Comic review: Robots in Disguise ongoing

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Are IDW going to run out of Decpticons though? Seems like there have been more deaths than during war time.

---

I only think the guards outside were murdered. All the big cons inside were incapacitated. Mayhaps Ravage has a sore neck (who is to say the decapitation is a killer blow to cassetticons). I doubt that such big and well loved characters that have had many interactions in the past (very important in these series) will be out for long. Ol' one eye may have even planned this (am I giving too much credit? I personally think he was ambushed but will use the incarceration to his advantage).

Been reading alot about Arcee being overpowered, but I think the combination of surprise, the explosives, the weapon (Wheeljacks, or something older?) and perhaps a letting down of their guard thinking the Autobots would be too busy with Omega all contributed to the success of the attack. Arcee is a power player, but will she side with whoever promises her Jhiaxus or has she lost interest in her revenge?

With the big bad out of the way, I was hoping that RID would embody more politicised tension, with the Decepticons factionised into many subgroups with more in-fighting, a la Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Did enjoy seeing Ravage talk :)

And, Shockwave really gets a hard time in IDW-verse doesn't he?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Are IDW going to run out of Decpticons though? Seems like there have been more deaths than during war time.

---

I don't think so. There are still plenty more Decepticons that they haven't touched yet. Time for Flamefeather to shine!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Been reading alot about Arcee being overpowered, but I think the combination of surprise, the explosives, the weapon (Wheeljacks, or something older?) and perhaps a letting down of their guard thinking the Autobots would be too busy with Omega all contributed to the success of the attack.

---

Yeah, I think Arcee's strength comes from her use of stealth and guile, most likely coupled with Prowl's strategy -- like the whole strategic move of sneaking around the Deceps' lair for ages and planting those explosives, only revealing herself at the precise moment, and by then it was too late for the Decepticons to do anything. Don't know if Arcee could have come up with that plan all by herself... seems that Prowl is the brains and Arcee is his fist. She's not quite the Munchkin that Drift was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Arcee is a power player, but will she side with whoever promises her Jhiaxus or has she lost interest in her revenge?

---

It seems that she just thoroughly enjoys doing her job --- she's kinda like Quickstrike in a way, only not so goofy. But ya know... "Destruction's good! I like destruction!"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Did enjoy seeing Ravage talk :)

---

Eeh, that's nothing new. Ravage talked a lot during G1, especially in the comics. It was Ravage who talked Shockwave out of his stupor after the "paradox" of killing Cyclonus. Ravage did speak briefly once in the G1 cartoon, and of course, he talked a lot in Beast Wars with that awesome Russian spy voice (which is exactly how Ravage sounded to me when I read this issue! :D)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

And, Shockwave really gets a hard time in IDW-verse doesn't he?

---

Sucked in to that cycloptic depth-perceptionless freak. :p :p

IDW Shockwave just hangs around and looks cool, but never actually does anything of value, in that sense he is more like his cartoon counterpart than his Marvel comic one.

As for the possibility of ravage surviving the issue, well that would be just stupid given that loss of head (between RID and the Bay movies) is now the most common cause of death for Decepticons. I'm sorry if Ratbat can be killed by being run through and Ravage can't be killed by unexpected decapitation then I call major shenanigans and favoritism on the part of the writer. :p

Anyway It's interesting how the Autobot characters always seem to narrowly avoid death in IDW comics of late.

the thing is we haven't seen conclusive evidence of deaths, but we have been told by multiple characters that Ratbat is dead. The black room is important - I think Shockwave has been planning something since Swindle and Dirge came to him a few issues ago.

Now, i'm glad Megatron is back, this is the shake up the Iacon leaders need - will this bring on the elections? It's been predicted by Prime/Pax that if/when Megatron returns what is he going to find? Will he be able to get support like before?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bassbot

the thing is we haven't seen conclusive evidence of deaths, but we have been told by multiple characters that Ratbat is dead.

---

Wheeljack copping a shot from Turmoil's arm cannon at point blank range, that took out two-fifths of his, and looked like it should have been where his spark chamber was, doesn't help to explain how Cybertronians can be killed either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Wheeljack copping a shot from Turmoil's arm cannon at point blank range, that took out two-fifths of his, and looked like it should have been where his spark chamber was, doesn't help to explain how Cybertronians can be killed either.

