[TFW2005]

Originally posted by: Tim Formas @ TFW2005.com

Quote:

TFW2005 has an early review on another Transformers comic! Today's review is for Transformers #4 by IDW Publishing, which will be released in comic book stores tomorrow - Wednesday, February 24th. Check out the review and a few new images from the issue by clicking on the Title Bar or thumbnail to the left.
TFW2005 has an early review on another Transformers comic! Today's review is for Transformers #4 by IDW Publishing, which will be released in comic book stores tomorrow - Wednesday, February 24th.

Transformers #4

Credits
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Written by: Mike Costa
Art by: Don Figueroa
Colors by: J. Brown
Letters by: Robbie Robbins
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Associate Editor: Denton J. Tipton

Covers
Cover A – Art by Don Figueroa and Colors by J. Brown
Cover B – Art by Andrew Wildman
Retailer Incentive – Art by Don Figueroa

Review
Within the DeceptiComments section following the Transformers #4 comic content, writer Mike Costa breaks from the norm and uses the section to talk about the ongoing series as opposed to using the section to respond to fan letters. Within the section, Mike suggests that Transformers #4 changes course regarding the style of story and makes the first bold statement regarding how the story will be handled in the future.

Without the DeceptiComments section, the change is not that noticeable. There is no sudden shift in story and no change in the ways the characters act over the first three issues of the ongoing. If there is any change evident in Transformers #4, it is done through the re-introduction of Thundercracker. With the exception of one page, Transformers #4 revolves around Thundercracker’s revival and his interpretation of events following his near destruction three years ago. The issue could very well be called Spotlight: Thundercracker as opposed to Transformers #4.

Last we saw, Thundercracker was shot at point-blank range by fellow Seeker Skywarp following Thundercracker’s successful attempt at redirecting the nuclear bomb fired by the Decepticons at New York City. Transformers #4 provides back story regarding his survival following Skywarp’s attack and how he came to be part of Swindle’s group of Decepticons that were left on Earth. Following the back story, most of the issue then focuses on the attempt by both Swindle’s and Hot Rod’s crews to build an escape craft. Ultra Magnus arrives to question Hot Rod regarding the death of Ironhide and is dumbfounded when he witnesses the collaborative effort at the craft-building site. As noted above, one page of the comic does stray from the Thundercracker-guided story and focuses on Spike Witwicky.

Thundercracker’s dialogue throughout the issue was written well, providing insight regarding why the Transformers are losing the battle against the humans. Other items, however, seemed to be too convenient. One example: Suddenly forgetting what makes a Prime a Prime, fellow Autobots in Hot Rod’s crew are starting to call him Rodimus Prime. Ultra Magnus’ arrival at the site accomplishes nothing and does not help to move the storyline forward. In fact, there is no forward progress in the issue.

Don Figueroa’s art, as with the rest of the ongoing series thus far, has been a love-it or hate-it item. If you’re a fan of the movie-inspired designs, you’ll continue like it. If you do not like the movie-inspired designs, prepare to be disappointed. For those that like consistency in art style during a comic company’s run, you’ll be disappointed as well. Any current comic follower is well aware that IDW allows artistic freedom in the design of Transformers and their alt-mode in the current ongoing series as well as the Bumblebee and Last Stand of the Wreckers mini-series. That freedom has lead to drastic changes in the designs of fan favorites and more between the series. Thundercracker is the perfect example. His alt-mode is once again an F-22 jet after being shown as an F-15 jet in All Hail Megatron AFTER being first shown as an F-22 jet in the “-ation” series of comics. Don did drop a nice little easter egg in the issue, though, with the escape shuttle structure looking awfully familiar to another structure from Generation One.

Although there was a promise of changes in the style of the story, Transformers #4’s story ends up being more of the same stuff seen throughout the first three issues. While the method of story delivery may be different, there has been no drastic change to the storyline. Because of the shift in story delivery method in this issue, comic readers who have yet to find interest in this series may want to pick up this issue to see if the style is a better fit to their likes. Regardless of the core storyline presented in the ongoing, this issue is worth at least a read as a standalone “Spotlight: Thundercracker” theme. As a whole, this book may stand up better anyways in the long run as a focus on Thundercracker as opposed to a focal point of the ongoing story saga.

Original Source: TFW2005 Reviews Transformers #4 @ Transformers - TFW2005.com.