The Voices in My Head Keep Telling Me to Pray, Cause I’m Spinning Like a Carousel, Circling the Drain.
The Transformers Issue 6: Things Fall Apart, Part 5: Earthworks.
You can’t fly for $#!+.
It’s a big moment for the ongoing here, as it’s the last regular issue for the intended lead artist Don Figueroa, who would leave Transformers for the second time after this. There will be a brief comeback for two more issues before a final departure, so we’ll talk about some of the behind-the-scenes stuff then, but it’s fair to say the look of the series had not been well received, and that seems to have soured things for him.
In the comic, and the conclusion to the first full Costa arc, things are also souring for Spike, on a helicopter going back to Skywatch after being in the river for three hours.
Which means it took less than three hours for Swindle to build a combiner. Which, even with it turning out to be a rubbish combiner, is still ridiculous and impressive considering how much faffing about there will be about that technology. Imagine what he could have done in four hours.
It also means that, despite having to ditch only a few minutes after leaving Skywatch, they did not rush to his rescue.
You can’t fly for $#!+.
It’s a big moment for the ongoing here, as it’s the last regular issue for the intended lead artist Don Figueroa, who would leave Transformers for the second time after this. There will be a brief comeback for two more issues before a final departure, so we’ll talk about some of the behind-the-scenes stuff then, but it’s fair to say the look of the series had not been well received, and that seems to have soured things for him.
In the comic, and the conclusion to the first full Costa arc, things are also souring for Spike, on a helicopter going back to Skywatch after being in the river for three hours.
Which means it took less than three hours for Swindle to build a combiner. Which, even with it turning out to be a rubbish combiner, is still ridiculous and impressive considering how much faffing about there will be about that technology. Imagine what he could have done in four hours.
It also means that, despite having to ditch only a few minutes after leaving Skywatch, they did not rush to his rescue.
NOT THE BOOBS
By an amazing coincidence, the route from where Spike crashed (again, barely outside Skywatch headquarters and on a route we saw was all city) back to base takes them through the desert and over the extraordinary sight of Menasor being shot in the tits by Ultra Magnus.
Spike’s righthand man, Henderson, reacts with the simple dull surprise of saying he’s not seen a gestalt since New York, whilst another trooper with a porn moustache starts to have a panic attack when he thinks Spike is going to order them to attack.
Luckily, Spike has another plan, and instead goes back to base and has yet another chat with Optimus Prime. This time admitting Ironhide’s death was his fault: He wasn’t there to give orders and the troops reacted with lethal force because of a previous bluff on his part, not realising this wasn’t standard procedure. So, it wasn’t really Prime’s fault, and his boys are in a mess now and need some help.
When Prime asks why Spike is confessing this, he simply says he’s a good soldier, but still has a lot to learn about being a good leader. But hey, he’s heard Prime has a reputation for that, so let’s go.
Spike’s righthand man, Henderson, reacts with the simple dull surprise of saying he’s not seen a gestalt since New York, whilst another trooper with a porn moustache starts to have a panic attack when he thinks Spike is going to order them to attack.
Luckily, Spike has another plan, and instead goes back to base and has yet another chat with Optimus Prime. This time admitting Ironhide’s death was his fault: He wasn’t there to give orders and the troops reacted with lethal force because of a previous bluff on his part, not realising this wasn’t standard procedure. So, it wasn’t really Prime’s fault, and his boys are in a mess now and need some help.
When Prime asks why Spike is confessing this, he simply says he’s a good soldier, but still has a lot to learn about being a good leader. But hey, he’s heard Prime has a reputation for that, so let’s go.
I KILLED IRONHIDE
This is actually by far the best Prime and Spike scene so far, and whilst it took far too long to get here, it seems to put a decent cap on and redefine their relationship. Which, from memory, will not turn out to be the case, but this works in isolation.
Having let Prime go, and knowing Daddy won’t like it, Spike then has one of those cliched “I’m about to disobey orders, so anyone who has a problem can step out” moments where everyone cheerfully agrees to go along with something that could get them all sacked. Which always makes me think of that Babylon 5 where Sheridan makes the same offer to his command staff and one does indeed go “No thanks, I’m out of here”.
Indeed, Henderson even offers to fly as Spike can’t do it for “Shit.”
In case you were wondering what “$#!+” meant.
Having let Prime go, and knowing Daddy won’t like it, Spike then has one of those cliched “I’m about to disobey orders, so anyone who has a problem can step out” moments where everyone cheerfully agrees to go along with something that could get them all sacked. Which always makes me think of that Babylon 5 where Sheridan makes the same offer to his command staff and one does indeed go “No thanks, I’m out of here”.
Indeed, Henderson even offers to fly as Spike can’t do it for “Shit.”
In case you were wondering what “$#!+” meant.
Cunning Stunts (Joke copyright Tripple Takeover Podcast).
At the battle, Menasor has Magnus in his hands and is screaming “SMASH HIM,” and I know a few people who’d be into that. However, the different limbs of the combiner are not so sure and are arguing with their head over the best way to kill Magnus (pulls his limbs off, see how high they can throw him, turn his head round…). Which is a vey literal take on Menasor’s original profile.
Swindle, meanwhile, is being very smug about how Magnus thought he was an idiot, but he’s proven the Autobot wrong.At which point, Optimus Prime falls out of the sky and lands on him.
Which is of course, a moment shamelessly stolen from Revenge of the Fallen, and frankly just makes me wish I were watching that film and its greater sense of visual splendour.
