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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Jun 30, 2010 15:22:40 GMT
Hurrah!
Unexpected post of the nicest kind.
Martin
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Post by Kingoji on Jun 30, 2010 17:40:52 GMT
I have also recieved my copy!
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 30, 2010 20:03:47 GMT
How unexpected to get this today.
-Ralph
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panderson
Protoform
Kiss Me? Hardly!!!
Posts: 548
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Post by panderson on Jun 30, 2010 20:16:12 GMT
Wait..what! - did this come in a quite thick parcel? I got home and got the lovely PO card saying something was too big for my letter box (oh err) I think it must have been this
Roll on weekend when I can collect GRIN
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 1, 2010 7:40:02 GMT
Mine also arrived!!
Paul, Hubris was in its usual card-backed "Please [ignore this request to] do not bend" envelope so should have slid nicely into your letterbox.
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Post by Shockprowl on Jul 1, 2010 8:17:33 GMT
Mine slid very nicely through my letterbox yesterday, and what a feast it was. Haven't got through it all yet, but I loved the Flame AtoZ, and the reveiw of Spotlight: Prowl was spot on. To me, that story is now Spotlight: Streetwise and shall be for ever more!
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panderson
Protoform
Kiss Me? Hardly!!!
Posts: 548
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Post by panderson on Jul 1, 2010 8:32:08 GMT
GRUMBLE GRUMBLE stupid postie - unless it was something unexpected?
mmm slag it why can't I get to postie at lunch to solve this mystery? oh yea because I can't get to the main office and back again in that time - lovely rural service
OK whinge over - just looking forward to you sweet sweet hubness
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Post by blueshift on Jul 1, 2010 11:55:52 GMT
....ohhh yeah, I need to update Graham with my new address!  |
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Post by jameso on Jul 2, 2010 17:34:55 GMT
Really enjoyed the Crankcase story, interesting look at pre war society (jobs, businesses, friendships etc) and a spotlight on a character without any previous distinction. (That I'm aware of.)
Fascinating bit of brutality dropped in unexpectedly as well.
Great illustration, too.
All other features top notch and brilliantly presented as always.
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Post by Kingoji on Jul 2, 2010 18:01:22 GMT
I kinda missed the Micromaster tech-specs...
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The Huff
Thunderjet
Hufferlover
Posts: 4,243
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Post by The Huff on Jul 2, 2010 22:44:11 GMT
This popped through my letterbox today aswell. Thanks Graham! Have read the review on Decepticon Dambusters and the Brawn profile entry so far before having to go to work but will read the rest soon, hopefully before going to bed.
The nicest thing to come through my letterbox since LSOTW finished.
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 6, 2010 6:25:56 GMT
Thanks for your comments, guys!
Maybe I'll do some more Micromaster tech specs. There are plenty of the little bastards left to cover!
James, thanks for commenting on the Crankcase tale, I'm pleased you liked it.
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Post by legios on Jul 6, 2010 6:34:16 GMT
My copy of this has arrived and I have had a chance to have a quick scan over it. Looks good, further thoughts once it has had a proper read over.
Karl
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 6, 2010 7:41:52 GMT
As always, Karl, I look forward to any comments you might have; good or bad.
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panderson
Protoform
Kiss Me? Hardly!!!
Posts: 548
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Post by panderson on Jul 6, 2010 8:45:59 GMT
wooop got mine now - rescued from the PO - will report back asap but looks spiffying already in my grubby hands
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 6, 2010 15:07:01 GMT
Paul, you must have a letterbox too small for my Hubris to squeeze into then.
I hope you enjoy reading it!
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Post by Mark_Stevenson on Jul 6, 2010 18:09:50 GMT
Pure class as always!
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 6, 2010 19:29:38 GMT
I especially enjoyed the Flame A-Z.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Jul 6, 2010 21:45:00 GMT
I know I say this every time, but that is because it remains true every time, but the production values of this issue are truly top-notch. From the glossy paper-stock to the clear and excellent layouts it is a visually impressive and satisfying production.
The covers are fantastic as well - Ed's front cover image is geniunely striking - with Octane looming over the oppressed Crankcase. The back-cover image is rather nice as well - feeling almost as if the next issue is forcing its way through the cover of this one.
As to the actual content, as ever we have a decent mix of fact and fiction. The A-Z commentaries are surprisingly good reading - especially for one such as myself whose knowledge of the latter comics is a little bit unreliable. These are not only a handy primer for those unfamiliar with the Marvel comics, but also serve as good "reference capsules" for us old-timers whose memory circuits are not what they were.
The Flame AtoZ is wonderful - distilling down from what we learn on-panel and simmering until a solid character-bio emerges. It is lovely to see comic-only characters like Flame get the AtoZ treatment to go alongside toy characters. I could definitely go seeing some more AtoZ's in this vein.
As ever your reviews make for good reading - erudite, concise and well argued your views are thought-provoking whether I disagree with you (Spotlight:Prowl) or agree wholeheartedly (Crisis of Command).
