Like a Bat out of Hell, I’ll be Gone When the Morning Comes.
Addendum 13: Infestation Issue 2. April 6th 2011.
I hate to think what the Rose Garden is going to look like after this.
The big immediate sign that this conclusion to the wraparound series is going to be a bit of a mess is the first pages, which is just a reused enlargement of the biggest panel on the final page on the first issue. Which at least means you get that Zombie Sweep again.
The other Transformers presence in the issue comes from the recap of the various series that have happened between the two issues, with us seeing the various forms Britt had taken on, plus Optimus Prime shooting away. Though it is clear that artist David Messina is still more interested in boobs than robots, as, alongside a “Normal” Britt barely contained by her corset, he clearly put a lot more thought into a top-heavy Baroness than Optimus.
This is then followed by an odd disconnect from the end of the previous issue, as the zombies are now suddenly everywhere, including taking on the White House, and even bombing the secret base (that the heroes within just about get out of in time by using a teleport) doesn’t slow them down. It feels like a planned longer series has been hastily edited down here.
As Britt reconnects with her separate selves, there’s an attempt to properly link with the crossovers by saying she’s bringing back technology that will let her bring the Undermind through to this reality. Which, OK, it is at least trying to connect all the pieces, but seems at odds with her stated goal in the Transformers issues of staying in that reality to conquer it. I don’t know if the other series managed to feed into this better, but it’s strange that this one is so flawed when it’s all the same writers (unlike at least the Trek issues).
I hate to think what the Rose Garden is going to look like after this.
The big immediate sign that this conclusion to the wraparound series is going to be a bit of a mess is the first pages, which is just a reused enlargement of the biggest panel on the final page on the first issue. Which at least means you get that Zombie Sweep again.
The other Transformers presence in the issue comes from the recap of the various series that have happened between the two issues, with us seeing the various forms Britt had taken on, plus Optimus Prime shooting away. Though it is clear that artist David Messina is still more interested in boobs than robots, as, alongside a “Normal” Britt barely contained by her corset, he clearly put a lot more thought into a top-heavy Baroness than Optimus.
This is then followed by an odd disconnect from the end of the previous issue, as the zombies are now suddenly everywhere, including taking on the White House, and even bombing the secret base (that the heroes within just about get out of in time by using a teleport) doesn’t slow them down. It feels like a planned longer series has been hastily edited down here.
As Britt reconnects with her separate selves, there’s an attempt to properly link with the crossovers by saying she’s bringing back technology that will let her bring the Undermind through to this reality. Which, OK, it is at least trying to connect all the pieces, but seems at odds with her stated goal in the Transformers issues of staying in that reality to conquer it. I don’t know if the other series managed to feed into this better, but it’s strange that this one is so flawed when it’s all the same writers (unlike at least the Trek issues).
The big B everyone loves: A Bot.
CVO lead Cross decides that, as he’s already a vampire, the best bet is he also get bitten by a zombie, becoming the same sort of hybrid as Britt so he can have the same powers. Which works, as it lets him stab her and explode the Undermind. Leaving her in a coma and him missing presumed dead, though the epilogue of the issue has him visiting his own grave in a “The end… or is it?!” moment.
I’ve gone fast through this one because it really isn’t very good, but also that I feel that my lack of familiarity with the IDW original series is hampering my ability to really follow the character dynamics and some of the plot dynamics. So I’m probably being unfair here, but it does, if nothing else, show that the Transformers were not anywhere like as much of a tangled mess as they could have been.
Obviously, getting hold of this entire series now is quite tricky (I believe Star Trek is the only one of the four licenced properties now still with IDW), meaning it is a bit of a bugger to track down through anything but scans you might find down the back of the sofa. And frankly, for whatever strengths the individual miniseries may have, the envelope isn’t good enough to make it worth the effort.
Next week, on Friday because it’s TFN Minicon weekend (please say “Hi” if you see me), the Decepticons finally complete their revenge.
TRANSFORMERS INFESTATION ISSUE 2
2011
COMMENT
KO-FI
I’ve gone fast through this one because it really isn’t very good, but also that I feel that my lack of familiarity with the IDW original series is hampering my ability to really follow the character dynamics and some of the plot dynamics. So I’m probably being unfair here, but it does, if nothing else, show that the Transformers were not anywhere like as much of a tangled mess as they could have been.
Obviously, getting hold of this entire series now is quite tricky (I believe Star Trek is the only one of the four licenced properties now still with IDW), meaning it is a bit of a bugger to track down through anything but scans you might find down the back of the sofa. And frankly, for whatever strengths the individual miniseries may have, the envelope isn’t good enough to make it worth the effort.
Next week, on Friday because it’s TFN Minicon weekend (please say “Hi” if you see me), the Decepticons finally complete their revenge.
TRANSFORMERS INFESTATION ISSUE 2
2011
COMMENT
KO-FI
