Transformers Ongoing #2

After the shocking events at the end of last issue, the Autobots are in total disarray. An unexpected leader rises, and unlikely alliances are made.

As Major Spike Witwicky leaves the house of a scantily clad woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico in an inactive Breakdown, he receives a call from Skywatch who is concerned that he has been unavailable for the last seven hours. Spike attempts to inform them that he took himself “off the grid” for some personal business. Skywatch informs Spike that the Skywatch base camp was attacked while he was off-grid but that the attack went as anticipated and that their plan was executed without human casualties. As the reporting soldier looks up at the surrendered Optimus Prime, he informs Spike that he better get back to base.

Back at the Autobot base, Brawn, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Hot Rod, and Ratchet discuss Optimus’ sudden surrender. While Cliffjumper originally believes that Optimus’ surrender is some sort of test, Hot Rod believes that Optimus’ response was completely a “freak-out”. As they wonder what the next step is, Cliffjumper suggests that they elect a new leader. Hot Rod thinks an election will be useless as everyone will just vote for themselves, so he states that he’s just going to leave. Brawn disagrees and is ready to fight Hot Rod to prove his point. Bumblebee steps in, asking why anyone would want him to stay if he didn’t want to be there. As he walks out, Hot Rod asks why anyone would want to stay.

In another part of the Autobot base, Hot Rod addresses another group of Autobots. He states his case for leaving Earth, stating that Megatron is dead and that he does not want to become just another item for the humans. He exclaims that he is going to leave Earth and that anyone who wants to can join him. Among those who can be seen leaving with him include Jetfire, Prowl, Blurr, Sideswipe, and Red Alert. As Hot Rod leaves, he looks back at a dejected Bumblebee.

At Skywatch base, Spike is communicating with his superior (who happens to also be his father). Spike confirms that Optimus Prime is in custody of Skywatch and that they are prepping to ship him off to an unspecific location by the next morning. His father, however, orders a change in plans by suggesting that Optimus be kept at the Skywatch base. He also recalls that Spike was offsite for the Autobot attack and Optimus’ surrender, suggesting that the higher power will be re-evaluating Spike’s position.

Back underground at the Autobot base, Ratchet confirms that some of the departed Autobots that accompanied Hot Rod were Jetfire, Red Alert, Sandstorm, Silverstreak, and Mirage. Cliffjumper continues his harsh attitude towards Mirage, calling him a “flake”. Bumblebee intervenes, asking the remaining Autobots not to judge those who left. He also believes that those left need to elect a new leader, suggesting that they need to nominate someone. Cliffjumper then nominates himself.

Meanwhile, the Autobots that have decided to leave Earth are in a canyon trying to convince Omega Supreme (who is in his tank and rocket mode) to transport them away from Earth. Hot Rod states that they can go anywhere, although Cybertron wouldn’t be a likely destination due to it being uninhabitable. Omega worries that he does not have enough Energon to reach orbit, although Hot Rot suggests that the Autobots can ration and contribute their remaining Energon to him. Ultimately, however, Omega Supreme refuses to leave because Optimus Prime is still on Earth.

Nearby on a ridge, the Decepticons Swindle and Scrapper have been spying on Omega Supreme for the last three months. They have been waiting for Omega Supreme’s Energon levels to lower in order to attack and are now concerned that an Autobot caravan has joined Omega. Overhearing that Optimus Prime has been captured and that Hot Rod is apparently in charge, the Decepticon forces on the scene attack. As the Decepticons attack, Omega suggests that the Autobots take cover within him. As the Autobots retreat under heavy fire to behind Omega’s armored walls, Hot Rod runs through the firestorm and tackles Swindle and demands to know what the Decepticons are doing in the canyon. Swindle replies that the Decepticons thought that the Autobots were planning on attacking them. Suddenly, both Hot Rod and Swindle wonder why there are fighting.

At the Skywatch base, Spike orders that the soldiers remove the higher activity inhibitor from Optimus Prime. As the inhibitor is deactivated and he transforms to robot mode, Spike tells Optimus that they need to talk.

Back at the canyon, Hot Rod and Swindle attempt to keep the two forces calm. Red Alert doesn’t understand why they are talking to the Decepticons, while Tankor believes they should fight just because the other side is Autobots. Swindle speaks to the Decepticon forces there, stating that the war is over and that the sides do not exist anymore. He turns to the Autobots and suggests that they should work on getting off of Earth together. Although he was reminded that he had just saved the life of a Decepticon (Breakdown in Issue #1), Prowl is concerned about collaborating and trusting soldiers that they have been at war with for centuries. Swindle then assures Prowl that a soldier without a war wants nothing more but than to go home. Hot Rod suggests they put the Autobot-Decepticon collaboration to a vote.

