Amazon continues to eff up digital subscriptions. Transformers #15 and 16 weren't made part of the "series" on Amazon, and so I didn't get them. I did buy 15 later, but I'll probably wait until 16 drops in price at this point.
Energon Universe - ongoing Transformers and G.I. Joe comics from Skybound
- Thread starter SHIELD Agent 47
- Start date
Void Rivals #16 and GI Joe #3 are both out, and I managed to get my hands on both of them, finally!
Let's start with GI Joe #3 first. It's a fine issue. There's action. There's some developments. But, yeah, if you're not interested in the GI Joe side of things, no big Transformer-related reveals this issue. This is one for the Joe fans. A characters from a few of the miniseries are starting to show up. It's a solid action issue, but not much more than that.
Now, onto Void Rivals #16!
...You know how I said last time that it seemed like Void Rivals was really heating up? Well, I was wrong about that. This issue does have some stuff in it, but it isn't AS full of reveals and excitement as I had hoped.
There's a pretty good fight. That fight is probably the highlight of the issue. But, a few things that I thought would turn this book into a powderkeg of action turned out to be duds.
We do get a few breadcrumbs this issue, though. I was just hoping that we'd finally get an actual MEAL.
I do like the ending though. The ending is promising. I keep saying that, though. And somehow Kirkman keeps finding new ways to drag things out even LONGER than expected. So, we'll see.
It's not a bad issue really. It's just...a little disappointing, for me, personally.
Let's start with GI Joe #3 first. It's a fine issue. There's action. There's some developments. But, yeah, if you're not interested in the GI Joe side of things, no big Transformer-related reveals this issue. This is one for the Joe fans. A characters from a few of the miniseries are starting to show up. It's a solid action issue, but not much more than that.
Clutch is...NOT skilled at infiltration. It's kind of a miracle that he hasn't been discovered, stumbling around like he is. Cobra might be more competent in this universe, but there's still a nugget of that good ol' Cobra ineptitude deep down in them, somewhere.
The Cobra factory does look kind of neat. I feel like this COULD be a reference to something. But, I'm just not a big enough Joe fan to really tell if it is anything or not.
Turns out there was ANOTHER spy in Cobra's midsts. A Cobra-La spy, at that. That's a little interesting. Cobra Commander being able to just break this spy's jaw with his bare hands is pretty brutal. But, it is a memorable moment.
Also, Cobra Commander has a pit full of snakes. Even in a more serious universe, you still gotta have style!
Meanwhile, Duke and Risk are still fighting. And the artist does that neat "3D" effect with the splash page. I don't know what it is they're doing, some sort of blurring maybe, but it really makes the scene pop off the page.
Clutch manages to get word to the other Joes about Cobra's plan. So, they know he's alive! That infiltration mission lasted...all of half a issue. Kind of wish they dragged it out a little more for the drama. But, gotta keep moving, I guess.
The Joes manage to get Doctor Venom for themselves. In true GI Joe fashion, with parachuting motorcycles and everything!
But, now they have to deal with Tomax and Xamot! Making their big debut in the main series, after they showed up in the Destro mini. It's a neat symmetrical splash page for a cliffhanger.
Oh, and here's the video game ad they're likely talking about in the letters pages.
Yeah, I could see it too.
The Cobra factory does look kind of neat. I feel like this COULD be a reference to something. But, I'm just not a big enough Joe fan to really tell if it is anything or not.
Turns out there was ANOTHER spy in Cobra's midsts. A Cobra-La spy, at that. That's a little interesting. Cobra Commander being able to just break this spy's jaw with his bare hands is pretty brutal. But, it is a memorable moment.
Also, Cobra Commander has a pit full of snakes. Even in a more serious universe, you still gotta have style!
Meanwhile, Duke and Risk are still fighting. And the artist does that neat "3D" effect with the splash page. I don't know what it is they're doing, some sort of blurring maybe, but it really makes the scene pop off the page.
Clutch manages to get word to the other Joes about Cobra's plan. So, they know he's alive! That infiltration mission lasted...all of half a issue. Kind of wish they dragged it out a little more for the drama. But, gotta keep moving, I guess.
The Joes manage to get Doctor Venom for themselves. In true GI Joe fashion, with parachuting motorcycles and everything!
But, now they have to deal with Tomax and Xamot! Making their big debut in the main series, after they showed up in the Destro mini. It's a neat symmetrical splash page for a cliffhanger.
Oh, and here's the video game ad they're likely talking about in the letters pages.
