With issue #16 hitting local comic shops today, let’s take a run through last month’s epic episode. Michael Bay would be jealous of this one. Flowing from one episode into the next, we find the Decepticons, led by Soundwave, are plowing through cities with zero regard for life. explosions, fire, death everywhere. It’s pretty horrifying to read through each panel knowing that the human death toll is rising exponentially because of the unchecked wrath of the Decepticons.
There is an interesting panel where one of the Decepticons, Thundercracker seems to have pity on a small field creatures, allowing a number of humans to escape before leveling their building. he questioned sounds way of about these tactics however sound wave in some sort of poetic, somber tone reveals that this destruction is necessary in order to claim a home of their own. This is also intent on luring out the Autobots for yet another skirmish.
While the Autobots do inevitably make their way to the scene, they are unfortunately greeted by the military who see no difference and begin firing. Curiously this leads Optimus to break out into some sort of Rage mode nearly crushing a tank before the Autobots snap him back to his senses and they flee. This is not the first time we have seen Optimus unleash a side unbeknownst to many, but more clues later in the issue reveals it seems some Autobots possess a vengeful Wrath which they try to keep dormant, recessed to the furthest part of their minds. We have seen Optimus snap into this before, but it seems the symptoms are worsening. He is not the only Autobot to succumb to this anger as Arcee admits to nearly succumbing to it as well in a previous issue.
Back on Cybertron, Cliffjumper who was previously thrown through the work gate, finds his Autobots regrouping back to their own camp however is horrified to see them taking more vicious stuff like, and assassin like Behavior. one Autobot comments that this is what the war has done to them and there is no turning back. there seems to be a division Among the Autobots, between those who agree with Optimus Prime and his vision of a war with few casualties, While others embrace its very nature of violence.
It’s fascinating to see how there may be a Decepticon or two lamenting the violence, while Autobots are condoning it. Certainly an unexpected twist.
With all this happening, we find our primary Decepticon antagonist, Starscream, assaulting the Autobots at the same time as Soundwave converging on their location. however it is not the Autobots whom Starscream wishes to attack, but Soundwave and his minions. The final page reveals Starscream has a secret weapon as a familiar military combiner takes shape.
This has to be one of the most fast-paced issues to date. It’s exciting, it’s nonstop, and better yet it doesn’t feel like I plow through the comic. There’s so much happening within these pages yet does not feel like I’ve blown through it in a rush. kudos to the entire team, Daniel Warren Johnson (writer/art), Mike Spicer (artist), Jorge Corona (artist), Sara Stern (colorist), and Rus Wooton (letterer). Onward to the next episode!
