Hey guys, Crooker back again with another review of Skybound’s Transformers comic! This is issue #28 written by Robert Kirkman with pencils by Dan Mora. Strap in for this one, folks. I’m firmly making my prediction that this will be a book that’ll be talked about in the fandom for years to come. Why? Well, let’s see.
The first important thing to note is the start of the issue with Megatron, in the middle of some kind of traumatic flashback before quickly snapping back to reality… with a very different demeanor than previous issues, it would seem. If I were to hazard a guess, I would assume this is Kirkman’s way of transitioning Megatron into something that more closely resembles his classic cartoon personality – that of the quintessential ’80s cartoon megalomaniac. If it wasn’t acknowledged as odd by the characters themselves, I would think I was just overthinking, but Kirkman has expressed similar desire to write Soundwave closer to the cartoon, so I’m assuming this is just our new normal. And I like it!
Frankly, I’ve missed when we had cartoonishly evil takes on ol’ Megs. A lot of recent takes have really pushed the sympathetic underdog-gone-bad angle, and while there is enjoyment to be had in that, one does miss when you had plots like “the machine that turned the Constructicons evil forever no matter what.” While it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, I’m fully in favor of a more cartoon-inspired direction for the characterization in this book, because the previous license holder’s universe was generally pretty bad at staying consistent with that sort of thing, even internally.
The other big news is next. This is your last chance to back away and read the book yourself. Okay? Ready? I’m warning you.
Okay. You asked for it.
Arcee has officially debuted as ARCEE MAGNUS, with a brand new, Dan Mora-designed robot mode! Hoooooly crap, the first Skybound REDESIGN! Good things come to those who wait, and at long last, after two years of getting used to this world and its take on the characters, we’re finally at a point where the status quo is comfortable enough to start shaking things up with brand new ideas! Outside our lovable ol’ Shredhead, of course. But seriously, this is a big deal. The mantle of Magnus is long and complicated in the history of the Transformers brand, and seeing a popular character like Arcee receive the first big shake-up to her status quo and design is gonna be sparking discussion for years to come. This is the kind of stuff that gets us Transformersheads talking, believe you me. Love it or hate it, this is such an exciting time for this comic. Between this, Shredhead, Thundercracker’s defection, and all that above about Megatron, we’re in such an interesting spot for the book right now.
Oh, right. Sorry, Trailbreaker fans. Better luck next time?
Mora’s art is, of course, definitive. How can I praise the man even further? He’s just that guy, and he’s getting better at drawing these robots every issue. Makes me weep that we’ve only got him for another two issues. Oh well, maybe when he’s got less on his plate, right? Somebody’s gotta draw Superman being awesome.
Transformers #28 is a landmark in the making. The introduction of Arcee Magnus, regardless if it goes the distance beyond this particular arc or not, is a glass ceiling broken for this particular version of the franchise. The first full on redesign of an existing character with (presumably) a new alternate mode and title they’ve never had before. Crazy stuff. Absolutely worth picking up and seeing for yourself.