Cobra Strike Video Game Ad (1983)
This is a trade advertisement promoting the G.I. Joe: Cobra Strike video game in 1983. The game was published by Parker Brothers and was released for the Atari 2600 game system. The advertisement was...
www.3djoes.com
Yeah, I could see it too.
Now, onto Void Rivals #16!
...You know how I said last time that it seemed like Void Rivals was really heating up? Well, I was wrong about that. This issue does have some stuff in it, but it isn't AS full of reveals and excitement as I had hoped.
There's a pretty good fight. That fight is probably the highlight of the issue. But, a few things that I thought would turn this book into a powderkeg of action turned out to be duds.
We do get a few breadcrumbs this issue, though. I was just hoping that we'd finally get an actual MEAL.
I do like the ending though. The ending is promising. I keep saying that, though. And somehow Kirkman keeps finding new ways to drag things out even LONGER than expected. So, we'll see.
It's not a bad issue really. It's just...a little disappointing, for me, personally.
Okay, that larva-thing is definitely a reference to something. But, I'm drawing a blank on what. *Google searches* Okay, so apparently it's a Derigibloat (that might be more of a fan-term than a official one). A Cobra-La organic blimp. Go easy on me, it's been a while since I last saw the GI Joe movie!
I AM amused that the Skuxxoid wants to try to eat it. I feel like his eyes are bigger than his head on this one. But, he's probably right. It probably does taste like chicken. (Slimey...yet satisfying!)
That website I posted above is proving useful again. This new weapon is called a "Fouray" there. A bolo by way of a 4-headed snake. Cobra-La has a BUNCH of toys.
Oh no, Skuxxoid killed Akronus! Not dear, sweet Akronus! He will be avenged!
The Skuxxoid is scratched with poison! Well, that's probably going to be a cool scar going forward! So, is the poison going to drive him crazy...ier?
Oh, yeah, he also gets cut in half. The avenging happened sooner than expected. I'm not buying it though. I doubt this is the end for ol' Skuxxoid. We wouldn't be so lucky. I'm sensing Clone Wars-era Darth Maul-style robot legs in the Skuxxoid's future!
I also can't get over how much a bisected Skuxxoid reminds me of sliced ham. I know that's dark, but I think I just have the munchies.
But, Akronus LIVES! Thank goodness! And I guess he's getting the Skuxxoid's Rockeroid, because his comrades leave him behind, thinking he was dead.
Vector Theta seems a little annoyed that Solila woke it up from it's long nap. And it sends her down the hall to be someone else's problem. Well, that was a potentially cool moment that didn't amount to anything.
Meanwhile, Darak is still talking to the rebels. They tease the Goliant again. But, before we can learn what that is, Darak's dad finds them conspiring behind his back and has them all arrested. Well...that's ANOTHER plot point kicked down the road. Good job squelching my hopes there, Kirkman! Expertly done!
Even Handroid is afraid!
*BONK* That's going to happen when you walk around in a dark room. Kind of wish that Key of hers worked like a flashlight.
And it turns out Solila is walking on the face of GOD! Or Zerta Trion, anyway. She tracked mud on her chin.
And Zerta awakens! Next issue...maybe we get some plot progression? Please?!
I AM amused that the Skuxxoid wants to try to eat it. I feel like his eyes are bigger than his head on this one. But, he's probably right. It probably does taste like chicken. (Slimey...yet satisfying!)
That website I posted above is proving useful again. This new weapon is called a "Fouray" there. A bolo by way of a 4-headed snake. Cobra-La has a BUNCH of toys.
Oh no, Skuxxoid killed Akronus! Not dear, sweet Akronus! He will be avenged!
The Skuxxoid is scratched with poison! Well, that's probably going to be a cool scar going forward! So, is the poison going to drive him crazy...ier?
Oh, yeah, he also gets cut in half. The avenging happened sooner than expected. I'm not buying it though. I doubt this is the end for ol' Skuxxoid. We wouldn't be so lucky. I'm sensing Clone Wars-era Darth Maul-style robot legs in the Skuxxoid's future!
I also can't get over how much a bisected Skuxxoid reminds me of sliced ham. I know that's dark, but I think I just have the munchies.
But, Akronus LIVES! Thank goodness! And I guess he's getting the Skuxxoid's Rockeroid, because his comrades leave him behind, thinking he was dead.
Vector Theta seems a little annoyed that Solila woke it up from it's long nap. And it sends her down the hall to be someone else's problem. Well, that was a potentially cool moment that didn't amount to anything.
