The Transformers: Robots In Disguise, Volume 5

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #5

by John Barber, Livio Ramondelli (Illustrations), Atilio Rojo (Illustrations)

The fate of Cybertron is sealed—but what is the DECEPTICON scientist SHOCKWAVE planning? In the wastelands of CYBERTRON, he makes his move prompting SOUNDWAVE and the rest of the DECEPTICONS to step up and stop him but in the end they are faced with the ultimate choice, will the DECEPTICONS stand with SHOCKWAVE—or will they join the AUTOBOTS?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comic Book, 21st Century, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2013

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get more of Soundwave’s origin story in this volume, which is awesome!!! But the true focus of this collection is to show us how all the loose threads of Shockwave’s eon-spanning long-game are actually tied together, preparing us for the Dark Cybertron cross-over event.

The artwork is a little awkward and disjointed sometimes, but….. we learn more about Soundwave’s origin!!!!!!

3.5/5

[Adelaide Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, I didn’t realize how hard of a time I’ve been giving the Robots in Disguise series.

My problem was that I was being biased toward the More Than Meets the Eye series and expecting just as much emotional stamina from RiD. But being the emotionless person I am I was getting frustrated with each volume I read and continued to have a bad attitude. I went over my reviews for the previous volumes before reviewing this one and skimmed through those volumes. With a cumulative point of view on the RiD plotline, I now have a better appreciation for Barber’s writing and understand what is really going on.

This volume covers issues #17 - #22 and I had read issues 17 and 20 before I got the actual volume (minor comic store pick-ups just for kicks). Yes, this continues from the 4th volume with the fate of Bumblebee and those loyal to him determined by Starscream, but this volume begins and ends with Shockwave and his connection to starting Dark Cybertron—it’s ALL ABOUT SHOCKWAVE. That’s important and freaking awesome simultaneously. Although the last two issues surprised me the most because they actually turned out to be about Soundwave. Never, in all the books, comic books, TV series, or games have I ever understood Soundwave’s personality and angle at being loyal to Megatron as I have in issues 21 and 22. Being that these modern IDW series’ reinvent all the classic Transformers characters in ways we could never think, Soundwave is not the cold-minded, monotonously-voiced Decepticon everybody knows. He is actually a very sensitive character that is tuned into the emotions of other beings and has a strong sense of honor. He has hope for a better future with Megatron leading a world of equality and has a personal relationship with Ravage and his other cassettes as it turns out they are the ones who helped him cope with his emotional abilities. This was something I did not expect and was thoroughly pleased with. Shockwave’s a badass and Soundwave is an emotional soldier. Love it.

Barber is a realistic writer, conducting a plot that no Transformers series has seen before and having the characters in play speak and act with individualism that we’d see in the real world; compared to James Roberts’ colorful style of hilarious and gripping dialogue and character situation that dwells more on the pathos of the reader. Sorry, John Barber. It just happened to be that time of the month every time I read a RiD volume. I fully embrace this series as it is supposed to be. Hopefully I have learned my lesson and continue to mature while reading…well, pretty much everything.

[Clint the Cool Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff

The plans of Shockwave finally make sense. The origin story of Shockwave is interesting, and the origin of Soundwave is awesome! Finally in this issue, for the first time Soundwave gets some love. He's had virtually no panel space since the beginning.

The only thing I didn't like was some of the art, which was atrocious. But the art by Livio Ramondelli was incredible! I love that guy's art. It's a really unique look, which works amazingly well on an ebook. The eyes glow like animation, not like a conventional comic. It's a truly great art style.

I'm starting to realize that I like More Than Meets the Eye better than Robots in Disguise, but this is still good. Recommended!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Vol. 5 kicks off straight after the previous book with our loyal/traitorous/morally conflicted band of bots exiled from Iacon thanks to Starscream's machinations! :D This of course is compounded by the fact that Starscream's plan are coming to fruition and this makes even the most hard line Deception look up and take stock! :D

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Vol. 5 works of a palimpsest of level with the scheming of Shockwave running through the story like a virus threatening to upend anyone else's plans for a different vision of Cybertron! :D This of course puts Starscream and the other Decepticons in a sticky situation and how Soundwave and ultimately decides is very Vader like! :D

The plot thunders along at an incredible pace with the action never letting up for a moment! :D At the same time we get backstory all over the place really expanding on Transformers law and doing some serious world building that all come back and neatly tie into the machinations in a very Machiavellian way in the future present! :D The character development and world building are all up there with characters having to make decisions that on the face of it fly in the face of who they are and all this set with one new local after another revealed! :D This all puts the book on an epic scale that really shows through! What the characters go through and he scheming and the cunning all make for a book with twists and turns that you really will need see coming! :D

The art style is brilliant with each time period reflected in a different style! :D The art really enhances the script with showing how much the Cybertronians culture has changed and what they were like compared to the present! :D

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Vol. 5 is a tour-de-force of nuggets and fresh adventures! :D Transformers: Robots in Disguise Vol. 5 really flies off the page with character development, epic scale adventure, heroics and action packed throughout! :D Brilliant crisp high five! :D Go and get! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than volume 4. We finally start to truly see the results of Shockwave’s schemes. I’m sure it will all go exactly as planned…

The highlight of this volume was definitely Soundwave. We got to see his origins and his reason for why he is so loyal to Megatron and the Decepticon cause. Even though I really like Shockwave I think after this volume I officially have to give the title of favorite Decepticon to Soundwave now. This volume focused on him a lot and it was all so good. It honestly elevated his already great character to another level.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s got its ups and down. When its down, it doesn’t come close to comparing to the masterpiece that is “more than meets the eye”, but when it’s up...it’s damn well close. Not a fan of the constant artwork changes, but I could see how some people would enjoy it.

[Jesse Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series keeps building out its deep story arcs and history, expanding off the distant past. I continue to find new appreciation for characters. Soundwave, and even the Constructicons, left an impression this volume. Very much a build-up to the Dark Cybertron crossover.

[Martin Lund · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be interesting if it weren't for the high certainty that it'll end up being reset sooner rather than later. But hey, more Starscream.

[Kavinay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shockwave, Starscream and Soundwave take center stage

[Marta Duda-Gryc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings: all of the issues are a solid three stars (and a star for Soundwave's backstory), but the issue 18 deserves 5 stars, for Arcee, especially for this truly magnificent scene with the Constructicons declaring their, koff, koff, allegiance to a certain emotionally retarded bot we know and love. So - maybe 3,5 for the whole volume?

[Keith Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues from where the last left off. It did a very nice job with characterization and backstory. It still felt a little disjointed and at times I felt a little overwhelmed by the vagueness of Shockwave's future plans. But in net, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I went up a star versus previous volumes largely because of the efforts the author put into really developing the characters, especially through the backstory of prominent Decepticons.

[Andy Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrators do a fine job with a variety of styles including that 1980s Marvel UK look, painted portraits and modern renderings which make robots-that-turn-into-cars just normal, but writer John Barber lets the side down with five pre-crossover issues were very little happens. Kudos for doing so well with that, but it's a lesser game because of it. Yellow card.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume starts up a new status quo with Starscream in charge, but doesn't get very far with this before setting up the upcoming "Dark Cybertron" arc. We still get some interesting moments, however, as well as some neat background on Soundwave and another Orion Pax story. (B+)

[Shane Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reminds me of Animal Farm. Bumblebee plays the role of Snowflake while Starscream resembles Nopolian. The story unfolds similar to the book with the banishment of the Autobots and power and control going to Starscream.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it just as much as MTMTE. More political, but the characters are just as good.
Definitely more of a lead-in to Dark Cybertron than MTMTE volume 5.