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Post by dinogrrl on Nov 19, 2009 1:29:46 GMT
Hutch has put up the cover for Issue 2 of Last Stand of The Wreckers. As usual, it is lovely. fav.me/d2dpq2q
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Post by charlesrocketboy on Nov 19, 2009 12:12:22 GMT
Can the man do no wrong?!
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 19, 2009 15:08:18 GMT
Brilliant. He really does know how to design covers, an art sadly mostly lost in the direct market. I would love an art book of his covers.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Nov 19, 2009 15:44:42 GMT
Cracking stuff!
He is indeed a splendid cover designer. The industry needs more chaps like him!
Andy
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Post by legios on Nov 19, 2009 21:49:19 GMT
That is very striking. It is the sort of thing that would leap out of the shelf at you. Ah, if only more comics had cover design like this the racks would be a much more interesting thing to look at.
Karl
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Post by karla on Nov 19, 2009 22:28:20 GMT
so tonal
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Post by Bogatan on Feb 17, 2010 23:00:18 GMT
In the hopes of avoiding preview talk in the other thread, I create this here thread.
Andy
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 18, 2010 18:22:35 GMT
OK, gonna be kinder to this issue than I was in the #1 thread, by not bringing with me all my complaints about the nature of TF comics of the 21st Century. But we're off to a bad start because FP Cardiff only bought in four copies, and they were all of cover B. Dammit, my complete run of Nick Roche comics with Nick Roche covers, begun with 'Spotlight: Shockwave', has been broken! As a result of this disappointment, I don't think any comments on Trevor Hutchison's efforts would be fair or objective... Bit hard to make out the various limbs on page 1 (though I can do it with concentration). Think it might have been better to have two TFs who weren't blue attacking Overlord from the front. I can do without the pink bodily fluids, but the rest of page 2 is staggering in its detail. Overlord's transformation sequence is a thing of beauty (as it was in issue #1), and I really like the approach of showing a crystal-clear mid-transformation with pale colours. I'm sold on this I think. Best thing you can do to portray transformation on the printed page, I suspect. I also like the tiny figures battling on the ground as Overlord flies over. There appears to be a rather vicious-looking flamethrower thing down there that I wouldn't mind seeing up close (though not in real life). As mentioned in the other thread, I think page 4 is marvellous writing. Ever since 1984, every Transformer has had a motto, but no-one (to my knowledge) has ever had a conversation about the fact within the stories. Nice to see the four new characters all with different views on the subject. I also like the snappy patter about the blind trader. On the robots-not-humans portrayal thing, I'd have rather seen Ironfist carving the motto in Cybertronian (with a translation in a footnote) using a blade built into his wrist, but then he reminds us that robots can trade away their own body parts (such as eyes) and get new ones, so thumbs-up there. Edit: Is the thing Ironfist is using to carve the motto on the table supposed to be what he later attaches to the end of Impactor's right arm? Nice to see Snare getting some lengthy sequences of dialogue after all that significant glaring in #1. He comes across as refreshingly intelligent, eloquent and thoughtful for a Decepticon. I'm not sure we have the whole story with regard to his motives though, since if Impactor brings back Autobot help he's not exactly going to have all his problems sorted for him. We'll see! Impactor comes across as a bit less sophisticated than Snare. His hostile reaction to being called an Autobot rather than a Wrecker is very Grimlock. "...Autobots staggering back to their cells, eyes like bullet holes, flinching at the gaps between their fingers..." - very Eugenesis there, James. Ooh, some cutting remarks from Impactor on page 9. Damn, I like that putdown in panels 3 and 4. Grimlock wouldn't have managed that. Impactor-1, Springer-0. Maybe Snare doesn't have a monopoly on eloquence after all. I am thinking more Sean Connery in 'The Rock', who read philosophy in his cell and knew the less experienced troops he was being sent back with were novices by comparison, while he had the moral high ground. Rotorstorm's a braggart and the least likeable of the new Wreckers, but I do like the way he can pilot two ships at once better than anyone else can pilot one on its own. (Robots-not-humans again.) Cerebro-sensitive bullets - nasty. OK, unlike what happened to Skyquake, I can accept that anyone shot with one of these is a goner. (More robots-not-humans, good stuff. But nasty all the same.) The Wreckers have strategy as far as getting through the force-field goes. That is _apparently_ where their strategy ends. Like in the battle at the start of the issue, it is, as Overlord puts it, heads down, fists up, charge. It was the same in 'Wrecking Havoc' and 'Time Wars', and they have this in common with the Dinobots too. It's a wonder they are known for