Meanwhile, Darak is still talking to the rebels. They tease the Goliant again. But, before we can learn what that is, Darak's dad finds them conspiring behind his back and has them all arrested. Well...that's ANOTHER plot point kicked down the road. Good job squelching my hopes there, Kirkman! Expertly done!
Even Handroid is afraid!
*BONK* That's going to happen when you walk around in a dark room. Kind of wish that Key of hers worked like a flashlight.
And it turns out Solila is walking on the face of GOD! Or Zerta Trion, anyway. She tracked mud on her chin.
And Zerta awakens! Next issue...maybe we get some plot progression? Please?!
The April Solicitations are out!
No Void Rivals this month, so it's just Transformers and GI Joe.
www.previewsworld.com
www.previewsworld.com
And some discussion.
No Void Rivals this month, so it's just Transformers and GI Joe.
TRANSFORMERS #19 CVR A JOHNSON & SPICER (FEB250574)
**NEW STORY ARC ** WHAT HAPPENED TO MEGATRON? The story that every fan has demanded begins RIGHT HERE.
www.previewsworld.com
GI JOE (2024) #6 CVR A REILLY (FEB250510)
Duke vs. Cobra Commander. It's all been leading to this. And the ending no one will see coming!
www.previewsworld.com
And some discussion.
We're getting a Megatron backstory arc. So, expect a lot of brutality and a lot of death, given this universe.
And GI Joe seems to be teasing the end of this arc. With some sort of twist. There is a alternate cover that may give something away. So, I'll post it under another layer of spoiler tags.
I'm not sure if Hound showing up is the twist they're talking about. But, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for any green Jeeps in the background from now on. I guess the Transformers may be keeping an eye on the Joes or Cobra.
And GI Joe seems to be teasing the end of this arc. With some sort of twist. There is a alternate cover that may give something away. So, I'll post it under another layer of spoiler tags.
I'm not sure if Hound showing up is the twist they're talking about. But, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for any green Jeeps in the background from now on. I guess the Transformers may be keeping an eye on the Joes or Cobra.
It's so weird to me that a handful of folks are just absolutely fixated on this take, as if every other TF comic universe was G-rated sunshine-and-rainbows.
I mean, yeah, we've seen a lot of bot-on-bot violence before, and even limited violence on organics, but Energon Universe seems to be pretty much okay with offing people gratuitously.
TBH, this makes Thundercracker's little show of mercy that much more significant, so it's got storytelling potential to show characters that fit more within the grey easily. But then, the violence in GI Joe seems more ramped up compared to ARAH as well, so I don't know that its an unwarranted take.
That's fair.
But, I think the difference in other universes is that it was more spread out? You might get a really dark or violent scene in IDW or Marvel. But, that was once...maybe every couple of issues or so? I feel like there were stretches where you didn't have something like that for a while. Which helped to make the times when it did happen more memorable and mean more. It left a bigger impact, because I think it happened less often.
With Skybound, I feel like it's more "concentrated"? I feel like there's at least one scene in every issue where something brutal happens. It feels a lot more front and center in this particular universe. I could be wrong about that. And there definitely were stretches in IDW where something brutal happened issue after issue in a row. But, I feel like those were more exceptions, rather than the standard for those other comics.
I mean, lets just look at the last few issues of the Skybound universe. Spoilers below.
Transformers #16 has Megatron gutting Laserbeak to use his "entrails" as his new eyes. And Cliffjumper finds a jar full of his old dead friend's forsaken souls in the rubble of his hometown.
GI Joe #3 had Cobra Commander crush a Cobra-La spy's jaw with his bare hands.
Void Rivals #16 sees the Skuxxoid getting cut in half.
I think it's fair to say there's been a uptick in violence and darker imagery since Skybound got the license. It feels like it's become more consistent, issue to issue.
GI Joe #3 had Cobra Commander crush a Cobra-La spy's jaw with his bare hands.
Void Rivals #16 sees the Skuxxoid getting cut in half.
I think it's fair to say there's been a uptick in violence and darker imagery since Skybound got the license. It feels like it's become more consistent, issue to issue.
And then there's the OTHER "problem" with Skybound. One that might just be a personal nitpick of my own, I'll admit. Skybound...isn't really offering a lot OTHER than violence and grittiness to long time fans. Because, to me, it feels like a lot of the plots that Skybound are using are just old recycled G1 Sunbow Cartoon plots? We've literally seen this before. The last big arc was, in VERY broad strokes, just an edgy version of "The Ultimate Doom". A lot of the "big ideas" that Skybound is using for plots are just taking ideas from the cartoon...and making them darker and more violent. So, if you don't find the plotting especially compelling, you do kind of end up focusing on the thing that makes these stories actually unique. Which is usually the violence. Which only creates a greater contrast, because I'm probably subconsciously comparing these stories to the original Sunbow versions. So, OF COURSE, that makes the violence stand out even more, if only by comparison.
