Comic reviews: IDW More Than Meets The Eye ongoing

[kup]

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.

Is it out already at places like King Comics?

[GoktimusPrime]

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

[Sharky]

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]

yes it is

Thanks!

[GoktimusPrime]

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.
+ 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Jhiaxus' review on the Annual