM

The Decepticons in #12 weren't either of the groups of Decepticons I was expecting. It's a shame we probably won't see much more of these guys (although Rodimus did say there was a brig-load of them) but the little throw away joke about Nautilator's voice was cute. It was an interesting choice that there were two instances in this issue where hearing the voice was important to what was going on. This first one was a joke, the second though a mystery. Who was talking to Chromedome?

I liked that they revealed the history of Rewind and Chromedome, although mysteries still remain. On first read I misinterpreted Cyclonus' look at the innermost Energon, but on second read the meaning was clearer. (Can I blame the fill-in artist for the after pages? Who did a good imitiation but, as with the annual, this book works best with Milne drawing all the pages)

The time shifting was done quite well and it made for a refreshing format change, although it's a little disconcerting to end at the middle of the story. Made me want to read what happens next, even though I'd just read what happens next in the last few pages.

The Autobots were a bit too battle ready/energon-hungry weren't they? I hope this gets addressed. The "peaceful" Autobots haven't really put the war behind them. Can they truly be at peace? How long will it take. It's interesting and new story material for Transformers. I really liked that Ultra Magnus was shown as a extremely good warrior, something that's easily overlooked with all his "duly appointed" etc comedy stuff.

Given the stuff in Rodimus' victory speech, and what else was going on, I don't think there was any life-threatening done to Swerve, but it was left a bit ambiguous for comfort.

Overall, I like that the first "Autobots vs Decepticons" issue of this series still focused on the characters and the aftermath of the battle more than the fight itself.

bassbot

20th December 2012, 09:24 PM

Paulbot that's a great summary mate. I can echo all of that except in the time since I picked it up yesterday I've read it over 10+ times. It makes the time jumps really work well the more I read it.

The first time though coming to Cyclonus protecting Rewind, the irony of the final few pages really hit me hard. Cyclonus, Chromedome, Rewind and Whirl have more stories. There will be pain there.

I agree on the battle ready-ness - it was very vicious wasn't it - like putting the last points of resistance down HARD. They took prisoners but man it was great background fighting to the character moments. Tailgate and Cyclonus are certainly precious and fantastic.

I thought Cahill did a great job of getting the emotions out of the eyes of characters, such as Chromedome, like Alex M does regularly. Can't wait for #13 and many rumored things coming later in 2013 (like a big UK epic style tale).

i_amtrunks

20th December 2012, 11:38 PM

Who was talking to Chromedome?

Obvious answer would have been Red Alert, since he knows what is in the basement, but he is all sealed up. I'm sure it will tie into all the little facts we learnt about Chromedome, something about his weak spark or something, maybe voices in his mind from all the messing around he has done? Nothing is mentioned in these books for fun.

On first read I misinterpreted Cyclonus' look at the innermost Energon, but on second read the meaning was clearer.

I don't know what it means, there's what I think it might mean, but I doubt that is correct. Cyclonus was only helping Tailgate clean up, not taking any of the innermost energon right? He is not that sort of bot.

The time shifting was done quite well and it made for a refreshing format change, although it's a little disconcerting to end at the middle of the story. Made me want to read what happens next, even though I'd just read what happens next in the last few pages.

The Autobots were a bit too battle ready/energon-hungry weren't they? I hope this gets addressed. The "peaceful" Autobots haven't really put the war behind them. Can they truly be at peace? How long will it take. It's interesting and new story material for Transformers. I really liked that Ultra Magnus was shown as a extremely good warrior, something that's easily overlooked with all his "duly appointed" etc comedy stuff.

I see this as being the main driving force in a few years time worth of stories when the "Lost Light" comes home with a set of characters still in war mode, when possibly Cybertron is in peace/rebuild. Could lead to a new war not split along the old Con/Bot lines.

Given the stuff in Rodimus' victory speech, and what else was going on, I don't think there was any life-threatening done to Swerve, but it was left a bit ambiguous for comfort.

Not 100% sure, but I think issue #13 may be a flashback, so Swerve may not be all that okay. The fact he didn't talk worries me. Perhaps if he is returned to the book, he will be a changed bot?

Overall, I like that the first "Autobots vs Decepticons" issue of this series still focused on the characters and the aftermath of the battle more than the fight itself.

It's a nice change, and the variety in MtMte has been staggering. It is a quality book for so may reasons, but the way in which the characters are so consistently written in all these different story formats is brilliant.

I'll need to do another read through or thirty before I find everything slipped in here, but I really loved Cyclonus in this issue, he just does what needs to be done, while whirl is awesome too, but surely not long for this world.

On a final note, anyone else think that a brig full of Decepticons and an Overlord in the basement is not a recipe for disaster say in... 2-3 issues time? :p

Sharky

21st December 2012, 07:02 AM

Obvious answer would have been Red Alert,

i have a feeling it is whoever took the Data Slug from Rung when he was in the medbay after Red Alert Visited.. it is obvious someone on the lost light Knew the whole time that overlord was imprisoned.

I don't know what it means, there's what I think it might mean, but I doubt that is correct. Cyclonus was only helping Tailgate clean up, not taking any of the innermost energon right? He is not that sort of bot.

i think after his little dress down of tailgate he saw how much had been donated to Rewind and then maybe he realised what the gesture meant.

and did you notice Tailgates innermost Energon is Green....i wonder if that is to do with his age.