But, I'll admit, the violence might not be a bad thing. Skybound has probably made the comic the most popular it's been in YEARS. People outside the usual fandom are actually talking about this comic. Comic fans are picking it up. As far as I know, this is actually selling better than IDW did. MTMTE got a lot of good word of mouth. But, the vibes I'm getting is that Skybound is actually selling better. And that's great!
I'm also enjoying these books, despite this post sounding pretty negative. Skybound is just more "emotionally" deep, rather than "world-building" deep, for me? I wish they'd go a little more "sci-fi" with some of their ideas. But, this universe does tackle some pretty mature themes. And it does it fairly well. When something happens, there usually is a reaction to it from these characters. And it makes these characters feel more "real". Skybound is doing what they're doing well.
I'll admit, maybe I'm over-emphasizing how violent this universe is. But, I do feel like at least a little bit of that is earned. This IS a violent universe. And I feel like it's more consistently violent than most other universes. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But, I think it is noticeable.
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IDW1 gave us Space Auschwitz and Megatron's personal team of torture specialists who lobotomized an Autobot spy and turned him into their dog.
And I'm supposed to be aghast at Skybound's violence level
I don't know how long you've been a fan. Maybe you have been a fan longer than I am and count as "longer time" in comparison but I'm a fan who's been into Transformers since the G2 days as a kid, who's pushing 40 now, and I feel like I have some room to speak "as a long time fan" these days.
And I really disagree with you.
Skybound's given us the first comics Optimus Prime who's actually felt like Optimus Prime in a long, long time. For all of IDW's well deserved accolades, they never got Optimus right. Skybound got the character right from start and Optimus alone has provided so much great stuff outside of the violence in this book.
Be it his moments with Spike where he laments killing a deer by accident because he just values life that much, him having a moment with Sparkplug where they relate as two veterans haunted by memories of war, or him and Elita where we get a peak into how Optimus' compassion and respect for life might come across to his loved ones back home, who need him to prioritize them for once...
There's a lot going on beyond just gore and violence.
I'd also add that this continuity's take on Starscream is probably the most sympathetic since Armada, depicting Starscream as an unwilling solider forced into the Decepticons by the death of a friend, and who was traumatized by the brutality Megatron forced him to commit, and all of that helping turn him into the Starscream we know today.
There is a lot of violence in this book, yes, but more often than not it serves a purpose and it's usually paired with good character moments.
I know I'm the minority, and so have largely bowed out on these conversations, but comments like this force me to remind folks that (for me, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone), robot-on-robot violence hits VERY different than violence upon organics. It's all the difference in the world.IDW1 gave us Space Auschwitz and Megatron's personal team of torture specialists who lobotomized an Autobot spy and turned him into their dog.
And I'm supposed to be aghast at Skybound's violence level
Ah, so the Aliens can kill each other all they want and that fine, just don't touch any "real" people, yes?
If they're alien robots (not organics) then yes. That doesn't shame me the way you seem to think it's supposed to.
This is actually what I'm talking about when I say the book is "emotionally deep". The book is actually pretty good about fleshing out the characters and making you care about them. For example, I've actually come to actually care about Cliffjumper for the first time...maybe EVER. If only because I kind of just wish the universe would stop kicking him while he's down.
But, at the same time, I can't help but feel like these are still basically the G1 Sunbow characters, just with a some dirt thrown on them. These are more complex versions of those same characters. But, that complexity feels like it only exists to make them feel pain. I'll admit this may be reductive, but it just feels like a extension of the "gritty" tone that I feel like the book is trying to achieve.
Optimus is shown to truly care about all forms of life. Which brings him pain when he accidentally kills a animal. And when he has to tell Spike what happened to his dad. And when it ostracizes him from his old allies from Cybertron. It all feels slightly...."calculated" by the writer? It's not poorly done. But, it may be a little "emotionally monotonous"? It's so consistently, overwhelmingly negative most of the time.
I think a good example of this is Transformers #14. We're introduced to this colorful crew of new characters. Characters who might inject the book with a bit of fun and levity. Or at the very least, give us something a bit different. And...most of them end up dead by the end of the issue. This book has no interest in anyone who isn't suffering. It actually works as a bit of dark comedy. But, you'll note that even that humor must be dark in this book.