---

Cybertronians are all like Achillies, you have to hit them in their one weakspot, like Optimus's encahnted rib in the original animated movie. :D

I think in the IDW-verse there a connection between the spark and brain module (and transformation cog) that to truly kill them outright needs to be severed. For example, Rung in MTMTE. Wheeljack's brain module was fully functional aside from his other wounds and so a gaping whole in the body didn't stop him - he was only saved by the timely rescue from Metalhawk though - i'm sure he would've carked it if he had been left there (aside from the fact the cons were ready to take him down.

So are we not as engaged in RiD as MtMtE lately? I was overseas and only managed to get the issue today.

Further to bassbot's point regarding death of Tf's, it seems that they are nigh impossible to kill, Megatron was already skeletal, took a full barrage of fire at near point blank range and still survived.

Another Wheeljack centred issue where he once again gets the wiring beaten out of him before being saved by a main player in the political machinations. This one is a setup issue through and through, but had a few interesting points raised, the one that struck me has been building for a while: why are all the warbots being taken down? Bumblebee is on the same thought process now, and that could be an interesting simmering plot point for the future.

Although I do wish we would get a conclusion (or continuation) of the Ironhide/Dinobot/Aerialbot story. I thought Skylynx had returned, but maybe his systems are still fried.

We did get a payoff for Prowl, he wanted to be blown up in the Con pit takedown, not just to remove suspicion from himself but as an excuse to upgrade into a wartime body and take down every other con. He really planned this out well.

What is Arcee up to I wonder? What has she to gain from protecting Maccadam's or is she just after some killing time?

More questions than answers in this issue, but looking forward to the next few months, both stories are ramping up.

i to think it is a long time between issues covering the ironhide story.. its like they forgot an issue, and it disapoints me a little, i get the jumpng to the pax story and leaving a little bit of a cliff hanger but then why go back to the westwing drama for more then one issue...

it kinda adds to the "loosing interest" in RID over MTMTE

It's just recently dawned on me that RiD (and other concurrent events in the IDWverse) could easily become a primer to connect G1 with Beast Wars. Let's consider the following:
* The war has ended in (dubious) favour of the Autobots
* There are many calling for the dissolution of the factions. Imagine if ex-Autobots (like Metalhawk) spearheaded the formation of the Maximals and ex-Decepticons (like Sky-Byte) formed the Predacon; both factions allied under as part of a unified Cybertronian government (possibly bipartisan).
* The formal dissolution of the Autobot/Decepticon factions could be made official with all parties signing the Pax Cybertronia.

After getting the second trade (such a short trade with only 5 issues) It really makes an impact that we have not had a more thorough conclusion to the Wilderness story.
I'm guessing that might come after all the Iacon based stuff we are going to be dealing with, perhaps Superion can shut Megatron down/exile him after he makes his powerplay?

The whole "everyone combines into giant transformer" could be an interesting story as well, a bit similar to the weird D-void created combiner. Personally I think Kimia or similar will be revealed and the impetus for the desire to combine, and give Wheeljack another issue or two to shine in his scientific role. Anything that isn't related to the Dvoid will suffice though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

After getting the second trade (such a short trade with only 5 issues) It really makes an impact that we have not had a more thorough conclusion to the Wilderness story.
I'm guessing that might come after all the Iacon based stuff we are going to be dealing with, perhaps Superion can shut Megatron down/exile him after he makes his powerplay?

The whole "everyone combines into giant transformer" could be an interesting story as well, a bit similar to the weird D-void created combiner. Personally I think Kimia or similar will be revealed and the impetus for the desire to combine, and give Wheeljack another issue or two to shine in his scientific role. Anything that isn't related to the Dvoid will suffice though.

---

i to am disapointed that this story hasnt continued it feels like it has been forgotten about with only one or two lines to keep the story thread alive... and the rest of the politic stories feel they are running in slow motion.

i hope they dont make the dinobots combine....

next weeks issue is probably not going to touch on the missing bots again

Preview for #13 is up for those who read them.

Prowls endgame begins. After reading chaos police action and the terribly written spotlight Prowl, it is truly hard to fathom that it is the same character!

Looking good, the next few months are going to drag between issues.

Mother ******.

Did not see nor expect that. Ever.

My reaction was "What? But, what!".