Not 100% sure, but I think issue #13 may be a flashback, so Swerve may not be all that okay. The fact he didn't talk worries me. Perhaps if he is returned to the book, he will be a changed bot?

i hope he is not dead, Hot Rod did not mention it in his speach, Swerve has been one of the highlight of the book which 12 issues in has really suprised me how this character has become so prominant! i love the fact that MTMTE is giving life to character!

On a final note, anyone else think that a brig full of Decepticons and an Overlord in the basement is not a recipe for disaster say in... 2-3 issues time? :p

i think that is what the big UK style event and judging b the solicit for #15

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #15
James Roberts (w) � Alex Milne (a) � Milne, Nick Roche (c)
DEATH IN THE RANKS! Rodimus and his crew are confronted by the enemy within�and not everyone will survive the encounter. Everything has been building to this: all-out war aboard the Lost Light!
Bullet points:
� No one is safe!
� The story that More Than Meets The Eye has been building to since issue one is here!

Cover (http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/uploads/1355683930_TF_MTMTE_15_cvrA.jpg)

we have one hell of a story coming.

this was a great issue!

i_amtrunks

21st December 2012, 05:33 PM

i have a feeling it is whoever took the Data Slug from Rung when he was in the medbay after Red Alert Visited.. it is obvious someone on the lost light Knew the whole time that overlord was imprisoned.

Which is probably someone only seen in the background (or Mirage! :p).

I'd wager you are right, but I wonder if it will be another of Prowl's inside bots (Sure Shock and Ore were not his only two) a Con sleeper or someone else entirely?

bassbot

24th December 2012, 12:16 PM

Mirage is on Cybertron. James Roberts wanted him but he got snagged by John Barber.

I've seen people suggest Brainstorm could be the voice.

Also, here's the covers for #14 (http://markerguru.deviantart.com/#/d5ox39v) and #15 (http://markerguru.deviantart.com/#/d5ox63a) zomg!!!

i_amtrunks

24th December 2012, 12:40 PM

Yeah I researched afterwards to confirm Mirages whereabouts, strange that he has barely been sighted in RiD if both writers wanted him, perhaps its more for the possibilities he opens up with storytelling?

I love the cover for #14, it's reminiscent of some Joker covers. Nice to have covers in these books that somewhat relate to story (or potential story) within.

Guess the cat is out of the bag regarding the big bad if Chromedome is working on him next issue. Ratchet will be busy!

(Also from the cover of #15, being a blue bot seems to be the most dangerous aspect of Lost Light living!)

Lord_Zed

25th December 2012, 02:26 PM

Well looks like a significant part of the crew of The lost Light venerate Michael Bay's gunslinging take no prisoners Prime.

Interesting issue, the pace was a lot faster than the previous issues and we got some good character development too. It was cool to see some obscure Decepticons again, sad that I doubt we'll see many of them again.

The Autobots were a bit too battle ready/energon-hungry weren't they? I hope this gets addressed. The "peaceful" Autobots haven't really put the war behind them. Can they truly be at peace? How long will it take. It's interesting and new story material for Transformers. I really liked that Ultra Magnus was shown as a extremely good warrior, something that's easily overlooked with all his "duly appointed" etc comedy stuff.

Not giving up the war seems to be a recurring theme for the current comics, consider meanwhile in RID Prowl blew Staxx away for roughing up Wheeljack without a warning. Despite their atrocities the Decepticons are starting to look like a marginalized lower class. I'm starting to sympathize with them, given their cause has been shown to once been caused by legitimate grievances and now they seem to be getting brutally put down far more than during the war.

As a personal wish I kinda hoped Nautilator had amounted to more. He was my favourite Seacon when I was a kid, but he's never been more than a short lived red shirt in the comics.

i_amtrunks

27th December 2012, 11:40 PM

As a personal wish I kinda hoped Nautilator had amounted to more. He was my favourite Seacon when I was a kid, but he's never been more than a short lived red shirt in the comics.

At least he only turns into the seacons weapon? :p

Been Reading a few interesting thoughts regarding the voice asking Chromedome to let them in/open the door. Brainstorm is the obvious choice, but the relaxed informal language better suits a Hotrod or other character (but it is assumed that to know about Overlord they have to be high ranking).

Other option that I like he sound of is that it is inside Chromedome's head and it is either some backup of Red Alert or possibly even Overlord communicating with Chromedome thanks to an earlier needle session.

Also Rewind had his red light on throughout the issue so Chromedome may get to see Cyclonus saving his life before he is killed(necrobot list). I also wonder if the big mistake Chromedome makes is not Overlord related but his promise to Whirl for a favour? Could the cover for 14 & 15 be misleading and Overlord only goes on a spree in his or Chromedome's mind? Massive dropout and I doubt it will be the case but you never know!

Hurry up January, I need issue 13!

Paulbot

9th January 2013, 12:54 PM

It's getting a bit hard to tell when a wound is fatal in this series. I assume they killed Nautilator but we thought the same about Rung.

Could the cover for 14 & 15 be misleading and Overlord only goes on a spree in his or Chromedome's mind? Massive dropout and I doubt it will be the case but you never know!

When I saw that cover that was my first assumption actually.

I've also been pleased to see that in many of the comic reviewer/bloggers wrap ups of the best comics of 2012 I've seen have included this series. I can't recall when a TF comic has got such high praise and recognition from outside the fandom.

Lord_Zed

9th January 2013, 05:53 PM

I assumed they killed Nautilator because he is not Sunstreaker or of Geewun origins, and therefore of a short lifespan.

