Transformers: Bumblebee #1 review

Woo! This is the last review of my December haul - yes, I know its January now. Below I present to you my review of Transformers: Bumblebee #1, but first, the cover (above). I've never been a fan of Guido's cartoony style and think it demeans his artistic prowess. But colorist extraordinaire Josh Burcham colors it up something awesome with very cool-looking old style filters that make it look like an old 80's comic. Hmm? Oh yes, the review:

SYNOPSIS: The election of Bumblebee as Autobot leader is full of cheer, but within a few days, Bumblebee wishes he could give up the title. Tensions are high as the Autobots either stay in hiding, or forge out on their own. Ratchet rebukes a disrespectful Wheeljack. Meanwhile, Skywarp kills some humans who don't give him information on something he's looking for. He then teleports away from Allodyne Systems. Back at Autobase, Wheeljack receives a transmission from Colonel Gordon Horiuchi. While Bumblebee is explaining to Omega Supreme that he must hide in a very uncomfortable cave, Wheeljack listens to the Colonel, who states that he is part of a small group of rebels within Skywatch who want to work with the Autobots to capture Decepticons. Wheeljack decides to make contact.
Bumblebee and Ratchet are furious when they find out, but agree to meet the Colonel anyway. Meanwhile, At a neutral location, Horiuchi meets with Bumblebee, explains the desire to work with the Autobots, and gives them a set of badges that will mask their signal from Skywatch's scanners. Bumblebee takes the badges back to base where they are soon installed on each Autobot.

Shortly, the Autobots capture six Decepticons, the latest being Frenzy, who's lost without Soundwave. The next on the list is Scavenger, but instead, Horiuchi wants them to capture Blurr, who had earlier left the team. Cliffjumper blusters out that the Colonel is crazy if he thinks they will capture one of their own. Horiuchi has his tech activate an immobilizer built into Cliffjumper's badge, locking him into vehicle mode. The Autobots are aghast, but Horiuchi merely explains it is until he calms down. The Autobots all realize that they are now pawns for Horiuchi, who will use them as he sees fit to capture friend and foe alike.

THE ART: Chee Yang Ong's artwork as met much criticism from the fandom. His art is basic, demonstrates only basic perspective skill, and his decidedly geewun designs are inconsistent with the ongoing. As I've said before, giving employees creative freedom is great, but this is too far. It angers regular fans, confuses new readers and messes up continuity like there's not tomorrow. The hands are drawn with the skill of an eight-year-old, and the poses look unrealistic. The artwork's only saving grace is colors from the skillful Moose Baumann. His expertly rendered, highly detailed colors enhance Chee's basic artwork and make the comic look very well done. The only complaint I have would be his coloring of Frenzy (pictured above) is a very dubious, dark blue that, along with the red blood on him, makes him look like his G1 counterpart. I have no problem with this (Frenzy is red in my book) but at first glance it looks like a canonical inconsistency which, again, is something IDW seems to be doing a lot these days. Overall the art is half-terrible, half-quite-cool. Go figure.

THE STORY: Zander Cannon certainly makes an impression, though not as much as main man Mike Costa did with the ongoing. The situation of humans pretending to work with the Autobots and then forcing them to work for them is nothing new, but it's just different enough that it becomes interesting. However, there is very little substance to the issue. The first ten pages are literally 100% exposition, recapping the events of ongoing #1-3. It's very word-heavy and frankly, very boring to read. Even when the new development of Colonel Horiuchi offering the Autobots come work for Skywatch, there's three pages of featureless, blah-blah-blah of what the Skywatch badges do and why Horiuchi wants to help the Autobots. Only when you get to the last three pages does anything remotely resembling exciting happen. The only good thing about Cannon's writing is that he slots in a few obscure characters like Cindersaur, Gutcruncher, Axer and Squawkbox. So, the result for thi disappointing issue are:

TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE #1
Story by ZANDER CANNON
Art by CHEE YANG ONG
Colors by MOOSE BAUMANN
Covers by Chee, GUIDO GUIDI

ART RATING: 7.5 out of 10

STORY RATING: 7 out of 10

OVERALL RATING: 7.5 out of 10

ERRORS: Silverstreak was listed as having left with Hot Rod in Ongoing # 2, but a very Bluestreak-looking Autobot is among those cheering for Bumblebee on the second page. Perhaps Silverstreak is a different character? Or maybe it's supposed to be Smokescreen? Oh, and the designs of the bots are inconsistent with the ones in the ongoing. That sucks.

VERDICT: a thoroughly DISAPPOINTING first issue that fails to impress on both literary and visual fronts. Not a good start guys. Moose Baumann is the only one who's done a decent job. Next time: Bumblebee does something! Will it be important? Probably not. Rated 7 out of 10.

Posted by Fanbot at 12:31 pm, MONDAY 18 January

Transformers: Bumblebee #2 preview

The good folks at IDW have kindly provided me with this preview of Transformers: Bumblebee #2. I don't think anyone else has this yet so I guess that makes this article an exclusive! Awesome! But anyway, here's the pages:

TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE #2

Written by ZANDER CANNON
Art by CHEE YANG ONG
Colors by MOOSE BAUMANN
Covers by Chee, GUIDO GUIDI

“Things Fall Apart,” Part 2: BUMBLEBEE’s human-allied Skywatch team tracks down their latest target: the AUTOBOT BLURR. With this forced betrayal, the team’s morale takes a deep plunge until BUMBLEBEE and WHEELJACK devise a dangerous mission to free them all from the kill-switches that compel them to obey Col. Horiuchi’s commands.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

I must say that the sheer amount of freedom that IDW is giving the artist on Transformers is getting really confusing. Redesigns, yes. Don is doing an awesome job, but frankly almost every artist (and writer) is doing things their way 100% which makes for somewhat inconsistent personalities and plotlines. The body designs for the bots have no consistency which is very annoying. I understand that IDW's giving their employees freedom and I think it's a great idea! But this is too much of a good thing. It's kinda like free beer; great if you use it wisely, but very easy to overindulge and make a mess. But anyway, this is intriguing and I'm definitely getting the comic now. It's out on January 20.

Posted by Fanbot at 10:02 am, SATURDAY 16 January

IDW Transformers solicits for Jan 2010

Sorry these are a bit late, but I reckoned that these might be wanted anyway. Enjoy.


THE TRANSFORMERS #3

Written by MIKE COSTA
Art by DON FIGUEROA
Colors by JAMES BROWN
Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

HOT ROD’s desire to get off-planet leads to some desperate measures, OPTIMUS PRIME and Spike sit down for an unpleasant conversation, and a new arrival to the AUTOBOT camp comes at their most vulnerable time possible. Costa and Figueroa continue to make history, bringing the AUTOBOTS to their (almost) darkest hour.

32 pages, USD$3.99.


TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE #2

Written by ZANDER CANNON
Art by CHEE YANG ONG
Colors by MOOSE BAUMANN
Covers by Chee, GUIDO GUIDI

“Things Fall Apart,” Part 2: BUMBLEBEE’s human-allied Skywatch team tracks down their latest target: the AUTOBOT BLURR. With this forced betrayal, the team’s morale takes a deep plunge until BUMBLEBEE and WHEELJACK devise a dangerous mission to free them all from the kill-switches that compel them to obey Col. Horiuchi’s commands.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

TRANSFORMERS: LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS #1

Written by NICK ROCHE
Art by  NICK ROCHE
Colors by JOSH BURCHAM
Covers by Roche, TREVOR HUTCHISON

The AUTOBOT special ops crew, THE WRECKERS, are sent to investigate Garrus-9, a prison that fell to the DECEPTICONS three years ago with no communication in or out since. Who’s really behind the prison siege, and what dark secret awaits SPRINGER there? Writer/artist Nick Roche (Maximum Dinobots) does all the dirty work.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN: ARCEE

Written by CHRIS MOWRY
Art by ALEX MILNE
Colors by JOSH PEREZ
Covers by Milne

Setting out in search of OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS, ARCEE is captured by the vicious THUNDERCRACKER. And what better punishment for this AUTOBOT warrior than being the catalyst for a new squad of DECEPTICONS? ARCEE must learn that a good leader conquers all, especially in war.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

Posted by Fanbot at 12:15 am, SATURDAY 16 January

TRANSFORMERS #3 REVIEW

OK. I'm sorry. I really haven't done enough on this blog. I promise I'll make an effort to do as as much as I can without inconveniencing certain people. But anyway. Here's my first attempt at an unbiased, general-comics-fan-approach review for IDW's Transformers #3...

