Time to break out Starscream’s Brigade?
You bet! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series! Well, he maintains the reins on the writing of this series at least, as does Mike Spicer on colors. Jorge Corona has taken over regular penciling duties with a style all his own and returns to them after a two-issue absence.
In this fifteenth issue, Arcee and Beachcomber depart on a quest, Cliffjumper links up with the Autobot Resistance roaming the chunk of Cybertron he’s stranded on, and Soundwave and Starscream’s factions go to war!
What kinda quest? What kinda war?
A MAGNUS Quest, a CIVIL war! Arcee and Beachcomber are off with Spike and Carly to locate Ultra Magnus and bring him back. Meanwhile, the two Decepticon factions are about to clash head-to-head. Also, Optimus Prime tries to help humanity recover from the devastation wrought by the Decepticons, but they’re still stupid Marvel-esque humans who can’t tell the goodies from the baddies!
As mentioned, Cliffjumper is joined by some new Autobots, including a survivor of Elita One’s team, so maybe DWJ can resist killing off more characters before we get to know them. On Earth, Optimus and co. try to revive another of their comrades and that’s when everything goes to hell.
In a handbasket?
You can’t fit what happens in a handbasket! Although this is more an issue of getting pieces lined-up to be knocked down in the end. Next issue promises more of a massive battle with the Autobots caught in the middle, but at least Jorge Corona’s art is still pretty kinetic and gritty here.
Soundwave is probably the standout here as DWJ resists writing him as the monotone-if-memorable version from the Sunbow cartoon, giving him some actual three-dimensional characterization. Thundercracker gets a nice moment to show some depth as well, and the Decepticons in general are the more compelling characters to follow.
Cube?
Again, this book isn’t really to my tastes, but it does have pretty nice production values at least and DWJ’s run may set up a good bedrock for future stories after he’s done with this universe. He’s just gotta resist killing so many characters off! Also, the letters page is titled “Matrix of Lettership?” The Matrix of READERSHIP was RIGHT THERE!
Buy Transformers # 15 this week, or Bluestreak will friggin’ gut you. ZOINKS!
