The Transformers: Dark Cybertron, Volume 2

Transformers IDW #43

by John Barber, James Roberts, James Raiz (Illustrator)

The conclusion to the 12-part epic Dark Cybertron! Ultra Magnus leads what's left of the Lost Light crew, while on Cybertron, titans clash and the ultimate battle will leave the planet changed forever!

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

152 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2014

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dark Cybertron event story-line is notable for the marketing muscle Hasbro and IDW placed behind it. This was the year of the Transformers 30th anniversary, and there were toys and comics in a coordinated effort to celebrate a momentous milestone. But for this reader, it was when the story of the Lost Light took a wrong turn after a sensational first five volumes.

Don't get me wrong, Dark Cybertron was great story that spanned the breadth of the IDW Transformers publishing history. There were plot threads from the first IDW series that came to fruition (e.g. Shockwave and the Dead Universe) and story beats from the Robots In Disguise and More Than Meets the Eye continued to move their overarching themes. However, it would have served the Lost Light Story better if it were disengaged from this story because of one name. Megatron.

Spoiler alert for this story and More Than Meets the Eye volume 6.
This is the story where Megatron becomes an Autobot. That new development deserves its own ongoing series. Megatron as an Autobot and captain of the Lost Light just overpowers the original space quest premise. There is a great scene in More Than Meets the Eye volume 6 where Megatron exploits an archaic loophole in Cybertronian law that is just an instant classic.

Still, I think it was too much of a good thing. The repercussions from this story are still being felt and despite this reader's feelings for it, it still gave up was would become a favorite character. A trio of female Autobots (fembots?) were introduced in this story, with one of them, the fan poll winner Windblade. One of the three, Nautica would end up joining the Lost Light crew and thus made this detour from the story a necessary evil.

[A J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damn, Megatron.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge, explosive ending to years and years of plotlines that have been simmering and simmering until this climactic event. This epic conclusion to the 12-issue Dark Cybertron crossover event is pretty darn satisfying. With so many major twists and turns that will forever change the Transformers universe, it’s hard to tell where these characters will be heading next. In the final chapters, it was almost as if there was too much story to wade through, but then again, this was the culmination of 4 million years of intergalactic politics and war, so, there WAS a lot of story to tell.

4/5

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than volume one.

[J. Agombar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to this excellent Dark Cybertron saga involves a few twists and turns as well as (what may seem) some permanent transformer fatalities by the end. Yes, a few spoilers here.

Firstly, the first part of the series here I stated that certain elements were a little fuzzy due to surrounding stories which led to this one. This part is no different. For instance, why Prowl can combine with the Constructicons to form a part of Devastator is beyond me?
The conclusion of the narrative I very much enjoyed as more conflict in and amongst the two Cybertronian factions is withheld and they are forced to work together for the greater good, or greater threat that comes in the form of the nihilist approach of Shockwave's schemes. In this entry, Metroplex is found beneath an ocean and reactivated to battle the ominous 'dead' version of himself. The Dead universe is a nice touch in these stories where Shockwave is utilising it, along with some old characters inhabiting it, or previously inhabiting it, to conduct his apocalypse.

The concept of time is distorted a lot here as both Megatron and Galvatron exist, not without gripe, together in the same space. The character development of both is interesting as Megatron seems to have taken on the tortured philosopher who feels like his war efforts for Cybertron failed. Despite his powerful stature, both physically and politically, he stands aside as a minor player for most of the story until the last quarter where his pessimistic outlook serves the 'good guys' well.
The fact that he helps Optimus Prime destroy Shockwave at the end is quite the feat.
The personal tension between various bots is an excellent device. Metalhawk and Starscream, Galvatron who breaks Megatron in half, Prowl with Bumblebee and...most others, Prime with Cyclonus. The inclusion of the scientific bots like Brainstorm and Perceptor to tackle Shockwave's plans is also well installed, showing a full use of team skills to overcome the plans that threaten them all.

As I said, several final deaths occur in this entry SPOILER: Bumblebee, Hardhead, Jhiaxus (a shame as i'd like to have seen more of him) Metalhawk, several aerialbots, Nova Prime (an alarming threat from the first instalment, Nightbeat ( technically already dead) and Shockwave. These events make this story a zenith of an entry which is popular for good reason. The concept of the Ammonites smothering the universe in countless numbers was an excellent technique to assist the pulling together of factions.

