The Transformers Archive Skip to main content / Also skip section headers

[The Transformers Archive - an international fan site]
Please feel free to log in or register.

 
  • transformers forum
  • transformers fandom
  • transformers toys
  • transformers comics
  • transformers cartoon
  • transformers live-action movies

THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

Marvel Comics
(1984-1994)
Japanese
Manga
Other Books
and Titles
Titan Books
(2001-2010)
Club/Con
(2001-2016)
Dreamwave
(2002-2004)
Devil's Due
(2003-2007)
IDW Publishing
(2005-now)

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMICS FROM IDW PUBLISHING

The New Avengers/Transformers #4 (of 4)
Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Issue Review

You speak nonsense.

You may have noticed a certain lack of objectivity in the synopsis of this issue, but this really is -- by a considerable margin -- the single worst issue of a Transformer comic ever published. No mean feat considering the preceding three issues are such strong contenders as well, but this plummets to amazing depths of banality. About the only redeeming feature is that, unlike the almost as lacklustre Megatron Origin, it makes no great stakes on the rest of IDW's output.

But other than that, every line of dialogue, every pencil stroke of art, and every desperately contrived bit of plotting seems to be conspiring to create something of slightly less merit than a rabid ferret. Most importantly, unlike the last two Devil's Due published G.I. Joe crossovers, it doesn't even manage to be so bad it's good. It's just bad. If you ever feel like you're spending too much money on your Transformers hobby reading, this will put you off for life. But other than that, avoid like an STD.

Notes

Attempts to fit into the main IDW continuity are a bit schizo at this point; Megatron refuses to fight Prime in order to tie in with the claim in Escalation that they haven't fought in battle for a long time. Mind you, this is also the same issue that claims they've also not meet in nearly as long, which this issue contradicts flatly. At the end, Megatron claims it'll be many stellar cycles before his troops recover, which doesn't tie into their full health in Escalation either. Stuart Moore will be writing the forthcoming Spotlight: Ramjet that will helpfully answer exactly how this fits into the companies canon, if at all.

Don't worry crazy dictator fans, despite his seemingly death in this issue, Dr. Doom has appeared in Marvel comics set afterwards.

Inside his giant suit, Iron Man is wearing his regular outfit. Like a Russian doll.

The page of Megatron being tied up by Spider-Man is a direct homage to the cover of issue 3 of the original Marvel US Transformers comic. Not only is the pose copied almost exactly, but the positioning of the background characters (left to right: Luke Cage, Captain America, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel, Optimus Prime) exactly mimics those on the original (Rumble/Frenzy, a Seeker, Ravage, another Seeker, Frenzy/Rumble). You get the feeling if they could have put Spidey in the black costume they would have...

Despite the sequel-hunting ending, there has as yet to be even a hint of a follow up. However, as at least the first issue sold insanely well, it would seem inevitable.

Goofs

[The whole issue is pretty much a mad house, a mad house - so we'll try to keep this brief...]

How does Spider-Man escape his bonds so easily? Even if you assume he suddenly got back to full strength (despite being drugged...) the Decepticons know how strong he is from their scans, they should know what strength of bond to use.

Dr. Doom changes sides for no less than the third time with no explanation. If anyone has a clue as to his motives for any of his actions here send them on a postcard to the Webmaster's address.

Megatron simply throws Luke Cage away rather than just crushing him with his bare hands.

Megatron's reason for not fighting Prime in his vulnerable state makes little sense, but at least he offers a reason. Other than a token "I can give you some more power if you want, Iron Man", Prime just stands on the sidelines as his official nemesis pummels Tony Stark.

So, after three issues of standing outside the Dome desperately trying to get in, what cunning plan do our hero's come up with? "We could just use the teleport". Why would Megatron bother with a force field that doesn't stop his enemy using their main form of transportation to get in, and why don't the Autobots remember they can orbital bounce?

The tech screens in the Deceptiocon lab are written in English. Which is lucky as they tell Wolverine that his blood will be as good as Spider-Man's in giving the Autobot's a boost. Except it shouldn't, as he was rejected by that same computer back in issue 1.
On the page where they thump Megatron, Prowl clearly has forgotten Ratchet's name and is forced to call him "Medic" instead.

Within on panel, Megatron goes from being web free to being tied up completely. Even more worrying, you can see that the other end of Spider-Man's webbing isn't attached to anything. So, somehow he jumped thirty feet up in the air to be next to Megatron's head, despite his weakened state (ah, the perils of imitating a cover that doesn't have to make narrative sense).

What do the New Avengers tell their superiors about the alien robots one wonders?

Quote/Unquote

Spider-Man: Heads up crankshaft!

Spider-Man: How about you? Are you rooting for him now, or against him?
Dr. Doom: Doom does not explain his actions.

Iron Man: You know, I normally prefer house music, but who says metal's dead?

Prowl: Keep it up medic!
Ratchet: Yes Sir!
Megatron: Autobot trash!

 
Back to the IDW comics section index
 
With thanks for long-term support to sponsors: