Transformers: Bumblebee Reviewed

[grahamthomson]

I always wait until I've read all the issues of a series before writing my review. With that in mind...

Transformers Comic Book Review — “The Impossible Knot” et al

In many a young Transformers fan’s imagination, Bumblebee, at some point, has been promoted to Autobot leader. The smallest and cheapest Autobot, part of everyone’s collection, has been the epitome of the underdog: the nervous and shy type destined for greater things. It’s David and Goliath for today’s changing robot. And so, some 25 years later, IDW Publishing turn this platitude into a 4-issue mini-series called “Transformers: Bumblebee”.

IDW Transformers Comic Book Review - The Impossible KnotWriter Zander Cannon takes the events of IDW’s Transformers Ongoing series and contrives a storyline in which Bumblebee can get a turn as Autobot leader.

The script is an interesting exploration of the title character’s naivity and how he deals with pressures from all sides as he strives to do the right thing.

Despite this character-work, however compelling, the plot feels forced and there’s a sub-soap opera intelligence that pervades the story and its cast. Certain ideas and entire scenes stretch credibility and the saccharine sentimentality is cause for much eye-rolling.

Chee’s artwork, brooding and evocative, is this comic’s main strength. Every panel is its own mood, whether showing the Autobots’ claustrophobic hiding places or the free flowing action scenes. Admittedly, it’s not for all tastes.

Chee ignores the character designs already established by previous IDW comics, instead opting for full throttle nostalgia in the look of the Autobots and Decepticons.

“The Impossible Knot” et al is limited in its appeal. While most comic books can still win over a reader with a good script if the artwork is not to their tastes, Transformers: Bumblebee doesn’t have that to offer. Bumblebee is one of Transformers most popular characters and certainly has a lot of story potential, but this series is just shy of properly living up to it.

Verdict: two stars out of five.

“The Hanging Sword/The Impossible Knot/The Gift Horse/Wings of Wax” (88 pp) was originally published by IDW Publishing in Transformers: Bumblebee #1-4 (December 2009-March 2010)

More reviews of IDW's Transformers comic books: www.the-hub.co.uk/category/comics/idw/

[dinogrrl]

Hmm, interesting to read a full review of this by you. I watched this series from a distance, but it never compelled me to pick it up. Your comments seem to confirm my thoughts that it was meant mostly for a younger audience than us as well.

[grahamthomson]

I felt like giving IDW's new books (Ongoing, BB and that Wreckers one) a fair chance at the beginning of this year.

[Deleted]

I've still got to read to read issues 3 and 4 of this. Because I suffer from Magnussens Syndrome* whenever I read a TF comic I have to read every issue at least once.

*A rare syndrome that can be best explained in one quote - 'I've started so I'll finish!'

[legios]

Mar 18, 2010 19:06:19 GMT @zudobug said:

Because I suffer from Magnussens Syndrome*

So not Magnus syndrome then? (Commonly defined as the need to procrastinate or an inability to "deal with that now")

Karl

[Fortmax2020]

So that's what's wrong with our students! They kept telling me it was a real condition.

[dinogrrl]

Well, it's always good to give them a fair shot, but the problem was that neither the Bee mini nor the Ongoing drew me to them in terms of the art or the storyline as presented in previews. Not the full picture for sure, but you gotta inspire people to pick them up in the first place, and they didn't.

Other that LSoTW, the only thing that's seems intriguing enough is the Ironhide mini, and 90% of the intrigue is based on Casey Coller drawing it!

[Andy Turnbull]

I liked the art of Bumblebee and read the first two issues. The story was just pretty dull and uninspired and was full of gaping holes in logic so I abandoned it.

Andy

[Deleted]

Bravo! Great review Graham - you hit the nail on the head. It's a shame that TF Bumblebee made a promising start only to descend into some truly cringeworthy plotting. I hear though, that the series was intended for a younger readership so maybe that explains a few things, but I know when I was 10 years old I found Marvel UK's Transformers a grown up read and loved them for that.

Incidentally I thought #4 was an improvement on the previous two instalments so ended kind of okay. I wonder if Bumblebee's 'redesign' will carry over to the Ongoing?

[legios]

Graham, a good review there and one that confirms me in my feeling I was right to bail out when I did. (I bought the first issue and read someone elses copy of #2 which persuaded me not to buy any further issues).

You certainly put your finger on my main problem with the series. It felt as if the characters, on all sides, were being played as fundamentally a bit stupid. Not in an endearing kind of way either, they were just incompetent - which didn't really foster much attachment to them in all honesty.

It is a shame, because I did quite like some of the art, but the storytelling let it down a long way.

I find it curious that IDW are suggesting that this was somehow aimed at a different age range. That might explain some of the plotting actually, but if it was the case then surely they could do with rethinking their marketing strategy because there didn't seem to be a credit-card thickness between the way that this and the ongoing were marketed so I am at a loss to work out how exactly they were expecting to attract different audiences.

Karl

[Deleted]

I think it's already been mentioned many times about IDW's curious marketing strategy. They have a tendency to say one thing and then do another which is confusing many a fan.

[grahamthomson]

Thanks, guys. Glad you liked the review.

It'll be interesting to see what impact this series will have on the Ongoing. Technically, BB is still Autobot leader, so we'll see...

[Deleted]

I've just read the final two issues of the Bumblebee mini and I couldn't believe how bad they were. The stories didn't seem to have much of a direction while the art falls quite flat when humans are drawn. The little girl who seems to be the star of these two issues goes from looking like a slim kid in one frame to a chubby one in the next.

[The Doctor]

I like the artist but felt he was mis-cast on this book. Somone like Guido would have suited it better, but no, that would invoke The Curse Of Guido which isn't fair for him.

-Ralph

[Deleted]

I thought the art was good but I don't think the human characters were drawn quite good. The artist seems to me like one of those artists who is good at drawing mecha but not humans.

[The Doctor]

If anyone would like my copies of #1-4, drop me a PM before the end of the month as after that they will be charity shopped.

-Ralph