At least he only turns into the seacons weapon? :p

But he is actually the second best Seacon as only he and Snaptrap have vaguely realistic sea creature modes. The rest are all more like fishmen, or sea creatures who have decided to evolve into land creatures.:p

Not sure who the mystery voice is, I can't help but suspect that Chromedone might actually know more than he lets on. Why does he more all the time anyway, there must be a reason? It even makes me wonder if Prowl's table flipping in the first issue was all for show, although I suppose no one actually saw him loose his temper, so that would make no sense, but I still wonder.

GoktimusPrime

15th January 2013, 12:16 AM

It's getting a bit hard to tell when a wound is fatal in this series. I assume they killed Nautilator but we thought the same about Rung
It was interesting how the story touched upon the whole "Cybertronians are hard to kill" aspect with those "assisted suicide centres" where Chromedome and Rewind first met! :eek:

SuspectimusPrime

15th January 2013, 12:47 AM

It was interesting how the story touched upon the whole "Cybertronians are hard to kill" aspect with those "assisted suicide centres" where Chromedome and Rewind first met! :eek:

Worked out for Fry and Bender :)

i_amtrunks

21st January 2013, 10:11 PM

No MtMtE this week, so the January issue should just scrape in next week..

Wish the schedule was a little more predictable, but guess if they need time to finish an issue, they should get it.

Paulbot

24th January 2013, 10:58 AM

According to the IDW newsletter this morning MTMTE isn't out next week. Just the Drift hardcover. Two issues in February then I guess...

i_amtrunks

24th January 2013, 12:50 PM

According to the IDW newsletter this morning MTMTE isn't out next week. Just the Drift hardcover. Two issues in February then I guess...

Boo-urns.

MtMtE has been all over the shop since release, hopefully it does not equate to a below par art issue in the next few weeks.

Seraphim Prime

2nd February 2013, 11:57 AM

It appears that MTMTE was delayed to next week by factors outside IDW's control (somewhere in Diamond's processes I believe).

Everything is still on track for monthly releases at IDW, so assuming nothing else comes up on Diamond's end, we'll get 2 issues this month! :)

bassbot

2nd February 2013, 12:05 PM

MTMTE typically releases towards the end of the month, stuff to do with shipping has caused the past two months delays. I've seen it confirmed that #13 is out next week, alongside spotlight Megs and regeneration one 88. Good week for TF!

Also, has anyone seen the A cover for 13 or recent multiversity interview with James Roberts and John Barber?

Interview (http://multiversitycomics.com/interviews/transformers-one-year-later-with-writers-john-barber-and-james-roberts-interview/)

Cover (http://multiversitystatic.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2013/01/TF_MTMTE_13_cvrA.jpg)

i_amtrunks

2nd February 2013, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the links bassbot.

Interview is very long and detailed, nothing new or surprising in there, but it sounds like the IDW teams are in a bit of a lovefest!

"A" Cover for MtMtE #13 is different, but no way it'll be more popular than the B cover!

The RiD #14 cover is very interesting, if it reflects events within the issue (which most of the covers have done)...

KalEl

3rd February 2013, 01:33 AM

im a bit behind but im up to #3 and im really enjoying them! Ipad is awesome for comics

Sharky

3rd February 2013, 05:23 PM

im a bit behind but im up to #3 and im really enjoying them! Ipad is awesome for comics

sure is i wish IDW would include a free digital copy with purchase of the paper edition tho....

kup

4th February 2013, 08:15 PM

sure is i wish IDW would include a free digital copy with purchase of the paper edition tho....

If they do that, they would revolutionize the industry and make a killing. They probably think that making the reader buy two copies (digital and hard) is more profitable.

Sharky

4th February 2013, 09:01 PM

If they do that, they would revolutionize the industry and make a killing. They probably think that making the reader buy two copies (digital and hard) is more profitable.

Marvel already does it with most of the mainstream titles, so it seems easy to do DC gives you the option for a smaller fee at purchase

IDW Comics are more expensive and should be included but i guess when people buy both why do they need to give it out for free...

I Honestly thought IDW would have already introduced it. i will keep dreaming.

i_amtrunks

5th February 2013, 07:56 PM

#13 Preview (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-ongoing-13-preview/26661/)

4 inkers for this issue... you can tell, the art is not sharp, but I think it is an artistic style purposefully chosen for this tale. We get some updates about crew members and this does take place after the events of the last issue, which surprised me a little!

Paulbot

5th February 2013, 10:39 PM

Each month I say I wont read the preview, but then I do because I can't wait. Looks promising. And the guest art is a nice match for the regular artists.

and this does take place after the events of the last issue

"More about that later" I suspect :)

i_amtrunks

6th February 2013, 06:05 PM

"More about that later" I suspect :)

I suspect you will be right come Issues #14-#16 or so... At least events will occur as a direct result of the events of #12. Rung looks a whole lot better again, good to see him okay.

i_amtrunks

6th February 2013, 11:15 PM

No true spoilers as yet, I'll save them for tomorrow or Friday.

Saddest issue of MtMtE. Some big character driven personality reveals, more Swerve than you can poke a stick at, some story based reveals that have been heavily alluded to and a bonus! There is a 4 page text interlude told from Rung's perspective that is used to help setup for #14.

I think the interlude is very clever. It helps fill in gaps about Rung's recovery without using any pencilled pages, great way to include written material that would have otherwise been cut and lost to the readers.

