[preview]TFW2005 has an early review on another Transformers comic! Today’s review is for Nefarious #1 by IDW Publishing, which is scheduled to be released in comic book stores tomorrow – Wednesday, March 17th. Check out the review and a few new images from the issue by clicking on the Title Bar or thumbnail to the left.[/preview]TFW2005 has an early review on another Transformers comic! Today’s review is for Nefarious #1 by IDW Publishing, which is scheduled to be released in comic book stores tomorrow – Wednesday, March 17th.
Nefarious #1Credits
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Written by: Simon Furman
Art by: Carlos Magno
Colors by: Kris Carter
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Associate Editor: Denton J. Tipton
Covers
Cover A – Art by Brian Rood
Cover B – Art by Carlos Magno
Retailer Incentive – Art by Brian Rood
Review
Transformers: Nefarious #1 officially kicks off the first comic sequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, drawing fans back to the familiar. N.E.S.T. is still an active entity, taking care of an “Alice” Decepticon pretender. With the exception of the Arcee triplets, all Autobots from Revenge of the Fallen are shown by halfway through the issue. Meanwhile, Soundwave attempts to take control of Earth in advance of Megatron’s return but is confused by the resurrection of Ravage. In Tales of the Fallen #5, Ravage was brought back to life following his death in the movie sequel by an unknown entity. Nefarious #1 focused on the recovery of Ravage’s body from the end location of Tales of the Fallen #5.
Longtime Transformers writer and fan-favorite Simon Furman returns and provides the story for the series. The writing style is typical of what one would expect from Simon, with the inter-dialogue and lengthy speeches. The revelation of the new antagonist force, the ones who revived Ravage, was handled quite well. Soundwave at first brags about how easily it would be to control the humans by means of their communications but then soon learns that his forces and communications skills are challenge by a sector of humans. Soundwave’s new revelation is then followed by the unveiling of the Initiative.
After bring fans back to the movie-universe with familiar faces, Simon gives some non-movie toys and under-used characters time to shine. Jolt gets some face-time on the Autobot side, along with Breakaway, Knockout and Dune Runner. Beyond Soundwave, Alice, and Ravage, the other Decepticons featured are some characters that share a bond with Soundwave…and are very familiar in name to Generation One fans.
Art duties are handled by Carlos Magno, who received some mixed reviews for other recent work such as Tales of the Fallen #1 through #4. However, Nefarious #1 features his best work yet. Whereas details in Tales of the Fallen were indistinct, his lines in this issue were a marked improvement and enhanced by a terrific color job by Kris Carter. The combination of Carlos’ lines and details and Kris’ colors really make the art visually effective.
While the lead-up to the big reveal was handled well, the final panel will seem a little familiar to readers of a previous IDW movie-verse comic mini-series. While the circumstances are different, the hope is that the back story and purpose behind the “big reveal” item is much different that that presented previously in story-form.
Regardless of the issues surrounding the big reveal, Nefarious #1 features a great story with some intriguing art to back it up. It remains true to the universe featured in the Paramount/DreamWorks movies, so those fans of the movies will definitely find this appealing. Meanwhile, fans who didn’t like the movies may be drawn in by the inclusion of some familiar Soundwave minions. At the very least, the FIBRIR/FIRRIB debate starts anew!
coinilius
To be fair, they might still 'fix' that particular continuity muddle with some post-RotF flashback tinkering or something – not that it really matters, since the comic continuity is pretty much put through the blender each time a movie comes out…
eagc7
true
Optimus
Granted but he was still implied to have been sealed in the artifact and needed the Matrix to escape.
ezim93
My thoughts on Nefarious
to be honest I have only recently got into comics and I usually only buy graphic novels. I was trying to look for some back issues of Transformers on going but to no avail. I then decided to get Transformers Nefarious #1 and two batman comics (to get pumped up for the return of bruce wayne). To be honest I had low expectations for this comic and it did start out slow but the minute I saw Soundwave unleash his "cassettes" onto the autobots this comic started to kick ass. This really washes out the bad taste of RotF. I can't wait to see how the rest goes.
eagc7
In the Movie Fallen was in the nemesis too
Optimus
Mainly The Fallen himself
Blitz Wing
It's been like 9 months since I've read it, but what about Defiance conflicted with the Movies?
Optimus
Defiance is the only movie comic that actually conflicts with events in the films and renders it non-canon. The original prequel comic didn't fit that well either but it was retconned so that the Target exclusive comic that came with the first film in canon. In fact, the Target comic fits much better with the movie.
SPLIT LIP
I thought it was pretty decent. I'll deffinately be reading future issues to see how this goes.
Fixed for, well, accuracy.
Not that I know. Starscream's personality was never really conflicted, since he could've just been putting on an act for his boss so he didn't get killed.
Optimus
Looking at page 18, second to last panel, I'd say Breakaway is definitely dead. judging by the size of the blast and large pieces of debris.
Someone yells "Breakaway!" on the same panel mentioned above. Not quite implying that he's dead, but again, The blast makes me think it was a kill shot.
As for the comic itself, not the best but I'll keep reading. I don't think there's been a movieverse comic I haven't liked (Though I should note that I haven't read the ROTF adaptation) so I have high hopes and expectations.
Digilaut
I think he was pretty much blown to smithereens, judging from the explosion and the flying panels. Don't have the comic in front of me right now, either though.
UltraMagnus3786
When I read through this I didn't think they killed off Breakaway but now I'm second guessing after reading all these posts. For all we know he was just shot though right? I don't have it in front of me, but there was no line from the Autobots declaring he's dead right? Like a "Oh Breakaway! Soundwave you'll pay!"?
I personally am not a fan of Magno's art and much prefer Milne. It was weird having Buzzsaw be the only minion that didn't receive an update. Furthermore he was colored as Lazerbeak =T
If Furman is to pen transformers comics, I'd much prefer he get his own little mini series. While you may not like how he writes, I think we can all agree that we'll get some good ol' Furman fashioned action. I thought the one or two issues he wrote for Tales of the Fallen were a little subpar. Here, he'll be able to do his own thing.
G1Wheeljack
I wasn't going to read this series, but I figured what the hell & picked up #1 to see if I'd like it. And I did, not sure if Rumble needed to be a Rhino, though it makes sense if you'd make him one(And he's BLUE! ). That, Buzzsaw being red instead of yellow and Jolt not speaking(still happy to see him though) are my only real complaints, but I'm nitpicking.
eagc7
No, i was not tlaknig about that, i was tlaking that there was not retcon with reign and ROTF
eagc7
Yup, like i sayed, they might be dead, but like you sayed lets wait and see
Shokaract
I think Buzzsaw is meant to be that real gear that turns into an MP3 player. I thought it was off to a decent start until they offed Breakaway. So pointless.
Dinobot Nuva
The Arcee thing isn't an issue with Reign of Starscream and the movie, its an issue between Alliance and Reign of Starscream, since when she was in Alliance she was exactly how she was in the movie. And, as you mentioned, the gap was filled with a (pretty cool) Tales of the Fallen issue.
SharkyMcShark
I loved the new minions, they were pretty cool. Breakaway's death was utterly pointless. And I thought it was good that Sideswipe got a bit more characterisation – it seems he's closer to G1 Sunstreaker in character than his G1 namesake (apart from loving himself he has a healthy disdain for humans)
Digilaut
None of them appeared in this comic, so yes, it's quite possible they're all dead. Guess we will have to wait and see if they appear.
Biotoakid
Wait, no bikes? Didn't one survive?