Within the confines of the Autobot base, Ratchet confirms that the Autobots who have decided to leave have turned off their transponders. Bumblebee wonders how they would even get off Earth. Wheeljack returns to the room and announces that he has tallied the results for the Autobot leadership election. With a large number of Autobots from the field voting, Wheeljack informs Bumblebee that he has been elected as the new leader of the Autobots. Bumblebee is stunned. Before he can say anything, Cliffjumper is upset and claims that the election was nothing more than a popularity contest. Bumblebee takes no offense, stating that he doesn’t even want the job and that they should hold another election. Ratchet attempts to convince Bumblebee otherwise, saying that the Autobots who voted for him feel that he is someone they can trust and depend on in a time where they have suffered losses from Ironhide’s death and Optimus Prime’s surrender. Bumblebee still doesn’t feel certain he wants the job, but Ratchet suggests that he should hide those feelings for now. He urges Bumblebee to go talk to the Autobot forces, thank them, and talk about the next move.

Before the conversation can continue, alarms sound at the Autobot base. Although Bumblebee worries that the humans have found them and is about to order Silverbolt to lead a counter-offense, Ratchet confirms that the alarm has detected something Cybertronian. As they head to the surface, a Cybertronian ship lands. Ultra Magnus, enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, steps out of the ship and demands to know who is in charge. With hesitation, Bumblebee informs Ultra Magnus that he is the appointed leader.

Transformers #2 sets the bar for future issues of this ongoing Transformers series. While the first issue established the basis for the series, the second issue is all about story. There are no large shocks like those seen in first issue and the story moves along with solid story development. There is plenty dialog and plenty action, which should satisfy the wide array of Transformers comic fans.

Many past Transformers comics have been bogged down by writing featuring characters who like to talk too much. A comic, being a very small book, needs to be quick and precise and not present what amounts to a full college thesis. Mike Costa’s writing thus far in the series has been easy to read. While the amount of dialogue in the issue is large compared to other Transformers series, individual pieces of dialogue are short and to the point. In turn, it moves the story along quickly. More so than the first issue, Costa seems to stay true to the established characters. Hot Rod’s portrayal in this issue is done rather well. While providing motivation for the character, he stays true to the occasionally reckless character old time fans remember. Costa seems to understand that his writing can allow a character to grow while ensuring that the past background on the character is not erased or forgotten.

The only part of the writing in this issue that is bound to create some issue among fans is the portrayal of Spike Witwicky. The Skywatch lead is portrayed in this issue as a womanizer who uses the immobilized Breakdown as his own personal method of transportation. While this issue sets him up as the first morally questionable Spike, it also seems to set him up for an eventual redemption story. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen.

The issue also provides the first look at Decepticon interaction for the ongoing series. While the Autobot forces following All Hail Megatron were, at one time, united, the Decepticons forces have been splintered. In turn, that leads the current Decepticon story to be more intriguing. The intrigue is enhanced by Costa’s choice for the leader of the Decepticon cell….Swindle. It’s not an obvious choice, so it is nice to see and read how the writer handles the story progression and character development.

For those who had complaints in regards to elements of the Transformers character art redesigns, this issue attempts to respond to one of the specific complaints. Whereas the robots were drawn with teeth in the first issue, the Transformers in this issue were featured with primarily white space in place of teeth. The change makes the Transformer faces look a little less human-like and a little more robotish. Moreover, it eliminates a distraction and allows the reader to enjoy positive elements of Don Figueroa’s redesigns. Don has a knack for incorporating trademark elements of popular characters while providing a new design that is a refreshing change. His portrayals of Brawn and Omega Supreme in this issue come to mind in regards to this point.

This issue shows how a proper, ongoing Transformers comic can be done. Costa presents a solid story supported by Figueroa’s detailed art. The issue provided just the right amount of content, not attempting to throw too much into one issue. The reader feels satisfied at the end of the issue, while still wanting more thanks to a few loose ends and the cliffhanger at the end of the issue. If you can provide a story that makes the reader want more after the ending, you’ve made a successful ongoing series. Mission accomplished thus far, IDW.

Overall Rating: 4.5