I was expecting a light hearted romp/adventure, and there was a light hearted adventure, but peppered throughout were some panels that made me feel sad/sympathetic for the characters within.

It's going to be upsetting (not sure if this is the right word) when everything setup in the last year gets torn asunder.

Paulbot

7th February 2013, 08:26 PM

I agree, this issue was so sad. :( I thought maybe that was my own perspective colouring my view. Still humour and jokes, both visual and verbal, but not what I was expecting.

I thought Guido's was a good choice for fill-in art. His characters and panel choices fit with the overall book's feel.

There was what I thought was a Star Trek TNG reference, but on second thought it reminds me of a Bumblebee and Carly scene from the G1 cartoon and I wonder if it was intentional.

I'd still like to know a bit more about Swerve's injury/recovery. Maybe it's in the text story. I've not read it yet but it was a great surprise. A whole other story? This book is already a long read compared to other modern comics and now they give us more? We're being treated with this book. :D

i_amtrunks

7th February 2013, 09:35 PM

I'd still like to know a bit more about Swerve's injury/recovery. Maybe it's in the text story. I've not read it yet but it was a great surprise. A whole other story? This book is already a long read compared to other modern comics and now they give us more? We're being treated with this book. :D

It's all Rung. All the time.

Wonder if we'll ever get anything more than a later prose story to fill in the gaps with Swerve and Rung's injuries. Stuff starts going down next issue (notice no Brainstorm, Chromedome in this issue? What are they up to?)

BigTransformerTrev

17th February 2013, 09:11 PM

Everyone said this was 'one of the funniest TF comics ever!'

I just got my issue today (I live in the bush so I am behind the rest of you with receiving stuff). While there were humorous parts which were quite good, I certainly didn't think this was the best or indeed funniest issue of MTMTE I had ever read. I had been expecting so much more with the holo-humans, was disappointed when it amounted to visiting one bar.

That said, when an unconscious Ultra Magnus transforms and the whole truck alt-mode is upside-down, laughed my posterior off! ;):p:D

GoktimusPrime

20th February 2013, 09:31 AM

That's why I avoid spoilers -- lets me judge a comic on its own merits without bias from other people's opinions. :) I enjoyed this issue, a sort of "breather" from the action of the main story. The only thing that sort of bugged me is how Ultra Magnus allowed Swerve to convince him to switch off his inhibitor ... seems a bit out of character for him, but I suppose he only expected to have the drink 'relax' him and not knock him out. Totally in character for Whirl to give him that drink though. ;) I like how they put a text story at the end; it helps to fill in some 'holes' in the story and flesh out stuff that happened between issues that we hadn't seen before (the moment where Rung was still unable to speak, but mustered enough willpower and energy to place his finger over his mouth to "shush" Swerve up was rather amusing :D). Also feels reminiscent of the text stories we used to get with the G1 Annuals (only without intermittent artwork :(). :)

I need to have a closer look again, but do the IDWformers drink from their mouths or a fuel port? Cos one thing I really liked with G1 was how they 'drank' fuel from ports (usually in their chests, RE: scenes at Maccadam's Old Oil House). As a kid I thought it was so cool showing robots behaving more like machines and not like humans or other organic life forms. I've always loved subtle moments like which remind us how otherworldly and inorganic the Transformers are. The text story does this too with Rung's comments about self-meditation and marvelling at the miracle that is mechanical life. ;) It's made me appreciate Rung a bit more as a character (still not a huge fan of him though... where's the toy?!? When was the last time we saw him transform??).

I agree the moment where they all used Magnus as a trampoline was hilarious (and again helps remind the audience that these really are alien mechanical beings who would have their own "medical myths"). :) I also found their human avatars to be pretty funny too - especially Tailgate and Whirl's. ;) But I really liked how this issue fleshed out Swerve more as a character... that beneath the veneer of being this chirpy happy go-getter lies someone who's no where near as happy as he presents himself to others... that he's actually quite depressive on the inside (and seems to use his affable fa�ade to compensate or disguise his inner pain). A bot who's arguably fallen victim to his own na�vet� and unrealistic or false hopes/expectations?

kup

20th February 2013, 09:33 AM

I was also disappointed that the avatars did not have a bigger role and that they did not look much like the cover.

Overall a nice and amusing story but not really great. I did like Whirl's and Tailgate's avatar though :D

i_amtrunks

6th March 2013, 11:14 PM

Screw waiting to give time for others to read, only a handful of us visit here anyway, so why not go straight to the meat and gore.

Overlord is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

Still driven by his one desire and nothing more, but geez has he been on a slow burner plan that just happened to pay off for this issue. He has outplayed Megs, Shockers and, well everyone. Funny how he technically wants the same goal as most Autobots, yet will not side with them ever...

As for additional content, we get Chromedomes story, nearly the whole backstory, but not enough that if he were to die I'd be peeved, there is still alot more there. Add to that we get to see why Prowl's memories were messed up and easily accessible to Bombshock. The fact these two writers obviously collaborated well and in such detail and the editors do a good job of ensuring issues are spoiler free until the correct moment, means the interplay and connectedness of these stories is astounding. (one mention, the editors misspelt Guardian droids!)

Those of similar disposition to me will have more reason to dislike Drift, why he was privy to the going ons and as an agent of Prowl surprises me, and there must be some reasoning behind it. We get in story confirmation of Shock and Ore's involvement with Prowl. They were meant to help convince Chromedome to do what Prowl wanted him to, no mention of any sabotage. Still a mystery as to what did happen to red Alert, could it be that Drift had something to do with it? Brainstorm is also in on everything, and his lab is once again brilliant. 50 foot naked humans being questioned by Chromedome twice in a lifetime!