SYNOPSIS: In an old army hangar, Jetfire whines about a headache. Hot Rod comes in and reveals he's changed his mind about getting off Earth ASAP, instead wanting to get all the Autobots in human custody out as well. He shows JF their new Decepticon comrades, saying there are no sides anymore. Meanwhile at Autobase, Ultra Magnus explains to the bots he's here to investigate what they've been up to. Bumblebee explains the situation, from which Magnus somehow discerns that Ironhide has died. The scene cuts to Skywatch HQ, where Spike tries to talk to Optimus. Spike wants to make things easier for him but Optimus just accepts his fate and broods. Spike's colleague asks why he's doing this and Spike says he's trying to have something to give his dad when he arrives. Back at Autobase, Magnus investigates the events on Earth as if it was a crime scene. He thinks that Bee might not be a capable leader, especially when more Autobots - Hoist, Tracks, Beachcomber and Blurr - leave. Magnus leaves to find Hot Rod. Back in Hot Rod's group, Jetfire says he can't build things, to which Roddy replies that he isn't building, just disassembling. Also, Red Alert and Mirage aren't too keen on their new Con comrades. At Skywatch, Spike has detected Blurr's group and sends guys to capture them. Blurr thinks his friends are slow when a Skywatch mine blows him up. Hoist, Beachcomber and Tracks are quickly subdued by Skywatch, but Blurr runs away, breaking the sound barrier. The others are brought back to Skywatch where Spike asks Prime again if he wants to talk.

THE ART: I have to say that I was dubious of Don's new art style at first. But he seems to have made it a bit better -  the radiator grille teeth are gone, thank Primus. And the artwork is once again takin on the stunning, oh-my-god factor that he used to have. The bots are wonderfully drawn, and though the faces all look the same (which is very annoying since it can confuse less educated readers) the expressions are realistic and cool - Swindle's expression on page 15 is priceless! Don continues to give distinctive and cool redesigns to some obscure generic bots from the G1 cartoon - as well as giving Magnus a sweet-looking altmode reminiscient of his original car carrier mode - which further demonstrates his artistic cred. James Brown continues to deliver highly detailed, expertly rendered colors that complement Don's art very nicely.

THE STORY: Mike Costa does an overall great job on scripting for this series, putting our bots in different situations  that make them react differently than we'd think - but at the same time acting relatively in keeping with their original 1984 cartoon personalities. He also gives some obscure characters that don't get a lot of pagetime some spotlight, Huffer (depresed little truck), Seaspray and Hoist among others. But unfortunately some holes show in his story. We're told why Magnus has come to Earth but the reasoning is dubious since he couldn't have known anything about the events previously and he hadn't done anything about the other Autobots' antics in Infiltration-Devastation. This is slightly confusing. Roddy, also, seems to be very aimless in his motivations. He is trying to get off Earth which is understandable but now has changed tack on a whim (Prowl would have loooved that) and wants to get the captured Autobots from Skywatch - which he wanted to in issue 1 and forgot about in issue 2.  But overall the dialogue and action is well-paced (the little scene with Swindle trying to cuddle up to Mirage is funny. So, this issue's results are:

THE TRANSFORMERS #3 (iDW, 2010)

Written by MIKE COSTA

Aart by DON FIGUEROA

Colors by JAMES BROWN

Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

ART RATING: 9 out of 10

STORY RATING: 8 out of 10

OVERALL RATING: 8.5 out of 10

VERDICT: An enjoyable though slightly boring issue where not much happens. Don's artwork continues to amaze and has regained it oh-my-god factor. Costa continues to cameo obscure characters which should keep the geewunners happy for a couple days at least. A well-executed issue overall.Next month: Thundercracker returns! Ooooooooh! Rated 8.5 out of 10.

Posted by Fanbot at 11:37 pm, FRIDAY 15 January

Extra TRANSFORMERS #3 page

An extra page from Seibertron.com. Stupid UM, he assumes Prime's dead.

Posted by Fanbot at 1:34 pm, THURSDAY 14 January

TRANSFORMERS #3 PREVIEW

Newsarama.com has updated the fandom with a five page preview of IDW's Transformers #3. Here it is:

THE TRANSFORMERS #3
Story by MIKE COSTA
Art by DON FIGUEROA
Colors by JAMES BROWN
Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

HOT ROD’s desire to get off-planet leads to some desperate measures, OPTIMUS PRIME and Spike sit down for an unpleasant conversation, and a new arrival to the AUTOBOT camp comes at their most vulnerable time possible. Costa and Figueroa continue to make history, bringing the AUTOBOTS to their (almost) darkest hour.

32 pages, USD$3.99

Posted by Fanbot at 4:13 pm, WEDNESDAY 13 January

Bumblebee poster art

A pic of Bumblebee I colored up in Photoshop. Go to my deviantart page (minimus-minor.deviantart.com) for more of my art. See you soon!