being the best of the best rather than the guys who die and fail - though unlike the Dinos, the Wreckers have apparently suffered losses over time. But still! You would think that as well as heads-down-fists-up-charge suicide squads, the Autobots would also have some commando teams that followed clever strategies and so suffered fewer casualties and won more battles. Or maybe the real elite are so good and so successful that no-one ever hears about them. Nevertheless, maybe the Wreckers do have some tactics that we'll see them apply to wrong-foot Overlord next issue. You really would think that if they've fought him before they'd make sure they had something that could defeat him before trying again... even if no more sophisticated than Roadbuster's path-blaster in 'Time Wars'... Some nice action sequences near the end - Impactor catching Twin twist, Perceptor shooting upside-down (though he didn't really need to tell us, "I feel the need to shoot someone," in the middle of a pitched battle). And we end with at least some of the Wreckers on the ground and facing Overlord. What are the odds of next issue consisting entirely of the 'Bots and 'Cons all sitting down calmly together and debating the finer points of mottos? Martin
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Post by Bogatan on Feb 18, 2010 18:41:30 GMT
What are the odds of next issue consisting entirely of the 'Bots and 'Cons all sitting down calmly together and debating the finer points of mottos? Martin I can only hope. I nearly had to opt for a B cover, but comic guy took one of the a covers from the preorder pile. I really do like the B covers, but Nicks fee llike proper comic covers. Andy Andy
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 18, 2010 20:39:35 GMT
According to Wikipedia:
æquitas is the nominative form of the Latin æquitatem, meaning justice, equality, conformity, symmetry, or fairness, and is the source of the modern word "equity". In ancient Rome, it could refer to either the legal concept of equity, or fairness between individuals.
In Roman mythology, Aequitas, also known as Aecetia, was the minor goddess of fair trade and honest merchants. Like Abundantia, she is depicted with a cornucopia, representing wealth from commerce. She is also shown holding a balance, representing equity and fairness. During the Roman Empire, Aequitas was sometimes worshipped as a quality or aspect of the emperor, under the name Aequitas Augusti.
Well, I never knew that before.
Martin
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Post by Jaymz on Feb 19, 2010 0:23:19 GMT
I can get you a cover A if you want Martin, I order slightly more than 4 copies of this comic.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 19, 2010 6:51:04 GMT
I can get you a cover A if you want Martin, I order slightly more than 4 copies of this comic. Ah, go on then. PM me how much and your e-mail address and I'll PayPal you for it. Damn it, still have some of that completist blood in my veins. Martin
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Rich
Protoform
Posts: 824
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Post by Rich on Feb 20, 2010 17:15:22 GMT
Just stopped by my local comic shop to get this and they'd sold out. More in on Thursday, apparently.
Just thought I'd share that with you all, not entirely sure why:)
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 20, 2010 17:29:59 GMT
Just stopped by my local comic shop to get this and they'd sold out. More in on Thursday, apparently. Just thought I'd share that with you all, not entirely sure why:) Well, if James W gets me a cover A like he says on Monday, I'll have a spare copy (with cover B) that I don't have a use for any more, and you can have it if you like. I was planning to offer it up for nowt on a first come basis anyway. Martin
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kayevcee
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
The Weather Wizard
Posts: 5,527
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Post by kayevcee on Feb 20, 2010 18:29:03 GMT
æquitas is the nominative form of the Latin æquitatem, meaning justice, equality, conformity, symmetry, or fairness, and is the source of the modern word "equity". In ancient Rome, it could refer to either the legal concept of equity, or fairness between individuals. Could Aequitas be the TF equivalent of the Ultimate Nullifier, as featured in Marvel Adventures Avengers? -Nick
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Post by skillex on Feb 20, 2010 19:09:59 GMT
Not posted for a while but I had to drop by to see what you guys are saying about this book. I confess that I am absolutely loving it!
While I am loving the Marvel UK vibe, I am also pleased it fits in so well with the Furman-created elements of the IDW-verse. Although I'm not the biggest fan of AHM and the ongoing, I've still been loyally buying all of it as it comes out. It goes without saying that this series is a bit of a return to greatness for IDW (no wonder, considering the Prowl Coda and more). I like the mix of the old Wreckers like Springer and Impactor with the keen newbies. Overlord is a great character and there are still plenty of mysterious - Kick-Off's reward, just what Impactor did in that room that was "too far" and of course, the mysterious Aequitas.