One thing I felt was weird was that not only did the Autobots rebuild Overlord after all they went through to take him down, it was Bumblebee's idea, and Prowl went along with it before the breach of his mind. WTF? I get it was to try and find out where the Sixers came from, but it seems a daft thing to do.

Background characters I noticed: Pharma, Mirage, Momus (I don't know, but bet he comes back / is important later on), thought one of the miners may have turned into Hoist later on, but doubt it on re-read. Impactor, Springer Ironfist, Megatron (Gladiator and leader of cons), Shockwave, (flashback), Starscream, TC, Soundwave, Brainstorm (Institute).

I cannot see good things happening to the crew of the Lost Light. Overlord is out, Tarn and the DJD are on their way and we now know that Tarn is a phase sixer (Heretech?)

it's a great read, a long read and I must say I bet there is a heap I missed out on. No Swerve, Rewind, UM, Whirl etc. So it is not a funny read at all. it's the big setup and backstory issues before the proverbial hits the fan.

Lord_Zed

12th March 2013, 11:09 PM

I enjoyed this issued more than the last few. I enjoyed the battle of wills between Overlord and Chromedome. I particularly enjoyed the Chromedome backstory, painting him as shade of grey Autobot like Brainstorm, instead of the usual do-gooder. I hope they don't predictably kill him now, as I worry for 1987 and beyond Transformers, they have hard lives, not like the 84-5ers they get killed then come back to life a few issues later.

There were some issues, but overall it was good and ratcheted the tension back to 10.

I wonder though, thinking of Tarn and the DJD. Is he hunting Overlord, or Drift?

GoktimusPrime

14th March 2013, 10:45 PM

Quite an enjoyable read. A few minor things about it bug me... but overall a good read. What the hell's a "Gaurdian"? :rolleyes:

i_amtrunks

19th March 2013, 09:43 PM

Very short turn around for 15.
The preview has me concerned about everyone's favourite mile a minute talker and any other minibots. The only one we know for certain survives the next few months vents in Skids, and even then he may not survive much longer than that. Others must survive, but not many.

If its not the DJD that comes to the rescue, it'll have to be Grimmers and the Decepti-floaters...right?

Sharky

19th March 2013, 09:52 PM

If its not the DJD that comes to the rescue, it'll have to be Grimmers and the Decepti-floaters...right?

I miss them, I wish we had a "back up" story for the scavengers a couple of pages each issue

GoktimusPrime

20th March 2013, 01:16 PM

I liked the Overlord/Overload gag. I wonder if it was an intentional reference to the fact that both names are identical when transliterated to Japanese. ;)

bassbot

20th March 2013, 07:47 PM

I won't be able to get to parra for a week, waiting for it to pop up on comixology!!!

i_amtrunks

20th March 2013, 10:42 PM

I am not sure how I feel about this one?

The deaths were not as numerous as I expected and Ratchet will be busy for a long time to come. Speaking of which, Ratchet is awesome, just awesome, even if he now deems to call Drift a friend.

Overlord was taking it easy and as such the devastation was minimal. Sad that Hotrod didn't cop a bigger beating and that Drift survived, but I expected that as I believe that he is the one the DJD is after.

The ending was not a surprise for me for some reason, certainly sad and now I wonder how we will see what had happened back in the past between them, I guess through flashbacks that may tie into Brainstorm.

Still has the one liners, loved the Cyclonus and Whirl bits, but this issue belongs to Ratchet at first, then Rewind and Chromedome after that.

bassbot

21st March 2013, 09:39 AM

Love the reveals in here about Chromedome taking his time and visiting overlord multiple times. Really shines a light on #14 too. The choice of the trigger line makes such sense for both Rodimus AND Megatron, I didn't see the twist coming.

But man, gut wrenching. I have been 100% bought into Chromedome and Rewind recently, and while I suspected one may go - I didn't think it'd be quite like this - it's memorable, meaningful, terrible, gah! JAMES ROBERTS!!!

So many are alive, many seem terribly injured - and as you say i_amtrunks Ratchet will be busy for a while. I also loved his spots there, loved him taking on Overlord without a second thought. And still the one liners that don't make this a "funny" book, but fit into the confusion that they're in at the alarm.

Such a fast pace in this comic, lots happens, a few things off-panel as Swerve's fourth wall busting joke foreshadows. 5/5 from me!

i_amtrunks

21st March 2013, 05:50 PM

Such a fast pace in this comic, lots happens, a few things off-panel as Swerve's fourth wall busting joke foreshadows. 5/5 from me!

It was a funny gag before the big action, part of me was fearful that the fourth wall weapon would be how Overlord would be taken down considering the recent trait of movies and shows foreshadowing how the problem/big bad will be resolved/defeated in the opening portion, luckily Roberts is not that kind of writer. The fact it was just a gag made it all the better.

I do however feel that I am being conditioned to expect funny whenever I see Swerve... It will come back to bite me.

Rewind is gone, but Overlord.... He cannot be that easy to take down.

i_amtrunks

21st March 2013, 08:21 PM

After my third re-read I now think Pipes may be the only death from this issue.

No confirmation for Magnus bar the Red Cross on the character panel, so I await confirmation. Rewind, chromedomes arm and Overlord makes for too good a combination to be removed.

