How Bay’s Transformer movies are funded.
Transformers: War Within – The Age Of Wrath #2
Dreamwave (October, 2004)
WRITER: Simon Furman PENCILER: Joe Ng INKERS: Ferd Poblete, Tracy Ho, & Erik Sander COLORISTS: Josh Burcham, Sig Torrpe, & Ruffs LETTERER: Ben Lee
Megatron finally has what he wants, control of Cybertron and torturing Starscream for no real good reason. I’m serious, he’s mad because he can’t gloat at the council since Starscream wiped them out and stole his thunder. Is it any wonder I keep saying Cy-Kill is a better evil leader robot? When Zero betrayed him to start his own Renegades it was a stupid move. When Starscream betrays Megatron he may have a point. And it’s probably Tuesday. Or Thursday. Or a day with a “y” at the end. However, Megatron’s new “Aerospace Extermination Squad”, a bunch of Seeker clones all in gray (I already did a Michael Bay’s Transformers joke in this review sadly), seems to come from a benefactor. Since this story was never finished thanks to Dreamwave’s collapse, I’m calling it. It was the Quintessons. I have no evidence but I’m pretty sure it’s Quintessons, which I would give Furman credit for had it proven true. We’ll also never find out where he or Optimus disappeared to or how he’d come back. What we do know is that he won’t say where he got the cloning machine and Shockwave can’t figure out how to reverse engineer it.
So what are the Autobots doing during this? Well, some are mining or excavating or something. Later, Soundwave finds what he claims is the core, so maybe it’s that? Cliffjumper and Brawn try to revolt but are taken down. It puts a brief smile on Ultra Magnus’ face…and that’s it. I’m hoping this was setting up Ultra Magnus to kick butt later, since Furman did write a good Ultra Magnus in the UK comics. Another group of revolutionists is doing better. Perceptor comes up with a way to shield themselves from the AES and uses Getaway to lead them into a trap. Perceptor wants one for study and Blaster can jam their transmissions. Nice to see some competence here. Also, the comic’s “previously” text claims Grimlock is dead, which is unlikely given he plays a part in the Earth stories already written by this point and even “slag ’em all” Furman wouldn’t kill his pet character.
I’ll admit this one wasn’t too bad. It sets up the desperation of the Autobots, the mystery of the AES, and Megatron’s continued status as a blood(fuel?)thirsty moron who rules solely by force. I guess it’s worth a read out of curiosity but not much else since everything was cut off prematurely.
BW Media Spotlight 