Certain aspects I didn't like were trivial but Starscream's design was a little bland, however, i'm glad they kept his overbearing, cocky and cowardly nature in sync with G1.
The way that Shockwave was overthrown by Optimus Prime and Megatron's speech was quite weak. Literally reminding him of the past and how they sat on a bench together in a park was a little painful. I expected a more furious battle given the cost of how many bots were killed before this point. Galvatron, despite moments of wrath, was quite passive as a devout follower of Nova Prime. I feel he would not have tolerated being second in command but it was ain interesting twist and Nova's death may change his persona for future stories back to the jaded psychopath he is known to be.

However, this entry was just as entertaining as the first one and concludes well given the difficult concept of the Ore's and all of time and space colliding within Shockwave. I commend the artists for managing to illustrate the menagerie of images of how to pull that off. The lack of human presence in this story is what really helps it as modern continuities don't seem to have learned that big robots kicking the crap out of each other is what people really want to see.
Overall I'd give this instalment a 4.4, the same as the first one. A must read for any G1 fan.

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

Epic

The Dark Cybertron story is not a stand-alone storyline. It's the culmination of some really long story arcs. As such, it is a very impressive writing achievement and is a very satisfying read.

There is one thing only that I dislike about the IDW Transformers comics, and that is how the motivation of the Autobots and Deceptions is handled. In other Transformers iterations, it is good versus evil. But with IDW it not so black and white. While that is fine, it does make the motivations - and thus the characters - of both Optimus Prime and Megatron seem a bit muddled. And that is kind of unsatisfying to me.

Without giving away any spoilers, that sense of muddled motivation is really on display in this story, particularly in regard to Megatron. The story takes a turn for the frankly unbelievable, in my opinion. But if you just accept that this isn't the Megatron you know from other media, it is okay. It certainly makes for a unique and interesting story. Recommended.

[Isiiii · Rating 5 out of 5]

La magia de la amistad lo ha hecho otra vez!

Rip bee, vuela alto amigo, róbate el cielo abejorro 🐝
Con el poder de la amistad hiciste que un genocida racista se haya vuelto bueno!

Es increíble como un senador bueno se haya vuelto un loco de remate sin emociones por culpa de una lobotomía! Y que penca para Optimus tener que haber visto a su amigo convertirse en en eso :(

Lo bueno que ya se murió el shockwave, pero el senador shockwave, siempre será recordado


Pero en fin. Ya no hay guerra!

Me gustó mucho como pudieron poner fin a todo 🤝

(Pd: Debo leerme a ahora otros cómics que van cronológicamente antes que este y las series de more than meets the eye y robots in disguise. Y ahí ver como eran las guerras. Ya me acostumbre un poco a las películas pretenciosas, así que un salto de tiempo no hace mal)

(Puse la reseña en el tomo 1, me confundí XD)

[Si · Rating 5 out of 5]

The culmination of a lot of threads that have been building: Primes return, Megatron facing up to what his rebellion actually is and Chromedome vs Prowl (briefly). All excellently written against the backdrop of Shockwaves insane and tragic plan.

Megatron conversations with Bumblebee and Rodimus’ with Optimus are the stand out turning points. The former playing into the fact Megs originally had a point which he’s completely lost sight of in trying to win, feeding into the latter that Optimus’ basically exceptional and is really the only Prime who’s lived up to the ideal.

[Jarred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome culmination of story, things continue to build from volume 1, and stakes are hard to top in volume 2. This felt like it could have been a satisfying end for story that has spanned a decade or more.

[Martin Lund · Rating 2 out of 5]

The return of the return of Megatron. It was always going to happen again (and again), but almost everything about it is just too sudden and out-of-(this-version-of-the-) character.

[jacobi]

god what a fucking mess hope no more crossover events get in the way of my space road trip

[Teen Tism · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm gonna be suing for emotional turmoil because it's been a while since I sobbed so much.

[Julia ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars
Ol' monotit being evil some more. Love him.

[Tam (is a cryptid) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So... I have a Shockwave obsession. I also love dark plots, thrills, and the unexpected in my comics. I freaking LOVED the Dark Cybertron arc. It gave me fangirl fits. The ONLY issue I have is that the art jumps around due to many fingers in the pie, but it's a project that brings together the current artists of the TF-verse so that is to be expected to a degree.