Drift takes centre stage for an issue or two I would fathom, as he as some explaining to do to Rodimus. Then skids will come into the fold big time.

Sad that Pipes is gone, his limited time on panel was enjoyable.

I also wonder what Chromedome will do to get himself killed?

Tallestblue

21st March 2013, 09:25 PM

Issue 15. Oh geez.

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/012/073/7686178464_fdc8ea66c7.jpg

Sam

25th March 2013, 10:56 PM

Kinda disappointed that Magnus got put down so quickly. Would have liked to see him last a bit longer in the fight.

But then, I suppose it is Overlord.

bassbot

26th March 2013, 09:00 AM

Kinda disappointed that Magnus got put down so quickly. Would have liked to see him last a bit longer in the fight.

But then, I suppose it is Overlord.

Yes, I had to remember that as well! Magnus has gone up against some big bots and come undone! Menasor, Megatron and now Overlord!!! Poor UM!!!

And trunks, I agree with you about the survival possibilities. Can't wait for #16 (like every month)

GoktimusPrime

26th March 2013, 02:14 PM

...was anyone else holding back tears when reading this? :o Even Pipes' demise was really gut wrenching! I actually came to school this morning, and the kids were asking me if I was okay cos I looked upset! (and tbh, I haven't stopped thinking about this issue since I read it last night) :eek:

Well done, IDW. Well done. :)

Blink90210

26th March 2013, 10:08 PM

The funny thing is, I was just talking to a friend about how they can have Transformers beaten up and trashed, and unless they explicitly say that something happens to their spark, they can do whatever they want. Another great issue, I agree with the points that everyone's already made so I can't really add anything, but can someone quickly recap for me what is the background between Chromedome and Rewind? I'm not able to go back and reread

i_amtrunks

26th March 2013, 11:07 PM

can someone quickly recap for me what is the background between Chromedome and Rewind? I'm not able to go back and reread

They're life partners of a sort? Very good buddies at the very least, kindred spirits etc etc.

bassbot

27th March 2013, 09:23 PM

yeah that covers it, depending on how you wanna interpret it - but the term "conjunct adjura" (if I remember correctly) was used to refer to them. So, life partner it is. Extremely best friends too

Blink90210

28th March 2013, 06:17 PM

awesome, thanks for clearing that up. I suspected that they were "life partners", I guess they can't really elaborate or say anything else considering genders are a relatively unique thing for the Transformers.

GoktimusPrime

28th March 2013, 10:20 PM

Think of them as like Frodo and Sam. ;) (or have I just confused you more? :p)

Spitcurlboy

29th March 2013, 07:27 PM

or jay and silent bob

BigTransformerTrev

1st April 2013, 08:38 PM

...was anyone else holding back tears when reading this? :o Even Pipes' demise was really gut wrenching!

I loved Pipes too :( He along with Tailgate was one of the first Transformers I ever got and had been chuffed to see them fleshed out 27 years later. At least he got more of a send off than Triggerhappy in RID who died off-panel just to show Arcee is a fricken psycho

bassbot

1st April 2013, 09:41 PM

the Pipes pages were amazing and gutwrenching. Page 6 (i think) with the heart monitor layout is excellent, really showing off Comics. But man, heart (spark) falling out of his chest... dude. And James has more heartbreak in store for us.

Lord_Zed

1st April 2013, 11:05 PM

Well casualties were rather light compared to LSOTW's, but they were particularly well handled, for maximum impact. I found this issue pretty intense, though I actually found some of the grievous violence perpetrated on the Decepticons in past issues more shocking. Some of the nastier stuff like what happened with Drift was all of camera, as opposed to in your face like with the Decpticons.

The ending of the issue was particularly awesome, but boy Drift's sword must be made of the same stuff Overlord is to not be crushed by that heavy door, considering it had no trouble whatsoever with Chromedomes arm.

As for the casualties I imagine there is a limit to the amount of times they can have a TF almost die and then be saved last minute without eroding the readers attachment to the characters, so I suspect that this time we wont be getting any last minute saves. With the possible exception of UM, who I'd at least expect to impart some last minute advice to Rodimus before his spark fades.

Guess that wraps up the Overlord arc, While I'm sure he's not dead I imagine he will float around through space for the next few years till some writer needs him.

As a side note I love the attention to detail in MTMTE with all the minor background characters, and not just the Autobots, could have sworn I saw Tentakill and Hun-grrr in the brig.

i_amtrunks

1st April 2013, 11:23 PM

could have sworn I saw Tentakill and Hun-grrr in the brig.

There were part of the Decepticon crew that were captured in issue #11 (I think, maybe it was #12?). Loved the way they were reaching out for Rung too, alot of artists would have left them static in their cell.

I think the next challenge for the Lost Light will be having Rodimus alone in control without UM keeping him in line and Drift writing his speeches. I am sure Drift will take a smaller craft and leave/be forced to leave after not letting Rodimus know about Overlord. I just hope that Ratchet doesn't go with him. I like First Aid, but Ratchet is jut a more fun character to read.

I don't think Overlord will be left alone to float in space until another writer needs him, the fact he has Chromedomes arm and Rewind is too much of a coincidence. I figure we won't see him for a while, but he'll be back before Chromedome's end.

BigTransformerTrev

2nd April 2013, 08:14 AM

I don't think Overlord will be left alone to float in space until another writer needs him, the fact he has Chromedomes arm and Rewind is too much of a coincidence. I figure we won't see him for a while, but he'll be back before Chromedome's end.

