Today’s Comic> Transformers #21

"You picked that up at Botcon, didn't you?

Transformers #21

IDW Publishing (July 2011)

Rodimus returns with the Matrix, Ironhide, Wheelie, and Sunstreaker. Rodimus gives it to Optimus and warns him about Galvatron’s operations on a now-livable Cybertron. Optimus decides to returns to Cybertron and most of the Autobots will follow him. Bumblebee, the current leader, feels he’s been bypassed but remains behind to clean up the rest of the Decepticon presence on Earth. In the back-up story, Megatron is being taken with the leaving Autobots but Prowl is still investigating Spike’s murder of one of the Constructicons.

What they got right: Finally, everybody is back together and preparing for the upcoming “Chaos” events. Hot Rod is officially Rodimus but thankfully isn’t Rodimus Prime. Prowl here is again written better than he’s been in years and his back-and-forth with Megatron is proof of that.

What they got wrong: Why make Bumblebee the leader if you don’t care about him? He’s right that the Autobots are ignoring him in favor of Optimus so why not make Optimus the leader officially (as it should be) and get it over with? Also, how can you wave off what Sunstreaker is guilty of against his allies but still hold Spike accountable for his actions against one member of the enemy? It’s all right for Sunstreaker to do what he did to Hunter, the Earth and the Autobots but Spike murders one Constructicon–again, the enemy, and it’s still a major issue? Finally, everything just gets pushed through quickly to make way for the big event starting up, and it feels as rushed as it is. If your not ready for the event DON’T START IT! You only have one ongoing Transformers title, after all.

Recommendation: Unless your already following the series, you might as well wait until the Chaos arc begins, if that even matters. I’m not happy about not being able to recommend a Transformers comic, my #1 fiction. I’m starting to rethink my theory that IDW loves me and that Doctor Who is just a fluke. Godzilla has been only half good and Transformers is sadly hard to recommend.

There’s not even anything here “Best Scene” worthy, not even the Prowl/Megatron scene.

Tomorrow’s Comic: The Transformers #1 (Hundred Penny Press reprint edition)