Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer; Karen S. Darboe; Ludo Lullabi; Wes Craig; James Harren; Tiago Da Silva; Livio Ramondelli; Ryan Browne; Alessandro Micelli; Ivan Tao; John Giang
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Publication Design: Andres Juarez
Production: Ashby Florence
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 14, 2024
Optimus Prime returned from his Decepticon raid with Elita and Ultra Magnus. Arcee is overjoyed to see her mentor again, but he’s embarrassed by his broken state. While Wheeljack mourns Ratchet’s death, Optimus worries over what Shockwave will do to Jazz and Cliffjumper. But the Autobots’ concerns are nothing compared to Shockwave’s latest triumph. He has transported Cybertron to our solar system! Can Optimus Prime rescue his friends and prevent Shockwave from draining Earth of life and energy? Let's recharge our Energon batteries, leap into Transformers #11, and follow the Cybertronians' transformative journey!
Story
War has taken its toll on Optimus Prime again. Whatever action he takes is likely to take the life of an Autobot or Human friend. Elita urges him to abandon Earth and take the fight to Cybertron. Wheeljack wants to awaken more Autobots instead of spending all their Energon repairing Ultra Magnus. But Optimus cannot turn away from a single life in jeopardy. This "weakness' will always endanger his friends and his cause. But that is his nature and the beliefs he puts into action.
Elita blames Optimus Prime for the fall of Cybertron in Transformers #11. Optimus had responsibilities to his homeworld, yet he abandoned his fellow Autobots. War has forged her into a weapon. Elita may not torture people like Shockwave, but she uses words and guilt to hurt those who disagree with her. Does she even value her fellow Autobots? Elita sacrificed many to rescue Ultra Magnus. But was that because she valued him as a person or the leader who can crush the Decepticons?
After their reunion in the last issue, Transformers #11 gives Arcee a chance to reconnect with her mentor. Elita’s devotion to Ultra Magnus may be conditional, but Arcee’s is unshakable. She worships him not for what he can do but because Ultra Magnus helped Arcee when she was weak and alone. Now, he is weak, and she is the caregiver. Yet Arcee also has responsibilities. She followed Ultra Magnus' model and took Carly under her wing. Arcee's caring for the Human orphan will guide her actions in Daniel Warren Johnson's story.
War and loyalty to his cause have hardened Soundwave. He may be a wiser leader than Starscream. Yet, like Elita, he is also a manipulator. Even if he defers to Shockwave, he remains devoted to Ravage. He refuses to consign his damaged friend to the recycling pile. Helping the Decepticon cause and restoring his friend would fulfill him. His new master, Shockwave, values no one and nothing. Optimus Prime realizes Shockwave has already harvested sufficient Energon from Earth’s oceans to replenish Cybertron. Yet the master of Cybertron remains insatiable. Shockwave’s troops are metal vampires craving their next Energon feast. And Shockwave will give it to them while torturing his captives in the hopes of learning how to get more.
Art
Beachcomber hops on his motorized surfboard to investigate the waterspout in Transformers #11. As he spies Cybertron breaching Earth’s atmosphere, his jaw drops. Arcee sits before Ultra Magnus. Her words to her mentor lying on the work table evoke Optimus Prime's caring for Jetfire when the Autobot realized he could never be more than a vehicle again. Carly resembles an ant as she watches her iron intercessor confront angry Elita. The girl's eyes bulge. She covers her mouth, imagining Cliffjumper sharing Ultra Magnus’ fate.
A long shot reveals Optimus and Wheeljack studying Cybertron from the deck outside the hanger bay. The planet’s colors echo those of Soundwave, Shockwave, and Elita. The devastated metal planet resembles a jawbreaker-size Tootsie Pop supported by a blue toothpick. (How many licks will it take to reach the center of Shockwave’s fortress?) Dirt falls from Elita’s pink body as she rages against a white background. Mike Spicer also places Jorge Corona's close-ups against a yellow background. These contrast with the Ark's brown interior and exterior. Does the brown spaceship hull suggest a growing connection between these metal Non-Biological Entities' and Humanity's organic home?
Rus Wooten portrays Human speech with large-size black letters in white dialogue balloons. Transformers use italicized black letters in rectangular balloons with lightning bolt arrows, while Soundwave commands yellow words into blue balloons. Sound effects introduce Beachcomber to the end of this chapter of his life, while giant yellow words signal that the final confrontation in Transformers #11 is a Clash Of The Titans. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
The war between the Autobots and the Decepticons leaves Carly, Spike, and Beachcomber wondering how they can help their friends. Spike would fight if he could. Beachcomber wants to protect his paralyzed Human friend, and Carly can't forget her cruelty to Cliffjumper for not killing the Decepticon who murdered her father in Transformers #11.
Rating 9.6/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
No comments:
Post a Comment