But, again, that's not necessarily a bad thing. This comic is going for a certain tone. And I think it's succeeding at achieving that. DWJ clearly wants there to be a certain air of tragedy about this book. And I think it's being done well. It's just...a little much, at times. And maybe not for everyone.
You know what might be partly the problem? They actually brought back The War to Transformers. Hasbro's really been shying away from having The War between the Autobots and Decepticons be the focus of most of their universes. I think this might be the first universe to actually feature The War as a major plot in...maybe a decade or more? Most of the other new universes take place AFTER The War is over.
Earthspark was post-war. IDW2/Ruckley's run was pre-war. Cyberverse kind of side-stepped it by focusing on other ideas. RID15 was post-war. MTMTE/LL/RID/OP was post-war. I think the last time The War was a major focus was maybe Prime back in 2013. Maybe it just feels weird to have The War back again, and embraced so heavily after it being gone for so long.
It really should feel refreshing to go back to basics after so long. But, I don't know. Maybe this just feels like going backwards rather than returning to our roots, for me. I'm not sure.
As for what I would actually want to see instead? I just kind of wish we were getting more original plots. Something a bit more creative. I just wish that the things that these characters were actually doing were a bit more interesting to me.
And to be fair, there is some creativity in this universe. It's just that most of that is probably over in Void Rival's corner of the universe. The whole Zerta situation has the potential to lead to something really interesting that we haven't seen before. But, the problem is that book is SO slow-paced that we're still waiting to see if that will even pay off.
You know what the REAL problem is with me? I still haven't let go of James Robert's run. I really loved how much that run added to the universe. How much world-building and unique ideas he had for that particular universe. I DO keep comparing DWJ's run to Roberts, and that's really not fair. They're both good, they're just trying to accomplish different things. This is definitely partially a "me" problem, I'll admit that.
I just wish we'd get a *little* more world-building and plot complexity to go with the emotional complexity we've been getting. The character writing is good. I just want for them to inject for "science fiction" craziness into these plots, and not to rely so much on old ideas from the cartoon. Something we haven't seen before.
DWJ is probably not the person to do that. He's not really a "detail" guy. He really is about the emotional gut-punches. I know that from reading some of his other books. And he is good at that. Maybe what we need is to actually bring in more "magic" into this universe. DWJ is usually pretty good when it comes to writing "fantasy" worlds. He knows how to do "dreamlike magic" pretty well. Maybe we should delve deeper into the Matrix and see what DWJ can do with that side of things? I think that could lead to something unique that plays to DWJ's strengths.
This is also a good point.
Especially when it comes to the animals. Humans are one thing. But, the animal violence has DEFINITELY seen a increase compared to other universes. I'm a little surprised the Cobra Cat survived.
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If you want my brutally honest take? Yes, it comes off as reductive. Again, a lot of dark ground was covered by IDW. A lot of VERY dark ground. Did we all forget that once they lost the licence? It wasn't all Rodimus and Friends have Super Whacky Space Adventures.
So it just seems... nitpicky at best to hold Skybound's violence up as too much, when the previous licence holder did a lot of stuff way beyond the pale too. But I guess it also gave us gay robots so... the violence was forgiven there? I donno, man. I donno.
I mean that's how writing... works? Oh Obi Wan told Luke about the Jedi and then, in the same day, takes him on a journey where he confronts his old Jedi pupil who was integral to his story he told Luke? What a calculated, hackfraud story!
I'm being silly, but that's what storytelling is, for the most part. A story that the storyteller wants to tell. All roads in the narrative need to ultimately converge on that point. Skybound feels like it wants to tell a story about the brutality of war and the scars it leaves behind.
It's not a bad story. In fact one could argue we need more stories pushing that narrative.
But to ding an author for moving his narrative in the direction he's set out before himself seems questionable.
I concede it's not for everyone. My main issue here, again, comes around to what it's being compared to. IDW's first G1 continuity ran for thirteen years, and was (rightfully) popular amongst the fandom. As the next major continuity following it (sorry IDW2) it's going to be compared against it. It's just natural.
And in IDW we got death camps. We got government-sponsored mutilation and lobotomization. We got the founding myths and pillars of society routinely pulled down as corrupt and irrelevant, if not harmful. We got prolonged torture, multiple genocides, each side guilty of an endless list of war crimes, black ops science experiments on unwilling test subjects... I could go on.
And none of this is bad. IDW1 is beloved for good reason. My point is simply that Skybound being liberal with the brutal violence really isn't this drastic sea change, is it? I mean...
... out of context? This fits IDW1 to a tee.