Plus the DJD are after Overlord - he's No.1 on their list and considering how much storyline and effort have gone into creating the DJD I don't think they will let it end there. Who knows, maybe even Rewind will have survived, being shielded from the blast by Overlords body and now being constantly tortured for his amusement.

kup

2nd April 2013, 12:15 PM

i_amtrunks

2nd April 2013, 04:19 PM

Plus the DJD are after Overlord - he's No.1 on their list and considering how much storyline and effort have gone into creating the DJD I don't think they will let it end there. Who knows, maybe even Rewind will have survived, being shielded from the blast by Overlords body and now being constantly tortured for his amusement.

I know it makes sense that Overlord is the big bot the DJD are chasing, but that seems too... obvious? Roberts and Barber like throwing us bones to pick at, only to lead us completely astray. I wonder if it is Drift or even a yet unmentioned/unrelated bot they are after. I would prefer Overlord, would be a great battle, but we have already seen that Roberts isn't a fan of writing battles as much as the aftermath and repercussions of them.

Last Stand of Overlord anyone?

As for the Magnus surviving possibilty you mentioned in another thread, there are a tonne of fan theories out there, but my favourite is that Magnus is dying slowly as his spark fades, but is patched up for now, fully aware of his predicament. So he is on his last few cycles/megacycles/whatever and can start to enjoy himself or.... transform. ;)

Lord_Zed

2nd April 2013, 06:43 PM

Yeah I also subscribe to the possibility the DJD are not in fact after Overlord, more so now that he has been ejected from the Lost Light.

While I Imagine he and maybe others will be back some day, they had better not resurrect them to soon or suffer the fate of it's sister book RID, where after they brought back all those supposedly dead Decepticons fans don't seem to believe that any main characters can die, and the drama of events has been significantly eroded.

Pipes is gone, that's sad, but like Horri-bull and Nautilator he just wasn't geewun enough to survive.

There were part of the Decepticon crew that were captured in issue #11 (I think, maybe it was #12?). Loved the way they were reaching out for Rung too, alot of artists would have left them static in their cell.

I think the next challenge for the Lost Light will be having Rodimus alone in control without UM keeping him in line and Drift writing his speeches. I am sure Drift will take a smaller craft and leave/be forced to leave after not letting Rodimus know about Overlord. I just hope that Ratchet doesn't go with him. I like First Aid, but Ratchet is jut a more fun character to read.
.

I recall the issue some of the Terrorcons and Seacons were captured well, the way the Crew of the Lost Light dealt with the Decepticons was not really much better than what Overlord did to them.

As for Rodimus, my thoughts exactly. Rodimus hasn't really had much character development, Sure he's has a prominent role and, he's hot headed and reckless and we know his favourite phrase. , but up till now Drift and Magnus have been doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The story seems to building to a what will Rodimus do without his trusted advisers story.

Sharky

2nd April 2013, 08:02 PM

I know it makes sense that Overlord is the big bot the DJD are chasing, but that seems too... obvious? Roberts and Barber like throwing us bones to pick at, only to lead us completely astray. ;)

Well back in MtMTE #7 Tarn is given the news they found the signal and he throws out the name Overlord...I dont think it was actually confirmed that was the signal that was actually picked up... It could of been Deadlock/Drift

i_amtrunks

20th April 2013, 11:46 AM

MtMtE 316 Preview (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-ongoing-16-preview/27103/)

Some great cameos from bots long since gone, more great one liners and even a few surprises. A MtMtE preview gives you more content than a whole issue of most other comics.

Sky Shadow

20th April 2013, 02:48 PM

Some great cameos from bots long since gone, more great one liners and even a few surprises.

Cromar, Aragon and Zetar. About bloody time. It's ridiculous how much media is devoted to every single other 1984 Transformer and yet almost none to them.

i_amtrunks

21st April 2013, 10:28 PM

Spotlight Hoist preview (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-spotlight-hoist-sneak-peek/27110/).

It's a spotlight but like Trailcutter it ties in very closely to MtMtE.

BigTransformerTrev

23rd April 2013, 09:32 AM

Cromar, Aragon and Zetar. About bloody time. It's ridiculous how much media is devoted to every single other 1984 Transformer and yet almost none to them.

Are they the Powerdashers? I used to have the jet one but he is on my MIA list along with AM Optimus. I never knew the Powerdashers had names!

Sky Shadow

23rd April 2013, 11:20 AM

Are they the Powerdashers? I used to have the jet one but he is on my MIA list along with AM Optimus. I never knew the Powerdashers had names!

In Italy and France those were the names of their Trasformer/Diaclone releases, and it seems Roberts is running with that. The jet one is Cromar, Zetar's the drill and Aragon the car.

bassbot

23rd April 2013, 06:30 PM

Comes out tomorrow!!!

SMHFConvoy

25th April 2013, 06:59 PM

Gouki

26th April 2013, 10:11 AM

There's a moment in mtmte #16 that made me almost tear up. Really elegant story about saying goodbye. What has me worried is that Marvel is starting to notice Roberts' work, I don't want Roberts to leave! :)

Unless he signs an exclusive he could do both. Even if he did sign an exclusive, there's always a chance Marvel would let him continue to do MTMTE (but possibly only that).

