Transformers #4 | Human Connection

The first few pages of the fourth issue continue, whereas the action-packed third issue has left readers reeling from the brutal action that Daniel Warren Johnson has brought to the Transformers comics. This is the best time to be a true Transformers fan catching up on Skybound Entertainment’s take on the franchise. The consistency of the narrative clearly shows that this series is one episodic tapestry that keeps on moving and gets ratcheted up (No Pun Intended) in every issue. Losing an arm and being chased by a deranged Decepticon is not all exciting when your beloved human companion is losing blood from a gunshot wound while evading everything that is being thrown shows the action is not over. This is not like in the original cartoon when Prime was damaged in the previous episode he comes back in this issue brand new. This series is so grounded that Starscream was either being beaten up or being run over by a semi-truck. The motion and action on how Cliffjumper in his vehicle mode screeched into the scene with Carly behind the wheel and kicking the Decepticon Air Commander like taking inspiration from the chase scenes from Japanese anime like Initial-D. There was plenty of high-stakes action to go around the few pages and the details with inks have been phenomenal with every issue getting released is impressive.

Dream Tomica | Transformers Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime has been a semi-truck in various iteration, shape and form. When you mention of his name the first thing that comes to mind is the alternate mode that he turns into since making his first appearance in the classic cartoon that Teletran has scanned his vehicle form that would become part of the character’s identity. Takara Tomy, the Japanese toy manufacturer has produced countless Optimus Prime merchandise outside the action figure that appeared in 1984. The most significant product would be the non-transforming diecast cars. The company that also owned a diecast brand Tomica expanded to include Opitmus Prime as part of Dream Tomica.

The Combiner Wars Continue: Transformers # 40!

AFTER the “Opening Salvo” and Part 1 of the first two issues in IDW’s Combiner Wars crossover, “Transformers” # 40 shows the readers the pieces of the puzzle. And there’s a lot of moving pieces. The issue begins by showing a shuttle on its way to Cybertron. The shuttle is commanded by Jetfire, and is manned by the OG Protectobots. In this continuity, they’ve never been a team, much less a combiner. Despite the fact that the Protectobot Rook was introduced in the Combiner Wars toyline, here you have Hot Spot, Groove, Blades Streetwise and First Aid, who has arrived after spending a lot of time on the ship The Lost Light of “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” fame. Streetwise even jokingly themselves “Protectobots,” because they are composed of “a doctor, a cop, a firefighter, an infiltration expert and a fire.” Guess that team name is in continuity now. Interestingly enough, First Aid is here due to his capacity as doctor of Patient 619, who is being ferried to Cybertron for treatment. Patient 619 happens to be Mirage, who is experiencing nasty visions of a burning Cybertron. In his vision, he says “I must help them choose,” to Ironhide—who also happens to be having the same visions on Cybertron.

A Whole New World: Windblade (2015) # 1!

FROM the very first time that Windblade, Chromia and Nautica first appeared in the IDW continuity, readers have been wondering exactly where they came from. The three fembots spoke about their home, the lost Cybertronian colony Caminus, and how their home planet was running out of resources. Out of caution, Optimus Prime and the Autobots had stayed clear of Caminus. Combiners can change so many things. After the events of “Transformers # 39,” the Combiner Wars are on. At the end of that issue, the devious Starscream, after taking possession of the fabled Engima of Combination, fooled Swindle and Menasor—the combined form of the Stunticons—to travel to Caminus via the new-operational space bridge to rob the planet. The Combiner Wars continue, with its first full chapter in the second “Windblade” mini-series, which we will refer to as “Windblade (2015).” At the issue’s beginning, we get a quick look at Caminus and its inhabitants. They are clearly Cybertronians but possess what appear to be more ornate forms and a seemingly medieval form of society. There are also a lot of fembots here—but, it is important to note, not all the Camiens are female.

Let the War Begin: Transformers # 39!

After all the build-up, the Combiner Wars are finally here. The Combiners War arc will run through the ongoing “Transformers” series and the new “Transformers: Windblade” mini-series (we’ll refer to it as “Windblade (2015)” for clarity. The other ongoing, “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye,” will run completely apart from Combiner Wars.