The fiction content if this issue may be represented by only a single story, but it is punching well above its weight class and can certainly more than hold its own. I usually leave the fiction content of an issue till last - the reading equivalent of my habit of trimming around a meal carefully leaving the best bit for last. This issues fiction was well worth leaving for last. Case in Point is a wonderfully focused story. It is as good for the layers of characterisation it gives Crankcase and Octane as it is for its insight into Decepticon recruiting practices in the pre-war era. Focusing the story firmly through Crankcases perceptions gives it an added immediacy and weight, and also helps to define Octane further as a character through seeing him as he may appear to those around him.
Both some of what we see of the Decepticon Modus Operandi and the denoument of the story ring true to what we know of their future. Not to mention being a bit disturbing when you sit down and think about them - as they should, after all this is the Evil Decepticons we are talking about not some oppressed minority just breathing to be free. A very good story indeed and accompanied by a fantastic image from Ed.
All told #14 maintains Hubris' exceptional standard proudly. It is a slick (and I mean that in the best possible sense), stylish and very high quality publication. Overall #14 rates as another fantastic issue - a well-presented and very satisfying read.
Karl
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Jul 7, 2010 5:15:48 GMT
What Karl said.
I take it the Crank-Case story is set before the Decepticons notice that their enemies have the ability to create new Transformer life while they don't, and realise the foolishness of sending willing Decepticon brain modules that could be installed in mighty war machines to the Smelting Pool.
Martin
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Post by legios on Jul 7, 2010 6:36:04 GMT
What Karl said. I take it the Crank-Case story is set before the Decepticons notice that their enemies have the ability to create new Transformer life while they don't, and realise the foolishness of sending willing Decepticon brain modules that could be installed in mighty war machines to the Smelting Pool. Martin Or possibly whilst they still believe that they can win the war with a series of lightning strikes, using strategic agility to negate the Autobot advantage of numbers. Which, until the unlikely Autobot victory at the Seige of Iacon, does seem to have worked out fairly well for them. Their attitude probably changed once the war entered its entrenchment phase right enough though. Karl |
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Post by blueshift on Jul 7, 2010 7:02:21 GMT
I just want to echo the above. What a brilliant, brilliant all-round publication!
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 7, 2010 7:56:35 GMT
I especially enjoyed the Flame A-Z. -Ralph Thanks, Ralph! I really enjoyed writing this one, and Ed's artwork really evokes the feel of the AtoZs. He's done good. There's going to be a whole host of comic-only characters in the next few issues. |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 7, 2010 12:06:56 GMT
All told #14 maintains Hubris' exceptional standard proudly. It is a slick (and I mean that in the best possible sense), stylish and very high quality publication. Overall #14 rates as another fantastic issue - a well-presented and very satisfying read. Karl As always, Karl, I am humbled by your kind comments. I'm glad you liked the issue. I'm really pleased you liked "Case In Point". I quite fancied a change of pace, and wanted to see something personal for the Decepticons. Also glad you liked the Flame AtoZ. It was a challenge to write one based just on comic appearances. In fact, going by just their comic appearances, a lot of Transformers feel quite different to their personalities as described by the Tech Specs and Universe bios. Thanks again for your thorough comments! |
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Post by The Doctor on Jul 7, 2010 18:10:36 GMT
Any other comic character A-Z's would be most welcome. As would a feature on differences between tech specs and character portrayals in the comics.
-Ralph
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Post by grahamthomson on Jul 7, 2010 20:18:45 GMT
I take it the Crank-Case story is set before the Decepticons notice that their enemies have the ability to create new Transformer life while they don't, and realise the foolishness of sending willing Decepticon brain modules that could be installed in mighty war machines to the Smelting Pool. Maybe there's a certain caliber of brain module required for these mighty war machines. Although there was no sign of Megatron or any of the Decepticon founders at the recruitment site, so maybe it wasn't even official and/or just an excuse to get raw materials. You do make an excellent point though, as in all the pre-Earth Marvel stories there was no sign of endless hordes of newly Matrix'd Autobots protecting their city-states from the apparently non-reproducing Decepticons. Hmmm... |
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Post by karla on Jul 7, 2010 21:58:28 GMT
Got it a few days ago, am very excited about reading it  The cover looks awesome! |
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Post by jameso on Jul 8, 2010 0:33:59 GMT
I was wondering, on a second read of Case in Point it became clear that the recycled materials were the stuff that was being ripped out of the unfortunate robots, but was any recycling going in it the smelting pool itself?
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Post by Kingoji on Jul 8, 2010 4:19:04 GMT
I'd say the entire victim would be recycled. They were just being checked for parts or components before hand that would be more useful as is than as part of the steel casing of a warhead or whatever, which is where the rest of the body may end up.
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Post by legios on Jul 8, 2010 6:52:41 GMT
Maybe there's a certain caliber of brain module required for these mighty war machines. Although there was no sign of Megatron or any of the Decepticon founders at the recruitment site, so maybe it wasn't even official and/or just an excuse to get raw materials. /quote] An interesting point. It could have been a local initiative, in fact it would fit well with being something a younger Straxus had initiated - given that he went on to have a pretty much genocidal obsession with culling out the unfit. It seemed in The Smelting Pool more an end in itself than a proper attempt to reclaim resources, but he would have had to have started small at some point.... Karl |
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