Transformers Regeneration One #88

WAR IN THE CITY! Anarchy reigns on the streets of Iacon as SCORPONOK’s grip tightens further, and those AUTOBOTS still willing and able to resist look to their absent leader—who is on an endangered list all of his own. Beneath the surface of CYBERTRON, HOT ROD runs for his life, locked on a collision course with his maker, PRIMUS!

The Regeneration One series continues on, for better or for worse. Are the pieces being put into place for something grander or is the series just spinning its wheels?

In the last issue, Scorponok reveals his plans for Cybertron by showing Grimlock his plan to turn all Transformers by activating the warrior gene, while Rodimus beings his quest to locate the Primus Chamber. On Earth, Ultra Magnus heads back for Cybertron while Optimus Prime remains. At the Ark on Earth, Galvatron and Starscream discover the remains of Shockwave rigged up to the ship’s circuits. In Regeneration One #88, the Autobots struggle to control the spread of the Warrior Gene on Cybertron while Grimlock struggles to keep his agreement with Scorponok. Meanwhile, another Decepticon plots his course of action on Cybertron, Hot Rod moves deeper into the depths of Cybertron towards the Primus Chamber, and Galvatron calculates his next move on Earth.

Simon Furman continues writing duties. Unfortunately, this issue meanders along, has little in the way of plot progression and features much of the same dialogue and actions for characters such as Scorponok and Grimlock that we would expect from Simon. It’s typical Furman-esque writing and the spoken word is fantastic, but the spark in the story seems to be the same we’ve seen in his other work. The most exciting part of the story is surprisingly Hot Rod’s request for the Primus Chamber, which reveals one not-necessarily-unexpected surprise and one more surprising find. Even though the issue does seem to spin its wheels, the next step made by two major Decepticon characters seems to be setting up a multi-faceted war coming to Cybertron.

Andrew Wildman continues on art. Wildman’s work continues to be very consistent. His art remains very organic, but isn’t too flashy and isn’t too vague. John-Paul Bove’s colors continue to be impressive.

Regeneration One #88 does indeed seem to be spinning its wheels, without any build up or anticipation to the next big event. With a dozen issues left in the series, there is still the hope of something grander in place but those hopes fade a little with each passing issue featuring similar content

Overall Rating: 2

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