I wonder what his gameplan is? There are two obvious ways this may work out, both requiring his new body. Either way he has planned things wonderfully, my only question is what about Dirge/Swindle, what is there role in all of this? They are going to report about the Decepticon "deaths" and then they will be revealed to be wrong?

Poor Wheeljack, he really has copped it in this series, but if he survived his lot so far, the other "casualties" could be okay too.

Hating the months wait between issues, I need to know why now!

I'm reading this series on my phone via Comixology so on the first read I didn't notice the finer details of that last splash page. I thought Wheeljack was there by choice. That he isn't makes me wonder what Prowl's plan will be since it doesn't look like he can convince another rational Autobot of its merits. Or Prowl is playing along for some reason...

I wonder how the MTMTE series fits in too, but I guess Rodimus, Magnus, Drift, and the sheer number of Autobots on the Lost Light were another lot of support for the Autobots that had to be moved off the board. Good to see the randomness and loose ends of the "in wild" story being touched on as part of the greater plan.

The Dirge/Swindle/Arcee stuff has me beat too. This is the first time with this series where the cliffhanger really does make me impatient for the next issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

Good to see the randomness and loose ends of the "in wild" story being touched on as part of the greater plan.

The Dirge/Swindle/Arcee stuff has me beat too. This is the first time with this series where the cliffhanger really does make me impatient for the next issue.

---

So you thinking that the datapad was being held by Ironhide too? I wonder if the wild, getting rid of the Autobot warriors was part of Prowls plan too? Could Megatron being in the wilderness have been a front, was Prowl hiding him (in the black room?) all along?. Obviously, Prowl did not know of the D-void or the big reformatting, but could his and Megatrons conversation waaay back in Chaos have been the setup for this? Surely that would be too convenient right?

As for Dirge/Swindle, I am not sure if Arcee is going against Prowl's plan/getting cold feet, or is following the plan to the letter. Prowl wants Starscream in the least to say he killed some Cons, then have the Cons reveal themselves to be alive and make Starscream look incompetent/lying. If Arcee is going behind Prowl's back, has he planned for it? having Cons going out in the mob protected by (poor, used) Blurr is not the safest or most guaranteed delivery method.

Finally, I read somewhere that Prowl might be under Con influence (Bombshell?) or that he is manipulating the Cons after changes to them made in the black room, ala Kup. Man I miss Kup from being in these stories. Infestation was such a waste.

And Paulbot, go buy this issue, if only for the splash pages, they are beautiful in print, and you'll lose a little bit of how wonderful in the trade. We need a new, properly done art of IDW, just from the ongoing onwards, with the two from this issue front and centre.

Very superficial question, but...

With three of the four main Decepticons (Shockwave, Soundwave and Starscream) adoping WFC/FOC Robot and Alt modes... Do you think they'll draw Megatron as per his black, WFC toy?

I think one of the covers has him as his Ongoing earth form so I guess not. But would've been nice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Poor Wheeljack, he really has copped it in this series, but if he survived his lot so far, the other "casualties" could be okay too.

---

Perhaps not for poor Horri-bull..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

I'm reading this series on my phone via Comixology so on the first read I didn't notice the finer details of that last splash page. I thought Wheeljack was there by choice. That he isn't makes me wonder what Prowl's plan will be since it doesn't look like he can convince another rational Autobot of its merits. Or Prowl is playing along for some reason...

---

It seemed like Prowl wanted to convert an Autobot to his side, currently with Wheeljack because he noted Wheeljack's lack of belief in Bumblebee's rule, but also perhaps previously with Chromedome just before the Lost Light took off?
(Did he just needed Chromedome for moral support or would his ultimate plans have gone more smoothly with the aid of a Mnemosurgeon?).
Or perhaps the Lost Light's mass exodus of Autobots could have been one of the contributing events that led to Prowl's decision. Another could be his increasing Factionalism towards Nails?

Prowl also mentioned having troops stationed at strategic locations, however if Bluestreak, Jetfire and Warpath were really under the care of Prowl, I don't think he would have allowed Needlenose to go that far - why not ordered them away or asked them to surrender? There was also Decepticon casualties in that raid which may dent his new alliance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

The Dirge/Swindle/Arcee stuff has me beat too. This is the first time with this series where the cliffhanger really does make me impatient for the next issue.

