Burning Down the House.
Issue 16: Turn and Burn. 12th August 2010.
No need for “Thank yous”, but all testimonials welcome.
You do get the feeling the comic is regretting having experimented with putting Dead End on a cover, as we once again get a major star of the films who, as with Bumblebee a few issues ago, is not actually featured anywhere in the comic. Yes, despite the promise, Megatron does not deliver “Decepticon Death-Metal Action” within.
What is within was actually something of a surprise to be honest as we open in Cairo with Reverb on the run after his break-out in issue 13. Yes, despite being an Etherington strip, we’re actually following up on Furman’s storyline. Something I did not remember him doing.
Now, for the most part this strip could work just as well with a different character in Reverb’s place and a few lines of dialogue changed, which makes me wonder if these connections were added editorially after the script was handed in. I suppose it depends on whether this trend continues into the next issue or not.
The story itself does suggest an awareness of some of Furman’s writing, as it actually reads as a commentary on some of the earlier issues.
No need for “Thank yous”, but all testimonials welcome.
You do get the feeling the comic is regretting having experimented with putting Dead End on a cover, as we once again get a major star of the films who, as with Bumblebee a few issues ago, is not actually featured anywhere in the comic. Yes, despite the promise, Megatron does not deliver “Decepticon Death-Metal Action” within.
What is within was actually something of a surprise to be honest as we open in Cairo with Reverb on the run after his break-out in issue 13. Yes, despite being an Etherington strip, we’re actually following up on Furman’s storyline. Something I did not remember him doing.
Now, for the most part this strip could work just as well with a different character in Reverb’s place and a few lines of dialogue changed, which makes me wonder if these connections were added editorially after the script was handed in. I suppose it depends on whether this trend continues into the next issue or not.
The story itself does suggest an awareness of some of Furman’s writing, as it actually reads as a commentary on some of the earlier issues.
So as Reverb runs, he is attacked by brash head-strong new arrival Blazemaster (put him on the cover you cowards), who uses a huge amount of fire to take out the Decepticon whilst wrecking a good chunk of the city.
Which he is incredibly smug about, until NEST operative (and German post-punk band) Klammer—Lennox must be banned from Egypt after the last time—points out this would have been a terrible thing to have done at the best of times, but is pretty much disastrous with human/Autobot relations at an all time low after Optimus ruined the World Cup.
So far, so Jolt and the Twins. It could almost in fact be just a straight rewrite of the first half of issue 9.
The interesting part comes in the pages after the break for the quizzes and features. Whereas Jolt went on a roughly redemptive arc where he learnt his lesson, Blazemaster flies off in a sulk (whilst listening to a news report emphasising the tense situation over the Decepticon escape). Whereupon he is approached by the acting on orders from Bludgeon Skywarp—so in the final ordering of the strips I think that confirms who had Devastator rebuilt—not for a fight, but to sign up.
Which he is incredibly smug about, until NEST operative (and German post-punk band) Klammer—Lennox must be banned from Egypt after the last time—points out this would have been a terrible thing to have done at the best of times, but is pretty much disastrous with human/Autobot relations at an all time low after Optimus ruined the World Cup.
So far, so Jolt and the Twins. It could almost in fact be just a straight rewrite of the first half of issue 9.
The interesting part comes in the pages after the break for the quizzes and features. Whereas Jolt went on a roughly redemptive arc where he learnt his lesson, Blazemaster flies off in a sulk (whilst listening to a news report emphasising the tense situation over the Decepticon escape). Whereupon he is approached by the acting on orders from Bludgeon Skywarp—so in the final ordering of the strips I think that confirms who had Devastator rebuilt—not for a fight, but to sign up.
Yes Bludgeon has been deeply impressed by how Blazemaster blew shit up and thinks he’d make a swell Decepticon. Which is an offer he does not sound totally convincing in turning down before the promise that this is “(Not) The End”.
Which is an interesting direction to take with this sort of fiery (ho-ho) hot-head, adding some pathos and genuine uncertainty over how much of a hero he actually is. The only real awkward bit is that the Movie Autobots are generally exactly as destructive as Blazemaster when taking down Decepticons, making you wonder exactly what the distinction was that Bludgeon saw.
Still, it’s the most serious Etherington strip to date and nicely subverts some of the book’s tropes whilst (even if it might not have been his intent when writing it) keeping the ongoing plots alive. With us heading even closer to the point he becomes the main writer full time, this and the last issue shows Etherington can deal with a variety of stories well, which is reassuring for the future.
Davis-Hunt continues to do solid work on art, but cheats massively at the end, as Skywarp transforming and flying off is art reused from his last appearance, photoshopped to fit into a different sized panel and add a different background (and coloured incorrectly) but which rather stands out even with that.
