“Are you sure this will help my back?”
Transformers Energon #24
Dreamwave (June, 2004)
“Aftershock” WRITER: Simon Furman PENCILER: James Raiz INKER: Rob Armstrong COLORIST: Jon-Im Lee, Josh Perez, & Elliot Kravchik LETTERER: Ben Lee
Remember my Veteran’s Day tribute last night? Well, there’s a reason it took so long to post. I didn’t like it and I had to make myself accept a few things that led to this Art Soundoff. What is limiting me from the drawing portion of comics and can I still pull it off within the limits I can’t break by focusing on the ones I can?
Tell others about the Spotlight:
“I knew we should have picked a larger hill!”
Transformers: Generation One #4
Dreamwave (July, 2002)
WRITER: Chris Sarracini PENCILER: Pat Lee INKER: Rob Armstrong BACKGROUNDS: Edwin Garcia COLORISTS: Ramil Sunga, Gary Yeung, & Alan Wang FLATS: Kenny Li LETTERING: Dreamer DesignI’m breaking format on this one because outside of the coloring and backgrounds I have nothing positive to say about this issue. Pat Lee’s faces are still bored or dull surprise and we’ll get into the story.
Hallo has Spike locked up and wants to cover up the missile launch he made on Lazarus’ base. The explosion was transformed (no pun intended) into a mushroom chunk of the virus, which is now powering itself, making it harder for the Autobots to stop. As they try to get the other Autobots online and stop the virus, Megatron decides to attack the city. His goal is an odd one as he really wants to convince Optimus that he’s in the right. As the Autobots arrive to stop him everyone looks up for some reason, while someone slips a note under Spike’s door to be ready.
Megatron has never cared if Optimus agreed with him or not (or at least we’ve never seen evidence of it in this continuity). He wants power and conquest as usual. Attacking the city is to prove…what exactly? Sadly I do know the answer and it will not only be dumb but strike a pet peeve of mine. (I know, I have so many in storytelling.) As the Decepticons come in, two dock workers are talking about the attack on the oil rig in Antarctica, but how would they have heard about it? Was it on the news, because I’m pretty sure Hallo wouldn’t have let that out in light of what we’re about to learn about him.
I really have nothing positive to say about this story. Just avoid it. Simple as that.
Tell others about the Spotlight:
Something I put together for Veteran’s Day.
Please remember the people who risked their life, lifestyle, and sanity for your safety. I wish we had a day for the soldiers still fighting instead of just the retired and the lost. Support and thank your local veterans.
Tell others about the Spotlight:
I guess Star was following Marvel with that month’s cover gimmick, but how about using the villain actually IN the story?
Masters Of The Universe #4
Star Comics (Marvel; November, 1986)
“Snakes Alive!” WRITER: Mike Carlin BREAKDOWNS: Ron Wilson FINISHES: Dennis Janke COLORIST: Bob Sharen LETTERER: John Morelli EDITOR: Ralph MacchioSkeletor, at the urging of Kobra Khan, releases the Snake Men, led by King Hiss. He sends them to drawn He-Man in but Hiss hopes to use He-Man to betray Skeletor and conquer Eternia for himself, and get revenge on the Elders for imprisoning him, Rattlor, and Tung Lashor 1,000 years ago. They kidnap Cringer to lure in He-Man. Our heroes need Snout Spout and Rio Blast to stop bickering long enough to fight Skeletor and his Terror Claws. In the end the Snake Men get sick of Skeletor and leave and the two security partners learn to get along…for about five seconds.
What they got right: I do like adding the Snake Men as another threat to Eternia, ones with a slightly different agenda than Skeletor or Hordak. Rio Blast and Snout Spout make an interesting team.
What they got wrong: Sadly, so much is goofed up that you’d think I would give this issue a negative review. The bickering does get old at times. Kobra Khan has his toy’s face, which much like Leech does not translate well, but for some reason he has brown skin instead of green. Kobra Khan came out long before the Snake Men so if they’re getting the other toys right one from even longer back should be easier to get right. Finally, this story starts with the same fake-out as last issue, only instead of Orko and Adam play-fighting Adam and Orko are practicing with Rio Blast and Snout Spout. I’m hoping this isn’t going to be a trend in these stories.
Recommendation: A fair introduction of the new toys/characters but while not a bad read it’s not a must-hunt issue unless the Snake Men make a return.
Tell others about the Spotlight:
A good story has good characters doing interesting things. There are two ways to lean in a story, however. You can focus on characters and character development or just tell an exciting adventure. However, just as a good character piece needs something interesting happening a good event tale needs you to care about the characters. In today’s Art Soundoff Challenge I give you an example of the event-driven narrative done right, and it’s for preschoolers.
Tell others about the Spotlight:
Preparing for the ultimate double noogie.
Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi – The Golden Age Of The Sith #0
Dark Horse (July, 1996)
WRITER: Kevin J. Anderson PENCILER: Chris Gossett INKER: Stan Woch COLORIST: Pamela Rambo COVER ART: Christopher Moeller LOGO/BOOK DESIGN: Scott Tice LETTERER: Sean Konot EDITOR: Bob Cooper