Roll on issue 3!
I loved the Xaaron namecheck too. When I was a child, he was always one of my favourite characters. Now we're getting a Lord Straxus toy I'm hoping we get deluxe-sized iterations of Impactor and Emirate Xaaron in the Generations line too.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 21, 2010 13:43:18 GMT
æquitas is the nominative form of the Latin æquitatem, meaning justice, equality, conformity, symmetry, or fairness, and is the source of the modern word "equity". In ancient Rome, it could refer to either the legal concept of equity, or fairness between individuals. Could Aequitas be the TF equivalent of the Ultimate Nullifier, as featured in Marvel Adventures Avengers? In navigating with trepidation and curiosity the unfamiliar paths of other forums to see how the series was being received so far... and cringing at those who either dismiss or worship it depending simply whether it features minor roles for characters that they despise or adore with a passion (some people dismiss the comic as bad because it features this Verity character, others think it's the best comic ever because Black Shadow has a cameo, neither of which says much for the critical faculties of the reader in question) I came across an interesting observation, namely that we have one character called Aequitas (meaning justice) and another called Verity (meaning truth). Could it be that Verity is in the series for a very particular reason, and that these threads will all be brought together in some important plot development before the story is concluded? (If so, I'm glad I've been holding fire on the hyperbolae up to this point...) Martin
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Post by charlesrocketboy on Feb 21, 2010 14:39:25 GMT
I just got it today:
Violence! Mysterious, murky stuff with Impactor and Springer! Pyro being lovable! Yet more mysteries and development for the grunts! A big scary cliffhanger! Yet more violence!
I am a happy reader.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 25, 2010 8:26:18 GMT
Just looked at the 4-page preview of issue #4 of the ongoing series. I actually like the artwork very much indeed, and would be sold on the story... except that after four pages I feel like I've read one page's worth of text. I like a 22-page comic to take me 20 minutes to read, and if the preview pages for the ongoing series are representative of the rest of the issue, they probably take less than 5 minutes to read. Hardly worth sitting down for LSotW does much better on this score. 'Spotlight: Kup' is however I think the IDW issue that I've seen that comes closest to my optimum words/plot-per-page ratio. Martin
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nick
Spark
Chris Ryall's Butt-boy
Posts: 131
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Post by nick on Feb 25, 2010 17:58:08 GMT
Howdy Hubbas! Just wanted to drop in and say how much I've enjoyed the back-and-forths and ins-and-outs of the chatter going on here caused by Last Stand. You guys are my home crowd, and I take your opinions very seriously, so these threads have given me a lot to think about. And all feedback has been so well thought-out and well-presented, that it's been a blast to check out the different approaches you've taken when wreading Wreckers. I'm still on art dutes (for #5!) so I won't have much chance to come and discuss things about the series for the next few weeks, but I hope those that stick with us will get something out of it all. #4's feedback is the one I really wanna be here to see! Anyway, it takes time out of one's life to form and put forward the various points that have been presented here, and James and I appreciate your giving freely of yours. Take care, gang, Nick
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 25, 2010 18:30:29 GMT
Well I'm glad I stuck with the series because though #1 wasn't my cup of tea, I really enjoyed #2. I just felt it hung together much tighter. I'm pleased that Impactor isn't a retread of his Marvel incarnation, intrigued about Snare and curious as to what Overlord is up to. I had feared from #1 that he was an 'evil arena of death combat' bloke, which was partly why #1 wasn't quite doing it for me, but with the flashbacks here it's obvious that his plan is much more interesting and intricate than that. I also thought the pacing in the lead up to the Wreckers landing/crashing on Garrus-9 was spot-on.
Good stuff, and I'll be back for #3.
-Ralph
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Feb 25, 2010 19:34:03 GMT
Oooooh! Martin
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nick
Spark
Chris Ryall's Butt-boy
Posts: 131
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Post by nick on Feb 25, 2010 19:46:04 GMT
Ralphington, that's GREAT news! Thanks for taking the second punt on it. I really hope we can keep the quality curve rising, and with it, your interest. I hugely appreciate your sticking with it. Martin: Yeah, I'm not saying #4's gonna have a positive or negative effect around here, but I think you'll be tickled by a few moments. Nick
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Post by Bogatan on Feb 25, 2010 20:23:48 GMT
Nick any chance we'll be seeing Impactors alt mode?
