Transformers Ongoing #5

Optimus Prime and Spike Witwicky have a chat that could define the future of Autobot and human relations! But lest you think it’s all talky-talk, back at Rodimus’ camp something big happens, something very big.

Transformers #5 is a beginning and an end. It’s an end to the three separate storylines that the first four issues of the ongoing series bounced between. Gone is the Bumblebee mini-series, which took place concurrently with the last few ongoing issues. The hide and seek games with the humans are coming to an end. It’s a new beginning for the three storylines, as the pieces start to fall and the storylines start to meld. Things start to get big, both figuratively and literally.

Leading up to Issue #5, the Bumblebee-led segment of Autobots is recovering from their face off with the Colonel Horuchi’s secretive Skywatch group. Bumblebee sacrificed himself to free his fellow Autobots and his human friends against both Skywatch and the Decepticon Skywarp. Bumblebee survived and his body rebuilt, which is quickly addressed and tied into the ongoing story. The Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime group of Autobots are working on building a ship to get off of Earth, working alongside the remaining Decepticons that are under the leadership to Swindle. Ultra Magnus is on Earth, still investigating the death of Ironhide and surrender of Optimus Prime, bouncing from the Bumblebee camp to Hot Rod’s camp. Spike Witwicky of Skywatch, meanwhile, seeks answers from Optimus Prime regarding their purpose on Earth.

Transformers #5 begins with Optimus Prime providing both Spike Witwicky and the readers with a full explanation of his sudden resignation as Autobot leader and surrender to Skywatch. His actions serve a dual purpose, as a peace offering to the humans and a means to create change for the better with the Autobot ranks. Ultra Magnus returns to Bumblebee’s camp and demands their assistance in performing his designated purpose. At Hot Rod’s camp, overconfidence leads to a mistake that causes a shift in the status quo. In turn, this shift will ultimately tie the storylines together and provide for one cohesive story over the upcoming issues.

Writer Mike Costa is starting to deliver on the promise he made it the DeceptiComments section following Issue #4, with his goal and purpose becoming quite clear. While his apparent interpretation of characters over the first few issues seemed different that those we were familiar with, Issue #5 starts to reveal that these are the characters we remember and that their odd actions or statements have purpose behind them. Optimus Prime starts to speak more like the Prime we remember and love. Ultra Magnus has an “I can’t deal with that right now” moment with Bumblebee mentions big changes (referring to Bumblebee #4). The only characterization that seems far off still is that of Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime. While Hot Rod (in his various representations in various continuities) at times is immature and makes rash decisions, his actions thus far in the ongoing series have proven absolutely disastrous at every turn. He’s not just unlucky, he’s oblivious and inept as a leader and as a soldier.

By now, readers of the ongoing series are familiar with Don Figueroa’s art style for this series and that its mostly been a love-it or hate-it issue with the fans. The art style hasn’t changed from that of the earlier ongoing issues, but this issue contains Don’s best work yet in the series. Everything from the placement and posing of characters in each panel to his angles and perspective are top-notch, with no let down during any part of the issue. The last three pages are primarily full-page panels and are both gorgeous and stunning. James Brown has contributed in Don’s efforts as well, providing some eye-popping colors and effects which amounts to his best work yet in this series as well.

The Ongoing series thus far has proven to be divisive among the fans. Deviation from the familiar isn’t always a popular choice. The Ongoing team seems to be listening to fans as they move forward in the development of this series. While keeping to the storyline that has intrigued fans of the series thus far, they have started to incorporate elements desired by those who have addressed concerns about the series. As the series moves beyond its infancy, individual developments are starting to merge and a cohesive, interesting story is developing. IDW has big plans for this series and they attempt to reinforce that by making a HUGE, albeit expected, statement at the end of Transformers #5.

Overall Rating: 4.5

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