Transformers: Devastation

Transformers IDW #9

by Simon Furman, E.J. Su (Illustrator), Nick Roche (Illustrator)

Rare bookIn the aftermath of Escalation's thundering showdown in Brasnya, factions on Earth stir into bold and demonstrative action. With both the Machination and Skywatch poised to strike, each possessing Cybertronian tech and inside knowledge of the alien enemy they face, the Autobots have no choice but to relocate. But the arrival on Earth of the Decepticon's living super-weapon, Sixshot, tells of more Devastation to come What role do Soundwave, Scorpinok, and the Reapers play in the coming confrontation?

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

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2008

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

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a pretty decent run! there were two particular things that did bother me, those being the art-style change and a couple of serious questions being left unresolved at the end. Other than that, it was still greatly enjoyable!

[emo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aaugh. Honestly, I don't know why I keep reading this particular strain of IDW Transformers comics. The art is terrible. EJ Su has a habit of drawing what are supposed to be giant robots of vehicles as just big guys with cars folded over them. And they change artists right in the middle of the story, anyway, which doesn't save anything. But who am I to say anything about the aesthetics? I don't like that superslick hero style anyway. So why bother with cringing all the way through another volume of this stuff?

I guess what saves the comic is Simon Furman... again. The conflict(s) is escalating far beyond how I imagined it would go. His characterisation of Sixshot, whom I had never heard of before reading this storyline, is swift and satisfying. And I laugh at how Hot Rod is such a fucking mouthy idiot. Furman is the only Transformers writer, as far as I'm concerned.

I guess I'm only embarrasing myself by writing a review for Transformers comic books. But the book is sitting right next to me, and I'm just bored enough to do it.

[James Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The peak of Furman's IDW G1 run, bringing all the threads introduced during his initial tenure together. Lots of great moments in here, including the reveal of the Machination's plans for the Transformers (another creepy reinterpretation of a G1 gimmick), and Sixshot versus the Earth Autobots. The follow-up on Sixshot's Spotlight story is a distraction, though (but probably a necessary one). (A-)

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main storyline for this series has been great. Artwork definitely improved on this one. I think what makes it challenging at times is how there's so much backstory they try to throw in all the time. Makes it confusing when you have to read all the spotlight issues in strict chronological order to make sense of it all.

[Matt Richter · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really like how they start to tie in threads from the spotlight series. but overall the plot in this one isn't terribly captivating and gets more convoluted as it progresses. as always (with these IDW releases) nice artwork tho.

[Matthew Barbeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading through this vividly when it came out and loving it a lot more than I do now. I feel like this volume really suffered from the expanding success of the IDW Transformers comics, as there are lots of bits you miss out on if you don't read all the TF Spotlight comics (which are all one-shot character focussed issues).

This is where the series starts going a little batshit crazy and introduces some of the more lingering elements that will carry on through the series.

Nevertheless, this includes one of my favourite things in the whole series - the reimagining of the Headmaster gimmick. I won't say more for fear of spoilers, but when I turned those pages the first time I was shocked and impressed they had the guts to do what they did. That was not lessened by time between reads.

[Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of what I consider the opening act of the IDW transformers era. Furman wraps things up, leaving more questions than answers frankly. If I was reading this at the time, I doubt I'd have been too contented with the ending.

The introduction of Sixshot in his role as a "phase sixer" was incredibly refreshing. Despite the love and development he's gone on to receive since, it was great to see him as a genuine menace and living weapon. The bane of autobots the universe over.

I won't lie. I did the Leo pointing meme when I saw Roche's name in the credits for these issues. Like some kind of post credit sequence, I had a wry smile knowing what comes down the line.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whew! this is a lot to follow. A ton of new elements get thrown into the mix including some dumb ones like bringing the headmasters back. I thought those were dumb even as a kid. Then there's stuff with Galvatron and the Reavers. It's a whole lot to keep track of in the background while the main thrust is Sixshot kicking the crap out of the Autobots. This isn't a series that you get eased into. If you don't have instant recollection of the 80's cartoon, there's a good chance you'll be lost.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

They really packed the action in this.

[SparrowReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid story that moved with pace and had fun with its plot and characters,

I enjoyed this one! It felt like miniseries made more progress than its predecessor and there were some good character moments.

I was optimistic from the very start, as there seemed to be small details (for example, the visual parallel with OP and Megatron both striking their hand to indicate a shift to a more aggressive strategy) that were so quick, but so effective. Moments with Sixshot, Ratchet, and the reawakening of Starscream also really worked for me - there was just a lot of personality all around.

Admittedly, I have mixed feelings about the Headmasters, but the series has a fairly irreverent attitude to them itself without making them a complete joke, which I appreciated. The body horror that arrives with the revelation of what has happened to Sunstreaker, however, is actually pretty sinister - again, effective.

I also liked the art. I often struggle with pinpointing what I like or dislike when it comes to art, but I can certainly say it was good here and I liked the variety of facial features and expressions in particular.

My only issues are minor and nit-picky: firstly, getting confused about Ironhide being in Warsaw (I probably just missed something making clear he wasn't suddenly in Poland...), being a little surprised that Sentinel received so much attention in earlier series when Nova was going to be more central, and a few bits of clunky dialogue.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, now I want a decent Sixshot figure.