I have to start this review with major praise for all the Covers on issue 18. The main plus all variants, the spoilers, are all incredible. Personally speaking, I don’t normally Reserve multiple variant covers from my local comic shop. However, since I have an inside track on upcoming releases, there was no way I was going to let these variants slip through my fingers. I did not pick up all of them, but the A main, B variant, and F cover spoiler variants were my picks. None of these are the ratio variant covers (which tend to be pricey), but nonetheless these, in my opinion, are the “must-have” covers for this issue.
The spoiler covers featuring the full art for the original created character, Shredhead, and the spoiler variant featuring an imposing headshot of Megatron, with tattered wires running from his optic ports to Laserbeak on his shoulder are straight-up incredible. Gritty, powerful, with a sense of dread. Call me biased but these are up there with some of my favorites from Marvel Issues #5, #50, #75, Marvel UK Time Wars, Dreamwave’s Stormbringer series, and the Lost Light covers which homage Justice League International. This is not a competition, but certainly ranking in my top ten, thus far. How they continue to produce consistently incredible cover art and interior art without any slowdown is beyond me.
Onto the story!!
The war never ends! It’s all out fighting everywhere. On Earth and on Cybertron, the Autobots are overwhelmed. With their backs to the wall, they never give in, they are giving it their all! Optimus Prime valiantly rallies his troops to stem the loss of human life as Bruticus and Devastator continue to… well… Devastate everything around them.
DWJ brings back the wrestling nod as Devastator takes Bruticus off a building via Diamond Cutter. Unfortunately, this destroys buildings in a multi-mile radius. Optimus and company feel defeated, but they don’t know defeat until the final pages.
Elsewhere on Earth, Ultra Magnus shows Arcee, Beachcomber, and Carly his refuge. The conversation is cut short as an armed battalion of humans approach, with Magnus breaking out the BIGGEST FREAKIN’ GUN I have ever seen (thus far). It seems the humans are prepared, and manage to temporarily knock them all out, abducting Magnus. Oh boy, this is not going to be good for his PTSD.
On Cybertron, the newly birthed Shreadhead cuts down Decepticons left and right, giving hope to the remaining Autobots.
As Bruticus and Devastator continue to beat the hell out of each other, the insane and completely unhinged Starscream (still attached to a Cobra H.I.S.S. tank) still pursues Soundwave for leadership. Soundwave seems to gain the upper hand until an errant remark sends the Decepticon Air Commander into a vengeful fury which nearly. Starscream is about to deliver a killing strike until…
… The part where I mentioned the Autobots truly recognize defeat? It’s here.
Megatron has arrived. With wires and cables leading from his optics into the frame of Laserbeak, in a cold, calm, and collected tone, the Thanos/Darkseid/Kingpin-like Megatron orders both to stop. He lifts up Soundwave, regroups his troops, which allow Starscream and Astrotrain, who seems extremely upset, to make a hasty retreat. The final page delivers a Shatter Machine of emotional heights, as Prime says one word as the shadow of Megatron looms over…
… Retreat.
Good Primus Almighty. A chilling end to this arc.
I don’t do it enough. The goosebump-inducing wrap to this arc is an epic-level read. I’m geeking out here. I absolutely must acknowledge the freaking incredible work by the creative brilliance here. Daniel Warren Johnson (writer/artist), Jorge Corona (artist), Mike Spicer (artist/colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer), Ben Abernathy (editor), who collectively have rejuvenated my craving for Transformers comics. Their work consistently brings such an intense mental level of emotional pull for each issue.
Inspiring really. Maybe one day I’ll get to tell my own tale. Maybe.
One day.
