Transformers: Tales of the Fallen #6
IDW Publishing (January 2010)
WRITER/LETTERER: Chris Mowry
ARTIST: Alex Milne
COVER “B” (shown): Carlos Magno
COLORIST: Josh Perez
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
EDITOR: Andy Schmidt
Just before Alliance #4, Arcee was kidnapped by the Decepticon Thundercracker and used in an experiment by Flatline. Low on viable protoforms, they plan to use Arcee’s spark to activate them. Also the subject of experiments are Autobots Skids and Mudflap. Arcee, however, gains control of all three protoforms and uses them to get herself (herselves?) and the other two out of the Decepticon base and on to Earth.
What they got right: Hey, I can tell them all apart now. Good job, Perez. While we still don’t get to see their combination gimmick in action, we do get the origin of Arcee’s change from her original movie design (not used in the movie, but was used for her original toy and earlier IDW comics appearances) to the one used in the second movie. Also, a reason for Skids and Mudflap being morons, which I only consider a good thing because any positive attempts to fix the current two most hated characters in the Transformers Multiverse (Daniel and Wheelie can take a break) should be applauded.
What they got wrong: I used to think it was Simon Furman who hated Arcee after what he did to her in IDW’s G1verse, but now I think it is IDW who has the problem. Look, Mowry, just because she’s a robot doesn’t mean you can put her through the constant nightmare female characters in comics seem to be putting through. The whole “forced sex change” bit Furman gave us was bad enough, and still worse that what happens to her here, but this is still pretty bad.
Recommendation: At least we get explanations for Arcee’s new form(s) and Skids and Mudflap’s insanity. It’s still a pretty good story overall, and worth a look.
I'm not sure if this is "sick" or "badass".
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