            “Transformers” # 39 is technically the prelude to the Combiner Wars itself: The cover bills the issue as “Combiner Wars: Opening Salvo,” but a cursory evaluation of the issue’s contents reveals it to be the actual first shot to be fired in this war.

            After the end of the seemingly never-ending Onyx Interface story arc, the Enigma of Combination (which allows for the creation of non-insane gestalts) has been stolen by Scoop to be brought back to Cybertron and into the hands of the chosen ruler of the planet, the ever-devious Starscream. It becomes clear that this is the only real development of importance from the Onyx Interface story arc, leading credence to the observation that those issues were merely spinning their wheels in preparation for Combiner Wars.

            In fact, “Transformers” # 39 is actually the continuation of the events in the one-shot “Transformers: Punishment.” Optimus Prime is back on Cybertron to celebrate the anniversary of receiving the Matrix of Leadership. This issue is also a spiritual continuation of the first “Transformers: Windblade” mini, as the Autobots from Caminus, Windblade and Chromia, are heavily involved—as is Caminus itself.

            The issue begins with Optimus Prime and his Autobots still fighting off the Decepticon rabble in Decepticon territory as shown in “Punishment.” A closer look reveals that the ‘bots Prime and company beats down promise to play a bigger role: Swindle and Motor Master.

           

Optimus Time: Transformers Punishment!

ONE of the best things about manga and anime is the openness to doing stories which run parallel to the main story. They even have a great term for it: side stories. These in-continuity tales enable creators to fit in characters and plotlines that would be obscured by the weight of the main narrative.

            And that’s exactly what we’ve got with the new “Transformers: Punishment” one-shot. This extra-sized one-shot is actually a print version of a comic book originally created for the interactive Madefire platform. Reading it, it’s hard to believe this wasn’t originally scheduled for a release from IDW Publishing considering how good it is.

            Fans of writer John Barber and artist Livio Ramondelli will get a thrill because they get an extra helping of the two this month. “Punishment” is the kind of side story you get when the characters aren’t all trying to save planets.

            That being said, this is still Optimus Prime’s show. In “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” and “The Transformers,” Prime bids the Autobots farewell seemingly on a lark to go back to Cybertron. He doesn’t tell anyone why he’s going back right now, only that he must and that he will be back.

            “Punishment” details what happens on his trip to Cybertron. The book begins with the death of three Decepticons—Wilder, Treadshot and Brisko—at the hands of an unknown assailant.  This is apparently not an isolated incident, and Cybertron’s supreme leader Starscream soon arrives on the scene with Decepticon detective Barricade at his side. There’s someone killing Decepticons in what is called a Decepticon ghetto.

War is Over: Transformers Primacy # 4!

IT’S always a great thing to see the Autobots and the Decepticons desperately throw down, and that is exactly what you get throughout “Transformers: Primacy # 4,” the final issue of the flashback mini-series from the “Autocracy/Monstrosity” team of Chris Metzen, Flint Dille and Livio Ramondelli. After taking down Metroplex and Omega Supreme, the Decepticons have swooped in with the Seekers and their special teams in an attempt to destroy the Autobots who are trying to defend Iacon and its inhabitants. The Seekers had struck with a vicious dose of acid rain, and Megatron realizes that he has been corrupted by the spark of bad guy Pentius. This is the beginning of some rather head-scratching developments for the Decepticons. First—and this has been pointed out by many observers online—didn’t the Decepticons realize that the acid storm would be as bad for their Seekers (if not worse) than it would be for the Autobots? The Seekers literally drop out of the air, done for this round. Meanwhile, in another case of Decepticon miscalculation, Omega Supreme is “merely singed” not dead, and he joins with Autobots in a mighty fightback.

Toys R' Us Philippine Exclusive: Optimash Prime!

11.24.2014 – Over the years Hasbro has consistently produced Transformers toys from one series to another. Expanding it further when they introduced the toys from the live action films that Michael Bay directed in 2007 has become a global phenomenon. Then again Hasbro pushes the envelope in producing some other toy line from another of their brand. That brand is the Mr. Potato Head series of Playskool toys for younger kids that eventually had its own license themed spuds based in other movie or anime property.

The Last Issue: Transformers Robots in Disguise # 34!

