How do you propose I get to the comic store this week? On My ROLLER SKATES???
The bold new era for the Autobots and this book continues! Robert Kirkman, chief architect of the Energon Universe, writes the flagship Transformers title and Jason Howard takes over as regular penciler for this new story arc with Mike Spicer on colors. Howard had previously drawn issues #13 and #14 of this book, along with many covers.
In this thirty-fourth issue, we meet Doctor Henri Arkeville, Thundercracker and the Aerialbots set out on a quest, and Shredhead and Cliffjumper bite off more than they can chew!
Doctor Arkeville? Really?
Yep! Kirkman’s appreciation for the Sunbow cartoon continues as he formally introduces Doctor Arkeville into the story, and much like Miles Mayhem, he just has to take a swing at General Flagg! Flagg’s in an ornery mood after learning that Optimus gave up the Matrix and is a less powerful ally now, so he doesn’t take kindly to being attacked. He still offers Arkeville Mayhem’s old job, so I guess we’ve got a new supporting cast member out of this deal.
Meanwhile, we might lose a cast member (or several) as Cliffjumper and Shredhead run into trouble and have to take on the Combaticons on their own. Jason Howard’s art really shines in a fight scene here as he really nails the scale of Bruticus and the uh... brutality the Decepticon combiner can unleash.
More casualties?
This book does seem to burn through characters. I’m sure the “deaths” in this issue aren’t as final as they seem, and with Arkeville introduced, I’m sure he’s a way to restore characters to functionality. Still, it’s a little annoying sometimes that this is the best trick Kirkman can pull sometimes.
I’m more interested in the character interactions, and Thundercracker’s development in particular, and he only gets one page here. We’ve seen from upcoming covers that he is going to get closer with the Aerialbots shortly, so it’d be nice to have more focus on them as a group in the next issue.
Cube?
Jason Howard’s art is the star here for a pretty impactful fight scene. The cliffhanger lands thanks to his art as well, although I don’t buy it for a minute. Dr. Arkeville seems like he’ll be a fun addition to the cast of this book at least and I am interested in the Aerialbots following Thundercracker on his quest. At the very least, this book hasn’t been boring under Kirkman.
Buy Transformers #34 this week, and put on your wacky metal hat.