---

Prowl going through all that effort to produce Decepticons that would unravel his moral ambiguity is perplexing. The Constructicons and Bombshell's deaths were faked, however the ones on Arcee's hit list still remain missing at least (there's an even more secretive room than the Black Room?). Prowl sends Arcee to assassinate Ratbat and Shockwave, however Ratbat was not in the Black Room?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

If Arcee is going behind Prowl's back, has he planned for it? having Cons going out in the mob protected by (poor, used) Blurr is not the safest or most guaranteed delivery method.

---

I'm inclined against it, that event seemed more coincidental. If Prowl knew that Dirge/Swindle were hiding with Blurr all along, wouldn't he have notified the Decepticons to grab them at an earlier time rather than wait until Arcee arrives and complicate things?

Arcee just seems to be getting too overly powerful and clever. If they were going to make tech specs for her in this series, she'd probably get mostly 9's and 10's.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Finally, I read somewhere that Prowl might be under Con influence (Bombshell?) or that he is manipulating the Cons after changes to them made in the black room, ala Kup.

---

Transformers under Bombshell's/Mindwipe's influence are usually in a daze and seem only able to barely execute simple motor skills? If he was under Con influence, then what would the Cons gain from attempting to convert Wheeljack and then beating him to a pulp after disagreeing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ploughmans Lunch

Very superficial question, but...

With three of the four main Decepticons (Shockwave, Soundwave and Starscream) adoping WFC/FOC Robot and Alt modes... Do you think they'll draw Megatron as per his black, WFC toy?

I think one of the covers has him as his Ongoing earth form so I guess not. But would've been nice.

---

Good chance? The Combaticons also took on FOC alt modes :) Makes me want to the overpriced Takara versisons..

I think Megatron will pickup a new WFC/FOC type body when he's repaired. It was only on second look that I noticed Rumble and Frenzy had their Generations tank modes now.

Unlike MTMTE, I haven't been rereading this series so I feel I need to now to catch up. I feel like I've not been paying enough attention, but it seems that this issues revelations have caught out those that were too.

I think it would be a weak out to say Prowl was under Bombshell's influence. I think there's a plan that Prowl has been working on and hopefully we'll get an outline of in the next issue.

I've been trying to think through where it might be going. I assume that he wants Dirge to spill the beans and reveal that the Autobots have been "killing" Decepticons, and the NAILS already frightened by the Decepticon rioters will swiftly elect Metalhawk. The Autobots have lost their strongest warriors, plus another 400 or so of their number on the destroyed Lost Light. Maybe this will be the last straw and the remainding Bots will take off. Leaving the planet and the NAILS at the sudden mercy of Megatron and his elite warriors. (Ratbat was surplus to requirements and a necessary sacrifice to get Starscream on side... although exactly what Starscream's role needs to be is unclear.)

So what's in that for Prowl? What greater purpose is he working on the side of the Decepticons for? We know he left Cybertron for a neutral life once. Maybe he can't function without war? He knows the Lost Light is not destroyed. He's sure Bumblebee will try to regroup and the war will start again.

Or perhaps he thinks the NAILS need to experience being on the opposing Decepticon army. Maybe he's just really p'ed off with the neutrals (flip the table over p'ed off) and wants them to "pick a slagging side already!"? Perhaps it's too black and white for him. You have to be one or the other, and if he has to become a Decepticon to force the neutrals to become Autobots, that's a price he'll pay?

Maybe it's because I didn't follow the series closely, but I was surprised at Prowl's allegiance at the end.

And kinda surprised at how Arcee turned out.

Wow nice issue, didn't see that coming either, I thought the Blackroom would be like Prowl's Decepticon manned sweatshop or something.

I wonder what his and Megatrons gameplan is? It would be kinda cool if Prowl actually has turned corrupt. And I suspect Ironhide and his pals might have to return from the wasteland to save the day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Perhaps not for poor Horri-bull..

Prowl going through all that effort to produce Decepticons that would unravel his moral ambiguity is perplexing. The Constructicons and Bombshell's deaths were faked, however the ones on Arcee's hit list still remain missing at least (there's an even more secretive room than the Black Room?). Prowl sends Arcee to assassinate Ratbat and Shockwave, however Ratbat was not in the Black Room?

---

Well techincaly Bumblbee killed Horri-bull not Prowl, but anyway.....

