Transformers: Dark Designs

Transformers US Titan Collections #15

by Simon Furman, Manny Galan (Illustrator), Andrew Wildman (Illustrator)

The saga of Transformers enters Generation 2: bigger, badder and more in your face than ever before. The kid gloves are off, and how Up till now, the Autobots thought the scale of their problems amounted to Megatron and his Decepticons... and the odd renegade god. They're about to realise they're playing in a much bigger arena than they ever thought possible, for much, much bigger stakes. Beyond the fringes of known space an ancient power is spreading its malign influence, turning whole worlds, whole galaxies into a dark mosaic of its own design. A design that is unmistakeably Cybertronian in origin Plus, the rise of the Swarm, and the beginning of the end...

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2002

About the author

Simon Christopher Francis Furman is a British comic book writer who is best known for his work on Hasbro/Tomy's Transformers franchise, starting with writing Marvel's initial comic book to promote the toyline worldwide, as well as foundations for both Dreamwave Production's and IDW Publishing's takes on the Generation 1 minifranchise.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough collection to rate. Generation 2 starts off awkward, with some parts lacking connective tissue, leaving the reader confused by the rushed plotting. If they were not reading G.I. Joe, seeing Cobra Commander, Scarlett, Hawk, and Snake Eyes here would leave one perplexed. The rush, it should be noted, might be because Furman saw the series would not go beyond issue 12 given Marvel's expectations. Hence, Jhiaxus means "Gee, axe us!"

The art is strong in some places and goofy in others. Optimus Prime rarely looked better (or grimmer), while Jhiaxus never quite works visually (although he gets better). Marvel Megatron was always psycho, but here he is truly over the top, while Bludgeon's death is too rushed for such a great warrior and villain (although Megatron later notes he did much with little in his space raiding). That said, issues 5 and 6 have good pacing, drama, and interesting enough ideas that I will finish up this series, which has perhaps the dumbest tagline ever: "This is not your father's Autobot!" Wait, the original comic was launched in 1984, so is this for kids born of teenage dads or something? Coming after the best of the series tag line of the series (#80 in a four-issue limited series - FUCK YEAH!) this one is just lame.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very nice return to form for the Transformers, with some good artwork and some great stories. Simon Furman is falling back a little on themes and ideas he played with towards the end of his original Transformers run, but since he didn't get to explore them as much as he might have hoped, it's understandable.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

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