For me? It is refreshing. For all the kvetching about "oh it's just G1 again," when was the last time a new Transformers story committed to the "everyone was knocked out on the Ark for millions of years" setup? It's been a hot minute.
And after years of IDW's muddled "well maybe both sides are the heroes and villains?" storytelling, Skybound's decision to return to the Sunbow setup and just kickstart the franchise in a back to basics thing is like a splash of cold water. Like "oh wait yeah. We can have a Transformers story that's not one nerdy Brit working out his issues with the Labour Party and the state of British socialism. Huh. Fun."
Beyond that... I'm sorry man. I just don't buy "it's a step back" as a criticism. Such criticism implies that what has come lately is inherently, intrinsically better than what came before. Sometimes this is true. Social progress is an ever forward-marching force.
But you know what? Subjective opinions on the narratives that surround plastic robot toys don't apply to that. Maybe the post-war stuff Hasbro's been dabbling in lately appeals to you. And fair enough if it does. I admit, I find a lot of fun and interesting stuff in those settings myself. I get it.
Is that objectively better though? No. No it's not because art is not, and never will be, an objective medium. Transformers can be many things, has been many things, and will continue to be many things. Often all at once.
A comic series taking a back to basics approach does not represent some grand step backwards. It just means... the author of the comic wanted a back to basics approach. As Megatron once told Rung "sometimes a fusion cannon is just a fusion cannon."
And just for the record... Transformers had a major theatrical release this past year all about how the War started.
IDW1 ran for thirteen years. That's crazy. Unheard of in this franchise, really.
Skybound's just starting year two? I donno man. Give it some time? IDW1's opening plots weren't exactly groundbreaking plots either.
Bingo. There. I'm glad you said it.
I adore his overall body of work. His writing with Chromedome and Rewind came at a particularly vulnerable point in my life where I was coming out as gay to my friends and family. And seeing a same-sex (well "same gender-identifying") couple in my favourite franchise's ongoing book treated not as a source of comedy, but as normal helped give me the confidence I needed to embrace who I was. It's a truly special thing for me, and I'll always love Roberts for that.
Ofc the worldbuilding and social commentary was also great
But I guess... well... yeah. A lot of what he did isn't that different from what DWJ is doing, they just have their own styles. Emotionally heavy stuff, violent imagery and ideas... they're common themes to both of them.
Beyond all of it though... Roberts' run? It's over. I know some TF fans have trouble with that. You still have people trying to insist Animated can be brought back sixteen years later (I teach HS students who have lived their whole lives in a post-Animated world) for cripe's sake.
James Roberts will probably go down as one of TF's GOAT writers. He may not even be done. Furman kept coming back, after all. We might see Roberts pop up again. Hell, we may see it in Skybound! It's possible.
But comparisons to IDW1 were really unfair to IDW2, and they're unfair to Skybound. Yeah, Roberts was great, but lamenting "oh it's not James Roberts" is pretty unfair to... well... everyone else.
DWJ has his own story. He has his own style. His own way of telling a narrative. And I, for one, am enjoying it on its own terms.
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Personally, I really like EU overall. I like that it kinda feels like if the old 80's Marvel Comics adapted the Cartoon, rather then do 100% its own thing. As much as I'm tired of G1, I find that I really like this "back to basics" approach weirdly becuase its not trying to be "G1 but different", it feels like its trying to be straight up, unashamed G1 of the 80s in a soemwhat more modern lense. And its just not the tone of the stories, its the art as well. The art is also dark, rough, almost unrefined feeling, in a way the reminds me of comics of the 80s or earlier; but using modern comic pacing and page layouts. Its old school in a way that really stands out.
And as LGI says... you're basically complaining about the core tennents of story telling. You're bitching about how DWJ seems to only care to make his characters suffer, then seem to praise Roberts in the next breath. Maybe you need to actually go back and read those stories, but god damn does Roberts stories want to make the characters suffer. He would often make us like characters then almost immediately Kill them off, once they hit their peak. Pretty much every character get put through the wringer either metaphysically or physically and some even had both. Everything mentioned, lead to drama, lead to the characters suffering. Yet you hold that in higher regard then EU.
And even then you're comparing Year one of a new continuity, to Late Era IDW1 Fixfic comics where Roberts and Barber were trying to make everything that came before them make sense. Actully go back and read Furman's IDW and compare it to this. It's both similar and different... Skybound can go a lot of places in the future it could grow a lot once all the stuff in the three main series start paying off. It took IDW for-*******-ever to start paying off as well.