I'm glad Marvel is noticing his work. He deserves to be a massive name in comics.

bassbot

28th April 2013, 06:33 PM

Seriously I don't have any worries about James leaving, he's said previously he has stories to tell for many years

Lordy

29th April 2013, 11:20 AM

I've just started reading MtMtE, grabbing the back issues through the IDW app. i have to say it is one of the best TF comics I have read. I've read nearly all the issues twice, and just realising some stuff that Roberts puts in that I missed in previous readings.

Gouki

29th April 2013, 12:17 PM

I really hate the size of the trades, I really do. Even just one or so extra issues would go a long way to making them feel a little heftier. Though I'm really hoping for collections like the Classics UK stuff in the future.

i_amtrunks

29th April 2013, 04:46 PM

Great wrap up issue that closes the first chapter of MtMtE. By no means do I consider this chapter closed, I am sure characters we have lost or misplaced will return to us at some point.

Glad to see Drift go, the longer he is gone, the better. I don't really care for the Ratchet/Drift friendship, I guess it shows the kind of bot Ratchet is more than anything else.

Once again, I find myself anticipating the next issue of MtMtE more than RiD just due to the little mysteries setup in this issue.

Seraphim Prime

4th May 2013, 09:42 AM

Part of me wonders why Drift gave himself up so easily.

I think it's in part to having reread the Annual recently with my copy of Volume 3 coming in, but I wonder if it's at all related to the destruction of Crystal City and the loss of the Circle of Light. I always assumed that was part of why Drift joined the Lost Light, and when faced with the city's destruction, he gave up. I kinda want to see more of his story and find out where he ends up.

bassbot

6th May 2013, 02:45 PM

The interesting thing is we have no idea what the conversation was like between Drift and Rodimus before it's "revealed" that he's taking the blame. We know by now that there could be a bit going on there. Is it part of the plan, is Drift off on some secret business, where is Ultra Magnus? Some of these things could be connected?

Gutsman Heavy

7th May 2013, 04:29 PM

http://fireden.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Corruption-of-Champions-General9.png

I was not prepared for these feels ;_;

kup

8th May 2013, 11:06 PM

That kind of looks like Patrick Stewart.

Paulbot

30th May 2013, 01:11 PM

MTMTE 17 sure has some interesting stuff being revealed, very casually about the Cybertronian birds and the bees. I need to know more. Can't wait to see the whole of Robert's take on this.

Lordy

30th May 2013, 08:16 PM

I like the number of little things that appear in Brainstorm's lab. This issue had an ED-209 out of Robocop in it :)

This looks like another interesting story arc. Will be interesting to see what the fallout is from it. Felt sad for Swerve though :(

i_amtrunks

30th May 2013, 10:15 PM

So that was interesting and not at all what I was expecting (in a good way). Due to the extra thick cover (awesome) I thought there was more to go... when BOOM! ending. :p

The only item I somewhat thought was going to happen in the next few issues was regarding Rewind's previous best friend. Didn't expect him to "cameo" this issue!
Also Perceptor finally gets some proper dialogue and panel time, and he is a hoot. Better than just being a prop in Brainstorm's laboratory. The wordplay is at its zenith once again, Whirl is always good, but even Fort Max gets in on the act (why he is left in a command position so quickly is both surprising and unsurprising since we know it is rodimus in charge).

I think we also now all have a better understanding of "constructed cold" and a possible solution for Ironhide's vision of Gorlam Prime from far off into the future. As much as I like seeing more COns we have only seen a tiny amount of previously (and one bad guy who was around for a little bit) I would love to be seeing some DJD at some point (preferably making sashimi with what is left of Drift).

MtMtE continues to impress and reveal, setup, intrigue and surprise. RiD could learn a lot from its stablemate.

i_amtrunks

31st May 2013, 09:10 PM

Josh Burchamhas updated his blog with some amazing pictures of how how the art is made (http://dcjosh.tumblr.com/post/51702312336/so-mtmte-17-is-here-and-ive-had-quite-a-few) from the line art, throu his colour process, then blended together to form the final picture.

I knew this was the process but the visuals are brilliant. I'd lov to get these printed up (especially the one of the portal) and display on some poster sized card. :D

Gouki

1st June 2013, 09:25 AM

Picked up the third trade of MTMTE, didn't even realise it was out (don't remember grabbing it consciously, I saw it and then suddenly it was in my hand). Luckily I ended up being unspoiled for 90% of this trade. Wow was it dense.

The backstory provided by Cyclonus in the annual was very interesting. I'm really fascinated by how Roberts is approaching the Transformers as a species. Their religion, lifespan and even relationships with other species. It was very well done. Plus, come on, Magnus smiles! Twice!

The whole Shadowplay arc was even more dense, and I can see why Tailgate needed notes to keep track of everything. I did at first because there were so many characters being introduced and reintroduced. The ending was pretty much perfect.

Though I have to wonder about Prowl/Chromedome back in the day. Rewinds reluctance (and later annoyance when it happens) to let Chromedome talk too much about Prowl (plus people saying that Prowl was his 'hero') and the scene where Prowl announces he will leave if war starts with his his "... I just assumed you would come with me" when Chromedome seems hurt that Prowl would consider leaving. I really wonder what their relationship was.

And Ironfist's cameo. I actually made an audible "aw..." when Chromedomes narration revealed he's kind of Ironfists only friend and pretends to be intersted in the Primal Vanguard for that reason.

When I first saw that the issue was going to be three issues and an annual I thought I'd feel ripped off and blitz through it. In reality I'm struggling to think of any Transformers comics ever that have been as tightly packed as these.