IDW Transformers ongoing [spoilers]

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, this issue is a total snooze-fest. Artistically the splash pages are nice (what happened to Devastator's chest plate??) - but storywise it's complete dullsville. It felt like one of those "recap" episodes that they sometimes do in anime. Gah.

If people want to get into the IDW comics at a later stage, surely they can just go buy the TPBs. Don't quite see the point of having a "recap" issue. And talk about embedding spoilers into the title of the next issue! (yeah, I know it's been floating around for ages)

This is just another thing I miss about the ol' G1 Marvel comics... we never had a single issue of complete pedestrian inaction like this (even in some of the lamer issues, like Arcee's origin story <shudder>)

[MindsetOverhaul]

If people want to get into the IDW comics at a later stage, surely they can just go buy the TPBs.

i agree with that 100% and wholeheartedly recommend going that route.
unless you're a pathological collector, the TFOngoing story is far more palatable and IMO more coherent in TPB form.
For myself, the first 12 issues in particular, were an intensely frustrating experience. I wish i had just waited for the Trades.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't have the patience to wait for trades. But for anyone who does, I definitely recommend collecting them that way. But really, each individual issue should be able to stand up on its own as a good story (just another thing I miss about Marvel G1).

You know what's sad? The favourite part of this issue for me is the front cover (I got Cover A), just because I think it's interesting that they've gone for using toy photography for the cover instead of artwork. But even then, I wish they'd used a proper Transformer action figure instead of that non-transformable Revoltech (which are just glorified Action Masters IMO, hence why I don't collect them). It'd be also better if they selected a character who - you know - prominently appeared in this issue! A photo of Universe/Henkei Ironhide and/or Timelines Alpha Trion would have made WAY more sense.

Cover B's more interesting at least with Ironhide's head... the RI cover - as nice (really nice) as it looks; a smashing homage to the US TFTM poster... bears no relevance to the content of the comic itself. I'm not a cover completist btw -- I just get whatever cover happens to be on the issue that my comic store has put aside for me.

I hope IDW will do more toy photo covers - hopefully BETTER ones with proper Transformer action figures in more dynamic poses. Although it kinda takes the challenge out of trying to recreate comic covers with toys.

But hey, I'm all for seeing more toy photo covers.