Review: Revolution #1

By: Michael S. Dworkis

This week, IDW kicked off their own multiple-title spanning universe with their major crossover arc, Revolution. The goal is to unite multiple properties, many of which we have not seen in years, possibly decades. Current titles such as Transformers and G.I. Joe are joined by the more recently released comics like Micronauts, ROM, and Action Man, (and they are soon to be joined by M.A.S.K.).

Issue #1 of the main story kicks off with a scuffle between the Transformers and G.I. Joe, with some backstory involving the death of a Joe in a cave littered with Ore-13. This mineral, another form of power for Transformers, was introduced into the series way back when IDW originally took over publishing rights to the property, with their first story arc titled, Infiltration. Ironically, the story in Revolution is about the infiltration of other alien races, hinting to the Micronauts and the Dire Wraiths, the latter of whom sound more and more like the main villains, but we do not yet have the definitive confirmation of it yet.

The story is quick and gets to the point, the population of Earth is not happy about Optimus Prime attempting to bring Earth into a “Council of Worlds” recently introduced in the Transformers and TF: Windblade series. The Earth Defense Command, a nod to the original Transformers cartoon, is disbanded and G.I. Joe is reformed under the command of General Joe Colton himself. A fight breaks out, and suddenly, ROM just shows up from nowhere, starts killing Joes left and right, then assassinates a key figure, and leaves. Of course this leaves the human folk believing this “Space Knight” is teamed with the Transformers in their quest to overrun Earth.

The dialogue feels a bit lacking, but it is forgivable as I imagine the writers needed to put as much information as possible into this first issue. The other issue I have is the checklist order IDW released. In my next review of Revolution: ROM, I will touch a bit more on that, as the events of this issue actually follow events in ROM’s Revolution one-shot. In short, you should read the ROM one-shot before reading Revolution #1.

I look forward to seeing how the other properties gradually continue coming together. If you have read previous issues of Transformers, ROM, GI Joe, and Micronauts, there have been a number of clues and in the case of ROM, outright discussion of the other “alien species” on Earth.

I’m hyped, as this has turned into a very intriguing trip into my 80’s nostalgia.