Transformers Windblade #4

PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE! WINDBLADE seeks out the last refuge she has left, the living city METROPLEX as his malfunctions intensify! WINDBLADE realizes that even if she survives STARSCREAM, METROPLEX himself may doom them all!

The much-discussed Transformers: Windblade series now reaches its final issue, and #3 opened up some big mysteries and offered some revelations perhaps there was more than we thought as to what Starscream was up to. It seemed as though he may have been (partly) innocent after all, and what exactly was going on with Metroplex? With all these questions laid out, will writer Mairghread Scott and artist Sarah Stone deliver, or will the series end with a whimper rather than a bang?

Last issue, we opened up by witnessing the series’ first big action sequence between Windblade’s group and the Terrorcons - but it was to no avail, as Starscream entered the fray and finished the job himself. Capturing our heroes, he discussed with Blurr and the others about the current state of Cybertron while Windblade was tortured for information by Rattrap. Shortly after, Starscream himself entered and exchanged a few words with Windblade - words which caused her to have doubts in regards to his true motivations. Returning her to the cells, it was not long before Chromia burst in and saved everybody, setting them all free making a big exit. Starscream and his henchmen attempted to follow, but were momentarily stopped by Slug and Blurr. Windblade then revealed to Chromia that she didn’t think Starscream was behind everything, and the issue ended with the series’ most intriguing cliffhanger as Metroplex’s spacebridge mysteriously started to activate...

Windblade #4 picks right up from there. The issue opens up with the crew heading towards Metroplex as fast as they can, while Starscream and his goons chase after them. After fending them off, Windblade and Chromia arrive at Metroplex’s brain, where the meat of the issue takes place. Attempting to seal themselves in, it isn’t long before Starscream bursts in and engages in a fight with Chromia. Having run out of options, Windblade integrates with Metroplex - a risky maneuver that allows her to “become one” with the Titan, giving her the ability to temporarily drive back Starscream while she recounts memories of both her own past events and those of Metroplex and the Titans. Immediately after this, a twist is revealed as the big mystery is solved. Having an option to either return to Caminus or stay on Cybertron, Windblade chooses the latter as she assists Starscream and proposes a truce, which he accepts. The issue ends with everyone seeming to make amends, and Windblade declaring that her fight has only just begun.

Mairghread Scott again puts out writing that is on the same relative level of the past three issues - not a big upgrade or downgrade. The issue begins with the gang heading to Metroplex as we’re treated to the issue’s first fight scene, then progresses into the main part of the issue when they reach Metroplex’s brain. After some fights and revelations, an interesting semi-cliffhanger involving Starscream is set up, and I’m interested in seeing if and how it will pay off in the future. There’s some nice world-building and dialogue in this issue, and I once again have to give props to Starscream specifically. He’s been consistently brilliant throughout this series, and that doesn’t stop here. Coming out of this series, I think my main overriding feeling is “forget the fembots, put this writer/artist team on a Starscream series”. We haven’t had a Spotlight: Starscream yet, right? Perfect opportunity right there! And the ending of this issue most definitely sets up a potential Starscream-focused story that I and many others will probably be interested in seeing play out.

As for Sarah Stone’s artwork - I personally feel that the art in this issue is perhaps the strongest it’s been since issue #1. One panel featuring Starscream in particular is absolutely fantastic, and might be my favorite panel of the entire series. It should also be noted that the main fight in this issue is probably the strongest action scene we’ve gotten from Sarah so far - it’s clear and it flows nicely, clearly getting across what is happening; an improvement over issue #3’s fight scene which some felt was a bit hard to follow. Sarah’s art overall remains vibrant and downright stunning, and I look forward to seeing her work in future Transformers books.

Overall, this issue is a tricky one to judge. A small note from John barber at the end assures us that Windblade and co.’s story will be picking up in Robots in Disguise (and I assume Windblade Returns), but looked at on its own, I felt that this issue missed a few beats I was expecting and looking forward to seeing. It’s not a bad issue, but some previously-established concepts and characters seemed to be forgotten about in favor of resolving Windblade’s core story. And while that is indeed what this book should be primarily focusing on, it left me wondering what had happened to everything/everyone else by the time I’d reached the end. Given how the issue ends, and going by what the creative teams have been saying, I do expect (and hope) these things will be picked up on in the future - but for now, it just left me scratching my head a bit. But despite that, there’s still a lot of good stuff in there - the fight scenes are improvements over the last ones we got, there’s some interesting world-building and concept set up, the dialogue is still solid, and the artwork remains fantastic. I think a lot of my feelings on this issue depends on what will be done in the future, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out in Robots in Disguise and WIndblade Returns.

Overall Rating: 4

Issue #4 of a four-issue mini-series.

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