Hey all, Crooker back once again with another review of Skybound’s Transformers ongoing series. This is issue #32 written by Robert Kirkman and with primary art duties from Jason Howard. This issue, sadly, has also had some leakage issues online, so many of you probably already know about it. However, for those who haven’t partook, I hope you’re ready to be surprised!
SPOILERS AHEAD for Transformers #32!
I really liked this issue in spite of myself. As a big fan of Shockwave, it’s very hard for me to be disappointed with how Kirkman’s writing him, as some kind of vengeful wraith clinging to life like a stubborn tick. The issue’s conflict felt very solid and realistically on the back foot for the Autobots, showcasing a big lapse in the strength of the new leader, needing to rely on a sort of literal deus ex machina to push back and get the win – and only at heavy losses. It serves its function well, and I have a lot of complicated thoughts on the matter that I don’t think even this review will be able to fully cover, but I’ll do my level best. Because, frankly, while I like this story, I’m honestly not the biggest fan of how we got from A to B in the conflict of Optimus and Elita-1, feeling that there was a lot of conveniently un-said points that could have very much led to a very different outcome than where we are now. How we got to “Elita Prime” felt a degree unnatural, and frankly, kinda sloppy and unsatisfying.
That being said…
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I like the story being told with it. I know Kirkman as a slow burn writer, somebody who’s work really comes into view in the macro, when all the pieces are already out there and they’ve allowed the time to be fit together. In that sense, I know what he’s doing here. Elita’s victory, while seemingly there to show us how strong a leader she is, chosen by the Matrix and all, the underlying thing to note is that she was horrendously LOSING when it came to her actual tactics. She swung a fancy magic lightsaber around and beat some bad guys up- big whoop, you know? That’s not a leader, that’s a glorified gladiator. I like the subtlety of this, a display of how everything is not quite what it seems. Elita sucks as a leader, and it’s frustrating. It’s supposed to be. It’s good stuff.
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On the visual side of things, now’s a good time to talk about Jason Howard’s art and the currently extremely controversial character cameos that are the talk of the town since leaking to the public. Howard’s art is honestly great, it’s very cartoony and free flowing, feeling like a strong mix of all the main artists that we’ve had in the series previously. There’s a bit of DWJ, some Corona and clearly even a tad of Mora in spots, and I like whats brought to the table. There’s a great sense of action flow, with strong posing and a very evenly controlled pace, very professional work. On the subject of the character cameos, I think they’re fairly well done, despite kind of being “here’s this guy and their famous thing they would probably say” in a spot or two. Kirkman clearly loves the Animated and Prime cartoons, and considering they’re the two most popular shows in the franchise, it was a matter of time before designs and ideas from them started leaking their way into the book, happened to IDW, makes sense it would happen here.
So, Transformers #32, best thing ever or RUINED FOREVER?! Well, I think it’s just pretty good, personally. My minor misgivings aside about how we got here, what we’re doing with it is fairly solid and dare I say, subtle. I get that Kirkman is a touchy subject to a lot of fans right now, but I think there’s a very heavy need for chill and patience. We gotta see where this stuff is going, and if it’s not your thing on an issue to issue basis but you want to keep reading, at least try and think about where this is all going. Not every issue should be treated like it’s the last one that will ever be published. Much like what I would say when I reviewed IDW 2.0 back in the day, patience is the key. You got to let the chef finish the cake before you can taste it.
Besides, can I really dislike an issue that SUPER killed Bumblebee? That’s hilarious. I hope they atomize his dust next or something. Absolutely hysterical power move.
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