My only gripe about this issue and it's cool reveal is my eternal gripe about all IDW writing, and that's that Geewuners can't die, ever! Because once again everyone's favorite (read overused and underdeveloped) Geewun characters are revealed to be (shock!) alive. While Horri-Bull, Triggerhapy, Blot and Staxx are all most likely dead. Chances are Bluestreak, Skydive and Warpath will be back soon too. I thought the writer was being pretty ballsy when Prowl seemingly offed the Constrcuticons, and Bombshell, and Arcee be-headed Ravage. But now there all back, sigh!

Thus consequently I am not at all worried about the fate of Wheeljack, Starscream, Ironhide etc now, but I do feel tension for any scenes involving Needlenose or Metalhawk they could die at any issue now. :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

There was also Decepticon casualties in that raid which may dent his new alliance.
.

---

Yeah, but they were all Genericons and actual G2 Decepticons no one cares about them. :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Arcee just seems to be getting too overly powerful and clever. If they were going to make tech specs for her in this series, she'd probably get mostly 9's and 10's.
.

---

Yeah she is getting a tad ridiculous, maybe she will aquire a lasso and invisible plane soon.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Wow nice issue, didn't see that coming either, I thought the Blackroom would be like Prowl's Decepticon manned sweatshop or something.

I wonder what his and Megatrons gameplan is? It would be kinda cool if Prowl actually has turned corrupt. And I suspect Ironhide and his pals might have to return from the wasteland to save the day.

---

I'd welcome an evil Prowl, Autobot turncoats (currently none?) appeal more to me than Decepticons turning good (Dirge and especially Swindle, who's more interesting existing as an arms or illicit goods dealer, although I did like Snare/Thundercracker).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Well techincaly Bumblbee killed Horri-bull not Prowl, but anyway.....

---

I was referring to that point about non-Prowl related Decepticon deaths when i_amtrunks mentioned other casualties possibly coming back :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

My only gripe about this issue and it's cool reveal is my eternal gripe about all IDW writing, and that's that Geewuners can't die, ever! Because once again everyone's favorite (read overused and underdeveloped) Geewun characters are revealed to be (shock!) alive. While Horri-Bull, Triggerhapy, Blot and Staxx are all most likely dead. Chances are Bluestreak, Skydive and Warpath will be back soon too. I thought the writer was being pretty ballsy when Prowl seemingly offed the Constrcuticons, and Bombshell, and Arcee be-headed Ravage. But now there all back, sigh!

---

Did you mean Jetfire instead of Skydive? :) Yeah that was a real shock, like LSOTW sudden deaths. Jetfire's really had a turn for the worst in IDW, starting our as Scientist/Captain/leader of a squad of Technobots, to sub leader(?) of Garrus 9 working alongside Fort Max when Monstructor escaped, and here as Bumblebee/Prowl's choice of prison warden - quite the career change! Also, his injuries did not seem as fatal as Bluestreak shot to the face or Warpath's innards exploding from the inside. Maybe he'll live another day to dwell on future career decisions? :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord_Zed

Thus consequently I am not at all worried about the fate of Wheeljack, Starscream, Ironhide etc now, but I do feel tension for any scenes involving Needlenose or Metalhawk they could die at any issue now. :p

---

Just unfounded speculation, but I really am not that worried about Wheeljack dying; as a scientist, he seems like an important current and future plot device to keep around - seeing how the Perceptor/Brainstorm/Highbrow are gone, the Technobots are no longer featured, and Jetfire's gone through demotion after demotion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Just unfounded speculation, but I really am not that worried about Wheeljack dying; as a scientist, he seems like an important current and future plot device to keep around - seeing how the Perceptor/Brainstorm/Highbrow are gone, the Technobots are no longer featured, and Jetfire's gone through demotion after demotion.

---

That's what he gets for being a theorist and not. Practical or weapons based scientist in this time of war!

Prowl has not turned con. His IDW history is too anti con. He is playing a game that will end badly. He might make some emotional calls (since his spotlight issue is canon) but for the most part he only works towards an autobot victory. I'd be disappointed if Megatron is the character who thwarts his plans. Megatron is smart and certainly resourceful, but it should be a Soundwave or Shockwave who incapacites/circumvents Prowls schemes.

