Transformers Robots in Disguise #27
DEATH OF A HERO! BUMBLEBEE! RODIMUS! ULTRA MAGNUS! PROWL! One will fall in final battle with SHOCKWAVE! This one is for all the marbles, folks—it just doesn’t get any bigger than this!
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Covers and Images
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Release Info
Publisher | IDW |
Type | Comic Book |
Series | Transformers Robots In Disguise |
Story Arc | Dark Cybertron |
Release Status | Released |
Year | 2014 |
Release Date | March 2014 |
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Print Data
Incentive Description | Robots in Disguise #27 features one incentive cover. One copy of the incentive cover was provided for every ten copies ordered through Diamond Comic Distributors. Comic Book stores were also able to order subscription covers, with the intention that these covers would only be provided to customers who place the issue on their "pull" lists. |
Total # of Covers | 3 |
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Artists, Writers and More
Cover A | (Artist: Casey Coller) (Colorist: Joana Lafuente) |
Cover Sub (Subscription Cover) | (Artist: Phil Jimenez) (Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.) |
Cover RI (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: Marcelo Matere) (Colorist: Priscilla Tramantano) |
Artist | Andrew Griffith, Livio Ramondelli |
Colorist | Josh Perez |
Letters | Tom B. Long |
Writer | James Roberts, John Barber |
Editor | Carlos Guzman |
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Synopsis
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Review
Review Submitted By: Mechafire
This is it, folks - we’re almost at the of Dark Cybertron, IDW’s epic crossover event of both the More than Meets the Eye and Robots in Disguise ongoings. But before we dig in, let’s recap what happened last issue: In Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #27 (Dark Cybertron Part 10), we were presented with a much more laid-back, James Roberts-y More than Meets the Eye-ish issue, focusing primarily on character interactions and the drama therein. We had the Dead Universe crew trying to figure out how to escape, Shockwave finalizing (and finally explaining) his plans, the More than Meets the Eye and Robots in Disguise crews finally meeting back up (and the fantastic interactions between them), and a few seeds planted for what would be seen in the next issue. It ended with Shockwave summoning his army of 70 billion(!) Ammonites to defend him, and that’s where this issue starts...
But not before we get a flashback dealing with Hardhead and Brainstorm. Following from a point from the last issue, we get some more details about what exactly is going on with Brainstorm... and, it appears he’s dead. But for the good news: Hardhead is alive again (or was, at least). This scene also helps to fill in how Nova Prime had went from his defeat at the hands of Optimus Prime at the end of Transformers: Revelation (Spotlight: Sideswipe) to his appearance in the Heart of Darkness miniseries.
Next, we jump to the various Cybertronians attempting to fend off the attacking Ammonites. It’s a very nice splash page - and one thing of note is that Jetfire appears in his upcoming Generations Leader Class body, which is actually a cool little detail in my opinion.
Next, Bumblebee and co. are trying to figure out what exactly is going on and what to do about it, while we get some cool interaction between baddies Shockwave, Jhiaxus, and (finally!) Bludgeon. The sequence that follows is quite neat - when Jhiaxus activates the time drive, we’re presented with various scenes from Shockwave’s past. It’s a pretty cool callback, and I appreciated it quite a bit. Monstructor is then ordered to go and delay the Cybertronians for as long as he can, while Dreadwing prepares to finish off Galvatron.
But before that can happen, we jump to inside Metroplex, where Magnus and Windblade have an amusing conversation about the current situation. Magnus lays out that they have a plan, and Metroplex gets up to go out and deliver some heroic nonsense.
While this is happening, Bumblebee, Megatron, and the others attempt to enact their plan, heading out onto the battlefield to meet up with Soundwave. Starscream’s group is also there fighting the good fight, with the confrontation between Starscream and Megatron being put on hold by Bumblebee for now. We also see Metalhawk confronting Bumblebee - the former seems to have snapped out of his rude awakening, back when he tried to attack Bumblebee.
But while this is happening, Monstructor is advancing on their position. He’ll be there any moment - and this is when the Constructicons urge a hesitant Prowl to combine. Forming again into “Prowlastator”, he goes to confront Monstructor. But unfortunately, we don’t see much of it, as we immediately have Bumblebee’s group enacting their plan - Skywarp attempts to teleport them all to Shockwave’s lair, but this proves too much for him, and so a few volunteer to stay behind. After teleporting, Bumblebee urges to not let their sacrifices be in vain - right before Waspinator is stabbed through the chest by Bludgeon. Yes, the universe still hates Waspinator. Magnus, Skids, and Brainstorm all stay behind to keep him busy while Bumblebee and Megatron head for Shockwave’s lair.
