We’re back again with Skybound’s Transformers #11, with writer Daniel Warren Johnson, colorist Mike Spicer and brand new artist, Jorge Corona. After that first arc, we’re officially in it now. The second arc starts here, and it starts strong.
First things first, this issue going from Johnson on art and writing to just writing is certainly a shame, but I will not even begin to dismiss the incredible work of Corona on this issue, who does an absolutely fantastic follow-up act, especially with Spicer coming in to smooth the transition. Corona’s style is extremely similar to Johnson’s, with a scratchy look that blends just as well with Spicer’s fantastic, popping color choices. Overall the transition is almost entirely seamless, and aside from some small details in the stylings (not having Johnson’s design of the Autobot logo for one, which I do admit I miss), it’s just as detailed and lovingly crafted. I hope that Corona feels welcome on the book, he’s got big shoes to fill, but I think he’s doing juuuust fine so far.
Skybound Entertainment
Now, since I opted to talk art first this time, we’ll talk story and characters second. If you’re a Soundwave fan (like I am) and a Starscream fan (like I am), this issue is JUICY and sure to please. Starscream’s disastrous leadership skills are a fairly consistent element to the character that pop up whenever the famous traitor actually gets his time in the sun, and without Megatron in the picture, good ol’ Soundwave is having NONE of his screw ups. Seeing Soundwave take charge, especially holding a vendetta for Starscream’s callous treatment of Ravage (his cat) is REALLY awesome, especially since this may be the first time in the G1 branding’s history that Soundwave has been the capital L leader of the Decepticons like this (don’t quote me on that, I don’t wanna end up on blast on Transformers Twitter any more than usual). It’s an honestly fun idea for a new status quo while we wait for the inevitable arrival of Megatron himself (teased in Cobra Commander earlier this year), and giving the usually subservient and loyal Soundwave a chance to strut his stuff as a full time leader. As a Starscream fan too, half the fun is seeing him grovel and get his ass kicked after he royally screws up again, and you could almost hear the late Chris Latta’s voice coming out of him this issue, which is a compliment of the highest regard in ‘screamer writing.
The Decepticon infighting lasts about half the issue, the other half being given to the Autobots’ recovery after that explosive last battle. We see a grieving but understanding Spike ask for privacy after the sacrifice of his father last issue, and his girlfriend Carly have a heart to heart talk with Arcee… which doesn’t go well, but we’ve got plenty of years worth of story to look forward to, so friction in the ranks could be a fun bit of spice to keep things dramatic. We also see a mysterious corpse of an Autobot in the opening scene back on Cybertron, who I… can only presume to be Ultra Magnus, but there isn’t enough discerning features in said corpse to really tell. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see what that’s all about.
Skybound Entertainment
The more things change the more they stay the same, and in that regard, Transformers #11 has kept up its expected superstar quality even with a shift in lead artist. Johnson’s art on the book will be greatly missed, but I’m happy to see we’re still getting talented folks to keep the (Astro)train chugging along nice and smoothly. I’m excited every time I get a new issue of this to review in my inbox, and I hope you guys feel the same picking this series up yourselves, because it’s been the most fun comic for me to read this past year, and believe you me, the competition has been fierce. No matter how you THINK things are going to happen next, every new issue keeps consistently proving there’s more to this book than meets the eye.
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