THIS is the last issue of IDW’s “Transformers: Robots in Disguise”—technically speaking. But it’s not going away, it’s just changing titles next month to just plain “The Transformers” # 35. Read into that what you will, but “TF: RID,” though well-written and well-illustrated, still somewhat remains overshadowed by its even-better-written and better-illustrated sibling title, “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye.” That is not helped by the fact that “TF:RID” is now jumping all over the place. Originally, the series seemed focused on the Earth-bound adventures of Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots, but it’s since jumped back to life on a bittersweet Cybertron and then back to Earth now that the humans have aligned themselves with the Decepticons. But now, it’s going back in time with some surprising and defining back stories.

All-Out War: Transformers Primacy # 3!

IT’S rare to see the Autobots and Decepticons depicted in a real knockdown throwdown, and that’s exactly what you get with “Transformers: Primacy” # 3, no more and no less. This penultimate issue in the four-issue mini-series brings the reader right into the middle of a massive Decepticon attack on the Autobot-controlled Cybertron. Millions of years in the past, Trypticon has rocketed to the surface while Metroplex has risen to repel his attack. This issue is dominated by the blow-by-blow duel between the two TF city robots. It’s a fascinating panel-by-panel battle. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime is getting ready to insert Omega Supreme into the fray. Omega admits something unexpected to Prime and Prime reacts to it. But Megatron is more cunning than Prime thinks—he has plans within plans, and those are revealed as the issue continues. The all-out attack by the Decepticons turns out to be as “all-out” as you imagine. All kinds of ‘Cons get into the action. The outnumbered Autobots must protect the city and so they make a stand. “Let Iacon burn,” Megatron growls. “Whatever unfolds, we must protect the city at all costs,” Prime answers. “We will hold the line!”

TF Asia Exclusive: Hasbro MP-10 with Vector Sigma!

10.10.2014 – It’s rare having a second chance at a reproduction of a Transformers character in the Masterpiece line. Even for a recently released figure its never going to be reproduced unless its for an occasion that the brand is celebrating an anniversary. There has been reproduction of Grimlock in a new box with slight color or improvement of the toy addressing the minor flaws. Then you get to hear Hasbro about to release MP-05 dubbed the “30th Anniversary” edition and there’s MP-10 Optimus Prime that has Vector Sigma…

TF Sightings: Evolution 2-Pack Optimus Prime!

10.03.2014 – Transformers: Age of Extinction is already heading to Home Entertainment release in Blu-ray and DVD format. There will be tons of extras and an exclusive edition which was celebrated a few days earlier at the TLC Chinese Theater with Peter Cullen. In the Philippines the toys are slowly getting released with the latest wave of Generations “Thrilling 30” sighted in local retail one TF:AoE was sighted in Toys R’Us which was announced on their Facebook page earlier today.

Peter Cullen Celebrate Home Release for Age of Extinction!

10.01.2014 – The legend of Optimus Prime continues to grow through the voice of the 2011 Daytime Emmy Award winner in Peter Cullen. He was honored at the TLC Chinese Theater in Hollywood Tuesday afternoon immortalized during the world-famous handprint-footprint ceremony. This was also to celebrate the home entertainment release of Transformers: Age of Extinction in Blu-Ray and DVD format. Peter Cullen has been voicing the Autobot Commander for decades and he has nothing but praise for bringing the character to life…

Gathering Storm: Primacy # 2!

Whew, that’s a lot of activity for a single issue. “Transformers: Primacy” # 2 goes by furiously. Megatron is getting the gang back together, so that means he’s sending out the Seekers to carry the all-important message: Scorponok is out, Megatron is back. The Seekers go to different planets, using different techniques, but it turns out what they were looking for were the Combiner teams. Though skeptical at first, the Stunticons, Combaticons and Predacons are back. To make sure he has enough back-up, Megatron even journeys to the Planet of Junk and recruits the no-silly-dancing versions of the Junkions. Meanwhile the Autobots wait around for something to do. Optimus Prime confides in Alpha Trion that though he is happy to have brought back Omega Supreme from the planet’s polar region and out of the futile wait for Nova Prime’s return, Prime is disturbed that Omega Supreme has instead taken up a sentry position watching over Prime’s quarters. Trion tells Prime that it might be awhile before Omega Supreme regains his soul. Then, of course, the Decepticons strike. Out of the atmosphere comes hurtling the terrible Trypticon, back for round two. Prime once calls on the mighty Metroplex as Autobot City is evacuated. “All will be well,” booms Metroplex as he transforms and looks up. Trypticon slams into him. Boom. End of issue.

