Bottalk Reviews

Creators : Kelly Thomas (Writer), Marco Ferrari (Artist), Lee Loughridge (Colorist), Rus Wooton (Letterer) Story : Scarlett, Jinx, and Storm Shadow have possession of the sword and Storm Shadow uses it to defeat a foe but then they see Cobra arrive and take cover. They ponder how to escape (with only two parachutes)  but Cobra Commander can detect the Energon the sword gives off and they get fired upon.  Scarlett gets injured and pushes Jinx out of the building (with the parachute) and jumps after her. The three split up to rendezvous later and Scarlett is able to touch base with Snow Job.  She decides to stay in to help Jinx.  Back at the Arashikage stronghold, Storm Shadow presents the sword to the Hard Master who gives it back and Storm Shadow raises it while the clan cheers on, surprising both Jinx and Scarlett.  Writing : Another good solid issue.  We start out with some good action and getting the trio to engage Cobra a bit was fun.  It was also good to see Snow Job and that Scar

Is it More Than Meets The Eye Time? 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. However, this thirteenth issue sees Jason Howard step in to pencil a sort of one-off story. We last saw Starscream gravely wounded and thrown to his death by Soundwave. As he lies in disarray, here we get an origin tale for the treacherous Seeker that plays out in his memories. Starscream’s origin? That’s what I said. The being known as “Starscream” is born here, as we flashback to his more idealistic and youthful days on Cybertron. Then known as “Ulchtar” (a nice deep-cut reference to a pre-production name for the character), he pals around

A brief flashback gives us the final moments of the man who would soon 'donate' his brain to the Doctor's experiments and become the monster.  In the present, Fritz is threatened by Henry's old Professor and takes his frustrations out on the monster, beating it savagely.  Later, after teasing the monster with a torch, it lunges forward and snaps Fritz's neck.   A lot going on this issue.  The flashback to the last moments of the man who would 'give' his brain to the monster were interesting.  The rest of the issue is largely centered on Fritz, as he is killed off at the end by the monster.  The drama surrounding Henry, his old Professor, best friend Victor and fiancé showing up is largely playing in the background.  But, if you are familiar with the events of Frankenstein either through the novel or one of the many film adaptations, you know what is going on here. seven out of ten.

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Tony Kordos (inks), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : The Battle for Springfield continues, and we realize Cobra is leading Serpentor Khan's forces into a trap.  Cobra Commander realizes that the Dreadnoks and the Baroness are there and sends his stand-in in the battle armor to get them.  Dawn decides to save the police officer that helped kill her family.  On Cobra Island, Serpentor Khan decides to lead the next wave against Cobra as the Joe recon team escapes but is gunned down in the ocean (though they survive and float on the unit containing a clone of the original Serpentor).  In Springfield, the Crimson Guard in Cobra Commander's battle armor engages the Dreadnoks and is able to seriously wound the Baroness.  The Joe Ninja Team is taking heavy fire as well (with the police officer almost killing Dawn but dying by enemy fire) when they meet up with the Dreadn

Creators : Dan Watters (writer), Andrei Bressan (artist), Adriano Lucas (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Tomax and Xamot are meeting with Artyom Darklon, willing to buy MARS since Destro hasn't been seen in 8 days.  However, they are disappointed to discover that the Battle Android Troopers aren't able to live up to their expectations.  Meanwhile, Destro has been reading over many confidential U.S. government files and is making his next move.  Destro makes an appearance at a party hosted by Astoria Carlton-Ritz (The Girl Who Loved Powerglide), who tries to run from Destro but he and Scrap-Iron are able to stop her.  It ends up, Astoria is much more shrewd than she appears and tells Destro about Project Overkill, an AI system meant to defend the world.  It was Overkill that attacked the arms show (though it was Astoria who tried to kill Destro).  Back at M.A.R.S. Industries, Tomax and Xamot welcome Cobra Commander.  Writing :  This issue really takes what we thought w

Prepare for battle? 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. In this twelfth issue, the Autobots’ rescue mission has gone horribly awry as Ultra Magnus abandoned them in the middle of a fight! Can Optimus Prime turn things around against Devastator and stop Shockwave’s plan to transfer Earth’s energy resources to Cybertron, which is now hovering over Earth via space bridge? Fighty fight? This issue is indeed mostly a long fight scene, which is only fitting for the conclusion of the second arc. The main drama happens late in the issue where Optimus faces a choice that will define his relationship with his Autobots and

Creators : Kelly Thompson (Writer), Marco Ferrari (Artist), Lee Loughridge (Colorist), Rus Wooton (Letterer) Story : During the corporate raid, Jinx and Scarlett exchange some code phrases.  Storm Shadow leads the rest of the clan to another floor looking for their weapon while Jinx and Scarlett are able to finally catch up as they make their way to a different floor.  Jinx believes that maybe the Arashikage could be an ally against the new threat: Cobra.  They eventually find the treasure and some Cobra troops.  Shadow joins in and he is able to retrieve the sword.   Writing :  We get a good "catch up" issue here.  Scarlett and Jinx finally get their moments to tell each other what's going on.  The main meta-plot going on right now doesn't move too much though, some hints are put throughout these issues along with leaving on a good cliffhanger. Art : This issue does have many cool fight scenes but we also get a page or two of Jinx and Scarlett just standing around a

Creators : Dan Watters (Writer), Andrea Milana (Artist), Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Rus Wooton (Letterer) Story : At Destro's ancestral shrine, he is attacked by the assassin sent to kill him and his arrogance quickly diminishes as his assailant proves to be resourceful.  She is able to disable his weapons and comms and call in drones that end up shooting down his Despoiler craft.  Back at M.A.R.S. HQ, Mercer and Scrap-Iron discuss how advanced the weapons they retrieved from the attack are and how Tomax and Xamot probably don't have the technology to produce something that advanced, hinting at a third party.  We get a flashback to the first Destro to wear a mask, during the reign of Oliver Cromwell (as this Destro provided weapons to all parties involved).  Meanwhile, Destro survives his crash and makes his way to a U.S. Air Force base in Scotland where he ends up speaking with General Flagg.  Writing : While the overall story didn't move too far along, with the bulk of the

Dr. Henry Frankenstein and Fritz search a graveyard, looking for body parts.  Unknown to them, they are observed by a small boy who hides in their wagon and is inadvertently taken back to the castle.  He makes his way through the lab to a body.  A body which he believes to be that of his recently deceased father.  The experiment begins and with a dazzling light show the body moves.  Later, in the darkness of the castle, the boy searches and finds the monster.  At first he is scared but the monster does not harm him.  He realizes the only thing the monster has of his father are his hands.  The boy decides Henry Frankenstein is a devil and with a knife prepares to stab him but is restrained by Fritz.   It has been ages since I read Mary Shelley's book 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus' but this comic does seem to follow it more or less.  Included here is the infamous 'It's alive!' from the James Whale film (1931).  I felt that the arrival of Elizabeth Lave