And as LGI says... you're basically complaining about the core tennents of story telling. You're bitching about how DWJ seems to only care to make his characters suffer, then seem to praise Roberts in the next breath. Maybe you need to actually go back and read those stories, but god damn does Roberts stories want to make the characters suffer. He would often make us like characters then almost immediately Kill them off, once they hit their peak. Pretty much every character get put through the wringer either metaphysically or physically and some even had both. Everything mentioned, lead to drama, lead to the characters suffering. Yet you hold that in higher regard then EU.
And even then you're comparing Year one of a new continuity, to Late Era IDW1 Fixfic comics where Roberts and Barber were trying to make everything that came before them make sense. Actully go back and read Furman's IDW and compare it to this. It's both similar and different... Skybound can go a lot of places in the future it could grow a lot once all the stuff in the three main series start paying off. It took IDW for-*******-ever to start paying off as well.
I think you have GB confused with the Marketing Department of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation?
Back to the main discussion, though, I think it's disingenuous to call out someone for calling a spade a spade. Energon Universe is generally a violent one. Is it more violent than what came before? Not necessarily, as has already been pointed out. Does that violence make it somehow less good? No, again, most of the posters here have stated that they enjoy it. (And those who don't have usually given reasons that are valid for them; are we really going to devolve into telling someone they are wrong for liking or disliking something because their comfort levels differ from our own?)
But calling Energon Universe violent is an accurate description. Is there more to it than that? Absolutely! I, personally, can't wait to see where these stories are heading, but I wouldn't for a minute dispute that these lean towards the violent side of the spectrum.
It's not really the existence of ANY suffering or violence that I'm objecting to. You arguably need at least a little of those elements in order to make a compelling action story. It's more about how concentrated it feels in as few issues as we've gotten. And how much of the focus it takes up in the comic.
Ultimately, I think it's more of a pacing issue rather than what DWJ is actually doing. If we were getting longer "breaks" in between spurts of violence, I think I'd have less of a complaint. But, like I said, EVERY issue feels like it has some sort of brutal moment. And given how back-to-basics the rest of the book feels, it really is the element that stands out to me the most.
And I think there is something to that. Because DWJ has usually done shorter runs. Most of his independent work is pretty short. So, you get this relatively quick burst of action and excitement for one series. And then it's over in 6 to 12 issues. And then he moves on to the next thing. But, over the course of more than that, it may begin to feel a little repetitive. DWJ doesn't have a lot of experience writing a longer run. And maybe some of this is growing pains, in a way.
It's like...imagine if writing a story was like making soup.
Soup has a lot of different ingredients. You have "spice" (character suffering and violence), "noodles" (long running mysteries), and "meat" (high concepts and goals). How you choose to mix and match those different ingredients is up to the individual "chef" (writer), but most "soups" include at least some of those ingredients.
Right now, I feel like the "soup" we've gotten has a whole LOT of "spice". And then like two "noodles" and one sad, lonely chunk of "meat". To me, it seems like a very "watery soup". To me, it feels like we've gotten a lot of "spice", but there's not enough other ingredients to offset or complement that flavor. All I'm tasting right now is "spice". If you added a little more of those other ingredients, I think I would personally like that "soup" more. It's not so much that I hate "spice", I just want more "noodles" and "meat" to go along with it. I don't necessarily want to get rid of the "spice". I just want more of these other ingredients, so that it feels like a heartier, more well balanced soup.
Now, there's nothing wrong with a "spicy broth". Sometimes that's all you need. Sometimes that's a refreshing change of pace for a meal. But, it's just not satisfying my particular "tastes" completely. But, that's on me and my particular tastes, and I'll admit that. I'm probably being a bit of a "snob" at the moment.
But, it's not really the worst criticism in the world if all this basically boils down to "I just wish there was MORE to this", is it?
That's a good point, actually. Because, you know what REALLY helped Furman's IDW run in those early days? The various other miniseries (like Stormbringer) and Spotlight one-shots we also got. They gave us little glimpses of the wider universe and teased ideas that they could expand upon later. It gave them a way to seed in different ideas that they could expand upon for later. It gave us other things to look forward to, even if the main book might be a little slower than we liked. There were slightly different "tones" and "perspectives" that those Spotlights could play with, because they weren't a part of the main book.
We haven't gotten that as much in this universe. We've been fairly focused on Earth this entire time, at least in the main Transformers book.
So, you know what what the "problem" might be? It's possible I'm having some problems with this universe because Void Rivals really isn't pulling it's weight. Because, in theory, Void Rivals should be filling the same role that the Spotlights did. Giving us a glimpse of the wider universe. But, it's taken so long to get to the point that it's kind of ended up being pretty "middling", for me. It's not bad, but it could be better.