I'm hoping for a little inspiration as coincidentally he and Overlord are my current custom projects. Though after 12 months and no work done, current maybe optimistic. And besides that I've always just been curious about the alt modes of fiction characters as they almost never transform.
Andy
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Rich
Protoform
Posts: 824
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Post by Rich on Feb 25, 2010 20:39:58 GMT
Thanks to Martin's generosity I've now read issue 2 (and I reread issue 1 just before that - I must have been more drunk than I realised when I read it the first time as I didn't even notice the tmuk reference!). Again, lots of enjoyment to be had (the motto scene!), and like Ralph I thought the entry onto the planet was marvellously paced (I know it's not the done thing to say this, but the feeling I got reading two issues back-to-back was that this will be brilliantly paced trade, which is not to say that I think there's something wrong with its pacing for single issues).
Martin, I hope this doesn't make you wish you’d given your spare copy to somebody more worthy, but as somebody who stuck Black Shadow in a story as a Big Bad (at your recommendation, I seem to recall), I was ridiculously delighted to see him in an official comic:)
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nick
Spark
Chris Ryall's Butt-boy
Posts: 131
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Post by nick on Feb 25, 2010 20:57:18 GMT
I must have been more drunk than I realised when I read it the first time as I didn't even notice the tmuk reference!). Not to worry. James and I were cleft-faced on meths when we wrote it. Yay for Black Shadow! Andy: I couldn't possibly comment on alt-modes in this series...take that answer in the only one can, I imagine! (Is it obvious I'm having an unproductive day at the drawing board...?) Nick
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Post by Bogatan on Feb 25, 2010 21:11:10 GMT
I wont bother to ask about Kick Offs alt mode then.
Andy
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Post by legios on Feb 25, 2010 21:42:42 GMT
I've finally had a chance to read this issue properly now (it skipped to the top of the to read pile, dethroning Siege#2 which shall have to wait till the weekend now) , and I have to say that I rather like it. The second issue reinforces my feeling that this is in some ways a very old-fashioned comic - and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible.
There is a lot of content in this issues. In terms of the dialogue we get a lot of light shed on the characters in this issue. The relationship between Impactor and Springer is sketched in very nicely, and in a way that feels very natural and sounds like two characters talking without a sense of them the info-dumping for our benefit. Guzzle is absolutely terrific - a character who appears to only really relate to things by blowing them up - he is both funny and very believable as a character. He has not displaced Ironfist as the standout character of this series so far, but I have definitely warmed to him over the course of this issue.
Overlord's characterisation is really the high point of this issue for me. In the first issue we got the sense of him bringing death and carnage in his wake, but it is hear that we really get a sense of him having a methodical and scientific approach to death. Both from his dialogue and from the art I get the sense that he is a thinker as well as a an engine of destruction. It nicely raises his threat level, and along with the final panel gives me an alarming sense that he may have planned more of what is going on here than it seemed at first glance. (It only adds to his stature that he is the only Transformer we have seen in the IDW universe to basically tell Megatron "take your best shot, in your own time". He certainly has chrome-steel ball-bearings.
We have lots of hints dropped about the mission being about something other than it originally seemed, and about uncertain but unpleasent sounding things beginning to happen to the Jumpstarters. There are enough plot-hooks in this issue alone for two or three modern-style miniseries really.
The art is good as well - and also adds to the sense of their being a lot of content in the issue. There is a lot going on unobtrusively in the background of a lot of the scenes, which gives a nice life to things. I like the scenes in Magnus' ship a lot in this regard. Their is a good sense of the Wreckers being crammed into a small space and having to get on with things whilst under each others feet.
The Wreckers insertion is a wonderful sequence as well, it has a real sense of breakneck action to it (and is a charmingly absurd plan too).
Lovely colour transition too - kudos to Mr Burcham - from the bright backgrounds of the Wreckers' assault to the gloom of Overlord's appearance on the final page. It creates just the right feeling of suddenly slamming feet first into a brick wall.
A nice, well-paced, satisfying slab of content.
I look forward immensely to #3
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Feb 25, 2010 21:46:13 GMT
In my dreams, Xaaron is behind everything.
-Ralph
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2010 23:18:32 GMT
I've now received the first two issues and I'll read them both together at the weekend.
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