Metalhawk also leads Starscream and Rattrap to Jhiaxus’ workshop convinced that the key to stopping Shockwave’s plot lies within. But they are confronted by Jhiaxus himself, who has donned toy commercial - err, I mean, reactive - armor. This allows him to grow wings on his arms akin to Metalhawk’s, which he then promptly beats him with. When Starscream tries to blast him away, he simply adopts his his form. Coming soon to a Toys “R” Us near you.
It’s then that we cut to what is probably the biggest scene from the book, and perhaps Dark Cybertron period. Megatron and Bumblebee arrive at Shockwave’s lair, with some opening dialogue from the two which is actually quite clever and amusing. When Shockwave doesn’t show himself, Dreadwing attempts to fend off the two invaders... but is perhaps somewhat unsuccessful, as Megatron promptly blasts him in half. Better luck next time, Dreadwing.
The duo then finds a weakened Galvatron lying on the floor. Megatron goes over to dispatch of the great warrior, mocking his legacy as he does so. Bumblebee tells Megatron they should simply spare Galvatron, as he’s already been beaten. Megatron isn’t going to back down, though, as it is the same Galvatron who tore him in half before. Bumblebee then tries to convince Megatron to let him live, asking if him being a killer is what he had envisioned when he was dreaming of being something other than an energon miner, all those millions of years ago. He eventually convinces Megatron to spare the warrior, inspiring him with a great speech about they’re all stronger together than apart...
... Right before Shockwave enters and blows a hole through Bumblebee.
Yes, this is it - the advertised and much-discussed “death of a hero” for this issue. Shockwave makes one heck of an entrance (you could say it’s quite... shocking), killing IDW Bumblebee off. There’s no ambiguity to it either - immediately after, Megatron kneels down to him and mutters “He’s dead.” two times before attacking Shockwave in rage. While the two face off, Galvatron goes to Dreadwing and tells him that now would be a good time to withdraw. Megatron continues to fight Shockwave, but Megatron is too late to stop the time drive, as it is a part of Shockwave now!
Meanwhile, Bludgeon and Skids are still fighting Bludgeon. It’s quite nice to see Bludgeon in action, and he’s no slouch. He gets the upper hand, stabbing Skids.
But while this is going on, Brainstorm is not feeling too good. Lying on the floor in inexplicable agony, Magnus calls to Brainstorm while Bludgeon advances on him. As he prepares to finish off Magnus, A fist suddenly emerges from Brainstorm’s chest...
Optimus, Rodimus, and the others have returned.
In relatively stark contrast to the previous issue, this is almost entirely an action issue, with some good bits of dialogue sprinkled here and there. It’s, again, an improvement over the earlier Dark Cybertron issues - both Barber’s and Roberts’ writing is solid, although you do get the feeling that this one was more Barber than Roberts (perhaps appropriately; it IS a Robots in Disguise issue after all). We get some revelations, entertaining interactions, and cool action scenes. I’m personally eager to see how it will end in the Finale; I just hope it doesn’t feel rushed or cramped, and that everything wraps up naturally.
One complaint I do have is the toy tie-in deal. Some Dark Cybertron issues have pulled this off relatively well, but I wasn’t feeling it here. Jhiaxus’ whole “reactive armor” shtick felt somewhat clunky and haphazard, to me at least.
As for the art, it’s Griffith doing what Griffith does - it’s, again, definitely better than some of the earlier Dark Cybertron art, although a few panels do feel a bit cramped and clunky, but it’s nothing major (and it may just be because there is A LOT going on in this issue). And Perez once again delivers excellent, vibrant colors.
Ever since chapter 8 of Dark Cybertron, I feel as if the event has really been steadily stepping it up, and I’m glad to see that’s holding true; while I perhaps didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the last issue (which was probably my favorite Dark Cybertron issue), it’s still one of the better chapters of the crossover. I was worried that it would go out with a whimper rather than a bang, but fortunately, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case.
Overall Rating: 4
Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Additional Info
Robots in Disguise #27 is Chapter 11 of the 12-part Dark Cybertron event.