So, maybe my issue isn't even really with DWJ's Transformers book. Maybe my real issue is that Kirkman's Void Rivals isn't a strong enough complement to it. If we had a stronger, more memorable book that had a different "feel" than the main book, I think I'd like this overall universe a little more.
*Ahem* Yean, I'll admit, I kind of just forgot that the movies existed? Some of the live action movies probably count. Although, from what I understand Transformers One was still technically pre-War.
...I...umm...still haven't gotten around to seeing it. I know. I'm sorry. I'm part of the problem, I know. I want to, I just haven't yet.
Oh, I'll admit that this is all 100% true. I am not comparing apples to apples here. It's VERY unfair of me to be comparing completed projects to an ongoing story.
...But, I'm not doing it on purpose. It's just something that happens without me meaning to. It's just in the back of my mind, bothering me a bit. I need to get over it already. It's been years. I know that. But, I'm just having trouble actually doing it.
And honestly, I might end up getting something similar to my "magic" idea. Since Optimus's "visions" seems to be headed somewhere. That may indeed end up being the direction we're headed. We may be right on the cusp of things getting a lot more interesting for me, personally. Especially if Void Rivals finally decides to pull the trigger on a few of it's long-running plot-threads.
Just, keep in mind, as long winded as my posts have been, a lot of this is just me trying to nail down WHY exactly I'm not loving this series as much as some people are. And lot of this is just me trying to explore my own feelings about this universe and why I feel this way.
Because Skybound really is resonating with a lot of people. A lot of people have discovered Transformers for the first time and are loving this. And I feel like I should be loving more than I am too. I like it. I'm enjoying it. But, some people LOVE this. And I just wish I did, too.
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I don't think anyone's done that, and I think you might have missed the point if that's what you took from Salt-Man Z, Shadewing, and myself.
I mean my last post was pretty clear on the subject when I said "I concede it's not for everyone."
My points were that what came before was just as violent, if not more, and that it's unfair to rag on what I consider a very solid piece of work because you (not you specifically, more a general "you") can't let go of James Roberts.
Like you wanna talk about personal comfort levels? IDW1- James Roberts' IDW1 at that- gave us Space Auschwitz. I'm Jewish. I lost family at Auschwitz. Roberts using it to code Grindcore made me far more uncomfortable than Starscream shooting Bumblebee in the face ever could.
So I genuinely find the pearl clutching over the violence level in Skybound a tad ridiculous. At best, assuming everyone is arguing in good faith, it comes off like selective amnesia about the last major comic run. Rose tinted glasses in the extreme.
That's fair, but this is also a public board. You put something out there, people may respond to it. Positively or negatively.
I just feel like a lot of this comes off as either holding Skybound to an unfair higher standard, being unable to move past IDW1, or both.
And I'm not here to tell you you're wrong for having a favourite continuity or writer, not at all.
I am, however, telling you that being unable to accept that run ended may be getting in your way of enjoying a new thing as much as you could, by your own admission.
On top of all of that, I just find the broad argument of "feels like a step back" lacking when it comes to anything subjective, which storytelling is.
We humans have a blindspot where if we like a thing then the next thing is bad if it's not suitably similar to the thing we liked, and we like to pontificate about "moving backwards" to give our subjective preferences more weight, because G-d forbid our opinions just be our opinions.
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I definitely have the same feeling... so far the Skybound run's theme, overwhelmingly to me, seems to be "war is hell." We see the effects it has on everyone - Optimus struggles with bringing the conflict to a new fragile world, Cliffjumper hesitates in becoming a cold-blooded killer, Ultra Magnus and his PTSD, Arcee and her regrets, Beachcomber becoming a pacifist, even Thundercracker's doubts, etc. There's a lot of good stuff to it but like you said, the overall plots and stuff are just rehashed Sunbow. I fully agree, war is hell, but it's also something I 'get' and I'm not sure where there's much more interesting to say on it?
Whereas, compare to parts of the IDW run, the Infiltration/Escalation stuff, or MTMTE, had a lot of new big ideas that were really interesting to get into, with Furman's more geopolitical 'phases' approach, or all of Robert's stuff with shadowplay, memory, it just really felt fresh and I was always interested in seeing where it was going. I do you think you make a good point that this is already the longest DWJ has written a book, so it could just be it's outside his wheelhouse. Time will tell. It's still very good and I'm enjoying it, mind you, but I agree that so far after the first couple issues it's sorta lacked that 'something special' for me that really elevates it top-tier, though I realize this is totally personal.