The President is on the Line, as 99 Red Ballons go by.
Autocracy Chapter 2: Parasites. February 1st 2012.
Not all of us have your natural commanding presence, great Prime.
The second chapter of this online comic actually leans into the format, using the short length to devote nearly the entire issue to one scene, focused on introducing the villain of the series.
That villain being the previously mentioned but not seen Zeta Prime, holding court in the Iacon Senate. Obviously, introducing a new character everyone in the story knows because they’re the leader of the entire planet can be tricky to do naturally, but here’s where one of your writers having 3 decades of experience helps, ensuring Flint Dille can easily and organically introduce himself to the Senate in the middle of a rant by going “I, Zeta Prime”.
A master of his craft, I hope Chris Metzan learnt a few things.
To help firmly establish Zeta is a villain in a subtle way, he looks like Sauron and screams and shouts about the decedent worthless citizens of Cybertron, mocks the senate and introduces his new weapon to deal with the Decepticons, the “Vamparc ribbon”, which has the drawback of needing lots of energy, but the plus that it can drain them from Cybertronians.
Not all of us have your natural commanding presence, great Prime.
The second chapter of this online comic actually leans into the format, using the short length to devote nearly the entire issue to one scene, focused on introducing the villain of the series.
That villain being the previously mentioned but not seen Zeta Prime, holding court in the Iacon Senate. Obviously, introducing a new character everyone in the story knows because they’re the leader of the entire planet can be tricky to do naturally, but here’s where one of your writers having 3 decades of experience helps, ensuring Flint Dille can easily and organically introduce himself to the Senate in the middle of a rant by going “I, Zeta Prime”.
A master of his craft, I hope Chris Metzan learnt a few things.
To help firmly establish Zeta is a villain in a subtle way, he looks like Sauron and screams and shouts about the decedent worthless citizens of Cybertron, mocks the senate and introduces his new weapon to deal with the Decepticons, the “Vamparc ribbon”, which has the drawback of needing lots of energy, but the plus that it can drain them from Cybertronians.
Megatron: Origin wasn’t perfect, but it did a far better job of showing what the Decepticons were rebelling against than having a moustache twirling villain want to suck the life out of everyone. It’s a cartoon plot, and, again, it’s hard not to feel that what the writers wanted to do was something set in the world of the original animated series.
There’s also some slight token attempt at continuity, with mentions of Jhiaxus and the previous Prime (though whether that Prime was Sentinel or Nominus depends on which edition you’re reading), that seem mildly ludicrous when, chronologically, there shouldn’t be a senate at this point, as Starscream killed them all.
There’s also some slight token attempt at continuity, with mentions of Jhiaxus and the previous Prime (though whether that Prime was Sentinel or Nominus depends on which edition you’re reading), that seem mildly ludicrous when, chronologically, there shouldn’t be a senate at this point, as Starscream killed them all.
Which is made even funnier when “Delegate” Starscream shows up and starts brown nosing Zeta, but still with that air of sarcasm, without comment.
John Barber would later do a lot of running about to square these circles, but it’s fair to say that, at the time, this comic really had no regard for anything that had gone before.
Which leaves you feeling it’s actually possible that they will just kill Swindle when he’s brought out to test the energy draining on, even if he has appeared in stories set after (though ultimately, Zeta only tests the charged gun on the ceiling. Because he's insane).
Down in the Citadel chambers, Orion Pax is sparring with Ultra Magnus, who he wants to have a rough and tumble session with to the vent his frustrations at getting nowhere investigating the Decepticons.
This tough no-nonsense Magnus offering sensible advice is so at odds with the current comics, it’s both wonderful and amusing that a later but already planned More Than Meets the Eye reveal with make this perfect, accidental setup.
John Barber would later do a lot of running about to square these circles, but it’s fair to say that, at the time, this comic really had no regard for anything that had gone before.
Which leaves you feeling it’s actually possible that they will just kill Swindle when he’s brought out to test the energy draining on, even if he has appeared in stories set after (though ultimately, Zeta only tests the charged gun on the ceiling. Because he's insane).
Down in the Citadel chambers, Orion Pax is sparring with Ultra Magnus, who he wants to have a rough and tumble session with to the vent his frustrations at getting nowhere investigating the Decepticons.
This tough no-nonsense Magnus offering sensible advice is so at odds with the current comics, it’s both wonderful and amusing that a later but already planned More Than Meets the Eye reveal with make this perfect, accidental setup.
There’s also a brief moment later on of Bumblebee and Ironhide training as well, with Ironhide declaring “Not bad for an old timer”, because Transformers comics can’t stop quoting that bloody film, even the writer of it can’t help himself.
Back in the Senate, the weapon is not only a success, but Zeta reveals the larger versions used by the Omega Destructors will take energy from the population of Cybertron itself… and when protests are raised, he smugly reveals this has already been going on in Nyon for months, the citizens being drained without even realising it.
Starscream is impressed, which is where he gets too cocky, and almost let’s slip that he’s done far worse things and, in what is actually a nice little Chris Latta moment, distracts Zeta from realising this by pointing out that his recording device is actually a Decepticon!
Back in the Senate, the weapon is not only a success, but Zeta reveals the larger versions used by the Omega Destructors will take energy from the population of Cybertron itself… and when protests are raised, he smugly reveals this has already been going on in Nyon for months, the citizens being drained without even realising it.
Starscream is impressed, which is where he gets too cocky, and almost let’s slip that he’s done far worse things and, in what is actually a nice little Chris Latta moment, distracts Zeta from realising this by pointing out that his recording device is actually a Decepticon!
Soundwave in fact, who does his never works in comics talk in his cartoon voice thing before running off, leading Orion Pax to be ordered to bring him back… dead or alive.
As a cartoon villain, Zeta is actually great fun and Livio is clearly having a blast with his “This man has no redeeming features” design. The Starscream moments of overconfidence, snide and nearly being caught out all work well too.
But it’s just so at odds with the rest of IDW’s portrayal of this period, and even if you ignore the continuity and take it just on its own merits, the Senate are so weak and wishy washy, it’s embarrassing. And the exposition is very poorly handled for such an experienced writing team. No wonder Pax is in a bad mood.
Next week, time for some Skids marks.
INFESTATION 2: TRANSFORMERS ISSUE 1
2012
COMMENT
KO-FI
As a cartoon villain, Zeta is actually great fun and Livio is clearly having a blast with his “This man has no redeeming features” design. The Starscream moments of overconfidence, snide and nearly being caught out all work well too.
But it’s just so at odds with the rest of IDW’s portrayal of this period, and even if you ignore the continuity and take it just on its own merits, the Senate are so weak and wishy washy, it’s embarrassing. And the exposition is very poorly handled for such an experienced writing team. No wonder Pax is in a bad mood.
Next week, time for some Skids marks.
INFESTATION 2: TRANSFORMERS ISSUE 1
2012
COMMENT
KO-FI