Transformers #14 Review

 

Transformers #14 Review

Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson

Artist: Jason Howard

Colorist: Mike Spicer

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Cover Artists: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer; Viktor Bogdanovic; Jorge Fornés; Derrick Chew; Kael Ngu; Ivan Tao; Clayton Crain; Alan Quah; Livio Ramondelli; Jimbo Salgado

Editor: Ben Abernathy

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Production: Ashby Florence

Publisher: Image

Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 13, 2024

 

After Jetfire abandoned him, and Optimus Prime and Bumblebee destroyed his life’s work, Genvo died in Ulchtar’s arms. As Starscream, Ulchtar became Megatron’s hand of death. When Megatron’s dominance grew oppressive, Starscream shook off his control and became the leader of the Decepticons on Earth. Then Soundwave challenged his leadership and threw him into an active volcano. Once again, someone made Starscream into a tool. Humans from Destro’s MARS corporation have shackled him to a HISS tank. Will Starscream enjoy rockin’ and rollin’ on his tracked treads? Let's recharge our Energon batteries, leap into Transformers #14, and discover Starscream’s transformative journey!

 

Story

Once, a guard on Cybertron called him a dumbass techno pup. But Ulchtar cherished life in all its forms. Now, Starscream worships himself. His first instinct is to kill those who are different or fail to revere him. Starscream stares down at the HISS tank that replaced his legs, sharing Private Clayton's opinion of him. The Humans have made him into an abomination! But Starscream can’t kill Horton and his Human crew. Their deaths will trigger explosive devices. Then Starscream notices that Private Martin has been sketching him. Finally, an artist yearns to capture his majesty!

 

Like Starscream, Horton yearns for greatness. His father was worshipped as a Real American Hero. MARS has relegated Horton to salvage duty. Still, Destro is always looking for the next great innovation. His Battle Android Troopers haven’t performed flawlessly in field tests. In Daniel Warren Johnson’s story, Horton’s Frankensteined Transformer-HISS Tank could help Destro keep Cobra Commander’s Energon supply flowing and secure the promotion Horton wants.

 

Yet even without his legs and shackled by Humans, Starscream proves resilient. The Autobots destroyed his life, but Megatron made Starscream a slave. Soundwave threw him into a volcano. Still, Starscream survived. This buoys his confidence. So when he meets others who could serve his needs, Starscream mixes truth and lies to bind them to his service. Ulchtar’s youth was filled with wonder. But his worldview was fragile and could not withstand the rigors of reality. Starscream’s life is one of resilience. In Transformers #14, Starscream seeks to improve his situation. His undaunted optimism transforms an otherwise debilitating defeat into an inspiring triumph.

 

Art

A clockwork cascade of images showcases Starscream’s conversion into a Transformer-Tank. Yet the fire from Horton’s lighter forges a link with Razz welding Starscream to the HISS tank. As Starscream raises his arms in horror, Horton slaps Clayton’s back with such force that it knocks the glasses off his stunned face. Starscream slams his fist into the ground, sending the MARS salvage crew flying. Yet the giant hand halts above a Human silhouette. Private Martin raises his sketchbook like Moses offered his work for inspection. The Human's sketch provokes more violence. Yet a cat cooly regards Starscream’s tantrum, evoking Optimus Prime's accidental killing of a deer.

 

Amid the surrounding greenery, the red and yellow that fill the background in closeups hint at the fire from which Starscream’s new life is forged. As Mike Spicer lavishes vibrant colors on Jason Howard’s evocative and exciting art in Transformers #14, he softens Starscream’s violent memories with pastels. Purple and gray shade falls on Starscream's head, linking him with the Humans and their HISS tank. Yet as Horton expresses his dominance within Starscream’s crushing grip, his red hair and beard link him with his giant captive.

 

Rus Wooton fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters and the Transformers’ rectangular ones with italicized words. The letters embolden for intonation, occasionally swell or change color for raised voices, and rarely shrink. The red sound of a rescue victim attacking its protector elicits Starscream’s laughter in Transformers #14, while a red cry for help prompts him to investigate. Yet the sound of Private Martin’s sketching echoes Megatron undergoing mass conversion to become a gun in Starscream’s hands. Thanks to Image Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

After Soundwave left Starscream in a volcano like Obi-Wan abandoned Anakin on Mustafar, a MARS team scurries in like Jawas and puts restraining bolts on the Decepticon. But the Humans discover that Starscream isn't as docile as a protocol droid, as the aftermath of Optimus Prime's actions rocks the Cybertronians' adoptive planet in Transformers #14.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.