Transformers #2
Robert Struble
Recap
With Brainstorm dead, possibly murdered, Prowl (the best investigator around) and Chromia (head of security) have arrived to check out the crime scene. Prowl isn’t ruling anything out, including the young Transformers, Rubble. But ultimately he allows Rubble and Bumblebee to return to the city. There, Rubble and Bumblebee have a meeting with Wheeljack to show Rubble some more wonderous sights. The two head for the roof to watch the collection of energon.
Meanwhile, Megatron begins to deliver his speech to the Ascenticons in Tarn. Even as the rally seems to go forward as planned, a sniper from above delivers several blasts at Megatron. However, the future leader of the Decepticons is not such an easy target. He immediately charges after the opening through the lasers were fired but when he tears into the room beyond he finds nothing.
Review
So if we can ignore the “Orion Pax” dilemma that plagued me last issue (and it’s easy to do since he’s only in this issue as a hologram) the story here isn’t actually too bad. It’s clear that Rubble is a stand in for the reader, especially a new reader, discovering the wonders of Cybertron, exploring this peace that veterans like myself know is only short lived. And his innocence is refreshing. I find myself enjoying his naivete and saddened at Bumblebee trying to make sense of the first act of violence that’s happened since before he was even brought on line. It’s especially interesting to see that this isn’t shaking Rubble quite as much because part of him just assumes this is how it is. Rubble is new. He doesn’t quite grasp the enormity of a Transformer murder.
As Bumblebee says, “the longer the life, the more something you’ve never seen before unbalances you.”
The art still really bothers me, though. And in a comic, the art can be just as important as the words. It’s a visual medium and Angel Hernandez simply isn’t giving me what I expect from a Transformer book. It doesn’t have to be of the scale of some of the greats, but it’s once again very blocky, lacking in detail, and seems to have a perspective problem.
So overall, this is a book that has an interesting new look at the start of the Cybertronian Wars (even referring to the opposing faction as the Ascenticons for now), but it’s just not catching me just yet.
Final Thoughts
It’s some interesting philosophical questions asked and a great look at the peace that Cybertron actually enjoyed before the war, but it’s hampered by some art that just isn’t catching my attention.
Transformers #2: Ba Weep Gra Na Weep Ninny Bong
- Writing - 7/107/10
- Storyline - 7/107/10
- Art - 4/104/10
- Color - 7/107/10
- Cover Art - 6/106/10