Which means—yes, in a little bit of topical humour—the returning Optimus Prime is the Boris Johnson to Bumblebee’s Liz Truss, and, much to the excitement of Blurr, he takes the fight straight to Menasor.
Swindle, meanwhile, is being very smug about how Magnus thought he was an idiot, but he’s proven the Autobot wrong.At which point, Optimus Prime falls out of the sky and lands on him.
Which is of course, a moment shamelessly stolen from Revenge of the Fallen, and frankly just makes me wish I were watching that film and its greater sense of visual splendour.
Which means—yes, in a little bit of topical humour—the returning Optimus Prime is the Boris Johnson to Bumblebee’s Liz Truss, and, much to the excitement of Blurr, he takes the fight straight to Menasor.
Prime: Always falling for conmen.
Bumblebee is having even more trouble as Scrapper is taking out his frustrations about being usurped by a new cool combiner on the little yellow guy. But luckily for him, Thundercracker saves his ass, makes it clear he’s sick of all this crap, establishes Swindle is a Combaticon (something not completely clear in this continuity to date) and not as smart as he thinks he is. He may have made a combiner, but not a great one.
Very odd.
Also, this entire way of defeating Menasor was first done in the second Dreamwave miniseries.
As the dust settles and the Decepticons scatter, Spike orders his people to make sure they get captured (especially the race car and “The black one”), whilst Red Alert is absolutely delighted to have Optimus back.
Till Prime says, “LOL no way, I have total faith and support in Bumblebee’s leadership and definitely won’t have to come keep saving his ass.”
Hmm.
Still, Bumblebee and Spike decide they’ve done enough circling around each other and decide it’s time for a chat.
Very odd.
Also, this entire way of defeating Menasor was first done in the second Dreamwave miniseries.
As the dust settles and the Decepticons scatter, Spike orders his people to make sure they get captured (especially the race car and “The black one”), whilst Red Alert is absolutely delighted to have Optimus back.
Till Prime says, “LOL no way, I have total faith and support in Bumblebee’s leadership and definitely won’t have to come keep saving his ass.”
Hmm.
Still, Bumblebee and Spike decide they’ve done enough circling around each other and decide it’s time for a chat.
Hope Pat Lee got a cheque for this.
Which carries on back at the Autobot base, with Spike basically offering the same deal Bumblebee got in his own miniseries: Team up with Skywatch. That means the humans get their experience, and the Autobots don’t have to live in a cave anymore.
I wonder how well that will go.
What isn’t going well is Magnus, who has recovered and is deeply annoyed Swindle was one of the Decepticons who did get away. He then tries to arrest Rodimus for treason, before Bumblebee finally tells him to STFU and that on Earth, Magnus follows his orders and he’s in charge until they get the Matrix back and it can pick someone else.
I wonder how well that will go.
What isn’t going well is Magnus, who has recovered and is deeply annoyed Swindle was one of the Decepticons who did get away. He then tries to arrest Rodimus for treason, before Bumblebee finally tells him to STFU and that on Earth, Magnus follows his orders and he’s in charge until they get the Matrix back and it can pick someone else.
"Only one man has a mandate..."
Probably not the best idea to plant that idea in Rodimus’ mind.
Thankfully for James Roberts, this argument includes Bumblebee interrupting Magnus when he starts to explain who he’s actually answerable to, and both Autobots are shut up when they realise Rodimus has gone, just as Magnus’ ship takes off.
Yes, the galaxy’s greatest cop just had his wheels stolen out from under him.
Rodimus abandoning his people is the moment that unifies the remaining Autobots behind Bumblebee, which isn’t really the greatest endorsement of his leadership really, he hasn’t done anything to win round the dissenters, Rodimus and Optimus giving up on them has left no other candidates.
As an action issue, that was reasonably solid, but at the same time a little underwhelming as both the big moments (flying Prime and Menasor’s breakdown) were stolen from prior stories. One a major film from only the year before. That means that, whilst it’s all competently done, it’s not especially grabbing.
Thankfully for James Roberts, this argument includes Bumblebee interrupting Magnus when he starts to explain who he’s actually answerable to, and both Autobots are shut up when they realise Rodimus has gone, just as Magnus’ ship takes off.
Yes, the galaxy’s greatest cop just had his wheels stolen out from under him.
Rodimus abandoning his people is the moment that unifies the remaining Autobots behind Bumblebee, which isn’t really the greatest endorsement of his leadership really, he hasn’t done anything to win round the dissenters, Rodimus and Optimus giving up on them has left no other candidates.
As an action issue, that was reasonably solid, but at the same time a little underwhelming as both the big moments (flying Prime and Menasor’s breakdown) were stolen from prior stories. One a major film from only the year before. That means that, whilst it’s all competently done, it’s not especially grabbing.
Grand theft Autobot.
On the plus side, it seems to draw a line under several drawn out plotlines: Prime and Spike now understand each other, Thundercracker has made a pretty final choice to support the Autobots and Bumblebee is firmly in charge. Meaning that, whilst this hasn’t been an especially good arc, the decks are now clear for a fresh start.
Unfortunately, that new dawn is going to be a while off as those elements are not as finally dealt with as they might appear.
Next week, a whole new miniseries starts based around everyone’s favourite dead Autobot.
SPOTLIGHT: PROWL
2010
COMMENT
KO-FI
Unfortunately, that new dawn is going to be a while off as those elements are not as finally dealt with as they might appear.
Next week, a whole new miniseries starts based around everyone’s favourite dead Autobot.
SPOTLIGHT: PROWL
2010
COMMENT
KO-FI
