“Yesterday’s” Comic> Transformers: All Hail Megatron #4

“That’s not the Bat Signal!”

Transformers: All Hail Megatron #4

IDW Publishing (October, 2008)

WRITER: Shane McCarthy

ARTIST: Guido Guidi

COLORIST: Josh Burcham

SELECTED COVER ART: Trevor Hutchison

LETTERER: Chris Mowry

EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton

The Decepticons are claiming victory on Earth and the surviving humans are trying to figure out what to do next. The focus is on Cybertron and the Autobots. With Optimus Prime clinging to life (twice in one continuity) and only Ratchet, Prowl, and Jazz aware of it, the others are going crazy. Ironhide is sure Mirage is the traitor and wants Sunstreaker to keep an eye on him when Wheeljack and Bumblebee manage to send out a call for help when someone is spying on them during a search for Energon. Cliffjumper and Ironhide respond and the quartet stumble upon Hot Rod who is so happy to see them. They’re here to rescue him and his team, right? Right?

What they got right: This is how you do a tale of hopelessness right. It isn’t done to shock but does so naturally. It’s all about what would happen if the Decepticons basically won. Knowing it does have a happy ending (for the most part but we’ll get to that) makes up for it, but right now it’s still a good story. And the art is really good.

What they got wrong: I’m guessing fingering Mirage as the traitor is a nod to that one episode of the original cartoon where Cliffjumper was the one accusing him but given what’s coming this red herring is still terrible.

Recommendation: This is still a good story. Worth checking out.