Which is an interesting direction to take with this sort of fiery (ho-ho) hot-head, adding some pathos and genuine uncertainty over how much of a hero he actually is. The only real awkward bit is that the Movie Autobots are generally exactly as destructive as Blazemaster when taking down Decepticons, making you wonder exactly what the distinction was that Bludgeon saw.
Still, it’s the most serious Etherington strip to date and nicely subverts some of the book’s tropes whilst (even if it might not have been his intent when writing it) keeping the ongoing plots alive. With us heading even closer to the point he becomes the main writer full time, this and the last issue shows Etherington can deal with a variety of stories well, which is reassuring for the future.
Davis-Hunt continues to do solid work on art, but cheats massively at the end, as Skywarp transforming and flying off is art reused from his last appearance, photoshopped to fit into a different sized panel and add a different background (and coloured incorrectly) but which rather stands out even with that.
Editorial (Tear it up! Tear it down!) spends a lot of time talking about Megatron in order to try and convince you the cover is actually relevant, whilst again not really mentioning the strip itself. Indeed, I’m wondering if this page is being put together by someone who hasn’t actually seen the comic.
There are two “KIDS GO FREE” vouchers for Chessington World of Adventure as a means of celebrating “Juicy Drop”. Whatever on Earth that is.
East of Egypt! is a double puzzle page themed around this issue’s location. Find your way through the maze at the heart of the pyramid, decipher some hieroglyphics and work out which two Transformers have been wrapped in bandages by some local Egyptians became those wacky guys can’t help but mummify anything if it stands still for more than five seconds.
Sideswipe’s Armoury returns after quite an absence to talk about Humvees. Which is about as exciting as it sounds.
The competitions this month are for Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 on the X-Box; all four books in the Necromancer series by Nicholas Flamel; a scooter with an in-built hidden water pistol and (under the headline Gun Control) Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns for the Wii.
There are two “KIDS GO FREE” vouchers for Chessington World of Adventure as a means of celebrating “Juicy Drop”. Whatever on Earth that is.
East of Egypt! is a double puzzle page themed around this issue’s location. Find your way through the maze at the heart of the pyramid, decipher some hieroglyphics and work out which two Transformers have been wrapped in bandages by some local Egyptians became those wacky guys can’t help but mummify anything if it stands still for more than five seconds.
Sideswipe’s Armoury returns after quite an absence to talk about Humvees. Which is about as exciting as it sounds.
The competitions this month are for Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 on the X-Box; all four books in the Necromancer series by Nicholas Flamel; a scooter with an in-built hidden water pistol and (under the headline Gun Control) Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns for the Wii.
Bumblebee’s Guide to the Solar System hits Mars, with one token mention of Transformers as it dances around the first film treating a real life ESA rover as a NASA one.
Megatron’s Mind Maulers returns to justify the cover by posing puzzlers about Mars. Which are all frankly far too hard for my tired brain. You’ve got to work out your age when you get back from travelling to Mars Vs when you stated; calculate oxygen levels in your space suit and spot the difference in two Martian rover pictures. The anagrams are the simplest part for once, and I can only assume Megatron was pissed at not being in the comic.
Law and Disorder sees Callum Mortlock (surely the greatest name ever) point out the profile of the Fallen was incorrect in saying he didn’t turn into anything as the toy becomes a... thing. Despite not being that wrong, Barricade promises to cut the editorial team’s rations as punishment.
Most striking this month though is Jade Klaaden of Lakenheath who, despite only being 12 and not that big a Transformers fan, asks why Devastator choked on Mudflap. Which is a bit harsh, everyone has different gag reflexes. Jade also offers to be the Decepticons obedient pet if the letter gets published.
Maybe the content of the Bay films really wasn’t appropriate for kids.
Next week back on Friday)... well, we’ve a cover promising Starscream, but who knows for sure?
ISSUE 15
2010
COMMENT
KO-FI
Megatron’s Mind Maulers returns to justify the cover by posing puzzlers about Mars. Which are all frankly far too hard for my tired brain. You’ve got to work out your age when you get back from travelling to Mars Vs when you stated; calculate oxygen levels in your space suit and spot the difference in two Martian rover pictures. The anagrams are the simplest part for once, and I can only assume Megatron was pissed at not being in the comic.
Law and Disorder sees Callum Mortlock (surely the greatest name ever) point out the profile of the Fallen was incorrect in saying he didn’t turn into anything as the toy becomes a... thing. Despite not being that wrong, Barricade promises to cut the editorial team’s rations as punishment.
Most striking this month though is Jade Klaaden of Lakenheath who, despite only being 12 and not that big a Transformers fan, asks why Devastator choked on Mudflap. Which is a bit harsh, everyone has different gag reflexes. Jade also offers to be the Decepticons obedient pet if the letter gets published.
Maybe the content of the Bay films really wasn’t appropriate for kids.
Next week back on Friday)... well, we’ve a cover promising Starscream, but who knows for sure?
ISSUE 15
2010
COMMENT
KO-FI