The story is fantastic but you need to understand that this is a co-op project and not a standalone series. You must be aware that this arc, both volumes, crosses between More Than Meets The Eye and Transformers (formerly Robots in Disguise) which run in parallel at the same time, just different sects of bots. This really won't throw you off much if you have only read one or other other, a lot is explained within the arc.

This ESSENTIAL reading for both series- so before you keep trucking through those volumes, make sure you read Dark Cybertron.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could see why a LOT of fans would hate this story arc, but to tell you why would be full of spoilers. Personally I like fresh, daring changes and when they are delivered in crazy roller-coaster kinda way like this...absolutely love it!

Wow. What did I just read? That ending will have your whole fandom world flipped upside down.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformers: Dark Cybertron, Vol. 2 keep the pace and action up from the previous book with Optimus and Megatron facing off against Shockwave as he attempts to literally make everything revolve around Cybertron! :D This is carried off brilliantly with multiple storylines all coming to fruition in this one but at the same time really setting up things for further adventures that we see in More Than Meets the Eye and other series! :D

There are plenty of unexpected plot twist throughout as well and character getting their comeuppance as well as unexpected jaw dropping events! :D


The art styles are as good as ever with the really supporting the script and the differing styles giving the alternate dead Universe it own surral feel and the living universe a bright and alive quality that gives every aa brilliant and vibrant quality! :D

Transformers: Dark Cybertron, Vol. 2 is inventive and clever full of noble and despicable characters and has lump in throat moment aplenty and witty asides! :D Brilliant and highly recommend! :D

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid enough second half of the Dark Cybertron event, bringing together and resolving threads going back to Simon Furman's IDW run in a novel way. Major questions are answered, but new ones are raised, such as the origin of Windblade's team. The storyline has a bit of the feel of Russell T Davies' season finales for Doctor Who, with a mix of near-ludicrous plot twists and character tragedy offset by epic, exciting thrill-ride moments. I admit, however, that I'm still not sure about one of the biggest twists: Megatron being swayed to the Autobot cause by Bumblebee. It just seemed too easy, especially when Optimus Prime - who has much stronger ties to Megatron's earlier, more idealistic days - was never able to reach him in that way. In any case, things have been set up for an interesting new status quo in volumes to come, and I look forward to them. (B+)

[Keith Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brings everything to a conclusion when we finally find out Shockwave's plan and everything which is happening with it. It's all a little too apocalyptic for my tastes. And the extent to which so many robots help Shockwave out with his plans without having any idea what those plans are feels unrealistic. And honestly, I could have done without the entire trip to the Dead Universe. Still, the conclusion was very satisfying and it's nice to see some real character growth and change. I found the whole thing pretty gripping, but I also found parts of it annoying.

[James Huff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This does much more to further the story of Transformers universe than part 1, but like part 1, the writing and art are all over the place. Quoting from my part 1 review for clarification, "Yes, I know there are multiple artists with multiple styles in this, but even character designs vary fundamentally between artists."

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

The individual issues are more engaging in volume 1. I wish Megatron was the focus, instead of one of 30 different sets of characters we have to follow. The amount of filler becomes very apparent in volume 2. Dark Cybertron is almost not at all worth your time--if not for the relevance of two or three major changes to the status quo.

[Derek Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I legitimately had tears in my eyes by the end of this. No spoilers, but the big death, combined with the face turn of a prominent villain and the line from Optimus that closes out the book, had me choked up.

[Marta Duda-Gryc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3,5. Much better than the first part, but still chaotic. Some wonderful moments (Prowl! Starscream! Rodimus's pep talk - yeah, yeah, I like him too, I grudgingly admit); Bee and Megatron strange battle friendship... Hmmm. But something's not right :)

[2Due · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit cleaner than Vol 1 despite the inconsistent artstyle, this was a very good wrap up of the messy fuckery that was going on, a lot of fun with a lot of characters, loved the end

[Carlos B) · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[Squeemu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 because the plot made no sense, but it had a very satisfying ending.

[Lucas Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some epic moments, but gosh was this book an overcomplicated mess. Endless escalation just leads to eventual numbness.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's still kind of confusing if you haven't been following the IDW series for a while. Still much better than the Bay movies.