Should make for intriguing reading to see how Barber rolls out the next half dozen issues. He is no mug with the writing, I'll never forget his work on tying the movie canon together.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuspectimusPrime

Did you mean Jetfire instead of Skydive? :) Yeah that was a real shock, like LSOTW sudden deaths. Jetfire's really had a turn for the worst in IDW, starting our as Scientist/Captain/leader of a squad of Technobots, to sub leader(?) of Garrus 9 working alongside Fort Max when Monstructor escaped, and here as Bumblebee/Prowl's choice of prison warden - quite the career change! Also, his injuries did not seem as fatal as Bluestreak shot to the face or Warpath's innards exploding from the inside. Maybe he'll live another day to dwell on future career decisions? :p
.

---

Opps yeah, I meant Jetfire. He'll be back, if only so he can be demoted to auto-janitor. Skydive is already dead, the Decepticon one anyway, I don't think we will be seeing him again given that most of his Predator comrades in arms have been wiped out over the years.

Is it weird that I'm more excited about the new RiD issue instead of the delayed MTMTE? It's been a slow burn so far, but I want to see how everything plays out - what Prowl's game is, what's happened to the Aerialbots and the Dinobots, what Megatron has got in store for the fledgling Cybertron, whether the neutrals will rise up in force against Megatron, who will lead Cybertron once the night is over, and where will Starscream decide to stand I all this?

uhhhhh......

ummmmmm.....

gah!

Lots of death in this one, unexpected, and at the same time a little sad with what the payoff was, but glad also in a way. This was a page turner, let me tell you. The slow payoff has certainly arrived. I still feel RiD is the inferior book due to what felt like padding throughout the majority of the middle issues, but the way barber can tie the nonsense we were dealt with CHAOS with the Deceptigod, the ongoing body of work (Spotlight Megatron was well timed), AHM and even the Furmanverse stuff.

Lots of questionsanswered, but more raised concerning the future, we may finally get some ideas of what else happened to Ironhide and the Dinobots.

With some of the deaths we had, one has to wonder if it is permadeath, I can't see them being undone easily.

Arcee is also still an X factor, I know there are many readers who think her overpowereed (even with later revelations) but what she does in the background here makes me think her fate is Prowl's...

Poor Prowl.

Just some quick thoughts: I didn't like this. The info dump was poorly handled, the most interesting parts of the book have been pushed aside for a darkest hour setup, and the big reveal feels like a big cop out when it could have been a dramatic character development.

Only one death looks "permanent" to me and it's the one most easily undone.

And Sky High was one of my childhood Pretenders. Wish he and his MTMTE(bio book) personality had made it to the Lost Light instead.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

the big reveal feels like a big cop out when it could have been a dramatic character development.

---

I see what you did there... :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

Only one death looks "permanent" to me and it's the one most easily undone.

---

Upon a second (and third read) I would agree. Only one of Roberts favourites may have actually died, and I bet there is a work around for it. He already has survived pretty big injuries. All the others may take some time to recover once the cavalry arrives.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Paulbot

And Sky High was one of my childhood Pretenders. Wish he and his MTMTE(bio book) personality had made it to the Lost Light instead.

---

Just nice to see non 1985 cast members get a line here and there. He seemed to escape unscathed so far.

After subsequent readings I really need more information regarding Arcee. This may one of those storylines that we look back on in a year or two and either see it as a setup for whats to come, or a weak link in the overarching direction. It already feels too compacted and "dumpy" on re-reads. In a way thats good as it gets it out of the way, hopefully for more information on the "hows and whys" once the big brawl is done.\

Related note, where is Brawl?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Just nice to see non 1985 cast members get a line here and there. He seemed to escape unscathed so far.

---

No, he's crushed on page 21 :( but at least he got some dialogue, which may be a first for the character actually.

i liked the last page, but i felt like the rest of the issue was a little bit of a cop out.....

kind of feel like they could of covered the last 6 issues in half that...

(meanwhile i really enjoyed Gaurdians of the Galaxy #0.1)

So would you say that Meg's new plan for the future of the cons is his twisted version of "till all are one"?

Yes, this idea of "Til All Are One" being a physical and not just a metaphysical concept/potential for the Transformers race is an interesting idea, and makes Deceptigod less silly.

Some more thoughts and some spoilers

I dislike the Decepticons, as a group, going in to "Let me tell you the details of our evil plan". I really dislike that Prowl was just under Decepticon control. It's boring and predictable. It was much more interesting for an Autobot to be manipulating things to a point where working with the Decepticons became a logical action.

