OTR #29: Back In Black.
Artist: Don Figueroa
Colorer: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Chris Mowry
Back from the 80's and back into my heart. we delve into the new ongoing series with IDW and with a brand new look for MEGATRON! im saying this now he looks bad ass. there you have it. heard it first megatron looks bad ass. lets roll out and into the comic.
The Story:
Mike Costa brings us into the story in the first few pages with a simple recap in a news station where a very investigative journalist talks to a spokesman of a human fanatical group all about using their guns to help the human race from the threat called the transformers. Which Bumblebee is the first casualty from the previous issue where he was gunned down in cold..oil.
Mike gets props for bring issues of loyalty and conflict between nations into play and a semblance of reality minus all the explosions. tension is beginning to rise from the people of the united states after several transformers claimed nationality within china, and the possible threat and paranoia of alien robots running around the world with the power to destroy them all. the plot thickens even more when megatron who was supposedly dead comes back in a bigger and badder form. with parts of his old body cannibalized to form weapons.
Without going more into detail and spoiling it. i give mike costa props for working with an 80's series that technically was not that interesting except for the fact they could transform into cars. he really made it work and create actual drama with the transformers in dealing with humans, themselves and the decepticon war. 4.5 out of 5. a hard feat indeed.
The Pretty Colours:
Don on the other hand......(stern look) does a good job with the design and working of the characters which he does well to keep them in their classic looks but makes them look more believable as to their forms with little touch ups which look like they were inspired by some of the shows as well as the *cough* movies. sorry im allergic to bad directing. and man oh man does Don get huge props and megatrons new look. i mean this megatron looks like he could go through an army of autobots.
Overall the art is great and i have no real complains though in all seriousness of everything, for the way the story is written, one would expect more of serious colors and tones of the art, though it does take away from the serious aspect of the story it is trying to convey, so i have to take points off for the "Cartoony" look that it gives so its a 3.5 out of 5. other than that the art is good.
Overall Thoughts
Characters and Story Development: I wanted to talk about this mainly cause there is not much action at all in this issue, it is more of drama, and it does it so well. i mean the drama and tension is so thick that i can feel it clogging my Arteries. (though i should get that checked out) After the defeat Megatron has suffered he has now become a calculated villain opposed to his old programing. plus with new upgrades he has the looks and the thinking to be a never ending threat to the autobots.
Art and Character Designs: I am really loving this new look for Megatron. i really am. I'm ready to take my old toy out of the storage and burn the damn thing and hope hasbro comes out with this new version of Megatron. the colors are great but on the other hand its very childish brightly colored but that is the way it should be meant for younger audience. but it lessens the seriousness of the issue.
Overall Design: the issue is great if you love plot designs and set ups for something big about to come but never knowing which direction it might go. to me this plot Megatron has in motion seems big but will it be left to the hands of the humans or will the decepticons play and even larger role its hard to tell. I give this issue a 4 out of 5 cause its great but has some slight flaws about it. but if your not currently following the series, i would say its worth a look at this issue and if you like it then follow this story arch. from what ive seen just about anything can happen.
Thats my review for transformers ongoing series, hope you guys find it helpful, and you guys are welcome to follow me on comicvine or facebook and just talk to me about comics cause thats what i love. Discussion Question: Who was your favorite transformer and why?