Infiltration #0-6/TPB

[Denyer]

Issue #3 is due out on March 8th.
 

[DrSpengler]

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[Justin]

I really enjoyed it. The art looked great, the story felt like it was going somewhere.
 

[Commander Shockwav]

I was quite disappointed with the coloring this issue, as it detracted from Su's pencils. As mentioned above, that Autobot conference scene was somehow not right, maybe too dark. That limabean chap on the boards colored that page, and I must say, it was better done than the one in print.

But let's get down to what really matters: the story. I feel things really picked up this issue, and most importantly, we are seeing more focus on character development of the bots. That's what is going to move this comic more than anything, the individual characterization.

Having said that, I have a small problem with the pace of this story. I know things are moving along, it just seems they are moving along slower than I would personally like to see. I will say this though. In a TPB format, it would be perfect. This is not the kind of story that does well with month long interuptions. But then again, maybe its just my lack of patience creeping in.

Overall, I give this issue a B. Looking forward to more.
 

[Denyer]

Yay, comics before the weekend!

Arrived earlier, and this is absolutely chock full of things I appreciated. Verity in Pat Lee distortion-vision on the cam. A little hint of psychopathy in Sunstreaker's dialogue. "Why are we here?" The very real sense of danger accompanying the Decepticons, the cinematic moment with Ironhide, Bumblebee living up to his spy credentials (and manifesting as a woman), Bruce Campbell running an auto-lot...

Unlike some, I'm not bothered by the colouring -- the only time I did a double-take was when Prowl has a light source right behind his head, and it fits. Use of washed colour in low-lighting situations (Autobot base, the garage in earlier issues) is something comics companies often don't bother with, as they want everything bright and shiny for the entire duration.

The last couple of issues have been one extended "wow" moment. Fingers crossed it'll stay like that.
 

[inflatable dalek]

Wasn't it good to have holo Ratchet back? They should give him his own sit com. Once more a very good issue with some great Prowl/Ratchet interaction.

The only real niggle was the whole idea of the humes "infiltrating" the Decepticons old base seemed really forced. How much use are they going to be toodling round a place built at transformer scale anway? It could wind up like the Denise Waterman stuff on Little Britain. Plus should this sort of espionage be Bumblebee's job? Then again, he seems a bit shifty and is very keen to sned Verity and co in- perhaps he doesn't want to risk himself?

I thought the art was great, but hated the captions telling us each Autobots name on the splash page- As if we were worried we might have forgotten the mug shots naming each charecter just two pages earlier.
 

[optimusskids]

Anyone know what Blitzwings Alt are?

What's happening with Bumblebee and the out of wedlock offspring of Shockwave and Galvatron on the teaser page



 

[Denyer]

Originally posted by inflatable dalek
hated the captions telling us each Autobots name on the splash page

I think it was to go with the TV style the bit with Ironhide was -- I've seen it done in films/serials, anyway.

Originally posted by Commander Shockwav
not the kind of story that does well with month long interuptions.

Dunno, Furman's getting into the swing of mini-cliffhangers. I'd still like to see some one-shot issues as part of the main title after, say, Escalation, though. Self-contained stories that link up tend to be my favourites.
 

[Cliffjumper]

Aside from the slight "The Autobots are waving guns at Ratchet/The Autobots are having coffee with Ratchet" thing (yeh, siege mode, still felt a little silly), but yeh, I enjoyed. Less comedy Global Frequency rejects, more Transformers. I agree with Dalek on the human infiltration thing - realistically, just walking from one end of a Transformer base to another would be hard work for a human. Good flecks of characterisation for the Bots, though I hope Prowl develops a little beyond being the old anti-Grimlock.

I did love some of the little touches - my favourite was the casual mention that Prime's waiting in the wings, where DW would probably have tried to act like he doesn't exist so an entire issue could be devoted to building up to his appearance (I've got £5 that says his character model is barely changed, incidentally).

I think, though, ultimately evaluation overall's going to depend on how well this sets up the last three issues
 

[optimusskids]

I like the way you can tell that Ironhide disapproves of Ratchet's actions without him opening his mouth once his body language says volumes.

I have to agree that a bunch of humans wandering round an abandoned base isn't really going to be much use to them .

"oh look what fascinating things these alien equivalent of skirting boards are."


I just hope that they resist any Independece Dayesque notions of Verity hacking there computer with a palm pilot or whatever

Also why was Sunstreaker designed with cupholders in his head!!
 

[Cliffjumper]

Originally posted by optimusskids


Also why was Sunstreaker designed with cupholders in his head!!

So he could hold cups on his head?
 

[Denyer]

Originally posted by Cliffjumper
I've got £5 that says his character model is barely changed, incidentally

Do you mean characterisation? 'Cause we've already seen the art model on a cover for #6.

Originally posted by optimusskids
I just hope that they resist any Independece Dayesque notions of Verity hacking there computer with a palm pilot or whatever

Oh ye gods, yes.
 

[Cliffjumper]

Originally posted by Denyer
Do you mean characterisation? 'Cause we've already seen the art model on a cover for #6.

Erm, yeh, that's exactly what I meant. Like I'd make such a poorly-researched point.


***TOPIC CLOSED***
 

[inflatable dalek]

Originally posted by Cliffjumper
Aside from the slight "The Autobots are waving guns at Ratchet/The Autobots are having coffee with Ratchet" thing

Also why was Sunstreaker designed with cupholders in his head!!

Clearly beverages are very important to this comic...

One niggle art wise- Did we really need a five panel page with four identicle panels of Ironhide? That's the sort of thing Cliffy mocks Pat Lee for in his Dreamwave Disaster essay...
 

[Zisteau]

Thumbs up. Good issue.
 

[Denyer]

Originally posted by inflatable dalek
That's the sort of thing Cliffy mocks Pat Lee for in his Dreamwave Disaster essay...

I think it was more that there wasn't much (any) characterisation or point to vehicles driving forwards through snow.

In contrast, this and the "NOW." bit in #2 achieved things that wouldn't have reduced to a thought balloon or narration box.

Similar passage of time technique, but used with purpose.
 

[inflatable dalek]

Originally posted by Denyer
I think it was more that there wasn't much (any) characterisation or point to vehicles driving forwards through snow.

Isn't giving Prime chance to show of his Man-boobs point enough?

Also, having moaned about her before, I found Verity and her panic attack to be the more realistic reaction to being kidnapped by aliens as opposed to the other two's more relaxed attitudes. I'm still not sure why she got so excited by a Volkswagon though.
 

[Thefallenone]

got my copie Saturday, and thought it was brilliant ^_^
can't wait for issue 4
 

[Prowl1984]

Originally posted by optimusskids
Anyone know what Blitzwings Alt are?

A Jet and a Tank...just like they've always been.

I really enjoyed this issue, despite what people have been saying about the pace being too slow i think it's really paid off. I loved the Hit and Run attacks by Skywarp and Blitzwing, especially with each one ending with "next?" it's all adding to the build up of some awsome Decepticon master plan. I also like the infiltration theme of it all, it's like there's a valid reason for the TF's being there, this is boosted by Prowl citing the Autobot species encounter protocol.

all-in-all i thought it was great, i'm not overly fussed about the look of the next issue, it almost seems to be regressing after building up so much, however there seem to be good things on the horizon.

i also wish they'd stop putting the Beast Wars previews in...
 

[optimusskids]

I meant which particular model jet and tank