Comic Review: Monstrosity IDW digital release

[BigTransformerTrev]

Just read the latest issue (No 3). While it was quite good and moved the story along well, nothing major happened in this issue of particular note. It's nice to see a Quintession make an appearance, I always liked them as bad guys in the TF universe, though of course hated (even before the Primus storyline came along) the idea of them being the TF creators in the original cartoon.


I do like the portrayl of Junkion in this series. About the only cringe-worthy scene in the animated movie (besides everything Wheelie did) was them all having a dance with the Junkions and Dinobots. To see Junkion portrayed as a world of desolation and death filled with psychotic combatants made of scrap is a great 'grown-up' take on what used to be the comic relief in Season 3. Can't wait for the next issue!

[BigTransformerTrev]

Latest Issue: No 4

Still really enjoying thier portrayl of Junkion, making me kinda wish now that the next High Moon Studio's game happens in space so they can visit it, rather than just heading straight to 1984.

Sharkticons on Junkion? Well, no reason they couldn't be I suppose and it's great to see them finally make an appearance, as well as actually appearing dangerous for once. Love how Meg's kills a bunch, but is last seen sinking into the depths with half a dozen attached to him.

Interesting to see how they have portrayed Grimlock having a FoC'esque Transformation where he loses control. Not really much of a Transformation though, he just hunches over, grows jagged spines on his back and starts going "KILL YOU ALLLLL". It feels kind of shoehorned in to be honest, and doesn't really jive with things like Spotlight: Shockwave. Interested to see where they can take it in the few issues they have left.

Still really enjoying this series, though this issue was a little weaker than the last few IMO.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Issue 5 & 6:


Issue 5:
*A pretty weak explaination to how Megatron escaped the Sharkticons "The wretches pulled me down and released me". Hopefully the Quintessons comment about it being 'interesting' means there will be further explaination down the line.
*The great exodus has begun. Doesn't really jive with the whole 'Thunderwing ruined Cybertron' storyline set up years ago. Though it does work with the Drift mini-series of Dai Atlas and so on leaving, as well as the 'Robots in Disguise' series as right now it is just the neutrals leaving, leaving the Autobot/Decepticon war behind them.

Issue 6:
*Back story to how Grimlock and the rest got their bestial alt-modes which is kinda interesting. a 6th Dynobot that died?! Hmmmm, not sure how the fanboys will react to that. Overall though this is a nice explaination of what Grim & co got up to and what made them such a tight-knit yet 'hostile to everyone else' team.
*The ending - finding a GIANT Trypticon - FRIGGIN YES!!! It's been bugging me in IDW how the few times we've seen Trypticon he's been not much bigger than Omega Supreme (He was like that in the old Marvel comics too). In this he looks on par with Metroplex as it should be, much like WFC and the G1 cartoon. Can't wait to see what happens with one of my fav characters/toys next!

[i_amtrunks]

Like the different reason for the Dynobots aggression based alt modes, was fearful of a Prime based reason.

Interesting to see "naturally forming Energon" that was primal or tainted, either path offers interesting options for storytelling.

Big reveal of Trypticon was cool, he looks huge, I love that it was a science team with bugger all weaponry that seem to be the focus for the next 2-3 issues, something different. Also enjoyed the introduction of Kup, been missing him in the current timeline stories, wish he hadn't been sacrificed so badly in such a terrible crossover.
Strangely no Megatron or actual Dinobots this issue, neither were really missed. It'd be nice not to see Megs until the final issue to leave some things hanging.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Issue 7:

Mainly storyline setting up for the next issue. Delves into Trypticons history the tiniest bit. Very Tolkin-esque, there is an underground lake of treasure (energon) but it is guarded by a huge fierce dragon that currently slumbers.

Highlight of the issue was Megatron fighting the Terrorcons. I think the way Megatron defeated them was well done, I would have been annoyed if he had managed to hand their robot-arses to them in his underpowered state, and I didn't see the twist coming, ripping out the Quintessons green spark and using it to power himself. Raises a whole new question - do Quintessons have sparks? And if so, does that mean they are related to the TF's or is it that all robotic lifeforms have their soul/lifeforce exist in this manner?

[i_amtrunks]

Raises a whole new question - do Quintessons have sparks? And if so, does that mean they are related to the TF's or is it that all robotic lifeforms have their soul/lifeforce exist in this manner?

Big question that will likely be glossed over.

I liked that Megatron barely struggled with them even when almost empty on fuel, it was only their numbers that gave them a sliver of hope of victory. Nice gladiatorial style fight, but over too quickly. One of the drawbacks of the shortened format. Still loving Ramondelli's art though, he has captured Junkion beautifully.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Big question that will likely be glossed over.

I liked that Megatron barely struggled with them even when almost empty on fuel, it was only their numbers that gave them a sliver of hope of victory. Nice gladiatorial style fight, but over too quickly. One of the drawbacks of the shortened format. Still loving Ramondelli's art though, he has captured Junkion beautifully.

Yeah sadly this is true. Though with the ever expanding IDW TF universe it may not (hopefully) be the last we see of the Quintessons so it may be expanded on one day.

Complete agreement about the fight in regards to it was over too quickly. Good fight though!

I have not been a fan of Ramondelli's artwork - EXCEPT in the two digital release comics. Didn't like it in 'Chaos' and haven't liked it in other various issues, but for Autocracy and Monstrosity it seems to fit perfectly and is a visual joy, the grittiness of it is just right. In RID though I am definitely not a fan.

[i_amtrunks]

Another beautifully illustrated issue. The use of light and dark is more powerful than any colour.

I'm using some intel from RiD here, but should Trypticon be such a big deal considering that he was bested by a Titan, and Titans have been killed by normal transformer weapons?

Megatrons return was short and brutal like all confrontations in Monstrosity, the big downside of this series, all these big brutal battles are bite sized and not given the true weight they deserve.

Easily worth the $1 price.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I was kinda dissapointed that they dropped a building on Trypticon and that was it! Didn't see him injure even a single Autobot.

With 1. Meg's back and having kicked Scorponok's arse, 2. Trypticon defeated, 3. the Dynobots and 4. the Circle of Light having taken off into space, makes you wonder what is going to be in the last two issues. After all, those were really the four main plot lines.

[BigTransformerTrev]

With 1. Meg's back and having kicked Scorponok's arse, 2. Trypticon defeated, 3. the Dynobots and 4. the Circle of Light having taken off into space, makes you wonder what is going to be in the last two issues. After all, those were really the four main plot lines.

Ah, now I see. Trypticon wakes up, stomps on Prime and then promptly eats him, Megatron & Grimlock. How did I not see that coming



Still cool though!