Ooh, About to Lose his Lifeline, Living on the Breadline.
Autocracy Chapter 5: Ruins. March 14th 2012.
After all, walkin’ headlong into ambushes has been our speciality lately.
Part 5 of this story is immediately into the Hunt for Hot Rod, as Pax leads a team into the “Rust Narrows” of Nyon, because the young Autobot is rumoured to be hiding in the ruins of the old Acropolex, which legends say used to be the capital of ancient Cybertron.
Prowl has other rumours to hand as well, specifically about Hot Rod, that someone unknown has upgraded him for speed and precision. Which sounds like an important plot point being set up, but, as far as I can recall, not only will this play no part in the rest of the story, but it will never be mentioned again in the rest of IDW, even in Barber’s most feverous continuity moments. I wonder if, either off the writer’s own back or at editorial request, it was meant to imply Hot Rod has also been made Matrix ready by the mysterious unnamed Senator, just as Pax had. But, even if that was the case, it’s very oblique and a dead end.
After all, walkin’ headlong into ambushes has been our speciality lately.
Part 5 of this story is immediately into the Hunt for Hot Rod, as Pax leads a team into the “Rust Narrows” of Nyon, because the young Autobot is rumoured to be hiding in the ruins of the old Acropolex, which legends say used to be the capital of ancient Cybertron.
Prowl has other rumours to hand as well, specifically about Hot Rod, that someone unknown has upgraded him for speed and precision. Which sounds like an important plot point being set up, but, as far as I can recall, not only will this play no part in the rest of the story, but it will never be mentioned again in the rest of IDW, even in Barber’s most feverous continuity moments. I wonder if, either off the writer’s own back or at editorial request, it was meant to imply Hot Rod has also been made Matrix ready by the mysterious unnamed Senator, just as Pax had. But, even if that was the case, it’s very oblique and a dead end.
Speaking of dead ends, there’s an attempt to lampshade a lot of this story so far has been Pax’s team walking into set ups, that just seems a slightly desperate attempt to cover they’re about to do it again by making the whole thing look meta.
Because Hot Rod appears and taunts them into following him, first into an impressive, abandoned council chamber with writing on the floor declaring “True freedom exists when all are one.”
Which is where Bumblebee and Pax have a conversation about the Knights of Cybertron that feels like the writers were asked by editorial to include a bit about the Knights of Cybertron to try and make this more serious and sombre portrayal of Hot Rod feel connected to his portrayal in More Than Meets the Eye. And that the writers asked for a description of what the Knights are, and, when given it, just placed the entire paragraph handed to them into the story.
Because Hot Rod appears and taunts them into following him, first into an impressive, abandoned council chamber with writing on the floor declaring “True freedom exists when all are one.”
Which is where Bumblebee and Pax have a conversation about the Knights of Cybertron that feels like the writers were asked by editorial to include a bit about the Knights of Cybertron to try and make this more serious and sombre portrayal of Hot Rod feel connected to his portrayal in More Than Meets the Eye. And that the writers asked for a description of what the Knights are, and, when given it, just placed the entire paragraph handed to them into the story.
They also get confronted with a giant hologram of the Matrix, leading to a discussion on the myths and legends around it, and how the Zeta absolutely does not embody the supposed perfection of the Primes.
Which is, if nothing else, themes that IDW will continue to explore right to the end.
Watching all this, via Laserbeak, is Megatron, who is greatly enjoying the show.
Well, at least someone is.
Back at the Acropolex, the merry chase Hot Rod has led them on turns out to be to the destitute and energy drained by Zeta population, huddled around the only local source of power. With Hot Rod—not even talking like the cartoon version, let along the guy from last week—explaining he lured Pax here because he saw his Tony Benn speech and figured him for the best bet to sort this “den of rust and suffering” out. And he gives them the choice to arrest him or stand with him.
Which Prowl isn’t sure about, but Pax, seeing an Omega Guadian on the horizon marching towards Nyon, realises Zeta is already making his push and they’re out of options…
Which is, if nothing else, themes that IDW will continue to explore right to the end.
Watching all this, via Laserbeak, is Megatron, who is greatly enjoying the show.
Well, at least someone is.
Back at the Acropolex, the merry chase Hot Rod has led them on turns out to be to the destitute and energy drained by Zeta population, huddled around the only local source of power. With Hot Rod—not even talking like the cartoon version, let along the guy from last week—explaining he lured Pax here because he saw his Tony Benn speech and figured him for the best bet to sort this “den of rust and suffering” out. And he gives them the choice to arrest him or stand with him.
Which Prowl isn’t sure about, but Pax, seeing an Omega Guadian on the horizon marching towards Nyon, realises Zeta is already making his push and they’re out of options…
This is an odd one. After a couple of very action heavy issues, a moment to take stock and talk about some of the wider themes of the series makes sense, but it tries to have its cake and eat it by having an issue long chase as well. Which, even the characters are pointing out has been done, and the stopping to discuss leadership and icons drains the pursuit of any energy.
Hot Rod as a serious, wordy and world weary ‘bot doesn’t feel remotely right either. Plus, his reveal of what Zeta is doing to the population of Nyon is exactly what Zeta told us he was doing three issues ago,
Livio also struggles with the more introspective moments, even if his Omega Guardia shows he’s about to be given a lot of the stuff he does best once we get into the second half of the series.
Honestly, the best thing here is Megatron just chilling out and watching TV.
Next week, on Friday as I’m in London with Karen Gillan, it’s Jacking time.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE ISSUE 3
2012
COMMENT
KO-FI
Hot Rod as a serious, wordy and world weary ‘bot doesn’t feel remotely right either. Plus, his reveal of what Zeta is doing to the population of Nyon is exactly what Zeta told us he was doing three issues ago,
Livio also struggles with the more introspective moments, even if his Omega Guardia shows he’s about to be given a lot of the stuff he does best once we get into the second half of the series.
Honestly, the best thing here is Megatron just chilling out and watching TV.
Next week, on Friday as I’m in London with Karen Gillan, it’s Jacking time.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE ISSUE 3
2012
COMMENT
KO-FI