Throwback Thirst-Day: Pepsi Convoy!

07.24.2014 – If you’ve been a long time Transformers Fan to see some early releases in the 1980s you won’t be surprised about the collaboration with Hasbro and another brand shall we say Pepsi. For those who have been drinking another beverage maybe it’s time you support Pepsi Convoy. Transformers had been once had a tie-up with the famous soda beverage in 1985 when they released a redeco of the original Optimus Prime toy with Pepsi stickers featured on the side of the trailer. Twenty years later in 2005 Takara has similar in mind only this time Optimus Prime delivers Pepsi.

Hot Toys Reveal TF G1: Optimus Prime (Starscream Version)!

07.23.2014 – Hot Toys is becoming a global brand when it comes to 1/6 scale or 12 inch figures. With intricate details and life like appearance based from actors portraying these characters it’s no doubt that it is no longer a toy for kids, but a collectible for adults to beef up their displays. In the past Hot Toys has acquired license to produce iconic G.I. Joe characters most recently based on Retaliation and Star Wars with that sweet Bespin Luke that includes the weather vane where he was hanging in dear life. Now Hot Toys just dropped the ball and revealed Optimus Prime!

TF Spotlight: Orion Pax in "Omega's Conundrum!"

06.30.2014 – For long time Transformers fans everyone know who was Optimus Prime in a previous life, which was first seen in season 2 of the classic series. It also featured the story of the Aerialbots travelling back in time during the Golden Age of planet Cybertron. There’s not much spotlight on Pre-Prime persona of Orion Pax that was only seen in the TF G1 series. IDW Publishing the current publisher for Transformers comic books had expanded that story through the ‘Transformers Spotlight’ series when they released a one-shot story in 2012. This one-shot feature about Orion Pax was included in the Deluxe Class release of the same action figure along with Bumblebee, Trailcutter (formerly known as Trailbreaker), and Megatron (Stealth Jet ) celebrating the ‘Thrilling 30’ years of the Transformers Brand with a new cover. It never was explained what really happened to Orion Pax when this was mentioned in this issue that he’s trying to get accustomed to his new body refit. This story takes place before the events of ‘Transformers: Autocracy’ (check your local comic shop for that graphic novel).

Transformers Age of Extinction: The Very Good & Very Bad Movie Review!

TRANSFORMERS fans are secretly a patient and forgiving lot. Yes, they bellyache about seemingly the most obscure of details, but they understand that they are fortunate to be living in an age where the toy store shelves are overflowing with product, comic book stores feature regular TF issues and, of course, four major motion pictures featuring the titular toy brand. That doesn’t mean that they will be accepting of everything, and that best sums up how hardcore fans will feel about “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (“TF: AOE”), the fourth TF film directed by Michael Bay.

TF Sightings: Dunkin Donuts TF4 Cup Toppers!

06.24.2014 – The TRANSFORMERS Age of Extinction steamrolls its screening in less than 48 hours and previous toy launches and merchandise has been revealed. It’s no surprise Hasbro is milking the property for all its worth to tie-up with some of the big names when it comes to merchandise. In the Philippines whenever a new Transformers film has been promoted since 2007 there have been merchandise and meal toys from fast food restaurants. For ‘TF AOE’ Dunkin Donuts is promoting their Cup Toppers and also having an exclusive box depicting the characters around their product.

TF4 Renders of Prime & Bee Released!

06.04.2014 – It seems Transformers: Age of Extinction will likely be shown in the Philippines after all the legal hoopla surrounding the issue with its former local distributor. There’s already an official release date for Noah on June 11th which stars Russell Crowe. That said this means Transformers: Age of Extinction is now on schedule for a Philippine release and just in time for the brands 30th anniversary. Hasbro has lined up some surprises for this year long celebration and Philippine fans haven’t scratched the surface.