Forcing his body into the new Devastator also doesn't make much sense. They explained that Devastator was a successful gestalt because the Constructicons share a "unity of purpose". Prowl doesn't have a "mind for Devastation" .

I figure Wheeljack has some sort of backup body/mind or emergency plan to move vital parts around, especially after surviving that chest wound. I can't see it sticking. I can there are going for that dire (all going to hell, how will the heroes ever prevail) type of moment, but I think killing off or removing most of the main cast all at once is just over playing it.

I wondered where Blurr disappeared to? I guess he got separated from the others or ran for help? Maybe a part of a panel got cut off on Comixology's guided view? (It's happened before with this series)

I think the idea was that Prowl was still under Bombshell's control and that is why the gestalt of Devestator still worked. I'm not sure if Devestator is under his own control or under the control of Bombshell.

If he is under the control of Bombshell then could there be a powerplay made?

I figure that we will have Prowl somehow overcome the Cerebro shell and subdue/control Devy later on. No way Superion and the Dinobots and Ol' Ih-n-hide can defewat the Decepticon army.

Exactly how much control Bombshell had on Prowl isn't clear, and since that was the whole twist, that's a problem. I guess Prowl's body was all they wanted and they assume his defeated broken mind would just be overwhelmed by the Devastator gestalt. Prowl though was looking forward to becoming part of it but was there ever a real "evil Prowl" personality?

During the "here's our evil plan", Prowl and Bombshell talk as if they are different bots. ("Prowl relied on fear." "Correct Bombshell") which suggests Prowl is autonomous, but it appears that actually Bombshell's just keeping up the illusion?

If Bombshell was completely controlling Prowl, that might be why he's struggling with talking properly himself but I think that's established IDW trait of the Insecticon. At one point Bombshell and Prowl take times saying the same sentence. Later Prowl says "my every action is Bombshell's" and Bombshell adds "voice, mannerisms, intelletect". Prowl than says "Would you like to say goodbye to Prowl?" which suggests its Bombshell's voice coming through the body.

The way Prowl's body then collapses and Prowl's real voice comes out made me think that the control was over. Bombshell's control wasn't needed anymore (but I suspect he might still have a backdoor).

I still think it would have been a much more interesting story if it was revealed in this issue that many of his actions had been because Prowl wanted to take control of a gestalt. Because frankly it doesn't make that much sense for the Decepticons to use an Autobot here rather than another Decepticon. And why not make Prowl a replacement leg instead of swapping Hook about? It all strikes me as trying to make a big twist/shock for marketing rather than what makes sense for the story.

Although I would have preferred Prowl to actually be with the Decepticons, the Bombshell thing at least makes sense as a plot device even if it somewhat ruins last issue's Black Room twist. The Devastator thing was just awful. If Arcee is actually working for the Decepticons then last issue's caption boxes don't make any sense. It's like there are twists for twists' sake even if it contradicts logic. That said, the new last page 'twist' means next issue should at least be interesting.

I share a lot of Paulbot's thoughts.

Overall, I'm very disappointed with this issue. The whole story ark was fresh, going in a new direction, 'bots seeming to actually die and then - bam! - let's reset the status quo on all levels.
-Prowl wasn't being devious.
-Everyone that died was just pretending.
-Ironhide and the Dinobots... does anyone else think that story line just ended in the middle?
-Even Megatron is back in a copy of his old body (Just in time for his Stealth Bomber Generations toy...).

It just seems like no matter what story is being told, at the end of the arc everything will reset right back.
Nobody thought the entire Deception cast was killed when the Decepticon pen exploded, but seriously? This is akin to using the 'it was all a dream' cop-out.

And as we saw in MTMTE *spoiler*> Having your head blown off does not preclude a full recovery, a la Rung. If the writers keep going the way they are Wheeljack will be just fine.

I don't mean to be a big whinger, I was really enjoying RID and I just feel disappointed at this development erasure.

Yeah I agree this issue despite the excitement felt a bit forced. The Decepticons explanation seemed more like a series re-cap, and it was rather cliche the way they all pat themselves on the back and explain their convoluted plan for no reason. Plus the whole bit with the Arielbots seemed pretty stupid. Megatron used them as a test case and then just assumed they were all dead? Talk about your comic book villain mistakes. I'll have to re-read the issue again but the whole Decepticon revelation just didn't ring true for me.

As for the final page, called that a while back.