Posted by Fanbot at 9:27 am, WEDNESDAY 13 January

RFC #1 redo: A FANBOY'S REVENGE

I've just finished my new RFC~ webcomic redo. I can't get it onto this blog but you can view it on my deviantart page here.

This isn't really how I feel about Shane, but it was very fun to do. Word on the grapevine is he's doing another Transformers book, and I'd bet my fanboy status that he's writing the Spotlight: Prowl coming out in April (and I'd also bet that Casey Coller's drawing it!). Anyway, enjoy ...

Posted by Fanbot at 6:05 pm, SUNDAY 10 January

Hellboy: Pancakes - Happy 2010!

A little two-page story that demonstrates in essence the mix of comedy and paranormal horror that is Mike Mignola's Hellboy (he wrote and drew this). Enjoy, and happy 2010!

Posted by Fanbot at 10:24 pm, WEDNESDAY 6 January

Tales From Outer Suburbia book review

Another book from Aussie surrealist goes under the knife. I received this one along with The Lost Thing for Christmas 2009. This one’s a real pick ‘n’ mix of stuff, so here it is … a synopsis isn’t really applicable. It’s a collection of short stories, so see below for the lowdown. And I think that you're all really going this one!

SYNOPSIS: Tales From Outer Suburbia features, among other short stories:

• BROKEN TOYS – A Japanese man in an old diving suit shows up in suburbia and brings happiness to a grumpy old woman. Painted in flat, Japanese print-style that fits the story perfectly.
• DISTANT RAIN – a magical explanation for where all your unwanted poetry goes. Again, the change in art style (a haphazard collage) is tailor-made to perfectly fit the story’s subject.
• GRANDPA’S STORY – A story of how things were done back in the day – though not what you’d expect (Wild televisions for one thing). Drawn in loose, expressive pen illustrations.
• STICK FIGURES – photorealistic artwork tells of upside-down sapling people in a hostile environment. Poignant and more than a little eerie.
• ALERT BUT NOT ALARMED – innovative suburbians find better uses for thermonuclear missiles. Done in Tan’s usual style.
  OUR EXPIDITION – two brothers discover the unnerving reason for maps stopping at a certain point. Loose, flowing pastel artwork adds to the surreal mood.
  

And several more I can’t fit in.

THE ART: Straying away from his usual surrealist/ steampunk painted artwork, this book is largely experimental; Tan plays around with different and varied media in each short story. It’s a very clever thing that he does; each story features different art styles that fit the story exquisitely. The wide range of media includes sgraffito, pastel, acrylic, oil, pencil and biro. The layout of the book is simple and elegant, in a mail package graphic style that goes well with the haphazard, compilation-style way the book is written and drawn. Tan blows newcomers away with his diverse range of art and deceivingly simple prose, while still adding in some references for regular fans – the textbook collage, hand-written layout for Make Your Own Pet (previously seen in The Lost Thing), the matter-of-fact, let-the-art-tell-the-story writing (Lost Thing again) and Arrival-esque art in Eric. All up this book is beautifully illustrated and stunningly packaged. An artistic masterpiece to be sure.

THE STORY: This short story menagerie is a clear demonstration of the different things Tan can do with words. The tales carry varying amounts of meaning; some are just fun and simple (The Water Buffalo, Make Your Own Pet, and Distant Rain) while others carry dense, deep symbolic meaning that really makes you think. There are themes of environmentalism and oppressive society (Night of the Turtle Rescue); cultural issues, societal hostility and racial differences (Stick Figures) and more. Tan is a sophisticated writer who delivers exquisite quality writing. Therefore, I say:

ART RATING: 9 out of 10

STORY RATING: 8.5 out of 10

OVERALL RATING: 9.5 out of 10

VERDICT: a meaningful and elegantly written book that shows the cred that Shaun Tan wields in the arts. Perhaps not as dystopian and postmodern as his other works (a la The Lost Thing and Red Tree) but still enjoyable. Rated 9.5 out of 10. Go to shauntan.net for info!

Posted by Fanbot at 9:34 pm, Wednesday 6 January

Tales of the Fallen: Arcee preview

TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN" ARCEE
Story by CHRIS MOWRY
Art by ALEX MILNE
Colors by JOSH PEREZ
Covers by Milne, CARLOS MAGNO

Setting out in search of OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS, ARCEE is captured by the vicious THUNDERCRACKER. And what better punishment for this AUTOBOT warrior than being the catalyst for a new squad of DECEPTICONS? ARCEE must learn that a good leader conquers all, especially in war. 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.

32 pages, $3.99.

Posted by Fanbot at 12:46 pm, SATURDAY 2 January